Script part II
FADE IN
INSIDE BRIAN’S APARTMENT – PRESENT
Rose arrives at Brian’s apartment, puts her bag on the table and takes the letters that were on the ground, near the door. She walks to the kitchen, takes a glass, goes to the fridge and opens its door, she takes a jar with juice, smells it, fills up the glass and leaves the kitchen; she walks in the house observing the pictures spread around the house, she keeps on walking and goes to Brian’s bedroom, she sees the untidy bed, and she begins to tidy up the room; she smells the sheet, but she doesn’t like the scent, and she removes the sheet from the bed; she goes to the wardrobe to look for another sheet and by accident, she finds the clothing that Brian wore on his graduation, and moved, she looks at the clothing and sits down on the bed.
CUT FOR
EXTERNAL – BRIAN’S GRADUATION – MOMENTS LATER – PAST
POV ROSE
Brian talks to his mates, Clara approaches, takes Brian from his friends and gives him a kiss, hugs him with affection, giving him a pack, a gift; she gives Rose a smile and moves away.
ROSE (V.O)
I don’t know why she always needs to be near, and in all the moments in which we were together, she was always interfering, always attracting everyone’s attention...
THE SCENE COMES BACK
Brian approaches to his parents and he notices his mother is annoying.
BRIAN
Why are you so annoying, mom?
ROSE
This girl... what does she want here?
PAUL
She’s happy for Brian...
ROSE
And you’re always defending her, I wonder if you’re forgetting that she has nothing to do with our family...
PAUL
Why are you so rough with her? You don’t seem anymore that woman I married...
Brian moves away to talk to Clara and other girls.
ROSE
Yeah, maybe you’d prefer if I were like Helen...
PAUL
What has Helen to do with our talk?
ROSE
You know it very well. Now the question is : do you want me to say?
PAUL
You’re inventing things, wanting to excuse an umbalanced behaviour...
ROSE
I’m not...Okay, Paul, to betray me with Helen during my pregnance I could accept, with an effort, but sleep with Clara was...
PAUL
What are you talking about, woman, are you crazy?
ROSE
No, I’m not crazy. In the truth I’m talking about you leave this house today, while your son still respects you.
PAUL
Are you blackmailing me?
ROSE
No, I’m only doing what I must have done in the day I saw you paying to sleep with that girl, in our own house...
Paul nods and moves on, leaving Rose alone, Brian sees his father going away and he asks permission to the girls, going to meet his mother...
BRIAN
Why is dad leaving?
ROSE
Your father got a headache, he felt indisposed because of the sun. Oh, my son, you’re so handsome. At what time are you leaving tomorrow?
BRIAN
I don’t know. Clara bought the tickets. Do you want me to ask?
ROSE
No, forget it. But I didn’t knew you were going to travel together...
BRIAN
It’s a new town, mom. I’ll need some friends with me. Clara is going to study photography and we can share an apartment.
ROSE
Okay, my angel, do what is better. Now you had better look for your father, I think he forgot where he parked the car, as always.
BRIAN
I’ll talk to Clara to arrange our travel.
ROSE
I’ll take her to the car dear, I’m worry about your father...
Brian agrees with his head , hugs his mother and leaves to look for his father. Rose waits Brian to be far and she goes towards Clara.
ROSE
Oh! Look who’s here! How are you, girl?
CLARA
I’m fine, aunt Rose, did you see how handsome he was?...
ROSE
He told me you’re going to Boston with him, is it true?
CLARA
Yeah, it is... I became scared...he’ll be alone there...and I really need to move from this place... There’s a lot of bad and sad memories here, you understand, don’t you?
ROSE
Clara... I think you are not understanding very well...
CLARA
What, aunt Rose? I really don’t understand...
ROSE
You’ll make things difficult... Brian will begin a new life in Boston, dear, and soon he’ll be a great lawyer, he’ll meet a beautiful girl and get married, have children, a family; unless you’re thinking you are this girl, I can’t see any reason to you go with him.
CLARA
Oh, aunt Rose, I love Brian very much, for a long time, I don’t want to confuse his life... he just has me as a friend, an older sister...maybe there he’ll be able to see me as more than a friend...
ROSE
Even if he could look at you as a woman to marry, I ask you: would you have this courage?
CLARA
Why are you making this question? Of course I would...
ROSE
Listen, girl...Robert slept with you, half of the men in this town slept with you, even Paul slept with you, not because you loved him, or because you desired him, but you made it for money...and now, what do you say? If Brian reach this news, do you think he would look at you again?
CLARA
I think he wouldn’t...
ROSE
So, stay away from him, let him go alone to Boston and go away from this town, let him try to ascend his life and forget he met people like you, your...girl.
CLARA
I never could understand...what I did to you, to make you hate me so much. Now I understood...all things are clear...
ROSE
You can deceive everybody, with your beautiful eyes, but I can see what’s behind them...
CLARA
I’m not going with Brian, but please, don’t tell him nothing about me, I implore you...
ROSE
Stay away from my son, he’ll never know from my mouth who you are or what you can do, but I’ll tell you something, an advice, if you want to consider it: don’t have expectations in this place, the kind of secret you’re trying to hide is impossible to hide for a long time... leave, go away from this place...
Clara, sad and very moved, leaves Rose alone; Rose, happy, sits down on a chair and takes off the shoes that are pinching her feet.
CUT FOR
INSIDE BRIAN’S APARTMENT – BEDROOM – PRESENT
Rose, with Brian’s clothing in hands folds it carefully; on background the bedroom is pretty tidy, on the nightstand the glass with juice, carefully put upon one of the letters, she walks towards it and takes it, drinks the juice and reads the envelope, an invoice for Josh.
ROSE (V.O) – INTERCUT
It’s funny...when a son is a boy, you only dream. This is common to all parents: “how is going to be when he grow-up?”, you try to mold his life with advices and teachings, giving directions to reach that dream... and in the end, what remains is a life you have to accept to not be excluded, this is the bitter taste of a dream’s frustration...
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INSIDE CLARA’S APARTMENT – PRESENT
Clara prepares herself. Well-dressed, she combs her hair in front of the mirror, she puts on lipstick, when the telephone rings, she doesn’t minds with it, she continues in front of the mirror preparing herself, and the answery machine answers the call.
CLARA (V.O) – ANSWERING MACHINE
Hi, this is me, Clara, there goes the bip...send it!
MAN (V.O)
Hi, this is me, I’m in trouble...
Clara runs to answer the phone.
CLARA
Hi... what happened, can’t you come?
MAN (V.O)
I think it will be impossible, I’m busy now.
CLARA
Oh, I wanted so much to see you tonight, I have so much to tell you, there are so many things I want to say...
MAN (V.O)
Like what, for example?
CLARA
About my feelings...
MAN (V.O)
About me?
CLARA
Yes...this is complicated to talk at phone...
MAN (V.O)
Look, if you really want it, I can send you somebody to pick you up and bring you to the hotel I’m in...
CLARA
Do you live in a hotel?
MAN (V.O)
No, I work to somebody who’s a lodger here...
CLARA
Okay...what do we do?
MAN (V.O)
By 10:OO (P.M.) I’ll send a car to pick you up...where do you live?
CLARA
Send a car to pick me up at Snoppy, I wait for you there.
MAN (V.O)
Okay...but wait for the car at the backdoor , okay?
CLARA
Why?
MAN (V.O)
It’s because my friend, who’s going to pick you up, is married, he probably don’t want to be seen at Snoppy, and he’s doing a favor...you know how it is...
CLARA
I understand...
MAN (V.O)
Don’t be sad, if what you have to tell me is the same thing I’m thinking about, this life you lead will end...believe it.
CLARA
I ...believe you...
MAN (V.O)
I know my darling, see you later...
CLARA
Bye...kisses.
Clara hangs up the phone, without hold her spontaneous smile, that comes to her face, she removes the earrings and goes to the bathroom, and sick, she throws up, under the attentive look of the cat on the bed, she gets up of the toilet, recovers herself, plays with the cat and walks to the living room, she takes the phone and dials, and waits for someone to answer.
CUT FOR
INSIDE SNOPPY BAR – BALCONY – PRESENT
Barman answers the phone that was ringing.
BARMAN
Snoppy, good night...
CLARA (V.O)
Carl, is Luck in?
The barman observes the bar and sees Luck, and the barman signals, “telling” Luck that he got a phone call.
BARMAN
I found him, he’s coming.
CLARA (V.O)
Thank you, Carl...
The barman gives the phone to Luck.
