A PERFECT FAMILY

Written by
Philip N. Thompson Jr.

EXT. HIGHWAY
Bill, a man in his mid fourties is driving in his car. His
son, Todd, is sitting right beside him.
TODD (V.O.)
My father always told me that there
was one sure thing in life. We live
on this earth for a very short
time, and we need to make the most
of it. For us. Not for anyone else,
but for us.
BILL
Todd.
TODD
Yeah, dad?
BILL
Theres something Ive wanted to
talk to you about.
TODD
What... What... whats up?
BILL
Youre 18 now.
TODD
Yeah.
BILL
So, where do you see yourself
going?
TODD
What do you mean?
BILL
College is coming up next year.
What kind of job do you want? What
kind of life do you want to lead?
TODD
Uhm... I dont really know... I
guess I never really think much
about it
BILL
Well you should, you know? Because
I want the best for you son.

2.

TODD
Yeah.
They sit in silence
BILL
So what do you think about all day?
TODD
I dont know
TODD (V.O.)
I spend all day thinking about the
porn Im going to watch later
tonight.
TODD
Yeah.
BILL
Yeah.
EXT. FOOTBALL ARENA
There are young high school football players playing out on
the field at the end of a game. 16 year old Jack is running
with the ball ahead of the other players chasing him, scoring
another touchdown for his team. In the audience, we see Todd,
Bill, Lydia, and Joanne. The team lifts Jack on their
shoulders and Jack takes off his helmet and points to Bill
JACK
That one was for you, dad!
Bill smiles at Jack, and then looks down and frowns a bit
LYDIA
Alright, lets get in the car.
TODD (V.O.)
My sister Lydia is always someone
who is known to be in a bit of a
rush. She can never really stay in
one place for too long.
LYDIA
Come on lets go lets go lets go!
The rest of the family gets up

3.

INT. DINING ROOM

Todd, Carl, Lydia, Bill, and Joanne are all sitting at the
table. It is extremely quiet.
BILL
So... how was everyones day at
school?
No response
CARL
Things were good, I guess.
BILL
Good, good. Why?
CARL
I dont know, Dad.
BILL
Okay.
Silence
BILL (CONTD)
Honey, the dinner is great tonight.
JOANNE
(a bit salty)
Mhm.
Bill mouths What? to her without actually saying it, and
Joanne does not seem to respond.
LYDIA
Can I ummm.. Can I be excused?
BILL
Wha -- Excused?
LYDIA
Yeah, excused.
BILL
But uhh... Were having family time
LYDIA
Yeah yeah but I have a lot of
studying to do Dad!
BILL
Joanne, what do you think?

4.

JOANNE
If she wants to leave, let her
leave.
BILL
Okay.
LYDIA
Thanks mom!
Lydia hurries out
JACK
Oh dad, after the game there was
this big dude that came up to me
you know and was like I am a
scouter for Duke University son,
and you played a very impressive
game today.
TODD
What, no way?
JOANNE
Youre kidding!
JACK
And do you know what he said after
that? He said Keep it up and we
might have you playing for our
school in two years. Can you
believe that? I can be playing for
one of the best football schools in
the country.
BILL
Im... Im very proud of you, son.
Im gonna go to the bathroom.
CUT TO:
INT. BATHROOM
Bill sits in the bathroom
It cuts to bill crying a bit
It cuts to him staring at himself into the mirror
BILL
I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.
I hate you. I hate y-

5.

INT. BILL AND JOANNAS BEDROOM - NIGHT

Bill and Joanna are sleeping. Bills position is facing
Joanna while her position is facing away. Bill slowly wakes
up and starts to get out of bed. He gets up, grabs his car
keys, and tiptoes out of the bed.
INT. GARAGE - NIGHT
Bill walks into the garage, unlocks the car, and sits inside.
He smiles and turns the key, turning the car on. He sits
there.
EXT. HOUSE - MORNING
Wide shot of the house. We hear a scream from Lydia
INT. GARAGE - DAY
Lydia is sitting inside of the car with her father, who is
dead from the gas.
LYDIA
Dad! Dad! Dad! Dad come on dad,
wake up! Wake up wake up wake up!
(Begins to cry)
Come on dad! Wake up!!
Jack enters the garage
JACK
Why are you screaming at 6 in the
morning -- wha... Dad?
He runs over to the car
JACK (CONTD)
Wha wha whats wrong with dad?
LYDIA
I dont know! Just help me pick him
up! Get him out of this car, he has
to be passed out or something.
Right? Right?
JACK
Right... Look Ill go get mom.
Jack runs out. Lydia looks at her dad and cries.

6.

JACK (O.S.) (CONTD)

Mom!!!! Mom we need your help,
somethings wrong with dad!
Jack and Joanne enter the garage. Joanne screams and runs
over to the car
JOANNE
Bill! What is the matter with
you...
Joanne begins to cry as well. Jack is destroyed and bursts
into tears.
Todd enters the room and sees his whole family cry and his
dead father.
TODD
Whats wrong with dad? Whats wrong
with dad? Can someone please tell
me whats wrong with dad?
After no response from anyone, Todd sits down
TODD (V.O.)
My dads dead.
EXT. GRAVEYARD
Bills tomb is getting lowered into his grave. Everyone is
crying in the audience but Todd.
TODD (V.O.)
It felt hazy. It felt like a dream.
People begin speaking on stage about Bill, including his
family members. They all are crying. This is muted and Todd
doesnt hear a thing, instead just hears a white noise.
TODD (V.O.)
My dads dead, and I didnt know
what was going on.
CUT TO:
People are leaving the funeral and are crying and hugging the
family members, who are crying too. Todd is the only one
shaking hands.
TODD (V.O.)
It felt... numb.
CUT TO:

7.

Todd is standing underneath a tree

TODD (V.O.)
Everything. My body, my arms, my
hands, my fingers. My head. My
toes. Even my mind.
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY
Todd is walkign through the hallway, looking completely
disheveled. People are surrounding him on all sides.
TODD (V.O.)
School wasnt the same either. What
used to be my life and main focus
turned into something,... extra amd
menial.
Maya, an attractive girl in the hallway sees him and stops
MAYA
Todd!
TODD
Yeah hiMAYA
Oh my god Todd, Im so sorry.
Maya hugs Todd
TODD
Its... yeah.
MAYA
I dont know what you must be going
through right now, Todd.
TODD
Yeah yeah yeah its um... its
hard.
MAYA
I cant imagine. But stay strong.
TODD
Yeah I will... or Ill try
MAYA
(leaving)
Hang in there.

8.

TODD
Yeah no totally. Totally totally
totally. Heh. Heheheh.
Maya goes in for another hug, and Todd looks very
umconfortable. She runs off. Todd stands and stares.
TODD (V.O.)
Funny story actually, I havent
spoken a word to that girl since
7th grade. She used to call me a
faggot in 6th grade behind my back.
I dont know if it was pity or
something, but something just felt
weird.
INT. CLASSROOM
Todd walks in and sees different adults in the room. It is
career day. His teacher runs up to him.
MRS. RYAN
Todd, I heard.
TODD
Yeah, you know so did a lot of
people.
MRS. RYAN
Listen, on that essay that was due
today, take all the time you need.
TODD
Oh.
MRS. RYAN
No rush, okay?
TODD
Yeah. Cool, thank you.
Todd shifts over to his desk near the back of the classroom.
TODD (V.O.)
After my dad died I practically did
no schoolwork whatsoever. My family
at first tried to go back to the
way things used to be. Like that
night, There was a party at this
kid Andys house,

9.

INT. HOUSE PARTY - NIGHT

There are a lot of teenagers in a house, both inside and out
partying.
TODD (V.O.)
who was a loser, but his parents
were out of town so he became the
popular kid of the week. Jack and
Lydia went, I stayed at home. Maybe
I shouldnt be calling Andy a loser
if he was the one at a party.
Andy stands on top of a table
ANDY
Hello, attention everyone!
Everyone!
The music gets quieter and people pay attention to Andy
ANDY (CONTD)
Yeah hello! I just want to say that
ummm...
A couple of kids show up at the door with large kegs
ANDY (CONTD)
THERES KEGS!
The kids go crazy and run over
start whispering to each other
them whispers to Jack who goes
about 5-6 kids of both genders

to the kegs. A couple of kids

and slowly go upstairs. One of
upstairs with them. Theres
to go walk into a room

STEVE
Okay do you got it?
JEFF
Right here.
Jeff pulls out a small bag of cocaine. Jack is a bit shocked
but doesnt let other people realize it.
JACK
Whoa, no more weed, huh?
Jeff puts some on the table and does a line with a dollar
bill. One by one they all snort a bit.
STEVE
Jack?

10.

JACK
Wha- yeah... yeah yeah awesome
Jack snorts the cocaine, and begins to laugh
JACK (CONTD)
Yeah!!
CUT TO:
Lydia sees people dancing and drinking and having fun, while
she has a smile on her face but is unable to join in. She is
slowly shifting to the corner of the room without realizing
it. A boy, lets call him Donny goes over to her
DONNY
Cool party, huh?
LYDIA
Yup.
DONNY
Come on, I have something cool to
show you.
LYDIA
Uhh... sure...
Donny grabs her hand and starts to pull her away but she
stops him
LYDIA (CONTD)
Yeah actually umm I thijnk im fine
right here.
DONNY
Oh, oh yeah yeah okay.
Donny drinks and walks away. Lydia sighs and drinks a bit
more.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Todd is walking on the sidewalk alone, in the middle of the
suburbs

11.

TODD (V.O.)
The worst part about not having a
father anymore was the fact that I
didnt know who to look up to
anymore. For the past eighteen
years its always been him.
CUT TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM
This is a flashback. Todd, Jack, and Lydia are sitting on the
couch and appear a bit younger (not young enough to change
casting). Bill is standing up and talking directly to them
BILL
When you grow up, you want to be
somebody. Dont be like me
JOANNE (O.S.)
Agreed! Dont be like your freaking
father-BILL
Okay, thanks honey! But I want you
to go to school. Do well. Succeed
in everything, because you dont
want to be 45 with kids and still
have no clue what the point of your
life is, you know?
LYDIA
Uhh... okay?
BILL
Hey listen, okay. Dont settle.
Succeed. Do well, in life. Okay?
Thats all I ask. Thats all I ask!
JOANNE
Dont be like your father!
BILL
ALRIGHT, HONEY!
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
The flashback is cut short by Todds cellphone ringing. Todd
frantically picks it up

12.

TODD
(on phone)
Yeah? What? Mom, what what -- yeah,
yeah Ill be over th -- yeah yeah
Im coming sure
Todd runs off frame
INT. HOUSE - NIGHT
Todd enters the house and it looks like a complete mess.
Heavy rock and roll music is playing in the background
TODD
Mom?
Todd hears the sound of someone crying
TODD (CONTD)
Mom??!?
Todd runs into the kitchen where he sees his mom in the
liquor cabinet under the sink
JOANNE
(crying)
I cant, I cant, I cant-Todd pulls Joanne out from under the cabinet
JOANNE (CONTD)
HES GONE!!!
Joanne bursts into tears and falls on the floor
TODD
Mom, get up! What- whats the
matter with you?
JOANNE
You wanna know whats the matter
with me? Is that what you wanna
know?
TODD
Yeah yeah you know itd be cool I
think, right?
JOANNE
You dont know what its like... to
have every single little piece of
you taken away. Everything that you
care about, gone, just like that.
(MORE)

13.

