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    THINGS ARE GONNA CHANGE AROUND HERE

    By

    Jarred Hodgdon

    (c) 2014 Jarred Hodgdon

    (510)[email protected]

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    FADE IN

    EXT. ROLAND’S BACKYARD - DAY

    Finches, parakeets, and other birds fly around the aviary. A

    rat crawls along the back fence within the enclosure.

    POP.

    The fire of a BB gun sends the birds into a frenzy, the ratdoesn’t seem to notice.

    MAURICE (70), a curmudgeon, cocks the gun while sitting in aplastic lawn seat. He steadies the barrel for his next shot.

    ROLANDAt it again?

    ROLAND (29),an odd guy mentally situated somewhere on theautism spectrum, stands in the porch doorway.

    MAURICERats... Goddamned rats.

    ROLANDOr maybe it’s the neighbor’s catyou’re shooting at again?

    MAURICEI was only puttin’ steam in itsass.

    ROLANDAnd like last time, the steam willcome right out the neighbors ears.

    MAURICEThey’d never have known if thepellet didn’t get caught in thatturd’s mangy fur.

    ROLANDHow about I just set a trap?

    MAURICEHorse shit! It’s just a pellet,would barely hurt a flea. Look.

    Maurice points the gun a foot from his left hand and fires.

    POP.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 2.

    MAURICEHungh.

    ROLANDOh.

    Maurice grimaces. Blood trickles from the wound as he makesa fist.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)That was stupid. Why would you dothat.

    MAURICE(through gritted teeth)

    Been around a lot longer then youfor you to tell me how to conductmyself.

    ROLANDWe don’t even have any bandages.

    Maurice fiddles with his wound.

    MAURICE(sotto)

    Yep, yep, yep. Things are gonnahave to change around here.

    ROLANDCan you give me a ride to work?

    INT./EXT. MAURICE’S VAN - DAY

    Maurice and Roland sit in the captain seats as Mauricedrives down the street. Maurice has a tube sock tied aroundhis hand.

    MAURICECan’t drive himself to work. Icould drive when I was twelve.

    ROLANDI can drive. I don’t drive.

    MAURICEIt’s just as easy to die in thatseat as this one.

    Maurice lights a Virginia Slim cigarette.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 3.

    ROLANDI’ll have Dale pick me up tonight.

    MAURICEThat’s all I’m good for, a roof anda ride.

    ROLANDWhy don’t you just kick me outalready?

    MAURICEYou have a strange conception offamily kiddo.

    INT. HOMELESS SHELTER/COMMON AREA - DAY

    Roland’s work- a large/open human warehouse, with linoleum

    floors and chipping paint.

    JOYCE (85), hunchbacked and disheveled, plays "I WAS BORNUNDER A WANDERIN’ STAR" on an out of tune piano. ASSORTEDHOMELESS people sit and mill about.

    INT. HOMELESS SHELTER/FRONT DESK - CONTINUOUS

    Roland is playing solitaire. LINCOLN (55) approaches thedesk.

    LINCOLN

    Can I get a towel?

    ROLANDWhat happened to yours?

    LINCOLNI don’t have one.

    ROLANDYou’ve been here a month, didn’tyou get one when you arrived?

    LINCOLNNo. I never got one.

    Roland stands up and pulls keys from his pocket.

    ROLANDWhat have you been using?

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 4.

    LINCOLNI had a towel, but someone musthave took it.

    Roland unlocks a drawer and pulls a towel from it. He handsit to Lincoln.

    ROLANDThis one is yours now. Hold onto itand wash it with your laundry.

    Lincoln leaves.

    Roland walks towards the common area.

    INT. HOMELESS SHELTER/COMMON AREA - CONTINUOUS

    Roland makes his way to Joyce at the piano.

    ROLANDHi Joyce.

    Joyce abruptly stops playing.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)Have any other songs you want toplay? We’ve heard this one many,many times.

    TANK TOP (35) gets up from his chair.

    TANK TOPAy! Can we put on the TV now?

    ROLANDYeah that’s fine.

    Roland slides a seat up next to Joyce.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)Lets take a break from the pianofor a while Joyce.

    Joyce turns her head towards the shoulder opposite Roland toaddress someone that isn’t there.

    JOYCEYeah that guy’s some kind ofasshole I guess.

    CARTOONS have been turned on on the TV.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 5.

    ROLANDJoyce...hey Joyce?

    JOYCEYeah, what is it?

    ROLANDHow are you doing today?

    JOYCEOh fine I guess... I guess there’ssome people that want to take mymoney and my time. But I know whatthey’re up to.

    Joyce turns to talk to her imaginary friend.

    JOYCE (CONT’D)Shut up asshole.

    ROLANDWho took your money ?

    JOYCEHmmm well. "My Fair Lady"...everheard of it? No I guess youwouldn’t have. I wrote all of that,and they stole it. Those faggotsstole it all from me.

    ROLANDWe can’t use words like that okay?

    JOYCEYes yes yes.

    ROLANDIsn’t "My Fair Lady" based on"Pygmalion"?

    JOYCEI know that! There wasn’t any musicin that though was there?!

    INT./EXT. DALE’S CAR -SAME

    A HARSH BEAT blasts through the stereo system. DALE DOWNSAKA MEOW MIX(35), hip-hop superstar in his mind, is drivingwhile bopping his head.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 6.

    DALE(rapping)

    Cause I’m the Charles Mingus, ofmaking cunnilingus. And the JohnColtrane of bringing the pain. Irub my penis on the Venus....

    (losing the plot)De Milo, fire off like a missilesilo. Ungh.

    Dale struggles for the next brilliant line of his freestyle.

    DALEHan Solo...

    Dale fails.

    Dale takes a swig through the straw of his Big Gulp.

    INT. SHELTER - CONTINUOUS

    Roland pulls a bar of soap from a nearby drawer and hands itto CRUTCHES (44) from behind the front desk.

    CRUTCHESDontcha have an unscented one?

    ROLANDThat’s what we have today.

    CRUTCHES

    Any organic one? The organic onesusually come unscented.

    ROLANDThat’s what we have today. Sorry.

    CRUTCHESScented makes me itch.

    TRACEY (35), prim Shelter Manager, emerges from her officenear the desk and approaches.

    CRUTCHESTracey. Hey Tracey, do y’all haveunscented soap?

    TRACEYI dunno. Can you check for himRoland?

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 7.

    Tracey watches over Roland as he again inspects the drawer,Crutches peers expectantly. Roland rifles through the drawerpulling bar after bar of soap and other travel sizetoiletries out.

    ROLAND

    No. It looks like these are alleither scented or unspecified.

    CRUTCHESOooo that one!

    Roland hands the indicated soap to Crutches. Crutches drawsa long whiff of it.

    CRUTCHESYeah, this one’s good.

    Crutches ambles away with the aid of his walking support

    devices.

    TRACEYHappy to help sir...

    (back to Roland)

    Freedom of choice as a consumer isfundamental to human dignity. Don’tyou think so?

    ROLANDI dunno, there’s research that

    demonstrates capitalist models ofcompetitive choice can producecognitive dissonance and anxie--

    TRACEY--We have new procedure Roland.From now on we’ll lock the clientfridge and open it for ten minutesevery three hours.

    ROLANDThat’s been tried. The clientsnearly revolt and that policy neversticks.

    TRACEYWell if everyone is consistentbehind the policy, it will workout.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 8.

    ROLANDI was completely behind it thefirst time I encountered therefrigerator locking rule, in eachiteration of it I have been atleast, functionally behind it.

    TRACEYWhat would you say to all theclients telling me their food isgetting stolen?

    ROLANDI would tell them that they live ina tin can filled with ninety otherpeople and things either get stolenor they are locked up andinaccessible. There are somearrangements in life that don’t

    have ideal solutions.

    TRACEYHere, go put this on the fridgenow.

    Tracey puts a padlock into Roland’s hand.

    ROLANDYou have my word, I will be behindthis policy one-hundredpercent...When we go back to theoriginal policy in three months, I

    will also be behind thatone-hundred percent.

    Roland walks off as Tracey crosses her arms.

    Tracey picks up the client census and starts flippingthrough it. The front doors burst open, Dale struts in,BEATBOXING.

    Tracey gives him a look that says, "Oh hell no!".

    Dale approaches the desk.

    DALEWhattup?!

    TRACEYHello. What’s your name?

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 9.

    DALEIt says Meow Mix on the front of myCD.

    TRACEYWhat’s your name as it appears on

    our register of clients?

    DALEAw naw. I don’t stay here.

    TRACEYWell we don’t have any beds rightnow, and we don’t take walk-ins.You have to get a referral from theHSA or the police.

    DALENa Na Na. I’m here to see...

    (noticing Roland)

    Roland. Ay Roland! What up rogue?

    Roland returns - Dale extends for a fist bump, Roland grabsthe top of it.

    ROLANDHi Dale. You’re early.

    TRACEYRoland, you know the rules about

    client privacy. Can you tell yourfriend to wait outside please?

    OLD MAN AFRO shuffles by towards the door.

    OLD MAN AFROAy, what up, Dale?!

    DALESup sup!

    OLD MAN AFROGot a ’pote for me?

    Dale follows after Old Man Afro.

    DALEFo show.

    Dale and Old Man Afro exit. Tracey and Roland lock eyes in astare across the desk.

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    10.

    INT./EXT. DALE’S CAR -DAY

    Dale drives down the highway with Roland, his passenger.

    DALENew manager lady’s pretty fly.

    ROLANDShe’s okay. At least this onegraduated from college instead of arecovery program.

    DALESo you gonna hit that then?

    ROLANDHow is that even a progression oflogic?

    DALEAw c’mon, Rolie. I don’t ever seeyou messin’ with any ladies, butyou gotta get down sometime!

    ROLANDYou know I don’t get down.

    DALEHow you jizzin?!

    ROLANDExcuse me?

    DALEHow you jizzin, blood? My homeygotta be cummin’ someways!

    ROLANDMaybe your attitude ofobjectification should bere-evaluated. The amount of timeyou spend obsessing about womendoesn’t translate to results.

    DALEOh you’re gonna critique my gamethen? Alright...Well funny youshould ask my man, it just sohappens I have a proposition forya.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 11.

    ROLANDGreat.

