The Ugly Life

EXT. BUS STOP, DAY

Open on SOUR MIX ("Mix"), mid-twenties, squat and muscular, dressed the quintessential slacker.  He's waiting at a bus stop, asleep standing up with a can of Rockstar in one hand, a burned out cigarette in the other.

It's not particularly early in the morning.

A dance remix of "In Da Club" by 50 Cent is playing in his headphones when a car HONKS as it drives by and Mix jerks awake.

MIX

(at music)

Fuck!

Mix puts the cigarette in his mouth and reaches into his hoodie pocket.  "In Da Club" cuts off and the closing of "Fade to Black" by Metallica comes on.

MIX

Better.

Now that he's awake we can appreciate that Mix looks like crap, the morning after of the rock and roll lifestyle.  He spits out the cigarette, chugs the rest of the Rockstar and drops the can.  Then he starts to doze off again.

A few beats later a bus comes to a stop in front of him.  The doors open.

DRIVER

Hey!

Mix wakes up and boards.

MIX

Thanks, man.

He shows the driver his pass and collapses into the first open seat, falling asleep again to "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green Day.


ext. uncle chuck's bbq & sandy's dog grooming, day

Mix is walking along the big-window storefront of a dog grooming parlor called Sandy's to his job at Uncle Chuck's BBQ.  He still looks awful and is smoking a cigarette.  On the walkway walking toward him is a cute chick who's intent on ignoring him. 

As they pass.

MIX

Hi.

The chick doesn't acknowledge him, keeps walking.

INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S dining room, DAY, continuous

Mix opens the front door, looking back at the chick.

MIX

(to chick)

I guess a blow job's out of the question, huh?

(to himself)

Bitch.

Mix enters, still smoking.  There's a sign over the hostess station that identifies the restaurant.  At the hostess station in front of the door, MADISON, early twenties, very fashionable, is on the phone.  She looks at him, amused.

MADISON

Always the charmer.

Mix makes a noisy kissy face at her as he walks by.  Madison laughs and returns to her conversation.

INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S WAIT STATION, DAY

Muffled BARKING DOGS can be heard.

DRINKING DOG ("DD") is a taller, skinnier slightly more emo copy of Mix.  He's robotically combining ketchup bottles when Mix enters the wait station, already reaching into his backpack. 

No greetings are made.  Mix takes a bottle of vodka from his backpack and hands it to DD as he walks past DD and exits through a door.

DD

(to bottle)

Ahh, good mornin'

INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S STORE ROOM, DAY

DD follows Mix, guzzling vodka as Mix drops his backpack in the middle of the floor and opens a locker to reveal a green three foot bong.

MIX

This cash?

DD

Nope.

DD returns to the vodka while Mix bends over.  He isn't shown smoking from the bong, but the SCRAPE of a lighter and BUBBLING WATER can be heard.  Then Mix sits on a stool made from milk crates taped together, exhaling a large stream of smoke.

MIX

See, that's much better. Gimme.

DD passes the bottle to Mix, who drinks. DD has already perked up.

DD

How was the booty call from Hell?

Mix stops drinking long enough to show DD a vicious scratch on the side of his neck that amuses DD.

MIX

I swear she's crazier every time I go over there.

DD

So you're gonna stop fucking her?

Mix's stare is answer enough.  DD takes the bottle from him.

DD

Was this hers?

MIX

I figured she owed me.

Mix reaches into his backpack and takes a can of Rockstar out that he cracks and chugs in a few long guzzles.  Then he gets the vodka and takes a pull from it.

MIX

Okay, now I might actually do some work today.

DD

Likely story.

INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S WAIT STATION, DAY

They exit the room, now wearing aprons.  DD washes his hands and walks to the window.  The dogs are still BARKING over at Sandy's.

DD

Hey, Boyce.

On the other side of the window, on the line is the cook BOYCE, drinking from a quart of Miller High Life.  He salutes with the bottle before putting it back on a shelf and returning to his cooking.

BEGIN WORKING DAY MONTAGE

DD looks at a ticket on a tray, then hefts the tray onto one shoulder and walks out of the wait station, almost running into Madison, who dodges him.

MADISON

(once again...)

Corner?

DD ignores her, walks to a table of three and sets the entire tray down, then walks away without acknowledging the customers. Mix walks up behind him and puts a caddy with several bottles of sauce on the table also with no acknowledgment. Two of the customers look confused, but the third just reaches for a plate.

DD takes a bus tub to a table and sweeps the plates and silverware into it with no heed of the noise it makes.  A few lunchers flinch at the sound.  He's more careful with the glassware.

Mix walks toward the kitchen.

CUSTOMER #1

Excuse me, the brisket...

Mix doesn't acknowledge the customer.

CUSTOMER #1

... does that come with, um, excuse me?

Mix walks to two more waitresses, SARA and NICOLE who are chatting and grabs Sara by the arm.

SARA

Okay, but we have to be quick.

Mix ignores them and drags Sara to the customer.

NICOLE

We were talking!

MIX

He has a question.

Mix walks away.  Sara laughs.

sara

(to customer)

So, I hear you have a question?

In the wait station Mix is waiting for a big order to finish being laid on trays when Nicole storms in.

NICOLE

Table seven had dog hair in their food!

BOYCE (O.S.)

Dammit, Arturo!

MIX

(sighs)

Fuck this.

He walks into the store room.

In the lounge, the bartender, MATT, is serving a few early starters.  DD walks behind the bar and pours himself a very stiff drink in a pint glass.

matt

Hey, DD.

DD waves as he takes a drink from his glass.  He cleans up after himself before he leaves.

Two customers at a nearby table notice the exchange.

CUSTOMER #2

Are you kidding me?

CUSTOMER #3

Just wait.

DD walks through the dining room, passing a table of two stylish, muscular guys with spiky hair getting very attentive service from Madison and Sara.  Sara notices the attention and DD rolls his eyes at her.  She sticks her tongue out at him.

END WORKING DAY MONTAGE

INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S WAIT STATION, DAY

DD walks in with his glass.  UNCLE CHUCK, a strung out gaunt man in his 60's wearing a cheap suit is kind of listening to Nicole talking about the dog hair until he sees DD.

UNCLE CHUCK

Hey, Dog!  What's up?

Nicole throws her hands up in the air and growls before storming through a swinging door. The BARKING grows more distinct for a second.

DD

Chuck! Finally woke up.

DD and Uncle Chuck slap hands and tap fists.

DD

Was just about to step into the office, c'mon in.

UNCLE CHUCK

Don't mind if I do.

int. uncle chuck's WAIT STATION, DAY

Sara opens the store room door, smoke rolls out.

SARA

Damn, that smells good.

She enters.  BUBBLING sounds for a few moments.

sara (o.s.)

Oh, Mix, someone's outside for you.

Mix (O.S.)

Well, fuck.


INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S DINING ROOM, DAY

DD enters the dining room from the wait station with his empty glass in his hand.  Mix is standing outside on the sidewalk with a small group of people, including WORTHY, a more put-together friend and EMILY, a pretty younger girl in braids.  Emily nudges someone who speaks to Worthy. Worthy turns and pounds on the glass, then motions to DD. DD gives him the finger, causing laughter outside, then continues to the lounge.

INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S STORE ROOM, DAY

Mix enters the store room.  Sara is gone but Uncle Chuck is still there. DD now has a full drink again and his spirits are remarkably improved.

DD

You gonna sit on that mother fucker all day?

UNCLE CHUCK

If you think about it, I really bought this weed, so....

MIX

We goin' to a party!

DD

Why the fuck would we want to do that?

UNCLE CHUCK

Girls and booze someone else paid for.

MIX

You are a wise man.

UNCLE CHUCK

I try.

DD is tipping back his drink, it's half gone already.

DD

Shit, I should have got a bottle.

MIX

We'll get one on the way out.

UNCLE CHUCK

Get one for me, too.

DD

Night boys here yet?

MIX

I think so.

DD

We shouldn't leave until they are.

UNCLE CHUCK

I appreciate that professionalism in my staff.

Uncle Chucks stands, he's not very steady.

UNCLE CHUCK

If you guys eat, don't snag any of the specials.

The guys mutter assents as Uncle Chuck staggers from the room.

INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S WAIT STATION, night

They come out of the store room in street clothes.  Mix hands off his apron to another slacker type.

MIX

Another day, another dime bag.

They each take a plate from the window and walk toward the back, shoveling the food into their mouths.

ext. ALLEY, night

They leave out the back door, DD is backing out the door still eating.  He gulps the last bite of food.

DD

Paco, catch!

He frisbees the plate back inside and lets the door close.

WORTHY

Hey, kids.

Mix cracks a bottle of Captain Morgan's and looks up, the group from earlier is standing in the alley smoking pot. DD takes a sniff.

DD

All the way from Mexico, I'm impressed.

HANGER ON #1

Can you do better?

mix

Shit, son, this is not where you want to challenge us.

Mix hands the bottle to DD who immediately tips it back.  Mix intercepts the pipe and knocks it empty.

HANGER ON #1

What the-?

DD

You won't miss it.

Mix loads the pipe and hands it back to Hanger On #1.

MIX

Try that, scout.

DD

Small hit, baby.

Hanger On #1 lights the pipe and takes a puff. He clearly has trouble not coughing it out.  Mix and DD join the circle and the pipe changes hands it to the person next in the circle as they insert themselves.  Emily pulls the person next to her aside so she can stand next to DD.

MIX

Take note, this brown shit you've been smoking, my pubes will get you higher.

As he speaks one of the circle starts coughing uncontrollably from the pot.

MIX

And this is about the worst stuff I'm willing to smoke.

EXT. STREET, NIGHT

The crowd is walking down the street. Emily moves to get next to DD.

EMILY

I love your hair!

DD

Thanks.  You don't think it makes me look like a girl?

EMILY

Oh, not at all.

DD

(to Worthy)

Told you.

WORTHY

You're still the prettiest boy I've seen all day.

DD

(points to Emily)

Nothing compared to her, of course.

Emily doesn't quite roll her eyes, but she's losing interest fast.

DD

Hey, now.  Brown nosing ain't lying.

And he's redeemed himself. 

WORTHY

Man, I'm fucking hungry.

dd

Too bad you don't work in a fine dining establishment.

WORTHY

Shit, you two wouldn't know fine dining from smelly pussy.

MIX

Hey! I do!

WORTHY

Okay, maybe you.

HANGER ON #1

We need to find a bus.

DD

And yet we've got all this rum.

MIX

I have an idea.

CUT TO:

EXT. BUS STOP, NIGHT

A bus pulls up to the stop the group is waiting at.  They all have Slurpees they are suspiciously enjoying more than they should.

INT. SOMEONE'S HOUSE, NIGHT

There's several large coolers filled with beers in the front room of a fairly nice house filled with preppies.  DD, Mix, and Worthy stand in front of it with Emily and a girlfriend of hers.  The guys are finishing loading beers into pockets, then crack two each.

GUYS

Hot bitches.

Their toast amuses Emily, her girlfriend not so much.  The girls take healthy drinks, but the guys guzzle the beers and drop the cans where they stand. Only then do they look at the crowd.

DD

If I gave a shit about such things, I'd feel out of place.

MIX

It's like snow blindness, but khaki.

WORTHY

Hey, a bong.

dd

We're so there.

INT. SOMEONE'S HOUSE, NIGHT

RANDOM #1 exhales smoke and then slumps over as RANDOM #2 hits it the bong and starts coughing.

DD

What pussies.  Give me that.

MIX

Rotation!

DD

Fuck that.

Random #2 is still coughing, hands the bong off to DD.

EMILY

Damn.  I'm really high.

DD

And the night is young.

WORTHY

So is she.

dd

What?

WORTHY

Nothing, are you gonna hit that or what?

DD

I have a better idea.

INT. SOMEONE'S KITCHEN, NIGHT

Worthy is standing by the fridge, Mix by the stove.  Emily and a small crowd are watching DD sort through a baggie.

MIX

Okay, these are ready.

DD

This one.

