You Can Count On Me
Screenplay by
Kenneth Lonergan
SHOOTING DRAFT
2000
FADE IN:
INT./EXT. A CAR (MOVING). NIGHT
The shifting lights from the odd passing car play over the
faces of MR. and MRS. PRESCOTT, a pleasant-looking couple in
their late thirties, dressed up for a night out. Mr. Prescott
drives them along a dark hilly two-lane highway.
MRS. PRESCOTT
Why do they always put braces on
teenage girls at the exact moment
when they're the most self-conscious
about their appearance?
Pause.
MR. PRESCOTT
I don't know.
UP AHEAD, near the top of the oncoming hill, a RED PICKUP
TRUCK is poking its nose out of the short exit lane.
MRS. PRESCOTT
Tom --
MR. PRESCOTT
I see him...
The PICKUP LURCHES into the road, with not nearly enough
time to spare.
MRS. PRESCOTT
Tom!
MR. PRESCOTT
Jesus!
Mr. Prescott swerves OVER the DOUBLE SOLID WHITE LINE and
clears the truck as --
Another pair of HEADLIGHTS from an oncoming truck RISES UP
over the HILL directly in FRONT of them --
MRS. PRESCOTT
(Screams)
Tom!
Mr. Prescott's FOOT STOMPS on the BRAKE. We BLACK OUT and
there is the SOUND of a terrible CRASH.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE PRESCOTTS' FRONT DOOR. NIGHT
The SHADOW of a big man looms up onto the front door. A big
finger RINGS the BELL.
A moment.
AMY, a thirteen-year-old baby-sitter with braces, opens the
door and looks up. In the b.g. we see TWO CHILDREN, SAMMY
(Samantha) and TERRY PRESCOTT, in their pajamas, lying on
their stomachs in the living room, watching television. Sammy
is eleven. Terry is eight.
REVERSE: DARRYL, the SHERIFF, a portly fellow with glasses
and a mustache, looks down at AMY.
SHERIFF
Hello, Amy.
AMY
(Puzzled)
Hi, Darryl.
SHERIFF
(Thinking)
Amy, would you please tell the kids
you'll be right back, and then shut
the door and come outside to talk to
us for a minute?
AMY
OK.
(To kids)
Be right back, you guys!
SAMMY
You're not supposed to go out, Amy.
TERRY
She's going to smoke a cigarette.
AMY closes the door and looks expectantly up at Darryl. Darryl
doesn't know how to start.
EXT. CHURCH. DAY
CREDITS BEGIN OVER a blustery April day. The steeple of the
little white church stands out against the sharp blue sky.
INT. TOWN CHURCH. DAY
It's a small church and a small congregation, but it's full.
There's a CHOIR of mostly SENIOR CITIZENS arrayed in the
back. TWO CLOSED CASKETS are laid out in front of the
MINISTER, a fiftyish woman with thick glasses and salt-and-
pepper hair, who is giving a eulogy MOS.
Among the mourners in the second row sit Terry and Sammy,
both redeyed, and uncomfortable in their dress-up clothes.
Their Aunt Ruth, a pinch-faced woman in her forties, sits
next to them.
Sammy and Terry are holding hands tightly. Terry wipes his
eyes with his free hand.
The Minister addresses her remarks to the children. Sammy is
hanging on the Minister's every word; Terry is shifting his
eyes and his seat as if it will kill him to sit still another
minute.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. SCOTTSVILLE CEMETERY. SIXTEEN YEARS LATER. DAY
On the beautiful hill overlooking the beautiful windy green
country, SAMMY, twenty-seven years old now, puts flowers on
her parents' graves with quick, practiced movements.
She is a nice-looking young woman of a neat appearance, saved
from primness by an elusive, pleasantly flustered quality.
An unsuccessfully neat person. She is dressed in office
clothes -- white blouse, dark skirt, high heels, light
raincoat over everything. She picks out a couple of weeds
and then bows her head and closes her eyes.
CREDITS END.
EXT. SCOTTSVILLE -- MAIN STREET. DAY
Scottsville is a small town. Main Street. Run-down old stores
next to a new bank, a couple of chain stores, a few
restaurants of varying ambitions. Civil War statue. World
War I statue. World War II statue. Residential streets
wandering away from Main Street up and down hills. You know
there's a minimall somewhere nearby. A fair amount of activity
during the daytime.
SAMMY'S CAR pulls up across the street from where an eight-
year-old BOY in a secondhand baseball jacket and a school
knapsack is waiting at the curb. This is her son, RUDY. SAMMY
calls out the car window.
SAMMY
Rudy, come on! I'm really late!
Rudy hurries across the street and gets in the car, slinging
his knapsack into the backseat.
INT. THE CAR (MOVING). DAY
SAMMY
How was school?
RUDY
Stupid.
SAMMY
Why do you say that?
RUDY
We're supposed to write a story for
English homework, but they didn't
tell us what it's supposed to be
about.
SAMMY
What do you mean?
RUDY
I mean they didn't tell us what it's
supposed to be about. They said do
whatever you want.
SAMMY
So what's wrong with that?
RUDY
Nothing. I just think it's
unstructured.
SAMMY
(Smiles)
Well, I'm sure you'll be able to
think of something. If you can't,
I'll help you.
INT./EXT. CAR/CAROL'S HOUSE. DAY
Sammy stops the car outside a heavily THICKETED DRIVEWAY
(CAROL'S HOUSE), and RUDY gets out.
SAMMY
Don't forget your backpack.
Rudy returns to take his knapsack out of the back.
RUDY
It's not a backpack, it's a knapsack.
SAMMY
Don't forget your knapsack.
Rudy hoists his knapsack out of the back.
SAMMY
Give me a kiss.
Rudy gives her a kiss and puts his arms around her and
squeezes her neck.
He withdraws, slams the door. As Sammy DRIVES AWAY, he slogs
up the long twisting driveway.
EXT. MERCHANTS NATIONAL TRUST -- PARKING LOT. DAY
Sammy gets out of her car, which is parked in one of the
half dozen spaces in the little parking lot allocated for
bank employees.
She hurries toward the employees' entrance, fixing her skirt
as she goes.
INT. MERCHANTS NATIONAL TRUST. DAY
Sammy hurries down the clean hallway in the back past MABEL,
a pleasant-faced fellow employee.
MABEL
Guess who's been asking for you?
SAMMY
Oh no, really?
Mabel nods and passes by.
SAMMY KNOCKS on a big door that says "Manager" and has half
the letters of the previous branch manager's name taken off
it.
BRIAN
(Inside)
Yeah, come in!
Sammy swings open the door. BRIAN EVERETT, the new branch
manager, is unpacking a box. Sammy is surprised to see he is
in his early thirties and very good-looking in a boyish sort
of way; he wears shirt-sleeves and tie, and a wedding ring.
SAMMY
Mr. Everett?
BRIAN
Yeah: Brian.
SAMMY
Brian. Hi. I'm Samantha Prescott --
I'm the lending officer?
BRIAN
Yeah, hi, how are you? Come on in.