    DALESee. I met this girl on OK Cupid.However, she is VERY interested.

    But she seems like she got trustissues. We gonna have a date, butshe is bringing her friend along.So now you have to come.

    ROLANDNo way. A double date? No way.

    DALEIts not like a date!

    ROLANDA blind double date? No way.

    DALENaw man! This girls a third wheel.You’re just like...a second thirdwheel.

    ROLANDSorry I just don’t see ithappening.

    DALEA trifecta.

    ROLANDNo. Take one of your friends fromyour rap group.

    DALEMy crew? Fuck naw, thosemuthafuckas are playa’s. They’llswoop on my shit.

    ROLANDI’m sorry. No.

    DALEI dunno rogue. I give you a lot ofrides, from to and fro. I’d hatefor that to not happen anymore.

    Roland calmly punches his forehead, defeated.

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    12.

    INT. ROLAND’S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

    A TV set illuminates a room that hasn’t received any touchesof decoration since the early 1980’s. Maurice and FRAN (75)sit close on the couch, a blanket covering their lap.

    The blanket moves from a concealed motion. Fran looks atMaurice’s face, he closes his eyes.

    MAURICEUngh.

    The front door OPENS.

    The jerking under the blanket stops. Roland enters from thefront door. Maurice COUGHS.

    ROLANDHey Moe. Hey Fran.

    (halting)Really? You’re going to do that outhere?

    Roland bolts away to the adjacent kitchen.

    MAURICEHey, this is my house...we wouldn’thave to sit out here if you got thecable to my room set up like Iasked.

    FRAN

    Maurice.

    INT. ROLAND’S KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

    ROLANDThat’s what the cable company’sfor.

    Roland digs through the fridge, pulling out sandwichmaterial. Maurice enters the kitchen.

    MAURICEThey came but they messed up somegoddamned thing or another. I needyou to look at it.

    Roland holds up a mayonnaise jar.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 13.

    ROLANDAre you back on regular mayonnaiseor should I continue to buy thelight one--

    (noticing something)--You have an erection.

    We see now that Maurice has a boner in his pants.

    MAURICEI got that jar on my donation run,it still had a good date.

    ROLANDWhy would you subject me to yourerection? And please don’t bringyour old food in here. I’ve toldyou before, it’s out of date andwho knows how long it sits out

    behind the store before then ridingin the back of your van for hours.

    Maurice pushes past Roland and opens the freezer.

    MAURICEMalarkey. It’s good enough for yourhobo friends though?!

    Maurice pulls ice-cream from the freezer.

    MAURICE (CONT’D)You got it too easy for your own

    good.

    ROLANDSure I do.

    MAURICEWe’re having some floats,you wantone?

    ROLANDNo thanks.

    Roland is fixing a sandwich, Maurice pulls tall glasses froma cabinet.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)I feel like painting. You mind if Iwork tonight?

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 14.

    MAURICEYeah, it’s okay...

    (whispering)I don’t know if Frannie’s stayingover. Just peek in first and see.

    ROLAND(hushed)Why don’t you just tell her what wedo?

    MAURICEAnd let her know my grandson is afreak? I wouldn’t do that to youkiddo.

    INT. SHELTER - DAY

    Roland sits at the front desk, working on a newspaperSudoku. The front door opens, and ALBA (45) enters. As sheapproaches, Roland and Alba share a look of surprisedrecognition.

    ALBARoland?!

    ROLANDAunt Alba.

    ALBAMy god, it’s been fuckin’ years.

    What the hell you doin’ here?!

    ROLANDI work here. And it looks as thoughyou’re a prospective client.

    Alba hands a slip of paper to Roland.

    ALBAThe po-leece gave this to me andtole me to come down. I can’tbelieve this shit.

    Alba takes a seat across from Roland at the desk.

    ROLANDIt’s okay. A lot of people comethrough here. I won’t judge you.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 15.

    ALBAWhy not? Our family only ever wasjudgment anyhow. And look at you!Some kinda boyscout to work in ahomeless shelter.

    ROLAND

    There is no moral foundation to myemployment here I assure you. I’mjust not suited for most careertrajectories.

    ALBAShit. This isn’t my kinda deal, Ithink I should just go.

    ROLANDNo, don’t go. This is better thanthe street. If there’s some helpthat this shelter can offer you,

    than stay.

    ALBAYou say that...but I know I’ll justbe messin’ things up for you here.

    ROLANDDon’t worry about me. I have to getsome info for an intake, but don’ttell me anything you don’t wantto...or just lie. Almost everyonelies on these.

    Roland pulls papers out of the drawer and sets them on thedesk.

    ALBADo you still see HIM?

    ROLANDMaurice? Of course, I live withhim.

    ALBAAUGH. You let him live with you? I

    can’t imagine.

    Roland begins filling out the paperwork.

    ROLANDI know enough to get startedhere... still have the samesurname? Martin?

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 16.

    ALBAGod no. I took my ex-husbands...Jones. The only fucker out therethat’s worse than my daddy.

    ROLAND

    How long have you been homeless?

    ALBAI dunno. That depends, what do youconsider a home? I haven’t been onthe streets or nothing, but I ain’thad a place you could send mail to.

    ROLANDI’m going to put down ’first timehomeless’ okay?...What do youconsider your primary cause ofhomelessness?

    Roland focuses on Alba, she glares at him.

    ALBAJust put down whatever’s best. Iwon’t be here long, jus’ till I getmy shit together.

    ROLANDDon’t tell anyone we know eachother. It might make my jobdifficult.

    ALBACan I use the toilet? Where’s thetoilet?

    Roland stands up, Alba follows suit.

    ROLANDYeah... we’ll get you settled in.This voucher gets you a bed for atleast a month as long as you don’tcause any trouble.

    Roland picks up his keys, Alba slings her duffel bag overher shoulder.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)Hey...Grandpa actually doesn’t livewith me. I live with him... Yourold room actually.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 17.

    ALBAHis house? No no, your parentsbought that offa him, about a yearbefore they died. Got him outtamoney trouble.

    ROLANDWhat?!

    ALBAThey left that house to you.

    ROLANDThat’s not possible.

    ALBACourse it was! You don’t think Iknow? That old bastard was fumingafter he learnt that.

    ROLANDI’ve been paying him rent.

    ALBASheeit..

    Alba laughs mockingly.

    ROLANDEvery month. I’ve been paying himrent more than ten years.

    ALBAI told ya...he’s a bastard.

    EXT. ROLAND’S BACKYARD - DAY

    A rat scurries along the backyard fence. The sight at theend of the BB Gun tracks him.

    POP.

    INT./EXT. DALE’S CAR - DAY

    Dale is chauffeuring Roland home from work.

    DALEYo, I can’t believe salty ol’ Moecould steal a whole muthafuckin’house from you.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 18.

    ROLANDI’m not sure he did. My Aunt wasnever all there, and she hassubstance abuse issues. Her infocould be all wrong.

    DALEFuck. What you fin ta do then?

    ROLANDStop off at the county building.

    DALENaw we gotta get you lookin’ tightfor our date tonight.

    ROLANDFine. You want me to go on thedate?! Just stop at the County

    building first before they close.

    DALEGoddammit muthafucka, I swear togod you’re saltin’ my game. Youplayin’ the playa, rogue.

    INT. COUNTY RECORDER’S OFFICE - DAY

    The small office is grey, a sick plant in the corner is itsonly touch of decor. Roland marches in, with Dale steppingwith swagger behind him.

    They approach the front desk, where MEREDITH (45) looks upto help them. Dale checks the plainly dressed woman out.

    ROLANDI need to make an inquiryabout title--propertyownership.

    DALES’up girl.

    MEREDITHSure, use any of those computersover there. Just follow the

    prompts. We’re closing in twentythough.

    Roland hurries off to the indicated computers, Dale hangsback and stares hungrily at Meredith.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 19.

    MEREDITH (CONT’D)Is there something I can help youwith?

    DALEProbably. What’re you thinkin’ ?

    MEREDITHDon’t look at me like that, Sir.

    DALEAm I excitin’ you too much?

    MEREDITHYou’re about to give me cause toreach across this desk and slugyou.

    DALE

    Damn.

    INT. COUNTY RECORDER’S OFFICE /AT COMPUTERS - MOMENTS LATER

    Roland types furiously, researching the County’s database.Dale is on Facebook at the computer next to him.

    ROLANDIt’s all right here. It’s all beeninside here the whole time.

    DALE

    Look Rolie, I found her right here.Molly’s on Facebook. Peep this songshe posted.

    Dale starts playing a song off the computer, something likeBLANK GENERATION by Richard Hell.

    ROLANDDidn’t you meet this girl on there?Why is this a revelation?

    DALEI can get into this. It’s edgy shitright?

    Meredith approaches.

    DALE (CONT’D)Naw I met her on OK Cupid, don’tget it twisted.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 20.

    MEREDITHYou need to turn this off.

    DALES’up lady.

    MEREDITH

    And you can’t be on Facebook.C’mon, you two need to leave.

    ROLANDMa’am what’s this look like to you.

    Roland indicates to his screen.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)It says granter, grantee. But itlooks to me like Roland is theowner of the house.

    Meredith looks at the screen.

    MEREDITHYeah. Roland was deeded the houseas a minor, so there would be astate guardian to monitor thesituation...but that was more thanten years ago. So yeah, Roland ownsthe house.

    ROLANDBut I’m Roland.

    MEREDITHCongratulations. You own a house.

    DALEFuckin’ rad!

    MEREDITHWe’re closing, can you two pack itup now?

    ROLANDThat son of a bitch stole my house.

    INT. DINER - NIGHT

    Roland stares off blankly. He shares the booth with Dale andtheir dates, MOLLY (31) and ROSALINE (33), women who havepunk rock/indie affectations and attire. Dale is holdingcourt, the women seem amused in a far from romantic way.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 21.

    DALESo that was my sixth album. But I’mworking on like eight and nineright now. I’m not gonna releasenumber seven. That’s like, a luckynumber and I wanna keep it in thevaults... release it posthumously.

    ROSALINEA superstar huh? How come I’venever heard of you?

    DALEYou don’t believe me?! I sent yourgirl Molly here my Soundcloudlinks. She’ll tell ya.

    MOLLYI haven’t listened yet.