DD puts a bud on the stove and dons a pair of oven mitts.  Worthy opens the freezer door, DD takes a metal funnel with a paper towel wrapped around the spout out and Mix pulls a pair of butter knives off a burner.  Mix picks up the bud with the knives and squeezes it, DD sucks the smoke up through the funnel.

The crowd cheers.

DD pulls back and offers the funnel to Emily.

DD

(exhaling smoke)

Yeah, that's the stuff.

Emily goes to it.

ext. SOMEONE'S BACK YARD, NIGHT

Emily is laughing at something apparently witty DD just said in the near background. Mix is supervising two kids shotgunning beers.

MIX

Almost there, almost there.

WORTHY

This is getting interesting.

MIX

That's never a good thing.

WORTHY

Well, I wasn't specifically invited to this party.

MIX

Of all the parties to crash we came here?

Worthy hand signals to DD.

WORTHY

I think we're wearing out our welcome.

MIX

We don't exactly fit in with the Hollister cult.

DD

You are fucking up my flow.

worthy

Sorry, Casanova, I couldn't see your tiny little flow.

MIX

Shoulda wore tighter pants.

DD

Why are we bailing? We haven't broken anything, or started any fights.

WORTHY

Shockingly enough, some people have tighter standards for party fouls.

MIX

We should load up on our way out.

DD starts to walk away.

dd

Okay, I'll wrap up. But I'm telling her you're a pussy.

WORTHY

Dude, wait, she-

MIX

C'mon. My backpack's too light.

INT. SOMEONE'S HOUSE, NIGHT

Worthy and Mix are loading beers into a trash bag inserted into Mix's backpack.

WORTHY

Trash bags. Sometimes I think you're a genius.

MIX

I have my moments.

DD arrives, very excited.

DD

Dude-

MIX

Turn around.

Mix produces another trash bag and sticks it into DD's backpack empty, then starts loading it up.

EXT. STREET, NIGHT

DD

I got her number!

MIX

Dude, no way that chick's legal.

DD

What?

WORTHY

We tried to tell you all night, man.

DD

FUCK!

WORTHY

Half that crowd was still in high school.

MIX

How did YOU meet up with them?

WORTHY

They're not all in high school.

DD

Too good to be true.

He produces a beer from the pocket of his hoodie and chugs it.

Mix's phone rings.

MIX

Hey, Will.  Really?  Yeah, we're in  Hillsdale. Hey, that's too good.  We'll meet you up there.

Mix ends the call.

MIX

Potty's in town.

WORTHY

That's usually a good thing.

MIX

He's got a ton of Red Rock.

dd

Good timing.

He tosses the empty and cracks another beer.

INT. MIX'S BEDROOM, NIGHT

Mix is fast asleep when DD bursts into his room.

DD

Dude! Dude!

MIX

Augh! What the fuck?

DD collapses on the edge of the bed.

DD

I found it. I found it.

MIX

Jesus, man, where the fuck did you go?

DD

Dude, I found us a house.

MIX

We want a house?

DD

It's, like, abandoned, and shit. It's perfect.

MIX

Uh huh. Go to bed. Wake me up again I'll rape you to death.

DD

Dude, c'mon, we gotta pack!

Mix lays down, covers himself again.

MIX

If you're still here, or making any noise, in a minute, I'm getting the stun gun.

DD

No no no! I found it! It's there!

DD paws at Mix's covers.

DD

(continuing)

I'll show you, get up.

MIX

Stun gun, I fucking swear.

Mix pushes DD with his foot. DD collapses onto the floor.

MIX

Motherfucker gets wasted and disappears.  I might stun gun you anyway.

Mix settles into sleep, DD mutters quietly until he passes out.

INT. MIX'S BEDROOM, DAY

Mix's hangover is just starting to wake him up.  A bleary but alert DD is rifling through Mix's coat. He's watching Mix, but Mix has his arm thrown across his eyes and a mind for nothing beyond his pain.

DD comes up with Mix's cell and sneaks out of Mix's bedroom.

INT. MIX & DD'S LIVING ROOM, DAY, CONTINUOUS

DD enters a phone number into Mix's cell from a scrap of paper. DD listens to it ringing.

DD

Should have had a drink first.

TARA

Hello?

DD

Hi, is Emily there?

Pause.

TARA

Is this DD?

Hesitation.

DD

Yes.

TARA

My sister's only sixtee-

DD

Damn! I knew it was too good to be true.

Tara has aborted her tirade, listening to DD.

DD

Look, I wasn't sure. I thought she was, y'know, old enough. Oh, never mind. You're going to yell at me now, right?

TARA

I was. But, you really thought she was older?

DD

Yeah. Well, I guess I more hoped she was.

(pause)

Did she tell you about me?

TARA

Yeah.

DD

So she could get you to blow me off.

TARA

No, it's not like that. She was glad to meet you, she just didn't realize you were older at first.

DD

Okay.  Well, thanks for not yelling at me, I won't call your sister again.

DD ends the call and draws back to throw the phone before remembering it's Mix's.  A toilet FLUSHES.  DD flops onto a couch.  Worthy exits the bathroom, he looks run down as well.

WORTHY

Shitty, dude.

DD

Par for the course.

WORTHY

Yeah. Who was it?

DD

Sister.  Nice enough not to chew me out, or call the cops.

WORTHY

Shoulda called the cops, if there ever was a sexual predator it's you.

DD

Yeah, suburbanite moms hate me.

WORTHY

And they are right to do so.

Worthy walks to the TV and starts fiddling with the Playstation.

WORTHY

You gonna sneak Mix's phone back?

DD

Oh. Yeah.

DD goes into Mix's bedroom. Worthy loads a game and sits on the couch. He picks up a controller.  DD enters, looks at the game and sits.

DD

It's all about makin' that GTA.

WORTHY

I'm going to get this motherfucker to the hospital.

DD

It's so cute you do missions.  I just kill hookers and old ladies.

WORTHY

I like hookers and old ladies.

DD digs under the coffee table for a large glass pipe.  He loads it then he and Worthy start smoking.  Worthy pauses the game each time he takes the pipe.

WORTHY

Where the fuck did you go last night?

DD

I don't even know, but I think I found an abandoned house.

WORTHY

Really?

DD

I think so.  After I got out of the van.

MIX (O.S.)

You're a dick.

Mix enters and heads for the pipe.

MIX

Bring me back from the shadow lands, friend.

He gets the pipe and takes a hit, then shambles into the kitchen.

INT. MIX & DD'S KITCHEN, DAY

There's a plate with a dozen or more burritos in the microwave.

Mix is dropping three packets worth of Alka Seltzer tablets into a pint glass of water.  EXPLOSIONS and GUNFIRE from the game can be heard, along with the LIGHTER.

INT. MIX & DD'S LIVING ROOM, DAY

Mix thunks the plate of burritos and a six pack of beer on the table.  He begins to guzzle his Alka-Seltzer while DD helps himself to a burrito and a beer.  There's a loud EXPLOSION from the TV.

worthy

Fuck!

Worthy reaches for a burrito.

WORTHY

That one's a bitch.

dd

Might help if you stopped pausing it.

Mix slams the empty glass on the table.

MIX

It keeps me alive, but oh, that sucks.

WORTHY

I can't smoke and play at the same time.

DD

Well, you've got a point.

MIX

Got a cigarette?

EXT. PADDY'S, DAY

The trio are sitting around a sidewalk table, WILLOW, a hippyish girl the same age range as the guys approaches and sits.  Ad lib greetings.

WILLOW

Where the fuck did you disappear to last night?

DD

I walked home.

WILLOW

Damn.

WORTHY

I could barely stay awake.

MIX

You're a pussy.

DD

I think I found a house. I remember stumbling through a field, it was steep, must have been in the Hills. The grass was all overgrown but the lights were on.

MIX

A field in the West Hills?

WORTHY

You're sure it was real?

dd

Hey, it was opium, not acid.

MIX

If I was going to trust a drug vision, it would be DD's.

WILLOW

This is true.

MIX

So what's the fallout from the party?

WORTHY

Well, after ruining silverware, staining carpets and hitting on underage girls.

DD gives Worthy the finger.

WORTHY

(continuing)

Who gives a fuck?

MIX

I like the way you think.

DD

I called her.

MIX

Wear something nice for the mug shot.

DD

Her sister answered the phone. Wasn't so bad I guess.

DD drains his beer.

DD

And soon I won't care at all.

Mix's cell rings, it's his sister, SANDRA.

MIX

Shit.

(answers)

What, Sandra?

WILLOW

You go to underage parties, you meet underage girls. You do okay, man.

SANDRA

Can you fill in next week?

Worthy looks around, waves to a waitress.

DD

But I never hit it off like that with chicks.  And she was sober, even, at first.  She was so hot. Man, I haven't fucked a chick with nice tits in years.

MIX

Now why would I want to do that?

WORTHY

She did have some nice titties.

SANDRA

Because I need your help, and the kids love you.

WILLOW

It could have been the bra. I have some that do incredible things.

MIX

But I hate them.

WORTHY

No, she was wearing this little lacy thing and her sweater was so low cut you could- Oh.

DD

Yeah, I noticed.

Waitress NANCY walks up.

NANCY

What's up?

WORTHY

Sorry, dude.

SANDRA

Whatever, tough guy.

WILLOW

Girl problems.

NANCY

Jagers?

DD

You are a goddess. Why won't you come work for Uncle Chuck?

MIX

I have to work next week.

NANCY

Because you guys are probably terrible bussers. Four Jagers coming up.

She picks up DD's empty glass.

NANCY

And another beer.

SANDRA

Please?

MIX

Fuck.

Sandra

Day after tomorrow, noon.  Thanks.

Mix drops his phone on the table.

DD

Kiddies?

MIX

Kiddies.  Fuck.

Nancy arrives with DD's beer and large shot glasses full to the brim with Jagermeister.

NANCY

What have you three been up to?

WORTHY

Attempted debauchery, public drunkenness.

NANCY

Any new outrages?

MIX

DD hit on an underage chick last night.

NANCY

Dee!

DD moves to defend himself, but Worthy cuts him off.

WORTHY

She looked older.  I swear. With beer goggles, totally looked eighteen.

NANCY

Yeah, right.

MIX

They develop so fast these days.  I swear when I was in high school they didn't look like they do now.

NANCY

Oh, no.

Nancy walks away in moderate disgust.

WILLOW

You've been hanging around Dent too much.

They carefully pick up their shot glasses.

ALL

Self loathing.

They take the extra large shots and grimace to varying degrees.

MIX

What the fuck is wrong with German people?

DD

I love that stuff.

WILLOW

And it loves you.

MIX

Yeah, sometimes love makes you puke, too.

DD

True.

INT. Worthy's APARTMENT, NIGHT

Worthy is sitting at a computer, Mix & DD stand behind him. They're passing a bong around and looking at Google Maps (or something similar), viewing aerial photos.

DD

Last thing I remember clearly was you guys arguing how long it would take to climb the radio towers.

MIX

Heh.  Someone got his ass shocked.

Mix's cell phone rings.

WORTHY

Fuck you. So that's right here, and you came down onto Broadway?

MIX

Hello?

DD

I'm pretty sure.

TARA

Um, is DD there?

WORTHY

That's mostly stilt houses, though.

MIX

Uh. Yeah. Hold on.

Mix presses his phone against his leg.

MIX

It's for you. Did you call your Lolita from my phone?

DD

Shit! Yeah. Her sister's going to kill me.

Mix hands his cell to DD.

DD

Hello?

TARA

Um, hi.

DD is stricken. He goes onto the balcony.

ext. Worthy's balcony, NIGHT

Tara is a little tipsy and there's a lot of BACKGROUND CHATTER.

DD

Hi.

TARA

I'm Tara. You, uh, called-

DD

Yeah, I remember. Uh, what's up?

TARA

I just wanted to. Well, you seemed so nice about, you know. I just. Wanted to. Call you.

DD

Oh.

DD smacks himself, incensed that he couldn't think of a better response.

DD

Are you eighteen?