Sit down.
Sammy comes into the office and sits.
SAMMY
I am so sorry I was late...
BRIAN
Yeah, we missed you before...
SAMMY
I got held up. Believe me, it is not
something I make a habit of...
BRIAN
I'm sure it's not. Actually -- could
you just, could you close that door
for me? Thanks.
Sammy gets up and closes the door.
INT. BRIAN'S OFFICE. LATER
Sammy sits in front of Brian's desk. Brian is behind the
desk listening.
SAMMY
-- so I always just run out at 3:15
to pick him up and then run him real
quick over to the sitter's house.
Anyway, Larry never minded about it
and I was just hoping it would be OK
with you too...
BRIAN
Well -- Samantha -- I realize that
Scottsville is not exactly a major
banking center...
SAMMY
No it's not...
BRIAN
No -- I know it's not... But it's
kind of a personal challenge to me
to see what we can do to bring local
service up to the same kinds of
standards we'd be trying to meet if
we were the biggest branch in the
state. And that means I don't want
anybody running out at 3:15 or 3:30,
or whenever the bus happens to come
in that day. Now is there anybody
else who can pick your son up after
school? Does your husband work in
the area? Do you --
SAMMY
Oh -- No -- Rudy Sr. isn't "on the
scene." So to speak.
BRIAN
Well, I can give you a couple of
days to make some other arrangement,
but...
SAMMY
Well -- Brian? I understand what
you're saying, and I think it's great.
I do. Because there's a lot of things
around here that could use some
attention. Believe me. But I've
honestly been meeting that bus every
day for four years now and it really
does take just fifteen minutes, and
if I take the time out of my lunch
hour...
BRIAN
I'd really prefer it if you would
make some other arrangement. OK?
SAMMY
(Brightly)
I'll do my best...!
Brian kicks back in his chair and puts his hands behind his
head.
BRIAN
How old's your son?
SAMMY
He's eight.
BRIAN
That's a terrific age.
INT. SAMMY'S CAR (MOVING). DUSK
Sammy and Rudy drive home in silence. The orange sunlight
flickers through the trees and onto their faces as they drive
along.
EXT. PRESCOTT (SAMMY'S) HOUSE. DUSK
The same house that Sammy grew up in, with sixteen years'
more wear on it.
Sammy's car swings expertly by the mailbox, and Rudy reaches
half his body out of the passenger window and gets the mail.
INT. SAMMY'S HOUSE. DUSK
Sammy comes into the house carrying two bags of groceries.
Rudy follows, looking through the mail. Sammy passes through
the house and goes into the kitchen.
RUDY
You got a letter from Uncle Terry.
SAMMY
What?!
Her whole face lights up and she grabs the letter. She tears
it open and reads it with growing excitement.
INT. SAMMY'S BEDROOM. LATER
Sammy opens her FILE DRAWER. Inside are tax files, household
files, miscellaneous files.
She puts Terry's letter away in a very full file marked "Terry --
Correspondence." The folder is stuffed with other letters,
on all different kinds of stationery from all over the
country, all from Terry.
INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT
Sammy and Rudy are eating dinner. It's a biggish house for
just two people.
RUDY
Whose room is he gonna stay in?
SAMMY
He can stay in the little room.
(Pause)
But you know what? He's not going to
live here. He's only gonna stay for
a little while... And it's OK if you
don't remember him, because you were
only six the last time he was here...
But it'll be nice if you got a chance
to get to know each other a little
bit. Don't you think?
Rudy looks worried and doesn't answer.
INT. LIVING ROOM. LATER
Rudy is on the floor, writing in his school composition
notebook. Sammy comes downstairs.
SAMMY
Rudy? Would it distract you if I put
on some music?
RUDY
No.
She puts on a CD, sits down and picks up a book. She looks
at Rudy, who is writing away.
SAMMY
Did you think of a story?
RUDY
Uh huh.
SAMMY
What's it about?
RUDY
My father.
Pause.
SAMMY
What about your father?
RUDY
It's just a made-up story about him.
SAMMY
Can I read it when you're done?
RUDY
It's not very good.
SAMMY
Don't say that.
Rudy keeps writing.
INT. LIVING ROOM. LATER
Sammy is smoking a cigarette and drinking a glass of wine
and reading Rudy's story. It upsets her.
INT. SAMMY'S BEDROOM. LATER
Sammy sits on the edge of her bed, not dialing the phone.
She catches a glimpse of herself in her parents' floor-length
mirror with the worn, heavy wooden frame. Against her better
judgment she picks up the phone and dials.
INT. DAWSON'S GRILL. NIGHT
Sammy and BOB STEEGERSON are eating dinner at Dawson's, the
only fancy restaurant in town. Bob is in his mid-thirties, a
Realtor, a decent, ordinary guy.
SAMMY
Anyway, Bob, it's sort of this
adventure story, and Rudy's father
is this secret agent or something,
working for the government... And it
just made me feel weird. You know?
Because I never really say much to
him about Rudy Sr., because I don't
know what to say. And I don't know
whether I should just let him imagine
whatever he wants to imagine, or
whether I should sit him down sometime
and tell him, you know, that his
father is not such a nice person.
You know?
BOB
Well... I don't know, Sammy. What
have you told him already?
SAMMY
Not much. He knows I don't have the
highest opinion of him. And he knows
I don't want to see him or know
anything about him, ever. But I tried
to keep it kind of neutral. Anyway...
I could go into a lot more detail,
believe me.
BOB
Well... It's an interesting problem.
But I don't really know what to tell
you... It's a little outside my
personal field of expertise...
SAMMY
All right.
BOB
I'd be glad to give it some thought...
SAMMY
OK.
He is smiling at her.
SAMMY
What?
BOB
Nothing... I'm just glad to see you...
I'm glad you called me.
SAMMY
I bet you were surprised...!
BOB
Um -- a little.
Bob drains his wineglass. Sammy cuts at her steak.
INT. BOB'S BEDROOM. NIGHT
Sammy and Bob lie in Bob's bed, a few minutes after having
made love. They are very far away from each other, but trying
with difficulty not to let on.
SAMMY
I should get going...
BOB
Really?
SAMMY
Yeah... I've got the baby-sitter...
But... Thanks for a lovely evening.
BOB
Oh. Thank you.
She kisses him. She tries to make it sexy, but he's not into
it anymore and he politely restricts the kissing.
INT. SAMMY'S BATHROOM. NIGHT
Sammy stands in her slip brushing her teeth in front of the
mirror. She brushes vigorously, looking at herself while she
brushes.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. STREET CORNER -- WORCESTER, MASS. DAWN
The corner window of a grim little apartment building on a
very grim street in a grim little city.
INT. TERRY'S APARTMENT -- WORCESTER, MASS. NIGHT
A tiny apartment with a bed, chair, table, fridge, and not
much else. One window has a broken pane and an old sheet
neatly thumbtacked over it to keep the wind out.
TERRY PRESCOTT comes in. He is twenty-five years old: a real
mess with a certain natural appeal. He wears old jeans, very
old hiking boots, and a lumberjack-style coat. He takes a
wool hat off his head. His hair is longish and dirty.