    DALEAw damn. Well there ya go. Ya go ona date and don’t even do yourhomework! Roland’ll tell ya. AyRolie!

    Dale turns to his friend.

    DALE (CONT’D)Hey wake up yo!

    ROSALINE(sotto/ to Molly)

    He looks pensive.

    ROLANDYeah?

    DALEHey man, tell these girls-- Heywhat’s your problem man? We havesome beautiful ladies here, andyou’re mister spaceman.

    (to Molly)I’m sorry, he gets, like nervous.

    MOLLY(sotto /to Rosaline)

    Strong silent type.

    ROSALINE(sotto/ to Molly)

    But not that strong.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 22.

    ROLANDAnd Dale gets a little excitablearound the opposite sex. I’m happyto be here. I’m just a littledistracted at the moment.

    MOLLYDistracted? Like how?

    ROLANDMy grandpa stole my dead parentshouse from me.

    MOLLYHow do you steal a house?

    ROLANDJust...with lies. A whole longstring of lies.

    ROSALINEThan where do you live now?

    ROLANDI live in the house...And I’m goingto take it back from him too.

    MOLLYGreat than it’s settled.

    DALEWe were talking about my music.

    Roland turns to Dale and nods his head. Molly quickly looksRoland up and down, intrigued.

    ROLANDOh yes. Dale here is a verytalented recording artist. Did youtell them about your rap operaDale?

    ROSALINERap opera?

    ROLANDYes, rap opera. It’s lovely. Youshould hear it, like Wagner’s RingCycle but hyphy-er.

    DALEThanks homey!

    MOLLYSounds great.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 23.

    ROLANDWhat’s that?

    Roland points to Molly’s hand. She spins a harmonica in herpalm.

    MOLLYMy harp.

    ROLANDYou play it?

    MOLLYSometimes. But mostly I just keepit around, with the looming threatthat I might play it.

    DALEYo, we could put that down on a

    track.

    ROSALINEShe just wants people to noticeher.

    EXT. DINER - LATER

    Roland zips up his jacket as Dale sparks up a cigarette.

    DALEThese girls are ready and raring

    brotha! What’s the game plan?

    ROLANDHave you considered an exitstrategy?

    DALEYo, lets think of a smooth move,get them to the motel down the way.

    ROLANDYou’d probably expect me to vetothat proposal, but I’ll tell youwhat. If you can get them to agreeto extending this soiree, you cancount me in.

    DALEMMM HMM. What’s this?! Is yo dickrisin up like a muthafuckin’compass to guide us home into those

    (MORE)

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 24.

    DALE (cont’d)beautiful vaginas? Rogue, I knewyou had it in you.

    Dale puts his arm up for a high five.

    ROLAND

    No. I just know there’s no waythose two women see anythingcompelling in potential coitus withus.

    Dale retracts his arm.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)But by the slim chance they do. I’mjust in that kind of mood. I feelangry. Reckless.

    DALE

    This is you angry? You still prettychill homey.

    Roland turns his steely glare towards Dale.

    ROLANDI don’t give a fuck about anythingin this world anymore.

    INT. DINER/ WOMEN’S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

    A toilet FLUSHES, Rosaline exits from the stall. Molly isBLOW DRYING her hands.

    MOLLYWanna switch?!

    ROSALINENo way! You met that guy on OkCupid? He seems more like acandidate for the Megan’s Law site.

    MOLLYYeah but Roland looks ready to wave

    the white flag and retreat.

    ROSALINEThat’s fine by me.

    MOLLYHe’s cute enough though.

    Rosaline washes her hands.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 25.

    ROSALINEYeah he is. They seem harmless, butlets wrap this debacle up, okay?

    MOLLYAw. I was thinking a few drinks at

    The Broadway might be a laugh.

    Rosaline joins her hands next to Molly’s under the jet dry.

    ROSALINEI’m not saying I wouldn’t give thegoobers a second shot...but theirgame’s not worthy of morning afterregrets.

    MOLLYYou’re right.

    ROSALINEWe can get into something moreinteresting after they drop us off.

    Rosaline and Molly clasp hands in the jet dry and raise themout together, locking eyes and belting out in unison:

    MOLLY"We belong to the night, webelong to the thunder!"

    ROSALINEWe belong to the light, webelong to the thunder!"

    EXT. DINER - MOMENTS LATER

    Dale takes a drag from his cigarette and flicks it off.Rosaline and Molly exit from the diner, GIGGLING.

    DALELadies, ladies! How was that?Dinner and a movie huh? Roland andI, we were thinkin’ we could getinto some drinks, have some fun.

    ROSALINESorry--

    MOLLYWe’re tired. Do you thinkyou can drop us off at myplace?

    Dale looks crestfallen, Roland fires a knowing smirk at him.

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    26.

    INT./EXT. DALE’S CAR/ OUTSIDE ROLAND’S HOUSE - NIGHT

    Dale and Roland confer.

    DALESalted my game muthafucka.

    ROLANDWhat did you think would happen?What about me says ’wingman’?

    DALETrue that. Thanks for tryin’ thorogue.

    Roland motions to exit.

    DALE (CONT’D)Ay. Whatchu gon’ do bout Moe?

    Roland takes a moment to consider.

    ROLANDI’m going to throw some salt in hisgame.

    INT. ROLAND’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

    Roland holds up a fresh painting and looks the canvas over.His room is packed floor to ceiling, but meticulous. Fullbookshelves and art materials consume the room.

    This painting disgusts Roland, he observes it with agrimace. His work is abstract, a blend of curvy primarycolored blobs and sharp, dark, frenetic lines. He slips thecanvas behind several others leaned against the wall.

    We see a painting, hung on the best real estate the walloffers. It is unfinished, but depicts Roland as a teenager,smiling with a tennis racket over his shoulder. It’s clearfrom the style this was not painted by Roland.

    Roland pulls painting materials from a tool locker, loadingthem into a working tray. He picks up a fresh canvas.

    INT. MAURICE’S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

    Maurice is asleep, laying on his back, mouth agape --SNORING. Fran lies next to him, a reading light strapped toher head, romance novel in hand.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 27.

    The door swings open. Roland enters, arms full with artsupplies. Making no effort to be quiet, he flips on thelight.

    FRANRoland?

    ROLANDHi Fran.

    Roland sets his canvas on Maurice’s belly. He sets up hisother materials within arms reach, on the nightstand.

    FRANWhat are you doing?

    ROLANDFran. This is what we do when youdon’t stay over.

    FRANBut...I’m here right now.

    ROLANDCan you please go home now Fran.

    FRANYou paint in here?...Like this?

    ROLANDPlease Fran.

    FRANBut it’s dark out.

    ROLANDYou live just around the corner.

    Roland is now setting up paints on a palette. Fran sits upin bed.

    FRANI don’t understand.

    Fran begins to shake Maurice.

    FRAN (CONT’D)Moe...Moe....Maurice!

    ROLANDYou know him...sleeps like thedead.

    Fran, in pajamas, gives up and rises up out of bed.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 28.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)He only wakes up when he wants to.

    Roland picks up Fran’s clothes from the floor and hands themto her.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)Just change in the hall bathroom.Thanks for understanding.

    Fran is mortified. She slowly slinks out of the room.

    Roland stares down at his grandfather.

    Fran exits, shutting the door.

    Roland pours some paint medium into a little cup and sets iton the bedside table.

    ROLANDThings are going to changearound here, Moe.

    INT. ROLAND’S HOUSE/HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

    Fran reacts, unsettled. She steps back from the door. Shewalks towards the bathroom and enters.

    INT. MAURICE’S ROOM -CONTINUOUS

    Roland snaps his fingers in front of Maurice’s face. Hewaves his hand back and forth, inches from Maurice’s eyes.

    Roland smiles.

    INT. ROLAND’S HOUSE/HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER

    Fran exits the bathroom, pajamas in hand. She walks down thehall towards the front door of the house.

    She come to the front door, reaches for the knob, buthesitates.

    Fran looks through the living room at the door to thebackyard porch.

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    29.

    EXT. ROLAND’S BACKYARD - NIGHT

    The door opens and Fran exits.

    A few birds, up past their bedtime, CHIRP intermittently.

    Fran slowly walks, towards the side-yard.

    A motion detector flips a porch light on, Fran flinches.

    Reaching the side-yard, she walks towards a windowilluminated from the inside.

    Fran reaches the window and prepares herself.

    She slowly leans in, glimpsing through the window.

    INTERCUT / INT. MAURICE’S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

    Roland stands next to the bed Maurice sleeps in. He isholding his grandfathers hand, which is holding the brush.They paint on the canvas rested on Maurice’s belly. Mauricesleeps peacefully. Roland and Maurice paint in long, fiercestrokes.

    Roland’s eyes are wide open, he clenches his teeth.

    Fran backs away from the window, eyes wide with shock.

    INT. MAURICE’S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

    Roland continues to paint in a frenzy, guiding Maurice’shand across the canvas. Maurice continues to sleep-- partnerin the process nonetheless.

    The door opens and Fran cautiously enters. Roland looks upbriefly but otherwise doesn’t acknowledge her. Fran slowlyapproaches the bed.

    FRANWhat are you doing?

    ROLANDPainting...This is how we paint.It’s my process.

    Roland continues to work, not looking at Fran.

    FRANHe’s not going to like this.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 30.

    ROLANDWe do it all the time...It’s how Iwork.

    FRANBut, why?

    ROLAND(losing cool)

    You probably have a goddamnedJackson Pollock print hanging inyour kitchen so don’t address melike I’m some weirdo.

    FRANI just don’t--

    ROLAND--Sorry. It’s just probably an

    innovation in the medium. I avoidwork when you stay over. It seemedlike he was embarrassed orsomething. He never told you we dothis?

    FRANNo, he--

    ROLAND--He doesn’t say a lot ofthings...Did he tell you this wasmy house? That my parents bought it

    from him and I inherited it?

    FRANNo...This is his house Roland.

    ROLANDNo. Not any more.

    FRANAll I know is that he was helpingyou out. After they passed--

    ROLAND--Did he tell you how they died?

    FRANThat’s. That’s a terrible thing...

    Fran searches for words while Roland paints, unfazed.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 31.

    ROLANDThey moved in here to help him. Andlook what he did to us.