Tara laughs, DD almost collapses with relief.

TARA

I'm twenty four, actually.

DD

Okay, that's good to hear. But it's a better defense if I meet you in a bar.

Tara laughs again.

TARA

Fortuitously, I'm in a bar.

DD

Which one?

TARA

Night Light.

DD is jubilant.

DD

Equally fortuitous, I'm at a friend's place not far away from Night Light.

TARA

Oh, really?  Well.

DD

I'll be on my way. Uh, how will I recognize you?

TARA

Well, I look a lot like my sister, I'm in a black leather jacket, and I'm sitting under a painting of a naked woman with an umbrella.

DD

I'm, like, ten minutes out. I'll see you soon.

TARA

Okay.

DD

Okay. Uh, be right there.

DD ends the call and heads inside again.

INT. WORTHY'S APARTMENT, NIGHT

DD tosses Mix's cell back to him.

MIX

Are you going to need a lawyer?

DD

Money, I need money. That was the sister.

Mix and Worthy gape.

WORTHY

No shit?

DD rifles through his pockets.

DD

No shit. How much do I have? How much do I have?

Mix starts rifling through his own pockets and Worthy leaps up, entering his bedroom. He comes back a moment later with a Mason jar stuffed with bills.

DD

Dude, that's your 'shroom money.

worthy

Take it, you're good for it.  Go. Why are you still fucking here?

DD grabs a fistful of bills and stuffs them into his pocket. He puts on his jacket and stutters towards the door before he cracks two more beers and starts chugging one.

EXT. NIGHT LIGHT, NIGHT

DD stops jogging outside the bar.  He tries to catch his breath, coughing at the cold air in his lungs.

DD

Okay, slow it down. Don't want to look too eager. Ow.

DD rubs his side for a moment, then reaches for the door handle.

DD

I hope she's not fat.

INT. NIGHT LIGHT, NIGHT

DD enters the bar, still somewhat out of breath. His eyes catch the painting and look under it. A slim young woman in a classy leather jacket with a remarkable resemblance to Emily is sitting under it, looking at something on the table. DD makes a subdued fist pump in victory. He walks to the table. Tara looks up from a menu when he's mostly there. She smiles.

TARA

DD?

DD

Tara?

TARA

Wow, Emily was right, you are a hottie.

DD

For all the charms your family has, clearly there's insanity.

Tara laughs. DD sits down.

DD

So.

TARA

Yeah.

DD

Yeah.

Pause.

DD

Okay, basic biographical information in thirty seconds. You go first.

TARA

Me? Why do I have to go first?

DD

Because I ran here and I can barely breathe.

Tara melts a little.

TARA

You ran?

DD didn't mean to reveal that.

DD

Ah, I didn't want you to come to your senses.

Tara laughs.

TARA

Okay, I'll go first. Thirty seconds?

DD

Give or take a few minutes.

TARA

Okay. Um.  You know my name, and that I'm twenty four, sooo.

DD

Faster.

TARA

Jeez, okay. Uh, born in upstate New York, moved here with my family when I was seven, I don't remember much about back East. Um, college graduate, work downtown, nuclear family, um, mom, dad, sister, who you've met.

DD cringes for show, Tara laughs.

TARA

(continuing)

And a brother who's in the Army. Catholic, Taurus, um, Democrat, uh.

DD

Long walks on the beach, horse rides and a roaring fire.

Tara laughs.

TARA

Yes, all of that. Your turn.

DD

Twenty three, born on the coast, moved here when I was twelve because the coast fucking sucks. Bit of a potty mouth, not a member of a political party, I like video games, Irish whiskey, blended or single malt, I work in a restaurant, I have bad luck with cell phones and ooh a waiter.  I'll have a Mirror Pond.

TARA

Cheater!

DD

What are you drinking there?

TARA

Um.

WAITER

Irish coffee?

Tara blushes.

DD

It's fate.  I'll get her another.

TARA

No, you don't have to do that.

DD

You can get the next round if it'll satisfy your wimmin's libber conscience.

TARA

I'm hardly one of those. I was in a sorority.

DD

No women's studies?

TARA

Just one class.

DD

I love women's studies.

TARA

And before you turn that into something dirty, what do you do in your restaurant?

DD

You're quick.  I'm a busser and a runner. But not literally.  Well, I do ride the bus, but I generally avoid running.  Speaking of which, do you mind if I smoke?

TARA

Go ahead.

DD

Thanks.

DD gets and lights a cigarette.  He offers the pack to Tara, who waves it off.

DD

What do you do downtown?

Their drinks arrive, DD toasts with Tara's existing drink then takes a healthy gulp. Tara finishes her drink.

TARA

Really complicated and yet utterly boring stuff. I don't even want to get into it.

DD

Fair enough. I did some office time.  Mail room.

TARA

Fun.

DD

No. Not a bit. It was excruciating.  I begged for my job at the restaurant back.

TARA

Aw, poor you.

DD

It was awful. I was scarred.

DD makes a sad face, Tara laughs.

DD

But I'm much better now.

TARA

I'm glad to hear that.

DD

Me, too.  The constant weeping got on everyone's nerves.

TARA

That would get pretty old.

Pause.

TARA

But my day job isn't nearly that bad.

DD

Good, good to hear. You're right downtown?

TARA

Yeah, kind of south, not as far as the college, though.

DD

Was that your school?

TARA

No, I went to Illinois.

DD

How did you end up there?

TARA

It was the school farthest way from home that accepted me.  That my mom wouldn't freak out about, anyway.

DD

No big city schools for you?

TARA

No way. Mom hated that I was going away at all, but I needed to.

DD

But you came back.

TARA

I did.  I missed the mountains, and the ocean. And I guess I made peace with my family.  Now my sister's going through all of that.

DD

No comment.

TARA

Yes. So, you said your friend lives nearby?

DD

Yeah. I live over by Lloyd Center with another friend.  You?

TARA

Oh, mom and dad still have me at home.

DD

Well, girls can get away with that.

TARA

Yes, we can. Mom again.

DD

Ah, yes.  Mom.

DD finishes his beer.

DD

You're not drinking.

TARA

I've already had a few.  I was here with some girls from work.

DD

Ah, wild girls and foo foo drinks.

TARA

Foo foo drink? This is not a foo foo drink.

DD

Really? Let me have a taste.

Tara hesitates shyly, then pushes her glass over.  DD takes a sip.

DD

Mmm, whisky.  Oh, sorry.

DD puts the glass back.

DD

Not bad.  I'll give you credit for it.

TARA

Oh, you're so kind.

DD

I know, I'm forever being taken advantage of.

TARA

I bet.  Well, I guess I'd better.

Tara finishes her drink.

TARA

I'll get this round.

DD

You don't have to.

TARA

My wimmin's libber pride, remember?

DD

Oh, right. I forgot.

TARA

Male chauvinist pig!

DD

Damn, you caught me!

TARA

I knew it!  You men are all alike.

DD

Jeez, so harsh.

TARA

Oh, I'm sorry.  I don't want to scar you again.

DD

Yes, I'm very fragile.

Tara flags down the waiter.

TARA

I bet you are.

INT. Worthy's APARTMENT, NIGHT

Mix is looking through Worthy's DVDs when there's a THUMP on the door.  Worthy exits the kitchen and opens it without really looking.

WORTHY

Hey, Dent.

DENT, extremely drunk, slightly older than the others wearing a disheveled suit, has a grocery sack of forty ounce bottles in one hand and a case of cheap beer under the other arm.  Sara follows him in.

MIX

Hey, Sara.

worthy (O.S.)

Sara?

MIX

Rough day at work?

WORTHY

I'm gonna quit.  Swear to God.

MIX

Yeah, yeah. Let me lighten your load.

Dent thrusts the bottle of forties at him and collapses on Worthy's couch.

DENT

Don't ever work in an office. It's just sodomy, constant fucking bleeding sodomy.

SARA

Do you really need to tell us that?

He pulls a pipe from his jacket and sparks.  Mix passes forties to Dent and Sara, then cracks one for himself.

DENT

Is that pizza?

WORTHY (O.S.)

Take and bake.  Ready in ten.

DENT

This is the life.

SARA

Where's DD?

MIX

He's on a blind date.

DENT

No fucking way.

WORTHY (O.S.)

Way.

SARA

Alright!  To DD!

The three toast and start chugging.

SARA

I hear you got drafted into babysitting again.

MIX

I believe that children are our future.

DENT

I thought you believed they should be kept in cages.

MIX

They're the future after we let them out.

INT. NIGHT LIGHT, NIGHT

A loud group has moved in and DD and Tara are sitting on adjacent sides of the table, leaning close to each other.

DD

Time for another round.

TARA

No no, I have to drive.

DD

There are other options.

Googly eyed moment.

DD

I meant those guys who come on scooters and drive you home.  Of course.

TARA

I've used them before. And that's disappointing if that's all you were thinking of.

DD

Well, you have a day job and all.

More googly eyes.

TARA

Yes. That's a good excuse. And, well, there's enough potential drama already. I, I'll call you, though.

DD

Actually I called you from a friend's cell, so I should probably call you. I promise I will.

The moment is too heavy.

DD

And speaking of drama, can Emily throw a punch? Because that would help when we go on Jerry.

Tara laughs, a bit embarrassed.

TARA

Oh, she'll be so pissed.  But. It's worth it. So far.

Tara stands before DD can respond. DD stands with her.

DD

The number you called from, that's you?

TARA

My cell.

DD

I'll call you.

TARA

Okay.

DD

I will.

TARA

(smiles)

I said okay.  Bye.

Tara leaves.

DD

Holy shit, did that just happen?

EXT. PADDY'S, DAY

It's late in the afternoon.  DD, Dent, Willow and Sara are sitting at a table.

DENT

So ya didn't go for the quick fuck?

WILLOW

Probably wise.

DD

I think I just pussed out.

sara

No, it's nice! This isn't some skank, Dee.

DENT

Drinking on a weeknight?  We're not talking schoolmarm material here.

SARA

I think you've got something quality here.

DD

I don't know about that.  I mean, she seems great, but.  Well, there's a reason we're all single.

SARA

Bullshit, you're just freaking out.

DD

I'm just gonna roll with it.  We'll see how it goes, right?

General agreement.

EXT. PADDY'S, NIGHT

Mix and Worthy have shown up.  The sidewalk patio is a little more crowded, but the after work office crowd is keeping some distance from our crew.

Worthy, DD & Mix are looking at a number of print outs.

worthy

I wouldn't have thought it, but there are fields in the West Hills.  I just don't know how old these photos are.  The sites don't say.

DD

I think it was near the bridge.  I remember stumbling across it after I found the house.

WORTHY

That would be around-

SARA

Hey! We're drinking here.

MIX

Gee, sorry mom.

Nancy walks by with a tray of drinks.

worthy

Hey, Nancy, who's cooking?

NANCY

Jorge.

WORTHY

Awesome!

DD

I go first!

DD leaves to smoke pot in the kitchen.

WORTHY

I thought of it you fucking cock smoker!

DD

Eat my ass, bitch!

Unhappiness from the surrounding crowd.  Sara rolls her eyes.  DD returns a moment later, coughing.

DD

And now it's time to party.  Nancy, I need an AMF.

WILLOW

This won't end well, I can already feel it coming.  Hey, Nancy, can I get a black opal?

MIX

Oh, hell.

He stops to look at a professional hottie walking by.

MIX

Whoa. That was a tasty slice.

WORTHY

What, where?

DD sees her as she disappears inside.

DD

That was nice.

WORTHY

Fuck, I missed it.

MIX

She'll be out in a few hours.

Nancy reappears, two pint glasses on her tray, one full of light blue liquid, the other dark purple.

EXT. PADDY'S, NIGHT

Nancy and another waitress are bringing the next round. DD & Willow get another round of their super drinks, every one else has switched from beers to cocktails.

MIX

There she is.

Worthy leans back in his chair and looks at the professional hottie from earlier.

WORTHY

Very tasty.

SARA

Subtle, dude.

The hottie snarls at Worthy as she walks by.