SHEILA SADLER is sitting at the table by the fridge. She is
barely eighteen, frail and damaged.
SHEILA
Hey, Terry.
TERRY
Hey.
Terry looks at her and smiles encouragingly. She smiles back.
SHEILA
Where'd you get the hat?
TERRY
Oh, I got it on the street for a
dollar.
SHEILA
It's nice.
TERRY
Well, you know, it's pretty much
your standard woolen hat.
SHEILA
Yeah, I had a very similar reaction
to it.
Sheila looks away. Silence.
TERRY
Can I get that money from you?
SHEILA
Yeah. Sorry.
As she opens her purse, Terry takes a few vague steps toward
her. She takes out a tiny hippie-ish woven wallet and gives
Terry all the money in it: a twenty and two ones.
TERRY
Is that all you have?
SHEILA
Yeah.
TERRY
Can you borrow some cash from your
brother?
SHEILA
Um, yeah, but that would involve
speaking to him.
TERRY
Well, I'm definitely gonna be gone
for a couple of days at least, Sheila.
SHEILA
Why do you have to stay so long?
TERRY
Because my sister is not a bank, you
know? I can't just show up and ask
her for --
SHEILA
You seem to think my brother's a
bank!
TERRY
Oh Sheila can we just cut out the
puerile crap?! I'll be back just as
soon as I can. OK? I am not the kind
of man that everyone says I am.
SHEILA
I know you're not.
TERRY
I'll call you tonight.
Pause.
SHEILA
Don't you wanna tell me you love me?
TERRY
I love you.
SHEILA
That was really convincing.
TERRY
Well... I think after this is over
you should seriously consider moving
back home.
SHEILA
(Short laugh)
Oh, yeah.
TERRY
(Gives up)
All right...
SHEILA
You gonna call tonight?
TERRY
Definitely.
She puts her arms around him and holds on.
EXT. NEW YORK STATE -- MOUNTAINS -- HIGHWAY. DAY
Wide open shot of hilly country and a big sky overhead. A
GREYHOUND BUS drives into the shot along the curve of the
highway.
INT. BUS (MOVING) -- BATHROOM. DAY
Terry is seated on the toilet seat in the cramped bathroom
smoking a joint. He takes a huge hit and holds it in for as
long as humanly possible. He blows out what's left, takes
another equally huge hit and holds it in.
EXT. LOCAL HIGHWAY. DAY
The BUS WHOOSHES along a smaller, heavily wooded roller-
coaster road.
INT. BUS (MOVING). DAY
Terry looks out the window at the passing scenery. The
sunlight flickers on his face.
POV TERRY: The bus rolls past the hilltop cemetery.
Terry shifts uncomfortably in his seat.
POV TERRY: THE "WELCOME TO SCOTTSVILLE" SIGN whizzes by.
Houses start dotting the side of the road.
Terry starts getting very agitated.
EXT. MAIN STREET. DAY
Terry stands at one end of Main Street, backpack over his
shoulder, as the BUS DRIVES OFF. He looks around at the town
going about its Saturday afternoon business.
INT. KITCHEN. SIMULTANEOUS
Loud country-western music is blaring as Sammy, wearing an
apron, sets a big vase of flowers on the kitchen table and
hurries to the oven. There are also cookies, a pie, evidence
of massive fancy cooking. She puts on her oven mitts and
takes a lasagna out of the oven, as the phone rings. She
picks up.
SAMMY
(Into phone)
Hello?... TERRY!...
EXT. SAMMY'S HOUSE. DAY
Sammy practically bursts out the front door. She has changed
into nice clothes.
EXT. ALLEY. DAY
Terry secrets himself in a small dark alley. He takes out
his carefully wrapped half joint and lights it. SMOKING, he
looks at the sunlit slant of street beyond the alley.
EXT. MAIN STREET. A FEW MOMENTS LATER
Terry, fairly well stoned, walks along Main Street. A skinny
man emerges from his hardware store to greet Terry and shake
hands. Terry says "Hi," but keeps on walking. He passes some
other people.
He almost runs right into SHERIFF DARRYL, sixteen years fatter
and grayer.
SHERIFF
Whoa there!
TERRY
Sorry.
The Sheriff recognizes Terry and breaks into a big smile.
SHERIFF
God damn! Terry Prescott! How you
doin'? Gimme a cuddle!
The Sheriff gives Terry a big bear hug. Terry is wasted and
selfconscious but smiling. He pats the Sheriff's back.
TERRY
How you doin', Darryl?
SHERIFF
Which way you headed?
TERRY
I'm just goin' to see Sammy at
Dawson's...
SHERIFF
Can I walk with you a little?
TERRY
Sure, yeah --
SHERIFF
So Sammy says you been out in
Alaska...?
TERRY
Yeah, I was workin' out there for a
little while...
EXT. MAIN STREET. A FEW MOMENTS LATER
The Sheriff walks along with Terry. Terry, very self-conscious
about smelling like pot, fumbles to light a cigarette. The
Sheriff does not seem to notice.
SHERIFF
-- Sammy says she's gettin' postcards
from all across the country.
TERRY
Yeah, I've been all over the place...
They stop outside Dawson's.
SHERIFF
Well, it's good to have you back
here, I'll tell you that.
TERRY
Thanks, Darryl. Keep enforcing the
peace.
SHERIFF
Well, that'll be a little harder now
that you're home, but I'll do what I
can.
TERRY
No, man, I'm reformed.
SHERIFF
Oh, yeah. Good to see you, kid.
TERRY
Thanks, Darryl.
Darryl walks away. Terry stands outside the restaurant looking
for Sammy.
Behind him in the restaurant Sammy is sitting at a table,
talking to the waitress.
She sees Terry and gets up immediately, smiling like crazy
as she threads her way through the tables toward the door.
Terry turns and sees her. He breaks into a big smile, tosses
his cigarette and goes into the restaurant. Through the window
we see them make their way toward each other.
Sammy throws her arms around him. He hugs her back with a
big involuntary smile as the GLASS DOOR slowly CLOSES.
INT. DAWSON'S -- AT THEIR TABLE. A FEW MOMENTS LATER
Terry is studying the menu, over-intently. Sammy is beaming
at him.
TERRY
Sorry about yesterday --
SAMMY
I don't care --
TERRY
I was studying the bus description...
and I just... I got on the wrong bus --
I mean I missed my stop --
SAMMY
I don't care, Terry. I'm just so
glad to see you...!
TERRY
I'm glad to see you too, Sammy. Um...
are you coming from work?
SAMMY
Um, no, it's Saturday...
TERRY
Yeah, no, it's just... you're dressed
so formally...
SAMMY
Oh. No. You know, I just thought I'd --
You know I thought it was a special
occasion... which it is...
TERRY
No, it's good. I thought I'd dress
up too.
He gestures to his shitty clothes.
SAMMY
That's OK. You look fine.
TERRY
(A strange,
unsuccessful joke)
Yeah, this is the haute cuisine of
garments.