    FRANMoe’s not good with money, but he’sgood to you. He was good to them.

    Roland slowly turns his head to Fran, his eyes burning.

    FRAN (CONT’D)I always told Moe that you two needeach other...to be kind to you.It’s just his way.

    ROLANDI never knew. I had to learn thetruth from my tweaker Aunt... Henever let me forget for a minutethat this house wasn’t a home for

    me.

    Roland returns to painting.

    FRANYou’ve both had a hard road.

    Roland is immersed, ignoring Fran. She slowly backs away andmoves to the door to leave.

    FADE TO BLACK

    INT. MAURICE’S ROOM- MORNING

    Maurice releases a GASP and awakes. He slowly looks aroundand takes his time sitting up.

    Maurice sees that his blankets are covered in paint and thatart mess is all around him.

    MAURICEOh shit...damn.

    Maurice looks to the floor where he sees Roland sleeping,

    splayed out next to a completed painting.

    Maurice slides out of bed and rests his feet on top ofRoland’s back.

    MAURICE (CONT’D)Wake up Picasso.

    Roland’s eyes open.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 32.

    MAURICE (CONT’D)Wake up. Yoo hoo!

    Roland rolls out from under Maurice’s feet, turning rightside up to face his grandfather.

    MAURICE (CONT’D)

    You made a big goddamned mess here.You’re supposed to be careful!

    ROLANDIt’s your mess too.

    MAURICEThis is a yard too far kiddo.

    ROLAND...What is the biggest lie you evertold me?

    MAURICEThe Easter Bunny probably, whatabout this mess?

    ROLANDAre you going to lay down the lawMoe? Are you going to kick me out?

    MAURICELord knows I outta, you sure knowthe outer limits of normalcy. Yougot me pinned though I reckon, onaccounta you know I’m a softie.Don’t count on a ride to work todaykiddo!

    ROLANDYou are going to give me a ride.

    MAURICEAh horseshit. Are you gonna cleanup this mess?!

    ROLANDDon’t I always clean up your mess?

    MAURICEIs this my mess now? Jesus, Maryand Joseph!

    ROLANDYou have to give me a ride. You’venever done a thing for me, all Iask for is a ride.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 33.

    MAURICEGoddamned little shit- get up then!I got the donation run too. Cleanthis mess up first.

    Maurice starts pushing the painting detritus off the bed.

    MAURICE (CONT’D)Koko the ape paints better than youand keeps a cleaner cage.

    EXT. SAFEWAY/ BACK OF STORE - DAY

    Maurice’s van pulls up.

    Maurice steps out like Clint Eastwood coming off a horse, aslim cigarette hanging out of his mouth.

    Roland exits from the passenger side.

    They make their way to the roll-up door delivery entrance,Roland glaring at Maurice.

    Piles of boxes of food sit outside the doors.

    The Safeway product receiver ARNOLD (60), comes out to greetthem.

    ARNOLDThere he is!

    MAURICEI’m back for more...whatta ya gotfor me?

    ARNOLDOh stale bread, stale pastries, acoupla spoiled milks in there. Yougot some gunk on your face thereMoe.

    MAURICEThis guy here. It’s paint.

    ARNOLD(To Roland )

    Oh yeah? You guys doing some housepainting or something?

    ROLANDYeah...we’re fixing the place up.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 34.

    ARNOLDAh. When you takin over for yourgrandpop here? Carrying on thelegacy, the Robin Hood of spoiledfood.

    ROLANDI don’t know. One day soonprobably.

    MAURICEYou don’t even drive ya dumb shit.

    EXT. BACK OF MAURICE’S VAN - MOMENTS LATER

    Roland and Maurice are loading the boxes into the back ofthe van.

    MAURICEHelp me drop a few off at thesenior home then we can leave therest with you at work.

    ROLANDNo. Lets go to my work first.

    MAURICEI’ll have to double back in thatcase, that’s too much trouble.

    ROLAND

    No. I’ll be late for work.

    Maurice shuts the van doors.

    MAURICEYour birthdays a week out yet, whyd’ya think you can call the scoretoday?

    ROLANDI don’t know Grandpa. Maybe purerage is coursing through my veins.

    MAURICEFigure it out kiddo- just quitpushin’ me. I’m like the apple withthe razor in it. Sweet, hard, andliable to cut yer throat.

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    35.

    INT. SHELTER/ FRONT ENTRANCE - DAY

    Roland and Maurice come through the doors of the shelter.They carry a box each of old bread. Roland looks about.

    They walk into the front main room.

    INT. SHELTER/ MAIN ROOM - CONTINUOUS

    VARIOUS HOMELESS sit about, Alba among them. Maurice doesn’tnotice her at first but she does a double take, and pops upfrom her seat.

    Maurice and Roland set the boxes down on a large table.

    ALBAHey, asshole!

    Alba steps up to Maurice.

    MAURICEAlba?!

    ALBAWhat’r YOU doing here?!

    (to Roland)Why’d you let him in here?

    Roland stares at Maurice, producing a slight smile.

    MAURICE

    Why are you here? The hell isthis?!

    ALBAWhadda ya think you stupidgorilla?! I’m a street urchin now!

    MAURICEI wouldn’t have let you stay HERE!

    ALBALET ME?! You kicked me out!

    Maurice and Alba square off.

    MAURICEYou brought that...that JUNK in myhouse. I wasn’t gonna come home tofind another one of my girls dead!

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 36.

    ROLANDMy house!

    Maurice and Alba shut up and look to Roland. VARIOUSHOMELESS "OOOH" and "AHHH" and gather around the melee.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)I know everything now. You areliving in my house.

    MAURICEMalarkey! Did she tell yousomething?! She’s a druggie and alier!

    ALBAHey pop, addiction is a disease andI ain’t no lier!

    Tracey enters quickly from the front desk area.

    TRACEYHey, hey, hey, what is?!--

    Tracey halts as Alba and Roland shoot crazy eyes at her.

    MAURICEI’ve never met a pack of moreungrateful S.O.B.’s.

    ALBAUngrateful?!

    MAURICEI help you both and only get grief.My house, my food, my money...youjust take like it comes out aspigot.

    ROLANDIt’s my house.

    MAURICEHorse shit. I bought that housebefore your mother was born. Theyonly helped me temporary for thebank, it was only for the papers--

    ROLAND--IT’S MY HOUSE!!

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 37.

    MAURICE(sotto)

    Horseshit.

    ALBAI told you, he’s full of it, thebastard!

    ROLANDGet ready for a whole new dynamicGrandpa.

    Tracey approaches the three and tries to separate them.

    TRACEYOkay...come on.

    MAURICE(at Roland)

    You walked me into this goddamned

    rat trap!

    TRACEYOkay! Thanks for the bread Maurice.Now please go.

    Maurice picks up a box of the donation bread.

    MAURICEThis is what happens when you tryto be charitable! The whole ofgoddamned creation marks you for asucker.

    Maurice makes for the door, as the dumbfounded room ofhomeless people watch him go.

    MAURICE (CONT’D)You won’t be seeing me again, youlot can go eat mud!

    TRACEY(to Roland)

    What the hell is wrong with you?

    EXT. CITY PARK - DAY

    Dale and Molly stroll along at the edge of the pond.

    DALEI like to come here and do mythinking...walk in circles, writesome verses.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 38.

    MOLLYNo you don’t.

    DALEYeah I do! For reals, I getintrospective.

    MOLLYWe had to use navigation to gethere.

    DALEAight. I most times just find thisspot by instinct I guess.

    MOLLYWhat’s Roland up to today?

    DALEWorkin’ at the shelter- hobo

    junction! Why?

    MOLLYJust wondering, Rosaline thought hewas cute. Just doing some recon.

    DALEHe’s kind of asexual or something.He tole me once "I don’t trustanyone that would be interested inme".

    MOLLYWhat?!

    DALEHaha! How ya like that shit?

    MOLLYWell, we could all hang out againand see what happens.

    DALEI like us hanging out like this,you and me... Lets make this

    happen.

    Dale tries to reach in for a kiss.

    MOLLYEw!

    Molly gives Dale a shove. Molly CHORTLES as he loses hisbalance and slips on some mud.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 39.

    DALEDamn!

    MOLLYYou could take a note from Rolandand be a little less pushy.

    DALEMy white sneakers!...These wereclean!

    MOLLYHow is a guy like you friends withhim anyways?

    DALEWe always been tight since gradeschool. He’s like, always straightup with me. And smart.

    MOLLYYou’re an O.G. though huh? Isn’t hekinda square?

    DALEA playa has to keep all kindsapeeps in his crew to keep his gamestraight. Like you fer instance.You’re kinda like a punk rockchick. I dig it. Diversity...But,uh. Mmmmm. I’m kinda feeling yougirl.

    Molly stops and looks at Dale. They turn towards each other.

    MOLLYI like you Dale. But I’m notfeeling...this. You and Roland arereal weirdos...the kind of people Ilike knowing. But there’s not goingto be anything between you and me.

    Dale looks down, stroking his chin.

    DALEAight, aight. You feeling my boyRoland then instead, huh?

    MOLLYNo I--

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 40.

    DALE--Let me tell you. You won’t gettoo far with that cat.

    MOLLYI just want to be friends. Can you

    work with that?

    DALEFo sho, fo sho. No doubt.

    Molly fakes him out as though she is going to shove Daleagain. He flinches.

    DALEOh shit.

    Dale composes himself, while Molly mugs at him mockingly.

    INT. MAURICE’S ROOM - EVENING

    Roland pulls a pair of old penny loafers out from underMaurice’s bed. He throws them out of the way and goes backto digging. Maurice stands nearby, leaning on an ornamentalwooden cane.

    MAURICEI did it for your own good kiddo.It’s not like I have much longeranyhow.

    Roland pulls various debris from under the bed.

    ROLANDYou lorded this house over my head.I know now, the only reason youdidn’t kick me out is that I ownit.

    MAURICEFamily doesn’t do that kinda thing.

    ROLANDYou talk family. Your daughter isin a homeless shelter.

    Roland crawls up off the floor and faces Maurice.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)So today’s moving day Grandpa.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 41.

    MAURICEAnd where pray tell am I moving to?

    ROLANDRight across the hall... You canstay for now, but that’s up in the

    air. Believe me.