WORTHY

So we won't be making sweet love any time soon?

Willow smacks him in the back of the head.

SARA

You guys are fucking douchebags.

DD

Us?  We're just happy assholes.

WORTHY

Jovial rectumus.

MIX

Yeah, they're douchebags.

Mix points at a party of Boy Band types a few tables over.  Everyone turns to look.

DENT

Western spiky haired douchebags to be specific.

Sara sprays her drink.

DD

The happy asshole's natural competition.  In fact when she comes to her senses, that Tara chick will probably.  Oh, fuck.

DD starts to drain his mostly full AMF through the straw.

SARA

Oh, bullshit.  She'd be lucky to have you.

DD slams his empty glass down.  No one else rushes to agree.

EXT. PADDY'S, NIGHT

It's late.  The patio crowd is mostly gone.  DD is slumped back in his chair, mouth open to the sky.  Willow isn't in much better shape.  The rest of the crowd is pretty drowsy at this point.  All in all, a poster for moderation.

MIX

Fuck.  Hey.  Let's go.

He slugs DD, who doesn't budge.

MIX

Shit.  Do you?

Worthy hands him a small brown glass vial. Mix waves the vial under DD's nose.  DD writhes, but Mix doesn't let up until DD sits up.

DD

Oh, fuck, man. Do you have to do that?

MIX

C'mon, let's go.

DD

Fine. Fine.

DD levers himself out of his chair and picks up his backpack.  Mix follows suit.  As they leave, Dent starts poking Willow.

ext. street, night, continuous

DD & Mix stumble down the street, getting a block or so until they come on a bunch of large plastic garbage cans just past a convenience store's entrance.

DD

Gotta, gotta piss.

DD leans against the wall with one hand and opens his fly with the other.  As he urinates against the wall, he leans forward a little more and vomits.

Mix waits for him with only a hint of impatience.

MIX

Mother fucker's gotta drink the AMFs.  Jesus.

INT. GOODTOT'S DAYCARE, DAY

Goodtots is an attentive book-learned parent's wet dream, with clearly marked play areas obsessively vetted for safety and educational content. Mix walks in still exhaling smoke.  The receptionist glares at him.

MIX

Sandra in the back?

RECEPTIONIST

Yes, you need a badge!

Mix doesn't bother.

There are thirty or so kids in attendance, a dozen or so are six to nine.  One looks up and sees Mix.

KID

Mix!

The kids cheer and all of the boys and most of the girls in six to nine run to Mix.

MIX

Kids!

Mix spends a few minutes tapping fists and slapping palms with his admirers.  Sandra comes out of the back room and watches Mix hold court with a smile.

MIX

Alright, go do something, kids.

The kids happily scatter.

SANDRA

Thanks for coming in -

Mix cuts her off with a glare as her lips start to form a consonant that's not M.

SANDRA

Oh, do I still have to call you-, Fine. Fine.  Mix.  Thanks for coming in.

MIX

You're paying me in cash, right?

SANDRA

Give me your coat, pick up your badge and go be nurturing. And I don't want to see you teaching anyone poker.

Mix tosses Sandra his coat and backpack.

MIX

They already know that.

INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S WAIT STATION, DAY

DD and Madison are sitting on the counter. Uncle Chuck is standing facing them.

UNCLE CHUCK

Well, have you called her yet?

DD

No, not yet.

MADISON

Oh, God.

UNCLE CHUCK

Why the hell not?  Is she cute?

DD

Yeah, she's pretty cute.

UNCLE CHUCK

Is she nice?

DD

Seems so.

UNCLE CHUCK

And you haven't called yet?  Call her now.

DD

I will.

MADISON

You'd better!

UNCLE CHUCK

Now, jack ass.  Use my office phone.

(pauses)

Go!

INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S OFFICE, DAY

The office is virtually empty and somewhat dusty. DD sits in a cheap office chair behind a cheap desk. He dials a number from a piece of paper.

DD

Why do I do this sober?

TARA

(whispering)

Hello?

DD

Hi.

TARA

(whispering)

Oh, hi!  I'm at work, can I call you back?

DD

Well, I'm at work, too.  Uh, sure, yeah, call me back.  I'm off at six.

TARA

(whispering)

Okay, bye.

DD

Bye.

DD slams the phone down.

DD

Anti fucking climactic!

INT. GOODTOT'S DAYCARE, DAY

Mix is sitting with a boy and a girl plying paper and crayons.  Mix is teaching them graffiti.

MIX

No, that one's taken.

BOY

Damn. I liked that one.

MIX

It's pretty good.  That's why it's taken.

TERRELL

MIX!

A new arrival races up to Mix, his arms held behind him like an airplane.

TERRELL

I'm gonna be a fighter pilot!

Terrell zooms around the table, making jet noises, then "flies" away.

MIX

Isn't he diabetic?

GIRL

Yes.  How's this?

Mix looks at the girl's tag.

MIX

That's pretty good.  You might want to try a lighter blue on the top.

GIRL

You think?

MIX

Yeah.  It's good, but a lighter blue would make the crimson really pop.

INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S DINING ROOM, NIGHT

DD is clearing a table. Nicole answers the phone.

NICOLE

Uncle Chuck's Barbecue. Who?  Really?  Are you sure?  Well, okay. DD!

DD puts a few dishes back down and walks to the hostess stand.

NICOLE

There's a phone call for you?

DD takes the phone.

DD

Hello?

TARA

Chuck is a good barbecue name.

DD

Chuck can't cook, actually. The mastermind's name is Boyce.

TARA

Boyce?

DD

Yeah, long story.  I guess, I don't actually know it.  So you're off work?

TARA

Yes, finally. Should I come there? I'm kind of hungry.

DD's eyes swivel to Nicole, who's glaring at him with a mixture of disgust and amazement.

DD

Nah, I wanna get outta here. I'm off in half an hour, and I'm in Gateway.

TARA

Okay.

DD

How about dinner, you're hungry, right?

DD cringes at his clumsy delivery.

TARA

That would be great.

DD

Okay. Did you have a place in mind? I'm kind of a Taco Bell guy.

TARA

Not while I'm sober.  I'll think of a place. Somewhere on the rail?

DD

Yeah. I'll call you before I leave.

TARA

Great.

DD

Okay, I'll talk to you later.

TARA

Bye.

DD

Bye.

DD hangs up and turns on Nicole.

DD

What?

NICOLE

Was that a girl?

DD

No, it was my drag queen boyfriend, want to come along? He can teach you how to put make up on with some class.

Nicole makes a noise and walks away.

DD

Bitch.  Shit, how much money do I have?  Yo, CHUCK!

INT. INDIAN RESTAURANT, NIGHT

DD can be seen through a window approaching the door, tucking a pint bottle of vodka away.  He walks in, there's a hostess stand just inside the door.

DD

Hi, I'm meeting someone here.

MARTA

This way.

Marta leads DD into the dining room, Tara is in a business suit looking over a stack of papers, drinking a glass of wine. She looks up as they approach.

TARA

Thanks, Marta.  Hello again.

DD

Hi. Wow, I'm definitely outclassed.

TARA

You look very rugged.

DD

Yeah, Carhart's hot, baby.

Tara laughs.  DD shucks his coat and backpack and sits. Tara puts the papers into a briefcase next to her chair. DD notices the hostess is hovering.

MARTA

Something to drink?

DD

Oh. Do you have Mac's? Thanks.

MARTA

More wine, Tara?

TARA

No, I'm fine for now. Thanks, Marta.

The hostess leaves.

DD

You know everyone here? Is this a trap?

TARA

Yes, I've got you right where I want you.

DD

I hope this isn't where you really want me.

Tara blushes a little.

TARA

I, uh, I told Emily.

DD

Ouch.

TARA

It wasn't bad, actually. She, I mean she knew that you two weren't happening.  Because I'd have killed you and put her in a convent.

DD

And all that before your parents got involved.

TARA

So, she was a little envious.

DD

Have we given her a reason to be envious yet?

Tara blushes again, but is saved by a waiter arriving with DD's beer.

WAITER

Ready to order?

DD

Oh, I haven't even looked at the menu yet.

DD looks.

DD

And it's not going to help.

(to Tara)

Recommendation?

TARA

Number four. Do you like spicy food?

DD

Oh, I like all kinds of spicy things.

TARA

Oh, God. Go three stars on that.

DD

Sounds good to me.

He hands the menu back to the waiter. The waiter leaves.

TARA

I already ordered.  But they're waiting.

DD

Very efficient. Goes with the outfit, which, would it be horrible if I asked to get a better look?

TARA

As long as I don't have to strut.

Tara stands and does a slow twirl.  The suit is closely tailored and the skirt is a bit shorter than is strictly professional.  But apart from that it's rather conservative in cut and color and her shoes were chosen more for comfort than for super cuteness.  Still, hot.

DD

No, but I'd love to see the beauty queen wave.

TARA

Going to have to disappoint you.  Happy?

DD's happy.

DD

Very.  Thanks.  Should I model?

Tara sits again.

TARA

It's a lovely hoodie, but I own one.

DD

But the pants, they're high fashion. I mean, for, y'know, surplus stores.

TARA

I saw them earlier, when I was checking out your ass.

DD

It is fabulous, my ass.

Tara laughs.

TARA

You're just rotten, aren't you?

DD

And this is my best behavior.  If you like rotten, you're in for a treat.

TARA

I bet I am.

DD

I shouldn't be getting your hopes up so quickly.

TARA

I'm very optimistic anyway.

DD

Good. That's good. I need all the help I can get.  Speaking of which, how's that wine?

TARA

Ah, yes.  I'm afraid I have to take it easy on the, um, social lubricant tonight.  The last time we, um.

DD

Yeah.

TARA

Went out doesn't fit, does it? Since, um.

DD

You drunk dialed me.

TARA

I did not drunk dial!

DD

You didn't?

TARA

Well.  Okay, I did.  At any rate, the next day at work was...

Tara shudders a little.

DD

Ugly?

TARA

It wasn't fun.  So tonight I have to be more careful.

DD

So I shouldn't get a few rounds of Jagers?

Tara looks ill.

TARA

Oh, no.  No Jagermeister.

DD

Bad times?

TARA

The worst.

DD

I'd like to hear about that.

Tara blushes yet again and won't look at DD.

DD

Ooh. Now I really want to hear about it.

TARA

So how was work?

DD

Change of subject?

TARA

How long have you worked there?

DD

Fine.  Work.  My job is, unusual.

TARA

You're an unusual busser?

DD

Not that. That's pretty typical I guess.  It's. See. My boss, he's, um.

(whisper)

A drug user.

TARA

In a restaurant?!

DD

Ah, you've worked in the industry!

TARA

During college.

DD

Well, Uncle Chuck's is a place for barbecue zealots.  So they come no matter what.

TARA

Oh, no!

DD

Yeah, we're not very good.

TARA

That's terrible!

DD

Well.  Yeah.

DD shrugs.  Tara shakes her head again.

DD

From our standpoint, me and my friends, it's the perfect job.  We even, um.  Do you..?

TARA

Smoke pot?

DD

Did someone paint a leaf on my forehead?

TARA

I could smell it on you at Night Light.

DD is genuinely embarrassed.

DD

Ah.  Yeah.  I would have freshened up, but I didn't want to keep you waiting.  And, you know, truth in advertising.

TARA

Well, you're in luck, I do.  Not as much as in college, but yeah.

DD

College.  I'm afraid to think of me at college.  My friend Mix went to Miami for a few years and, well, actually he was the king of parties from the go.

TARA

Is that why he only went a few years?

DD

Um.  No.

TARA

Something tells me I shouldn't ask.

DD

So how was work?

TARA

Right.  Work was the same thing I do every day and a lot of shit that would take a few weeks to catch you up on.  Oh, that reminds me. What was up with that bitch who answered the phone?

DD

(laughs)

That was Nicole.  Um, you know how there's one at every job?  Ours is Nicole.  She's a Midori sour and blow jobs in the back room type of girl.

TARA

Oh?