JOANNE (CONT'D)
He took my career! I was going to
be a vetinarian, you know, a
vetinarian! He takes that away,
plops a few kids into my stomach,
essentially makes me raise them,
and then what does he do? He
decides to kill himself when the
going gets rough! So where does
that leave me, huh? Where does that
leave me?
TODD
I... I... uhh...
JOANNE
Answer me when I talk to you?
TODD
I just... Its...
JOANNE
These kids dont know how to speak
basic english, jesus Christ! I have
nothing, Todd, dont you
understand? Nothing!
TODD
Thats not true, you have me, you
have Jack, and theres Lyida too,
theres uh you know uh you know you
have three kids who who love you,
you know and
JOANNE
Save it. You guys are going to be
gone soon. You next year, Jack the
year after that, and Lydia right
after. Please, I have nothing.
Joanne takes a large sip of wine
TODD
You dont, mom, you dont. You can
you know start fresh. This can be a
new beginning mom.
Joanne doesnt respond
TODD (V.O.)
My dads body wasnt even cold yet
and she was already thinking about
what his death meant for her. I
couldnt believe it.

14.

TODD
Im going to bed. Good night mom, I
love you. I really do.
Joanne sits there. Todd exits and runs upstairs.
TODD (V.O.)
I guess I couldt blame her though.
We were all going through our own
stuff at the time. Like take my
brother for instance.
CUT TO:
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY
TODD (V.O.)
Ever since the party, Jack wanted
another taste of the thrilling rush
of cocaine.
Jack is in the hallway with his friends. All of them leave to
go to the next class but Jack and Jeff
JACK
Hey uhhhh Jeff
JEFF
What up?
JACK
Where did you buy that coke that we
used last night?
JEFF
I got it from my cousin, he sells
at his school. Why, do you... want
some...
JACK
Ummmm... yeah. Yeah yeah I would.
JEFF
Yeah sure just ummm... meet me
afterschool behind the field house.
Ive gotta get to class, well talk
later
JACK
Alright brother.

15.

INT. JACKS ROOM - DAY

Jack is sitting in his room staring at a small bag of
cocaine.
TODD (V.O.)
I couldnt believe it either.
Jack dumps a little bit of it on the table, makes a line and
snorts it. He has a big release of tension and leans back.
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
INT. LYDIAS ROOM - DAY
Lydia is sitting at the windowsill. Her cellphone rings and
she sees that her friend is calling her. She lets it ring and
continues to stare out the window.
TODD (V.O.)
Lydias reaction to Dads death was
different.
INT. TODDS ROOM - DAY
Todd is sitting by his bed and watching The Seventh Seal on
his laptop
TODD (V.O.)
I didnt have much of a reaction.
Again, for me it just felt like --like I couldnt feel.
Todd closes his laptop and exits
CUT TO:
INT. JOANNES ROOM - DAY
Todd enters the room and sees his mother sleeping in the bed
alone with the TV on.
TODD (V.O.)
Sometimes I just believed it was
all a dream and wasnt true. That I
was going to wake up and things
would go back to the way they were.
It never seemed to go that way
though.

16.

INT. HALLWAY
Todd is walking through the hallway when suddenly the power
shuts off and the lights shut off
JACK (O.S.)
JESUS CHRIST! AAAHHHH!
TODD
MOM! MOM DID YOU PAY THE BILL?
No response
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN
It is pitch black darkness when suddenly we see a candle
being lit by Todd.
Jack is sitting at the table.
TODD
Mom didnt pay the bill.
JACK
Yeah yeah I can tell. Do you know
whats going on with her? Is it
menapouse?
TODD
No stupid, her husband just died.
JACK
Right right but I mean its
something different. She just acts
different.
TODD
Acting different, huh?
JACK
What?
TODD
What?
JACK
What?
TODD
Never mind. Wheres Lydia

17.

JACK
I dont know man. Whats for
dinner?
TODD
I dont know man. Mom usually makes
dinner, ask her.
JACK
Cant.
TODD
Why?
JACK
In one of those moods.
TODD
Again?
JACK
Its been umm non-stop I think
TODD
You think?
JACK
Yeah yeah its stopped fading in
and out
TODD
Huh.
JACK
Do you wanna knock on her door and-TODD
No its fine Ill just make
something.
JACK
What?
TODD
I dont know. We dont really have
any power. Make cereal.
JACK
Yeah yeah that sounds good
Jack goes in to the cupboard and grabs cereal and pours it
into a bowl. He goes into the fridge and looks aroun

18.

JACK (CONTD)
Do we have any milk?
TODD
Oh snap I forgot, we dont have any
milk?
JACK
Are you serious?
TODD
Its okay, Ill run over to the
store.
Todd exits
EXT. STREET - DAY
Todd grabs his bike and bikes to the store
TODD (V.O.)
That was the first time Ive ever
gone to the store alone to get
anything.
TODD
Wait, which way is the store again?
Todd stops and looks around. He shrugs and keeps biking.
INT. STORE - DAY
Todd walks into the mini-mart and looks around. He is
overwhelmed. It is like hes never been there before. He
looks around for milk. He looks around for a bit and starts
walking around the store. I imagine South American Getaway
is playing in the background. He sees Kara, a girl his age
with red hair down to her neck. She has black glasses that
look better on her than if she werent wearing glasses at
all. She is in the milk aisle. Todd stops and sees her, and
the music slows down. He instantly finds her attractive. He
walks over to grab the milk and she is staring right there
TODD
Excuse me.
KARA
Oh yeah, no problem.
Todd reaches over to grab the milk

19.

KARA (CONTD)
What kind of milk would you get?
TODD
What kind of -- I have 2%.
KARA
Right.
TODD
Right. Wait you go to my school,
right?
KARA
Yup. Same history class.
TODD
Right.
KARA
Right. Okay, so youre saying I
should get 2%.
TODD
Thats what I like.
KARA
Okay.
Kara grabs the 2% milk and quickly turns around and walks
away quickly.
TODD
Fuck, I probably said something
wrong.
Todd turns around quickly and walks away with his head down.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Todd is sitting on the couch watching It Happened One Night
TODD (V.O.)
The weekends were lonely. I spent
most of my time watching movies. My
family was slowly falling apart in
front of my eyes, but what could I
do? I couldnt do anything. So I
did what I did best. Which was be
alone.
Silence

20.

TODD (V.O.)
I was used to it. I really was.
Until one day in school when-INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Todd is sitting in his desk watching the teacher talk
TODD (V.O.)
Well, let me start off by saying I
never got any work done in school.
I was always a slacker, and even
with the situation I was put in at
the moment, not much changed. I
used to wonder if we had a sense of
smell in space, or whether or why
we don't have dog and cat cross
breeding.
MRS. RYAN
Mr. Anderson!
The whole class is staring at Todd and he snaps out of the
trance that he was in
TODD
Uhhh yeah?
MRS. RYAN
Well?
TODD
Well, you know, its ummm... yeah.
MRS. RYAN
What?
TODD
I wasn- sorry I wasnt paying
attention. Im sorry.
MRS. RYAN
I asked if you preferred me to pick
your partner or if you could do it
yourself.
TODD (V.O.)
With a quick scan around the room,
I could tell that everyone there
was dumb, hated me, are people I
frankly didnt want to associate
with.

21.

TODD
Uhhhh you know umm you can pick my
parther.
MRS. RYAN
Okay, Todd and Mikey B!
Todd turns around and sees Mikey B, a kid with tissues all
over the table, has huge high farsighted perscriptioned
glasses. He is eating his boogers.
TODD
Wait no I said that I wanted to
pick my partner!
MRS. RYAN
Oh fine Mr Anderson, who would you
like to pick?
Todd does a quick survey of the people around the room again
and sees Kara sitting in the front
TODD
Kara!
KARA
(surprised, turning back)
Wait what?
MRS. RYAN
Okay so we have Todd and Kara.
Kara is stunned, and Todd has a face of immediate regret and
stops looking at her and looks down at his desk
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Todd walks out of the class and starts to run a bit before
Kara walks out of the class
KARA
Todd!
TODD
(stopping)
Oh god...
KARA
So... were partners?
Todd walks back

22.

TODD
Yeah, were partners. Sorry, it was
between you or Mikey B.
KARA
Oh yeah I guess that makes sense.
TODD
Yeah. Is that all?
KARA
Uhhh yeah.
TODD
Cool.
KARA
Cool. Bye
TODD
Oh wait
KARA
Whats up?
TODD
What is uhh what is uhhh the
project?
KARA
The project? This one?
TODD
Yeah. Sorry, I wasnt paying
attention.
KARA
Oh right. I dont really know.
TODD
Oh.
KARA
Yeah, I wasnt paying attention
either.
TODD
(laughing)
Yup. Thats Mrs. Ryans class.
KARA
Yeah...
Kara makes the moves to start walking away

23.

TODD
How was the milk?
KARA
What?
TODD
Nothing.
KARA
(laughing a bit)
Oh the milk! Yeah it was uhh good.
TODD
Good.
KARA
Yeah.
TODD
Yeah, okay.
KARA
See ya.
TODD
See ya.
They both turn away in opposite directions, both murmuring
things to themselves. The shot is symmetrical.
TODD (V.O.)
At that moment, I was what they
like to call a Grade A Dumbass
___________________________________________________________
INT. HOUSE - DAY
Todd enters the house
TODD
Hello?
No response. Todd walks into the kitchen and goes into the
fridge.
TODD (CONTD)
Nothing. Oh wait, hummus.
Todd sticks his finger into the hummus and eats it off his
finger.

24.

TODD (CONTD)
Yes ladies and gentlemen, I am Todd
Anderson and I am eating hummus for
snack!
Todd looks around and realises he was talking to himself
TODD (CONTD)
Ha! Ha. That was dumb dumb dumb
dumb
Todd is walking up the stairs while insulting himself. He
goes into Jacks room and sees him snorting cocaine. Jack
hears the door open and immediately tries to hide it
TODD (CONTD)
What the hell
JACK
What? What? What?
TODD
You -- Jack!!!
JACK
What? What? What? What?
TODD
(pacing back)
I cant believe this.
JACK
Believe -- believe what? Whats the
problem
TODD
I can see it on your arms! Nice
cover-up buddy!
JACK
I dont know what youre talking
abou-Todd closes the door
TODD
Alright. Explain.
JACK
I dont -- Its not mine.
TODD
Man, dont lie to me!

25.

JACK
Okay
TODD
I mean seriously
JACK
Okay
TODD
What are you thinking-JACK
OKAY!!
TODD
Okay.
JACK
I got them from a friend.
TODD
What friend?
JACK
What are you, my parental unit or
something?
TODD
What friend? Come on, I wanna know.
JACK
Jeff.
TODD
Jeff? You got that stuff from Jeff
Donahue?
JACK
Yeah.
TODD
Do you know how many people have
died from doing this kinda stuff?
Youve seen the movies, so many
people have overdosed and thats
it. Youve seen like Requiem for a
Dream and stuff.
JACK
This isnt Requiem for a Dream,
man, this is real life

26.

TODD
And thats the scary thing! Come on
man, I I dont get it! Moms never
around, or when shes home shes
drunk. Lydia sits in her room and
cries all day because she
discovered that people can die and
leave her life just like *that*. We
do not need another death in the
family. I dont need someone else
to take care of.
JACK
You dontTODD
I dont what? I dont get it?
Because Im seeing the uhh picture
pretty clearly here and you know I
dont know what the hell youre
thinking because there are other
people in this famil and -JACK
Its always about other people in
the family.
TODD
What?
JACK
(starting to cry)
Its always about other people in
the family. Everyone, come and join
the Todd Anderson and his crazy
family. Well you know, what about
me? How do you think I feel? Dad
was like my best friend, okay. He
was the one I talked to when I
needed help with things like this.
I have no male role model to look
up to anymore. I cant look up to
the man who was too much of a
coward to continue living so he
decided to poison himself with the
freaking gas from the freaking car
and -- and -- and -- I just want
you to leave me be. Okay? Just
leave me be. Let me deal with this
stuff my own way. I dont need
anyone or especially you to tell me
what to do or what not to do! Okay?

27.

