10 Things I Hate About Life

10 Things I Hate About Life
-----------------------
Written by:
Gil Junger
MAD CHANCE PRODUCTIONS

4000 WARNER BLVD
BURBANK, CA 91522
818.954.3500 1/7/13
1 EXT. LOS ANGELES HELICOPTER SHOT - LATE AFTERNOON 1
The sun glistens off the Pacific. We rise over the

majestic cliffs of Malibu. A lone car winds it’s way up
the rugged Malibu Mountains.
2 INT. WILLOW’S CAR - 2
WILLOW (mid-20’s) nods her head to the upbeat music.

There’s an unmistakable intensity behind her beautiful
eyes.
SUDDENLY, she FLOORS the car and YANKS the steering wheel
to the right.
3 EXT. LATIGO CANYON LOOKOUT - 3
The car tears across a lookout and propels itself into

the canyon below.
The only remains of the young woman’s existence are the

faint tire marks across the grass.
Moments later, from the other direction a car pulls into

the lookout. BEN, (late 20’s) gets out and calmly walks
over to the observation bench. The irony of this young
man appreciating the beauty of life in the same spot
where Willow took hers, is staggering.
There is a calm resolve on his face. He looks down and in

his hands, a pistol. Ben looks around, searching for
something, a sign of any kind that he shouldn’t do this.
He notices the faint tire marks left by Willow. That’s
odd? Tire marks going off a cliff? Oh well.
He slowly raises the gun to his head.
Tentatively his finger surrounds the trigger... Ben hears

a rustling nearby. Something appears on the edge of the
cliff... a hand. Then another. Then the face of a woman.
It’s Willow. They stare at each other for a very long,
awkward beat.
WILLOW
(polite)
Excuse me, can I borrow that when
you’re done?
(CONTINUED)
10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT LIFE GREEN REVISED SCRIPT 1-7-13 2.
3 CONTINUED: 3
BEN
I only have one bullet.
WILLOW
Kinda selfish.
BEN
Do you mind, I’m in the middle of
something.
WILLOW
One bullet? What if you miss?
BEN
It’s not that hard a shot.
WILLOW
Actually it is. I Googled it,
that’s why I drove off the cliff.
Who is this crazy woman?
WILLOW (CONT’D)
I need that bullet. I need it more
than you.
BEN
You don’t even know me. Go finish
your little hike and leave me
alone.
Willow pulls herself up to level ground and approaches

Ben.
WILLOW
Please, you couldn’t be more
transparent. You want people to
think you’re some starving artist
wearing your thrift-store jeans
and beat-up Chuck Taylors, oh
wait, but they seem to clash with
your Rolex which you probably got
for your high school graduation.
BEN
Wrong, college. I’m not that
spoiled.
WILLOW
Oh, and you mistakenly think
people find you clever.
(CONTINUED)
3 CONTINUED: (2) 3
BEN
(light bulb)
I see what you’re doing. You’re
trying to get me to shoot you.
Willow almost cracks a smile. The edge goes away.
WILLOW
I’m not having such a good day, or
life for that matter.
BEN
Well you sure hide it well.
That gets the smile.
WILLOW
So, now what?
4 EXT. LOOKOUT - MOMENTS LATER 4
Ben and Willows’ heads are smushed together, ear to ear.

Ben’s holding the gun to his head.
WILLOW
Cool idea.
BEN
See, I am clever.
WILLOW
God, get over yourself. Kill us
already.
There is a moment of silence as the reality of what

they’re about to do sinks in.
BEN
This is it you know.
WILLOW
I know.
BEN
There’s no turning back.
WILLOW
You going to use that bullet, or
bore me to death?
There is a silence as the two continue to look forward.
(CONTINUED)
4 CONTINUED: 4
BEN
(with conviction)
Fine, goodbye.
WILLOW
Goodbye.
They both close their eyes and squint in anticipation.
BEN
(light-bulb)
Whoa, I just realized something.
What if you die and I don’t?
WILLOW
The bullet has to go through you
first ding-dong.
BEN
Stranger things have happened.
WILLOW
No. They haven’t.
BEN
But if they did, then I’d be a
murderer and spend my life in
prison being someone’s bitch.
WILLOW
Trust me you’re not that cute.
BEN
Have you ever had a boyfriend?
WILLOW
Have you ever had a friend?
They stare at one another, ready to rip the others head

off. Then, the reality of what they’re about to do
settles in. They resume the head-to-head position.
BEN
Bye.
WILLOW
Bye.
As Ben begins to squeeze the trigger, a CELL-PHONE RINGS.

They both jump.
BEN
Jesus, that scared the crap outta
me! Ever heard of vibrate?
(CONTINUED)
4 CONTINUED: (2) 4
WILLOW
(re: phone)
Excuse me, I gotta take this.
Ben stands there waiting, holding the gun to his head.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
Oh my God! They did? You’re
kidding!
(to Ben)
See ya!
She takes off and runs down Latigo Canyon.
BEN
What? Where are you going?
WILLOW
They found Sam!
BEN
Who’s Sam?
WILLOW
(still running)
My dog.
BEN
(calling off)
Your dog? So... Do you need a
ride?
She stops and turns.
WILLOW
I’m not gonna get in a car with a
man who wants to kill himself.
Ben nods-- good point.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
Anyway, what about the whole
suicide thing?
BEN
You kinda ruined the moment.
Ben tosses the gun to the ground. It hits a rock and

FIRES. The bullet rips through his gas tank and the car
bursts into flames. Willow looks at the car, then to Ben:
WILLOW
Told ya one bullet wasn’t enough.
(CONTINUED)
4 CONTINUED: (3) 4
As Willow runs to get Sam, Ben stares at his burning car,

then walks over to retrieve his gun as we follow the
smoke as it lazily rises into the sky.
SFX: a small plane approaching.
Suddenly, A SMALL AIRPLANE, towing a banner cut’s through

the smoke, heading towards the beach. As it banks right
we clearly see the banner, which exclaims:
10 Things I Hate About LIFE
5 EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - LATE AFTERNOON 5
THE SCENE is a cool, laid-back club, with a line of

people paying to get in. There is a small sign
advertising tonight’s band: ON THE VERGE.
6 EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - CONTINUOUS 6
About 60 people anxiously wait for the band to begin. On

the small stage are two band-members. They appear to be
looking for someone, something. One of them is on his
cell.
CURT (THE DRUMMER)

(to band-mates)
Voicemail.
(into phone)
It’s Curt. You’re late. ARTIST TBD
is in the audience with some guys
in suits! Get here now!
He hangs up the cell, as Club Manager JAG ROX appears.
JAG ROX
Guys I’m not trying to be a buzz-
kill, or rain on your parade, or
shoot a monkey in a barrel, but
this is happy-hour, and I’m not
happy. If you don’t start playing
right now, I’m pulling the plug.
CURT
Jag please. If he’s not here in 10
minutes we’ll play for free.
JAG ROX
You already play for free.
(CONTINUED)
6 CONTINUED: 6
Jag exits.
CURT
The truth can be a cruel mistress.
NICK (BASS PLAYER)

(smiling but
concerned)
This is bad, this is real bad.
This is our shot, this is our
moment.
(to himself)
I gotta to stay positive here... I
gotta take this frown, turn it
upsidedown.
(to Curt)
Time to pull out the big guns! So
step back!
Nick rips off his shirt, (pre-planned) exposing his

Adonis-like body.
CURT
How’s that gonna help?
NICK
It’ll buy us some time.
Nick strikes a pose on stage.
CURT
You’re losing your mind dude.
Maintaining his pose, the crowd gets antsy...
NICK
(holding his breath)
-- We should start.
CURT
We can’t start. He’s the singer.
And the guitar player.
BEN (O.C.)
And really, really sorry.
Curt and Nick turn to see BEN.
NICK
(breathless)
Oh thank God you’re here. Looking
that good is exhausting.
BEN slings a guitar over his shoulder. The expectant

crowd converges towards the stage.
(CONTINUED)
6 CONTINUED: (2) 6
CURT
Dude? What happened?
Ben looks at the guys for a moment. They look back

expectantly.
BEN
My car overheated.
Ben plugs in and breaks into a soulful guitar intro.

After a few bars he begins to sing.
BEN (CONT’D)
(singing)
Distracted by the world, no one
ever hears what you have in mind.
These guys are good. Real good. Imagine the soulful sound
of Ray LaMontagne supported by electric indie-rock vibe.
ANGLE ON: Curt, drumming with one hand and taking a

picture of himself with the other.
FLASH.
INSERT: STILL IMAGE OF CURT ROCKING OUT TO CAMERA
7 EXT. BEACH, BELOW MALIBU PIER - SUNSET 7
We hear Ben’s music on the beach as he is playing above,

on the Malibu Pier.
CLOSE UP: A scraggly mutt sitting in the sand.
WILLOW (O.C.)
Stay. That’s the word for the day.
CUT WIDE: Willow is scolding Sam.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
(firm)
Stay. Don’t ever pull a stunt like
that again.
Sam looks to Willow. Willow bends down to Sam.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
(effusive)
Ooh that face! How can I possibly
be mad at that face?
Willow kisses Sam all over then stands up.
(CONTINUED)
7 CONTINUED: 7
WILLOW (CONT’D)
Okay, we’re going home. Where you
belong. With me. Only me.
They walk along the beach, between the huge pylons under
the Malibu Pier, as Ben’s music from above continues.
BEN (O.S.)
(Singing)
What you call your own, the frayed
ends of the rope that you left
behind.
Willow slows to listen to the emotional music from above.

For a moment she stops and listens. Then she walks her
beloved dog down the beach towards home.
8 OMITTED 8
8A EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - NIGHT 8A
The last cars are exiting the parking lot. There are a
few workers cleaning up.
9 INT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - NIGHT 9
The guys from the band, a couple bartenders and a few

random women hang out.
INSERT: iPhone, TWITTER PAGE, the identical image from

before of Curt rockin-out to camera.
CURT (O.C.)
Check this, we have seventy-six
followers.
NICK
(blase’)
Not bad.
(an idea)
Those numbers will triple, if you
post a pic of my eight pack.
Nick tears his new shirt off, again.
CURT
Eight pack?
NICK
Yeah, I’m packing two extra.
(CONTINUED)
10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT LIFE GREEN REVISED SCRIPT 1-7-13 9A.
9 CONTINUED: 9
CURT
Of course you are. You were on
fire tonight.
(CONTINUED)
9 CONTINUED: (2) 9
NICK
(self-satisfied)
I’m on fire every night. I’m like
the miracle of Channukah.
CURT
You got it Dr. Dreidel.
NICK
(re: camera)
Gimme that.
Curt just stares at Nick. Nick grabs Curt’s phone/camera

and begins taking pictures of himself. Curt turns to Ben.
CURT
(to Ben)
Dude, you’re taking the
introspective artist thing a
little too far.
BEN
Sorry, I was just thinking.
Ben looks out the front and sees a CAB pulling up.
BEN (CONT’D)
I’m gonna hit it.
Ben crosses away. Concerned, Curt watches Ben leave. Nick

leans into Curt, holding the phone.
NICK
Check it--
Nick pushes Curt’s phone up to Curt’s face.
NICK (CONT’D)
We just got four more followers.
This (POINTS TO ABS) just got us
that. (POINTS TO PHONE) You’re
welcome.
10 OMITTED 10
11 INT. CAB - 11
Ben has just finished closing the cab door.
CAB DRIVER
Where to?
(CONTINUED)
11 CONTINUED: 11
BEN
Not sure. Just drive please.
12 EXT./INT. CAB - LATER 12
In the reflection of Ben’s window, we see the empty

streets and closed storefronts. Ben’s lost in thought.
As a street-light fills the frame with light, we:
FLASH-BACK TO:
13 EXT. FIELD/GRASS - SOMETIME 13
HAUNTING, stylized images. Almost subconscious.
Sun flare. Sneakers racing across the grass. POV shot

charging towards the end of a cliff.
CAB DRIVER (V.O.)

You want me to keep driving?
BACK TO:
14 INT. CAB - CONTINUOUS 14
Ben doesn’t respond.
CAB DRIVER
Hey, you okay?
Ben snaps out of his nightmare.
BEN
Huh, yeah great. I’m great.
15 EXT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT/BEACH - MORNING 15
Early surfers and paddle-boarders are out. Families are

beginning to come to the beach. Joggers and bikers are
doing their thing.
We crane across the beach to reveal an apartment

building. One of the apartments has it’s windows blacked
out.
16 INT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM/BEDROOM 16
The early morning light illuminates SAM. He hops off his

bed which is embossed with SAM’S CRIB. Sam WALKS UPSTAIRS
to the darkened bedroom where Willow sleeps.
The windows are covered with a bedspread. SAM gets hold

of a corner of the bedspread, plays tug-of-war until he
drags it off the window, filling the room with a
beautiful morning light.
Willow ducks under the covers, not ready to face the day.
Large beautiful black and white photographs adorn the

walls. Although very different images, they evoke a
similar feeling -- melancholy, loneliness, the outside
looking in.
Sam plays tug of war again until he pulls off the sheet
covering Willow’s face.
WILLOW
I’m up, I’m up.
17 OMITTED 17
18 INT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER 18
SFX: DOOR KNOCKING
Willow walks out of her bathroom WEARING ONLY A TOWEL.

Her hair is wet from the shower. SHE CARRIES SAM.
WILLOW
(to Sam)
First you leave me, then you don’t
open the door? We might have to
reevaluate this relationship.
Willow opens the door to reveal two women, mid-40s.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
Hello.
SHELTER WOMAN (PEGGY)

(warmly)
Hello.
There is an awkward, pregnant pause.
PEGGY
That looks like the dog from The
Artist.
(CONTINUED)
18 CONTINUED: 18
WILLOW
I know. Can I help you?
There is a second pregnant pause, until.
PEGGY
(slightly confused)
You already have. Aren’t you
Willow Stewart?
WILLOW
I am.
Peggy and the other woman cross into the apartment.
PEGGY
(meekly)
We can’t thank you enough for your
generosity. Some people give a
couple things to help others, but
for you to donate everything?
WILLOW
Oh right, the call I made
yesterday. Well, see here’s the
problem--
PEGGY
(walking inside)
It’s no problem. We didn’t expect
you to pack. We brought plenty of
help from the shelter.
Willow considers this kind woman’s request. She looks

around her apartment then back to Peggy.
WILLOW
(warmly)
It’s the least I can do.
Peggy kindly moves Willow to the side with her hand...