LUCK
Hi, little princess, I’m here...won’t you come?
CLARA (V.O)
That’s why I’m calling you, to tell you I won’t need you tonight...
LUCK
How come?
CLARA (V.O)
It’s because I’m going to meet that guy, do you know?
LUCK
I know, but isn’t he coming here?
CLARA (V.O)
Yes, he’s going, but from Snoppy we’re going to some other place...
LUCK
This is not a smart thing to do, princess...
CLARA (V.O)
Don’t worry big guy...I think he really likes me...
LUCK
And who doesn’t like? Look...I don’t think it’s a good idea, you’re safe here...I know the place.
CLARA (V.O)
Don’t worry, today is going to be different. I think...this can be my lucky night...maybe I really have found someone nice...I need this chance, do you understand?
LUCK
Now you spoke like a real raw girl...
CLARA (V.O)
Trust me, big guy...
LUCK
Okay...so, I’m leaving, I see you tomorrow.
Luck gives back the phone to the barman and asks for a drink.
CUT FOR
INSIDE CLARA’S APARTMENT – BEDROOM – PRESENT
Clara hangs up the phone, and sits on the bed, look at her dress and sees a stain, she becomes panic-stricken, takes off the dress, runs to the kitchen.
KITCHEN
She wets a cloth and tries to remove the stain, wetting the dress more than the necessary, she puts the dress behind the fridge, and goes back to the bedroom.
BEDROOM
She passes over the bed, takes the dressing gown that was hanging on the bathroom’s door, and she dress it, looks at the clock and lies down on the bed, impatient.
CUT FOR
SNOPPY BAR – BALCONY – PRESENT
Luck, is sat on the balcony, talking to the barman; suddenly, he shivers.
LUCK
Man...all of a sudden I felt a strange shiver...
BARMAN
The gentlemen room is over there...but as I know, you’re not a gentleman, so it’s better go do it on street.
LUCK
Cut off this talk, man, I’m talking about Clara, I think something is going to happen with her...Lend me your “cart”...
BARMAN
Take the keys...If when you come back I find a mark more than the 280 that already are there you’re in trouble, and more... the fuel tank is empty...
LUCK
Okay...I fill up the tank, later she pay me back.
CUT FOR
OUTSIDE SNOOPY BAR – PARKING LOT – PRESENT
Luck comes into the car, starts it and crosses the street, goes to the petrol station, in front of the bar, and from afar he sees Clara arriving by taxi, and later standing on the bar backdoor; he parks the car, goes out from the car to fill up the tank, without take his eyes from Clara; a black Lexus approaches, parks beside her and she comes in; he leaves the hose on the ground, enters fastly in the car, and follows the car that goes through a winding road, going away from town; the car is parked on a clearing, near to an abandoned hut; Luck stops the car and observes when Clara is withdrawn of the car and is dragged with brutality to the hut; he takes his gun inside of his bag and fits it in his waist, he goes out of the car, walks towards the men car and sees that is a license plate of the government.
LUCK
Where hell did you come, girl?
He moves away from the car, and carefully approaches to the hut’s window, he looks inside and sees Clara being spanked by a man, he observes the place searching for someone more, but the man seems to be alone, he thinks to leave, but he sees Clara being spanked.
LUCK
Huh! Who cares!?
CUT FOR
INSIDE THE HUT – LIVING ROOM – PRESENT
The man is ill-treating Clara (making a very loud sound), and frightened, she cries sobbing (compulsively), when Luck comes into the room knocking down the door with the gun on his hand...
LUCK
Hey, your bully...do you wanna face the big guy here?
MAN
Get out of here, this is between me and this little bitch...
LUCK
But the matter is that this little bitch pays me to protect her from people like you... and she owes me some money...that’s why...come on Clara, lets get out of here...
Behind Luck, the man to whom Clara was talking at the phone arrives at the hut.
CLARA’S MAN (ALLAN)
I think that, unfortunately, she’ll have to stay...
Allan, with a gun on his hands shoots Luck, that by reflex, shoots the guy that was spanking Clara, Allan shoots Luck again and Luck falls on the ground, but fallen, he shoots Allan in his head, and Allan falls too; the first man, staggering, tries to catch his gun, but Luck shoots him again, killing him; Luck is very hurt and he tries to get up, and Clara helps him.
LUCK
Come on, princess, let’s get outta here...
CLARA
My God! You’re ill...let’s go to a hospital.
LUCK
Help me to reach the car...
CLARA
Which car?
LUCK
Out there, Carl’s car, I need to return his car...
Clara helps Luck to get out of the hut, very hardly, because Luck is very hurt and staggering.
CUT FOR
OUTSIDE THE HUT – CARL’S CAR – PRESENT
Clara helps Luck to walk to the car, places him inside the car and comes into it, starts it and gets away from that place.
LUCK
Who’s gonna...drive? I’ll die...
CLARA
Stop it, you won’t die!
LUCK
So I’ll be the guy who will tell..the world’s history...
CLARA
Someday, you’ll die, big guy, but not today.
The car suddenly stops, she, panic-stricken, beats on the wheel, looks at the fuel display and sees that the car’s fuel tank is empty, she looks for help, but there’s no one on the road, she looks at Luck bleeding, becomes more desperate and comes into the car.
CLARA
We have to walk... come on
LUCK
Forget it, I don’t wanna go for a walk...I’m already dead.
CLARA
Don’t say this, please...
LUCK
Do me a favor: sit down on my lap and hug me.
Luck begins to weaken, because of the blood’s loss, Clara does the favor and sits on his lap, he passes his hands on her hair.
LUCK
Carl will kill me again, the car’s bench is dirty...
Luck faints, “sleepy” he talks...
CLARA
No Luck, don’t go...stay with me
LUCK
Do you have to say it...now...that I’m dying?...I could be the guy, your guy...the prince.
CLARA
No, don’t die...I love you, stay wih me, please...
Luck smiles, leans his head on Clara’s chest and whisper...
LUCK
Liar...
Luck dies embraced by Clara.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INSIDE THE HOSPITAL – SNACK BAR – PRESENT
Josh is sat at a table, he ends his snack and on background Rose arrives at the snack bar, she walks towards the table in which Josh is, she pulls a chair and sits down.
ROSE
I went to the bedroom, but you weren’t there, I thought you would be here.
JOSH
I had to leave, the cleaners were going to clean the bedroom, so I took an advantage and came to eat something. Are you okay?...You seem worried.
ROSE
I went to your apartment yesterday and I found this letter, I think it’s important, I saw the bank’s design on it.
Rose cleans the envelope and gives it to Josh, he opens the envelope and reads the letter.
JOSH
It’s a bank invoice, asking for my attendance to resolv a problem that regards to the mortgage...
ROSE
Resolv? You want to say pay it ...right?
JOSH
I won’t pay the mortgage, Rose...I got to add the money I have with the amount my brother lent me and pay the hospital expenses.
ROSE
Son, but how is going to be later? Where are you going to live? And if Brian recuperates? How is going to be? Why don’t you sell a picture?
JOSH
I can’t do this! Brian always took care of his pictures with so much affection...he loved that pictures...I won’t betray the trust he has in me...
ROSE
We don’t have choice, son...
JOSH
In the truth we have, yes we have...the doctor talked to me and he indirectly told me he can’t hold up the overdues anymore, and all that things...
ROSE
He wants to transfer Brian to... a public hospital.
JOSH
Rose, give me some credit, I would never allow this, I’m considering to take him home...what do you think?
ROSE
An absurd, here it seems so difficult to take care of him, for how long you’re not going to the office...four or five weeks, the mortgage is expired...how do you intend to take care of him? Of course I can help...but I won’t always be there...it’s a risk.
JOSH
Yeah, you’re right, and besides, I have the feeling that if I take him home I’ll loose him...everyday I arrive here and think how good it could be if he were awoke, I even dream with it...ah...I don’t know...Rose, what can I do?
They both become silent, resigned with the situation, until Josh get up, take the tray with the rest of the food, go to the garbage and pour the tray’s contents; visibly nervous, he leaves the tray on the balcony, walks to the coffee machine and buys two cups of coffee; observed by Rose, he goes back to the table.
ROSE (V.O)
I know he’s frustrated, this is a common feeling, my God...and think about how much he has done...how he sacrified himself...and the worst...how much he has suffered.
Josh gives Rose the coffee, with the hand trembling, she takes the coffee and holds his hand...
JOSH
Drink the coffee...it’s awful, but it keeps us awoke...