    MAURICEWe’re swapping rooms?

    ROLANDYou start paying rent ofcourse...and you can pay me backall the rent I paid on top of that.

    MAURICEYour rent only went to property taxmostly!

    ROLANDAnd NO we are not swapping rooms. Iam keeping my old room as mystudio.

    MAURICEYou expect me to move into theirroom?!

    INT. ROLAND’S PARENTS ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

    The room is dark.

    There is a BANG on the stuck door. Another BANG and the doorswings open. Roland and Maurice stand in the doorway, theroom illuminated from the hall.

    Roland flips the light switch. The room is lit up, but thenPOP. The bulb has burnt out.

    INT. ROLAND’S PARENTS ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

    Roland precariously balances on the bed, changing thelightbulb. Maurice holds a flashlight to assist.

    Then there is light. Roland hops off the bed. The two lookaround the room.

    Maurice settles in to sit on the bed. Roland moves to thedresser.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 42.

    MAURICEWe shoulda cleaned this place up along time ago.

    Roland picks up a baseball cap. He tosses it down and picksup a necklace from a jewelry stand.

    ROLANDI’ll donate what I can to work, andmove most this stuff to the garagefor now.

    MAURICEKiddo...

    ROLANDFinish moving out of the other roomby tomorrow.

    MAURICEYour grandmother and I bought thishouse in 1967. Your mother wasraised here... It was only afterGinny died that you and your folksmoved back in. And you hated mesince then...you were only agedseven.

    ROLANDThey bought this house from you.Then they left it to their son. Me.My house.

    MAURICEThey didn’t think they were goingto go first! Who would expect that?They helped me out sure, but itwasn’t a permanent thing.

    ROLANDJust pack up. I can help if youwant, just let me know.

    MAURICEThis isn’t fair! Not right!

    ROLANDAre you prepared to really presentthe spector of fair andrighteousness into discussion?

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 43.

    MAURICEKiddo...I’m sorry.

    ROLANDSorry for what.

    Maurice looks into Roland’s eyes, his expression begging forsympathy.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)You’re sorry now, ex post facto. Itit sounds like an excuse...and youknow what you always say.

    MAURICEExcuses are like assholes.

    ROLANDEveryone’s got one and they all

    stink.

    INT. SHELTER/TRACEY’S OFFICE - DAY

    The small office is still not completely set up. Boxes arestacked, yet to be unpacked.

    TRACEYI’ve had to put a lot of thoughtinto this.

    Roland nods from the other side of the desk.

    TRACEY (CONT’D)Technically, it’s against policy tohave friends or family of staff asclients.

    ROLANDI’m sorry but that position doesn’tseem very...humane.

    Tracey begins to unpack a box of books and stack them on thecorner of her desk.

    TRACEYThere’s a lot of shelters outthere...and you know well enough wehave to turn away people for awhole host of reasons. The policyis in place to ensure fairness andprivacy for all the clients.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 44.

    ROLANDIt’s a fine policy.

    TRACEYWell, why did you admit her?

    ROLANDI had just forgotten thatparticular policy.

    TRACEYYou may not respect the rules, butyou sure seem to know them.

    ROLANDYeah, I know the policy. I liedjust now for some reason.

    TRACEY

    Look, I know you didn’t invite her,and she went through all the rightavenues to get a voucher, but youshould have informed me. Now wehave to make a hard decision.

    ROLANDI can tell her, I’ll make a phonecall and try to get her into OakStreet, or some other shelter-

    TRACEY--I’m not going to exit her now. We

    admitted her and owe her at least30 days.

    Roland gives Tracey a ’then what’ expression.

    TRACEY (CONT’D)Have you considered Case Managementbefore?

    ROLANDI have.

    TRACEYI don’t want to make a decision outof necessity, but you know we’vebeen interviewing for the open CaseManager position. You should applyfor it today. You’re smart, maybenot a people person, but you coulddo it.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 45.

    ROLANDI was passed over every time Iapplied before.

    TRACEYIt means an office, and you

    wouldn’t have Alba on yourcaseload, so it gets us aroundthis problem.

    ROLANDNo thank you.

    TRACEYWhat’s your plan for yourself? Whatare your ambitions?

    ROLANDI don’t have any.

    ( realizing )I don’t think I every thought likethat before.

    Roland rises.

    TRACEYYou can do good here. And dosomething good for yourself.

    ROLANDI don’t want to be rewarded fordoing the wrong thing. I can fix

    this.

    Roland moves to exit.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)But thank you. Maybe next time.

    Roland exits. A precariously stacked pile of books falls tothe floor from Trecey’s desk.

    EXT. BURGER STAND - DUSK

    Alba and Roland dine on the outside patio of a greasy Burgerstand.

    ALBAYou’re on his side anyhow.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 46.

    ROLANDDo you think so?

    ALBAYa kiddin?!

    ROLANDThen why would I invite you tostay?

    ALBAYou just don’t know you’re on hisside yet.

    ROLANDI feel a sense of obligation, andMaurice and I have an uncomfortablesymbiosis to be sure. But he sureisn’t on my side.

    ALBAWon’t I get in the way ofyour...symbiosis?

    ROLANDHe’ll just have to face it, he hasno say anymore. You’re moving inand that’s it.

    ALBAFor now...but we’ll see.

    ROLANDThere’s no catch, no stipulations.We’re family.

    ALBAMmm-hmm...sure. Did you go tocollege?

    ROLANDYeah, I did.

    ALBAYou queer?

    ROLANDNo.

    ALBA(rhetorically)

    You’re friends with Bill though.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 47.

    ROLANDNo. I’m not.

    ALBAShit. You ain’t nuthin’ like mysister,you’re prolly more like your

    Grandad...coming to stay? We’llsee. You ain’t dirty, but you sureain’t clean.

    Alba tosses her half eaten burger to a flock of pidgeons.Then she CACKLES off of Roland’s glare.

    ALBA (CONT’D)They got more use for it than me!

    The birds swarm over the food.

    INT. BOWLING ALLEY - NIGHT

    Bowling pins stand in a perfect neat set, and then --STRIKE.

    MAURICEAtta boy!

    Maurice returns to his crew. Fran, SHIFTY SAM (72), ELMER(75) and LOIS (65) welcome him with CHEERS.

    SAMYer making us look real bad

    tonight!

    Maurice settles in next to Fran, Lois get up to roll.

    MAURICENot too difficult though is it?

    ELMERYou can bowl like Apollo, long asI’m still the handsomest.

    Elmer runs a hand over his slicked back hair.

    MAURICEI’ve seen better mugs on a baboon’sheinie.

    Lois throws a strike but no one notices.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 48.

    SAMWhere’s Roland at tonight?

    MAURICEAh. Roland.

    Maurice GUFFAWS. Lois returns from her roll.

    LOISHey! I’m clearing the deck here,where’s my chorus?

    FRANDon’t mention his name Sam.

    ELMERGood job darling but Moe’sthrown a ham bone.

    FRAN (CONT’D)They’ve been at odds.

    SAMAt least you see the guy. Mygrankids think I’m Santa Claus, ifit ain’t Christmas they can’t tellme from Adam.

    MAURICEThat kid figures it’s Christmaseveryday.

    LOISHe’s not all that bad--

    ELMER--A little shifty.

    MAURICEThere’s no gratitude there--

    FRAN--He has his reasons maybe, givehim some time--

    MAURICE--I haven’t been a saint. But I’vebeen there for the kid...througheverything.

    Maurice un-shells a peanut. The crew looks around to eachother.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 49.

    MAURICE (CONT’D)Throw your ball Frannie.

    Fran gets up and moves towards the lane.

    FRAN

    He’s not the worst.

    SAMYou better patch up the squabble!You promised us a party for histhirtieth, an it’s been years sinceI had a crack at yer liquorcabinet!

    Fran looks back before rolling her ball.

    FRANDon’t worry I’ve been attending to

    it just fine.

    Fran ambles down the lane, releases the ball, which makesits journey and knocks a few pins down.

    MAURICEI dunno about all that.

    Fran walks back.

    MAURICE (CONT’D)Good job, Frannie.

    FRANA party’s a good idea, things needto be patched up one way or theother.

    Maurice ’poo-poo’s’ with his hand.

    LOISYeah Moe!

    Fran moves in close to Maurice, the rest of the crew GABSbehind them.

    FRANHe has all rights to be mad.

    MAURICEHe woulda got the house soonanyhow, it’s not like I’m long forthe world.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 50.

    FRANYou’ve had him living like aboarder.

    MAURICEHe was 16, I just forgot. It made

    things simple.

    FRANAll this trouble isn’t simple.

    MAURICEHe never did me any favors...

    FRAN...You two were made for eachother.

    MAURICE

    Roll your ball darling.

    Fran moves back towards the ball return.

    ELMERAlright Fran, you can pick it up!

    Maurice watches intently as Fran releases the ball and itrolls towards the remaining pins.

    INT./EXT. PUBLIC BUS - NIGHT

    The doors to the bus close. Roland reaches into his walletto pull out cash and pay. Alba beats him to it, handing twobus vouchers to the driver.

    Alba carries her overstuffed duffel bag. Alba and Rolandmove through the bus, finding seats in its center. VariousHOBOS and COMMUTERS are spread about the vehicle. The busjerks into motion. Roland settles into a seat, Alba sits ina seat behind him.

    ALBAYou stupid? You about to pay whenthem passes are free at theshelter?

    ROLANDThose aren’t for me. They’re forclients.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 51.

    ALBASo you don’t drive but you don’tknow your bus route home either?

    ROLANDI usually get a ride...walked a few

    times.

    ALBAI could get you a deal on car, thisguy--

    ROLAND--I’m risk averse, don’t trustmyself operating heavy machinery.

    ALBAA goon like you’s liable to getganked ridin’ the 22 at this time.

    The bus lurches to a stop.

    ROLANDSure, but the idea of others doingme harm is okay. I just don’t wantto bear personal responsibility.

    POLLARD (38), rasta guy, boards the bus. Alba notices himand slinks in her seat.

    ALBAShit.

    POLLARDYou! You bitch...You!

    ALBAI don’t know him.

    POLLARDTwo-hundred thirty seven dollars! Ipaid you and you didn’t do shit!