TODD
Well talk about this later.
Todd slowly walks out of the room and closes the door and
goes into the hallway
TODD (V.O.)
I didnt know what to say.
Todd starts to tear up and sit down on the steps leading to
the first floor.
What
dad.
dad.
just

TODD (V.O.)
was I supposed to say? Im not
I didnt know how to be his
I didnt want to be his dad. I
wanted.. I just wanted...

_____________________________________________________________
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Todd walks in and sees that the seats are in pair formation
(facing one another) already. He finds Kara and sits to the
seat next to hers.
TODD
Hey.
KARA
Hey. What, are you oka-TODD
Yeah Im fine.
KARA
Are you suTODD
Yeah its nothing. Just -- yeah
nothing.
KARA
Okay.
TODD
So uhh
KARA
What?

28.

TODD
Did you ever figure out what this
project is?
KARA
No.
TODD
Okay. Same.
KARA
Cool.
TODD
Yeah.
KARA
What are we gonna do?
TODD
We could always ask.
KARA
Yeah we could...
TODD
But Mrs. Ryan isnt here.
KARA
Right...
TODD
So...
KARA
Basically...
TODD
We dont have a plan...
KARA
Right...
TODD
Cool. Thats always good. This
happens most of the time in group
projects anyways.
KARA
Wait what does?

29.

TODD
I dont know whats going on half
of the time but everyone else knows
nothing so I just have to figure it
out on my own.
KARA
Gee thanks Todd!
TODD
No I didnt mean it like that itsKARA
I know.
TODD
Its just-- I have a lot of stuff
going on.
KARA
What kind of stuff?
TODD
Never mind.
KARA
I get it. I have stuff going on
too.
TODD
Like what?
KARA
Nothing I want to talk about right
now.
TODD
Fair enough.
KARA
Cool. Wait a minute wait a minute
lets look around the room and see
what everyone else is doing.
Kara and Todd look around the room and sees other people
talking and writing things down on a big posterboard
TODD
Oh wait we were supposed to bring
posterboard?
KARA
Nooo!

30.

TODD
Its okay, its okay, uhhh lets
run to the school store.
KARA
In the middle of class?
TODD
Yeah I guess.
KARA
Okay.
TODD
Okay lets go or Okay like you
confirm that its the middle of
class?
KARA
What?
TODD
Uhh are you coming or nah?
KARA
Yeah.
TODD
Lets go.
Todd and Kara run out of the classroom and go into the
hallway
TODD (CONTD)
I have a confession to make.
KARA
What?
TODD
I havent been to the school store
in so long I forget where it is.
KARA
(Laughing)
Ugh, its this way...
Kara starts to run
TODD
Why are you running?
KARA
Keep up!

31.

Todd and Kara keep running, Todd way behind

TODD (V.O.)
I liked this girl. Then again, I
liked most girls who decide to pay
attention to what I had to say or
talk to me. I couldnt believe I
never spoke to her before a couple
days ago. I fully realize that I
have a crush on this girl. Was I
going to do something about it?
Yeah probably nothing. No chance
anyways, she was kinda hot.
Todd runs out of breath
TODD
I havent worked out since freshman
year!
KARA
(running)
Neither have I!
TODD
I hate you.
Todd keeps running
CUT TO:
CLASSROOM
Todd and Kara bust into the room with a poster board.
Everyone, including Mrs. Ryan who is in the room now is
staring
MRS. RYAN
Mr. Anderson, Ms. Lamont, Im sure
you have an explanation for why
youre later.
TODD
Dont worry -- We have the poster
board!
MRS. RYAN
Yes, and so did everyone else.
KARA
No yeah were ready to start the
big project thats due on...

32.

TODD
Yeah thats due on....
MRS. RYAN
Friday?
TODD
Friday, right yeah I was just going
to say that!
KARA
Me too!
They laugh and sit down
TODD
We might need to spend more time on
this than we thought.
KARA
Yeah...
TODD
Wanna work on this tonight?
KARA
What the hell-TODD
Just kidding just kidding we dont
have tKARA
It was a joke Todd.
TODD
(stifled)
Right.
INT. LYDIAS ROOM - DAY
Lydia is sitting in her room, staring out the window, when
Todd enters the room
TODD
Hey.
LYDIA
Hi.
TODD
I made dinner, if you want any.

33.

LYDIA
Im fine
TODD
Okay.
LYDIA
Close the door on your way out
TODD
Wait hold on, are umm are you uhhh
okay
Lydia shrugs
TODD (V.O.)
There was nothing else to really
say in that situation, so I wanted
to just leave it at that.
TODD
Because well -TODD (V.O.)
But because Im dumb, I couldnt.
TODD
If ummm you know you ever need me
for anything just let me know
LYDIA
Okay.
TODD
I mean like you know you havent
gone to school for two weeks
Lydia is a bit perplexed, yet still does not make eye contact
with him
TODD (CONTD)
And like... well... I mean if you
ask me I think that you should
start to go back to school again
LYDIA
Wait wait what
TODD
Like I dont know what Im
saying... its just that...

34.

LYDIA
Just that... just that what,
Todd...?
TODD
Uhm you know what, forget I said
anything.
LYDIA
Okay. I mean my dad died so
TODD
Yeah yeah yeah dad died so you
should you know, take all the time
you need
LYDIA
Right...
TODD
Right. Okay. Okay. Okay.
Todd looks around the room
TODD (CONTD)
Yup. Want me to close the do-- oh
right you already told me to.
LYDIA
Bye.
Todd exits the room and closes the door behind him.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN
Todd is sitting in the kitchen alone eating ramen noodles
TODD (V.O.)
I spent a lot of time alone. Most
of the time I was alone. Like the
only people I talked to were my
family, and theyre all... well
yeah. But I like companionship. At
least I think I do.
TODD
This tastes like crap.
Todd gets up and pours out his ramen noodles.
CUT TO:

35.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Todd is sitting down watching Moon on the TV alone. He
looks dissatisfied, yet still laughs at the jokes in the
movie. He gets a call on his phone from Kara
TODD
(on phone)
Yea?
KARA (V.O.)
Hey Todd, I had to track down your
number.
TODD
Oh yeah, I never got your number.
KARA (V.O.)
Oh really? Yeah no tell me more
things that I literally just told
you.
TODD
Okay so here are some more things
that you literally just told me.
KARA (V.O.)
(joking tone)
Ugh, shut up Todd! Okay where are
we meeting
TODD
Uhhhhh
KARA
Jones Cafe?
TODD
Yeah sounds like a plan.
KARA
See ya there.
Todd hangs up, gets up, and runs out of the house.
INT. JONES CAFE - NIGHT
Todd runs into the cafe and sits down
TODD (V.O.)
At that point I realized that I was
hanging out with a girl after
school.
(MORE)

36.

TODD (V.O.) (CONT'D)

Yeah it was for a school project
but still. I knew I had to say
something cool. Or if I was going
to ask this girl out or something.
I knew I was crazy, but that was
the plan. That was the plan. The
plan was going to happen, if she
liked it or -Kara enters and sees Todd, and sits down with him
KARA
Hey Todd, whats up?
TODD
Uhm, nothing.
KARA
Do you have the poster board?
TODD
No.
KARA
Wait werent you supposed to bring
it-TODD
I never brought it home, I thought
I thought that you did-KARA
Its fine.
TODD
Sorry.
KARA
Its fine.
The waitress shows up
WAITRESS
What can I get for you kids today?
TODD
Uhhhhhhhhh
KARA
Two chocolate milkshakes.
TODD
Okay.

37.

TODD (V.O.)
She just ordered for me. What does
that mean.
WAITRESS
You got it.
The waitress walks away
KARA
Trust me, theyre so good.
TODD
Yeah I didnt know what I was going
to get anyways.
MONTAGE
Todd is talking and Kara is laughing
They get their milkshakes and they enjoy them
Kara talks and Todd laughs
They are smiling and having a grand old time
BACK TO SCENE
THE CAMERA ZOOMED IN RIGHT ON KARAS MOUTH
KARA
Can you walk me home?
END SHOT
TODD
Walk... you home?
KARA
Yeah, can you? Its kinda late and
I cant really walk alon-TODD (V.O.)
It was safe to say that I was in.
They get up, Todd drops the rest of the money that he has for
the dinner
KARA
Are you paying for the whole thing?

38.

TODD
Yeah.
KARA
No I can totally pitch in-TODD
No its fine
KARA
No come on man
TODD
I said its fine.
KARA
Okay.
They leave together
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Todd and Kara are walking outside together
TODD
So
KARA
So
TODD
Can we talk about the fact that we
never got any work done the entire
time we were there.
KARA
OH MY GOD I AM SO MAD AT MYSELF! We
are going to fail this.
TODD
Dont worry, Ill talk to Mrs. Ryan
and explain the situation.
KARA
Oh so what are you going to say?
TODD
Im on her good side so it
shouldnt be too hard.

39.

KARA
Oh yeah, how so?
TODD
Family stuff.
KARA
Ah.
TODD
My dad killed himself a couple
weeks ago.
KARA
...
TODD
Sorry sorry sorry, I shouldntve
said that.
KARA
Im so sorry, Todd. I had no idea.
TODD
Its okay. Its not as hard on me
as it should be, you know? I just
dont know what to do about the
rest of my siblings, ya know?
KARA
Yeah I get it. I get it.
TODD
Yeah.
KARA
I cant believe Im saying this out
loud but my sister and mom died in
a car accident 2 years ago. Its
just me and my dad.
TODD
Im sorry to hear that.
KARA
Im not saying its the same but I
just know how it feels
TODD
Yeah.
They walk in silence

40.

KARA
You know what I noticed?
TODD
What?
KARA
Every day in school, Mikey B wears
the same exact shirt, but just
wears it inside out sometimes.
TODD
EVERY DAY! EVERY DAY! I THOUGHT I
WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO NOTICED IT!
KARA
I mean what is up with that?
TODD
I have no idea, Im sorry I dont
like to be mean but that kid is
just weird! Hes just weird!
KARA
Its so strange!
TODD
(laughing)
Yeah...
KARA
Yeah.
Kara stops
KARA (CONTD)
This is my house.
TODD
Oh.
KARA
Yeah.
TODD
Hey uh
KARA
Yeah?
TODD
Youre really cool. Cool to hang
out with and I was just wondering
if

41.

Todd kisses Kara and she reciprocates

KARA
Wow.
TODD
Yeah you know I was going to say
something but I decided against it.
KARA
Ill see you tomorrow.
Kara walks up the stairs
TODD
Yeah... yeah.. Il see you
tomorrow!
KARA
Tomorrow.
Kara goes inside. I think I want P.S. I Love You by Curtis
Mayfield to play here.
TODD
YES!! YES!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Todd starts dancing
TODD (V.O.)
It was my first kiss. The start of
my first real relationship. And
things were getting really sunny
from then on.
INT. HOUSE - NIGHT
Todd enters the house and sees his mom sitting at the table
drinking. The music abruptly stops
TODD
Hey mom.
JOANNE
Do you know what time it is.
TODD
I dont know, what, midnight?
JOANNE
12:30.

42.

TODD
Yeah, Im sorry.
JOANNE
Youre sorry?
TODD
Yup, thats what I said. Im going
to bed mom, love you.
JOANNE
Hold on.
TODD
What?
JOANNE
Youre not going so soon.
TODD
Yeah I know, I stopped.
JOANNE
Listen here... and listen well...
okay buddy boy?
TODD
Yeah?
JOANNE
Where were you?
TODD
Out with a friend.
JOANNE
HA, thatll be the day, heh
TODD
Is that all?
JOANNE
Have you started applying for
schools?
TODD
No, ma
JOANNE
Why?
TODD
I dont know. I guess Ive been
busy with other things.
(MORE)

43.