ROSE
Yeah...you’re right...Josh, pay attention, I’ll approve any decision you make...I’ll always be with you.
Josh smiles and hugs Rose, sits down at the table and drinks the coffee.
PAUSE
JOSH
Do you remember Brian’s last birthday?...
ROSE
Yes, he was so well, you had just moved, what a mess!...I remember because a splinter of wood entered in my finger...
JOSH
Really!...all things were messy, and it was dark because Brian, confused, forgot to buy bulbs...do you remember...what an absurd!?...
ROSE
Your brother went out, to look for an open market-place, and in the only one that was open, he didn’t find bulbs, then he brought...a heap of candles...
They both start to laugh...
CUT FOR
INSIDE BRIAN’S APARTMENT – PARTY – PAST
Josh carries a birthday cake towards Brian, Rose and friends, that are sat on the ground, the place is lighted by candles light, they improvise a table with cardboard boxes, drinking wine on plastic glass, with catching happiness; Josh puts the cake on the “table”, lights the candles on the cake and all they sing “Happy birthday to you” to Brian, that, shy, begins to sing it to...
JOSH
Now you gotta make a wish...
BRIAN
But I already have all I want...
Brian kisses Josh, and Rose claps her hands starting a choir with the guests...
ROSE
Wish, wish, wish, wish....
The guests and Josh adhere to the choir.
Brian, resigned, gets up and asks everybody to calm down...
BRIAN
Okay, I’ll make the wish, but without speech later, okay?...Let me see...I know! I want everybody to stop asking me to make a wish...
A loud booing is heard...so he sits down again, puts the wine glass on the ground, closes his eyes and blows up the cake candles; everybody applaud and he hears his cell phone ringing...he smiles, stands up and answers the phone, turning away with his back to the guests, that, curious, follow him; when he notices and looks back.
BRIAN
My wish is already granted...that’s Clara.
Everybody smiles and he goes to the veranda, because the reach of the phone sign isn’t so good; Rose looks at him with disapproval and, visibly indignant, goes to Josh.
ROSE
This girl...does she talk a lot with him? Have they been meeting each other lately?
JOSH
No, I think they haven’t, and what I know is that she’s in a hospital...
ROSE
Is she ill?
JOSH
I think it has to be with poisoning...I don’t know well.
ROSE
Drugs...and I wonder why she doesn’t surprise me anymore....
JOSH
Forget it...this is between them...who wants more wine?
ROSE
There’s nothing...between them, she never were part of our family...
Josh goes out from the living room to take more wine, and Brian hangs up the phone, coming back to the living room; Rose doesn’t resist to her thrust and approaches to Brian.
ROSE
How is she going?
BRIAN
Are you talking about Clara? She’s well...passing through a difficult moment, but she’s overcoming it...she’s strong.
ROSE
This girl is always in trouble...
BRIAN
And so are you, aren’t you?...My God...now I really became sad, she said she’ll got to leave the town for a time, without any reason, she not even let me say goodbye...
ROSE
And, what’s the problem? Let her go...look, son, it’s not that I don’t like her, but the influence she has in your life is simply irritant. She always wants to be near you...
BRIAN
What a hell did Clara do to you, to you treat her like this, Mrs. Rose?
ROSE
Someday I tell you...but not today; today you’re mine and don’t think you’ll escape...
Brian, ashamed, tries to escape, but Rose catches his arm.
BRIAN
No, mom...please, don’t think about it...
ROSE
You won’t do it with your mom, will you?
Rose signals to Josh and he puts a CD to play, and soon the music takes place and Rose calls Brian.
BRIAN
This is a plot, right? Okay, okay, I’m going.
Shy, he goes and meets his mother, and they dance, observed by Josh and the guests.
CUT FOR
INSIDE THE HOSPITAL – SNACK BAR – PRESENT
Rose and Josh, sat at the table, smile at the shared memory, Rose with her eyes full of tears, disguises the feeling with a melancholy smile.
ROSE
I still have that CD...Paul loved that music.
JOSH
If you want...I can dance with you...
ROSE
Thank you, my dear...but it couldn’t be the same thing...
JOSH
I know...
ROSE
Did you know that?...I went to the clinic where Clara said she was in, but...she lied, she never were there...
JOSH
Why did you go there?
ROSE
To charge a promise she made...
JOSH
You and your intolerance...this won’t bring good things to you...let’s go to the bedroom, I have some things to get there.
They stand up and leave.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
OUTSIDE THE CEMETERY – LUCK’S FUNERAL – PRESENT
Clara is standing, remote and alone she takes pictures, observing the two gravediggers take down Luck’s coffin in the grave, and there’s only a lady attending the funeral.
CLARA (V.O)
My God...Luck is dead, and with him a part of me is gone, a life I have to bury here...with him. I don’t know, I think death is my “great fella”; all people with whom I care, I worry about and love, are or will be dead...
My loneliness now is crystal-clear and opressive, I don’t feel like this for a long time, real long time...nothing in the world can make me feel more void...maybe this is the price I have to pay for some debt I got, for they who I hurt, and they aren’t a few people...I must admit...
God, why do I have to bury all they? All...even the man I thought that cared about me is dead, stretch out in a hut in a “world’s end”...scoundrel.
As always I’m back to the beggining...like a vicious that doesn’t never have an end...never; all turns back to Brian...as always, Brian; so, for me, for you and for him...don’t die...
CUT FOR
INSIDE CLARA’S APARTMENT – BEDROOM – PAST
Brian and Clara watch TV, lying on bed, drinking the last dose of tequila’s bottles, that are covering the bedroom ground.
CLARA
Tell me a thing...have you ever slept with a woman?
BRIAN
No, did you?
CLARA
Foolish...
BRIAN
Ah...are you trying to convince me you never were curious to know how it is?
CLARA
Stop this...and besides, I asked you first...have you ever...had sex with a woman?
BRIAN
Not yet...why? Is it a proposal?
CLARA
It may be...it can be...
BRIAN
Don’t propose it to me, if you don’t have enough courage to do it...
CLARA
Don’t you have curiosity...to know if you like it?
BRIAN
It doesn’t have to be ...with to like or not...the problem is fail to do it...
CLARA
You’re so kind...
BRIAN
And you’re so drunk...
Clara approaches to Brian, passes her fingers on Brian’s lips, takes off her T-shirt and kisses Brian, he becomes frightened, she unbuttons his shirt, leans her nose against his chest, smelling his body’s scent, he passes his hand on her hair; Clara raises her skirt and climbs upon Brian, he tries to get out, but she prevents him from doing it; Clara kisses Brian again, that tries to get away from the kiss, but she persists on kissing, and it becomes more intense, she licks Brian’s neck, breaths near his ear and asks, whispering,
CLARA
Are you liking this?
BRIAN
What are we doing? This is madness...
CLARA
You’re excited...
BRIAN
I am...And?...
CLARA
So let it happen...please...
BRIAN
And if nothing change...how will you feel?
CLARA
I’ll have the memory of your taste, your scent.
So Clara opens the fly of Brian’s panths, she’s penetrated and the camera closes on Clara’s face, and she moves with pleasure, Brian hugs her, brings her face near him, kissing her, so he alteres the position, staying upon her; the camera approaches, the hands of both them looks for and finds each other, and they entwine their hands.
CUT FOR
INSIDE CLARA’S APARTMENT – BEDROOM – PAST
Brian wakes up with the daylight entering in the room, he sees himself embraced with Clara, and affectionately he hugs her and she kisses him, he smiles and gives her another kiss on her forehead, and then she squeezes her face against his chest, as if she doesn’t want to release him never more.
PAUSE
Brian breaks the silence.
BRIAN
And now, what will we do?
CLARA
You’re who you are, little strawberry, I can’t change this...only you can.
BRIAN
Is it okay to you...without resentment?
CLARA
Resentment? Why? I have the memories of what happened...
BRIAN
Ditto...
CLARA
All times I feel alone, I’ll remember of how I’m feeling this morning, and how was to be with you, on this bed, inside me...
Clara kisses Brian again, embraces him affectionately and gets up wrapped in the sheets; she walks to the bathroom, along the untidy bedroom are the clothings on the ground...
BATHROOM
Suddenly she feels a strong sick and begins to throw up.
BRIAN
My God, I am who doesn’t like sex in this way and... you are who becomes sick...I’m feeling flattered.
CLARA
A lot of tequila...
BRIAN
Yeah, you’re right...I drank a lot too, I’ll make some coffee and call Josh, ah...I’m sorry, I...