    BUS DRIVER peers back through his mirror.

    BUS DRIVERHey! Shut the fuck up!

    Pollard addresses the whole bus.

    POLLARDThis woman is a thief! She saysshe’ll do computer work and she

    (MORE)

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 52.

    POLLARD (cont’d)doesn’t do computer work. She stolemy money!

    BUS DRIVERHey. I’m gonna throw you offa here!

    Pollard settles down into a seat behind Alba.

    POLLARDAll right, all right!

    Pollard leans forward, glaring.

    POLLARD(whispering)

    Stupid bitch.

    Alba hits Roland’s shoulder.

    ALBAC’mon.

    Alba gets up, and Roland follows. Pollard watches them asthey move towards the back of the bus.

    POLLARDI want my money bitch.

    Alba leans in to Roland to whisper.

    ALBA

    All kindsa folks on here tonight.

    They reach the back of the bus, Alba shoos GORDO GUS (55),forcing him to move over and make room.

    ROLANDYou didn’t know that guy?

    ALBANope, never seen him before.

    GUSThat’s Pollard Alba, you know him.

    Roland, surprised, leans across his Aunt to address Gus.

    ROLANDYou know her?

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 53.

    GUSOh sure.

    ALBAYou holdin’ Gus?

    GUSShe know all kinds of people.

    ALBAYa got crank Gus?

    GUSSure, okay. But only a little bit.

    Gus reaches into his overstuffed jacket pocket and producesa plastic wrapped little baggy.

    GUS (CONT’D)

    Only for cash though today. Needcash.

    ROLANDThat’s great. You’re going to bringthat home?

    Alba pulls some wrinkled bills from her pockets.

    ALBAGot greens today. Greens for Gus.

    Roland glances about warily as Alba and Gus transact.

    ALBA (CONT’D)No stipilations you said.

    INT. ROLAND’S HOUSE/ LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

    Roland and Alba enter the living room through the frontdoor. Roland indicates to the couch.

    ROLANDYou can stay in here. We could usea new couch anyways, maybe we’llbuy a futon.

    ALBAYeah you need a new couch! I had myfirst screw right there.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 54.

    ROLANDThat nature of activity seems tooccur here with greater frequencythan I’m comfortable with.

    ALBA

    This goddamned place hasn’t changedat all. I was better off at theshelter.

    ROLANDYou want to go back?

    Alba throws her bag on the coffee table with a THUD.

    ALBANah, we’ll get by here-- ThoughtI’d at least get my old room.

    ROLANDThat’s my studio.

    ALBAStudio?!

    ROLANDI paint.

    ALBAOkay, sure ya do.

    Alba looks at Roland curiously.

    ALBA (CONT’D)Freaky kid, you prolly have a swinghangin’ from the ceiling.

    Roland doesn’t respond. He stares at her- motionless.

    ALBA (CONT’D)My sister painted too.

    ROLANDI know... My mom painted as well.

    ALBAMy sister WAS your mom!

    ROLANDI thought I’d try yourconversational technique of statingthe obvious.

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    55.

    INT. ROLAND’S LIVING ROOM - MORNING

    Roland sits Indian style on the floor eating a bowl ofoatmeal, intently watching the NEWS on TV. Alba sleeps onthe couch under a pile of blankets.

    Maurice, shirtless with his large belly hanging out, passesthrough towards the kitchen.

    MAURICE(groggily)

    Yep...tis’ another bless-edgoddamned day.

    ROLANDGood morning.

    We hear the sounds of cupboards OPENING and SLAMMING fromthe kitchen.

    MAURICE (O.S)No more saltines?!

    ROLANDI dunno. I don’t eat saltines.

    INTERCUT/ INT. ROLAND’S KITCHEN

    Maurice pops open a can of sardines.

    MAURICE

    Dang gummit.

    Maurice saunters into the living room.

    Maurice looks at the couch where Alba is asleep under theblankets.

    MAURICE (CONT’D)Two rooms and you slept out here?

    ROLANDThere’s a person under there...AuntAlba.

    MAURICEYou let her in here?! That junkie?!

    Maurice angrily slurps down a sardine.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 56.

    ROLANDYou were upset about her staying ina shelter. It saddened me too. Andseeing as how this is my house--

    MAURICE

    --Hell it is kiddo! You may havethe papers, but this will always bemy house.

    Alba begins to stir under her pile.

    ROLANDNo it won’t.

    MAURICEHorseshit!

    ROLAND

    You’re welcome to stay, and we cankeep it civil. But it’s a whole newdynamic between you and I.

    Maurice points his sardine can holding hand towards thecouch.

    MAURICEAnd her?!

    ALBAMe what?

    ROLANDShe’s family Moe. That’s what’simportant...right?

    Maurice hustles over to the couch as Alba bolts up.

    MAURICEYou have to leave!

    ALBAI just fuckin’ woke up.

    MAURICEYou can’t stay!

    ROLANDRelax, Grandpa. She’s staying.

    MAURICENo! I can’t live like this!

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 57.

    ALBAWhat? With your mistakes starin’you right in the face?

    ROLANDJust calm down, both of you. You’re

    roommates now.

    Maurice lights up a cigarette.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)There’s no smoking in the houseanymore.

    MAURICEGoddammit! You just told me to calmdown.

    ROLAND

    Do it on the porch.

    MAURICECan’t smoke in the house? How’s aman supposed to live?

    ALBAI’m gunna be smoking in here tookid.

    ROLANDNo. That’s a rule okay?

    MAURICEMalarkey! I’m goin to see a manabout a horse anyhow.

    Maurice opens the front door and motions to leave.

    MAURICE (CONT’D)I’ll be back.

    The door SLAMS shut.

    ALBAStipilations.

    INT. ROLAND’S LIVING ROOM - LATER

    Dale is animatedly rapping. Roland and Alba sit on thecouch, Alba thoroughly enjoying the performance.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 58.

    DALE"I’m the pup to yopussy, like Milo andOtis, come into mygarden, open up yourlotus..."

    ALBA(to Roland)

    This guys great, I know some peoplewho gotta see this!

    Dale halts his rapping.

    DALEDope! Yeah, let’s get some peepsover here - celebrate the change inownership!

    ROLANDSure. That’s okay I guess.

    INT. ROLAND’S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

    A lighter sparks a glass pipe, Alba draws smoke through it.She holds her breath and passes the pipe to LANKY METH FREAK(45).

    The room is filled with STRANGE MUSIC coming from laptopmanned by SPACEY JIM (27). A few assorted WEIRDOS litter theplace, bobbing their heads, and CHATTING. Roland surveys the

    scene from the couch.

    Molly and Dale sit in front of the TV, an episode of "MyThree Sons" silently playing. Dale smokes weed from a pipe.He attempts to pass it to Molly.

    MOLLYNo thank you-- just like last time,no thank you.

    DALEC’mon girl. "Smokum um peace pipe".

    MOLLYI told you, I have classierindulgences. Also, don’t be racist.

    Dale tries to lean in for a kiss. Molly LAUGHS and shoveshim away.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 59.

    DALEThis ain’t the 80’s. The War onDrugs was lost. Hit this shit forthe veterans.

    MOLLY

    My fine palette for drugs dictatesmoderation, and a more interestingagenda. This place looks ready todevolve into a drum circle. Go onand suck your pipe like a pacifier.

    DALEPacifier?

    MOLLYYour ganja teat.

    DALE

    Damn girl.

    Dale indicates to his pipe.

    DALE (CONT’D)This right here gets my creativemuses going.

    MOLLYOkay Dale. Chase the muse, I’mgonna get a drink.

    Molly stands up.

    DALEAight, aight.

    Dale draws from his pipe and lays back on the carpet.

    Molly makes her way to the couch and flops down next toRoland.

    MOLLYRoland.

    Molly bats her lashes in an exaggerated fashion as Rolandslowly turns towards her.

    ROLANDHello.

    MOLLY...You’re awful quiet.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 60.

    ROLANDAm I?

    MOLLYYour party sucks and I needalcohol.

    ROLANDThis is just an informal gatheringmy Aunt and Dale put together andI’ve seen some alcohol around here.

    MOLLYWith these tweakers? Yeah, theyhave wino water. I mean somethinggood.

    ROLANDMy grandpa has some stuff, gin

    mostly I think.

    MOLLYWe can work with gin.

    ROLANDIt’s in his room now probably.

    MOLLY(coyly)

    But I heard this was your house.

    ROLAND

    I won’t be motivated by a challengeto my machismo.

    MOLLYHow about a bat of the eyeleashesand hiking of the skirt?

    Molly follows through with the action.

    ROLANDI don’t condone sexuality ascurrency. You’re demeaning andobjectifying yourself.

    Molly balks.

    MOLLYAsshole! I was turning on the flirtnumbnuts.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 61.

    ROLANDI’m sorry. I thought I was beingplayed or used or something. Ilike...your moxie.

    INT. MAURICE’S NEW ROOM - CONTINUOUS

    The room is jammed with stacks of clothes and itemshurriedly moved in but unorganized. Maurice and Fran sit onthe bed watching TV. MUSIC blares through the walls.

    FRANLet’s just go to my house.

    MAURICEFran. I like being in my home.

    FRAN

    I think there’s gangbanger’s here.

    MAURICEWhat pray tell...an orgy?

    FRANNo Moe...violent people, gangsters.

    MAURICERoland doesn’t like this hootenannyany more than us, he’s justthrowing a tantrum. He’ll cut thebaloney soon enough.

    There’s a KNOCK and the then the door instantly opens.Roland pushes his way in, Molly beside him.

    ROLANDYour spirits. Did you bring allthat stuff in here?

    MAURICEHuh?

    ROLANDAlcohol. I want your booze.

    MAURICEWhat the hell for?

    ROLANDI’m entertaining company.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 62.

    MAURICEHer? You wouldn’t know how tooperate HER.

    Fran smacks Maurice’s knee.

    MOLLYWow. Don’t worry you silver fox. Ihave intuitive, user friendlydesign.

    ROLANDJust give me the bottle.

    Maurice indicates to a pile in the corner. Roland fishesthrough the clothes and pulls out a big jug of gin.

    MOLLY(in Moe’s direction)

    You clean your combs in that?

    ROLANDAlright...To the kitchen, wherethere’s an abundance of seltzerwater.