SAMMY
What?
TERRY
Nothing, nothing... Um... So how are
you?
SAMMY
I'm fine.
TERRY
How's Rudy?
SAMMY
We're fine, Terry. How are you?
(Pause)
I mean --
TERRY
Yeah...
SAMMY
-- Where have you been lately, Terry?
TERRY
-- I know, I haven't been --
SAMMY
I got a postcard from you from
Alaska...?
TERRY
Yeah, I was up there for a while...
SAMMY
But that was in the Fall, Terry...
TERRY
Yeah, I know I've been out of touch...
SAMMY
I was a little worried.
(Pause)
I mean --
TERRY
Oh, I been a lotta different places...
Um... I went down to Florida for a
while... I was doing some work in
Orlando... I've been all over the
place.
SAMMY
Well... I just wish you would have
let me know you were OK...
TERRY
Yeah. I didn't realize it'd been so
long...
He looks around the restaurant.
SAMMY
(Beaming again)
Are you gonna stay in town for a
while?
TERRY
Well, I don't know... I got all these
things I gotta do back in Worcester...
SAMMY
Oh...
TERRY
...Yeah, so I'm probably not gonna
be able to stay more than a day or
so...
SAMMY
Oh... Well... That's all right...!
TERRY
...I'm kind of trying to keep to a
schedule of sorts. It's a long and
worthy story but I won't trouble you
with it right now.
He twists around and looks all over the restaurant. She
watches him.
SAMMY
Are you expecting someone?
TERRY
Who would I be expecting here?
SAMMY
You just keep looking around, that's
all.
TERRY
No, I was just wondering if we could
get some more refreshments, actually.
He laughs. Looks down. Silence. He looks up at her.
TERRY
I've actually got to confess to you,
Sammy... that the reason you may not
have heard from me for a little while
is that I've been kind of unable to
write... on account of the fact that
I was in jail for a little while.
SAMMY
You were what?
A couple of people in the restaurant look at them. Terry
notices but Sammy does not.
TERRY
Well, I did a little time, I guess,
in Florida. For, uh, just for
bullshit...
SAMMY
What?!
TERRY
It was just bullshit...
SAMMY
What did you do?
TERRY
I didn't do anything. Does it occur
to you that maybe I was wronged?
SAMMY
No!
TERRY
Well, could I please --
SAMMY
Oh my God! --
TERRY
Would you please let me --
SAMMY
-- What happened?!
TERRY
I got into a fight in a bar down in
Florida. Which I was not the one who
instigated it, at all. But they worked
up all this bullshit against me and
they threw me in the pen for three
months. I didn't write you because I
didn't want you to get all upset
about it. I just figured you'd figure
I was on the road for a little while.
I know it was stupid and I'm sorry.
I really didn't mean to make you
worry. But you know what? I can't
run around all the time doin' stuff
or not doin' stuff because it's gonna
make you worry! Because then I come
back here, and I tell you about my
fuckin'... traumas, and I get this
wounded little "I've Let You Down"
bullshit, over and over again, and
it really just -- cramps me! Like I
just want to get out from under it!...
And here I am back in this fuckin'
hole explaining myself to you again!
SAMMY
OK -- Can you please stop cursing at
me?
TERRY
I mean, I realize I'm in no position
to, uh, basically say anything, ever --
But it's not like I'm down there in
some redneck bar in Florida having
an argument with some stripper's
boyfriend and I suddenly think, "Hey!
Maybe this'd be a good time to really
stick it to Sammy and get myself
locked up for a few months."
SAMMY
I'm sorry.
TERRY
Me too, man. I mean "welcome home."
SAMMY
Hey -- You don't write me for six
months, I have no idea where you are --
TERRY
I'm sorry --
SAMMY
-- I don't know if you're alive or
dead --
TERRY
I'm sorry --
SAMMY
-- and then you show up out of nowhere
and tell me you were in jail?
TERRY
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry,
Sammy, I'm really sorry...!
The patrons are all either looking at them or trying not to
look. Silence.
TERRY
Sammy...
SAMMY
What?
TERRY
Um... I'm in the midst of a slight
predicament...
SAMMY
What do you need? Money?
TERRY
Um... Yeah... I'm broke. I gotta get
back to Worcester tomorrow. I got
this girl there, and she's kind of
in a bad situation...? I just need
to borrow some money. Whatever you
can spare.
(Pause)
I'll pay you back... I'll pay you
back, man.
SAMMY
I really wish Mom was here.
TERRY
So do I, man.
SAMMY
Nobody knows what to do with you.
TERRY
I know how they feel, man.
Silence, except for the sounds of the restaurant.
SAMMY
Terry? Can I ask you something?
TERRY
Sure.
SAMMY
(With some difficulty)
Well -- I mean, do you ever go to
church anymore?
TERRY
Come on, Sammy, can we not talk about
that shit?
SAMMY
Do you?
TERRY
Um -- No, Sammy. I don't.
SAMMY
Can you tell me why not?
TERRY
Um, yeah. Because I think it's
ridiculous.
SAMMY
Well -- can you tell me without like,
denigrating what I believe in?
TERRY
Because I think it's primitive, OK?
I think it's a fairy tale.
SAMMY
Well -- I mean, have you ever
considered that maybe that's part of
what's making things so difficult
for you?
TERRY
No.
SAMMY
-- That you've lost hold of -- well,
not just your religious feeling, but
lost hold of any kind of anchor, any
kind of trust in anything... I mean
no wonder you drift around so much.
What could ever stop you? How would
you ever know if you had found the
right thing?
TERRY
Well, uh, I'm not really looking for
anything, man. I'm just, like, trying
to get on with it.
The WAITRESS approaches with their salads.
WAITRESS
Here we go...
She sets them down on the table.
SAMMY and TERRY Thank you.
The WAITRESS leaves. Silence. Terry picks at his salad. Sammy
doesn't touch hers. She watches him miserably.
EXT. BANK -- ATM. DAY
Terry watches while Sammy inserts her card in the ATM and
punches in her code. Terry waits. She punches in $300. The
machine grinds out her cash. She gives him the money.
TERRY
Thank you, Sammy... I'm really gonna
pay this back.
She takes her card back and puts it back in her wallet.
INT. SAMMY'S CAR. DAY
Sammy and Terry get in the car. Sammy isn't saying anything.
TERRY
Where we going?
SAMMY
To pick up Rudy.
She puts on her glasses and her seat belt. She won't look at
him.
TERRY
Well... do you not even want me to
visit now? 'Cause I can catch the
bus at five o'clock if that's what
you want.
SAMMY
Well, of course I want you to visit,
you idiot! I've been looking forward
to seeing you more than anything!
I've been telling everyone I know
that you were coming home! I cleaned
the whole fucking house so it would
look nice for you! I thought you
were gonna stay for at least a few
days! It didn't occur to me that you
were just broke again. I wish you
would have just sent me an invoice!
She stops. Terry is now totally contrite.
INT. BATHROOM. NIGHT
Terry sits in the tub. Water drips from the faucet. He is
staring blankly up at the pristine blue-and-white tiled wall
and the neatly folded matching towels.