CLARA
Don’t be foolish...and please, we don’t have to make it become a problem...Did you change your mind?
BRIAN
I don’t think so...
CLARA
Neither I...go and call him. To talk the truth I think he’s worried about you...
Clara looks through the mirror and sees Brian moving away, and she has to weep, so she closes the bathroom’s door.
CUT FOR
OUTSIDE THE CEMETERY – LUCK’S FUNERAL – PRESENT
A lady approaches to Clara, the same who was attending the funeral, she says hello and speaks:
LADY
Did you know the lad?
CLARA
Oh, yes...I knew him.
LADY
My name is Sarah, I’m mother of a lad’s friend.
CLARA
Are you Caze’s mother?
LADY
Do you know my son?
CLARA
Only by his name...Luck always talked about him...
LADY
He was a good lad, he used to take out the garbage everyday...I’ll miss him...
CLARA
I got to go...will you stay?
LADY
I’ll stay a little more.
Clara moves away, letting the woman backwards.
CLARA (V.O)
It’s funny how things so small can make someone’s memory so strong, and important things are forgotten with time...I can’t remember his face...I can’t remember my son’s face.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INSIDE BRIAN’S APARTMENT - PRESENT
Josh observes the clock on the wall and confers it with his wrist watch; with a air ticket in hand, he picks up a bag, checking its contents he sees that something is lacking; he goes to the bedroom and takes a glass of perfume, puts the ticket upon the table and the perfume inside the bag, he takes the phone and dials.
TELEPHONE TALK
WOMAN (V.O)
Memorial hospital, good morning...
JOSH
Room 306, please...
WOMAN (V.O)
A moment, please...
The telephonist transfers the call.
ROSE (V.O)
Hello...
JOSH
Hi, Rose, this is me, Josh...I want to ask you a favor...
ROSE (V.O)
You can say, Josh...
JOSH
Can you double the turn today?
ROSE (V.O)
Of course, dear, but...what happened?
JOSH
Nothing serious, I have to visit a client in Chicago, and I’ll profit by it and go to my brother’s house...
ROSE ( V.O)
Will you try the money that’s lacking?
JOSH
Yes, that’s it...support it, okay?
ROSE (V.O)
Of course...everything will be alright...have a good travel and don’t worry, I take care of everything here...
JOSH
If I be successful, I’ll be back tomorrow night...kiss him for me, kiss him...
ROSE (V.O)
If you need to stay longer...then you call me.
JOSH
Certainly. Bye...
Josh hangs up the phone and goes to the office.
OFFICE
He walks towards the writing desk, and from inside the drawer he takes a piece of paper and a pen, from a case that’s on the ground he takes an agenda, looks for an adress and writes it on the paper, he goes back to the living room and picks up his bag and the ticket, he checks if the paper’s in his pocket, walks to the door and goes out.
CUT FOR
OUTSIDE BRIAN’S APARTMENT – STREET OPPOSITE – PRESENT
Josh waits for a taxi, it seems that will rain, he hears a thunderstorm and he shrugs; he puts the ticket in his pocket with the paper, in the moment he sees a taxi, he waves and the taxi stops, and he enters into the taxi.
CUT FOR
INSIDE THE TAXI – PRESENT
JOSH
To the airport, please...
Josh takes the cell phone and dials.
JOSH
Andy, this is Josh; if Rose call, I went to Chicago to visit a client...I need to get out of town.
ANDY (V.O)
You’re who commands, boss!...
JOSH
How are things going on there...The Bohan case...
ANDY (V.O)
Everything is under control, the witnesses rended testimony on Tuesday...but your father already took care of everything.
JOSH
Great, we talk when I come back...
ANDY (V.O)
Okay...How’s Brian?
JOSH
He’s needing me...I call you later. Keep me informed about how’s going the case, okay?
ANDY ( V.O)
Okay...good travel.
Josh hangs up the phone and observes the street through the taxi’s window, and the camera closes on window.
MATCH CUT
INSIDE THE AIRPLANE – PRESENT
Camera opens on plane’s window, and shows Josh looking through it.
JOSH (V.O)
I really hate to lie to Rose, but if she knew, it would be terrible, it only could bring troubles, and after all is only an attempt, I almost can’t remember her.
CUT FOR
INSIDE CLARA’S APARTMENT – PAST
Clara is cleaning her apartment, that is very untidy, when she hears a knock at the door, and so she walks among the scattered furniture and opens the door: Brian and Josh comes into the apartment.
BRIAN
I see I arrived at the wrong time...
CLARA
No, of course not...
BRIAN
I promised that when Josh were coming with me, I should bring him to meet you. Clara, this is Josh...
Clara greets Josh and asks them to sit down, and she puts the living room in order very fastly.
JOSH
It’s a glad to meet you, my name’s Josh...Carter.
CLARA
Hey, just like the president! Do you wanna drink something?
JOSH
Yeah...I want water...it’s a terrible heat...
BRIAN
I want water too...
She goes to the kitchen to take the water.
JOSH
She’s pretty...
BRIAN
No, she’s wonderful, a little crazy, but wonderful...
JOSH
You don’t worry about hide your feelings for her...
BRIAN
Don’t be silly...jealous.
I’ll drink the water and then I’m leaving...to let it more roomy...
BRIAN
You’re going nowhere...You’ll wait for me right here...
JOSH
What?...Are you crazy?...Will you leave me in the house of someone I hardly know...no, I’m going with you...
BRIAN
Josh, where I’m going I should go alone and besides, I want you to know each other, you’re two of the three people I love more in my life; my mother and Clara can’t stay in a same place, God knows why, but you...you don’t have any reason to this avoidance.
Clara comes to the living room with two glasses of water in her hands.
BRIAN
Clara, I want to let Josh here with you, because he knows none in this town, and I didn’t want to leave him alone in the hotel, at worst, he can resolv to take for a walk in town and become lost; I have an appointment in the centre, I’ll delay about two hours, is that okay?
CLARA
Okay...certainly.
JOSH
It’s because he thinks I’m an idiot...did you hear it Clara? I can become lost...(IRONIC)
BRIAN
There are a lot of meanings you can give to this simple phrase, someday I’ll explain you, but now, I got to go.
Brian gets up and goes towards the door, says goodbye, leaving Clara and Josh on the sofa, ashamed.
CUT FOR
INSIDE CLARA’S APARTMENT – PAST – HOURS LATER
Brian leaves the elevator and hears a song through the whole building’s corridor, he walks and as he’s approaching, he notices the music comes from Clara’s apartment, he hears noises and laughters, he knocks on the door, but nobody answers, he tries to open the door and he can come in, and while he’s coming in, he sees Josh with a dress, wearing a wig and with make-up, dancing with Clara in the living room, and they both are drunk.
BRIAN
My God...what a hell is going on here?
JOSH
We are dancing, can’t you see?
BRIAN
You look like your mother...
CLARA
Without mothers, please...
BRIAN
I’m talking to him...
Josh looks himself in the mirror and starts to laugh.
JOSH
The worst...is that you’re right.
They all start to laugh, and Josh, pointing to the bathroom, goes there leaving them alone.
BATHROOM
Through the door’s gap, he sees and hears Brian and Clara talking:
BRIAN (V.O)
And?...Did you like him?
CLARA (V.O)
He’s a charm, he has wittiness, but possibly tomorrow I won’t remember him.
BRIAN
But after you get drunk...you didn’t...
CLARA
Oh, my God...do you still remember that?
BRIAN
Whenever I think about the greatest stupidity I did in my life, this memory comes back to my brain...it’s instinctively.
Josh goes out from the bathroom and he had already changed his clothings, but Clara notices that he still got lipstick on his lips; she takes a T-shirt that was on the ground and clean his lips, taking advantage of coming near to say:
CLARA
Take care of him, okay?
JOSH
I promise it.
Brian interrupts the talk:
BRIAN
Let’s go, tomorrow I come back and you prepare us a nice dinner , I’ll bring the wine...
CLARA
Agreed...little strawberry.
JOSH
Little strawberry?
BRIAN
It’s a long history...
CLARA
I tell you tomorrow.
They both leave and Clara closes the door.
CUT FOR
INSIDE THE AIRPLANE – PRESENT
Josh is sat on the plane’s armchair and he hears when the pilot says that they are approaching to Seattle, he withdraws the paper (that he wrote in his house) from his pocket; the camera closes on the paper in which was wrote Clara’s adress.
JOSH (V.O)
I hope she still to be in this adress.