DD

Not me. There are a few customers-

TARA

NO!

DD

Chuck isn't what you'd really call an active manager.

TARA

Damn. I can't decide if it's a good or a bad thing that I didn't work in a place like that.

DD

Where did you work?

TARA

I was a chain girl.  I'm embarrassed to say which ones.

DD

So you had fun in college?

TARA

Ohh, you don't get to hear those stories yet.  Look, our food's coming.

DD

Hrm.

EXT. STREET, NIGHT

Tara has DD pinned against the side of her car (something small, cute and midrange, probably a VW) and they're kissing.

DD

Wow. Your dinner was a lot spicier than mine.

TARA

I thought you liked spicy women.

DD

Oh, that wasn't a complaint.

More kissing.

DD

Why can't all girls be like you? This is so much better than figuring out if trying for the kiss is going to get me a knee.

TARA

And your hands are behaving themselves. Definitely a nice change.

DD

Not that they aren't tempted.

TARA

Thank you.

Tara kisses DD again, then pushes him back a bit.

TARA

I hate day jobs sometimes.

Tara's look is suddenly intense.

TARA

Will you take your hair down?

DD didn't see that coming.

DD

Sure.

Unbound, DD's hair goes just past his shoulders.  Tara shyly reaches out to touch it.

TARA

It's so soft.

DD

I had to use my sister's shampoo once?

Tara laughs, then abruptly lets go of DD's hair and looks down.  DD doesn't put his hair back up.

TARA

(muttering)

Stupid day jobs.

DD

What are you doing Friday?

TARA

Blowing off after work cocktails with the girls?

DD

I think you are.

DD steps into her and they kiss again.

TARA

Call me at four thirty.

DD

On the dot.

TARA

Okay, I have to go while I can.

DD

Okay.

DD opens the door for her.

TARA

Thanks.

She gets in.

DD

Hey, I'm curious.

TARA

About what?

DD

When you called me, did you pull the number off caller ID or something?

TARA

Oh.  Emily gave you my cell phone number.  She's not allowed to have one.

DD

Mom?

TARA

Yeah. And if boys call...

DD

I can imagine.  Okay.  Friday.

TARA

Friday.

She smiles and DD closes the door.  She hesitates, then starts the car and drives away.  DD watches her tail lights disappear. Ambivalence reigns.

INT. GOODTOT'S DAYCARE, DAY

Someone's reading a story to the kids.  Sandra is filling out a form on a counter when Mix approaches her.

MIX

Terrell wants to be a fighter pilot?

SANDRA

Yeah.  Someone from the Navy got to him.

MIX

But he's diabetic.

SANDRA

I know.

MIX

Don't you think that's a problem?

Pause.

SANDRA

He's only six.  He'll want to be a fireman next week.

MIX

So this is a new thing?

Pause.

SANDRA

It's not that big a deal, Mix.

MIX

Have you talked to his parents about it?

Sandra's uncomfortable.

SANDRA

They don't think it's that big a deal, either.

MIX

Great.  We know how this one ends up, right?

Mix walks away.  Sandra takes a moment to return to her paperwork.

EXT. STREET, NIGHT

Mix, DD and Worthy are walking along a narrow, poorly lit street on a steep hillside.  DD is rooting through Mix's backpack.  The city lights indicate they're pretty high.

MIX

One a scale of suck to ten, I rate this a suck.

Worthy is holding the printouts, looking at them with a flashlight.

DD

It's about to get a little better.

DD pulls a bottle of vodka out of Mix's backpack.

WORTHY

There are several bars up here and we're not a quarter mile away from the first one.

MIX

Let's pick up the pace, soldiers!

WORTHY

Should be just ahead. This side of the bridge.

DD opens the bottle and drinks.  Mix takes it next.

DD

Oops, Worthy's hands are full.

MIX

Sucks to be him.

WORTHY

Fuck you.  I think we're here.

DD looks over Worthy's shoulder at the papers.

DD

By that tee?

WORTHY

Yeah. I think that's where we just came from.

Worthy takes the bottle and drinks, then passes it and goes back to the papers.

DD

So where's the field?

WORTHY

Here.

DD

What's the scale like on this thing?

WORTHY

I'm not really sure.  Let's keep walking.

They start walking. 

MIX

Hup! Two! Three! Four!

Worthy checks house numbers and street signs as they walk.

WORTHY

Here.  This is definitely it.

Worthy and DD look at Worthy's printout.  Then they look up.  There's a neatly tended house with a car parked in the driveway in front of them.

DD

So it's old.

Worthy tosses the papers in the air.

WORTHY

Yup.

MIX

Sucks. Let's find somewhere warm to drink.

INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S DINING ROOM, DAY

DD approaches a table.

DD

How is everything can I get any of these plates out of your way?

CUSTOMER #4

Uh, no, we're good.

DD

Still working on those onion rings?

CUSTOMER #4

Yeah.

dd

Okay.

DD doesn't move for a few seconds, then only reluctantly.  He beelines to the next table.

DD

Finished yet?

customer #5

What?

MADISON

DD!

DD turns on her.

DD

WHAT?

MADISON

Here.  Now.

Sara walks onto the floor as DD goes to Madison.

MADISON

What is your deal?

DD

It's four o'clock!

MADISON

And...?

SARA

He's got a date tonight.

MADISON

Go have a drink.  I hate sober DD.

Madison leaves.

dd

Sara?

SARA

Get a drink, then go.

DD removes his apron and drops it on the floor.  He hands Sara a little baggie.

DD

Thanks, here.

He makes a dash for the lounge.

SARA

Oooooooooh.  I love you, DD.

cut to:

int. rialto, day

DD is taking a healthy drink from a cocktail in a pint glass.  He's much more relaxed now.

He's with Tara in a very smoky large pool hall bar.  She's in jeans and a simple v-neck T-shirt.  She has a sweater hanging up nearby.

TARA

I used to hate this place.

DD

It was very scene.  We used to come here to pollute it.

TARA

We?

DD

Dropping hints?

Tara

Tell me about your friends, DD.

DD

We've mostly known each other since high school. 

TARA

Were you the cool smoking kids?

DD

We weren't cool.  Mix was on the football team but that was the extent of our coolness.

TARA

Mix? That's a nickname, right?

DD

Ohhh, no.  You don't just get all the secrets right away!

Tara turns pouty-flirty.

TARA

Aww, why not?

DD

Well, we'll see.  So, yeah. I started drinking on the coast and would sneak booze to school when I moved.  They caught onto that and usually had pot, so we spent the later periods altered.

Tara thinks a moment about "drinking on the coast", then seems to shrug it off.

TARA

I can't imagine that.  I went to parochial school.

DD is interested.

DD

Really?

Tara glares.

TARA

Don't. Ask.

DD

Okay.

(pause)

Mix went off to Miami after high school and I hung around.  He came back and well, here we are.

TARA

None of you finished school?

DD

(Duh!)

No.

TARA

You've never tried to get your degree?

DD

What would be the point of that?

TARA

The point? Of education?

DD

I just never knew what I'd use a degree for.  I'm not really cut out for corporate jobs, I learned that the hard way. One of my friends has an MBA and he's about the most miserable bastard I ever knew.

TARA

So you're career restaurant?

dd

Yeah, I suppose.

Tara

Wow.  I could never handle that.

dd

You've never worked for anyone like Uncle Chuck.

Tara

No, my managers were always coke heads.

DD

Surprise.

TARA

Plus they were always trying to grab my ass.

DD

Well, it is a nice ass.

TARA

Nice?

dd

Fabulous.  Spectacular.

TARA

That's more like it.

DD

I have to admit I was a bit disappointed you have casual Friday.

TARA

I like dressing up well enough-

dd

I like you dressing up, too.

TARA

Okay, now you're just being cheesy.

DD

(super cheesy)

Oh, really?

Pause.

Tara

It's a good thing you're really cute.

DD

Isn't the guy supposed to be the suck up?

INT. SASSY'S, DAY

Small strip bar.  Not the flashy Vegas style place, more like a neighborhood joint that went smutty.

It's not busy yet, the pool table in an adjacent room is getting more traffic than the stages.  Mix is sitting at the bar with Willow and Madison.  We might see that Sara and Worthy are sitting at one of the stages.

One of the strippers, "SIREN", steps up to the bar next to Mix.  The barmaid, STACY, comes down to take Siren's order.

SIREN

Where is everybody?

MIX

Yeah, doesn't anybody support single mothers in this town?

He is smacked on the head in rapid succession by Siren, Stacy and Willow.  Madison erupts into laughter.

MADISON

I think you just bought a round.

Stacy

I'll say.

SIREN

Cherry bombs?

MIX

Only if I can put a roof-

Only Stacy and Siren hit him this time.

INT. LOW BROW LOUNGE, NIGHT

Dark bar, very kitschy.  Tara and DD are pretty tipsy and sitting in a corner with a selection of monumentally unhealthy foods.

TARA

I love the mini corn dogs.

dd

They're hard to beat.

A beat of munching and beer sipping.  Then DD lights a cigarette.  Tara stares at it for a second before sighing.

TARA

Okay, give me one.

DD does a seated happy dance.

DD

Yay!!

DD slides the pack across the table to her.  Tara lights a smoke and inhales deeply.

DD

I'm impressed, most "I only smoke when I drink" people barely puff.

TARA

Well, I smoked at B-, mmmm.

DD

Ah, the chain restaurant?

TARA

Anyway. You know.

DD

You only get breaks to smoke.

TARA

Exactly.

(puff)

Besides, I love it.  Even though it will kill me.

dd

Bah!  Gotta die of something.

TARA

Why do I get the feeling you're not just talking shit there?

DD

Uh oh, you're getting serious.  Time for more shots.

DD bolts for the bar.

INT. SASSY'S, NIGHT

Now it's busy.  They've moved to a table near one of the stages.  Mix and Sara are munching on a pile of French fries, Willow is in deep conversation with Siren, who is now in street clothes.  Another stripper, "RAIN" sits next to Mix and Sara and helps herself to a fry.

RAIN

It's like someone's hosting an asshole convention here and forgot to tell us.

SARA

I can help.

RAIN

Really?

SARA

Really.

mix

Safety meeting time?

RAIN

I can't take you into the dressing room any more.

MIX

(pointing over his shoulder)

We'll hit the little girls room.

Rain gives him a look.

sara

Don't worry, we've done it before.  With your manager.  C'mon.

(to Willow and Siren)

Hey, safety meeting.  Let's go.

They get up and leave.

INT. DD'S BEDROOM, DAY

Morning light comes in through the window. DD's bedroom is neat and spare except for an astonishing amount of boyish knicknackery.  Tara comes dashing in and leaps back into bed, snuggling against DD.

TARA

Your bathroom is really nice for two bachelors.

DD

We try.

Silence while Tara plays with DD's hair.

TARA

I've never dated a guy with long hair before.

DD

I'm uncharted territory. Terra incognito.  Here there be giant-

TARA

Stop!

DD

-monsters-

Tara rolls on top of him and they kiss.  She jumps when something slams into the front door.

TARA

What was that?

DD

I think you're about to meet Mix.

Dent (O.S.)

(very muffled)

Dude, get up.

DD

And Dent. I'd better close the door.

DD gets out of bed and closes his bedroom door.  He returns as the front door UNLATCHES and Mix and Dent STUMBLE in.

MIX (O.S.)

I wonder how DD's hootchie went?

Tara is surprised.  DD sighs and shrugs.

TARA

You must be Mix.

Silence from the living room.

MIX (O.S.)

Whoa.  He scored. How the fuck did he find a chick with judgement that bad?

dent (O.S.)

Dude, you're not whispering.

MIX (O.S.)

Oh.

dent (O.S.)

Got any Percosets left?

MIX (O.S.)

Ooh! Good idea.

Pause.  Tara is laughing silently. A door OPENS.

MIX (O.S.)

Dude.

Pills SHAKE as Mix tosses a prescription bottle to Dent.

dent (O.S.)

Thanks.

A door CLOSES.

DD

So, now that you're never going to see me again.