The whips out a WHISTLE and blows it LOUD. From behind
Willow six people from the shelter burst into her
apartment.
PEGGY
(blowing loud
whistle)
Let’s move it!
They bolt past Willow, in para-military formation as

Peggy commands.
(CONTINUED)
18 CONTINUED: (2) 18
PEGGY (CONT’D)
Johnson, Kitchen. Morgan, linen
detail. Cotton, no-poly. Phelps,
hit that latrine. I want this
place done and dusted by O-10
hundred! Now move!
All the women scatter. With lightning speed they carry

out pieces of furniture. Unnoticed by Willow SAM gets
CARRIED OUT ALONG WITH THE FURNITURE.
Peggy approaches Willow and points to her towel.
PEGGY (CONT’D)
You gonna keep that?
WILLOW
Can I?
PEGGY
(turning away, to
herself)
So much for everything...
From the front door, SAM BOLTS BACK INTO THE ROOM AND
RUNS UP TO WILLOW. She picks him up.
19 EXT. MALIBU RV PARK - MORNING 19
A mobile home park. It’s homes rest on the edge of the

continent, overlooking the Pacific. If you’re gonna live
in a mobile home, this is where you’d want to be.
20 INT. BEN’S MOBILE HOME 20
Ben’s asleep on top of his bed. He’s still wearing his

clothes from last night.
SFX: KNOCK ON DOOR
Ben gets up and staggers over toward the door.
BEN
(to himself)
Better not be selling Jesus.
MAN (O.S.)
(calling off)
Ben, it’s your Dad.
BEN
(to himself)
Jesus.
(CONTINUED)
20 CONTINUED: 20
Ben opens the door. BOB, his Dad is dressed in crisp

white tennis clothes. He has a rigid, clean-cut air about
him. BOB looks around the MOBILE HOME.
BOB
This is where you live?
(sarcastic, positive)
I guess dropping out of law school
paid off.
BEN
Good to see you too, Dad.
BOB
You go back to school where you
belong and I’ll--
BEN
Pay for everything. I know.
BOB
Your mother asked me to come by.
She’s worried about you. You okay?
BEN
Yeah. I mean, I guess.
Ben looks at his Dad but opening up to him is not their

way.
BOB
So I cancelled my game for
nothing?
BEN
You should’ve called.
BOB
Maybe. Let’s knock it around, I’m
dressed for it.
Bob turns and walks down the steps. Ben just stands there
for a beat. Who is this man?
CLOSE UP: A woman sitting in the traditional Yoga

position, eyes closed. She slowly exhales.
She opens her eyes to REVEAL:
FOUR DOGS SITTING ON A YOGA MAT staring back at her.
21-22 OMITTED 21-22

23 EXT. THE KARMIC KANINE/NINA’S HOUSE - 23
An idyllic serene dog retreat, adorned with gardens,

flowers and a pool in the shape of a dog bone.
NINA
Now, who’s up for a morning swim?
The dogs get excited and jump into the DOG-BONE SHAPED
POOL.
24 INT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT 24
Sam and Willow sit in the middle of the floor. Willow’s

apartment is TOTALLY EMPTY, except for the photographs on
the wall.
WILLOW
(re: the emptiness)
I guess this is what they mean by
wiping the slate clean.
(to Sam)
Maybe it’s a good thing.
Sam settles his face in Willows lap.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
Ahh, I love you too. Should we get
married?
Sam looks up to Willow.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
You’ll still have to lick
yourself.
25 EXT. MALIBU TENNIS CLUB - LATER 25
Ben and Bob walk onto the court. They head to a nearby
bench.
BOB
This is nice. A little father/son
bonding. You been playing much?
Ben sits next to his Dad.
BEN
I haven’t played since... in a
long time.
(CONTINUED)
25 CONTINUED: 25
BOB
Well you should. You were very
good, you played on the team.
BEN
Dad. That was Andrew.
BOB
Ah. So it was. That boy had a
gift.
25A EXT. TENNIS COURT - LATER 25A
Bob serves, Ben doesn’t attempt to get it.
BOB
So, you seem great. I don’t know
what your Mom was so worried
about? Fifteen-Love.
Bob serves again. Ben lets that one go too.
BOB (CONT’D)
Thirty-Love. I guess your old
man’s still got it.
BEN
Why do we do this?
BOB
Do what?
BEN
Pretend to communicate.
BOB
We are communicating. You’re just
not saying anything.
BEN
What do you want me to talk about?
BOB
Anything. What’d you do yesterday?
BEN
I tried to kill myself.
Bob just stands there, staring at Ben. Ben approaches the

net to talk to Bob.
BOB
Now why would you say something
like that?
(CONTINUED)
25A CONTINUED: 25A
BEN
Because it’s true.
BOB
Great, now I have to go home and
tell your Mother she was right.
Thanks. Thanks, Ben.
BEN
Three days ago the guys from
Universal Records came to see us.
They loved us! I think they’re
going to sign us.
BOB
This is for the guitar playing?
BEN
Yes.
BOB
So where’s the problem?
BEN
The problem is, after. On the way
home the happy just slipped away.
Like, I was leaking.
BOB
If you ask me, happy’s overrated.
Everyone thinks they should be
happy all the time. That’s not
life. That’s a brilliant marketing
strategy by the drug companies and
the self-help publishers.
BEN
Dad, you’re not hearing me. If I
feel this way for much longer I’m
going to quit, for good.
BOB
Ben, you’ve got a great life with
that hot girlfriend, what’s her
name again?
BEN
Nadine. We’re done.
BOB
Well, now that is a reason to be
bummed. What’d you do this time?
BEN
Why do you think it’s me?
(CONTINUED)
25A CONTINUED: (2) 25A
BOB
(simply)
‘Cause it usually is.
Bob serves powerfully and charges up to the net. BEN rips

a forehand SMASHING BOB IN THE FACE.
BEN
(self-satisfied)
Hey, I think I’m getting my swing
back.
CLOSE UP: A TINY TOY CHIHUAHUA
26 INT. KARMIC KANINE/NINA’S HOUSE 26
Wheat-free, gluten-free doggie treats adorn the walls.

Hemp doggie beds on the floor.
Dogs mill around, a big dog in the sink. The tiny Toy
Chihuahua stands on a grooming platform.
All the dogs have large mylar birthday-balloons attached

to their collars.
WILLOW enters with SAM.
NINA, the Yoga woman, jumps into the room holding a plate
of cupcakes with candles in them.
NINA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Nina hugs Willow.
WILLOW
Hmm, I almost forgot. Thanks for
ruining that.
NINA
Wow. A quarter of a century. In
dog years you’d be 175.
Willow doesn’t seem happy about it.
NINA (CONT’D)
(knowing)
I know, feels like you want to
kill yourself right?
Nina laughs at her own joke.
(CONTINUED)
26 CONTINUED: 26
WILLOW
(wry smile)
Something like that. *
Nina offers Willow a cupcake.
NINA
Wheat-free, gluten-free, flour-
less cupcake?
Willow takes a very small nibble, then lowers the cupcake

behind her back.
WILLOW
(lying)
Now that is good. So... moist.
NINA
Yeah, that’s the beet juice.
Behind Willow, Sam runs up to the cupcake, sniffs it,

whimpers and slinks away.
WIDE ANGLE: WHISPER, the Toy Chihuahua, floats up through

the frame, lifted by the Mylar ballon.
27 EXT. BEN’S MOBILE HOME - LATER THAT DAY 27
BEN enters with his tennis racket, startled to find CURT

(his drummer) lounging and reading a magazine on the
small porch in front of his house.
CURT
(re: magazine)
Why do you have a Penthouse from
1984?
BEN
(shrugs)
I like real boobs.
Curt looks to Ben disapprovingly.
BEN (CONT’D)
I know, I gotta get over that.
How’d you get in here?
CURT
(simply)
Bathroom skylight. You’re out of
toilet paper by the way.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
27 CONTINUED: 27
CURT (CONT'D)
(re: Playboy) Hope you weren’t
planning on using that pull out
cologne ad -- because I did, and
it stung more than you’d think.
BEN
I don’t need to hear that.
CURT
Then hear this. I’ve been thinking
“How do we take our band to the
next level?” And as I was peeing
off this very deck, it hit me. We
need three things. One,
pyrotechnics. Two, money for
pyrotechnics. And three--
BEN
(sarcastic)
Let me guess... gospel singers.
CURT
Oh my God. How did you know? See?
This is why I love you man. You’re
the Ying to my Yang.
Curt gives Ben a big hug. After a beat, Curt feels the
tension in Ben’s shoulders.
CURT (CONT’D)
Whoa, whoa. That is not good. It
doesn’t take a highly intuitive,
freakishly talented friend, like
myself to realize that you are
suffering from what I like to
call... tension.
BEN
You’re probably right.
CURT
No, Einstein was probably right.
Curt is absolutely right. And for
tension like yours, three out of
four drummers recommend-- new
pussy.
BEN
I did meet a girl. A psychotic,
depressed, suicidal one.
CURT
That is your type. She hot?
(CONTINUED)
BEN
In a psychotic, depressed,
suicidal way.
CURT
That’s hot!
BEN
I know. Plus, I don’t know, there
was.... something about her.
CURT
Don’t tell me she sings gospel?
They smile. Curt gets up to go.
CURT (CONT’D)
Ooh she got a friend? Cause I
loves me some crazy... You know
the deal--
BEN
Anywhere--
CURT
Anytime--
BEN/CURT
I’m there for you.
CURT
Later.
Curt walks off.
28 OMITTED 28
29 EXT. HILLSIDE - LATER 29
POV, as the camera fights it’s way through dense brush.

The camera loses it’s footing and begins to tumble.
We cut wide and see Ben falling down a hillside then

regain control and get back up.
30 INT. WILLOW’S HONDA - MOMENTS LATER 30
Looking out from inside Willow’s mangled car we see Ben

pry the door open. He looks all over the car for a clue.
There is a hula-hoop, flipping down the visor he finds an
OLD PHOTO OF A SIX-YEAR OLD WILLOW SITTING ON HER DAD’S
SHOULDERS, then Ben finds a PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE.
(CONTINUED)
30 CONTINUED: 30
CLOSE UP: Willow’s name and address on the magazine.
BEN
(reading address)
Willow. Nice name.
The girls are working.
WILLOW
(sincere)
Sorry I was late, I took the bus.
NINA
The bus? Where’s your car?
WILLOW
(simply)
I drove it off a cliff.
NINA
Well, you hated that car.
Nina smiles at the banter but Willow doesn’t. The women

just look at each other.
NINA (CONT’D)
Will, if this is a joke, it’s not
funny.
WILLOW
It’s not a joke. Yesterday was
probably the worst day of my life.
NINA
What happened?
WILLOW
Nothing. That’s just it, nothing
happened. Nothing ever happens.
NINA
What are you talking about? You’ve
got so much going on. You’re
stunning, everybody loves you,
you’re an amazing photographer--
WILLOW
Everybody loves me?! I haven’t had
a boyfriend in years. And, if I’m
such an amazing photographer why
am I cleaning dogs asses?
(CONTINUED)
31 CONTINUED: 31
NINA
Willow, this is a salon. We don’t
clean asses, we express anal
glands.
WILLOW
But you love it. This is your
business.
NINA
I wouldn’t say I LOVE it. Alright,
I kinda do.
WILLOW
And you have Richard. Someone to
share your life with.
NINA
Will, everyone looks at me like
I’m all that. But I’m not. I’m
just as scared as the next chick.
We bought a house we can’t afford
and I’m stressed out of my mind.
Richard hasn’t worked in four
months and we haven’t had sex in
over a year. I’m not saying I feel
what you feel, but killing
yourself is not the answer.
WILLOW
It’s like I woke up one day,
looked in the mirror... and hated
the person looking back at me.
NINA
We all feel that way from time to
time.
WILLOW
But I feel that way all the time.
Willow starts to cry. Nina holds her.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
(softly)
How did I get here? I don’t know
what to do.
NINA
(beat, declarative)
Well I do. You’re gonna move in
with us. At least for a little
while.
(CONTINUED)
WILLOW
I’m not living with a man who
doesn’t put out.
The two women laugh. There is so much love between them.
NINA
Can’t say I blame you.
WILLOW
No sex for a year huh?
NINA
I didn’t say no sex, I said
Richard and I haven’t had sex.
WILLOW
Wait. What? Are you serious?
NINA
You’re going to have to stay alive
to find out.
WILLOW
Bitch.
NINA
Slut.
WILLOW
Apparently you’re the slut.
(internal)
God, I wish I was the slut.
The girls hug and go back to working on their respective

dogs, BUT the platform the Chihuahua was on is empty.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
Where’s Whisper?
NINA
What?
WILLOW
Whisper. Where’s Whisper?
NINA
(panic building)
Oh my God, if I lose one more dog.
The two women look under the sinks, race into the side
room, re-enter freaked out.
(CONTINUED)
NINA (CONT’D)
(shouting)
Whisper? Whisper?
WE HEAR A TINY DOG BARKING.
TINY DOG
Yap-Yap!
The women look up to find Whisper FLOATING IN MID-AIR.