FADE OUT
INSIDE BRIAN’S APARTMENT – PRESENT
Rose arrives at Brian’s apartment, puts her bag on the table and takes the letters that were on the ground, near the door. She walks to the kitchen, takes a glass, goes to the fridge and opens its door, she takes a jar with juice, smells it, fills up the glass and leaves the kitchen; she walks in the house observing the pictures spread around the house, she keeps on walking and goes to Brian’s bedroom, she sees the untidy bed, and she begins to tidy up the room; she smells the sheet, but she doesn’t like the scent, and she removes the sheet from the bed; she goes to the wardrobe to look for another sheet and by accident, she finds the clothing that Brian wore on his graduation, and moved, she looks at the clothing and sits down on the bed.
CUT FOR
EXTERNAL – BRIAN’S GRADUATION – MOMENTS LATER – PAST
POV ROSE
Brian talks to his mates, Clara approaches, takes Brian from his friends and gives him a kiss, hugs him with affection, giving him a pack, a gift; she gives Rose a smile and moves away.
ROSE (V.O)
I don’t know why she always needs to be near, and in all the moments in which we were together, she was always interfering, always attracting everyone’s attention...
THE SCENE COMES BACK
Brian approaches to his parents and he notices his mother is annoying.
BRIAN
Why are you so annoying, mom?
ROSE
This girl... what does she want here?
PAUL
She’s happy for Brian...
ROSE
And you’re always defending her, I wonder if you’re forgetting that she has nothing to do with our family...
PAUL
Why are you so rough with her? You don’t seem anymore that woman I married...
Brian moves away to talk to Clara and other girls.
ROSE
Yeah, maybe you’d prefer if I were like Helen...
PAUL
What has Helen to do with our talk?
ROSE
You know it very well. Now the question is : do you want me to say?
PAUL
You’re inventing things, wanting to excuse an umbalanced behaviour...
ROSE
I’m not...Okay, Paul, to betray me with Helen during my pregnance I could accept, with an effort, but sleep with Clara was...
PAUL
What are you talking about, woman, are you crazy?
ROSE
No, I’m not crazy. In the truth I’m talking about you leave this house today, while your son still respects you.
PAUL
Are you blackmailing me?
ROSE
No, I’m only doing what I must have done in the day I saw you paying to sleep with that girl, in our own house...
Paul nods and moves on, leaving Rose alone, Brian sees his father going away and he asks permission to the girls, going to meet his mother...
BRIAN
Why is dad leaving?
ROSE
Your father got a headache, he felt indisposed because of the sun. Oh, my son, you’re so handsome. At what time are you leaving tomorrow?
BRIAN
I don’t know. Clara bought the tickets. Do you want me to ask?
ROSE
No, forget it. But I didn’t knew you were going to travel together...
BRIAN
It’s a new town, mom. I’ll need some friends with me. Clara is going to study photography and we can share an apartment.
ROSE
Okay, my angel, do what is better. Now you had better look for your father, I think he forgot where he parked the car, as always.
BRIAN
I’ll talk to Clara to arrange our travel.
ROSE
I’ll take her to the car dear, I’m worry about your father...
Brian agrees with his head , hugs his mother and leaves to look for his father. Rose waits Brian to be far and she goes towards Clara.
ROSE
Oh! Look who’s here! How are you, girl?
CLARA
I’m fine, aunt Rose, did you see how handsome he was?...
ROSE
He told me you’re going to Boston with him, is it true?
CLARA
Yeah, it is... I became scared...he’ll be alone there...and I really need to move from this place... There’s a lot of bad and sad memories here, you understand, don’t you?
ROSE
Clara... I think you are not understanding very well...
CLARA
What, aunt Rose? I really don’t understand...
ROSE
You’ll make things difficult... Brian will begin a new life in Boston, dear, and soon he’ll be a great lawyer, he’ll meet a beautiful girl and get married, have children, a family; unless you’re thinking you are this girl, I can’t see any reason to you go with him.
CLARA
Oh, aunt Rose, I love Brian very much, for a long time, I don’t want to confuse his life... he just has me as a friend, an older sister...maybe there he’ll be able to see me as more than a friend...
ROSE
Even if he could look at you as a woman to marry, I ask you: would you have this courage?
CLARA
Why are you making this question? Of course I would...
ROSE
Listen, girl...Robert slept with you, half of the men in this town slept with you, even Paul slept with you, not because you loved him, or because you desired him, but you made it for money...and now, what do you say? If Brian reach this news, do you think he would look at you again?
CLARA
I think he wouldn’t...
ROSE
So, stay away from him, let him go alone to Boston and go away from this town, let him try to ascend his life and forget he met people like you, your...girl.
CLARA
I never could understand...what I did to you, to make you hate me so much. Now I understood...all things are clear...
ROSE
You can deceive everybody, with your beautiful eyes, but I can see what’s behind them...
CLARA
I’m not going with Brian, but please, don’t tell him nothing about me, I implore you...
ROSE
Stay away from my son, he’ll never know from my mouth who you are or what you can do, but I’ll tell you something, an advice, if you want to consider it: don’t have expectations in this place, the kind of secret you’re trying to hide is impossible to hide for a long time... leave, go away from this place...
Clara, sad and very moved, leaves Rose alone; Rose, happy, sits down on a chair and takes off the shoes that are pinching her feet.
CUT FOR
INSIDE BRIAN’S APARTMENT – BEDROOM – PRESENT
Rose, with Brian’s clothing in hands folds it carefully; on background the bedroom is pretty tidy, on the nightstand the glass with juice, carefully put upon one of the letters, she walks towards it and takes it, drinks the juice and reads the envelope, an invoice for Josh.
ROSE (V.O) – INTERCUT
It’s funny...when a son is a boy, you only dream. This is common to all parents: “how is going to be when he grow-up?”, you try to mold his life with advices and teachings, giving directions to reach that dream... and in the end, what remains is a life you have to accept to not be excluded, this is the bitter taste of a dream’s frustration...
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INSIDE CLARA’S APARTMENT – PRESENT
Clara prepares herself. Well-dressed, she combs her hair in front of the mirror, she puts on lipstick, when the telephone rings, she doesn’t minds with it, she continues in front of the mirror preparing herself, and the answery machine answers the call.
CLARA (V.O) – ANSWERING MACHINE
Hi, this is me, Clara, there goes the bip...send it!
MAN (V.O)
Hi, this is me, I’m in trouble...
Clara runs to answer the phone.
CLARA
Hi... what happened, can’t you come?
MAN (V.O)
I think it will be impossible, I’m busy now.
CLARA
Oh, I wanted so much to see you tonight, I have so much to tell you, there are so many things I want to say...
MAN (V.O)
Like what, for example?
CLARA
About my feelings...
MAN (V.O)
About me?
CLARA
Yes...this is complicated to talk at phone...
MAN (V.O)
Look, if you really want it, I can send you somebody to pick you up and bring you to the hotel I’m in...
CLARA
Do you live in a hotel?
MAN (V.O)
No, I work to somebody who’s a lodger here...
CLARA
Okay...what do we do?
MAN (V.O)
By 10:OO (P.M.) I’ll send a car to pick you up...where do you live?
CLARA
Send a car to pick me up at Snoppy, I wait for you there.
MAN (V.O)
Okay...but wait for the car at the backdoor , okay?
CLARA
Why?
MAN (V.O)
It’s because my friend, who’s going to pick you up, is married, he probably don’t want to be seen at Snoppy, and he’s doing a favor...you know how it is...
CLARA
I understand...
MAN (V.O)
Don’t be sad, if what you have to tell me is the same thing I’m thinking about, this life you lead will end...believe it.
CLARA
I ...believe you...
MAN (V.O)
I know my darling, see you later...
CLARA
Bye...kisses.
Clara hangs up the phone, without hold her spontaneous smile, that comes to her face, she removes the earrings and goes to the bathroom, and sick, she throws up, under the attentive look of the cat on the bed, she gets up of the toilet, recovers herself, plays with the cat and walks to the living room, she takes the phone and dials, and waits for someone to answer.
CUT FOR
INSIDE SNOPPY BAR – BALCONY – PRESENT
Barman answers the phone that was ringing.
BARMAN
Snoppy, good night...
CLARA (V.O)
Carl, is Luck in?
The barman observes the bar and sees Luck, and the barman signals, “telling” Luck that he got a phone call.
BARMAN
I found him, he’s coming.
CLARA (V.O)
Thank you, Carl...
The barman gives the phone to Luck.