TODD (CONT'D)
I dont really know what Im
looking for anyTodd notices that Joanne is moving her hands like a mouth,
imitating him.
JOANNE
Yada yada yada, whatever.
Todd sees letters on the counter with words like Important
on it
TODD
What are these?
Joanne shrugs. Todd opens them up
TODD (CONTD)
Mom, were getting behind on these
bills apparently
JOANNE
Dont worry, well be fine
TODD
How, we uhh well you dont uhh you
dont have a job yet right?
JOANNE
So? Heh.
TODD
Well
JOANNE
Ever heart of insurance? How could
such a big brain be so empty?,
Jesus Christ...
TODD
Right. ... But wait a minute
JOANNE
What? what? what is it
TODD
I dont think insurance covers the
family if its suicide. Because
that uhh wouldnt make any sense,
you know? I mean do you know how
were going to pay for these?
Joanne pours herself another glass

44.

TODD (CONTD)
Mom, listen -JOANNE
What? What?
TODD
I I... I dont think if you should
keep drinking
JOANNE
What?
TODD
I mean we never really see you
around the house anymore, and when
we do youre drunk most of the time
JOANNE
What did you just say to me?
TODD
Nothing, mom.
JOANNE
Thats what I thought bitch. Go to
bed.
TODD
I was going tJOANNE
Now.
TODD
Okay.
Todd exits
TODD (V.O.)
Most conversations with my mom were
like that. Incoherent and filled
with insults.
Joanne finishes the bottle of wine
JOANNE
Tells me to stop drinking, he needs
to watch his attitude. His own
mother. The person who raised him.
These kids dont dont dont get it
they just dont get it

45.

INT. HALLWAY
Todd and Kara are walking in the hallway together, laughing
and talking
TODD (V.O.)
As much as I was concerned about my
family, life just didnt seem as
heavy because of one thing: Kara.
You see, for the first time in my
life I had someone who wanted to
date me. Someone who found me
desirable. And that trumps every
other feeling I had during my
senior year.
TODD
--And so it was getting around to
that point where they became
basically attatched to each other.
KARA
Like what do you mean?
TODD
Like siameese twins.
KARA
Oh snap
TODD
Yeah, its freaking crazy.
KARA
Like a whole new level of crazy
TODD
Right!
Mrs Ryan opens the door to her room
MRS. RYAN
Todd, Kara, are you ready to
present today?
TODD (V.O.)
Thats right. It was the big day.
That day. You know, the day that
the project was due. Did we do any
work on it? No. We didnt even know
what the project was.
KARA
Oh right, of course!

46.

TODD
So true!
KARA
And relatable!
TODD
True, and relatable!
Todd and kara laugh as they walk inside the classroom and
then exchange a look of shock
KARA
Were done.
MRS. RYAN
(to the class)
Okay class, here is our first
presentation. Analyzing Macbeth to
the current political situations in
the United States Government, here
is Todd and Kara!
The whole class claps. Mikey B picks his nose.
TODD
Hi class!
KARA
Whats up?
TODD
So Macbeth
KARA
Is a play
TODD
A Scottish play
KARA
And our government
TODD
Is a government
KARA
An American government
TODD
Now uhh uhhh I know what you all
are thinking: America and uh
Scotland, right? Heh

47.

KARA
Yeah, those two can never go
together!
TODD
Well uhh you know they can because
they relate!
KARA
But how, Todd?
TODD
I dont know Kara, how?
KARA
Gee Todd, I dont know, maybe you
should tell the class!
TODD
Sounds like a good idea, lets tell
the class, Kara! You start!
Mrs. Ryan has the look on her face saying same shit as
always
TODD (CONTD)
They relate because they show that
America is corrupted. Thank you for
your time.
The whole class is stunned. Mrs. Ryan does not even look up
from her desk and is doing her nails. Todd and Kara look at
each other, gulp, and take their seats
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY
Todd and Kara run out of the classroom
TODD
We failed that.
KARA
We so totally failed that.
TODD (V.O.)
And did I care? Not in the
slightest.

48.

EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD

Jack is practicing in full uniform out on the field. A kid
throws him a ball and he misses. His Coach Don notices. He is
a fat old bald redhead.
COACH DON
What the hell was that, Anderson?
JACK
Sorry Coach.
COACH DON
Sorry? Youre sorry for that?
Anderson youre a piece of crap out
there on the field. Have been for
the last 2 weeks
JACK
Yeah yeah uhhh Ill work on it
COACH DON
Look at me.
JACK
Yes coach
COACH DON
Now I know things have been hard on
you recently. But whatever youre
doing right now, you need to fix it
or something. We have a big game
coming up and we need you to
perform at full capacity.
A skinny kid with a unibrow is watching Don and Jack talk
COACH DON (CONTD)
What the hell are you looking at,
Skinny Mitch? Suicides.
Skinny Mitch does suicides.
COACH DON (CONTD)
But yeah Anderson, just work on it.
JACK
Will do, Coach. Thank you.
COACH DON
Yeah yeah dont mention it.
CUT TO:

49.

INT. LOCKER ROOM

Jack and the rest of the football team is undressing. Jeff
and Carl come up to him.
JACK
Whats up boys.
JEFF
What the hell was coach talking to
you about?
JACK
I dont know man, hes kinda
weirdo.
CARL
No kidding. He told me last week
that he wanted to have me, it was
weird
JACK
He didnt say that
CARL
Yes he did man, no joke
JEFF
Yeah shut up Carl. Hey look man,
me, Carl, Mitch, and a couple of
girls from south school are
partying tonight?
Jacks face lights up
JACK
Yeah yeah man, I can supply the...
stuff... if you want me to
JEFF
No dude get this, my cousin just
sent me the real stuff. No more
snorting. Injections. Yeah, its
the real deal.
JACK
Whoa.
JEFF
Yeah yeah yeah see you there
JACK
Cool, see you there.

50.

Jeff and Carl walk away

CARL
He literally came up to me and was
like my wife left me, I want you
JEFF
Shut the hell up Carl!
EXT. OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL - SUNSET
Todd and Kara are both sitting down on the steps
KARA
What are you doing tonight?
TODD
Nothing.
KARA
Yeah same.
TODD
Yeah. Oh hey get this: I gotta
start looking for a job.
KARA
No freaking way
TODD
Yeah uhhh heh My slacking days are
over.
KARA
Uhh why
TODD
Were getting behind on some of the
bills so
KARA
Oh. Im sorry to hear that.
TODD
No its fine. I dont know, I guess
someone has to do it.
KARA
Yeah.
TODD
Yeah.

51.

KARA
Cool. Uhhh do you know what youre
gonna do?
TODD
No clue. Have you ever had a job?
KARA
No. My dad always told me that
working was for men only, and all
you have to do is sit pretty and
wait for a man to take care of me.
That B.S.
TODD
I mean thats dumb of him and all
but is it really that much of a
loss?
KARA
Yeah not really actually. He uhh
pays for most things I need
anyways. So I guess thats pretty
cool.
TODD
Sounds cool, wha what does he do
KARA
Hes one of those business guys who
are the bad guys in most
environmental movies.
TODD
Oh those guys, thats a good job!
KARA
Yeah it is I guess. But hes never
really around so I never really see
him a lot. Always traveling. I
spend most of my time alone now. I
kinda just get used to it, I guess.
TODD
Yeah, me and isolation get along
pretty well. Its a love-hate
relationship actually, Im so used
to it but I still kinda hate it.
KARA
Ha, thats funny.
TODD
I try.

52.

Kara smiles, Todd sees that and looks own and smiles a bit
too
KARA
Uhh youre looking for a job you
can always look online. Like
craigslist.
TODD
Craigslist?
KARA
Yeah.
Kara pulls up her phone
KARA (CONTD)
Like look, like here: this one says
Help Wanted, at Mr. Sandwich.
TODD
Yeah sure Ill take that one.
KARA
Alright -- well wait dont you
wanna look at the otherTODD
Nah, I like sandwiches.
KARA
Okay. Okay cool.
TODD
Cool.
Todd smiles at Kara
KARA
What? ... What?
TODD
Oh uhh nothing.
KARA
What?
TODD
I just cant get over how awesome
you are.
Kara laughs

53.

KARA
Thanks. ... Youre pretty awesome
too.
Todd looks down at the ground and smiles. Jack and his
buddies walk by into Jeffs car.
TODD
Hey Jack.
JACK
Whats up man?
TODD
Where are you off to?
JACK
Hangin out with a couple of
friends.
TODD
Hey I heard that you were cutting a
couple of classes recently,
teachers were talking about it.
Whats that about?
JACK
I dont know man, all teacher
politics. The classes are stupid to
begin with.
TODD
Okay. Well Ill see you at home.
JACK
Bye.
Jack and his friends walk over to the car, which is parked
away from Todd and Kara
CARL
Is your brother dating that weird
whats her face?
JACK
I dont know, maybe.
CARL
He would.
JACK
Hey come on man, thats my brother!

54.

JEFF
Yeah what are you makin fun of his
brother for, Carl?
JACK
Jesus, man.
CARL
Calm down son.
CUT TO:
INT. JEFFS BASEMENT - NIGHT
Jack snorts a line of cocaine. He is in a furnished basement
with 3 other girls
JACK
There we go!
HELEN
Jack, youve been doing more blow
tonight than... than...
JACK
Than what? Look at her she cant
say nothing, she high too!
People laugh
JEFF
Alright kids, I brought the real
stuff. Heroina, who wants to try
first?
HELEN
Yo I dont know if we should try
this, because
JEFF
No trust me, its good stuff. Jack?
JACK
Uhhh yeah sure. What do I do, just
put the needle in?
JEFF
Yea.
JACK
Cool, cool coJack jabs it in, and he starts to numb. He pulls it out.

55.

JACK (CONTD)
Holy Christ
Jack falls to the floor and laughs
INT. MR. SANDWICH - DAY
Earl is an older man with a mustache, wearing a sandwich hat.
He is sitting down at one of the tables, writing stuff down
on paper. Todd enters wearing a button down shirt, tie, and
khakis
TODD (V.O.)
I had to dress up. Looked good.
Maybe Ill look good enough for
someone to actually want me.
EARL
Todd Anderson?
TODD
Hi hi yes its um Todd Anderson.
EARL
Please have a seat.
TODD
Okay.
EARL
So Todd, tell me about yourself.
TODD
Oh. Okay. Well I want to work at
Mr. Sandwich.
EARL
No kidding kid, I mean I want to
know about you before I get the
job.
TODD
Oh right
TODD (V.O.)
I would probably get the job if I
just stopped talking
TODD
Well
TODD (V.O.)
But I didnt

56.

TODD
Ummm I like to watch movies a lot I
guess. Ummm. I write journals
sometimes
EARL
Okay okay kid, I get the jist.
TODD
Oh, okay.
EARL
Do you have any siblings or family?
TODD
Yes, I have a mother and two
younger siblings.
EARL
Right. So you go to school?
TODD
Yup, Im a senior down at Davis
High.
EARL
Okay. Do you have any experience?
TODD
In uhhh... in uhh..
EARL
The food industry of course
TODD
Oh right yeah yeah
TODD (V.O.)
I knew I wasnt going to get the
job
TODD
Umm no, I I dont.
EARL
(scribbling things down)
Mhm.
TODD
You uhh writing that down? Okay.
Okay.

57.

EARL
Well Todd, I dont know if youre
that suitable for the job, but we
need employees. Two of our
employees came out as gay, and
announced that they were moving to
San Francisco to get married.
TODD
Oh. Uhmm good for them
EARL
Yeah well bad for me. So congrats,
you got the job.
Earl gets up and reaches out to shake Todds hand
TODD
Whoa, cool thank you sir thank you
thank you
EARL
Alright. DOnt mention it.
TODD
Okay. I wont. Thank you.
EARL
Well start you off with $10 an
hour.
TODD
Thank you.
EARL
Okay.
Todd gets up and walks outside of the building
EARL (CONTD)
Were doomed.
CUT TO:
EXT. MR. SANDWICH - DAY
Todd is standing outside of the store, stunned
TODD (V.O.)
I still couldnt believe I just got
a job. A job of my very own.

