Rekindled By Jordan Garrett

Jordan Garrett masatoone@gmail.com

FADE IN: INT. ONCOLOGISTS OFFICE - DAY A man, JASON COOPER, 25, leans forward in a chair, visibly concerned. JASON is a recently graduated college student working at a (some kind of normal job). The oncologists office is cold and gray, sparsely decorated. Not exactly the place one wants to be. The camera stays situated only on JASON, showing the complex emotions he is feeling throughout the scene. JASON COOPER (scared) Tell me. ONCOLOGIST (O.C.) Well, Mr. Cooper. (beat) It hurts for me to say this... but it is, in fact, cancer. JASON (upset) I... I uhh... (begins to cry) Haha, um. What do I do now? (wiping tears) How long do I have? ONCOLOGIST (O.C.) A few months. Three, four at the most. JASON Hah. Thr- three or four months... JASON stands up out of his chair, extremely upset. He begins to pace around the office. ONCOLOGIST (O.C.) (interrupting) Mr. Cooper, we need to discuss whether or not you would like to undergo treatment. In my opinion, I would recommend thaJASON Treatment? Treatment!? I have less than half of a fucking year and youre recommending some goddamned treatment!?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: ONCOLOGIST (O.C.) It could mean the difference between an extra one or two months, butJASON No. No fucking treatment. (calming) No treatment. INT. BAR - DAY

2.

Jason, still upset, partially visibly, finds the nearest bar and begins to drink. BARTENDER What can I get you? JASON I dunno, a vodka? BARTENDER Dry, or on the rocks? JASON I dont know what those mean... I dont drink often. BARTENDER Ice or no ice? JASON Oh, uh, ice. The bartender grabs a slightly nice bottle of vodka, and pours JASON a glass. BARTENDER There you go. JASON Yeah, thanks. Jason downs the stuff, grimacing as it burns his throat. He gives an audible "Ugh." BARTENDER You know, its a bit early for a person to go around drinking shots of vodka. On a Tuesday, at that. Jason grabs the shot glass and places it against his head.

(CONTINUED)

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3.

JASON I have cancer. BARTENDER Oh... I see. Yeah... here The bartender grabs another glass and pours more vodka. JASON Thanks. Downing it again, JASON doesnt feel the burn as bad the second time around. The bartender is about to pour another glass when JASON (CONT.) No. I need to be able to drive. Jason reaches for his wallet, but the bartender stops him. BARTENDER Dont worry about it. Jason stares dumbfounded at the bartender, reluctantly moving his hand away from his back pocket. Without a word, JASON walks out of the bar. EXT. BAR - DAY Walking to his car, he grabs the keys out of his pocket, but he drops them and they slide under the car. Jason lays his head on the roof. He starts to kick his car out of anger. Life is shit. JASON (yells his lungs out) EXT. JASONS APARTMENT - NIGHT JASON (O.S.) No mom, Im not getting treatment. MOM (O.S.) (over the phone) Why!? Why not!?

4. INT. JASONS APARTMENT - NIGHT Jasons apartment isnt the biggest in the world, but he makes do with what he can afford. He keeps it clean, and doesnt go overboard on furnishing. JASON (on the phone) Because mom, they said I have only three or four months until Im dead. Im not going to spend the rest of my life in treatment. There is no point in wasting that money and having me go through the pain. MOM (O.S.) Do you know what this will do to me? Ive already lost your fatherJASON Mom, I havent talked to you in six years. I dont give a shit about what this will do to you. (beat) Sorry. I didnt mean that. His mother can be heard crying over the phone. MOM (O.S.) Are you really not going to get treatment? JASON Really. Im not. There are a few moments of silence. MOM (O.S.) Have you told your brother? JASON No... you know all too well that we never got along. MOM (O.S.) Call him. JASON Mom MOM (O.S.) (interrupting) Call. Him.

(CONTINUED)

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5.