LUCK
Hi, little princess, I’m here...won’t you come?
CLARA (V.O)
That’s why I’m calling you, to tell you I won’t need you tonight...
LUCK
How come?
CLARA (V.O)
It’s because I’m going to meet that guy, do you know?
LUCK
I know, but isn’t he coming here?
CLARA (V.O)
Yes, he’s going, but from Snoppy we’re going to some other place...
LUCK
This is not a smart thing to do, princess...
CLARA (V.O)
Don’t worry big guy...I think he really likes me...
LUCK
And who doesn’t like? Look...I don’t think it’s a good idea, you’re safe here...I know the place.
CLARA (V.O)
Don’t worry, today is going to be different. I think...this can be my lucky night...maybe I really have found someone nice...I need this chance, do you understand?
LUCK
Now you spoke like a real raw girl...
CLARA (V.O)
Trust me, big guy...
LUCK
Okay...so, I’m leaving, I see you tomorrow.
Luck gives back the phone to the barman and asks for a drink.
CUT FOR
INSIDE CLARA’S APARTMENT – BEDROOM – PRESENT
Clara hangs up the phone, and sits on the bed, look at her dress and sees a stain, she becomes panic-stricken, takes off the dress, runs to the kitchen.
KITCHEN
She wets a cloth and tries to remove the stain, wetting the dress more than the necessary, she puts the dress behind the fridge, and goes back to the bedroom.
BEDROOM
She passes over the bed, takes the dressing gown that was hanging on the bathroom’s door, and she dress it, looks at the clock and lies down on the bed, impatient.
CUT FOR
SNOPPY BAR – BALCONY – PRESENT
Luck, is sat on the balcony, talking to the barman; suddenly, he shivers.
LUCK
Man...all of a sudden I felt a strange shiver...
BARMAN
The gentlemen room is over there...but as I know, you’re not a gentleman, so it’s better go do it on street.
LUCK
Cut off this talk, man, I’m talking about Clara, I think something is going to happen with her...Lend me your “cart”...
BARMAN
Take the keys...If when you come back I find a mark more than the 280 that already are there you’re in trouble, and more... the fuel tank is empty...
LUCK
Okay...I fill up the tank, later she pay me back.
CUT FOR
OUTSIDE SNOOPY BAR – PARKING LOT – PRESENT
Luck comes into the car, starts it and crosses the street, goes to the petrol station, in front of the bar, and from afar he sees Clara arriving by taxi, and later standing on the bar backdoor; he parks the car, goes out from the car to fill up the tank, without take his eyes from Clara; a black Lexus approaches, parks beside her and she comes in; he leaves the hose on the ground, enters fastly in the car, and follows the car that goes through a winding road, going away from town; the car is parked on a clearing, near to an abandoned hut; Luck stops the car and observes when Clara is withdrawn of the car and is dragged with brutality to the hut; he takes his gun inside of his bag and fits it in his waist, he goes out of the car, walks towards the men car and sees that is a license plate of the government.
LUCK
Where hell did you come, girl?
He moves away from the car, and carefully approaches to the hut’s window, he looks inside and sees Clara being spanked by a man, he observes the place searching for someone more, but the man seems to be alone, he thinks to leave, but he sees Clara being spanked.
LUCK
Huh! Who cares!?
CUT FOR
INSIDE THE HUT – LIVING ROOM – PRESENT
The man is ill-treating Clara (making a very loud sound), and frightened, she cries sobbing (compulsively), when Luck comes into the room knocking down the door with the gun on his hand...
LUCK
Hey, your bully...do you wanna face the big guy here?
MAN
Get out of here, this is between me and this little bitch...
LUCK
But the matter is that this little bitch pays me to protect her from people like you... and she owes me some money...that’s why...come on Clara, lets get out of here...
Behind Luck, the man to whom Clara was talking at the phone arrives at the hut.
CLARA’S MAN (ALLAN)
I think that, unfortunately, she’ll have to stay...
Allan, with a gun on his hands shoots Luck, that by reflex, shoots the guy that was spanking Clara, Allan shoots Luck again and Luck falls on the ground, but fallen, he shoots Allan in his head, and Allan falls too; the first man, staggering, tries to catch his gun, but Luck shoots him again, killing him; Luck is very hurt and he tries to get up, and Clara helps him.
LUCK
Come on, princess, let’s get outta here...
CLARA
My God! You’re ill...let’s go to a hospital.
LUCK
Help me to reach the car...
CLARA
Which car?
LUCK
Out there, Carl’s car, I need to return his car...
Clara helps Luck to get out of the hut, very hardly, because Luck is very hurt and staggering.
CUT FOR
OUTSIDE THE HUT – CARL’S CAR – PRESENT
Clara helps Luck to walk to the car, places him inside the car and comes into it, starts it and gets away from that place.
LUCK
Who’s gonna...drive? I’ll die...
CLARA
Stop it, you won’t die!
LUCK
So I’ll be the guy who will tell..the world’s history...
CLARA
Someday, you’ll die, big guy, but not today.
The car suddenly stops, she, panic-stricken, beats on the wheel, looks at the fuel display and sees that the car’s fuel tank is empty, she looks for help, but there’s no one on the road, she looks at Luck bleeding, becomes more desperate and comes into the car.
CLARA
We have to walk... come on
LUCK
Forget it, I don’t wanna go for a walk...I’m already dead.
CLARA
Don’t say this, please...
LUCK
Do me a favor: sit down on my lap and hug me.
Luck begins to weaken, because of the blood’s loss, Clara does the favor and sits on his lap, he passes his hands on her hair.
LUCK
Carl will kill me again, the car’s bench is dirty...
Luck faints, “sleepy” he talks...
CLARA
No Luck, don’t go...stay with me
LUCK
Do you have to say it...now...that I’m dying?...I could be the guy, your guy...the prince.
CLARA
No, don’t die...I love you, stay wih me, please...
Luck smiles, leans his head on Clara’s chest and whisper...
LUCK
Liar...
Luck dies embraced by Clara.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INSIDE THE HOSPITAL – SNACK BAR – PRESENT
Josh is sat at a table, he ends his snack and on background Rose arrives at the snack bar, she walks towards the table in which Josh is, she pulls a chair and sits down.
ROSE
I went to the bedroom, but you weren’t there, I thought you would be here.
JOSH
I had to leave, the cleaners were going to clean the bedroom, so I took an advantage and came to eat something. Are you okay?...You seem worried.
ROSE
I went to your apartment yesterday and I found this letter, I think it’s important, I saw the bank’s design on it.
Rose cleans the envelope and gives it to Josh, he opens the envelope and reads the letter.
JOSH
It’s a bank invoice, asking for my attendance to resolv a problem that regards to the mortgage...
ROSE
Resolv? You want to say pay it ...right?
JOSH
I won’t pay the mortgage, Rose...I got to add the money I have with the amount my brother lent me and pay the hospital expenses.
ROSE
Son, but how is going to be later? Where are you going to live? And if Brian recuperates? How is going to be? Why don’t you sell a picture?
JOSH
I can’t do this! Brian always took care of his pictures with so much affection...he loved that pictures...I won’t betray the trust he has in me...
ROSE
We don’t have choice, son...
JOSH
In the truth we have, yes we have...the doctor talked to me and he indirectly told me he can’t hold up the overdues anymore, and all that things...
ROSE
He wants to transfer Brian to... a public hospital.
JOSH
Rose, give me some credit, I would never allow this, I’m considering to take him home...what do you think?
ROSE
An absurd, here it seems so difficult to take care of him, for how long you’re not going to the office...four or five weeks, the mortgage is expired...how do you intend to take care of him? Of course I can help...but I won’t always be there...it’s a risk.
JOSH
Yeah, you’re right, and besides, I have the feeling that if I take him home I’ll loose him...everyday I arrive here and think how good it could be if he were awoke, I even dream with it...ah...I don’t know...Rose, what can I do?
They both become silent, resigned with the situation, until Josh get up, take the tray with the rest of the food, go to the garbage and pour the tray’s contents; visibly nervous, he leaves the tray on the balcony, walks to the coffee machine and buys two cups of coffee; observed by Rose, he goes back to the table.
ROSE (V.O)
I know he’s frustrated, this is a common feeling, my God...and think about how much he has done...how he sacrified himself...and the worst...how much he has suffered.
Josh gives Rose the coffee, with the hand trembling, she takes the coffee and holds his hand...
JOSH
Drink the coffee...it’s awful, but it keeps us awoke...