INT. LIVING ROOM. LATER
Sammy and Rudy are in the living room. Rudy is playing with
a Game Boy type game. In the b.g., TERRY is dialing the PHONE.
He looks clean and shaved, his hair is neatly combed.
TERRY
(Into phone)
Hi, is that Malcolm?... Hi, this is
Terry Prescott?... I been trying to
get ahold of Sheila and there's no
answer, and I was just wondering if
she -- She what?...
He sits down.
TERRY
(Into phone)
When?... Well -- Is she all right?...
Well, could I talk to her?... Well,
could you give her a message that I --
CLICK. He is hung up on. He slowly HANGS UP.
Sammy notices that something's wrong. He looks at her from
across the room.
TERRY
That girl I'm with tried to kill
herself.
SAMMY
What?
TERRY
She tried to kill herself.
INT. TERRY'S ROOM. NIGHT
Terry is sitting on the bed, addressing an envelope to SHEILA.
He puts the $300 in the ENVELOPE and seals it. He sees Sammy
standing in the doorway. He starts to unlace his boots.
SAMMY
Do you have everything you need?
TERRY
I think so.
Sammy comes into the room and sits next to him. He is very
busy with his laces.
SAMMY
What are you going to do?
TERRY
I don't know. Send the money I guess.
SAMMY
Maybe you should stay home for a
little while, Terry.
TERRY
Yeah, maybe that'd be a good idea.
He starts crying. Sammy pats him.
EXT. SCOTTSVILLE CHURCH. DAY
A bright, clear, blue-skied Sunday morning in Scottsville.
Inside the little white church they're singing.
EXT. CHURCH. DAY
People are filing out of the church. We also see a couple of
the bank employees, including BRIAN and his very pretty six
months' PREGNANT wife, NANCY. We find SAMMY and RUDY. Sammy
is chatting to some neighbors. Rudy is bored out of his mind,
waiting for her.
INT. SAMMY'S HOUSE -- LIVING ROOM. DAY
Terry is lying on the sofa, smoking, with his feet up and
boots on, watching Sunday morning TV. On the coffee table
are his dirty ashtray, dirty bowl and spoon, Rice Krispies
box and a milk carton.
EXT. SAMMY'S HOUSE. NIGHT
Crickets buzz loudly outside the house.
INT. STAIRS. NIGHT
Sammy, in her bathrobe, comes down the stairs into the living
room. Terry is on the sofa playing with Rudy's Game Boy. He
barely looks up when she speaks to him.
SAMMY
I'm going to bed. Do you have
everything you need?
TERRY
Yeah. Thanks.
SAMMY
Good night.
TERRY
Good night.
Pause.
SAMMY
Terry, I'm really glad you're home.
Terry tries to smile at her.
TERRY
Yeah, me too, Sammy.
He goes back to his game. She hesitates, then heads back up
the stairs.
INT. SAMMY'S KITCHEN. DAY
Sammy, Terry and Rudy sit at the kitchen table. Sammy is
dressed for work. Rudy is dressed for school. Terry is also
fully dressed, drinking the last dregs of a mug of coffee.
He is tired, but listening to Sammy very carefully, as if
receiving difficult and critical instructions.
SAMMY
OK. So we'll drop Rudy off at the
bus, then all you have to do is drop
me off at the bank, and just pick
Rudy up at 3:30 in front of town
hall, and drive him over to Carol's
house. And that's it. She's on Harvey
Lane, right past where the Dewitts
used to live.
TERRY
OK.
SAMMY
Rudy knows where she lives.
Terry glances at Rudy, then back at Sammy.
TERRY
OK.
INT. BANK -- MABEL'S DESK. DAY
Sammy walks past MABEL'S DESK, carrying a big stack of files.
She drops three of them on the desk. MABEL is typing away at
her PC. The colors are a garish PURPLE background with GREEN
letters.
SAMMY
God, Mabel, don't those colors hurt
your eyes?
MABEL
Oh no, they keep me fresh.
Sammy proceeds down the hall and into --
INT. BRIAN'S OFFICE. DAY
Brian is at his desk, busy working between stacks of papers.
She knocks on the open door.
BRIAN
Yeah!
(Looks up)
Hi, Sammy. What can I do for you?
SAMMY
Um, Brian? Did you want us to turn
this time sheet in at the end of the
day, or do you want it at the end of
the week...?
BRIAN
Oh, yeah, end of the day'll be fine.
SAMMY
Seems like an awful lot of extra
paperwork...
Brian hesitates, shrugs and smiles.
BRIAN
I like paperwork.
Sammy looks at him with a blank smile.
INT. BANK -- SAMMY'S DESK. A MOMENT LATER
Sammy sits down at her desk and notices the time: 3:30. She
reaches for the phone, then decides not to call.
EXT. SCOTTSVILLE -- MAIN STREET. DAY
The CLOCK on the front of the TOWN HALL reads 3:31.
The SCHOOL BUS pulls up across from the town hall and
disgorges a handful of kids. Rudy comes out with his knapsack,
looking around...
POV RUDY: Terry, across the street, sits on the hood of
Sammy's car, smoking.
Rudy walks over to him.
RUDY
You showed up.
TERRY
Looks that way.
INT. SAMMY'S CAR (MOVING). DAY
Terry and Rudy drive in silence. Terry glances at Rudy.
TERRY
Put on your seat belt.
RUDY
It pushes on my neck.
TERRY
What?
RUDY
It pushes on my neck. It's
uncomfortable.
TERRY
Well, when somebody slams into us
and you go sailin' through the
windshield, that's liable to be
uncomfortable too. So put on your
seat belt.
Rudy puts on his seat belt.
RUDY
Mom's parents died in a car accident.
TERRY
I know. They're my parents too.
RUDY
They are?
TERRY
Well, yeah. Your mom is my sister.
RUDY
Yeah, I know.
TERRY
So that means we have the same
parents.
RUDY
Oh yeah.
They drive in silence for a moment. Terry glances down at
Rudy.
INT. BANK -- SAMMY'S DESK. DAY
Sammy, laden with files, plops down at her desk as Mabel is
passing by. Mabel puts a phone message down in front of her.
MABEL
Um -- Carol just called. She said
Terry and Rudy never showed up at
her house?
SAMMY
You've got to be kidding me.
A MOMENT LATER: Brian, talking to an employee, sees Sammy,
across the bank, hurrying out the employees' exit.
BRIAN
Hey, Sammy?
Sammy doesn't hear and exits.
EXT. ORRIN'S BACKYARD. DAY
Terry and Rudy are banging nails with RAY, a young guy Terry's
age. Terry, hammering with swift, accurate blows, glances up
and watches Rudy for a second. Rudy is hammering away with
no great skill.
TERRY
Hey. Look.
He moves Rudy's hand down toward the end of the handle.
TERRY
You hold it further down, you're
gonna get a lot more power. You should
be able to put that nail down with
two or three hits. Look:
With two swift strokes he drives the nail flush into the
wood.