JASON (sigh) Fine. Ill call him. INT. JASONS APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT Jason sits on his bed, staring blankly at the cell phone in his hand. His brothers name, JOSHUA, glowing on the screen. He presses the dial button and puts the phone to his ear. It rings three times. JOSHUA (O.S) (over phone) Hello? JASON Yeah, hey Joshua, its Jason. JOSHUA (O.S) (uncaring) Yeah, what do you want? JASON I uh... its been a while, huh? JOSHUA (O.S) Yeah whatever, listen, Im a bit busy, what do you want? JASON I have cancer. There is no response from Joshua. Jason checks the phone to see if the call was dropped. It wasnt. JASON (CONT.) Joshua? JOSHUA (O.S) Uh huh, yeah, Im here. Um..., how long have you known? JASON I just found out today. JOSHUA (O.S) Wow, man... wow. Do you want me to come over or something?

(CONTINUED)

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6.

JASON No, no. Im fine. Mom just said I should call you and tell you. I told her that our relationship was a bit sour, but she insisted. So, here we are. JOSHUA (O.S) Yeah, no, I get it. Listen, Im a bit busy nowJASON Oh, okay JOSHUA (O.S) -But if you need anything, just call me sometime. JASON Okay, thanks Joshua. INT. JASONS APARTMENT - BEDROOM - MORNING Jason wakes up, groggy, and looks at the alarm clock beside his bed. It reads 1130 JASON (sighing) I slept too late Jason gets out of bed and goes to his closet, pulling out a very large suitcase. He silently packs about a months worth of clothing, his computer, and other necessities. He then leaves his bedroom and heads into the kitchen. INT. JASONS APARTMENT - KITCHEN - MORNING Jason walks to a drawer, rummages through it, and pulls out a map of the United States. He also grabs a sharpie and goes over to his small table, unfolding the map and setting it on the table. Sitting down, he begins to trace a line from the east coast (Atlanta, GA) to the coast of Washington state. Hes planning a roadtrip. (Line goes through: Alambama, Mississippi, Arkansa, Misouri, Iowa, South Dakota, Nebrasa, Colorado, Utah, Arizon, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington). He grabs his cellphone and hits redial. His brother. The phone rings twice.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: JOSHUA (O.S) Hey, Jason, you okay? JASON Yeah, yeah, Im fine. Listen, this is something I wouldnt normally ask of you, but under the circumstances... JOSHUA (O.S) What is it? JASON Come with me on a roadtrip. JOSHUA (O.S) What? JASON A roadtrip. To the west coast. I dont know how long it will take, its just something I think I need to do. JOSHUA (O.S) Jason, I have college and exams and work, I cant just drop it aWe now begin to see how strained the two brothers relationship is. JASON Goddammit, I have cancer, Joshua! Theyre giving me three or four months and I thought that by doing this, you and I could try and make up for all that time we fought and didnt spend together! JOSHUA (O.S) Four or five? Jesus christ, why didnt you tell me last night? JASON You didnt ask, and I didnt want to put that on you while you were busy. JOSHUA (O.S) Look, youre my older brother, believe it or not, I do have some semblance of caring for you, whether I show it or not.

7.

(CONTINUED)

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8.

JASON Well, its obviously the latter, because I didnt notice any caring coming from you at all. JOSHUA (O.S) Okay, okay. Uh... do you know how long the trip will take? JASON No. JOSHUA (O.S) (muttering) Fucking great. (normal voice) Well, do you have any food, supplies? JASON No. I was just going to take clothes and stuff, and then eat out and sleep in my car. JOSHUA (O.S) No no no, thats not going to be good at all. Alright, lets do this, let me inform my teachers and boss about the circumstances. Ill try and borrow a friends van, more space. JASON Okay. JOSHUA (O.S) Ill be over at your apartment later. JASON Okay. (beat) Joshua? JOSHUA (O.S) What? JASON Thanks. JOSHUA (O.S) Just be ready to go.

9.

The call ends and Jason sits down in a chair at the table, looking at his map. INT. JASONS APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON Jason is laying on his couch, twirling his fingers, when he realizes hes forgotten to do something. He grabs his phone from where its laying on the floor and dials a number. JASON Hey DAVID, its Jason. David is Jasons boss. DAVID (O.S.) Jason! What can I do for you? JASON I think Im going to have to quit. DAVID (O.S.) Youre joking, right? Youre one of my best employees! JASON Yeah, well, I found out I have cancer. I dont want sympathy, I dont want anything. I just want to quit. DAVID (O.S.) Ahhhh, o-okay. Sorry if Im being too intrusive, but how long did they give you? JASON A few months. DAVID (O.S.) Oh, I see. Okay well, Im going to need you to clear out your stuff sometime. Listen, maybe we can get a bite to eat or something soon. JASON Sure. Maybe. I dont know, let me just see what happens in the next few weeks. There is a loud knocking on the door.