ROSE
Yeah...you’re right...Josh, pay attention, I’ll approve any decision you make...I’ll always be with you.
Josh smiles and hugs Rose, sits down at the table and drinks the coffee.
PAUSE
JOSH
Do you remember Brian’s last birthday?...
ROSE
Yes, he was so well, you had just moved, what a mess!...I remember because a splinter of wood entered in my finger...
JOSH
Really!...all things were messy, and it was dark because Brian, confused, forgot to buy bulbs...do you remember...what an absurd!?...
ROSE
Your brother went out, to look for an open market-place, and in the only one that was open, he didn’t find bulbs, then he brought...a heap of candles...
They both start to laugh...
CUT FOR
INSIDE BRIAN’S APARTMENT – PARTY – PAST
Josh carries a birthday cake towards Brian, Rose and friends, that are sat on the ground, the place is lighted by candles light, they improvise a table with cardboard boxes, drinking wine on plastic glass, with catching happiness; Josh puts the cake on the “table”, lights the candles on the cake and all they sing “Happy birthday to you” to Brian, that, shy, begins to sing it to...
JOSH
Now you gotta make a wish...
BRIAN
But I already have all I want...
Brian kisses Josh, and Rose claps her hands starting a choir with the guests...
ROSE
Wish, wish, wish, wish....
The guests and Josh adhere to the choir.
Brian, resigned, gets up and asks everybody to calm down...
BRIAN
Okay, I’ll make the wish, but without speech later, okay?...Let me see...I know! I want everybody to stop asking me to make a wish...
A loud booing is heard...so he sits down again, puts the wine glass on the ground, closes his eyes and blows up the cake candles; everybody applaud and he hears his cell phone ringing...he smiles, stands up and answers the phone, turning away with his back to the guests, that, curious, follow him; when he notices and looks back.
BRIAN
My wish is already granted...that’s Clara.
Everybody smiles and he goes to the veranda, because the reach of the phone sign isn’t so good; Rose looks at him with disapproval and, visibly indignant, goes to Josh.
ROSE
This girl...does she talk a lot with him? Have they been meeting each other lately?
JOSH
No, I think they haven’t, and what I know is that she’s in a hospital...
ROSE
Is she ill?
JOSH
I think it has to be with poisoning...I don’t know well.
ROSE
Drugs...and I wonder why she doesn’t surprise me anymore....
JOSH
Forget it...this is between them...who wants more wine?
ROSE
There’s nothing...between them, she never were part of our family...
Josh goes out from the living room to take more wine, and Brian hangs up the phone, coming back to the living room; Rose doesn’t resist to her thrust and approaches to Brian.
ROSE
How is she going?
BRIAN
Are you talking about Clara? She’s well...passing through a difficult moment, but she’s overcoming it...she’s strong.
ROSE
This girl is always in trouble...
BRIAN
And so are you, aren’t you?...My God...now I really became sad, she said she’ll got to leave the town for a time, without any reason, she not even let me say goodbye...
ROSE
And, what’s the problem? Let her go...look, son, it’s not that I don’t like her, but the influence she has in your life is simply irritant. She always wants to be near you...
BRIAN
What a hell did Clara do to you, to you treat her like this, Mrs. Rose?
ROSE
Someday I tell you...but not today; today you’re mine and don’t think you’ll escape...
Brian, ashamed, tries to escape, but Rose catches his arm.
BRIAN
No, mom...please, don’t think about it...
ROSE
You won’t do it with your mom, will you?
Rose signals to Josh and he puts a CD to play, and soon the music takes place and Rose calls Brian.
BRIAN
This is a plot, right? Okay, okay, I’m going.
Shy, he goes and meets his mother, and they dance, observed by Josh and the guests.
CUT FOR
INSIDE THE HOSPITAL – SNACK BAR – PRESENT
Rose and Josh, sat at the table, smile at the shared memory, Rose with her eyes full of tears, disguises the feeling with a melancholy smile.
ROSE
I still have that CD...Paul loved that music.
JOSH
If you want...I can dance with you...
ROSE
Thank you, my dear...but it couldn’t be the same thing...
JOSH
I know...
ROSE
Did you know that?...I went to the clinic where Clara said she was in, but...she lied, she never were there...
JOSH
Why did you go there?
ROSE
To charge a promise she made...
JOSH
You and your intolerance...this won’t bring good things to you...let’s go to the bedroom, I have some things to get there.
They stand up and leave.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
OUTSIDE THE CEMETERY – LUCK’S FUNERAL – PRESENT
Clara is standing, remote and alone she takes pictures, observing the two gravediggers take down Luck’s coffin in the grave, and there’s only a lady attending the funeral.
CLARA (V.O)
My God...Luck is dead, and with him a part of me is gone, a life I have to bury here...with him. I don’t know, I think death is my “great fella”; all people with whom I care, I worry about and love, are or will be dead...
My loneliness now is crystal-clear and opressive, I don’t feel like this for a long time, real long time...nothing in the world can make me feel more void...maybe this is the price I have to pay for some debt I got, for they who I hurt, and they aren’t a few people...I must admit...
God, why do I have to bury all they? All...even the man I thought that cared about me is dead, stretch out in a hut in a “world’s end”...scoundrel.
As always I’m back to the beggining...like a vicious that doesn’t never have an end...never; all turns back to Brian...as always, Brian; so, for me, for you and for him...don’t die...
CUT FOR
INSIDE CLARA’S APARTMENT – BEDROOM – PAST
Brian and Clara watch TV, lying on bed, drinking the last dose of tequila’s bottles, that are covering the bedroom ground.
CLARA
Tell me a thing...have you ever slept with a woman?
BRIAN
No, did you?
CLARA
Foolish...
BRIAN
Ah...are you trying to convince me you never were curious to know how it is?
CLARA
Stop this...and besides, I asked you first...have you ever...had sex with a woman?
BRIAN
Not yet...why? Is it a proposal?
CLARA
It may be...it can be...
BRIAN
Don’t propose it to me, if you don’t have enough courage to do it...
CLARA
Don’t you have curiosity...to know if you like it?
BRIAN
It doesn’t have to be ...with to like or not...the problem is fail to do it...
CLARA
You’re so kind...
BRIAN
And you’re so drunk...
Clara approaches to Brian, passes her fingers on Brian’s lips, takes off her T-shirt and kisses Brian, he becomes frightened, she unbuttons his shirt, leans her nose against his chest, smelling his body’s scent, he passes his hand on her hair; Clara raises her skirt and climbs upon Brian, he tries to get out, but she prevents him from doing it; Clara kisses Brian again, that tries to get away from the kiss, but she persists on kissing, and it becomes more intense, she licks Brian’s neck, breaths near his ear and asks, whispering,
CLARA
Are you liking this?
BRIAN
What are we doing? This is madness...
CLARA
You’re excited...
BRIAN
I am...And?...
CLARA
So let it happen...please...
BRIAN
And if nothing change...how will you feel?
CLARA
I’ll have the memory of your taste, your scent.
So Clara opens the fly of Brian’s panths, she’s penetrated and the camera closes on Clara’s face, and she moves with pleasure, Brian hugs her, brings her face near him, kissing her, so he alteres the position, staying upon her; the camera approaches, the hands of both them looks for and finds each other, and they entwine their hands.
CUT FOR
INSIDE CLARA’S APARTMENT – BEDROOM – PAST
Brian wakes up with the daylight entering in the room, he sees himself embraced with Clara, and affectionately he hugs her and she kisses him, he smiles and gives her another kiss on her forehead, and then she squeezes her face against his chest, as if she doesn’t want to release him never more.
PAUSE
Brian breaks the silence.
BRIAN
And now, what will we do?
CLARA
You’re who you are, little strawberry, I can’t change this...only you can.
BRIAN
Is it okay to you...without resentment?
CLARA
Resentment? Why? I have the memories of what happened...
BRIAN
Ditto...
CLARA
All times I feel alone, I’ll remember of how I’m feeling this morning, and how was to be with you, on this bed, inside me...
Clara kisses Brian again, embraces him affectionately and gets up wrapped in the sheets; she walks to the bathroom, along the untidy bedroom are the clothings on the ground...
BATHROOM
Suddenly she feels a strong sick and begins to throw up.
BRIAN
My God, I am who doesn’t like sex in this way and... you are who becomes sick...I’m feeling flattered.
CLARA
A lot of tequila...
BRIAN
Yeah, you’re right...I drank a lot too, I’ll make some coffee and call Josh, ah...I’m sorry, I...