58.

TODD
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Todd starts to walk down the street
TODD (CONTD)
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay. Working
man. Working working working. Okay.
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY
Lydia walks into school. She is overwhelmed and
uncomfortable.
TODD (V.O.)
Monday was a big day for Lydia.
This was the first time she was
going to school in three weeks.
As she walks through the hall, she gets more and more
overwhelmed with the amount of people shifting through the
hall. She feels uneasy and nauseous
TODD (V.O.)
As this was the first time shes
been around that many people in
that long, its an understandable
nauceation.
Lydia looks around and runs into the nurses office
LYDIA
(speeding through her
words)
Hi... My name is Lydia Anderson...
I havent gone to school in three
weeks... Can I lie down please...
thank you...
Lydia runs into one of the mini-beds that the nurses office
has and lies down. The nurse gets up from her desk and walks
over to Lydia, lying down on her bed
NURSE
And what seems to be the problem
with you, Ms. Anderson?
LYDIA
Long story.
NURSE
Ive got time.

59.

LYDIA
Dont want to talk about it right
now.
NURSE
Okay, you sure?
Lydia does not respond.
NURSE (CONTD)
Well youre only allowed in here
one period at a time. I hope youre
okay with that.
LYDIA
Yes. Thank you.
NURSE
Dont mention it.
INT. CAFETERIA - DAY
Jack and his friends walk over to a table and sit down.
JEFF
So last weekend though...
CARL
Jack, you went crazy.
EDDIE
Wait what happened?
CARL
You dont wanna know the stuff that
went down. You dont wanna know.
EDDIE
But-CARL
Trust me.
JEFF
Stop being such a wiseass, Carl.
CARL
Alright, Alright.
JACK
I cant even remember what I did
over the weekend.

60.

JEFF
Figures.
CUT TO:
Todd and Kara are sitting at a table
KARA
Hey uhhh
TODD
Whats up?
KARA
My dad was wondering if he could
meet you tonight. Like for dinner.
TODD
I thought he was out of town.
KARA
He usually is. I brought him up
once but yeah now he wants to meet
you. Im surprised he actually
gives a crap about anyone but
himself for the first time.
TODD
I cant go today though. I have my
first day of work.
KARA
Oh right
TODD
Yeah from 3:30 to 10.
KARA
Wait what?
TODD
Yeah. I need to work a lot now, you
know? Help out the family.
KARA
Well thats a good thing. You know?
TODD
Yeah. I mean I dont know how Im
going to fit in the rest of the
stuff of my life but well figure
it out.

61.

TODD (V.O.)
I had no idea how any of this was
going to work. I screwed myself,
yet again.
KARA
Yeah, well figure it out.
A group of girls walk by and look at kara and laugh a bit but
continue on their way. Kara looks a bit discouraged.
TODD
What was that?
KARA
Nothing.
TODD
Okay. Well I mean thats just kinda
odd, dont you think?
KARA
Its been... its been happening
since middle school. But whatever.
TODD
Oh. Okay. Im sorry to hear that.
KARA
Yeah-TODD
Well you know if you makes you feel
any better, I dont have that many
friends either, so.
KARA
Yeah.
TODD
Yeah.
The same group of girls walk over to Lydia, sitting alone
eating her food
MELISSA
Oh my god Lydia, youre actually in
school?
ALEXIS
Whats up?
LYDIA
Nothing.

62.

They sit down at Lydias table

ALEXIS
So Lyd, how have things been?
MELISSA
You know since-- Yeah.
LYDIA
Okay.
MELISSA
Oh thats good to hear!
ALEXIS
Yeah!
LYDIA
I guess.
ALEXIS
So, youre not going to believe
what happened
MELISSA
Oh here we go...
ALEXIS
Should I say it?
MELISSA
No.
ALEXIS
I dont know if I should say it.
MELISSA
Dont.
ALEXIS
Okay Ill say it anyways. Okay get
this Lyd, youll love this. So I
was walking down the street this
day and this guy....
As Alexis continues to talk, Lydia starts to tune her out.
She sits there and plays with her food a bit, and then after
a while she starts to look around at all the kids walking,
laughing, talking, crying, living their lives. She again
feels overwhelmed. She stands up.
LYDIA
I... I...

63.

ALEXIS
What the f...
LYDIA
I gotta go. Bye.
Lydia runs out of the cafeteria. Alexis and Melissa are
really confused.
Jack and his friends see her run out.
CARL
(in Forrest gump voice)
Run Alexis, Run!
JEFF
You know Forrest isnt the one who
said Run, Forrest, Run, you know
that right?
CARL
Shut up man.
JEFF
Wait so what is up with your
sister, Jack? I havent seen her
around in a while.
JACK
I dont know man... I dont know!
Jack starts to laugh
JEFF
Dude are you... are you... are you
high right now?
JACK
Dude that stuff you gave me was so
freaking incredible man... I dont
even care about whats going on
right now.
EDDIE
Whatd you give him, Jeff?
JACK
Like, it feels like.... Bro...
JEFF
Jesus Christ man, youre my hero.
CARL
Yeah.

64.

EDDIE
I always feel like the odd man out
or something-JEFF
Its because you are the odd man
out Eddie, its because you are.
EDDIE
Oh.
Jack leans back, until he eventually falls over the cafeteria
bench and just lies on the floor and stares at the ceiling
and laughs
TODD (V.O.)
Jack was screwed up, Lydia was
screwed up, my mom was screwed up.
But me? I had my own problems. Like
my first day of work.
INT. MR. SANDWICH - DAY
Todd runs in with a black apron and a sandwich hat on. He
sees Earl and other workers behind the counter.
EARL
Clock in. Don't forget to clock in,
thats how you get paid.
TODD
Okay.
Todd goes into the register and clocks in. A customer enters
and walks over to the counter.
EARL
Alright, heres the key to making a
sandwich. Let me show you.
(very rehearsed tone)
Welcome to Mr. Sandwich, how can I
help you today...
CUSTOMER
Hi, I would like a turkey and
provolone sandwich with lettuce,
tomato, and mustard, please?
EARL
What kind of bread?
CUSTOMER
Uhhh Italian.

65.

EARL
Got it.
Earl grabs the Italian bread, cuts it, throws meat and cheese
on it, throws lettuce and tomato on it, and squeezes some
mustard on there too. It is very sloppy and hastily made. He
wraps it up, puts it in a bag, and rings him in.
EARL (CONTD)
Thatll be 9.95, Would you like a
receipt, please?
CUSTOMER
But... but my sandwich....
EARL
Hey, we just make em. You pick em.
9.95.
CUSTOMER
Okay...
The customer gives him 10 dollars, and Earl hands the
customer the sandwich
EARL
Have a nice day.
CUSTOMER
Okay...
The customer takes his sandwich and awkwardly leaves. Todd is
completely stunned.
EARL
And thats that.
From
work
knew
role

TODD (V.O.)
the first look at the amazin
he did with that sandwich, I
that he was going to be my
model.

TODD
That was... that was...
EARL
Pretty freakin easy, huh?
TODD (V.O.)
But I knew that it wasnt right to
make a guys sandwich like that.

66.

TODD
I mean okay wait dont get me wrong
that seems easy but I mean dont
you think you couldve... I dont
know maybe like uhhhh TRIED to make
the sandwich good or
EARL
Yeah you see I would.... But I
didnt. And thats that. Want a
sandwich?
TODD
WhaEarl grabs bread, cuts it up, and throws every single meat,
cheese, sauce, and veggie on it. He folds the sandwich up and
chows down.
TODD (CONTD)
Jesus.
EARL
I mean technically were not
supposed to take them, but whos
counting, eh?
TODD
I mean I feel liek the company
might be counting but... oh well.
Okay.
Earl smiles and eats his sandwich
TODD (V.O.)
And it wasnt just Earl that was
doing this. Everyone was. Every
single worker was making the
worlds crappiest sandwich
MONTAGE
A young teen employee with long hair is making a sandwich,
and throwing random ingredients on it
CUSTOMER #2
I asked for meatball!
EMPLOYEE
Oh you want meatball on there too?
You got it!

67.

An older employee is also making a terrible sandwich. When

she cuts the bread, the bread breaks in half.
CUSTOMER #3
Dont you want to grab new bread?
EMPLOYEE #2
Okay, I mean if you want me to.
TODD (V.O.)
And I thought to myself, how the
hell could these people suck so bad
at making a decent sandwich? I mean
people are paying for them, so how
are we hiring so many people who
give a collective 2 craps about
anyone. But then I also though to
myself: Why do I care? Its not
really me to care. I never really
should, or do care about this
stuff. But then I also asked
myself, how the hell is this plae
still open if weve been sucking so
bad? Wel apparently this is the
only sandwich shop in a ten mile
radius, and every other place has
closed down due to the big name of
Mr. Sandich, despite the fact that
absolutely nobody care sabout the
quality of how to make a decent
sandich. And for some reason, I
dont know why, but I just care. I
want to maeke a good sandwich.
END MONTAGE
A customer walks over to Todd
CUSTOMER #4
Hi, Id like a sandwich on garlic
and cheese bread with ham, cheddar,
lettuce, onions, and banana
peppers, please.
TODD
Okay, sure thing.
Todd makes the sandwich

68.

TODD (V.O.)
And I actually made the sandwich.
Thats right, I actually ended up
doing something right for the first
time in my entire life.
INT. TODDS ROOM - NIGHT
Todd enters the room. It is late, and Todd is still wearing
his work clothes on. He gets onto his bed and lays down. It
is an aerial shot of him laying down on the bed.
TODD (V.O.)
I dont know what its like to get
a really good nights sleep. My
mind is always restless. Always
thinking of something. Most of the
times its depressing or something
like that. But its hard for me to
sleep.
CUT TO:
INT. JACKS ROOM - NIGHT
It is the same shot, but Jack is laying in his bead. He is
awake, but is shaking. You can see a needle on his
nightstand. He is sweating and laughing.
JACK
A ha... a ha... a ha...
CUT TO:
INT. LYDIAS ROOM
Lydia is laying down in the fetal position. She is completely
motionless, however is not asleep either. She just lays
there.
CUT TO:
INT. JOANNES ROOM
It is a shot of an empty bed. The sheets have not been washed
in weeks, and there are many stains on it. A chug of a bottle
is heard, and then Joanne lays down onto her bed and
continues to drink a lot. She belches, and then sits up on
the side of her bed.

69.

JOANNE
Bill... Bill... why did you leave
me... you loser why on earth did
you leave me....
Joanne chugs down some more of her liquor
CUT TO:
INT. TODDS ROOM
Todd is laying down in his bed. He picks up his phone and
calls Kara.
INTERCUT - TODDS ROOM/KARAS ROOM
Kara is laying in her bed, gets the call, and picks up her
phone.
KARA
Hey.
TODD
Hey.
KARA
No sleep?
TODD
Nope.
KARA
That makes two of us. Ive gotten
used to going to bed really late
now. Youve completely ruined my
sleep schedule however, and that
will never be repaired.
TODD
Im sorry.
KARA
Im kidding.
TODD
I know, I know.
KARA
How was your first day of work?

70.

TODD
It was okay. Nobody does their
work. Im the only one who does it
right, but thats okayl. I cant
believe on my first day, people are
actuall looking up to me. I uess I
kinda like the athourity.
KARA
Thats good. That youre an
athority, I mean.
TODD
Yeah, I guess it iss.
KARA
Yeah.
TODD
What did you do this afternoon?
KARA
Nothing much. I slept. I watched
that movie you told me about.
TODD
WHich one?
KARA
The Woody Allen one.
TODD
Midnight in Paris.
KARA
Yeah. It was good.
TODD
Cool, glad you liked it.
KARA
Hey Todd-TODD
Yeah?
KARA
So umm do you wanna maybe hang out
this weekend?
TODD
Yeah sure. I mean we always hang
out anyways so--

71.