TERRY
Try it.
RUDY
That's not the way I hold it.
TERRY
Well, the way you hold it is wrong.
RUDY
Why can't I just do it my own way?
Terry looks at him unsympathetically for a moment.
TERRY
(Shrugs)
You can.
He goes back to work. Rudy resumes hammering. After a moment
he switches his grip and starts hammering Terry's way. Terry
looks up and watches him.
EXT. IN FRONT OF ORRIN'S HOUSE. A MOMENT LATER
Sammy pulls up, fast, and gets out of the car. Hearing the
hammering from the backyard, she walks quickly around the
side of the house and stops short when she sees Rudy hammering
happily away with Terry and Ray.
She watches them working, unobserved, with mixed annoyance
and relief, and finally with quiet pleasure, because it's a
very cheerful sight.
INT. BANK. DAY
Half the staff has gone home. Sammy, in her coat, picks a
NOTE up off her CHAIR. It reads:
"SAMMY, PLEASE SEE ME A.S.A.P!!! -- BRIAN"
INT. BRIAN'S OFFICE. A MOMENT LATER
Sammy stands in front of Brian's desk.
SAMMY
Brian? Did you want to see me?
BRIAN
Yeah. I was kind of wondering what
happened to you today.
SAMMY
Oh -- Didn't Mabel -- I had a false
alarm about my son...
BRIAN
Yeah, I kind of thought you were
gonna work that out.
SAMMY
Well, I did work it out -- more or
less --
BRIAN
Then why're you running outta here
in the middle of the day without a
word of explanation to me, Sammy?
SAMMY
Brian, don't yell at me.
BRIAN
I'm -- I'm not yelling. I'm just
gettin' a little frustrated here.
SAMMY
Well Brian:
BRIAN
Sorry, could you close the door
please?
Sammy closes the door.
INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT
Sammy, Terry and Rudy sit at dinner. The atmosphere is lively
and cheerful.
SAMMY
...And Eddy Dwyer lives in Buffalo,
with his wife and two sons, if you
can believe it.
TERRY
That is depressing.
SAMMY
Why?
TERRY
He just never struck me as the
marrying type, that's all.
RUDY
Who are you talking about?
TERRY
Wild kids we used to know.
RUDY
Were you a wild kid?
TERRY
Not compared to your Mom.
RUDY
Yeah, right.
TERRY
You don't believe me?
RUDY
No.
TERRY
Ask her.
RUDY
Mom, were you?
SAMMY
No comment.
Rudy is amazed. Terry looks at him like, "Told you so."
INT. SAMMY'S BEDROOM. NIGHT
Sammy is asleep in bed.
INT. RUDY'S BEDROOM. NIGHT
Rudy is asleep in bed.
INT. BAR. NIGHT
Terry sits at the bar, drinking beer. There are a few locals
in the place, but it's pretty dead. He looks around; his
energy is too restless for the near-empty bar.
INT. RUDY'S BEDROOM. NIGHT
The DOOR OPENS, and TERRY COMES IN, smoking a cigarette.
He's plastered. He looks around the room. Looks at Rudy's
toys. Picks up some superhero comics and sits on Rudy's bed.
Then he spies Rudy's COMPOSITION BOOK, picks it up and starts
reading it.
RUDY (O.C.)
What are you doing?
Terry looks up. Rudy is half-sitting up in bed.
TERRY
Oh -- Just readin' some of your
compositions.
RUDY
Why are you smoking?
TERRY
Um... Because it's bad. Don't ever
do it.
RUDY
I won't.
TERRY
You know this used to be my room?
RUDY
Yeah...
(Pause)
Do you want it back?
TERRY
No.
Rudy is very relieved. Terry keeps reading. Rudy watches
him.
RUDY
Did you fight in Vietnam?
TERRY
No. I wasn't even born yet.
RUDY
Were you ever in the army?
TERRY
No.
RUDY
My father was in the army.
TERRY
I know. Unfortunately he didn't fight
in Vietnam either.
RUDY
Were you friends with him?
TERRY
Not really. We had some friends in
common, I guess... I didn't like him
very much.
RUDY
Why not?
TERRY
Well, he wasn't very likable.
RUDY
Why do you say that?
TERRY
I don't know. He was always -- He
always had to be better than you at
everything. You know. Like if you
were all playing basketball or
something, everybody's havin' like a
friendly game and he's like ready to
kill somebody if his team didn't
win. Or like if you told like a joke
or a story, he always had to tell a
better one? Kinda gets annoying after
a while. Plus it was pretty scummy
how he split on your mom and you...
He was a prick. Probably still a
prick. Fortunately for you though,
your mom is like, the greatest. So
you had some bad luck and you had
some good luck.
(Pause)
You mind if I ask you a personal
question?
RUDY
I don't know.
TERRY
Do you like it here? I mean, in
Scottsville?
RUDY
Yeah...?
TERRY
Why?
RUDY
I don't know. My friends are here...
I like the scenery... I don't know.
TERRY
I know, I know, but it's so... There's
nothing to do here.
RUDY
Yes there is.
TERRY
No there isn't, man! It's narrow.
It's dull. It's a dull, narrow town
full of dull, narrow people who don't
know anything except... what things
are like right around here. They
have no perspective whatsoever. No
scope. They might as well be living
in the nineteenth century because
they have no idea what's going on,
and if you try to tell 'em that,
they wanna fuckin' kill you.
RUDY
What are you talking about?
TERRY
I don't know...
Terry lies on his back and smokes.
TERRY
You're a good kid.
INT. BANK -- SAMMY'S DESK. MORNING
There's a NOTE on Sammy's chair.
"SAMMY, PLEASE SEE ME -- BRIAN"
Sammy, just arrived at work and still in her coat, looks
down at the note.
INT. BANK -- BRIAN'S OFFICE. DAY
Sammy listens to Brian.
BRIAN
Yeah. This doesn't apply to you
directly, Sammy, but I've noticed
that some of the employees have their
PC monitors set with all kinds of
crazy colors... Purple and polka
dots or what have you. And it's not
a big deal, but really, this is a
bank. You know? It's not really
appropriate. So I'm just asking that
people stick to a more quote unquote
normal range of colors in future...
Sammy looks at him blankly.
BRIAN
Like I say, it doesn't really apply
to you.
SAMMY
No, my computer palette's pretty
conservative.
INT. BANK -- MABEL'S DESK. DAY
Mabel is typing angrily at a GRAY SCREEN with BLACK LETTERS.
Sammy walks by. Mabel is so mad she doesn't even look up.
INT. BANK -- SAMMY'S DESK. DAY
Sammy sits agitated for a moment. She makes a decision, picks
up the phone and dials.
INT. BOB'S OFFICE. SIMULTANEOUS
Bob is in his little realty office with two CLIENTS, a husband
and wife. He picks up his RINGING PHONE.
BOB
(Into phone)
Bob Steegerson.
SAMMY
(On phone)
What are you wearing?
BOB
(Into phone)
Mom?
Sammy LAUGHS.