His Mylar balloon pressed against the ceiling.
32 EXT. STREET - LATE AFTERNOON 32
A van with a large dog painted on the side winds it’s way
up PCH.
ANGLE ON: Willow pensively gazes out the window as Nina

drives. We see the reflection of the Pacific in the
window. Willow is lost in thought.
FLASH-BACK TO:
32A EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - EVENING 32A
A car pulls away from us as a 7 yr-old girl runs into the

street. As the car recedes the little girl fights back
tears.
33 EXT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT - LATE AFTERNOON 33
The dog van is parked outside Willow’s apartment. Willow

and Nina sit outside her apartment talking. Sam sits
nearby.
NINA
Will, think about what I said. You
might enjoy my sex-free home.
They hug goodbye. Sam STARTS BARKING violently and runs

off camera. After a beat Sam, walking backwards, growls
and tugs at a hula-hoop.
WILLOW
Sam, what did you find?
Sam continues to pull the hula-hoop REVEALING Ben on the

other end.
Willow is shocked to see Ben. They stare at each other

speechless. After a long beat of silence:
(CONTINUED)
33 CONTINUED: 33
WILLOW (CONT’D)
What are you doing here?
BEN
Stalking you... and I thought
you’d want this.
Ben offers Willow the hula-hoop. SAM hangs from it

unwilling to let go.
BEN (CONT’D)
He looks like the dog from The
Artist.
WILLOW
I know. How did you find me?
Ben holds up the Photography magazine, which clearly has

her name and address label. Willow takes the magazine,
still not understanding how Ben found her.
BEN
And this...
Ben hands Willow the FADED PHOTOGRAPH OF A SIX-YEAR OLD

WILLOW SITTING ON HER DAD’S SHOULDERS.
BEN (CONT’D)
(sweetly)
... I figured this was important.
Upset, she immediately slips it into her back pocket.
WILLOW
(angry)
You shouldn’t have done that. You
shouldn’t have broken into my car.
BEN
(standing his ground)
Oh, look who’s back, Little Miss
Sunshine.
Ben and Willow stare at each other, angry.
NINA
Does your stalker have a name?
WILLOW
Sorry, Nina this is, uhm--
BEN
Ben.
(CONTINUED)
WILLOW
Yes, Ben. Did I know that?
BEN
No. You referred to me as selfish.
WILLOW
When did I call you selfish?
BEN
The one-bullet thing.
NINA
Bullet? What bullet?
WILLOW
You look different without a gun
to your head.
NINA
Gun? What gun?
WILLOW
(to Nina)
I met Ben when I drove off the
cliff.
NINA
Yesterday? The day that nothing
happened.
WILLOW
Uh, huh. He offered to kill me.
BEN
And the offer still stands.
NINA
And they say chivalry is dead.
BEN
I should go. My white horse is
waiting. Nina, it was a pleasure.
Ben bows regally to Nina.
BEN (CONT’D)
Willow, I’m sure this speaks to my
sick, self-destructive nature, but
I’ll be at The Scene tonight
around nine.
WILLOW
Not interested.
(CONTINUED)
BEN
So, that’s it? Fate brings us
together and you don’t want to
know why?
WILLOW
Nope.
BEN
Are you always this way?
WILLOW
Yep.
BEN
I was even gonna offer to pick you
up, but--
WILLOW
You don’t have a car.
NINA
Let me guess, he drove it off the
cliff?
WILLOW
No, he blew it up.
NINA
Yesterday? The day that nothing
happened?
34 INT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT - LATER 34
She sits next to Sam and looks at the MAGAZINE Ben gave
her.
WILLOW
(to Sam)
Can you believe that guy?
SFX: CHIME
A notification chime alerts Willow she has a FACEBOOK

message. She glances at her phone.
INSERT: WILLOW’s MOM (50), with a big smile on her face.

There is the PLAY arrow in the center of the picture.
Willow hits play.
WILLOW’S MOM
(full of love)
Happy birthday sweetheart! Twenty-
five, wow.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
34 CONTINUED: 34
WILLOW’S MOM (CONT'D)
When I was twenty-five, You were a
beautiful little girl. I know you
said we shouldn’t talk for a while
but you didn’t say anything about
Facebook.
(effusive)
Can you believe it I figured this
out?! Or maybe I didn’t. Well if
you are getting this, I miss you.
I love you. And I wanted you to
know that no matter what I am
always here for you. Happy
birthd... Oh, wait a minute! You
have got to try this amazing
thing. It’s called Therapearl.
It’ll take years off your
appearance.
Willow’s Mom reaches down and puts on the blue Therapearl

mask.
WILLOW’S MOM (CONT’D)

I know, who’s the Mom and who’s
the daughter?! Happy birthday
sweetie!
(to herself,
searching)
How do I turn this off? Oh...
there we go.
She presses a button on the computer, THINKING THAT SHE

HAS ENDED THE VIDEO MESSAGE. Still seeing herself on the
computer, she takes off the Therapearl mask, leans in,
examines her appearance...
WILLOW’S MOM (CONT’D)

(to herself)
I do look twenty-five.
Willow’s Mom walks away, as Willow turns off the video.
35 EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - NIGHT 35
We hear cool music coming from THE SCENE. There are

people milling about outside, talking, enjoying the night
air and the music.
36 EXT./INT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - LATER 36
The club is packed. The band, ON THE VERGE, is setting up

as house music plays.
(CONTINUED)
36 CONTINUED: 36
Willow sits at the bar, she can’t see the stage, because
it’s blocked by the densely packed crowd. The song ends
as Willow looks at her cell.
INSERT CELL PHONE: 9:45
Even though Willow is surrounded by people she feels all

alone. Willow picks up her cell and begins to text:
INSERT: U were right, bad move. Dude never showed.
Willow gets up to leave as On The Verge starts their new
song. The opening rhythm draws Willow in. Then, the
voice, that voice.
SINGER
Oh, oh-oh oh, oh, oh oh oh-oh, oh
it’s all-right. It’s not the first
time. Someone’s felt, like it’s
the last time.
Struck by the soulful voice and touched by the lyrics,

tears form in Willow’s eyes.
SINGER (CONT’D)
You’re on your own, just skipping
stones and running wild. Can’t
help but feel, you’ve lost
direction.
Willow turns to see who the singer is. She’s shocked to

see the singer is BEN.
SINGER/BEN
You can’t forget what brought you
here, in the first place.
As they turn towards each other and lock eyes, Ben

continues to sing.
BEN
Oh, oh-oh oh, oh oh oh, oh-oh oh
37 INT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT - LATER 37
The only light is the faint glow from the lights

illuminating the beach. Sam sits by the window looking
for his master.
The door flies open as Willow and Ben tumble in,

passionately kissing. They fall to the floor never
breaking their embrace.
(CONTINUED)
37 CONTINUED: 37
SINGER/BEN (O.C.)
Oh, oh-oh oh, oh oh oh, oh-oh oh
38 EXT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT BUILDING - SUNRISE 38
It is the beginning of another stunning California day.

Early surfers are out. People jog on the beach.
Everywhere you look life is being celebrated.
39 INT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS 39
TIGHT ON the screen of an iPhone.
INSERT: Ben, a towel over him, his leather jacket folded

as a pillow, lies on the floor, fast asleep with his arm
wrapped around... SAM, the dog.
CLICK.
Ben’s eyes open and he’s staring directly at Sam, who’s a

couple inches away.
BEN
(to Sam)
Wow, you look different in the
morning. Better.
WILLOW
Hey, look at that, it’s 9:30
already. Here are your clothes.
Willow places Ben’s clothes next to him.
BEN
Last night, you know, after you
fell asleep I just looked at you.
WILLOW
Ah, that’s sweet. And a little
disturbing. Your jacket’s under
your head.
BEN
Your face looks different when
your guard’s down. Even prettier.
Sam crosses to where his ottoman, SAM’S CRIB, used to be.

He just circles, confused.
BEN (CONT’D)
(regarding Sam)
Drinking problem?
(CONTINUED)
39 CONTINUED: 39
WILLOW
No, pills. He misses his bed. I
donated it.
BEN
You donated the dude’s bed?
WILLOW
I didn’t expect to be here. I
thought Sam had left me, so I gave
everything to charity.
BEN
(re: Sam)
Is he a rescue?
WILLOW
Yeah, he rescued me. Sam was
actually prescribed to me by a
doctor.
Ben looks confused.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
He thought it might be a good idea
to get a dog, a boy dog so I could
work on my trust issues with men.
Ben looks between Sam’s legs.
BEN
And the first thing you do is cut
his balls off?
Ben grabs his pants and hurriedly puts them on, then
walks towards Willow’s elegantly crafted images - candid
observations of people. There is a sweet sadness, a
disconnected loneliness to the images.
INSERT: Willow’s signature on one of the images.
BEN (CONT’D)
Wow, these are powerful,
beautiful.
WILLOW
(awkward)
Thanks.
BEN
You can almost feel the
disconnected, isolated lives these
people live.
(joking)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
BEN (CONT'D)
I’m surprised I’m not in one of
these.
WILLOW
You were, but I found it too
depressing.
Ben smiles at her joke then;
BEN
(sincere)
You’re quite the artist.
WILLOW
It’s just a hobby.
BEN
A hobby? I can’t wait to see what
you’re passionate about.
Willow seems uncomfortable with the flattery.
BEN (CONT’D)
(changing the
subject)
I’m passionate about breakfast.
Hungry?
WILLOW
(caught off guard)
Oh, uh, no I got stuff to do.
BEN
Really? The girl who didn’t expect
to be here, has plans?
Busted. An uncomfortable Willow avoids eye contact.
BEN (CONT’D)
You can’t always run, life will
find you.
WILLOW
Then why do you?
Gotcha.
BEN
Look, since we both run, let’s run
and find you some furniture. If
you’re gonna live you’ll need
something to sit on.
Willow looks unsure.
(CONTINUED)
WILLOW
I can’t.
BEN
You can sleep with me but you
can’t shop with me?
WILLOW
I’m braver in the dark.
Ben leans in for a gentle kiss. Willow looks down.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
You should go.
40 EXT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT BUILDING - LATER 40
Willow walks out of her apartment and finds Ben sitting

on the steps.
BEN
We could start out small, like a
foot-stool and then, move up to
something upholstered.
41 OMITTED 41
42 INT. FURNITURE STORE - MORNING 42
CLOSE UP SHOT FROM ABOVE: Willow and Ben are in bed

together, sharing pillow-talk.
BEN
What about in high school? *
WILLOW
Is anyone happy in high school?
BEN
Cheerleaders and football players.
WILLOW
Yeah, but where are they now?
BEN
Let’s take a look...
SFX: MOTOR WHIR
Ben and Willow raise up into frame as the head of the bed
lifts.
(CONTINUED)
42 CONTINUED: 42
BEN (CONT’D)
There they are, in housewares.
ANGLE ON: BALDING FAT GUY squeezed into his high school
letter-man jacket, with his CHUNKY WIFE SPORTING BLEACH
BLONDE HAIR. They’re SHOUTING at each other.
WILLOW
Aw, they’re still happy...
42A INT. FURNITURE STORE - HOUSEWARE DEPARTMENT - LATER 42A
Willow and Ben stand in the houseware department, looking

at something.
WILLOW
What about them, think they’re
happy?
ANGLE ON: YOUNG MARRIED COUPLE with a beautiful 4 year-

old girl. The Dad lifts the beautiful girl as Mommy and
Daddy kiss her.
BEN
Miserable.
WILLOW
(sincere)
It’s so sad.
42B INT. FURNITURE STORE - BATHROOM DEPARTMENT - LATER 42B
Ben and Willow are standing in the bathroom department,

staring at something.
WILLOW
What about those two?
BEN
They may be the happiest couple
yet.
THE CAMERA ROTATES AROUND TO REVEAL THEY ARE LOOKING AT

THEMSELVES IN THE MIRROR. They look to each other.
BEN/WILLOW
Nah...
BEN
Why aren’t you happy?
Deflecting, Willow pulls back the curtain that surrounds

a bathtub-shower, hops inside and closes the curtain.
(CONTINUED)
42B CONTINUED: 42B
WILLOW
I can’t hear you, I’m in the
shower.
Ben pulls back the curtain, hops in, and closes it behind
him. Willow and Ben stand face to face. After a beat:
BEN
(softly)
Tell me...
WILLOW
You first.
Ben does not respond, as it’s difficult for him to open

up.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
Will you tell me if I take my
shirt off?
A few people, having overheard that provocative question,

start to gather around the curtain.
BEN
Sure, because you won’t.
Willow peels off her shirt. Ben stares at her chest.
WILLOW
Answer the question.
BEN
I’m sorry what was the question?
WILLOW
Focus.
BEN
(sincere)
I feel... alone.
WILLOW
(nodding)
Uh huh, I’m gonna need a little
more than that.
BEN
(challenging her)
Me too.
Willow takes off her boots.
WIDESHOT: A SLIGHTLY, LARGER CROWD has gathered as

WILLOW’S BOOTS fly over the shower curtain.
(CONTINUED)
42B CONTINUED: (2) 42B
BEN (CONT’D)
Everyone knows shoes don’t count.
WILLOW
Fine.
Looking at him defiantly, she drops her pants.
BEN
I lost my brother, eight years
ago.
WILLOW
I’m so sorry. Tell me about him.
BEN
You know after someone dies,
people say great things about
them? In his case it was all true.
He had a kindness in him you could
feel. Everyone wanted to be close
to him.
WILLOW
It runs in the family.
Willow pulls Ben into her softly, kissing him, while

gently unbuttoning his shirt with no awareness that
anyone else exists.
ANGLE ON: Outside the shower, Ben’s shirt and shoes fly
over the curtain, followed by his pants. The OTHER
CUSTOMERS react.
ANGLE ON: Inside the shower, Ben and Willow kiss

passionately.
Suddenly the curtain RIPS open, revealing a SALES WOMAN

and a small crowd. The crowd begins to applaud as BEN
IMMEDIATELY PULLS UP HIS PANTS.
SALES WOMAN
There better be a good explanation
for this!
WILLOW
Isn’t there a try before you buy
policy?
A beat, they look to each other, then:
BEN/WILLOW
Run!
(CONTINUED)
42B CONTINUED: (3) 42B
They grab their shoes and shirts and bolt! As they rush
to the exit they GRAB TWO BEANBAG CHAIRS.
43 EXT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT - CONT. 43
Nina’s Dog Van is parked outside Willow’s apartment.
44 EXT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT 44
Nina knocks on Willow’s door.
NINA
(through the door)
Your chariot awaits. Let’s go
clean some asses.
No response. Nina looks confused.
45 OMITTED 45
46 INT. LIQUID FIRE, HOT SAUCE TRUCK 46
TIGHT ON Ben whose face is bright red and covered in

sweat.
BEN
(gasping for air)
Help... help!
CUT WIDE TO REVEAL:
LIQUID FIRE hot sauce truck. Willow is looking at the hot

sauce menu. Next to them are the stolen beanbag chairs.
WILLOW
Are you kidding? It’s medium hot.
BEN
Then you try it.
She downs the shot of hot sauce. A beat.
WILLOW
(looking at Ben)
It’s amazing how little it takes
for me to lose interest in a guy.
BEN
(macho, to salesman)
Bring me some of that Red Death.
(CONTINUED)
46 CONTINUED: 46
Willow smiles, they look at each other without saying

anything. They both look around waiting for the salesman
to reappear. It feels very quiet. After a few beats:
WILLOW
You know what I hate?
BEN
Guys with sensitive stomachs?
WILLOW
Stillness. The calm before the
emotional storm.
BEN
I’m listening.
WILLOW
I’ve become a master of
distraction. Like, I used to live
on the third floor of this
apartment building and the
mailboxes were right next to the
elevator.
BEN
Yeah.
WILLOW
I’d always press the elevator
button first and then get the
mail. Never the other way around
because--
BEN
If you got the mail first, you’d
have fifteen seconds to just stand
there with nothing to do but think
while your mind whispers it’s
battle cry, you’re a loser.
Willow is shocked that Ben understands.
WILLOW
It’s like you’re me.
BEN
But flat-chested.
Willow gives Ben a playful slap. The salesman lifts the