KARA
Yeah but I mean just like really do
something. You know?
TODD
Okay cool. I like spending time
with you.
KARA
Yeah.
TODD
What are we uhh, what are we gonna
do?
KARA
Just come over on friday night.
TODD
Alright.
KARA
ALright Alright.
BOTH
(in matthew mccounaughey
voice)
Alright Alright Alright!
They laugh and then sit there in silence
TODD
I have a question for you.
KARA
And that is?
TODD
What do you think happens when we
die?
KARA
THinking about your dad again?
TODD
Yeah, but no. LIke Im always
thinking about him, hes always in
my thoughts you know, but at the
same tieme Im never that focused
on him. But I was just wodnering
what you thought.

72.

KARA
Well I think that when we die... we
die. You know? Thats it I think. - Im sorry.
TODD
For what? Oh oh-- its okay.
KARA
Okay.
They sit in silence
FADE TO:
THE NEXT DAY
They both are asleep with their phones by their heads and
still on
JACK (O.S.)
HELLO AMERICA, ITS JACK, AND IM
HOME!!
TODD
(waking up)
HOly crap-Todd wakes up Kara on the other end
KARA
Jesus Christ what is tha-- oh.
TODD
(on phone)
Hey
KARA
Hey. What was tha-TODD
Sorry, its my brother. Im gonna
go see whats going on, Ill see
you later today. Bye.
KARA
Bye.
Todd hangs up and the camera goes back directly to him. He
walks out his room, walks down the stairs and sees his
brother standing on the couch

73.

TODD
What are you, Tom Cruise, what are
are you doing?
JACK
No sleep baby, thats what it does
to ya!
TODD
You you didnt get any sleep last
night?
JACK
No becuase I ACTUALLY KNOW HOW TO
PARTY!!!!
TODD
Jack get down.
JACK
Dude dude you have no idea what on
earth went down
TODD
Dont... dont... dont you have
uhh a big game today? Like a really
important game?
JACK
Yes, and now I am REVVED UP!
TODD
Well like umm I feel like you would
need sleep for that, you know?
JACK
(Getting back to ground
level)
See Todd, thats what you think!!
You dont get the way Jack Anderson
works
TODD
No but I think I understand the way
that a a basic uhh human works,
because you know uhhh humans need
sleep to function, you know?
JACK
(walking over to fridge)
Yeah yeah yeah Ill be good.

74.

TODD
Hey uhhh are you still on that
stuff?
JACK
What? Oh no, Im clean.
TODD
Clean?
JACK
Yup.
TODD
Okay... okay... well I mean you
look... different. I dont know,
like, kinda lifeless.
JACK
I dont know what the hell youre
talking about, I AM AT THE PINNACLE
OF MY HEALTH!
TODD
Dude keep it quiet, people are
still sleeping.
JACK
Lydia just sits there all of the
time, and Mom can sleep through
anything. Im fine bro, Im fine.
TODD
Right.
JACK
(eating a bowl of cereal
that he prepared)
So uhhh you coming out to the game
today?
TODD
When is it?
JACK
3.
TODD
Okay well uhh Im supposed to be
working and hanging out with Kara
but uhh
JACK
Youre working now?

75.

TODD
Yeah you know that.
JACK
Oh right. Sandwich shop,
TODD
Yeah.
JACK
And you are officially dating that
weird girl whats her face -- Kara?
TODD
(Insulted yet sad)
--Yeah.
JACK
So you cant come out?
TODD
I-- I dont know, like I hope I can
but well see.
JACK
Okay.
Jack gets up and starts pacing around the room
JACK (CONTD)
Okay.
Jack runs up the stairs
TODD
Oh uhh, bye!
Jack slams the door to his room
TODD (CONTD)
Okay.
-Todd makes a cup of coffee
-He pours it into a cup and drinks it in the kitchen
TODD (V.O.)
I used to hate being alone. But I
mean it was nice to finally have
some time to myself. I loved my
family and my girlfriend, but I
missed being able to hear my
thoughts.

76.

Todd sips his coffee and then stares into the mug
TODD
Another long one today.
INT. LYDIAS ROOM
Todd enters the room and sees Lydia laying down, awake
TODD
Come on, lets go to school.
LYDIA
Not going.
TODD
WHy not, you went yesterday.
LYDIA
Barely.
TODD
What do you mean barely?
LYDIA
I sat in the nurses office most of
the time. I cant go.
TODD
Well okay. Thumbs up for trying
though.
LYDIA
Thanks.
Todd exits the room
TODD (V.O.)
And so I went to school. And to
work. I missed Jacks football game
which he lost, thanks to him
missing most of his catches.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD
The scoreboard is 35-7. Jacks team walks off the field, all
angry

77.

COACH DON
What the hell was that? Jack you
stunk out there!!
JACK
Sorry coach.
COACH DON
Sorry? Sorry? Listen buddy, if you
dont get your act together, youre
off the freaking team. You hear me?
JACK
Okay.
Coach don walks away
JACK (CONTD)
(laughing)
Wiseass.
His buddies laugh
TODD (V.O.)
I started to get paid at work, too.
CUT TO:
INT. MR. SANDWICH
Earl hands Todd a check in the back room.
EARL
Heres your first paycheck.
Todd reads it and it his eyes widen
TODD
Holy smokes...
EARL
Relax kid, thats nothing.
TODD
Whoa.
Earl walks away, and Todd just stares at the check.
CUT TO:

78.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Todd slams the check on the desk where Joanne is sitting, and
drinking a glass of wine
TODD
Boom, thats it!
JOANNE
What is that?
TODD
This is it mom! Were getting our
lives together!
JOANNE
You got a job?
TODD
You bet your ass I got a job mom!
Im here to uhh suport this family
and I I think Im doing it, you
know? This is the first of many.
Every week mom, every week.
Joanne takes the check and puts it in her pocket
JOANNE
Your father made more than that,
and he was a nobody.
TODD
Okay mom, well-JOANNE
Then again, I guess the apple
doesnt fall far from the tree.
TODD
Okay mom. Why-- why did you have to
say that?
JOANNE
What?
TODD
-- Nothing.
JOANNE
What son, say it? Dont be a coward
like your father. It took him 10
minutes to start a conversation
with a woman. Are you your father?

79.

TODD
No.
JOANNE
Good. Now go and play or something,
get out of my view.
TODD
Okay.
Joanne keeps drinking her wine and Todd goes upstairs to his
room and sits there.
TODD (V.O.)
I didnt like it when she was mean,
you know? I mean I guess nobody
likes it when their parents are
mean to them. But I got a job, I
tried to support the family. But
nothing.
Silence
TODD (V.O.)
I didnt do it for the recognition
though. I did it for my family. And
thats whats important.
TODD
I hate her. I hate her I hate her I
hate her.
TODD (V.O.)
I really didnt like it though.
When she was mean.
EXT. OUTSIDE OF KARAS HOUSE - DAY
Kara has a big house with a long walkway, green grass, and
statues.
TODD (V.O.)
Soon after that though, it was the
weekend. I went to go see Kara,
like she wanted.
Todd walks up the steps and knocks on the door. Kara opens
it.
KARA
Hey!

80.

TODD
Hey.
KARA
Come on in, give me a second to get
ready.
TODD
Okay. Okay.
Todd steps into her house and it is VERY NICE. There are
portraits, statuettes, and expensive furniture. It feels like
a museum at times.
KARA
One sec.
She runs upstairs, leaving Todd to pace around in the living
room.
TODD (V.O.)
I didn t want to to break
anything. It felt like I was in the
national museum of Karas past
life. I should cherish this before
she gets to the point where she
breaks up with me.
Todd touches a statuette and it starts to wobble, and he
keeps it still. He finds a large portrait of Kara, her
parents, and her sister. Kara comes downstairs and sees Todd
looking up at the portrait.
KARA
This was made almost a month before
they died.
TODD
Yeah, you look young here.
KARA
Yeah.
TODD
Does it hurt to see it every day?
KARA
No. It makes me feel like I belong
in a family.
TODD
Yeah. Wheres your... Wheres your
dad?

81.

KARA
I dont know, Germany or something.
TODD
Business as usual, huh?
KARA
Yeah.
TODD
Okay, ready to go?
KARA
Yeah.
They start to step outside but they see its raining
TODD
No way.
KARA
Its raining?
TODD (V.O.)
Pretty convenient, if I might add.
I had nothing planned for the day
anyways.
TODD
No freaking way, thats crazy.
KARA
Well I guess were staying here.
Well, wanna go upstairs to my room?
TODD
Yeah. Yeah okay.
KARA
Okay.
Kara walks upstairs and Todd joins her. They walk into the
room. It has a bed, posters of plays and bands, and it has
some chairs.
KARA (CONTD)
This is my room.
TODD
Cool.
KARA
Yeah.

82.

Kara runs over and sits on the bed, while Todd looks around.
He sees a trophy on her dresser.
TODD
Whats this?
KARA
I dont know. Something I won when
I was little I guess.
TODD
Chess participant award. I think
I have one too.
KARA
(jokingly)
Hey Im proud of that!
TODD
Yeah, in fact its one of the best
things I own too.
Todd sits on the bed with Kara and they kiss
TODD (CONTD)
Hey I just want to say... Im glad
youre here with me. Right now.
Right here.
KARA
Yeah, Im glad youre here too.
TODD
No I-- Heh. I love you.
KARA
(a bit shocked)
You...
TODD
Oh..
KARA
Love..
TODD
Oh no
KARA
Me?
TODD
Oh no no its -- Im sorry

83.

TODD (V.O.)
In my head I was already preparing
myself for the amount of times I
was going to rewatch Eternal
Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and
Annie Hall, aka the single life.
Todd gets up from the bed
TODD
Its....
Kara starts to tear up a bit
KARA
You love me?
TODD
Uhh... yeah. Yeah I do.
Kara gets up from the bed and they kiss, and it becomes very
passionate. They go onto the bed and continue kissing.
CUT TO:
Todd is sitting on the side of the bed, with a grin on his
face. Back turned to the camera. He is shirtless. Kara is not
in the frame.
KARA (O.S.)
It stopped raining. Wanna o out and
do something?
TODD
Okay.
KARA (O.S.)
What?
TODD
Nothing.
KARA
(sitting on side of bed
with him.)
Then lets go.
TODD
Okay.
Kara gets up and exits. Todd puts on a shirt. He gets up and
leaves as well, closing the door behind him.

84.

TODD (V.O.)
I did it.
MONTAGE
TODD (V.O.)
Things seemed to be going well for
me in the first time in almost a
month. Things were coming together.
I had a girlfriend who freaking
loved me (I still cant believe it
to this day), I had a good job that
paid substantially enough for me to
attempt to support my family in the
best way I could, while still
trying to save up a bit for myself
as well.
Todd and Kara are walking by the street, talking and
laughing.
They go to a store and try on different clothes
They splash water at each other in a fountain. People look
perplexed at them, so they get up and leave.
They kiss under a tree.
TODD (V.O.)
Once I saved up enough, I was able
to afford every teenagers dream. A
car.
Todd pulls up the car in Karas driveway. She comes outside
from her house. It is a decent looking hooptie, but
nonetheless still a working car.
END MONTAGE
TODD
See this? See this? See what this
is?
KARA
You got a car?
TODD
I got a car!
KARA
A a

85.