TARA

Apparently my judgement is bad enough that I am.

DD

I love bad judgement.  We should sneak out to breakfast while those two are passed out.

DD gets out of bed.  With no clothes on we can see that he's skinny and wiry.  Tara happily watches him.  He checks the pipe on his nightstand.

DD

Morning bowl time.

TARA

I'm so having a college flashback.

INT. MIX & DD'S LIVING ROOM, DAY

Tara and DD enter.  Dent is sitting on the couch drinking coffee.   He's in rumpled business-casual clothes, extremely hung over.  There's a whisky bottle on the coffee table.

DENT

Hey.

DD

Hey. This is Tara.  That's Dent.

TARA

Hi.

DENT

Hi.

DD

You look horrible.  You want I should shoot you?

DENT

This?  This is nothing.

DD picks up the whisky bottle and takes a pull.  Tara is a little surprised.

DD

We're gonna get some Army game on, Tara's never played it.

DENT

Ooh, you're in for a treat.

DD goes to the bookshelf of games.

Mix enters, shirtless.  He's still built like a star runningback.

MIX

Well, if no one's going to sleep. Oh, shit.  The light.

DD

Tara, you've met Mix, sort of.

TARA

Hi, I'm DD's hootchie.

MIX

At least one of you has good taste.

DD

That would be me.

MIX

Clearly.  Does anyone have a bowl loaded? I'm too shaky to do it.

DD

On my nightstand.

MIX

Thanks.

Mix leaves.  As DD loads the game, Sara comes out of Mix's bedroom still fully dressed.

DD

Did you make the mistake again?

Sara sits next to Dent and looks in his cup. 

SARA

Not so far.  Is this virgin?

DENT

No, it's fortified.

Mix enters with DD's pipe.  Sara gets up and heads toward the kitchen.

MIX

There was only a puff.

TARA

Can I see the manual?

DD tosses Tara the games' case.  Sara notices Tara.

SARA

Oh, you're new.  Sorry, that was rude.

DD

Shit, you are shaky.  Oh, yeah.  Tara, this is Sara.  Sara waits tables for Uncle Chuck.

The girls shake hands and ad lib greetings.  Sara completes her journey to the kitchen.  She can be seen mouthing "WOW!" to DD before turning to the coffee.

MIX

I feel like angry leprechauns have been beating me with ball peen hammers all night.

DENT

He has a way with words.

TARA

Apparently.

SARA

Part of the rock and roll lifestyle.

MIX

After two Percosets.  Please tell me we're not working today.

DD

We're not working today.  Okay, we're up.  Ready to waste some tangos?

MIX

Is he lying?

SARA

Yes, you're both working dinner.

TARA

Yeah.

MIX

Why does God hate me so much?

DENT

Oh, buddy, you have no room to talk.

Tara sits on the couch and starts playing.  Sara returns with coffee for herself and Mix. Mix pours a healthy shot of whisky in his.  He plays at pouring some into Sara's until she slugs him.  The boys are watching Tara's game skills and they're impressed.

TARA

(Meh.)

It's cool.

DENT

It's really made for online play.

MIX

Load this, bitch.

DD produces a baggy and loads the pipe. Mix hits and passes to Sara.  Then it comes to Tara, who pauses the game, hits the pipe and holds it out for Dent.

SARA

I think we're officially impressed.

MIX

I'm impressed.

TARA

Are you talking to me or him?

DD

I'm impressed.

DENT

Both.

TARA

I am pretty impressive.

DD

I'll say.

Mix's phone RINGS from his bedroom.  He leaves to answer it.

MIX (O.S.)

Hello?  Hey, Will.  Nope, we're just hanging.  No doubt, oh, you're in for a treat.  You'll see.  Later.

Mix returns.

SARA

Siren let Willow go?

MIX

She's downstairs.

DENT

Looks like everyone's hung over.

DD

Almost everyone.

MIX

Yeah, you're a bad influence on him.

TARA

That's a shame.

The door opens and WILLOW walks in, carrying a half rack of beer.

WILLOW

Hey, guys. Oh, you're new. I mean, hi, I'm Willow.  You must be Tara.

TARA

I am.

WILLOW

(to DD)

And I was thinking you missed out on last night.

TARA

What the hell did you all do last night?

MIX

We were at Sassy's.

dd

Which means cherry bombs.

WILLOW

Oh, don't say those words.

MIX

Then we went back to Rain's

SARA

Except whore Willow.

WILLOW

That's me.

MIX

And Dent showed up just in the nick of time to pick a fight with Rain's latest error in judgement.

DD

Knowing Rain he had it coming.

DENT

I was in a bad mood and he was giving me shit about my work clothes.

Tara pauses the game to look over Dent.

TARA

You clothes look nice.  Well, when you put them on they did.

DENT

Well, you're sober.

Tara

That made no sense.

DENT

That's because I'm sober, too.  Bottle!

MIX

Shit, what happened to Worthy?

EXT. STREET, DAY

Tara and DD are walking down a busy street.

TARA

I told you your friends are more interesting than mine.

They arrive at Tara's car.

DD

So here we are.

TARA

Yes.

Tara unlocks her car and opens the door.  DD takes her arm and she turns.  They kiss.

DD

Do you have to go?

TARA

If I don't get home soon...

DD

Okay.

Another kiss.

DD

What are you doing tomorrow?

TARA

Um, church. And Sunday is our family day.

DD

Family day?

TARA

I know, it's weird.

DD

No, it's nice.

Tara's happy he thinks that.

DD

After work this week, then. 

TARA

Yes.  Definitely.

DD

I have to check my schedule, I'll call you.  Might be short notice, though.

Tara

Surprise, surprise.

DD sticks his tongue out at her. Tara laughs and they kiss again.

TARA

Bye.

DD

Bye.

Tara gets in and starts the car.  She rolls down the window.

TARA

By the way.  Yes I have one, and yes it still fits.

She drives away.  DD is left stunned.

DD

Whoa.

INT. MIX & DD'S LIVING ROOM, DAY

DD enters, arms held aloft like a champion.

SARA

Way to go, DD!

MIX

She's even hotter than her sister. How are the titties?

DD

Fabulous. And that's all the detail you're getting.

WILLOW

She seems really nice.

This calms Mix and DD down, which perplexes Sara a bit.

DD

I know.

SARA

Is something wrong with you dating a nice girl?

DD

Uh.  You know, I'm just going to roll with it.

MIX

Absolutely.

DENT

Word.

SARA

Word?

INT. MIX & DD'S LIVING ROOM, DAY

Mix and DD are playing a video game.  Willow and Sara are on the balcony. Dent is gone.

MIX

I've got a problem.

DD

A problem?

MIX

Seriously.

DD pauses the game.

DD

What's up?

MIX

There's this kid at Goodtots, I said this was serious.

DD

Wasn't going to say anything.  Go.

MIX

Terrell.  I got to know him pretty well when I worked there last summer. He's diabetic and he wants to be a fighter pilot.

DD

Aw, that sucks.

mix

Yeah. But no one's told him.

dd

You're shitting me.

MIX

No.

DD

Fucked up!  You hafta tell him.

MIX

That's what I thought but Sandra says it's not a big deal.

DD

Did she talk to his parents?

MIX

They're the pussies in this scenario.

DD

Huh.

Thoughtful pause.

DD

You gotta tell him.  Fuck the parents.

MIX

And they sue Sandra?

DD

Nah, they won't fucking sue.  Well.  Shit.

MIX

Yeah.

DD

Can Terrell keep it quiet?

MIX

Could you?  Okay, bad example.

DD

No shit.

MIX

I wouldn't have.

DD

He's gotta know.

MIX

I agree.

DD

Maybe you should talk to the parents.

MIX

Really?

DD

Yeah. Tell them a story about a certain fifteen year old.

MIX

Huh.  Not a bad idea.

(pause)

Yeah, I'll think about that. Thanks, man.

They go back to gaming.

DD

Is he hot?

MIX

Dude, he's so hot.

INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S WAIT STATION, NIGHT

Willow is sitting on the counter.  DD's standing at a pop fountain with a flask, pouring cola into a glass.  Boyce hands a pipe back to Mix through the window and blows smoke up into the draft hood.  Mix starts to hide the pipe when someone comes into the wait station, but it's only Uncle Chuck.

UNCLE CHUCK

(speaking to someone outside the wait station)

That guy's a fucking dick.  I should have eighty sixed him a long time ago.

He sees Willow and gives her a hug.

UNCLE CHUCK

When did I hire you?

willow

I'd never work for a dirtbag like you.

UNCLE CHUCK

Awww.

Chuck jumps up to the counter next to Willow and signals for DD's flask. DD tosses it to him.

WILLOW

What are you doing with this chick, DD?

DD

It's called dating.

UNCLE CHUCK

Oh, I forgot about that.  You score?

dd

Damn right.

WILLOW

See?  This is what I'm talking about.

MIX

Are you one to talk? What did you do last night?

UNCLE CHUCK

Ooh, what did you do last night?

WILLOW

Okay, she smokes out and plays games, but she's from a nuclear family, she's a college graduate, she's a professional woman.  She doesn't strike me as the type that fucks around and you, well.  You're not serious.

UNCLE CHUCK

Okay, girl. You are way too serious about this.

dd

Yeah.  I'm just rolling with it.

UNCLE CHUCK

You never know what's going to happen. Sometimes all it takes is someone you like, someone cute.  I mean, that's basically all it was for me and, and Sandy.

Everyone is suddenly respectfully still.

UNCLE CHUCK

Sometimes it just works, you know? Sometimes nothing comes of it.  But sometimes, hell, thirty years. That's the only reason I keep that damn dog grooming parlor over there.  Because it was hers.

No one responds.

UNCLE CHUCK

Sometimes it just works.

MADISON (O.S.)

Chuck!

UNCLE CHUCK

Oh, hell, if she jammed the credit machine again...

Chuck tosses DD's flask back and leaves.

EXT. STREET, NIGHT

DD takes a tumble down a tumble down a hillside dense with foliage.  Dent, Worthy and Mix, waiting for him on the roadside, break into laughter.

DD

Eat me, bitches. Something's got me here.

local

What the fuck is going on down there?

MIX

Eat me, bitch!

LOCAL

Get the fuck out or I'm calling the cops!

DENT

Shut the fuck up or I'll do your wife again.

DD struggles down the hillside and snatches a bottle of tequila from Worthy.

dd

Better get rid of the evidence.

DD chugs.

LOCAL

Fuck you! I'll call the cops!

MIX

The streets are public property, jackass, go back to the fucking History Channel!

dd

Fucking yuppies.  Where are we?

Dent gets the bottle.

DENT

I told you I should have drove.

He takes a long drink.

MIX

Yeah, that wouldn't have been a fucking awful plan.

WORTHY

This way.

They stumble down the street.

DD

What if he really calls the cops? How much are we holding?

MIX

I've only got a bud or two left.

WORTHY

We haven't smoked in a while, and you just smell like freshly turned earth.

dd

The drunk tank is close to the apartment anyway.

dent

That's the spirit.

WORTHY

Okay, right there.

DD

Here?

WORTHY

No, behind it, on the other switchback.

MIX

There's a house there.

WORTHY

No. Fucking. Shit.

DD

Why don't they put the dates on these fucking pictures?

mix

Shit.

DENT

Is that a siren?

INT. VERITABLE QUANDARY, DAY

Tara and DD are sitting in a booth, drinks and appetizers in front of them.

TARA

You need a cell phone.

INT. SOMEONE'S BATHROOM, NIGHT

DD is pissing and talking on a cell with a cigarette in his mouth.  He coughs suddenly and the cell goes into the toilet.

INT. SOMEONE'S BEDROOM, DAY

Crawling on all fours, DD's cell (a different one, of course) falls onto the floor and he pukes on it.

EXT. BRIDGE, NIGHT

DD and Dent are walking across a bridge, playfully struggling over a bottle of rum.  Yet another of DD's cells hits the ground and bounces over the side.  DD doesn't even notice.