(CONTINUED)

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10.

JASON (CONT.) Listen, I have to go. Ill come in soon. Jason hangs up the phone. He never really liked his boss, he was a bit too friendly, and honestly, he just wanted to say "I quit" and hang up. Jason goes to the door and opens it, revealing his brother, JOSHUA. JASON Hey. JOSHUA Hey. A pause. JOSHUA Are you ready to go? JASON (looking over his shoulder at his suitcase) Yeah, pretty much. JOSHUA Grab whatever youre bringing, Id like to get on the road as soon as possible. EXT. JASONS APARTMENT - AFTERNOON Jason follows Joshua to the van that he managed to borrow from his friend. Joshua pops the trunk, allowing Jason to throw his oversized suitcase into the back. Joshua walks around to the drivers seat, Jason to the passenger. He tries to open the door, but its locked. The windows are rolled down, and Jason sees Joshua staring at him through the other side. JOSHUA Do you realize how big of a risk I just took, telling my boss that Im going to be taking God-knows-how-long off to go on a roadtrip with me brother? Not to mention, Im probably going to fail one or two classes because of this.

(CONTINUED)

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11.

JASON ... Did you tell them Im dying? JOSHUA Do you think Im stupid? Of course I did. That doesnt just excuse me from doing my job or participating in class. JASON I know, sorry. JOSHUA (unlocking the doors) Just get in. They both get in the car, strapping themselves in. Joshua puts the keys in the ignition but before starting JOSHUA Do you have directions? JASON I have a map. JOSHUA You never were good with planning things, always doing whatever you wanted whenever. Give it here. Jason hands Joshua the map, Joshua fumbles with it, trying to unfold it. JASON Need some help? JOSHUA Ive got it. He doesnt got it JASON (grabbing for the map) Just give it here. JOSHUA Screw off, Ive got it. Jason grabs hold of the map, ripping a bit of it in the process. Joshua reluctantly lets go, seceding the map to Jason. Jason unfolds it, thumbing the rip.

(CONTINUED)

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12.

JOSHUA Way to go. JASON Fuck you, Joshua, its a small rip. Just start the car. Joshua starts the car, cursing under his breath. JOSHUA So, where are going? Joshua glances over at the map, noticing the line Jason drew stretches all up and down the United States. JOSHUA My God, did you just RANDOMLY draw a line? JASON If I did, would that bother you? Joshua is about to open his mouth, but figures it futile to say anything. He starts to drive to the Entrance/Exit Gate of the APARTMENT COMPLEX. JASON I just wanted to spend a lot of time away. Since I have quite a good bit of money saved, I didnt even think about gas, okay? I just drew a line. JOSHUA Well at least you thought about the gas issue. JASON Im not as stupid as you may think I am. JOSHUA I dont think youre stupid. (beat) Just reckless. The two sit in silence for a bit as the car reaches the exit/entrance gate to the APARTMENT COMPLEX. JOSHUA So, where am I going?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: JASON Get on 20 and go west. JOSHUA 20 and west it is. INT. JOSHUAS VAN - DAY

13.

Theyve been driving for about an hour and a half now, and have reached the Alabama/Georgia border. JASON (seeing the WELCOME TO ALABAMA SIGN) Alabama. JOSHUA I see you havent lost your reading skills since we last met. JASON Do you think youre funny? JOSHUA Only sometimes. JASON Uh-huh. Anyway, Im hungry. Find a Waffle House or something. Joshua pulls off at an exit, looking for a Waffle House. Fortunately, there is almost always a Waffle House off of any exit, especially down South. INT. WAFFLE HOUSE - DAY Jason and Joshua are sitting at a booth. A waitress comes up to them. WAITRESS What can I get you two? JOSHUA Ill take a Coffee. JASON Ill have a coffee as well. WAITRESS Can I go ahead and get you your food as well?