TODD
A a a a CAR! Thats right, wheels.
Wheels. Im -- Im gonna show my
mom! Ill be back.
KARA
(arnie voice)
Youll be back?
TODD
(arnie voice)
Ill be back.
Todd pulls out and drives away. Kara walks back into her
house.
Todd drives into his driveway.
TODD (CONTD)
Hey guys, guess what this is?
Everybody get out here!!
Silence
TODD (CONTD)
Oh right. Its my family, jesus
Christ.
Todd walks into the house
JOANNE (O.S.)
OH MY GOD!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!!!
JACK (O.S.)
DOESNT ANYONE KNOW HOW TO KNOCK?
CUT TO:
INT. JACKS ROOM
JACK
Look ma!
JOANNE
Youre killing yourself just like
your father!
JACK
What are you talking about? Ma look
its not what it looks like, trust
me!

86.

JOANNE
Youre a junkie! Youre a freaking
junkie!
JACK
No no Im not this is... Its-JOANNE
You have a belt around your arm,
what do you think, Im stupid? You
think Im stupid!
JACK
No I dont!
JOANNE
You think Im stupid??!?!
Joanne pushes Jack
JOANNE (CONTD)
Well do ya?
JACK
No ma, no. Trust me.
Todd enters the room
TODD
Hey whats goingJOANNE
Get the fuck out right now Todd.
TODD
Can do.
Todd exits
JACK
Look this was just a one time
thing. I dont think youre stupid.
JOANNE
When are you going to stop lying?
When are you going to stop lying?
JACK
IJOANNE
(hitting Jack on the head)
When are you going to stop lying,
do you even understand me?

87.

JACK
Stop touching me mom, Ill cut it,
okay?
JOANNE
What did you say?
JACK
What did I what?
JOANNE
WHAT DID YOU SAY?!?!?!?!?!?!
Joanne slaps Jack multiple times, eventually he pushes her to
the wall
JACK
I said stop touching me!
JOANNE
So now you think youre the big man
here?
JACK
Yeah, yeah I do. I do. Im sixteen!
I am the big man, and you know
what, I dont care.
JOANNE
I want you out of my house.
JACK
Good, Im leaving.
JOANNE
I WANT YOU OUT OF MY HOUSE RIGHT
NOW.
JACK
I SAID I WAS LEAVING!!!
Jack packs his football, his stash of drugs from under his
bed, and grabs clothes from his room
JOANNE
I dont know whos roof youre
gonna live under, because its sure
as hell not gonna be mine!!
JACK
Ive got friends! Ive got plans!
None of you losers in this house
even matter, because Im gonna be
bigger than your wildest dreams!
(MORE)

88.

JACK (CONT'D)
Im gonna be in the NFL ma! And
what are you gonna be, an
alcoholic? A bum? Oh wait, I think
you already are.
JOANNE
WHAT DID YOU CALL ME??!?!?!?
Jack throws all his stuff into multiple grocery bags.
JACK
I called you an alcoholic bum, and
dont forget it.
Jack walks outside of the room, and Joanne pushes him down
the stairs and he tumbles down. Todd was sitting at the
kitchen table but gets up.
TODD
What the-JACK
(crying)
FUCK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im
gonna be somebody... just you
wait...
Jack runs out of the house with his bags and closes the door.
Todd runs out of the house soon after.
TODD
What just happened in there?
JACK
I cant handle mom anymore. I hate
her. I hate her. I cant stand it,
Im out.
TODD
Well where are you going.
JACK
Jeffs. His parents arent going to
be home this week. Ill figure out
the rest of the details later.
TODD
Hey. Listen Jack. You need to get
off that crap, right now. Its not
good for you. Go back inside and
apologize to mom.

89.

JACK
Its over man. We all lost. Dads
dead, and we have to pay the price
for it. Its freaking over.
Jack walks away.
TODD (V.O.)
The truest words I ever heard, even
to this day.
Todd sita down and tries to hold back tears, and some of them
come out for a second yet tries to stay strong
TODD
Its okay, its okay, were gonna
make it through, were gonna make
it through. Okay Todd. Okay.
INT. LYDIAS ROOM
Lydia is looking out the window and sees Jack walking away
with his grocery bags. Joanne enters
JOANNE
Well what are you doing?
Lydia turns around and shrugs
JOANNE (CONTD)
Answer me when I talk to you, I
said what are you doing?
LYDIA
I dont know. Looking out the
window I guess.
JOANNE
Well have you considered getting
off your butt for the first time in
three weeks and DOING SOMETHING?
Youre a LOSER.
Lydia is hurt and starts to cry, yet still doesnt make a lot
of noise
LYDIA
Why... why do you-JOANNE
All of you. ALL OF YOU!!!! But
especially you, you... you... lowlife.

90.

Joanne grabs Lydia by her head

JOANNE (CONTD)
You are nothing but a degenerate.
Now get up and DO SOMETHING. GO TO
SCHOOL. HAVE FRIENDS. JUST DO
SOMETHING!!
LYDIA
Mom... I want you to stop
JOANNE
(letting go and grabbing
her flask)
I dont care... I dont care... Im
your mother and I do what I want.
Joanne looks around and grabs a trophy from Lydias desk and
throws it at the wall, smashing it
JOANNE (CONTD)
I DO WHAT I WANT!!
Joanne walks over
JOANNE (CONTD)
And dont you forget it...
Joanne exits the room, slamming the door behind her. Lydia
lays down on the bed and cries.
TODD (V.O.)
I wish I were there to defend her.
Or just say-- Something. Anything.
But I wasnt there. And we cant
change the future. So thats just
the way it is.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOUSE - DAY
Todd is sitting outside.
EXT. JEFFS HOUSE - DAY
Jack walks over to the house and rings the bell. Jeff answers
JEFF
Hey man, whats goin on?

91.

JACK
Yo uhh my mom was acting up a bit
so I bounced. Mind if I stay here
for a bit while your parents are
gone until I figure this whole
thing out?
JEFF
Yeah of course man, come on in. You
got the stuff?
JACK
Hell yeah I got the stuff!
JEFF
Cool, cool.
EXT. MR. SANDWICH - NIGHT
Todd is closing up the store.
TODD (V.O.)
I worked a lot more after that. I
didnt want to go home. Afraid of
what my mom would do to me.
Todd walks over to his car and drives away. He drives to
Karas house.
TODD (V.O.)
Spent a lot more time with Kara
too. Which was great.
CUT TO:
INT. KARAS HOUSE - NIGHT
Todd and Kara are eating dinner together.
TODD
Hey you know uhh I never met your
dad.
KARA
Yeah... yeah hell be back in a
couple of days.
TODD
Do you think hell like me?
KARA
I dont think hell care, really.

92.

TODD
Oh.
KARA
Hey uhh I heard about what
happened. With Jack.
TODD
Yeah.
KARA
In school people were talking about
it. Apparently Jack and Jeff turned
their house into a batchelor pad.
they just let girls in and... its
just weird stuff.
TODD
Wow, I didnt even hear that. Who
told you that?
KARA
Overheard it before Calculus.
TODD
Oh. I should go and talk to him
after.
KARA
Yeah, see how hes doing.
TODD
Yeah.
INT. JEFFS HOUSE - NIGHT
Jeffs house is completely trashed. Random girls are over the
house, and Jeff and his buddies are all laying on the floor
with the girls. Jack is sitting on the couch injecting heroin
into his arm. Sex sounds are heard from upstairs. Jeff and a
girl come downstairs and see Jack
JEFF
Dude you gotta start cutting that
JACK
What are you talking about?
JEFF
My cousins cutting me loose. Hes
done with the drug game. Getting a
job or some crap like that.

93.

JACK
WHAT?
JEFF
Yeah I know, so we gotta cut it a
bit.
JACK
But but we cant!!
JEFF
Its gonna be hard!
JACK
No you dont get it! WE CANT. I
CANT. Do you have any coke left?
JEFF
No.
JACK
Jesus!!!!
GIRL ON GROUND
Somebody come here and screw me,
Im horny as hell.
JACK
Okay man well come up with a plan
after I... yeah.
JEFF
Okay.
Jack runs upstairs with the girl
JEFF (CONTD)
Crazy kids.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT. LYDIAS ROOM - NIGHT
Lydia is laying on the floor with lashes on her arms. She is
unconcious. The camera stays there for a bit. Todd enters the
room.
TODD
Lydia? Lydia?
Todd walks over to her body

94.

TODD (CONTD)
Oh my god! Lydia!!
Todd looks around the room
TODD (CONTD)
(putting her body in his
arms)
Somebody!!! Somebody help me!! Call
9-1-1 or something!!!
Todd gets up and runs downstairs
CUT TO:
EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT
Kara is driving the car with Todd holding his sister in his
lap in the backseat. Its raining out and the windshield
wipers are heard
TODD
(to lydia)
Its gonna be okay. Its gonna be
okay.
Kara looks at Todd through the mirror and he looks back at
her.
TODD (CONTD)
(to lydia)
Lydia Im sorry. Im sorry. I
couldve been a better brother.
Looked out for you more. Stop
neglecting you. This is my fault.
Its all my fault.
Silence (except the wipers)
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Todd runs in
TODD
Can somebody please help me, my
sister, shes -- shes in the car
she tried to kill herself, pleaseHospital workers run over to the car and pick Lydia up and
carry her in.

95.

They put her on a gurney and run her over into a room. Todd
runs with his sister and the doctors. They run her into a
room and close the door.
TODD (CONTD)
Wait no, you have to let me in.
DOCTOR
Sorry sir, not in the E.R., just
let us do our job and please sit
down
TODD
No you dont-- you dont
understand, Im the -- Im the
brother.
DOCTOR
I understand that, but please. Sit
down.
TODD
Please sir, please
DOCTOR
Theres nothing I can do!
The doctor walks into the emergency room. Todd breaks down
and cries for the first time.
EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE PARKING LOT - NIGHT
Jack and his friends pull into the lot.
JEFF
Okay so we know the plan, right? Go
in, point the gun, grab the cash,
and get the hell out.
CARL
I cant believe were doing this.
This is a little crazy man, slow
down. Were moving too fast here.
JEFF
We need the freaking dope money.
CARL
Yeah but-- this? Nah, this aint
me. This aint us. Were not doing
this.

96.

JEFF
Yes we are. Now lets go.
CARL
Come on guys... guys?
JACK
Lets go.
CARL
Where the hell did we get the gun
anyways?
JEFF
Its my cousins.
Jeff and Jack run out of the car.
CARL
Yeah Ill be the driver!
Carl goes up to the drivers seat and turns on the radio.
Its smooth jazz.
CARL (CONTD)
This is nice.
INT. CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHT
Jack and Jeff enter the store. Jeff is pointing his gun.
JEFF
Everyone put your hands up! Now if
we corroborate, we can do this
easy.
JACK
Collaborate.
JEFF
Whatever.
Jeff points the gun at the clerk.
JEFF (CONTD)
Put the money in the bag and well
be on our way.
The clerk presses the button underneath the counter, and an
alarm goes off.
JEFF (CONTD)
What the -- What did you press?

97.

CLERK
Go screw yourself. Punk.
JACK
He said put the money in the bag,
now lets go.
CLERK
I aint giving you nothing.
JACK
Look at me. LOOK AT ME. Do what I
say and PUT THE MONEY IN THE BAG.
The clerk spits at Jack
JEFF
Screw this, Im outta here.
Jack gets enraged and jumps over the counter and begins
beating up the clerk. Jeff exits the store and goes into the
car.
JEFF (CONTD)
Lets get out of here man, they
pulled some sort of alarm.
CARL
Oh snap -- Wheres Jack?
JEFF
Securing the money. He has his own
plan.
CARL
But we-JEFF
Hes on. His own. Now get outta
here before the cops show up.
They drive away
Jack is still beating up the clerk
JACK
I just -- want -- my -- money!!!
GIVE ME MY MONEY!!!!
The police show up
COP #1
Freeze! Put your hands up!