GLASS DOME protecting the shot-glass of red death. He
then puts on a rubber protective glove and places a shot
of Red Death in front of Ben.
(CONTINUED)
BEN (CONT’D)
(re: Red Death,
tentative)
Should I?
WILLOW
(friendly warning)
Losing interest.
As Ben downs the shot.
WILLOW (CONT'D)
I’m teasing.
Too late. On Ben as his eyes widen and he begins gasping

for air. Willow runs to get Ben a glass of water.
47 EXT. STREET - A LITTLE LATER 47
A motorcycle that appears to be driven by two bean bag

chairs wobbles down the street.
INSERT: iPhone, FACEBOOK, A photo of Willow. The post

beside it reads. i HATE stillness.
Nina looks at her cell phone slightly confused.
NINA
(internal, concerned)
I hate stillness? Where are you?
Willow and Ben approach the base of the stairs to her

apartment. They are both laughing.
WILLOW
The look on your face was
priceless. “Water, water, I need
water.” You’re kind of a pussy you
know.
BEN
Guilty as charged. Dinner?
Willow doesn’t answer. She looks uncomfortable.
BEN (CONT'D)
I’m love bombing you aren’t I?
(CONTINUED)
49 CONTINUED: 49
Willow gives Ben a quizzical look.
BEN (CONT'D)
It’s just, when I feel as good as
I do with you, I don’t want it to
end. Sorry, I tend to overdo it.
WILLOW
I get it, I’m your new
distraction. Your new drug.
BEN
No no, I didn’t mean it that way--
WILLOW
It’s cool. I’ve done the same
thing. But for me, right now, I
need to go slow.
BEN
(understanding)
Okay.
They smile sweetly.
50 EXT. BEACH - AFTERNOON 50
Surfers. Families enjoying a day at the beach. People are

playing at a LOCAL FAIR erected near ZUMA beach.
51 EXT. BEN’S MOBILE HOME - AFTERNOON 51
Ben sits on the patio playing his guitar. The view up the
coast is staggering. His phone chimes. The text reads,
INSERT: LET’S DISTRACT EACH OTHER

Ben puts the guitar down, grabs two helmets and a back
pack. He neglects to close the huge living room doors, or
turn off his stereo.
52 EXT. LATIGO CANYON - AFTERNOON 52
A motorcycle pulls into frame.
BEN
I respect you need to go slow,
but...
Ben twists the throttle as they scream up Latigo Canyon.

Both of them shout in excitement.
53 OMITTED 53
54 EXT. LATIGO CANYON LOOKOUT - AFTERNOON 54
The same lookout Willow drove her car off. There is a

blackened area ten feet wide where Ben’s car burned.
The motorcycle pulls onto the lookout.
WILLOW
(re: location)
You can’t be serious.
BEN
This is our special spot.
Willow starts to take her helmet off.
BEN (CONT’D)
I’d leave that on if I were you.
Ben grabs a backpack off the bike, takes Willow’s hand

and runs off the edge of the lookout. Willows screams as
they tumble out of view.
POLICE DISPATCH (V.O.)

The burned-out car’s registered to
a Ben Turner, Malibu RV Park #316.
55 OMITTED 55
55A INT. SGT. HUDSON’S CAR 55A
SGT. Hudson’s car is cruising up PCH.
SGT. HUDSON
Thanks. Heading there now.
56 EXT. CANYON BELOW THE LOOKOUT - MOMENTS LATER 56
They are sitting on the hood of Willow’s car with their

backs up against the front windshield. They’re eating
Prosciutto, olives and cheese that Ben brought.
BEN
Do you always sleep with a guy
before the first date?
WILLOW
(mock insulted)
Hey!
(CONTINUED)
56 CONTINUED: 56
BEN
I’m just saying, you might be too
loose for me.
They laugh and Willow notices words TATTOOED inside Ben’s

right forearm. It say’s: YOU’RE EVERYTHING TO ME.
WILLOW
(re: Tatoo)
What’s the tatoo mean?
Ben looks uncomfortable and almost hides his forearm.
BEN
Oh, just a song lyric.
(changing subject)
You know, you never told me how
you ended up... here.
WILLOW
A lot of little things, like I get
a rash from Strawberries...
Bradley Cooper never calls...
(afterthought)
Oh, and my Dad bailed when I was
seven.
Ben takes in how painful that must have been.
BEN
(sincere)
I’m sorry, you get a rash from
Strawberries?
WILLOW
Uh huh. It’s terrible.
BEN
How can a parent do that? Just
leave.
WILLOW
I’ve been trying to figure that
out for twenty years.
BEN
You haven’t seen him at all?
Willow nods, no.
WILLOW
I tried. Six years ago I moved to
L.A. to talk to him.
(CONTINUED)
BEN
(kindly)
And did you?
WILLOW
(beat)
No. It just never seemed like the
right time, you know. When’s the
right time?
(beat, embarrassed)
Pathetic huh?
BEN
(sincere)
It’s not pathetic. It’s scary.
(beat, sympathetic)
Willow, there’s one and only one
thing you need to do: See. Your.
Dad.
WILLOW
Yeah but... what if it’s not what
I’m looking for? What if he
rejects me again?
BEN
At least you’ll know.
Willow smiles, clearly falling for this man.
WILLOW
What’s it called when you meet
someone and you’re acting super-
nice just to make a good
impression?
BEN
(considers, then)
Lying?
WILLOW
Yes, lying. It’s nice we’re not
doing that.
They share a long lingering look. Ben takes Willow’s

hand.
BEN
Come on, I’ve got an idea.
56A EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - CONTINUOUS 56A
Club Manager Jag is chatting up/flirting with SOFIA, the

bartender.
(CONTINUED)
56A CONTINUED: 56A
JAG
(to Sofia)
No, I don’t work out. This body
your gawking at, is 100% USAD.
SOFIA
(oh, please)
Don’t you mean USDA?
JAG
What’s that?
SOFIA
(gentle rejection)
Jag look, you’re a sweet guy--
JAG
Not really.
SOFIA
You’ve got a big heart--
JAG
Enlarged is more like it.
SOFIA
You’ve got some beautiful
qualities, but--
JAG
Rejection turns me on.
Sofia looks disgusted. Curt and Nick enter and slide up

to the bar.
NICK
Hey Jag, can we talk to you?
SOFIA
(relieved)
Oh thank God, I was about to throw
up.
As the beautiful bartender exits, Jag, Nick and Curt all

tilt their heads to the side to get a better view of the
bartender.
JAG
I hate to see her go,
(head tilt for view)
but I love to watch her leave.
(to Curt)
What’s up?
(CONTINUED)
CURT
We need to get a cash advance. We
wanna add some pyrotechnics to our
stage show.
NICK
You know, bump it up a notch.
JAG
Bump it! How much you need?
CURT
I don’t know, like 500?
JAG
No problem.
NICK
(ecstatic)
Oh my God. Really?! Really?!
Really?!
(CONTINUED)
JAG
No you idiot, idiot, idiot.
Jag gets up and exits trying to catch up with the elusive

Bartender.
JAG (CONT’D)
Wait up! I meant USDA!
Nick is depressed about not getting the $500.
CURT
Go ahead. You know you want too.
NICK
Sure you don’t mind?
CURT
Not at all. Knock yourself out.
Nick tears off his shirt exposing his body.
CURT (CONT’D)
Feel better?
NICK
A little bit, yeah.
They exit.
57 EXT. BEN’S MOBILE HOME 57
SGT. HUDSON’s Police car is parked out front. He walks to

the front door as a SECOND POLICE CAR pulls up. The other
officer, SGT. BAKER, (40), a FEMALE officer walks up to
the front door.
SGT. HUDSON knocks on the front door.
SGT. HUDSON
Hello, L.A.P.D.
No answer. They walk around to the front of Ben’s house.
SFX: DOOR KNOCKING
57A EXT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT 57A
Nina is knocking on Willow’s door. Nothing. Nina leans

against the wall.
NINA
Damn it!
(CONTINUED)
57A CONTINUED: 57A
Nina takes out her phone.
58-59 OMITTED 58-59
60 INT./EXT. BEN’S MOBILE HOME 60
Sgt. Hudson opens drawers checking for clues in Ben’s

small home. Sgt. Baker waits outside.
SGT. BAKER
(wanting to leave)
Come on, nothing weird here. Let’s
go.
SGT. HUDSON
(detective mode)
But why isn’t this guy looking for
his car? And why did he leave in
such a hurry?
SGT. BAKER
Don’t know. But I do know, no
warrant, no pay-check, let’s go.
Sgt. Baker starts to go as Sgt. Hudson OPENS A DRAWER

searching for clues.
SGT. HUDSON
-- Whoa, what’s this?
SGT. HUDSON looks to his partner as he removes the issue

of Penthouse from the open drawer.
SGT. HUDSON (CONT’D)

(nostalgic)
Man, I wore this issue out.
Sgt. Baker walks back.
SGT. BAKER
(contemplative)
It’s weird, real boobs look fake
now.
SGT. HUDSON
I know, right?
SGT. BAKER
(to herself)
I’m glad I got mine done.
SGT. HUDSON
Me too.
(CONTINUED)
60 CONTINUED: 60
Sgt. Bakers shoots him a look.

I mean, me too Sir!
Sgt. Hudson tosses the magazine onto the table. Something

in the open drawer grabs his attention:
INSERT: GUN IN DRAWER
The police look to each other.
61 EXT. SKY - LATE AFTERNOON 61
A golden light fills the sky. Then out of nowhere Willow

and Ben slowly rise into frame. Then after a beat, they
plummet out of frame with a scream. We cut wide to reveal
they are on a ride at the LOCAL MALIBU FAIR.
62 EXT./INT. MALIBU FAIR - 62
MONTAGE: They drive bumper cars. Shoot basket-balls. Play

Skee-ball. Eat horrible food. Shoot water-guns into the
mouths of clowns.
The connection is palpable. Ben and Willow approach the

line for the Ferris Wheel.
WILLOW
You know what’s crazy?
BEN
Us?
WILLOW
Besides that. I think in an odd
way meeting each other, the way we
did, naked and unguarded was a
good thing.
BEN
How so?
WILLOW
It takes a long time to let people
in, maybe forever but with you...
we exposed ourselves, our deepest
secrets, our biggest flaws right
at the beginning.
BEN
And we didn’t run.
(CONTINUED)
62 CONTINUED: 62
WILLOW
Exactly.
They look to each other deeply and share a gentle kiss.
Ben slips his hand into Willow’s as they approach the

front of the line.
BEN
Maybe attempted suicide is the
perfect first date?
WILLOW
(smiling)
It does seem to cut through the
bullshit.
Ben and Willow laugh together, but are interrupted by.
WOMAN’S VOICE (O.C.)

Ben? Is that you?
Ben and Willow turn to reveal a beautiful woman. Ben

immediately LETS GO OF WILLOW’S HAND.
BEN
Nadine.
NADINE
Hi.
There is an awkward silence that doesn’t go unnoticed by

Willow.
BEN
What are you doing here?
NADINE
Wouldn’t miss the fair. You know I
enjoy a good ride.
There is a long awkward pause, clearly there is an

emotional history between these two. Willow leans in.
WILLOW
Hi, I’m Willow.
BEN
I’m so sorry. Willow, this is
Nadine. Nadine this is my, friend,
Willow.
Did he just say FRIEND?
(CONTINUED)
NADINE
Nice to meet you Willow.
Nadine extends her hand to shake and Willow notices a

TATOO ON THE INSIDE OF HER RIGHT FOREARM. It reads:
YOU’RE EVERYTHING TO ME.
The EXACT SAME tatoo as Ben has.
WILLOW
Nice to meet you, too.
Nadine’s look to Ben lingers.
NADINE
Call me. I’d love to catch up.
Nadine crosses away as the Ferris Wheel operator guides

them onto the ride. As they buckle: Not a word is spoken.
63 EXT. FERRIS WHEEL - LATE AFTERNOON 63
Willow and Ben are sitting as far apart as you can in

such a small space. Ben looks over at Willow, but she
avoids his gaze. The Ferris Wheel makes a loud noise and
jerks to a stop. Ben and Willow are stuck at the very
top.
WILLOW
“Friend?!”
BEN
What?
WILLOW
So now I’m in the friend zone?!
BEN
I just--
WILLOW
Why didn’t you tell me you were
dating the girl with the freakin
tatoo?
BEN
The tatoo’s were... we were drunk.
(scrambling)
You don’t need to be jealous.
(CONTINUED)
63 CONTINUED: 63
WILLOW
I’m not jealous! I’m confused
because ten minutes ago you were
saying “keep dating me” but now
I’m your “friend”? When did she
dump you?
BEN
Why do you assume she dumped me?
Willow gives the do I look stupid face.
BEN (CONT’D)
(mumbling)
A month ago.
WILLOW
A month?!
Willow takes off her seat belt and starts climbing out of
the basket, at least 100 feet in the air.
BEN
What are you doing?
WILLOW
I’m going home.
We cut 65 FEET below to the ground as people stare up at

the crazy woman.
BEN
This is crazy!
A 10 year-old boy in the next cart yells:
7 YEAR-OLD BOY
Mommy look!
Willow crawls down the massive steel circle that supports

the Ferris Wheel passing the basket with a Mother and her
TWO SONS. Ben goes after her...
BEN
Have you lost your mind?
10 YEAR-OLD BOY
Do you need to ask?!
WILLOW
You screw me but you’re thinking
about her?
The Mommy earmuffs her kids with her hands.
(CONTINUED)
FERRIS WHEEL MOM

(to Willow)
Language!
BEN
Hold on, we made love.
FERRIS WHEEL MOM

(to Ben)
Better.
WILLOW
What ever we did was a mistake!
Willow and Ben’s feet dangle straight down. The Ferris

Wheel jerks, then stops again!
FERRIES WHEEL MOM

(scared)
Oh shit!
The FERRIS WHEEL stops again.
7 YEAR-OLD BOY
(to his brother)
Mommy said the S word!
10 YEAR-OLD BOY
No shit.
BEN
You’re going to get us killed!
WILLOW
Wasn’t that the plan?!
Willow and Ben continue to dangle. People on the ground

are pointing and screaming expecting them to fall.
BEN
Don’t be so dramatic.
WILLOW
Don’t be an asshole!
WIDE SHOT: Willow and Ben dangle.
10 YEAR-OLD BOY
She said asshole!
7 YEAR-OLD BOY
Mommy, he said asshole.
(CONTINUED)
FERRIS WHEEL MOM

(to sons)
Boys. Stop swearing!
10 YEAR-OLD BOY
But you said shit.
FERRIS WHEEL MOM

(to herself)
Fuck.
Both boys laugh hysterically. The FERRIS WHEEL STARTS UP

AGAIN AS BEN AND WILLOW DANGLE PERILOUSLY.
INSERT iPHONE: Posting on a FACEBOOK wall.
I HATE LIARS!
64 EXT. PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY - SUNSET 64
Willow is walking along PCH. In the background we see the

coastline and the small fair. Willow finishes posting on
FB, puts her phone away and begins the long walk home.
The sun finally sets behind Willow.
65 INT. BEN’S APARTMENT - LATER 65
Ben slams his door frustrated with himself. He notices

the open drawer where his gun used to be. Beside it is a
note:
INSERT NOTE: We have your car and unregistered gun.