INT. DD'S OLD BEDROOM, NIGHT

Willow is sleeping in a recliner. She wakes up and finds DD pissing on a stack of things including his latest cell phone.

WILLOW

DD, you're pee-

DD

Fuck you! Get out of my room! Get out of my house!

INT. VERITABLE QUANDARY, DAY

DD

I have really bad luck with cell phones.

TARA

You told me that, but when I want a quicky...

DD

You make a compelling argument.  But I have really bad luck with cell phones. I mean, you can't even imagine.

Tara's displeased.

DD

It'll just disappear, or be destroyed.  Poof.  Gone.  No, really.  My friends will back me up.

TARA

Hm.

DD

So when do I face the firing squad?

TARA

Huh?

DD

Your friends.

TARA

Oh.  I hadn't really thought about it.

DD

Ahh, you're ashamed of me.

TARA

Mortified.

DD

And just using me for sex.

Tara

Obviously.

DD

That's a relief.

TARA

Jerk!

DD laughs. Tara does a cute fake anger thing.

DD

Aw, don't pout.

Tara continues to pout and throws something at DD.

DD

Agh!  No!  I'm being abused.

TARA

You deserve it.

DD

Yeah.

Tara headshakes at him.

TARA

Let's do something.

DD

Okay.  You said something about a quicky?

TARA

No no no. You missed your chance for that.  Today.  Um, when was the last time you made out at a movie?

DD

You know, I don't think I ever have.

TARA

What?  Really?

DD

Really.

TARA

Well, let's correct that.

DD

I'll find a paper.

DD dashes from the booth.

TARA

Does the movie matter?

EXT. STREET, NIGHT

They're leaning against her car kissing.

TARA

I told you it didn't matter what movie it was.

DD

I didn't want something with a lot distraction.  You know, cool explosions and stuff.

TARA

Oh, boys are so silly.

DD

Yes.

Kissing.

DD

You should hang out Saturday.  Maybe, y'know, spend the night?  Friday? And hang out.  All day.

TARA

Absolutely.

Kissing.  Then Tara pushes him away reluctantly.

TARA

Okay.  I have to go.  Your hands are straying and it's too nice.

DD

The hell with the phone.  I'll meet you where I met you last Friday.

TARA

Okay.

She leans forward and kisses him quickly, then gets in her car.

TARA

See you then.

DD

Definitely.

Tara drives away.

INT. GOODTOT'S DAYCARE, DAY

Mix and Sandra are in a room with a window over looking the play floor.  They're discussing something heatedly, not quite arguing.  Outside Terrell draws a picture of a jet.

EXT. STREET, NIGHT

Worthy collapses and pukes into a grassy drainage ditch.

MIX

Dude, you're partied out!

DD

Again!

Laughter.

DD

I hope you didn't puke on the map.

MIX

I've got it.  It would be right there.

Mix points at a convenience store.

DD

Let me see.  Shit.  Yeah.

MIX

It's too quiet for here us, anyway.

Worthy retches again.

MIX

See how that carries?

INT. DD'S BEDROOM, NIGHT

DD and Tara are kissing and undressing each other.  They fall into his bed.

INT. DD'S BEDROOM, DAY

DD and Tara haven't JUST finished having sex, but there's some afterglow. Tara is playing with DD's hair.

TARA

The best part is I know I'll have something good to wash my hair with.

DD

I'm glad I can be of some use.

TARA

Yeah, you're okay.

DD

This is all I aspire to be.

DD kisses her then sits up.

DD

Hungry?

TARA

Yes! Breakfast.

DD

First, of course.  The shower.

INT. BREAKFAST PLACE, DAY

Both still damp haired, they've just finished placing orders.

DD

You know, I think this is only the second time I've been here clear headed.

TARA

Does that make me a bad influence or a good one?

DD

Hmmmm.

Tara

Don't think about that too long.

DD

You're an excellent bad influence.

Tara

Nice.  Nice.

DD

Thank you.

Pause.

TARA

What does "DD" stand for?

DD

Drinking Dog.

TARA

Huh?

DD

Drinking Dog.  Mix gave it to me.

TARA

Okay.  What's your real name?

DD

That's.  Um.  I, can't use my real name.  Except on tax stuff and the like.

TARA

Okayyy.

DD

It's not my rule, it's Mix's

Tara

Huh?

DD

You'd have to ask him, really.  Right after high school, Mix and Worthy renamed me Drinking Dog. It was, ah, I needed a change.

TARA

And you don't use your name any more.

DD

I can't, it's the rule.  I have to correct people the first chance I get and I can't tell anyone what it is if I can avoid it.

Tara

Wow.

dd

I know you're close to your family and it might be hard to understand, but, I hope it, um, I hope it's not a problem.

TARA

Well, it's weird.

dd

I bet it is.

Tara struggles with it, then relaxes.

TARA

There was an art major in college, he didn't even have a good reason.  Made me call him Spark.

DD

Wow, I thought Drinking Dog was lame.

INT. MIX & DD'S LIVING ROOM, DAY

Tara and Mix are playing a fighting game.  DD enters from the kitchen with two beers.  He sits next to Tara and puts one in front of her.

MIX

Thanks, I'm thirsty, too.

DD

I could pee in your mouth.

Tara

I'd get jealous.

MIX

You should, his pee is fantastic.

The door opens, Willow and Dent enter carrying half gallon bottles of liquor.

WILLOW

Hey, everyone!

DENT

Fuckers.

Dent plops down on the couch, Willow sits on the floor.

DD

I see someone hit the liquor store.

WILLOW

It's going to be one of those days.

MIX

I was so hoping someone would say that.

INT. MIX & DD'S LIVING ROOM, DAY

Mid afternoon and everyone's pretty wasted when Tara's phone rings.

TARA

Hello?

EMILY (O.S.)

Hey, where are you?

TARA

DD's, why?

EMILY (O.S.)

I know that, where are you?

TARA

Why?

EMILY (O.S.)

I'm in a park by the light rail tracks.

TARA

What?  How did you get there?

EMILY (O.S.)

And what did I say I was standing by?

TARA

Oh, you're such a punk.

The crowd is wondering who she's talking to.

EMILY (O.S.)

Or, I could just wander around the big, bad city.

TARA

Bitch.  I'm at 2201 northeast Lloyd, apartment 619.

EMILY (O.S.)

See ya!

DD

Who was that?

TARA

Emily.

DENT

She's coming here?? I finally get to see the underage temptress?

Tara glares at him.  He's unaffected.

TARA

Yes.

There's a knock on the door. Dent leaps up to answer it.  It's Worthy.

dent

Shit.

WORTHY

Good to see you, too, buddy.

dent

Oh, it's not-  Come on in.

WORTHY

Sorry, were you expecting the Victoria's Secret catalog?

TARA

Don't answer that!

dent

Damn, I had such a good one, too.

Worthy enters, ad lib greetings.

WORTHY

Hi, you must be Tara.

Tara

And you must be Worthy.

WORTHY

I am, quite. Especially since I have some hash.

Enthusiasm.  Except-

TARA

Emily doesn't get any.

WORTHY

If she's tasty she gets whatever she-

Tara glares.

WORTHY

Oh, Emily's coming over!

Another knock.  Worthy beats Dent to the door.  Emily is standing there, rocking the girl's gym class look.

TARA

(under her breath)

Bitch!

EMILY

Hey, Worthy!

Emily enters and hugs Worthy. Tara rolls her eyes.

EMILY

Ooh, popular place.  Hi, DD!

DD

Hi.

Tara

Hi.

EMILY

Hello.  Do I get a beer?

TARA

Can we see your ID?

EMILY

Oh, you're so funny.

Emily bats eyelashes at Worthy.

EMILY

Can I have a beer?

WORTHY

Absolutely.

Worthy leaves, Dent returns to his seat. Worthy returns with a beer for Emily.

EMILY

Ooh, thank you so much.

WORTHY

No problem.

DD

Here's to M.I.P.

EMILY

Don't forget contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Isn't that how we met?

DD

Ah, memories.

WORTHY

So, about this hash?

Worthy produces a foil wrapped brick that reveals a baked good.

DD

Oooh, hash shortbread!  You just earned a blowjob.

WORTHY

Do I get to pick who gives it?

DD

Nope, you're stuck with me.

WORTHY

You never pay off.

DD

Funny how that works.

DD rises and gets some money out of his pocket for Worthy.  Worthy soon has a decent sized pile of bills and starts breaking off chunks of the shortbread.  Tara assents when Worthy gives her a questioning look before Emily gets some.

INT. MIX & DD'S LIVING ROOM, DAY

TARA

It's just such an important experience!

DD

You're saying I don't party enough?

TARA

No, it's not that.

dd

So it is the partying?

Tara

Oh, God!  It's not-  Hey, Dent!

Dent looks up from watching a video game.

TARA

The college experience?

DENT

Oh, shit.  These assholes are way more hardcore than any of the pussies I knew in college.

DD is satisfied.

Tara

Oh, hell.

DENT

Business school, on the other hand.  That was booo-ring.

Tara

Okay, you're not helping.  Be silent.  The things you can learn.  The community, it's-

worthy (O.S.)

(coughing)

Here.

TARA

Ooh!  Thanks.

dd

I have to piss.

INT. MIX & DD'S LIVING ROOM, DAY

Tara's POV.  The room is blurry and voices are heavily muffled.  Smoke fills up the scene.

CUT TO:

Tara is wearing a World War One era gas mask that covers most of the head, including the ears (this is important). The tube is attached to a bong.

DENT

Hey, Tara!  Dammit.

Dent whacks the gas mask with the XBox controller.  Tara peels it off and starts coughing.

TARA

WHAT?

DENT

You're up.

TARA

Huh?

Dent waves the controller in front of her face.

TARA

Oh.  Why didn't you tell me?

DENT

I've been yelling at you!

MIX

My turn.

Tara passes the gas mask to Mix and takes his spot on the couch.

TARA

Holy shit. It's just like college.

(pause)

I'm glad DD didn't hear me say that.

DD exits the bathroom.

DD

I had a revelation.

MIX

Your dick is really small.

TARA

False.

DENT

I really wish I didn't already know that.

MIX

What the fuck?

DD

About the house.

WORTHY

Yeah?

MIX

In a year here I've never seen his dick, how have you?

TARA

Ohhh, the thoughts I'm having.

DD

The night I found that house I was pissing on the roadside and I could see the hospital.

WORTHY

No shit?  That means we've been looking on the wrong part of the hills.  Hold on, I better remind myself.

Worthy gets his cell and starts tapping keys.

TARA

Are you guys getting a house?

DD

I found one.  I was stumbling around the West Hills, well, after the party and I found a house.  It was abandoned, but it still had power.

TARA

Uh, why is that important?

The guys clearly think this is a dumb question.

DD

Tara!  No rent!  More fun money.

TARA

You'd just squat?

WORTHY

Exactly.

TARA

Squatting.  You're seriously talking about squatting.

MIX

Depends on where in the hills  it is.

DD

We pay a thousand a month for this place.

WORTHY

Really?  That's pretty good. I pay seven hundred for mine.

DENT

You don't even want to know what my loft costs.

DD

And that's a lot of money we could use for other stuff.

WORTHY

Imagine the size of my 'shroom fund, if I could find any.

MIX

But when you do, you get the entire city's supply.

Tara's mind is boggled.

DD

We've got to find this place.  You'll check on it?

WORTHY

I was going to work my way over there on the satellite photos, but I'll jump straight to that part of the hills.

He puts his cell away.

WORTHY

And now I'll remember to do it.

Emily gives her a questioning look from where she's sitting on the arm of the couch talking to Worthy, Dent and Willow.  Tara stands.

TARA

I think it's time to get you out of here.

EMILY

What?

TARA

DD?

DD

Oh, yeah.  Okay.  Um, yeah!  Ice cream.

TARA

Oooh, good idea.

(to Emily)

C'mon.

EMILY

Aww.

Tara's expression forestalls further argument.

EMILY

It's been fun, everyone, but my sister's a fucking cow.

DENT

Booo!

WORTHY

Mooo!