    INT. ROLAND’S KITCHEN - MINUTES LATER

    Roland pours seltzer into the glasses of gin. Roland andMolly settle in at the kitchen table. NOISE and MUSIC fromthe adjacent living room spill in.

    MOLLYDon’t suppose you have a cucumber.

    ROLANDNo...what for?

    MOLLYA little slice in those will makethat cheap gin palatable.

    ROLANDNo. Not really any vegetables here,unless they come in a can.

    Roland spills a bit on the table.

    MOLLYFailed out of bartender’s college Itake it?

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 63.

    ROLANDThis will be my first drink.

    MOLLYAre you twelve?!

    ROLANDI never saw the point inconsumption for pleasure.

    MOLLYYou’re some kinda Quaker orsomething?

    Molly raises her glass, Roland figures out the gesture andwith a CLINK they cheers each other.

    MOLLY (CONT’D)Cheers...I guess I’m a lucky lady,

    popping your cherry.

    Roland flicks his tongue with surprise, not enjoying hisfirst taste of liquor.

    ROLANDYou caught me in a moment ofpersonal crisis. I feellike...feeling DIFFERENT all of asudden. Within reason,you see myAunt, addiction runs in the family.

    MOLLY

    It runs in every family dummy. Likethat strange human compulsion toeat and poop. Just don’t get hungup...manage your shit.

    ROLANDI’m managing things.

    Roland’s two sips in but Molly has downed her first drink.She quickly sets to fixing herself another.

    MOLLY(rhetorically)

    Hmmm. Why do I see your creepy faceand feel like making out?!

    ROLAND...I don’t know. The liquor?

    Molly gives him an ’oh please’ look.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 64.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)I can see you are a pretty girl butI don’t want to do that.

    MOLLYOf course. You’re a virgin. Saving

    yourself for marriage I take it?Want it to be - SPECIAL?

    ROLANDNo, I just feel like it would bepointless--

    MOLLY--Gee thanks!

    ROLANDNot because it’s with you. Itwouldn’t be pointless with anyone.

    Sex is a base animal need, like(with a gesture)

    eating and pooping.

    MOLLYYou’re some kind of elevatedcreature.

    ROLANDNo. And I’m not a virgin either.

    MOLLYDUDE! You were molested, that

    explains everything!

    ROLANDNo, I wasn’t molested...Actually,in a legal sense I guess I was.

    MOLLYAlright then, who was she? Or, he.Or he-she?

    Roland takes a sip from his drink.

    INT. LIVING ROOM - SAME

    Dale has migrated, sitting close next to Alba on the floor.Alba offers him her meth pipe.

    DALEI dunno, that’s not really mystyle...You wanna try this?

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 65.

    Dale offers his weed pipe.

    ALBAYea-ah. See, I’m a stylish gal, allkindsa fashion appeals to me.

    Dale passes the pipe to Alba. She sparks it up and inhales.

    DALEYou’re sexy too. You don’t mind measkin’, how d’ya keep yourselftogether doin that shit?

    ALBAI dunno...give it time. I gotdeeper in to go. I always needsomthin’ ... Ain’t been at this toolong, when my ex walked out on me,I got back into the same ol’

    hobbies.

    DALEYou still got it tho... you fineactually. You shouldn’t fuck withthat shit.

    ALBAFine, eh? And you’re a finespecimen of somethin’. I don’t needno man no more, an you ain’t morethan a boy.

    Dale sidles in closer.

    DALEMy balls dropped a long time agolady. Pheromones... that’s the lawof the jungle.

    ALBAKid, I smell like shit. At least Ishould. Ain’t showered in days.

    DALESee! That’s what makes it morepowerful. No wonder! I could tellcross the room we had compatiblehormones.

    ALBAYou’re fuckin’ weird--

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    66.

    Dale leans in for a kiss. Alba turns and it plants awkwardlyon her cheek. He keeps on sucking her cheek while she lookssideways at him.

    INT. ROLAND’S KITCHEN - SAME

    ROLANDI was actually very curious, almostobsessed with the idea when I wasabout twelve. I had an orgasm forthe first time. It was bizarre,outside of myself. I was beingdriven to do things I didn’tunderstand, or like...

    Molly fixes Roland another drink.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)I felt an inertia and

    inevitability. But I wanted tocrush the emotions and hormonesthat were wrestling for control ofmy cognition. It was an 8th gradetrip to Washington D.C. I had savedup money, a couple hundred dollarsfrom mowing lawns and odd jobs.This was separate from the money myMom or the chaperons knew about.Atnight I snuck out of the room wellafter everyone was asleep. I onlyhad to walk a few city blocksbefore I found some girls--er,

    women. They laughed, shooed meaway. I composed myself well for akid, but it was obvious I wasyoung. One followed me, she was notthe most--to be crass--marketable,of the group. And a block away shecaught up to me and took my money.

    MOLLYShe robbed you?!

    ROLANDNo. I preceded this story bystating that I’m not a virgin--Shetook my money for services.

    MOLLYOn the street right there?!

    Roland and Molly sip their drink simultaneously.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 67.

    ROLANDWe went into this vacant lot area,under a freeway overpass.

    MOLLYJesus. That’s a story you shouldn’t

    tell people Roland.

    ROLANDI don’t until now. It was justsomething I did...It worked though.I would say it cured me of apebrain compulsions.

    MOLLYIf you’re cured I’d hate to see thedisease--And you’re a total fuckinghypocrite! Giving me shit aboutcommodifying sex and shit!

    ROLANDI’m sorry. I was a jerk for sayingthat. Look, it’s not something I’mproud of, or would do again. I knowit was wrong, in a sociologicalsense. It’s just something I did.

    MOLLYWhat a creepy fuck. UGH! What’swrong with my mind?! I want to makeout with you even more now! Fuck!

    Roland seizes up, then rises. A boner can be seen in hispants.

    ROLANDI’m. Going to use the restroom.

    MOLLYOh. Okay.

    As Roland walks away.

    MOLLY (CONT’D)(sotto)

    And I’ll pretend I didn’t see theboner.

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    68.

    EXT. ROLANDS BACKYARD - LATER

    MUSIC can still be heard coming from the party inside, butsomewhat more subdued. Dale exits from the living room tojoin Roland whom was sitting alone.

    DALEYo, Rolie. I have to be straight upwith you as a homey... I’m kindafeeling your Aunt at this moment.

    ROLANDThat’s not surprising but stilldisgusting.

    DALEHey, you know I like cougars.

    ROLAND

    She’s got abuse issues. Addictionissues... She’s unstable.

    DALEMaybe I feel like the white knightokay? Wanna fix someone up.

    ROLANDI know your M.O. You’re basically achimpanzee in a tree, masturbatingupon unsuspecting passerby. Havesome forward thinking okay? I knowshe’ll only have your interest for

    a few sessions of intercourse, butshe may live here for a year, twoor more.

    DALEHmmm, forward thinking huh? This isa highly hostile situation here.Like this arrangements NOT gonnalast. Why’s she hate Moe so muchanyhow?

    ROLANDShe came unhinged after my parentsdied.

    DALEYeah, that’s bout when he became acantankerous ol’ coot too.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 69.

    ROLANDCompared to then he’s more eventempered now actually.

    DALETrue that. Prolly all that pussy he

    be gettin’ from Frannie --Yo look.It’s on your word, brother. Youwant me to back off and not spitgame at your Aunt? Cool. Fine.

    ROLANDJust do whatever you want. I’d liketo think she’d have the sense notto take your advances seriously,but I have a feeling that’s not thecase.

    DALE

    Right on man. Knew I could count onyou bro...and uh, y’know, thatchick Molly? She’s a dope girl, Ijus’ wasn’t so much feeling herthough. She talks real smart--feminist like. I think you mighthave a shot homey. I know you don’tget caught up in the game so much,but I’d like to see my boy get hisdick wet sometime.

    ROLANDI’m glad you’re thinking about me

    and my penis Dale. Molly’s nice,and I’m not some android with nosex drive like you might think. Butany woman that would see me as apotential mate? Well, I have reasonto suspect their judgment andstability.

    DALEYou dumb. Just dip your stickin...Leave it at that! Dip, dipdip!

    Roland shakes his head, dissaproving.

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    70.

    INT. ROLAND’S HOUSE/ HALL - LATER

    Roland is walking towards his room. Molly exits thebathroom.

    ROLANDOh, hey.

    MOLLYThought I left already?

    ROLANDNo--

    MOLLY--Well I’m going now.

    Roland thrusts his hand to her shoulder and goes for a kiss.

    Molly deflects and backs him off.

    MOLLY (CONT’D)You gotta pick your moments buddy.And they gotta be the right ones.

    Molly leaves. As we hear the front door SHUT, Roland punchesthe wall.

    He stares at his fist - shocked.

    EXT. ROLAND’S BACKYARD - NIGHT

    Two finches sleep quietly next to each other in their nest.

    EXT. ROLANDS BACKYARD - DAY

    Finches, and assorted other birds fly in a frenzy, SQUAKINGand CHIRPING.

    INT. ROLAND’S LIVING ROOM - DAY

    Alba and Dale sleep, spooning on the couch. Lanky MethFreak and Spacey Jim are passed out on the floor. Rolandmakes his way through the room, bagging up trash.

    Roland see’s Molly’s harmonica on the floor, half stickingout under Lanky Meth Freak’s leg.

    Roland pushes Lanky Meth Freak’s leg to the side and picksup the harmonica. Lanky Meth Freak wakes up.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 71.

    LANKY METH FREAKAy man, you messin’ with my shit?

    Roland looks at the harmonica.

    LANKY METH FREAK (CONT’D)You’re too close fucker, get away.

    Maurice and Fran enter the living room from the hall.

    MAURICESome kinda goddamned tornado camethrough here! Is this how you rulethe roost?!

    Lanky Meth Freak bolts up. Roland turns to Maurice, Mauriceturns to Fran.

    MAURICE(To Fran)

    Get home sweetie, I’ll come see youlater.

    Fran and Maurice kiss, and then Fran begins to leave throughthe front door. Lanky Meth Freak snatches the trash bag fromRoland.

    LANKY METH FREAKGimme my shit bitch!

    MAURICEMaking new friends, huh?