Please contact Sargent Matouk at 310-963-07...
Lost in thought, he tosses the note aside.
66 EXT./INT. GREYHOUND BUS - LATER 66
From the outside we see Willow gazing at the passing

scenery. She’s lost in thought. Willow looks back towards
something.
INSERT PHOTOGRAPH: The same photograph Ben gave Willow

earlier: A six year-old Willow sitting on her Dad’s
shoulders. They are both smiling.
WE CUT WIDE TO REVEAL:
A despondent Willow looks at the photograph.
67-70 OMITTED 67-70

71 EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - LATER 71
A sweet, upper-middle class neighborhood. The homes exude

family charm. A cab pulls up and stops.
72 INT. CAB - CONTINUOUS 72
WILLOW
Please wait.
73 EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE - 73
With trepidation, Willow walks up to the house. She eyes

a large bay window and decides to take a peek. In the
distance, she sees a MAN with his back to us washing the
dishes in the kitchen sink.
Willow crosses around to the kitchen window to get a

closer look... IT’S HER DAD. HER HEART SKIPS A BEAT. She
is frozen seeing her father for the first time in
eighteen years.
Suddenly, an attractive mid-thirties WOMAN joins him.

Willow takes a moment to digest, then decides to go to
the front door.
As she crosses in front of the large bay window, A SIX-

YEAR-OLD BOY wearing pajamas darts into the living room.
Willow’s Dad bends down, scoops him up, and puts him on
his shoulders just like in her photograph.
Shell-shocked, tears form in Willow’s eyes as she slowly

backs away. As she turns to exit, Willow’s Dad turns
towards her noticing the woman on his front lawn.
Willow unable to face her Dad, walks towards the cab.
WILLOW’S DAD (O.C.)

Can I help you?
Willow FREEZES IN HER TRACKS. Willow’s Dad approaches

her. Now standing behind her, Willow slowly turns to face
her Dad. They look at each other for the longest time.
WILLOW
Hi.
WILLOW’S DAD
Hi, are you lost?
Willow’s face says it all -- her own father doesn’t

recognize her. After another beat, Willow points to
herself in a attempt to connect.
(CONTINUED)
73 CONTINUED: 73
WILLOW
(re: nickname)
Munchkin.
Willow’s Dad studies her for a beat, then putting the

pieces together tears form in his eyes. But he doesn’t
say a word.
6 YEAR-OLD BOY (O.C.)

You can’t catch me.
The six year-old boy runs out of the house as his Mom
chases him. The boy runs up to Willow’s Dad. He looks at
Willow. Willow looks at her Dad with his NEW FAMILY. The
three of them look at Willow.
WILLOW’S DAD SAYS NOTHING.
Willow transitions from devastation to a well of strength

she didn’t know she had.
WILLOW
I’m sorry, I must have the wrong
address.
(beat)
At least I know.
Willow’s Dad’s new family looks slightly confused. Willow

walks away. Over a tight shot of Willow’s face we hear:
6 YEAR-OLD BOY (O.C.)

Bye.
74 EXT. BEACH - MORNING 74
Music Underscore: SIDEWAYS by Citizen Cope
MUSIC UNDERSCORE
You know it ain’t easy
For these thoughts to leave me
They’re no words to describe it
In French or in English
INSERT: Metal fingers comb through the sand.
The beach is empty except for the large tractor grooming

the sand. It creates a fresh pattern for the new day.
75 EXT. BEN’S APARTMENT - MORNING 75
Ben is standing on his patio looking at PCH. He takes his

cell out of his pocket.
76 EXT. POINT DUME - HIKING PATH - CONTINUOUS 76
NADINE is hiking up a steep hill. Just as she crests the

top we see the majestic expanse of the Malibu coastline.
She PULLS OUT HER CELL.
Two male hikers walk by, obviously checking her out.

Nadine smiles to herself, enjoying the attention she’s
had most of her life. The music continues:
77 EXT. KARMIC KANINE/NINA'S HOUSE- CONTINUOUS 77
Nina is sitting by herself on the small dock in front of

their Venice Canal house. Beside her, an untouched plate
of food. Nina picks up her cell.
78 EXT. ZUMA BEACH - CONTINUOUS 78
Willow is sitting with Sam on the deserted Zuma beach.

She’s entering a post on FACEBOOK.
INSERT iPHONE: FEELINGS SUCK

She clicks post.
79 EXT. BEN’S HOME - CONTINUOUS 79
Ben dials a number on his cell phone.
80 EXT. ZUMA BEACH - CONTINUOUS 80
Willow walks with Sam along the beach. Her cell rings,
she glances at the phone and holds it to her ear.
81 EXT. KARMIC KANINE/NINA'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS 81
Nina is holding her phone.
NINA
I need to see you.
82 EXT. HIKING PATH - CONTINUOUS 82
NADINE
Can we get together?
83 EXT. BEN’S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS 83
BEN
I need to see you.
84 EXT. ZUMA BEACH 84
WILLOW
I need to see you too.
85 EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - LATER 85
The usual sun worshippers, lovers and families enjoy yet

another stunning So-Cal afternoon.
CLOSE UP: Willow.
We see Willow but we do not see who she’s talking to.

Presumably it’s Ben.
WILLOW
I’m sorry, I over-reacted.
FOOD SERVER (O.C.)

Nina?
CUT WIDE: Willow was talking to Nina. Sam sits nearby.

They are standing on the pier near an outdoor food hut.
NINA
That’s me.
He hands her food.
FOOD SERVER
Tofu dog, water.
NINA
Thank you.
(to Willow)
No need to apologize, I just got
scared. Not being able to reach
you freaked me out a little. Okay,
more than a little.
(CONTINUED)
85 CONTINUED: 85
FOOD SERVER
(calling off)
Willow?
(CONTINUED)
WILLOW
Right here.
He hands her food.
FOOD SERVER
Cheeseburger, fries, large Coke
and... a hot-dog.
Willow, grabs her order. They walk down the pier.
NINA
I thought depression made you lose
your appetite?
Willow is putting ketchup on her burger.
WILLOW
It takes more muscles to frown
than to smile.
(Indicating lunch)
This, is frowning fuel.
Nina and Willow begin to cross towards the pier.
NINA
What if you chose to smile
instead?
WILLOW
Well, I’d appear happy, but I’d be
fat because of the overeating,
which would make me sad. And we’d
be back where we started. See this
is a more direct route.
Willow takes a big bite out of the cheeseburger. Nina

watches, enviously.
NINA
(intrigued)
Is that good?
Willow, mouth full, nods in ecstacy.
WE TILT DOWN TO REVEAL:
86 EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - CONTINUOUS 86
BEN and NADINE sit at a cozy table SIX FEET BELOW where
Willow and Nadine are walking. Neither party sees the
other.
(CONTINUED)
86 CONTINUED: 86
BEN
So what’s up? Why did you want to
see me?
NADINE
I haven’t slept since I saw you.
Ben, I made a horrible, life
altering mistake. I miss you.
BEN
As I recall you said, I can’t be
with a man who’s unwilling to
outgrow his childhood fixation
with rock and roll. That doesn’t
sound like a mistake to me.
NADINE
Ben, we both know where that
frustration came from. You were
stuck - I wanted us to grow,
together. I shouldn’t have said
it, but I was scared.
BEN
Of somebody loving you?
NADINE
(sincerely)
You always said people deserve
second chances in life. I’m asking
for mine. For ours.
We pull back wide to reveal:
Nina, Willow and Sam walk near the end of the pier.
Behind them sit Ben and Nadine.
WILLOW
(re: jumpers)
Now that looks like fun.
NINA
To you maybe. What if they land on
top of each other?
WILLOW
You’re not supposed to sound like
a Mom until you are one.
They arrive and the bench and settle in. After a beat:
(CONTINUED)
87 CONTINUED: 87
NINA
Richard and I are in a bad place.
Scary bad.
(CONTINUED)
WILLOW
I’m so sorry.
NINA
The only thing we have left in
common is our address.
Willow shovels down French Fries and hands a few to Sam.
WILLOW
Do you talk about stuff?
NINA
Yeah. I say he’s too distant and
he says I’m too needy. It’s so
disconnected. I want to feel...
something, anything. Like you do.
Willow takes another bite of the burger. Nina watches her

enjoy.
NINA (CONT’D)
(re: burger)
This baby’s mine!
Nina grabs the Cheeseburger out of Willow’s hand. She

stares at it like it’s a foreign object. Then takes a
HUGE bite. Her eyes roll back in her head. Pure pleasure.
Willow stares at her. She can’t believe it. Willow slides

her Coke into Nina’s hand. Without a word Nina gulps down
half of it.
After a moment of bliss.
NINA (CONT’D)
Oh. My. God. I want to eat
burgers, I want to have sex, I
want to live passionately. Teach
me.
WILLOW
I drove passion off a cliff
remember?
NINA
Yeah, but there’s something to be
said for feeling enough to drive
off a cliff, to fully experience
pain, at least that’s living. I
want that.
WILLOW SMACKS NINA. Nina is stunned for a beat.
(CONTINUED)
WILLOW
See? Pain’s not all it’s cracked
up to be.
Nina stares at Willow. Then she begins to laugh. Then

Willow begins to laugh. Once the laughter subsides, Nina
looks at Willow’s Burger.
NINA
You gonna finish that?
Ben and Nadine are where we left them. Ben has finished
eating but some of his ice cream is left.
NADINE
(re: ice cream)
You gonna finish that?
Ben slides the ice cream to Nadine. She takes a sensual

mouthful. She looks to Ben.
BEN
I don’t think this is a good idea.
NADINE
(innocent)
I’ll give the ice cream back.
Ben smiles.
BEN
You know what I mean.
NADINE
Ben don’t. Three years is a long
time. We’d be crazy to just throw
that away.
BEN
Then why did you?
NADINE
I can’t change what I did, but I
can learn from it. I’m a pretty
smart girl.
Ben listens. Guarded, but listening.
NADINE (CONT’D)
(inquisitive)
Remind me, who was the Scrabble
champion?
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
88 CONTINUED: 88
NADINE (CONT’D)
(realization)
Oh, it was me.
Nadine shares a warm smile. Ben tries to suppress his.
BEN
I wish you weren’t so beautiful.
Nadine smiles, reaches across the table, gently touching

Ben’s fingers.
NADINE
Who is the first woman you wanted
to have a baby with?
BEN
... You.
(CONTINUED)
NADINE
Who wanted to have sex with you
anywhere, anytime, like the
Gondola in Aspen?
BEN
(smiles)
Ah, was that you?
NADINE
Ben, come on we’ve always had a
thing. We... fit. We like the same
things, the same food, the same
movies, the same music - well
except for yours, it’s not that
good.
Nadine smiles and Ben can’t help but smile.
BEN
(mock defensive)
I thought you said I was the new
Dylan?
NADINE
(playful)
Harry Dylan, Bob’s cousin.
BEN
Yeah well, Harry was the real
talent in that family.
They both laugh, enjoying the banter that flows so

freely.
NADINE
I miss this. I miss us.
BEN
I do too, but how can I trust--
NADINE
You can’t, unless you give me a
chance. A chance to earn that
trust back. That’s all I’m asking
for. Don’t I deserve that? Don’t
we?
Off Ben’s conflicted face we...
89 EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - MOMENTS LATER 89
Nina and Willow walk back from where they came.
(CONTINUED)
89 CONTINUED: 89
Nina lets out a loud BELCH.
(CONTINUED)
NINA
Ah, this is the life. How’s the
selfish, suicidal, guitar player?
WILLOW
We’re done. We bumped into his EX
and he introduced me as his
friend.
NINA
Ouch. Was she pretty?
WILLOW
Eh, if you like exotic natural
beauty, a rockin bod and
shimmering hair, then yeah, she’s
okay.
NINA
Maybe she’ll have sex with me?
The girls laugh and walk along towards the entrance to

the pier.
NINA (CONT’D)
Where’s Sam?
ANGLE ON: ECU Sam barks at something.
ANGLE ON: BEN and NADINE at their table drinking a couple

cappuccinos with Sam staring in the BG. After a beat, Sam
barks on last time and runs to Willow.
90-93 OMITTED 90-93
94 EXT. BEACH - LATE AFTERNOON 94
A few remaining surfers catch waves as the sun begins to

hide behind the horizon.
95 EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - LATE AFTERNOON 95
JAG ROX the CLUB MANAGER of The Scene is on stage. There

are a number of people enjoying happy hour after a long
day in the sun.
CLUB MANAGER
Check, check, check. I just love
saying that. What’s up Malibu?! I
love saying that too. We have a
very special guest in the house
tonight, who’s going to turn this
happy-hour into the hour of
elation. Please give a warm Malibu
welcome to ARTIST TBD!!!
ARTIST TBD walks on-stage and breaks into a soulful hit.
ARTIST TBD
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
The people at The Scene can’t believe it’s ARTIST TBD. In

fact people on the beach start to gather. People who are
further down the pier begin to converge as well.
ARTIST TBD (CONT’D)

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
96 INT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT - LATE AFTERNOON 96
Willow and Sam enter with a bag of groceries.
ARTIST TBD (V.O.)