INT. SAMMY'S HOUSE -- DOWNSTAIRS HALL. NIGHT
Terry is holding a broom looking up at the ceiling. Sammy
passes by and stops.
SAMMY
What's up?
Terry taps the broom handle against the ceiling.
TERRY
Do you know you have an enormous
leak from the upstairs hall?
He pokes again. A portion of the ceiling collapses on his
head in wet chunks of plaster and muck.
SAMMY
Um, yeah, thanks, I did.
INT. SAMMY'S ROOM. NIGHT
Sammy, in front of the mirror, finishes dolling herself up
for her date. O.C. we hear loud banging. Sammy puts on her
earrings and goes into --
INT. HALL. CONTINUOUS
SAMMY
Are you guys sure you're gonna be
OK?
TERRY
Yes. Yes.
Sammy approaches RUDY and TERRY. They are bent over a big
nasty trench in the floorboard. There are wood shavings and
greasy pipe segments all over, and black smeary smudges on
the walls nearby.
SAMMY
What is happening here?
TERRY
It's just -- The problem is that the
pipe is corroded all the way along
the length of the hall. So every
time I put in a new piece it starts
leaking further down.
SAMMY
Why don't I just call the plumber?
TERRY
Why? He's not gonna do anything
different than what I'm doing.
RUDY
(Happily)
Yeah. We're making it worse!
TERRY
No we're not. Shut up.
Terry yanks the wrench and a SPRAY of FILTHY WATER comes out
of the pipe and splatters the wallpaper and pictures and
Sammy with gritty gray water. She looks at them.
SAMMY
Thank you. Thank you both.
INT. HALLWAY. NIGHT
Bob and Sammy -- cleaned up and wearing a different outfit --
are bustling out the front door. Terry stands by.
SAMMY
Now, call if there's any problem,
and if I'm not there, I'm either on
my way or on my way back home.
TERRY
OK.
Sammy gets into her coat. Bob opens the front door.
SAMMY
(To TERRY)
So lights out at ten... and don't
spend the whole night watching TV.
TERRY
Nice to meet you, Bob.
BOB
You too.
TERRY
(To SAMMY)
What's your idea of the whole night?
SAMMY
Two hours tops.
Bob holds the door for Sammy and smiles at her. There is
some confusion about who should go out first. Finally she
goes and Bob follows. The atmosphere between them is fairly
awkward.
INT. SAMMY'S HOUSE. NIGHT
Terry and Rudy are watching TV from the sofa.
TERRY
What's your feeling about Bob?
RUDY
I don't really know him that well.
Terry looks at his watch.
TERRY
I have bad news for you.
He picks up the remote...
RUDY
No...!
...and turns off the TV. They sit there in the sudden silence.
RUDY
Great. What are we supposed to do
now?
TERRY
Do you know how to play pool?
RUDY
I've played it.
EXT. THE WILD MOOSE. NIGHT
The Wild Moose is a noisy roadside bar sitting under the
stars. Terry and Rudy get out of the car. Rudy looks
apprehensive.
RUDY
I don't think they let kids in there.
TERRY
Well, we're not allowed to watch any
more TV, so it's this or nothing...
But if we run into any trouble, let
me do the talking.
RUDY
OK.
Terry swings the door open.
INT. THE WILD MOOSE. NIGHT
POV RUDY: A lot of men and women at the bar or in booths,
eating and drinking. Smoky, crowded and very loud. As he
follows Terry through the crowd various patrons notice him --
some of the looks are friendly, some blank, some cold, i.e.,
what's a kid doing in here?
AT THE POOL TABLE: Terry and Rudy stand side by side facing
the players and waiting players gathered around the table.
Terry waves a few bills.
TERRY
I got a hundred bucks here says me
and my nephew can beat anybody in
here. Only we gotta get the next
game 'cause he's gotta be in bed by
ten o'clock.
A MOMENT LATER: RUDY, very nervous, and the 1st Pool Player
are side by side shooting for break. Terry is behind Rudy
coaching him.
TERRY
Just hit it nice and soft... Nice
and soft.
They hit the balls. Rudy just clips his ball and it doesn't
go anywhere. 1st Pool Player's ball hits the opposite bank
and comes almost all the way back.
RUDY
(To TERRY)
Sorry.
TERRY
God damn, Rudy. I thought you said
you could play.
Rudy doesn't answer. Terry winks at him.
A MOMENT LATER: 1ST POOL PLAYER BREAKS -- WHACK! -- The balls
scatter. Nothing drops. TERRY steps up to the table, chalking
up his cue.
TERRY
Boys, it's all over but the cryin'.
QUICK CUTS: Of Terry running the table and everyone watching.
Three-ball in the side. One-ball in the corner. Nine-ball
off three cushions and into the corner, and the eleven-ball
into the side. Rudy watches him.
INT. BOB'S APARTMENT. NIGHT
Bob and Sammy sit at Bob's dining room table. The little
bachelor apartment looks pretty good. Tablecloth, candles,
wine, everything. Bob has just dropped a huge bombshell.
SAMMY
Bob... Are you serious?
BOB
Yeah.
SAMMY
I... I don't know what to say. I --
BOB
I mean, I know I haven't exactly
been the most... decisive... guy. In
the past... I don't know: I'm tired
of foolin' around. And I love you.
SAMMY
I... I'm totally... I don't know
what to say.
BOB
Well, you could always say "Yes."
(Pause)
Or you could think about it first.
SAMMY
That's it: I want to think about it.
BOB
OK... Fair enough.
INT. WILD MOOSE. NIGHT
Terry has sunk everything but the eight ball. He leans over
to sink it. It's a fairly easy shot. He lines it up carefully,
and deliberately shoots it so it stops two inches from the
corner pocket.
TERRY
Ohhhh!
A FEW MOMENTS LATER: Terry and Rudy sit side by side watching
as the 2nd Pool Player passes back and forth between them
and the camera, running the table. "Oohs" and "All rights"
emit from the spectators.
Sudden silence. Then the clack of the balls connecting. A
great common GROAN goes up. RUDY looks up at Terry.
TERRY
It's all yours, baby.
Rudy looks at the TABLE: The eight-ball is two inches off
the corner. The cue ball is a few inches away from it. A
piece of cake, for an adult. Rudy looks deeply unconfident.
He gets up and tries to line up the eight-ball. Terry is
right next to him.
TERRY
Just make sure to hit it really
gentle. But firm. And hit it a little
low so you get some backspin. Don't
even hit it. Just kiss it.
A long moment.
RUDY
What do you mean, kiss it?
TERRY
I mean tap it. Firm but very, very
softly. And don't shoot until you
know it's going in. OK?
RUDY
OK.
Everyone is relatively quiet. Rudy takes a few practice
strokes and then hits the cue ball, straight, but too softly.
It crawls toward the eight and taps it toward the corner,
slower and slower, hangs there, and DROPS.
A GENERAL "HEYYY!" GOES UP and everyone claps and cheers.
Terry grabs Rudy. Rudy smiles, ecstatic.
TERRY
That was great!