    Roland puts a hand on Lanky Meth Freaks shoulder.

    ROLANDI think you’re a little confused.

    Spacey Jim wakes up and looks around. Alba and Dale stir onthe couch.

    Lanky Meth Freak gets up in Roland’s face and SNARLS, butRoland doesn’t back down. Dale’s eyes open and he looksover.

    Lanky Meth Freak quickly snatches a Russian nesting dollfrom the mantle and throws it in the trash bag.

    DALEWhat the hell, yo?

    Dale gets up. Roland begins to push Lanky Meth Freak towardsthe door.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 72.

    ROLANDTime to get going.

    Dale rushes over to help. Dale and Roland have Lanky MethFreak by the arms and guide him to the door.

    DALEThis fuck tryin’ a gank your shitor what?!

    LANKY METH FREAKGet offa me! I’ll kill ya!

    Dale snatches the trash bag away from Lanky Meth Freak andtosses it to the side. Lanky Meth Freak tries to fight loosebut Roland and Dale get him to the door.

    INT. ROLAND’S HOUSE/AT FRONT DOOR - CONTINUOUS

    Maurice retreats back down the hall.

    Dale and Roland shove Lanky Meth Freak out the front door.

    Lanky Meth Freak charges back but they SLAM the door beforehe can get through. Lanky Meth Freak begins BANGING on thedoor.

    LANKY METH FREAK (O.S.)Hey!!...HEY!!!

    DALE

    Yo, he got up on the wrong side ofthe pipe.

    The BANGING persists. Maurice re-enters with his BB Gun, andmoves quick towards the door. Roland tries to hold him back.

    ROLANDNo don’t!

    Maurice gets the door open and points the BB Gun right atLanky Meth Freak.

    INT/EXT. ROLAND’S HOUSE/DOORWAY - CONTINUOUS

    LANKY METH FREAKHEYYY!!

    MAURICEGET OUTTA HERE ALREADY!

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 73.

    Lanky Meth Freak dances side to side, not particularlyfrightened.

    LANKY METH FREAKOoooh...oooooh.

    MAURICEGet away from my house!

    Lanky Meth Freak begins to lurch forward. POP. Mauriceshoots him right in the chest with a BB.

    Lanky Meth Freak isn’t fazed. Roland shoves him back out thedoor, then SLAMS the door shut.

    INT. ROLAND’S HOUSE/NEAR DOOR - CONTINUOUS

    DALE

    You shot him!

    Roland glares at Maurice.

    ROLANDIt’s okay it was only a BB.

    LANKY METH FREAK (O.S.)HEY!....HEY MOTHERFUCKER!!

    The DOORBELL starts chiming. Roland and Maurice stand faceto face.

    ROLANDCan you go outside Dale and hosehim off till he leaves?

    DALENo!

    ROLANDYou have to get rid of that pelletgun.

    MAURICELike hell I am.

    Alba walks over, rubbing her eyes.

    ALBAThe fucks goin on? I’m tryin’ asleep?

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 74.

    MAURICEThe dirtbag you brought in herejust went apeshit.

    ALBAWho?

    The DOORBELL persists.

    ROLANDWe just had a little problem withone of your friends.

    MAURICELITTLE problem? he’s having a fullblown episode. I’m calling thecops!

    Alba lets out an ARGH, then advances to the door and opens

    it quickly.

    INT/EXT. ROLAND’S HOUSE/DOORWAY - CONTINUOUS

    ALBAJimmy?!

    Lanky Meth Freak/Jimmy instantly relaxes.

    JIMMYYeah?

    ALBAGet the fuck outta here.

    JIMMYAlright. Later on then.

    INT. ROLAND’S HOUSE/NEAR DOOR - CONTINUOUS

    Alba shuts the door.

    ALBANow can everyone keep it down forawhile?!

    Alba walks back towards the couch. Maurice, then Roland

    and Dale follow.

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    75.

    INT. ROLAND’S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

    Alba flops onto the couch.

    MAURICE(to Roland)

    She’s going to kill herself likethis. Probably get one of us killedtoo.

    ALBAYeah? I’m a killer? Is that right?

    ROLANDIt’s fine Moe. I have control ofthings.

    MAURICEHorseshit you have control!

    ALBAYeah, I’ll get us all killed. Likeyou killed my SISTER! And that poorchumps daddy too!

    ROLANDHey--

    MAURICEI-I- didn’t. That wasn’t--

    ALBA

    --Hell ya didn’t! Always think yougot control of everything! You surefixed up Roland, lettin’ him thinkyou owned this place. Treatin’ himlike shit just like you treatedme--

    ROLAND--Okay Alba.--

    ALBA--You still gonna be Mr Fix It Dad?Maybe fix the heater again?!

    ROLANDSHUT UP!

    ALBAKick him out Roland, like he did tome.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 76.

    ROLANDNo. I’m not kicking anybody out.

    ALBAHe killed your parents Roland.Always had to do everything

    himself. Like, in control. But hefucked that heater up didn’the...and it leaked didn’t it?

    ROLANDThat was...just...an accident.

    ALBAWell...excuses are like assholes.

    MAURICEI’m...going to go to Fran’s. I’llstay there for awhile.

    ROLANDGrandpa--

    MAURICE--I don’t want to talk about it.You want this house? Take it! It’sjust a box of horseshit anyhow.

    EXT. ROLAND’S BACKYARD - DAY

    Birds fly about the aviary, TWEETING. A rat runs along the

    fence.

    INT./EXT. PUBLIC BUS - MORNING

    Roland reads a newspaper as the bus moves down a suburbanstreet. A nearby CONVERSATION becomes audible. Roland looksup to see:

    YOUNG MOTHER (21) talking to slick BABY DADDY (22) at thefront of the bus. Roland watches them flirt and LAUGH, theirCUTE KID (4)playing at a handrail.

    Roland connects eyes with Baby Daddy, and they hold thestare awkwardly--a little too long.

    After Baby Daddy looks away, Roland turns his head to lookout the window. He watches as suburban homes pass by, one byone.

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    77.

    INT. FRAN’S BEDROOM - MORNING

    Maurice wakes up - Fran lies next to him on her bed, whichis smaller than his own. The room too is much smaller thanhis old room at Roland’s.

    Maurice takes in the details around him: a lamp with a gaudyfrilly shade, a clock TICKING loudly, a tacky painting onthe wall, an ugly crocheted horsehead wall ornament.

    His expression reads as horrified.

    INT. HOMELESS SHELTER - DAY

    Roland walks through the bed areas with a clipboard. VARIOUSHOMELESS are making their beds or getting ready. Rolandspots Old Man Afro at his bed, in his underwear.

    ROLANDYou have to have clothes on outhere.

    OLD MAN AFROI’m changing, man!

    ROLANDChange in the bathroom, those arethe rules.

    OLD MAN AFROShit, I’m changing out my sleep

    clothes to my toilet clothes! Iain’t gon get my bed clothes nasty!

    Roland takes a moment.

    ROLANDYeah, I get it, just do me a favorin the future. Change bottoms andthen change the top--quickly.

    OLD MAN AFROBottoms, and then tha top?

    ROLANDRight. So than there will be nomoment where you are fullyundressed.

    OLD MAN AFROI see, I see. More dis-creet.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 78.

    ROLANDExactly. There’s women around.

    OLD MAN AFROI can’t entice them with my classicchiseled form!

    Old Man Afro pats Roland on the back, and Roland continueshis rounds. He makes his way back to the front desk area,where Tracey is adding powdered creamer to her coffee.

    TRACEYMorning.

    ROLANDHi.

    INT. SHELTER/ FRONT DESK - CONTINUOUS

    Roland leans against the counter next to Tracey.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)I thought about something you said.

    Tracey stirs her coffee and faces Roland.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)I want to interview for the CaseManagement position.

    TRACEY

    You took your Aunt out of here-without completing the properdischarge papers too I may add. Theissue is resolved.

    ROLANDAnd now when I interview you’llknow it’s because I want theposition. I’m going to be hereeveryday anyways. I want to bepresent, and to care.

    Crutches hobbles up to the front desk.

    CRUTCHESThe fridge is locked! How am Isupposed to get my food?!

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    79.

    INT. ROLAND’S HOUSE/ LIVING ROOM - DAY

    Alba sits on the floor watching CARTOONS on the TV, withDale asleep on the floor next to her. Her eyes are bugging--she is high.

    Alba MUMBLES to herself incoherently then GIGGLES.

    She sparks a lighter and hits her pipe.

    Exhaling she looks at Dale, then begins MUMBLING, her wordsnonsensical. BLABBERING, then a giggle.

    Fear grows on her face. Then her face seizes up.

    She tries to stand. She stumbles and falls on Dale. Dalestirs and wakes up.

    DALEWhat the shit?

    He wakens to see Alba loudly BLABBERING and shaking on thefloor.

    DALE (CONT’D)The fuck you doin’ ?!

    Dale shakes her.

    DALE (CONT’D)Oh shit! Wake up.

    INT. SHELTER/ FRONT DESK - SAME

    Joyce stands in front of Roland from across the desk.

    JOYCEI need to make a report.

    ROLANDWhat’s going on Joyce?

    JOYCEOh let’s see. Just some asshole

    thinks it’s okay to take my clothesout of the dryer and put them ontop of the dryer before my time isup.

    (over her shoulder)--Oh shut up you, I can handlethis.

    Roland looks at Joyce and then looks in a binder.

    (CONTINUED)

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    CONTINUED: 80.

    ROLANDJoyce. It’s not your laundry time,you shouldn’t even be washing.

    JOYCESo now it’s my problem?! I see how

    it is. I suppose you want me towear dirty clothes--

    ROLAND--It’s okay Joyce. Let me just gotalk to Frank and see if you candry after him.

    Roland’s cellphone rings. He pulls it from his pocket.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)(to Joyce)

    Hold on a sec.

    Roland answers.

    ROLAND (CONT’D)(in phone)

    Hello?..heyDale...what?...okay...okay...yeah...bye.

    Roland hangs up the phone. He pauses.

    JOYCEHello?...I’m chopped liver orsomething?

    Roland bolts up from his seat.

    INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

    Roland walks into the room. Alba is asleep in the hospitalbed. Dale sits next to her and looks up to towards Roland.