Emily gets up and joins Tara and DD heading for the door.

EXT. STREET, DAY

DD

Maybe we should get pizza first.

TARA

When do you ever wear pigtails?

EMILY

I was inspired.

Emily takes the pigtails out and pulls her hair back into a simple ponytail.

TARA

And the knee socks?

EMILY

Aren't they awful?

Emily pushes the socks down, hopping along the sidewalk to do so.

TARA

Are those my shorts?

DD

Is this a family thing?

EMILY

Strangely enough, I think we get it from our dad.

Tara

I don't think you're supposed to know about that stuff.

EMILY

Are you?

DD

So, pizza first?

EMILY

I think that Willow chick was the most interested.

DD plugs his ears.

DD

LA LA LA I'M NOT LISTENING TO YOU!!!

TARA

You'd better not be!

Emily seems satisfied at the chaos.

INT. HOT LIPS PIZZA, DAY

They get in line.

EMILY

I have to pee.

TARA

T.M.I.

DD

Right there.

EMILY

Get me a sausage and pepperoni.

Emily bolts.

DD

They don't have, okay, whatever.

DD puts his arms around Tara's waist as they inch forward. No speaking for several beats.  Emily returns and sees them standing like that, gets a little smile before returning.  She resists the temptation to snark at them.

TARA

I'll have a meat special and a, um, pepperoni.

DD

Jeez.  Pepperoni and a bread stick.

EMILY

Aw, no sausage and pepperoni?  I'll go with the meat special, then.

DD

You two are scaring me.

Tara produces a debit card.

DD

You don't have to do that.

TARA

No, I don't mind.

DD

Sure?

TARA

I do have a job.

EMILY

Jobs suck.

dd

Unless you can get high with your boss at work, then they're awesome.

PIZZA PERSON

Uncle Chuck's! I thought you looked familiar!

TARA

It's a miracle that place stays in business.

INT. STREET, NIGHT

DD, Worthy and Mix are in Dent's really nice car driving down a tree lined windy road on a steep hillside.

WORTHY

Any of this look familiar?

DD

Kind of.  I think I was looking for a shortcut.

MIX

You'd break your neck trying to go down this.

dent

Or get shot by some assy homeowner.

DD

I was fucked up.  But my point is it didn't look like there was a house. THERE!

Dent stops the car.

EXT. STREET, NIGHT

They pile out and are standing in front of a hedge with a overgrown gravel driveway.  There's a forlorn No Trespassing sign half buried in the hedge.  DD looks around the hedge.

DD

That's it.

He leads the way.

ext. front yard, night, CONTINUOUS

The lights on the car shut off and Dent comes trailing after them.  They're walking under a tree over a lawn large enough to be mistaken for a field.  Everything is unkempt. There's a house with a few lights on inside.

They walk quietly up to the front door.  DD peeks in, then takes a pocket flashlight out and shines it in.  He flips a switch and the front room lights come on.

DD

I knew it!

They enter the house, which is untrashed and not in too bad a shape.  Dent looks at the door, which has a pile of documents stapled to it.

Dent

Probate.

MIX

Huh?

DENT

These are from the court, some kind of probate stuff.

MIX

So this is in someone's will.

DD

And they're fighting over it. That could take years.

DENT

Explains why the lights are on.  The court's controlling it.

DD

We're lucky it's not some judge's love den.

They spread out.


EXPLORATION MONTAGE

They explore the house.  The condition, furnishings and lighting is uneven from room to room.  Several water fixtures are tried in the kitchen and bathrooms, but they don't work.  

INT. FRONT ROOM, NIGHT

They assemble and look at each other. DD is excited, Worthy is curious, Mix is frowning and Dent is neutral.

DD

Here it is. And here we are.

WORTHY

It's not bad, really. Neighbors are kind of close, though.  I think someone would notice we were here.

DD

I don't think so, that hedge is pretty tall and looks like it runs all the way around the property.

MIX

There's no water.

DD

Yeah, that's a problem.

WORTHY

What do you think, man?

DENT

I'm not selling my loft for this.

DD

Dude, this is awesome.  No water stains, no critters.

WORTHY

No, I mean about the probate stuff. Don't you work with that kind of stuff?

DENT

Well, odds are someone's keeping an eye on it.  If the county has time. And the family, whoever's family might be, too.

A bit of cold water for DD.

MIX

I dunno.  We've got a month left on our lease, no rush.

DD

Yeah.  Worthy?

WORTHY

I've got like three months.

DENT

I can check on it in the meantime.

DD

Okay.  Yeah, that'll work.  Okay, let's roll, I'm buying the first round.

INT. MIX & DD'S LIVING ROOM, NIGHT

Mix and DD are watching TV.  Mix's cell rings.

MIX

Hello?  Yeah, he's here.  Hold on. 

(to DD)

It's Tara.

Mix tosses the phone to DD.

DD

Hey, what's up?

TARA

Can I come over?

DD

Of course.

TARA

I'm off work so I'll be by in a bit.

DD

Do you want to meet somewhere?

TARA

(pause)

No.  I'll just come to your place.

DD

Sure thing.  See ya.

TARA

See you.

DD tosses the phone back.

MIX

It's disgusting, the way she throws herself at you.

DD

Dude, it so rocks.

INT. MIX & DD'S LIVING ROOM, DAY

Tara enters, in a business suit.  She seems nervous and has a carry on bag with her. Ad lib greetings.

MIX

Wow. Look at you.

TARA

Thanks.

MIX

There's beer in the fridge.

TARA

Oh, thanks.

Tara sits next to DD with a beer a moment later. DD kisses her, she doesn't quite kiss back.

DD

What's up?

TARA

Just wanted to hang out.

DD

Cool.

They watch TV.

INT. DD'S BEDROOM, NIGHT

Tara is sitting on DD's bed. She's removed her jacket and shoes but is otherwise clothed.  DD is looking through his DVDs.

DD

We found that house.

Pause.

TARA

Yeah?

DD

Yeah, it's in pretty good shape.

TARA

Oh.

(pause)

So, are you moving?

DD

We're thinking about it.  Hafta check on the place, it's in probate.

Pause.

TARA

Squatting.  That's pretty heavy, don't you think?

DD

I guess.  But it's whatever.

She looks down. DD sits next to her and starts fussing with something below frame.

TARA

It's a thing, though. Living like that. It's a statement, really. That's why it's such a big thing with punks, right? It's a big fuck you and it's not caring.  It's saying nothing's important and we'll just stay here because it doesn't matter anyway.  I don't think it's good to think like that.  It's important to care.  Right?

Tara is just getting warmed up. She finally looks at DD, who's wearing the gas mask bong.  She looks at him bleakly. After a moment DD peels it off.

DD

You want to hit this?  Shit, you were saying something, weren't you?

Tara forces a smile.

TARA

It's not important.

Tara takes the bong from his hands and puts it on DD's night table, then tackles him with a kiss.

DD

Ooh, and it's on!

INT. DD'S BEDROOM, DAY

It's morning.  Tara is putting on the business suit she packed when DD wakes up.

DD

Leaving already?

Tara freezes, but DD's question is innocent.

TARA

I can't do this.

DD

Do what?

TARA

I can't spend all this energy to be with someone who doesn't care about anything.

DD

Oh.

Tara waits, but DD has nothing to say.  She finishes dressing, stuffs yesterday's suit into her carry on and stands.

TARA

I hope you find your way, DD.  Bye.

Tara leaves.

INT. MIX & DD'S LIVING ROOM, DAY

DD is eating cereal, watching TV. Mix comes out of his bedroom, looking at the TV.

MIX

Tara leave already?

Pause.

DD

She's gone.

Long pause. Mix doesn't react, doesn't look away from the TV. 

MIX

Well, that had to happen.

Long pause.

DD

Yup.

Pause.

MIX

Huh.

Mix goes into the bathroom.

EXT. LIGHT RAIL PLATFORM, DAY

Mix and DD arrive at the platform. DD's body language is bummed.

DD

I thought you were done with the kiddies.

MIX

Last day. Just got something to finish up.

DD

Okay.

Pause

DD

Guess I'm clear for the house now, huh?

MIX

I really don't know about it, man.  There's no water, it's in the hills and we don't have a car.

DD

It is a bitch of a hike.

mix

Fuck yeah.

(pause)

We could get a car, but the water.

DD

Yeah, you stink after a few days without a shower. And I don't wanna fuck with a car.  Okay, fuck it.  Too much hassle.

Pause.

MIX

Yeah.  Hey, train's coming. See ya.

dd

Yeah.

INT. GOODTOT'S DAYCARE MEETING ROOM, DAY

Mix and Sandra are sitting in a meeting room.

SANDRA

This is a terrible idea, you know.

A couple in their thirties, Terrell's parents ALEX and MINA, are shown in.  Sandra and Mix stand to greet them.

SANDRA

Hi, thanks for giving up your lunch for this meeting.

ALEX

I think this is something we've already discussed.

MINA

Honey.

MIX

I asked her to call you.

SANDRA

Mina, you've already met Robert.  Alex, this is my brother. He works here for me sometimes and he's very close to Terrell.  Please, can we all sit down?

They all sit.

MIX

Terrel told me about his ambition and I've talked to Sandra about it. And I think it's important that you hear the story of a certain fifteen year old.

INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S DINING ROOM, DAY

Lunch rush is over and Madison is rolling silverware on a table.  DD is not far away with a little vacuum cleaner.

MADISON

What is that girl doing?

DD looks up.  Emily is looking through the front window.

DD

Shit.

EXT. UNCLE CHUCK'S BBQ & SANDY'S DOG GROOMING, DAY

DD

What are you doing here?

EMILY

Fuck you.  Fuck. You.

DD

Whoa.

EMILY

What did you do to my sister?

DD

I didn't do anything to her!

EMILY

Bullshit.  What did you do?  What did you do?

DD

She just left.

EMILY

Because you did something!

DD

(amused)

You have no idea what you're talking about.

EMILY

Did you cheat on her? Did you stand her up, what did you do, did you hit her?

DD

Whaaaat?  It's been a few weeks!

EMILY

You're a fucking pussy.

DD

Jesus.  I know that being sixteen and hot you think everything's sunshine and roses -

EMILY

(interrupts)

You are a dick!

DD

Okay, I'm a dick. Can I go back to work?

EMILY

She's just sitting at home, she called in sick today.  I really liked you and Tara liked you so much.  And you don't even care.  You.  You suck.  You just suck.

Emily storms off.  DD watches her go.

DD

Shit.

DD goes back inside.

INT. GOODTOT'S DAYCARE MEETING ROOM, DAY

Mix, Sandra, Alex and Mina are in the meeting room.  Terrell is shown in. He stalls in the doorway.

TERRELL

What's going on?

MIX

You're not in trouble.

TERRELL

Really?

ALEX

Really, champ.  Come here.

Mix stands to give Terrell a seat.  As Terrell sits, Mix leaves.  Terrell watches him exit as Alex and Mina lean over to talk to their son.

INT. GOODTOT'S DAYCARE, DAY

Outside, Mix is looking in through a window as Alex speaks to Terrell. Terrell becomes increasingly agitated as his father talks to him. After a few moments he sees Mix. Mix's expression calms Terrell down and they have a moment. 

Alex and Mina follow Terrell's look and see Mix.  Mix instinctively looks away, then leaves.

Mix

(that was pretty cool)

Huh.

As Mix leaves, we can see Terrell listening to his parents much more calmly.

EXT. MIX & DD'S APARTMENT, DAY

Mix and DD exit their apartment's leasing office.  Mix lights a cigarette.

DD

Thousand dollars a month.

MIX

Yeah.  I'm going to get a drink.

DD

I'll catch up with you.  I gotta do something.

MIX

Okay.

Mix walks away.  DD walks in the other direction.

EXT. STREET, DAY

DD exits an electronics store with a bag.  He's holding a cell phone and dials a number.

DD

Sometimes it just works.

He puts the phone to his ear.

DD

You know?

TARA (V.O.)

Hey, leave me a message.

DD

Hi, this is Quinn.