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
She hands Sam a treat, grabs her PHOTOGRAPHY magazine,

drags the beanbag into the golden shaft of late afternoon
light.
97 EXT. BEN'S RV HOME - 97
Ben’s on his back looking at images of he and Willow from

their day at the Santa Monica Pier.
ARTIST TBD
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
He stops, sits up and starts to make a call, but decides

against it.
98 INT. WILLOWS APARTMENT - 98
Willow smiles at Sam who is fast asleep on his favorite

spot. She picks up her cell and looks at the picture of
Ben snuggled up with Sam.
ARTIST TBD
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
98 CONTINUED: 98
ARTIST TBD (CONT'D)
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
She thinks about calling him but TURNS THE PHONE OFF.
99 EXT. KARMIC KANINE/NINA'S HOUSE - EARLY EVENING 99
Nina has created a romantic dinner setting on the patio,

but Richard never came home.
ARTIST TBD (V.O.)

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Nina blows out the candles and crosses inside.
100 EXT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT BUILDING - LATER 100
Ben pulls up on his motorcycle with the guitar strapped

to the back.
ARTIST TBD (V.O.)

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
101 INT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT - 101
Willow and Sam are asleep. In the background we notice an

envelope being slid under her door.
ARTIST TBD (V.O.)

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
102 EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - LATER 102
ARTIST TBD is finishing her song.
(CONTINUED)
102 CONTINUED: 102
ARTIST TBD
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
ANGLE ON: Ben enters the club, high fives Nick.
ARTIST TBD (V.O.) (CONT’D)

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
BEN
(re: ARTIST)
Wait, is that --
ADAM
It is.
Adam Smith a well dressed man in a suit approaches with

Curt.
BEN
What’s going on?
CURT
(matter of fact)
Oh nothin’. This dude wanted to
see if he could buy a CD of our
music.
Nick approaches and overhears the following.
ADAM
In fact, I wanted to buy a million
of them. Adam Smith --- Records.
NICK
(trying to contain
himself)
Here we go. It’s happening. It’s
happening.
BEN
Hi, nice to meet you.
ADAM
ARTIST TBD brought us to your show
the other night. She can spot
talent. How’d you like to join our
family?
BEN
I’ve always wanted a new family.
So what do we do?
(CONTINUED)
ADAM
Just keep writing amazing songs.
Tomorrow, we’ll sign some papers
and get started.
Ben crosses to the guys for a big hug as Nick ducks under
the embrace and rushes up to Adam Smith.
NICK
(overjoyed)
It’s happening. It’s happening.
Nick kisses Adam repeatedly on the face.
CURT
Nick, Nick.
Nick stops kissing. Contains himself and extends his hand

for a hand-shake. Adam Smith, backs away a little
frightened.
NICK
Sorry, sir. Sorry. I’m Nick and
you have very soft skin.
103 OMITTED 103
104 EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - A FEW HOURS LATER 104
The electricity in the air is palpable. As their final

song of the night comes to a crescendo, the house
explodes into applause. The band is elated.
Nick grabs the mike and screams:
NICK
WE GOT A RECORD DEAL!!!
The crowd cheers as Nick screams with excitement and runs

off the stage FLINGING HIMSELF into the adoring crowd.
NICK (CONT’D)
(mid-air)
SHOW ME SOME LOVE!!!
The crowd moves out of the way as Nick lands face first
onto the hard floor.
Instantly he bounces up and screams:
NICK (CONT’D)
WE GOT A RECORD DEAL!!!
(CONTINUED)
104 CONTINUED: 104
Nick falls back to the floor in a bit of shock.
105 INT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - MOMENTS LATER 105
Ben and Curt make their way to the bar. Fans come up and
mention what a great show it was. Sofia, the bartender
puts three shots of DON JULIO in front of them and leaves
the bottle on the table.
SOFIA
Three shots of Don Julio for my
favorite people.
CURT
But there’s only two of us?
SOFIA
I’m pretty fond of myself.
Sofia and the guys toast shots and down them.
SOFIA (CONT’D)
Let me know if you need anything
else.
CURT
Uhm, Sofia do you think there’s
hope for us?
SOFIA
(sweetly)
That depends, do you have a
vagina?
The bartender walks away.
CURT
(wondering, joking)
What do you think she’s trying to
say?
Curt laughs at his joke, but Ben seems kinda quiet.
CURT (CONT’D)
You okay?
BEN
(unconvincing)
Yeah. Sure, we got a record deal.
CURT
So you’re happy?
(CONTINUED)
105 CONTINUED: 105
BEN
Yeah.
CURT
Then you might want to tell your
face.
After a beat.
BEN
I just wish my brother was here to
share this.
Curt looks at Ben for a beat.
(CONTINUED)
CURT
You’re a bore.
BEN
What?
CURT
You have a choice you know. Stop
focusing on you and only you.
People are silently suffering
everyday, all over the world but
somehow they pick themselves up
and get through it.
BEN
Is that it?
CURT
No. See my choice is to not listen
to a talented guy who has
everything going for him. I choose
to not watch my friend throw his
life away.
BEN
Thanks for being sympathetic.
CURT
Ever since your brother died
you’ve been different. And I get
that. But dude, you still have a
life to live.
There is a long silence between the guys.
BEN
You don’t get it, when things
click, when life works all I can
think is, why didn’t Andrew get
the chance to feel this?
CURT
(softens)
Don’t you think your brother would
want you to be happy? He loved you
Ben, and believed in you. If
anything, you’re probably pissing
him off living in your self-
imposed funk.
BEN
(softening)
I wish I could believe that.
(CONTINUED)
CURT
You have to, because it’s true.
You can choose to stop suffering.
There is a long silence between the two as Ben digests

what Curt has said.
BEN
Did I just get bitch-slapped by
the laid-back drummer dude?
CURT
That’s not a bitch-slap.
Curt bitch-slaps Ben.
CURT (CONT’D)
Now that’s a bitch-slap, and it
felt good.
Curt grabs the Don Julio and quickly backs-up to the

other side of the bar. Ben follows in playful pursuit.
CURT (CONT’D)
In fact I think some of our songs
need a drum solo. Like a four-
minute drum solo.
BEN
Curt, I’ve been through a lot in
my life, and I can not survive a
four-minute drum solo.
NICK (O.C.)
(pained voice)
Nobody can.
Nick hobbles by, holding his back.
ARTIST TBD approaches.
ARTIST TBD
Hello rock stars.
Ben extends his hand.
BEN
Hi, I’m--
ARTIST TBD
Ben, I know. You’re very talented.
CURT
He is. He really is. We’re best
friends. I’m Curt, with a “C”.
(CONTINUED)
ARTIST TBD
I’m ARTIST TBD with an A, then a
TBD
BEN
I can’t thank you enough for
recommending us.
ARTIST TBD
You deserve it. Gotta run, I’ve
got tons of drugs to do and hotel
room to destroy.
CURT
Really?
ARTIST TBD
No. I’m going to Sunlife Organics
for a smoothie and heading to bed.
Peace.
CURT
My Lady.
Curt bows as if to a King. ARTIST TBD. Curt turns to Ben.
CURT (CONT’D)
I just bowed to her. What is wrong
with me?
BEN
A lot.
SOFIA (O.C.)
Nadine!
Ben and Curt turn to see Nadine approach. Wow! There was
obviously a lot of thought that went into what limited
clothing she’s wearing.
SOFIA (CONT’D)
(sotto)
Ben, choose that - or I will.
The last stragglers are leaving the club. It’s around

2:30 AM. Nadine and Ben walk out and head towards the end
of the pier. They are tipsy and in good spirits.
NADINE
You did it. You’re actually
getting to live your dream.
(CONTINUED)
106 CONTINUED: 106
They sit on a bench over-looking the ocean. It’s

beautiful. She leans in and gives him a small, gentle
kiss. There is a long awkward silence.
BEN
(mock danger)
Uh oh look-out, stillness.
(CONTINUED)
Confused, Nadine looks to Ben.
BEN (CONT’D)
When there’s a long silence, and
you’re left with just your
thoughts, what do you think about?
NADINE
Uh, nothing really. It’s like, my
brain’s in neutral.
BEN
That must be nice.
Ben looks at Nadine, as if seeing her for the first time.
BEN (CONT’D)
I saw my Dad the other day.
NADINE
Sounds like fun.
BEN
Not really. It was like playing
tennis with a judgmental stranger.
Nadine doesn’t really get it.
NADINE
I think he’s sweet.
BEN
Sweet? Nadine he never once...
never mind.
Nadine senses something’s wrong.
NADINE
Close your eyes, I brought you a
gift.
He does. Nadine stands up, slightly adjusts her clothing

exposing her breasts. She moves an inch away from his
face.
NADINE (CONT’D)
Okay, you can open them.
Ben opens his eyes and smiles.
BEN
Uhh, that’s quite a gift.
NADINE
Thank you. Made them myself.
(CONTINUED)
BEN
But I can’t accept it.
Ben fixes her clothes.
BEN (CONT’D)
You do deserve another chance at
love, but I’m not the right guy.
NADINE
Ben...
BEN
I made mistakes too. A lot of
them. I fell for the picture of
love, not the person.
Nadine looks for an explanation.
BEN (CONT’D)
See I always thought if I could be
like that guy, or play guitar like
this guy, or be as smart as him,
I’d be okay. Somehow it would fill
the enormous void my brother left
behind. And when you walked into
my life I knew that you were the
answer--
NADINE
So, I’m here now. Let me be here.
BEN
But you’re not the answer. I know
that now. (Beat) I’ve had
girlfriends my whole life. But it
was never because I loved them, it
was because I didn’t love myself.
They were part of an equation that
helped me forget. It was like Ben
plus X equals, I must be okay.
NADINE
So, I was X.
BEN
I’m so sorry.
Nadine glares at Ben. Her change in demeanor is sudden

and somewhat frightening.
NADINE
(indicating them
both)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
NADINE (CONT'D)
This isn’t one of your stupid
little songs that you can
crystallize into one line. I spent
three years with a guy who was
basically a loser. The only reason
you got this record deal is
because I pushed you.
Ben doesn’t say anything.
NADINE (CONT’D)
You get a record deal and suddenly
I’m not good enough for you?
BEN
This has nothing to do with me
getting the deal.
NADINE
You expect me to believe that? Do
you?
Ben looks at her for a long time.
BEN
(softly)
Probably not. But it’s the truth.
Nadine slaps Ben and storms off.
107 EXT. BEN’S MOBILE HOME - 3:30 AM 107
The police car we saw earlier is parked outside Ben’s

MOBILE HOME. Sgt. Hudson is knocking on Ben’s door. No
answer. He looks at his watch, 3:30 AM.
108 EXT. ZUMA BEACH - MORNING 108
Joggers are running, surfers are surfing. It’s a

beautiful morning.
There are four dogs wandering around the store as Willow

and Nina shampoo two dogs in a large stainless steel
sink.
WILLOW
Somebody looks tired.
(CONTINUED)
109 CONTINUED: 109
NINA
Richard didn’t come home last
night. Not even a call.
(CONTINUED)
WILLOW
Oh Nina, you okay?
NINA
(unsure)
Yeah, I think so.
Willow looks, trying to understand.
NINA (CONT’D)
It forced me to consider the thing
I’ve been most terrified of, life
without Richard, alone, but I
wasn’t terrified, I was relieved.
WILLOW
What are you going to do?
NINA
No idea. Probably eat a few
burgers and figure it out. Did you
talk to stalker Ben?
WILLOW
No, but he slid a note under my
door.
NINA
What’d it say?
Willow pulls the note out of her back pocket.
WILLOW
Will, I’m out with Richard, found
a couple girls be gone for the
weekend.
Nina laughs.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
Will, introducing you as a friend
was the most insensitive thing
I’ve ever done. I’m so sorry. -- I
will drink the hottest hot-sauce,
shower in the department store of
your choice and fill your
apartment with stolen furniture.
The asshole, Ben.
NINA
Okay, I have no idea what that
note means, but the simple fact
that he wrote it... give the dude
a second chance.
(CONTINUED)
As a conflicted Willow takes this in: There’s a knock at

the door, Willow answers it, a Delivery Guy with a large
package.
DELIVERY GUY
I have a delivery for “Sam?” No
last name.
WILLOW
I’ll take that.
Willow signs as the Delivery Guy leaves. Confused,

Willow opens the box and reads the note.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
(reading note)
“Dear Sam, sweet dreams. Ben.”
NINA
What is it?
From the box Willow pulls out a dog-bed embossed with big
letters, SAM.
Willow and Nina look to each other.
NINA (CONT’D)
(teasing)
I think I’m in love with him.
SFX: CONGA drumming
Willow, Nina and the dogs look around to see where the
music is coming from. One of the dogs looks to the large
window and barks.
Curt is precariously lowered from the roof. Curt and Ben

sit on a narrow board. Curt continues to play the bongo
as Ben lowers him. They try to maintain their balance.
BEN
(singing)
Hear me out, just let me in, cause
I can’t stand to see that sad face
again. I’m not like other boys,
hear my voice thru the noise and
I’ll say...
Willow and Nina are deeply touched by this gesture. The

dogs howl to the music. Willow burst into laughter. Curt
and Ben start groovin to the music swaying back and
forth.
(CONTINUED)
BEN (CONT’D)
(singing)
Let me take you out again, gimme
another chance to find out who I
am. I’m not like...
Curt rocks out, leans back and falls of the board,

completely out of view. Ben quickly follows.
110/111 OMITTED 110/111
112 EXT. KARMIC CANINE/NINA’S HOUSE - LATER 112
Willow and Nina run outside to see if the guys are okay.
Ben and Curt laugh their asses off, having fallen into
the Dog-Bone shaped pool.
113 INT. KARMIC CANINE/NINA’S HOUSE - LATER 113
CLOSE UP: all FOUR dogs stare at something. They cock

their heads, like dogs do.
We cut to Ben and Curt, who are both sitting in the

stainless steel sink wearing only their underwear. Willow
and Nina shampoo them.
CURT
I just want you to know I do not
put out after my first shampoo.
Frankly I’m tired of being
objectified because of my beauty.
Nina gives Willow the, he’s cute look.
CURT (CONT’D)
I need to take things slow. Love
is a fragile--
Nina shuts him up by spraying water directly into his

mouth.
BEN
You are the only person who has
ever been able to shut him up.
Willow then sprays Ben in the face.
BEN (CONT’D)
What was that for?
(CONTINUED)
113 CONTINUED: 113
WILLOW
I needed to make sure your face
was clean.
Willow hops on top of Ben in the huge sink as they start

wildly making out. Nina stops washing Curt as the two of
them look at Willow and Ben.
CURT
If you’re not comfortable, don’t
feel--
Nina jumps on top of Curt and they start making out.

