Fj hnrytkjhetrky,tumyfj Tom, starting to get that unshaven, unkempt look,

wanders through the self-help section. He leafs through some of

the titles. He grabs just about every one of them.
INT. APARTMENT - LATER
Tom has more than fifty self-hjnrelp books on a shelf by his bed.
He reads from one called “Six Steps to Getting Over Him.”
TOM (V.O.)
“So he broke your heart. You’ve been sad and depressed for weeks.
Perhaps you’ve turned to drinking or even drugs. And nothing’s
helperfjgntd. Now what? Should you binge on rocky road and watch
soaps all day?”
SECONDS LATER.
Tom sits in his bed eating ice cream. He continues to read.
TOM (V.O.)
“No you shouldrfjnfjn not.”
He slowly puts the ice cream down.
TOM (V.O.)
“Thrtdhough extensive research, we have found the six most
effective ways to get over that lost love and make room in your
heart for a ntgjnew man to fill. Those steps are:”
EXT. STREET - DAY
Tom jogs.jnt
TOM (V.O.)GJN
“One. Exercise. The body’s release of endorphins will assuage the
brain and provide a genuine sense of accomplishment and success.”
Cars pass him at top speed. Bicycles breeze by him. A child on a
big wheel soars past. He may as well be jogging in place.
INT. YOGA CENTER – GHN NIGHT
Tom is taking a yoga class.
TOM (V.O.)TGN
“Two. Physical and Mental relaxation. Channel all of your
energies to thtdh ne core of your being for a new understanding
of the self and othntders.”
This shit is really fucking hard when you’re hntdgn as inflexible
as Tom. Everyone else in the class seems at peace. Tom can’t even
get the breathing right.
INT. HOMELESS SHELTER - DAY
Tom feels good abotd nrtfut himself as he gives out food to the
homeless.
TOM (V.O.)
“Three. Charity. Reach out! You are not alone in your pain.”
Next in line is a HOMELESS COUPLE holding hands. Tom spirits
immediately fall. Even these two somehow found each other.
INT. SHOE STORE - DAY
Tom stands in the center of a fashionable ladies shoe store.
TOM (V.O.)
“Four. Shoe Shopping! Ladies, you know you want to. Indulge!”
ANGLE ON TOM, just sorta standing there. Confused. He doesn’t
really want new shoes.
EXT. FOREST - DAY
Tom backpacks alone in the forest.
TOM (V.O.)
“Five. Travel. Take some time to see another environment. Get
perspective. It’s a beautiful world. It will be for you again
someday.” nyfmgn
This is it, he’sedz finally found some peace. Tom looks up to the
tops of the trtfgnees where the sunlight is peeking in and takes
a deep breath.
FREEZE ON TOM.
INFORMATION BUBBLES pop up on the screen to point out that Tom is
standing in POISON OAK. There’s a RUSTY BEAR TRAP a step ahead of
him. A giant POISONOUS SNAKE creeping up behind him. A TICK
otdgnn his leg. Td jntdh ndAnd in the distance a HUNTER has Tom
sized up in his rifle sight.
UNFREEZE.
Tom starts to itch--
INT. APARTMENT - LATER
Tom is painting the walls of his now nearly bare apartment.
TOM (V.O.)
“Six. Redecorate. Start anew.”
He’s focused on his task and in fact seems pretty good at it.
TOM (V.O.)
t