CLARA
Don’t be foolish...and please, we don’t have to make it become a problem...Did you change your mind?
BRIAN
I don’t think so...
CLARA
Neither I...go and call him. To talk the truth I think he’s worried about you...
Clara looks through the mirror and sees Brian moving away, and she has to weep, so she closes the bathroom’s door.
CUT FOR
OUTSIDE THE CEMETERY – LUCK’S FUNERAL – PRESENT
A lady approaches to Clara, the same who was attending the funeral, she says hello and speaks:
LADY
Did you know the lad?
CLARA
Oh, yes...I knew him.
LADY
My name is Sarah, I’m mother of a lad’s friend.
CLARA
Are you Caze’s mother?
LADY
Do you know my son?
CLARA
Only by his name...Luck always talked about him...
LADY
He was a good lad, he used to take out the garbage everyday...I’ll miss him...
CLARA
I got to go...will you stay?
LADY
I’ll stay a little more.
Clara moves away, letting the woman backwards.
CLARA (V.O)
It’s funny how things so small can make someone’s memory so strong, and important things are forgotten with time...I can’t remember his face...I can’t remember my son’s face.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INSIDE BRIAN’S APARTMENT - PRESENT
Josh observes the clock on the wall and confers it with his wrist watch; with a air ticket in hand, he picks up a bag, checking its contents he sees that something is lacking; he goes to the bedroom and takes a glass of perfume, puts the ticket upon the table and the perfume inside the bag, he takes the phone and dials.
TELEPHONE TALK
WOMAN (V.O)
Memorial hospital, good morning...
JOSH
Room 306, please...
WOMAN (V.O)
A moment, please...
The telephonist transfers the call.
ROSE (V.O)
Hello...
JOSH
Hi, Rose, this is me, Josh...I want to ask you a favor...
ROSE (V.O)
You can say, Josh...
JOSH
Can you double the turn today?
ROSE (V.O)
Of course, dear, but...what happened?
JOSH
Nothing serious, I have to visit a client in Chicago, and I’ll profit by it and go to my brother’s house...
ROSE ( V.O)
Will you try the money that’s lacking?
JOSH
Yes, that’s it...support it, okay?
ROSE (V.O)
Of course...everything will be alright...have a good travel and don’t worry, I take care of everything here...
JOSH
If I be successful, I’ll be back tomorrow night...kiss him for me, kiss him...
ROSE (V.O)
If you need to stay longer...then you call me.
JOSH
Certainly. Bye...
Josh hangs up the phone and goes to the office.
OFFICE
He walks towards the writing desk, and from inside the drawer he takes a piece of paper and a pen, from a case that’s on the ground he takes an agenda, looks for an adress and writes it on the paper, he goes back to the living room and picks up his bag and the ticket, he checks if the paper’s in his pocket, walks to the door and goes out.
CUT FOR
OUTSIDE BRIAN’S APARTMENT – STREET OPPOSITE – PRESENT
Josh waits for a taxi, it seems that will rain, he hears a thunderstorm and he shrugs; he puts the ticket in his pocket with the paper, in the moment he sees a taxi, he waves and the taxi stops, and he enters into the taxi.
CUT FOR
INSIDE THE TAXI – PRESENT
JOSH
To the airport, please...
Josh takes the cell phone and dials.
JOSH
Andy, this is Josh; if Rose call, I went to Chicago to visit a client...I need to get out of town.
ANDY (V.O)
You’re who commands, boss!...
JOSH
How are things going on there...The Bohan case...
ANDY (V.O)
Everything is under control, the witnesses rended testimony on Tuesday...but your father already took care of everything.
JOSH
Great, we talk when I come back...
ANDY (V.O)
Okay...How’s Brian?
JOSH
He’s needing me...I call you later. Keep me informed about how’s going the case, okay?
ANDY ( V.O)
Okay...good travel.
Josh hangs up the phone and observes the street through the taxi’s window, and the camera closes on window.
MATCH CUT
INSIDE THE AIRPLANE – PRESENT
Camera opens on plane’s window, and shows Josh looking through it.
JOSH (V.O)
I really hate to lie to Rose, but if she knew, it would be terrible, it only could bring troubles, and after all is only an attempt, I almost can’t remember her.
CUT FOR
INSIDE CLARA’S APARTMENT – PAST
Clara is cleaning her apartment, that is very untidy, when she hears a knock at the door, and so she walks among the scattered furniture and opens the door: Brian and Josh comes into the apartment.
BRIAN
I see I arrived at the wrong time...
CLARA
No, of course not...
BRIAN
I promised that when Josh were coming with me, I should bring him to meet you. Clara, this is Josh...
Clara greets Josh and asks them to sit down, and she puts the living room in order very fastly.
JOSH
It’s a glad to meet you, my name’s Josh...Carter.
CLARA
Hey, just like the president! Do you wanna drink something?
JOSH
Yeah...I want water...it’s a terrible heat...
BRIAN
I want water too...
She goes to the kitchen to take the water.
JOSH
She’s pretty...
BRIAN
No, she’s wonderful, a little crazy, but wonderful...
JOSH
You don’t worry about hide your feelings for her...
BRIAN
Don’t be silly...jealous.
I’ll drink the water and then I’m leaving...to let it more roomy...
BRIAN
You’re going nowhere...You’ll wait for me right here...
JOSH
What?...Are you crazy?...Will you leave me in the house of someone I hardly know...no, I’m going with you...
BRIAN
Josh, where I’m going I should go alone and besides, I want you to know each other, you’re two of the three people I love more in my life; my mother and Clara can’t stay in a same place, God knows why, but you...you don’t have any reason to this avoidance.
Clara comes to the living room with two glasses of water in her hands.
BRIAN
Clara, I want to let Josh here with you, because he knows none in this town, and I didn’t want to leave him alone in the hotel, at worst, he can resolv to take for a walk in town and become lost; I have an appointment in the centre, I’ll delay about two hours, is that okay?
CLARA
Okay...certainly.
JOSH
It’s because he thinks I’m an idiot...did you hear it Clara? I can become lost...(IRONIC)
BRIAN
There are a lot of meanings you can give to this simple phrase, someday I’ll explain you, but now, I got to go.
Brian gets up and goes towards the door, says goodbye, leaving Clara and Josh on the sofa, ashamed.
CUT FOR
INSIDE CLARA’S APARTMENT – PAST – HOURS LATER
Brian leaves the elevator and hears a song through the whole building’s corridor, he walks and as he’s approaching, he notices the music comes from Clara’s apartment, he hears noises and laughters, he knocks on the door, but nobody answers, he tries to open the door and he can come in, and while he’s coming in, he sees Josh with a dress, wearing a wig and with make-up, dancing with Clara in the living room, and they both are drunk.
BRIAN
My God...what a hell is going on here?
JOSH
We are dancing, can’t you see?
BRIAN
You look like your mother...
CLARA
Without mothers, please...
BRIAN
I’m talking to him...
Josh looks himself in the mirror and starts to laugh.
JOSH
The worst...is that you’re right.
They all start to laugh, and Josh, pointing to the bathroom, goes there leaving them alone.
BATHROOM
Through the door’s gap, he sees and hears Brian and Clara talking:
BRIAN (V.O)
And?...Did you like him?
CLARA (V.O)
He’s a charm, he has wittiness, but possibly tomorrow I won’t remember him.
BRIAN
But after you get drunk...you didn’t...
CLARA
Oh, my God...do you still remember that?
BRIAN
Whenever I think about the greatest stupidity I did in my life, this memory comes back to my brain...it’s instinctively.
Josh goes out from the bathroom and he had already changed his clothings, but Clara notices that he still got lipstick on his lips; she takes a T-shirt that was on the ground and clean his lips, taking advantage of coming near to say:
CLARA
Take care of him, okay?
JOSH
I promise it.
Brian interrupts the talk:
BRIAN
Let’s go, tomorrow I come back and you prepare us a nice dinner , I’ll bring the wine...
CLARA
Agreed...little strawberry.
JOSH
Little strawberry?
BRIAN
It’s a long history...
CLARA
I tell you tomorrow.
They both leave and Clara closes the door.
CUT FOR
INSIDE THE AIRPLANE – PRESENT
Josh is sat on the plane’s armchair and he hears when the pilot says that they are approaching to Seattle, he withdraws the paper (that he wrote in his house) from his pocket; the camera closes on the paper in which was wrote Clara’s adress.
JOSH (V.O)
I hope she still to be in this adress.
FADE OUT
posted by Toni Resende at 4:02 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home