After a beat Curt asks;
CURT (CONT’D)
Aren’t you married?
NINA/WILLOW/BEN
Shut-up.
If you listen closely, I think the dogs barked as well.
114 INT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT - EARLY EVENING 114
Nina is sitting on a bean-bag chair. Her eyes are red

from crying. Willow crosses to her from the kitchen.
NINA
I’m going to hell.
Willow hands her a jar.
WILLOW
Gherkin?
NINA
What’s wrong with me?
WILLOW
Prosciutto?
NINA
I hate myself right now.
WILLOW
Red Bull?
NINA
I’ve never done anything like
that.
(CONTINUED)
114 CONTINUED: 114
WILLOW
I’m outta food!
(then)
Wait, you told me you were foolin
around on Richard.
NINA
You were depressed, I was trying
to cheer you up.
WILLOW
Next time you want to cheer me up?
Two words -- Ice-cream cake.
NINA
That’s three words.
WILLOW
Eat me, that’s two.
The women smile.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
So? How was it?
NINA
(nonchalant)
Oh the thing with Curt?
(Giddy)
Amazing! I forgot that feeling. I
like that feeling.
WILLOW
You can feel that way again. Let’s
go see them play tonight.
NINA
I can’t. I can’t do that to
Richard. Again.
WILLOW
Richard? The man who hasn’t been
home for two days?
A smile starts to form on Nina’s face.
115 EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - EVENING 115
There is a large crowd outside waiting to get in.

116 INT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER- CONTINUOUS 116
The guys are hangin at a table, drinking a couple

GUINNESS. Curt is quietly druming with his sticks on the
table.
Two sexy girls approach. They walk right up to Ben and

Curt.
AMBER
You have an amazing voice. It’s
like I can feel you inside me when
you sing.
Curt drops his sticks.
BEN
Thanks. Maybe I should sing with a
condom.
AMBER
(laughing)
You’re funny. He’s funny.
Curt, trying to fit in, laughs at how funny Ben is.
CURT
That’s funny. He’s funny. We’re
best friends.
AMBER
(to Ben)
Maybe the three of us can get
together after the show. Ya know,
hang out.
BEN
I’m flattered but I have plans.
The girls are bummed. Amber writes something on a piece

of paper.
AMBER
If your plans change call me. I
like the feeling of you inside me.
Amber puts her arm around Portia.
AMBER (CONT’D)
Just so you know, we work as a
team.
Curt slides in front of Ben.
(CONTINUED)
116 CONTINUED: 116
CURT
I’m Curt by the way.
(CONTINUED)
AMBER
How do you know Ben?
CURT
(showing off)
I’m the drummer. In the band.
AMBER
(flat)
Oh.
The girls cross off.
CURT
(to himself)
I hate the drums.
SOFIA, the hot bartender walks up with GUINNESS refills.
SOFIA
Hey Curt, could you hook me up
with those girls?
Ben laughs, Curt can’t believe his bad luck.
117 INT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT 117
CLOSE UP: NINA
WILLOW (O.C.)
Does this say, TAKE ME?
REVEAL WILLOW: in a provocative pose wearing NOTHING BUT

A MEN’S TIE.
NINA
(shrugs)
I’d lose the tie.
CLOSE UP: Willow considers.
CLOSE UP: Willow’s tie hits Nina’s face.
NINA (CONT’D)
Oh, I know let’s try on a bunch of
outfits and dance in our underwear
to a Top-40 song.
WILLOW/NINA
Nah...
(CONTINUED)
117 CONTINUED: 117
NINA (VOICE OVER)

(giddy, singing)
Ah, girl look at that body.
117A-C OMITTED 117A-C

118 EXT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT - LATER 118
Willow and Nina explode out of the apartment building

bursting at the seams with joy. They look HOT.
WILLOW
Ah, girl look at that body.
The two girls start running towards the dog van.
NINA
I got passion in my pants--
WILLOW/NINA
And I ain’t afraid to show it.
They stop, turn to each other:
WILLOW/NINA (CONT’D)
I’M SEXY AND I KNOW IT!
Ben and the boys are playing. They finish a song and the
crowd erupts into applause. Ben and Curt absorb the love
from the adoring crowd as they request their favorites.
CROWD
“SOME PEOPLE SAY.” Play, “NOT
TONIGHT.” What about “THIS TIME?”
The band is loving the fact that their songs titles are
easily quotable. A female voice has another request.
WOMAN
Play, “NADINE”.
We can see Nadine requested it, but Ben can’t.
CROWD
Yeah play, “NADINE”. “NADINE”.
BEN
(to the crowd)
We’ve retired that song. But thank
you.
CROWD
(chanting)
No way!/NADINE./Play it!/NADINE.
Ben glances to Curt and Curt shrugs, “why not?”
(CONTINUED)
119 CONTINUED: 119
BEN
(into microphone)
Fine, Nadine it is, but this is
the last time.
The crowd erupts into cheers. Ben turns back to Curt and
begins the songs intro.
During this time Nadine works her way to the stage.
A few moments later, when Ben turns around to sing the

opening lyric Nadine is STANDING FRONT AND CENTER.
Ben is taken aback but the song has started.
119A EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER 119A
Nina’s dog van parks outside the pier.
120 INT. NINA’S VAN - CONTINUOUS 120
Nina and Willow take off their seat belts. Nina looks at
Willow.
WILLOW
You’re staring at me because --
NINA
You look, different.
WILLOW
I know, I’m 175 in dog years.
NINA
No seriously, your face, it looks
different, like your guard is
down. It’s even more beautiful.
Willow smiles. Remembering Ben told her the same thing.
WILLOW
(coy, singing)
I’m sexy and I know it.
121 OMITTED 121
122 INT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - CONTINUOUS 122
Ben and the band are rockin. Nadine is dancing next to

Ben as he belts out the song.
(CONTINUED)
122 CONTINUED: 122
ANGLE ON: Willow and Nina have just entered. It’s so

crowded they can’t see the stage.
NINA
Is that Ben singing?
(CONTINUED)
WILLOW
(with pride)
That’s him.
NINA
God he’s awesome.
WILLOW
(mock arrogance)
Hey, I don’t fly coach.
They fight their way through the crowd.
ANGLE ON: Ben is singing the chorus, Nadine slides over

and begins to gyrate up and down his leg. Ben subtly
shifts away but Nadine is relentless.
ANGLE ON: Nina and Willow finally break through the crowd
-- they stop and stare at Ben while Nadine OVERTLY
WRITHES all over him.
Tears fill Willow’s eyes as confusion covers Nina’s face.
NINA
Who’s that?
WILLOW
(devastated)
His girlfriend.
ANGLE ON: The stage where Nadine grabs Ben and yanks him
into a passionate kiss. The crowd goes wild!
Reacting to the cheering crowd Nina and Willow look back

to the stage and see WHAT APPEARS TO BE, Ben and Nadine
making out.
Willow turns and runs out of the club. Nina follows.
ANGLE ON: The stage, Ben pulls himself away from Nadine.
He’s furious.
123 EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - MOMENTS LATER 123
Willow bursts through the front door running as fast as

she can. A few seconds later Nina bursts out trying to
catch up with her.
NINA
Willow. Willow wait!
WILLOW
Leave me alone! Please, I need to
be alone.
(CONTINUED)
123 CONTINUED: 123
Willow runs up to a random car that was pulling out, she

yells into the window.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
Can I get a ride?
Willow hops in, the car peels out of the lot, leaving a
very worried Nina.
After a few moments we hear:
MAN’S VOICE (V.O.)

(toasting)
Here’s to our future rock stars!
124 INT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - LATER 124
Ben, Curt, and Nick clink glasses of GUINNESS,

celebrating with Adam Smith.
BEN
(sotto to Curt)
Hey you seen Willow?
CURT
Relax she’ll be here.
NICK
(effusive)
We should’ve recorded that,
would’ve been our first live
album.
WOMAN (O.S.)
Already did.
The Guys turn to REVEAL: Ben’s Mom, MARY, holding up her

iPhone. Nick stands up.
NICK
Hey, Mrs. T.
(to Ben)
Your mom’s looking hot tonight.
CURT
(to Mary)
You gonna hang with us after the
show?
MARY
Nope, got a date.
She turns as BOB, Ben’s Dad, approaches.
(CONTINUED)
124 CONTINUED: 124
BEN
(to Mary)
How’d you drag him here?
MARY
It was his idea.
Ben is surprised to see his Dad at the club.
BOB
That was some pretty good music.
Bob and Ben just look at each other. Sizing each other
up.
BOB (CONT’D)
This life, this life of yours is,
loud. But I’m starting to
understand why you love it. You
were so alive on that stage. I
kept telling people, that’s my
son.
ADAM
Your son’s got quite a future.
BOB
Don’t I know it. I’ve been pushing
him to practice that guitar since
he was four.
Bob and Ben share a sweet moment. Then Bob leans into
Ben.
BOB (CONT’D)
Don’t sign anything this
sleazeball sends you until I’ve
had a look at it.
125 EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - 2:30 AM 125
BEN, sits by himself on the edge of the stage. There are

NO customers left. The guys from the band are in the bar.
On the patio are some busboys and a bartender close up.
BEN checks his cell for messages. There is a text from

Willow. It reads:
INSERT: DON’T CALL ME. EVER.

Ben is stunned and confused. He looks at the text again,
just to be sure.
(CONTINUED)
125 CONTINUED: 125
INSERT: DON’T CALL ME. EVER.

BEN, crosses off the pier towards the parking lot.
126 INT./EXT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT - LATER 126
Willow is pissed off, staring blankly out the window. How

could she be so stupid to trust again?
127 EXT. PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY - LATER 127
Ben, confused as hell and a little heartbroken, drives

his motorcycle, weaving in and out of traffic.
128 INT. KARMIC KANINE/NINA'S HOUSE - KITCHEN 128
Nina is sitting at the dining room table. She looks over

at the clock. 2:40 AM. Richard walks in. Even though they
are few feet from each other, they couldn’t be further
apart.
129 EXT. PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY - CONTINUOUS 129
Ben roars down PCH and turns down a dirt path that leads
towards the ocean.
In a hurt rage Willow grabs the beanbag chairs she got

with Ben and violently throws them across the apartment.
They rip open on the fire sprinkler and as the filling
floats down to the floor Willow knocks her beloved
photographs off the wall.
131 EXT. POINT DUME CLIFFS - OVERLOOKING THE PACIFIC 131
Ben screeches to a stop on his bike and walks to the

EXACT SAME SPOT where he lost his brother years before.
HIGH ANGLE: above Ben looking down to where his brother’s

life ended.
132 INT. KARMIC KANINE/NINA'S HOUSE - KITCHEN 132
Nina is talking to Richard although we can’t hear them.

It appears that she is telling him something that is
painful for him to hear.
Willow is in the bathroom and looks at herself in the

mirror. She’s angry she has been made the fool and angry
at herself for trusting. She yanks open the cabinet
mirror to avoid her own reflection as the contents of the
cabinet fall into the sink. WILLOW LOOKS AT THE PILL
BOTTLES IN THE SINK.
134 INT. KARMIC KANINE/NINA'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS 134
Nina walks down the stairs to reveal Richard walking out

the front door with a bag in his hand. As the door closes
behind him she leans against the wall and begins to cry.
135-136 OMITTED 135-136
137 EXT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER 137
Nina bangs on Willow’s door.
NINA
Willow, Willow it’s me. Open up.
No answer. Nina runs down the steps and around to the

FRONT of the apartment. Once she turns the corner, BEN
runs in from the BACK of the apartment and charges up the
steps.
138 OMITTED 138
139 EXT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT/BEACH 139
Nina stands in front of Willows apartment not sure what

to do. She opens her phone to FACEBOOK.
INSERT: WILLOW’S latest POST ON NINA’S WALL
GOODBYE TO THINGS I HATE -- Stillness, Jealousy,

Ego, Liars, Fear -- Love
CLOSE UP OF NINA’S TERRIFIED FACE.
NINA
Oh my God.
140 EXT. WILLOW’S APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER 140
Ben bangs on Willow’s door.

(CONTINUED)
140 CONTINUED: 140
BEN
Willow. Willow!
After a few beats Ben sinks down on the landing outside

Willow’s door. Nina crosses out just below him.
141 EXT. LATIGO CANYON ROAD - LATER 141
Willow is walking up a very steep, winding mountain road.

She is walking dangerously close to the traffic lane as
cars wiz by.
142 EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER- LATER 142
Nina runs up to The Scene. Before she gets there we see

JAG get SLAPPED by yet another one of the hot bartenders.
As the bartender walks away, Nina approaches.
NINA
I need some help. Do you have
Ben’s number, the singer in the
band?
JAG ROX
Wow, he’s a popular guy tonight.
NINA
What do you mean?
JAG ROX
A cop came by about ten minutes
ago, say’s he’s been looking for
him.
NINA
Shit!
JAG ROX
Whoa, whoa. Language, language,
I’m just kidding. If I show you
where the guys are you can’t tell
Johnny Law.
NINA
Johnny who?
JAG ROX
The cops. The pigs. The bacon-
boys.
NINA
Fine.
143 EXT. LATIGO CANYON - LATER 143
Willow’s still walking.
144 OMITTED 144
145 INT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER 145
JAG walks NINA into the bar where Nick, Curt and a couple
other guys hang out.
NINA
Curt, Curt.
CURT
(happy to see her)
Oh, hey hi.
146 EXT. LATIGO CANYON LOOKOUT - CONTINUOUS 146
Emotionally and physically exhausted, Willow slowly

approaches the lookout where she drove her car off the
cliff.
A defeated Ben curls up for the night, waiting for Willow

to return.
SFX: CELL PHONE RINGS.
INSERT PHONE: CURT
BEN
(down)
Hey Dude.
148 INT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER 148
Nina’s holding Curt’s phone. Curt stands nearby.
NINA
Do you get off making girls cry?!
Sam sleeps in the bed Ben got for him. Suddenly the front
door bursts off it’s hinges and comes crashing to the
floor.
(CONTINUED)
149 CONTINUED: 149
In quick cuts Ben searches the apartment. In the bathroom

he notices the spilled pill bottles in the sink. OH
SHIT.
150 EXT. LATIGO CANYON LOOKOUT - CONTINUOUS 150
Willow collapses onto the bench where Ben sat in the

beginning of the film.
151 EXT. LATIGO CANYON ROAD - DAWN 151
The same steep hill that Willow walked up. A motorcycle

races against time. SUDDENLY out of nowhere, SGT.
HUDSON’s POLICE CAR shoots onto the street, in hot
pursuit.
Ben accelerates to 120 MPH but the Police Car is right

there with him.
We hear a blaring police siren followed by:
SGT. HUDSON
(from Police car)
PULL OVER! NOW!
Ben doesn’t. He’s determined to get to Willow, but the

Police Car is INCHES away from Ben’s rear tire. If
there’s contact Ben would surely die.