98.

Jack tenses and stands up and puts his hands up. Cop #2 goes
behind the counter and puts Jack in handcuffs
COP #2
You have the right to remain
silent and refuse to answer
questions.

JACK
(crying)
I just want my family back! I
just want my family back!!

Anything you say may be used

against you in a court of
law.
You have the right to consult
an attorney before speaking
to the police and to have an
attorney present during
questioning now or in the
future
The police escort Jack outside, and Jack sees that his
friends arent there. He gets thrown into the police car and
they drive away.
INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Todd is pacing around the room with his phone. The camera is
zoomed in tightly to his face.
TODD
(on phone)
Mom? Yeah -- something happened.
With Lydia. I dont know where you
are but you need to get over here.
Ill give you the address to the
hospital. Its uhh
Todd looks around the room for the address and finds it on a
piece of paper hanging on the buletien board
TODD (CONTD)
(on phone)
152 Main Street. Please get here as
soon as possible. Thank you.
Todd and Kara are sitting down in the waiting room.
TODD (V.O.)
This was the darkest point of my
life. The feeling of losing my
family all together. After this
there would be no more family.
(MORE)

99.

TODD (V.O.) (CONT'D)

I wondered when it was my turn to
die.
KARA
Did you call your mom?
TODD
Yeah. Shes probably not coming.
KARA
Oh.
Todd tightly grips onto Karas hand and slightly smiles at
her. Joanne runs in
JOANNE
My baby!! MY BABY!!!
TODD
(getting up)
Mom.
JOANNE
What happened to my baby? What did
you do?
TODD
I didnt do anything she... she...
she tried to kill herself mom. And
I dont know if it worked or not
but she tried to kill herself.
Okay?
Joanne is absolutely shocked
TODD (CONTD)
Where are you coming from?
JOANNE
She... tried to kill herself?
TODD
Yeah. I found her in her room.
Joanne begins to cry and hugs Todd
TODD (CONTD)
Its Alright mom, its Alright.
Everything is gonna be fine. Just
sit down.
JOANNE
(crying)
Okay, okay.

100.

They sit down.

JOANNE (CONTD)
(sniffling)
Whos... Whos this?
TODD
This is my umm girlfriend. Her name
is Kara.
KARA
Hi, I helped drive your daughter to
the ER. Im sorry about what
happened-JOANNE
You have a girlfriend? Todd? And I
didnt know?
TODD
Yeah. Yeah I guess so. You were
never really home that much
anymore. I never really got a
chance to tell you.
JOANNE
Oh my god.
TODD (V.O.)
She wasnt drunk. I could tell by
the way she spoke to me. For the
first time in almost a month. She
wasnt drunk.
The doctor enters the room. They stand up.
JOANNE
Doctor, is she going to be-DOCTOR
Shes going to be fine. You got
here pretty fast, so we were able
to save her. We need to run a
couple tests and make sure that
shes ready to go back home.
JOANNE
Oh my god!!
DOCTOR
Do you want to step in?

101.

TODD
Yeah. Yeah Ill go and step in. Mom
you can come in after me.
JOANNE
Okay.
Joanne and Kara sit back down, Todd and the doctor walk away
JOANNE (CONTD)
Im glad youre dating my son.
KARA
Oh, thank you. I really love him.
JOANNE
You love him? Oh well get ready.
KARA
For?
JOANNE
Youll see.
INT. LYDIAS HOSPITAL ROOM
Todd walks in and sees Lydia on the bed.
TODD
Lydia. Hi.
LYDIA
Hi. I think I need help.
She starts to cry a bit
TODD
Yeah? Okay yeah I think that would
be best
LYDIA
Dad left us...
TODD
I know, I know.
Todd kisses her on the forehead
TODD (CONTD)
I love you, and I want you to know
that. From the bottom of my heart.

102.

TODD (V.O.)
That was my sister.
Joanne enters the room.
JOANNE
Lydia!
TODD
That was my opening line...
LYDIA
Can you please just go?
JOANNE
Please, Lydia.
LYDIA
I asked for you to leave.
TODD
Give her a second to explain, Lyd.
JOANNE
I just want you to know that I love
you. From the bottom of my heart.
ANd although I might freak out
sometimes, I I just want you to
know that I always care. Im your
mom. You know? Thats what moms are
supposed to do. And I know that I
yell at you. I... get drunk. You
know? And... and... I love you.
Lydia does not respond
TODD
Lydia, do you hear what she said?
LYDIA
I want to go home.
TODD
Okay, were about to. They just
need to run a couple more tests.
LYDIA
Okay.
TODD
Come on mom, lets go.
Todd walks Joanne out of the room into the hallway

103.

TODD (CONTD)
Youre not drunk mom. Youre not
drunk, whats going on? You feel -you feel different. Its weird. Are
you okay? Like-JOANNE
I was out and I got the call. The
first call. Its like I got it and
time stopped -- you know? It
stopped. Right in front of my eyes.
I realized that -- that it was my
fault. I was the one who did that
to her. I hurt my own baby girl. My
daughter. And I didnt want to show
up drunk. But but I
Joanne takes a flask out of her coat
TODD
What are you doing, you were just
telling me about how you sobered up
to meet your daughter
Joanne tries to drink it but Todd knocks it out of her hand.
The alcohol spills onto the ground
JOANNE
Why would you do that?
TODD
I dont get it, you-- you said that
you were going to stop.
JOANNE
I want to, but I -- its hard-Joanne taps on her own head
JOANNE (CONTD)
Its so hard, I need a drink I need
a drink I cant do this anymore-TODD
You need to visit someone. Okay? Go
to meetings, because what youve
done, you know, it destroys people.
I know that its a cause of dads
death, but I mean what youre
doing, that couldve been a cause
of Lydias death you know and uhh
no offense no offense of course you
know

104.

JOANNE
Okay. Ill start going to meetings.
Todd gives his mom a hug. She reciprocates and cries and
doesnt let go.
TODD (V.O.)
That was my mom. The mom I knew.
The one who raised me.
INT. JAIL CELL - NIGHT
Jack is sitting in a jail cell with a couple other men. They
all look tougher than him. Jack looks like a complete mess
though, in fact the exact opposite of how he looked at the
start of the film. He is paler with bags under his eyes. It
was a gradual change but its really shown here. He is
isolated on one side of the cell with the tougher guys on the
other side. A policeman is outside of the cell eating a
donut, sitting at his desk.
JACK
You dont understand--I didnt, I
didnt do nothin!
The other cellmates laugh
JACK (CONTD)
No I-- can I get a phonecall?
POLICEMAN
What?
JACK
My phonecall. THey say it in the
movies. Come on man, can I get my
call please?
POLICEMAN
Yeah sure.
The policeman gets up and hands the phone on the cord over to
Jack
POLICEMAN (CONTD)
One call.
JACK
Yeah yeah I saw the movies I
already I already told you.. That.
(thinking to himself)
One call, one call. Okay. Here goes
nothing.

105.

Jack dials the number

JACK (CONTD)
Pick up pick up pick up
INTERCUT - JAIL CELL/HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
Todd, Kara, and Joanne are sitting down in the waiting room.
Todds phone rings
TODD
Yeah?
JACK
Dude dude ummm
TODD
Where are you man, something
happened to Lydia. You need to stop
by the hospital
JACK
Oh oh is it serious?
TODD
Where are you?
JACK
I ran into a problem. Im in
jail... right now. and I need you
to umm come and get me, like pay
the bail or whatever and please get
me out of here. They didnt press
charges thank god so I think that-umm
TODD
Im on my way.
Todd hangs up.
INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT
TODD
I gotta go.
KARA
Where?
TODD
Get my dumb freaking brother.

106.

JOANNE
Why, where is he?
TODD
Ill go pick him up. Kara do you
have the keys?
KARA
Yeah right here.
TODD
Okay.
Todd grabs the keys and exits
INT. JAIL CELL - NIGHT
Todd enters
TODD
Jack?
JACK
Dude you came!
TODD
Yeah obviously
JACK
Oh right-POLICEMAN
Hello, you here to grab jack?
TODD
Yeah Im his brother.
POLICEMAN
Alright. Ill go file the
paperwork.
The policeman exits
TODD
Jack what happened?
JACK
I did something dumb.
TODD
What did you do?

107.

JACK
Me, Jeff and Carl. We umm tried to
rob a store.
TODD
You tried to rob a -- wait where
are Jeff and Carl? Wheres your
friends?
JACK
(crying)
They left me... Theyre not my
friends! My friends wouldnt treat
me like this! My friends wouldnt
give me drugs even though they know
that I was dealing with real life
stuff, you know, its like-theyre not my friends!
TODD
Jack.
JACK
And like I dont know what to do
because now
TODD
Jack.
JACK
Theyre all I have and so now its
going
TODD
Its about the choices you make.
Dont blame your friends. Who was
the one who tried the drugs? You.
Who was the one who got kicked out
of the house because of the drugs?
You. Who was the one who decided to
rob the store with your little
friends. Answer the question
JACK
Me-TODD
--It was you. Okay Jack. Now whos
the one without the football
scholarship because he got kicked
off the team
JACK
What--

108.

TODD
You. I I got the call in the car.
They dont want you on the team
anymore.
JACK
What are you talking about?
TODD
Between the drugs and now this, I
mean its not too hard to figure
out how it went down.
JACK
(crying)
Oh my god! OH MY GOD!!!!!
TODD
Im sorry.
JACK
MY LIFE IS OVER!!! ITS ALL OVER! I
WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE NFL MAN!
I HAD DREAMS, I WAS GOING TO BE
SOMEBODY! What, because I robbed
the store?
TODD
But its your fault. These were the
choices you made.
JACK
Jesus Christ.
TODD
Look. Dads dead. We know that. But
its time to get back into life. No
more fooling around, you know. We
gotta try.
JACK
Yeah.
TODD
Okay.
JACK
Okay.
The policeman shows up with the paperwork
POLICEMAN
Here you go, heres for you to
sign.

109.

TODD
Thank you.
Todd signs it
EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT
Todd is driving the car with Jack sitting in the passenger
seat. They are silent.
JACK
Hey uhh I never got to say it but-thanks for being there for me man.
TODD
Yeah. No prob. Im your brother,
you know?
JACK
Yeah, but. Thanks.
TODD
I love you man.
JACK
Alright...
Todd laughs a bit and they keep driving
TODD (V.O.)
And that was my brother. Jack.
EXT. KARAS HOUSE - NIGHT
Todd and Kara are sitting on the steps outside her house.
TODD
That day probably goes in the
books.
KARA
For the craziest?
TODD
Yeah. But also just in the books. A
memorable one.
KARA
You seem to be getting a lot of
those lately.

110.

TODD
Yeah well ever since I met you, I
think all bets are off, you know.
They kiss.
KARA
Oh look!
TODD
What?
KARA
The sun, its coming up! See that?
TODD
Yeah I see it.
KARA
Are you going to school today?
TODD
No, no way in hell.
KARA
Yeah same.
TODD
Good. But I cant hang. I gotta be
with my family today.
KARA
Thats good, Todd. Im really happy
that you have a family who loves
you so much.
TODD
Its a good thing. I guess Im
pretty lucky.
They watch the sunrise
TODD (V.O.)
And that was Kara. My girlfriend.
CUT TO:
INT. TODDS ROOM - DAY
Todd is at his computer typing into a document. You see him
type And that was Kara. My girlfriend into a long essay.

111.

TODD
(spacing his words out
while typing)
That ... was... how I discovered...
who... I was. I am ...
independent... strong... and... a
bit more confident. But thats...
why... I think.. I would be a
strong... candidate... for your
university.
Todd types some more, leans back into his chair and scrolls
through his essay.
TODD (CONTD)
And send. Cool.
Todd closes his computer, gets up from his seat and runs
downstairs.
THE END