(CONTINUED)

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14.

JASON Yeah uhh, Ill have 3 pancakes, a cheese omlet with ham, hashbrowns, and sausage. Joshua looks at Jason, surprised. JOSHUA Just an egg and cheese omlet, thanks. WAITRESS Ill have that all out to you shortly. The waitress walks off, yelling the order to the cook. JOSHUA Damn, Jason, since when did you ever eat that much. JASON Ive always been a garbage disposal. Or did you never notice? JOSHUA I guess I didnt. It just surprised me, eating like its your own Last Supper. Or in this case, Last Brunch. JASON How do you know its not my Last Brunch? Fuck man, I have cancer. I could die at any moment, or did you forget about that part? JOSHUA I didnt forget. Im just trying my best not to bring up that topic. JASON Well, you should get used to it. Sooner or later, Im going to die. And you know it. JOSHUA Yeah... yeah, I know. The two sit in silence for a while, staring out the window at the passing cars or twidling their thumbs.

(CONTINUED)

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15.

JASON You said youre in school. JOSHUA I am. JASON So. Whats your major? JOSHUA History. I graduate next semester. Or at least Im supposed to, but I got dragged on this trip. So now Ill probably end up taking an extra semester to make up for any classes I might fail. JASON Are you trying to make me feel guilty? If you were that worried about failing your classes, you never would have come on this trip in the first place, I know you well enough to know that. JOSHUA Oh. You know me well enough, do you? Alright then, you should at least know which area of history Im studying and what school Im going to. I only mentioned it a hundred times before I entered into college, while you were still living at home. Jason stares at Joshua. He has no idea. JOSHUA Thats what I thought. You dont know me at all, do you? And why did you ask me to come on this trip? Dont you have any friends that would have come? JASON (angry, raised whisper) Hey, man! I could have asked two or three other people, but no, I asked you! Okay!? I fucking asked you! You! Of all people!

(CONTINUED)

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16.

JOSHUA (sighing) Okay okay, Jesus. I got it, you asked me. Another brief moment of silence. JASON Sorry. JOSHUA Dont worry about it. Jason readjusts himself in his seat, feeling uncomfortable. JASON What area, exactly, of history are you studying? JOSHUA East Asian. JASON Are you... are you gonna be a teacher, or something? JOSHUA A teacher, yeah. JASON I see. They both sit in silence for a few minutes, until their food comes. They continue to eat in silence. Its a bit awkward. INT. JOSHUAS VAN - DAY Theyve been back on the road for about thirty minutes, now in Heflin, Alabama. Jason is the first to break the silence. JASON Hey, Joshua. Do you remember that time I locked you in the trunk of mom and dads car? JOSHUA You do realize that you scarred me, mentally, by doing that, right? Ive been claustrophobic ever since.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: JASON Oh. Shit. Seriously? JOSHUA Yeah, seriously. Dont you remember when mom had me visit the therapist all those times? It was usually your fault. JASON Oh. Yeah. I do seem to remember you were at that doctors office quite often. JOSHUA Therapists arent really doctors. Theyre more like counselors. JASON Semantics, whatever. What was that guys name? Dr. Geoffry? Dr. Gregory? His last name started with a G. JOSHUA You were right the first time, Geoffry. JASON Yeah, yeah. I remember mom trying to get me to go see him. She kept proclaiming that I was ruining the family. JOSHUA Well, you certainly werent helping keep it together. That hits Jason, he grimaces. JOSHUA (CONT.) But you cant exactly blame every problem on you. Dad was sick, out of work. It was hard for everyone. JASON I miss dad. JOSHUA Yeah.

17.

The subject of their dad brings about a depressing atmosphere in the van. Its obviously not a subject either of them wishes to discuss.

18.

INT. JOSHUAS VAN - EVENING Jason has been sleeping for a while. JOSHUA Hey, I think we should pull in at a motel soon. JASON (tired) Were sleeping in the van, remember? JOSHUA Oh, right. Either way, Im going to pull into a parking lot somewhere, Im tired. Are you hungry? JASON No, Im fine. Just do whatever. Jason puts his seat back, closing his eyes again. Joshua looks over at him and sighs.