PULL OVER!
Ben has no choice. The cop gets out of his car leaving
his door open. Gun drawn the cop approaches Ben.

Off the bike. Now!
Ben gets off.

(screaming)
Hands behind your head.
Ben does as told.
BEN
You have to let me go. I think my
girlfriend is--
SGT. HUDSON
Shut up! Against the car.
(CONTINUED)
151 CONTINUED: 151
Ben leans against the hood of the car. The cop kicks his
feet out to the sides and forces Ben’s head onto the
hood. He checks for weapons.
BEN
Please, I don’t know why you’re
after me but I need to get to her.
The cop SLAMS Ben’s head onto the hood of the car.
SGT. HUDSON
I said don’t talk! Don’t move!
Ben shuts up. The cop walks toward Ben’s motorcycle which
is still running. He turns off Ben’s motorcycle. Takes
out the key and tucks it deep into his boot.

(laughing to himself)
Now what are you going to do,
motherf---
A SCREECH OF TIRES, as Ben peels out onto Kanan in the

Police Car.
152 EXT. LATIGO CANYON LOOKOUT - DAWN 152
Willow’s eyes shut with a finality to them. Her body

awkwardly contorts into a deep, deep slumber.
153 EXT. LATIGO CANYON 153
We see the same small road that winds up the jagged

mountain towards the look-out. The stolen Police Car
races against time.
154 EXT. LATIGO CANYON LOOKOUT - SUNRISE 154
We see the view. The bench. And a motionless Willow.
The Stolen Police Car skids onto the dirt. Ben races up
to Willow.
Her head hangs straight down, and her right arm protrudes
down thru the slats in the bench. She’s motionless.
HE’S TOO LATE.
Ben rests his head on Willow’s knee and begins to cry.
WILLOW (O.C.)
You cry like a girl.
(CONTINUED)
154 CONTINUED: 154
Ben slowly sits up and looks at her.
BEN
I forgot. You do not know how to
kill yourself.
Willow sits up and slides away from Ben.
WILLOW
Why’re you here? Looking for a
despondent girl to rescue because
yours dumped you, again?
BEN
Will, you have to believe me--
WILLOW
Already tried that. Ended up
walking six miles to a bench. What
I do believe is that you and
Nadine deserve each other.
BEN
Will, let me explain.
WILLOW
Stop. Just stop. I saw you. I’m
not an idiot.
BEN
Nadine and I are done. Trust me.
WILLOW
Trust you? Why should I trust you?
You never even told me about her.
BEN
If I wanted to be with Nadine, I
wouldn’t be here with you.
WILLOW
Or that you just broke up with
her. Or your matching tattoos...
Willow grabs Ben’s arm, points at tattoo.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
In fact, you haven’t told me
anything real at all.
Ben looks down avoiding eye contact.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
Just go.
(CONTINUED)
BEN
(totally vulnerable)
You’re right. But I swear on my
brother’s life, my brother’s
memory, I’m going to tell you the
truth, about everything. Right
now.
This resonates with Willow and Ben can see it. Ben gets
up and extends his hand.
BEN (CONT’D)
Willow, please. Just come with me.
Ben takes Willow’s hand and they turn to face the police
car.
WILLOW
Are you gonna explain that?
BEN
I’ve always wanted to join the
force.
154A EXT. POINT DUME CLIFFS - LATER 154A
Ben and Willow stand at the edge. The Pacific Ocean is

eighty feet below them.
BEN
I was seventeen. Just about to go
off to college. My brother and I
used to come here all the time.
Andrew had no fear. He’d run as
fast as he could and jump off the
cliff, timing the waves perfectly.
He dared me to do it, I always
chickend-out. But not this time.
We ran crazy fast. And then just
before I got to the edge, I
panicked... and I threw myself
onto the ground. He tripped over
me. It was me. It was my fault.
WILLOW
No, no. It wasn’t. It was nobody’s
fault. It was an accident. You’ve
gotta stop blaming yourself.
Willow pulls him into a hug, holding him.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
You’ve gotta let go of this. Let
me help you, like you helped me.
(CONTINUED)
154A CONTINUED: 154A
Ben pulls away, looking in Willow’s eyes.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
I saw my Dad.
BEN
And...
WILLOW
He pretended he didn’t know me.
The thing that I was most afraid
of happened, he rejected me again.
--- But, but I’ll be okay. Now I
know.
Willow takes out the Photo with her Dad and rips it up,
tosses it in the air, as the wind carries it away. Ben
and Willow look to each other with their collective
newfound strength. He wraps his arms around her
protecting her from the cold early-morning air.
BEN
Why did you go to the look-out?
WILLOW
As a reminder of how tenuous life
can be. A reminder of the girl I
was - and the woman I’m becoming.
BEN
I like this woman.
WILLOW
(not buying it)
Guys like dangerous girls.
BEN
Guys like girls that are alive.
Except for the really sick guys.
WILLOW
I was also thinking about the
things I hate in life that brought
me there.
BEN
Did I make the list?
WILLOW
Number one. Which leads me to
number two, the terror that comes
with love. I also hate fear. I
hate jealousy. I hate feeling that
if people knew the real me, they’d
run. I hate dating.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
WILLOW (CONT'D)
I hate feeling alone, when I’m in
the middle of a crowd. I hate that
I tried to kill myself. And I hate
hating.
BEN
Only nine things?
WILLOW
Oh, and I hate that all that pain
was in some twisted way the thing
that lead me here, on this night,
at this moment... to you.
BEN
Well, I am pretty hateful.
WILLOW
Don’t forget selfish.
Ben looks at Willow, takes her hand. As they begin to

walk away from the cliff, THREE POLICE CARS AND BEN’S
MOTORCYCLE, driven by Sgt. Hudson charge up on the scene.
SGT. HUDSON
Hit the dirt, NOW!
POLICEMEN
GET DOWN/ON THE GROUND/GET DOWN
NOW!!
Willow and Ben dive onto the dirt. The Policemen

cautiously approach the fugitive couple, guns pointed at
their heads.
Willow and Ben’s faces are inches apart.
WILLOW
I bet they brought more than one
bullet.
155-160 OMITTED 155-160
161 SANTA MONICA PIER - AFTERNOON 161
Ben and Curt walk on the Pier. Ben carries a small

package.
CURT
Wait, you stole a cop car?
BEN
Impressed?
(CONTINUED)
161 CONTINUED: 161
CURT
A little. But what’s more
impressive is our 1,600
followers!! I am the KING of
social media!
BEN
That you are. How’d you get twenty-
five grand for bail?
CURT
(bravado)
Oh, I’ve got some friends at a
record company.
BEN
No shit?
CURT
(almost giddy)
No shit! Music pays--
(instructional)
Crime doesn’t.
Ben has the warmest smile. Ben and Curt hug.
162 SANTA MONICA PIER - CONTINUOUS 162
Willow has her phone pointed at her. She’s shooting a

video. SAM sits nearby. Nina notices Ben and Curt
approaching.
NINA
There they are.
(to camera/phone)
Hi Mrs. Stewart. Bye Mrs. Stewart.
Nina runs to Curt and Ben.
WILLOW
Mom, Facebook huh? Never knew you
were so freakin cool.
(sincere)
There’s a lot of things I didn’t
know. Like how much I miss you.
What I’m trying to say is, get
your butt out here. Malibu is
filled with cute guys...
Willow sees Ben approaching.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
Like this one for example.
(CONTINUED)
162 CONTINUED: 162
Willow swings to the camera/phone to Ben. Then swings the

camera back to her.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
See what I’m saying?
163 SANTA MONICA PIER - MOMENTS LATER 163
BEN, WILLOW AND SAM casually walk hand-in-hand down the

SANTA MONICA PIER. They pass the street musicians and the
colorful entertainers. Ben points to the massive FERRIS
WHEEL.
BEN
Care to take a spin?
WILLOW
(unsure)
Uh you, me, Ferris Wheel? Do you
think that’s a good idea?
BEN
No. But I do like the you, me
part.
They kiss.
BEN (CONT’D)
I spoke to Nina and we decided to
cut back your hours at the shop?
WILLOW
What? Why?
BEN
We wanted you to spend more time
on your passion. I thought you
could use this.
Ben pulls a box out of the bag he’s carrying. It’s a

Leica M, the finest camera available for Willow’s style
of photography. Willow opens the box and pulls out the
camera. She is speechless.
A STREET MUSICIAN standing nearby begins to play his

snare drum. THE RHYTHM IS FAMILIAR.
Willow begins to snap pictures of she and Ben as they

fall into a deep, passionate kiss.
The FAMILIA SNARE DRUM rhythm is actually the snare drum

intro to:
I WANT YOU TO WANT ME by CHEAP TRICK begins to play.

(CONTINUED)
163 CONTINUED: 163
The same song in 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, that played

after Kat and Patrick kissed. It starts with it’s
signature snare-drum pattern.
ANGLE ON: Curt and Nina as they enjoy the stunning view
from the pier.
CURT
(re: drum intro)
I can play that.
NINA
Dude, I’m a sure thing.
As Willow and Ben continue to kiss, another STREET

MUSICIAN wanders up and slams into the powerful guitar
intro to I WANT YOU TO WANT ME.
WILLOW PULLS BACK FROM THEIR KISS AND AND BEGINS TO SING
THE ICONIC SONG, I WANT YOU TO WANT ME.
WILLOW
I WANT YOU TO WANT ME
I NEED YOU TO NEED ME
I’D LOVE YOU TO LOVE ME
I’M BEGGIN YOU TO BEG ME
As Willow sings and she and Ben dance, CURT and NINA join
in.
Then NICK and NADINE join the spontaneous dance party.
The nearby magician who was about to saw a beautiful

woman in half, joins the dance party. It’s actually JAG
ROX, the manager of the scene. He gallantly helps his
assistant out of the box and she joins the dance party.
It’s SOFIA, the bartender.
Then getting hoisted onto the pier from the boat lift are
Ben’s parents and they join in.
WILLOW (CONT’D)
I’LL SHINE UP THE OLD BROWN SHOES
PUT ON A BRAND NEW SHIRT
I’LL GET HOME EARLY FROM WORK
IF YOU SAY, THAT YOU LOVE ME
BEN BEGINS TO SING:
BEN
DIDN’T I, DIDN’T I, DIDN’T I,
SEE YOU CRYING?
OH, DIDN’T I, DIDN’T I,
DIDN’T I SEE YOU CRYING?
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
BEN (CONT'D)
FEELING ALL ALONE WITHOUT A
FRIEND, YOU KNOW YOU FEEL LIKE
DYING
We look below at a couple fisherman. They look up and

it’s WILLOW’S PARENTS. They drop their rods and dance to
the music.
WILLOW/BEN
OH, DIDN’T I, DIDN’T I,
DIDN’T I SEE YOU CRYING?
I WANT YOU TO WANT ME....
As different cast members dance in a glorious celebration

of life we:
HELICOPTER SHOT: We witness the breath-taking views of

the Santa Monica/Malibu coastline. Below us it appears
even the dolphins dance and play to the celebratory song.
The beach plane we saw at the start of the film flies

into frame, banks right, to reveal it’s huge banner;
The Beginning

10 Things I Hate About Life

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10 Things I Hate About Life

MAD CHANCE PRODUCTIONS

The sun glistens off the Pacific. We rise over the

2 INT. WILLOW’S CAR - 2

WILLOW (mid-20’s) nods her head to the upbeat music.

3 EXT. LATIGO CANYON LOOKOUT - 3

The car tears across a lookout and propels itself into

The only remains of the young woman’s existence are the

Moments later, from the other direction a car pulls into

There is a calm resolve on his face. He looks down and in

He slowly raises the gun to his head.

Tentatively his finger surrounds the trigger... Ben hears

Who is this crazy woman?

Willow pulls herself up to level ground and approaches

Willow almost cracks a smile. The edge goes away.

That gets the smile.

4 EXT. LOOKOUT - MOMENTS LATER 4

Ben and Willows’ heads are smushed together, ear to ear.

There is a moment of silence as the reality of what

There is a silence as the two continue to look forward.

They both close their eyes and squint in anticipation.

They stare at one another, ready to rip the others head

As Ben begins to squeeze the trigger, a CELL-PHONE RINGS.

Ben stands there waiting, holding the gun to his head.

She takes off and runs down Latigo Canyon.

She stops and turns.

Ben nods-- good point.

Ben tosses the gun to the ground. It hits a rock and

As Willow runs to get Sam, Ben stares at his burning car,

SFX: a small plane approaching.

Suddenly, A SMALL AIRPLANE, towing a banner cut’s through

10 Things I Hate About LIFE

5 EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - LATE AFTERNOON 5

THE SCENE is a cool, laid-back club, with a line of

6 EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - CONTINUOUS 6

About 60 people anxiously wait for the band to begin. On

CURT (THE DRUMMER)

He hangs up the cell, as Club Manager JAG ROX appears.

NICK (BASS PLAYER)

Nick rips off his shirt, (pre-planned) exposing his

Nick strikes a pose on stage.

Maintaining his pose, the crowd gets antsy...

Curt and Nick turn to see BEN.

BEN slings a guitar over his shoulder. The expectant

Ben looks at the guys for a moment. They look back

Ben plugs in and breaks into a soulful guitar intro.

ANGLE ON: Curt, drumming with one hand and taking a

INSERT: STILL IMAGE OF CURT ROCKING OUT TO CAMERA

7 EXT. BEACH, BELOW MALIBU PIER - SUNSET 7

We hear Ben’s music on the beach as he is playing above,

CLOSE UP: A scraggly mutt sitting in the sand.

CUT WIDE: Willow is scolding Sam.

Sam looks to Willow. Willow bends down to Sam.

Willow kisses Sam all over then stands up.

Willow slows to listen to the emotional music from above.

8A EXT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - NIGHT 8A

9 INT. THE SCENE/MALIBU PIER - NIGHT 9

The guys from the band, a couple bartenders and a few

INSERT: iPhone, TWITTER PAGE, the identical image from

Nick tears his new shirt off, again.

Curt just stares at Nick. Nick grabs Curt’s phone/camera

Ben crosses away. Concerned, Curt watches Ben leave. Nick

Nick pushes Curt’s phone up to Curt’s face.

Ben has just finished closing the cab door.