AT THE BAR: Darryl the SHERIFF, in his civvies, drinking a
pint of beer, notices Rudy and Terry.
AT THE POOL TABLE: Terry picks Rudy up and turns him upside
down. Rudy laughs.
EXT. SAMMY'S HOUSE. NIGHT
The house is dark. Terry and Rudy are walking from the car
to the house.
RUDY
We creamed those guys! We creamed
them!
TERRY
(Stopping suddenly)
Ssh...! Don't move.
They listen. A CAR is COMING.
TERRY
It's them!
They break for the door, Terry fumbling for his key. He gets
the door open.
TERRY
Go! Go! Go!
He and Rudy run inside the house. The lights go on. BOB'S
CAR pulls into the DRIVEWAY.
INT. THE HOUSE -- FRONT DOOR. SIMULTANEOUS
Rudy runs up the stairs.
TERRY
Wait a minute, gimme your jacket!
Rudy tries to take his jacket off fast but gets his arm caught
in the sleeve. He tries to shake it off.
TERRY
What are you doing?
RUDY
I can't get my sleeve out...!
They HEAR Bob's CAR DOORS SLAM. Terry makes a comic panicked
face and leaps up the stairs two at a time.
OUTSIDE THE HOUSE: Sammy waves to Bob. Bob waves back as he
drives off. Sammy goes to the front door, opens it:
Terry and Rudy are in a giggly tangled panicked heap at the
top of the stairs, shaking Rudy's arm and sleeve, frantically
trying to get the jacket off.
Sammy comes in. They freeze.
SAMMY
What is going on in here?
TERRY
Um -- We were just out doing some
star-gazing, and, uh, Rudy lost track
of the time. Which I totally warned
him about.
(To Rudy)
You are a bad kid.
INT. BATHROOM. LATER
Rudy is brushing his teeth. Terry pokes his head in.
TERRY
(In a low voice)
Hey: I think it's OK. Just don't
tell her where we went, 'cause she'll
be really mad at me. OK?
RUDY
I won't.
TERRY
(Suddenly dark)
Hey -- I'm not kidding, Rudy.
RUDY
I won't!
Terry gives him a "You better not" look, then leaves. Rudy
continues brushing his teeth.
INT. RUDY'S ROOM. NIGHT
Sammy is tucking Rudy in, stroking his hair.
SAMMY
Did you know my Mommy used to take
me and Uncle Terry out at night to
look at the constellations?
RUDY
Yeah.
SAMMY
Did you see that one, what's the one --
It looks like a big "W"? Cassiopeia?
RUDY
Yeah.
INT. HALL. NIGHT
Sammy comes out of Rudy's room, smiling. It's dark. She sees
a LIGHT on under TERRY'S DOOR. She walks toward it and steps
into the TRENCH, falling down violently.
SAMMY
Ow! Shit!
INT. BATHROOM. NIGHT
Terry is putting a butterfly Band-Aid on Sammy's wound. It's
a nasty, bloody gash, just shy of needing stitches.
SAMMY
I've got a great idea. Why don't you
let me call the plumber?
TERRY
Do whatever you want.
SAMMY
Oh, does that make you mad?
TERRY
No...
INT. SAMMY'S ROOM. NIGHT
RAIN patters on the ROOF as Sammy LIMPS back and forth across
the room changing into her nightgown.
EXT. TERRY'S WINDOW. NIGHT
Terry is smoking pot with his head and shoulders stuck outside
the window. RAIN FALLS on his HEAD.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. BANK. MORNING
Early morning. The RAIN is still falling. Only a few cars
are in the employee parking lot yet.
INT. BANK -- BRIAN'S OFFICE. DAY
The RAIN runs down Brian's office window. BRIAN, in a wet
raincoat, turns on his light.
A MOMENT LATER: Brian turns on his PC. The SCREEN lights up.
The COLORS are a garish GREEN and ORANGE.
CUT TO:
LATER: SAMMY and BRIAN are both on their feet. The door is
closed.
SAMMY
Brian, get off my ass!
BRIAN
Excuse me?
SAMMY
I didn't change the colors on your
stupid computer screen.
BRIAN
Well, that's all you gotta say!
SAMMY
(On "that's")
There is nothing wrong with the work
I do here. I have been doing just
fine, the whole time before you came
here -- And if you think that riding
people in this petty, ridiculous way
is the way to improve service in
this bank or anywhere else I think
you're out of your mind!
Pause.
BRIAN
I didn't say there was. Could I please --
Could I please -- May I respond?
SAMMY
No, that's really all I have to --
BRIAN
May I respond?
(Beat)
First of all, I don't appreciate
being spoken to with that kind of
language. That's not the way I talk
to you, and I'd appreciate it if you
wouldn't talk that way to me --
SAMMY
Well --
BRIAN
Second of all, if you say you didn't
change the colors on my computer
screen, then of course I accept your
answer. But you and I are gonna have
to find a way to work together --
SAMMY
Brian --
BRIAN
But that's not gonna happen with the
attitude, it's not gonna happen with
the lateness, it's not gonna happen
by fighting me every step of the way --
OK, well not you, you're not late,
but too much of that stuff goes on
around here --
SAMMY
I am not late and I do not have an
attitude -- Well then don't tell me
I'm late if I'm not late!
BRIAN
I'd really like to finish!
OUTSIDE BRIAN'S OFFICE: The whole staff is listening to the
muffled raised VOICES from inside the office.
MABEL especially is listening guiltily.
EXT. MAIN STREET. DAY
The rain falls on Main Street.
EXT. ORRIN'S BACKYARD. DAY
The rain comes down hard on Orrin's construction project.
Tarps cover everything. No work today.
EXT. MAIN STREET -- LUNCH PLACE. DAY
The rain comes down on the SHERIFF, looking through the
restaurant WINDOW at SAMMY, eating lunch alone at the counter.
He goes inside, shakes the rain off himself and goes over to
her. They start talking. We HEAR:
SAMMY
They were where?
INT. SAMMY'S HOUSE -- LIVING ROOM. DAY
The RAIN on the roof makes a sleepy, pleasant country sound.
TERRY is lying on the sofa, smoking a joint, watching TV, in
a funk. O.C. we LOUD BANGING ON THE PIPES.
LATER: A YOUNG PLUMBER, about Terry's age, comes thumping
down the stairs and goes into the living room, carrying his
toolbox. Terry looks up at him.
PLUMBER
OK, you're all set.
Terry glares at him. The plumber turns and goes out.
EXT. BUS STOP. DAY
RUDY is WAITING in a doorway for Terry. He is wet and cold.
The RAIN pours down.
INT. BANK. DAY
Brian is showing his wife, NANCY, the bank. He is very
solicitous of her, nervously introducing her to the employees,
who are not responding very warmly. Nancy is not in a warm
mood either; she's very testy with Brian.
BRIAN
This is Chuck. Chuck, this is my
wife, Nancy.
CHUCK
Hello.
NANCY
Nice to meet you.
BRIAN
This is Mabel...
MABEL
Hi.
NANCY
Nice to meet you.
SAMMY, at her desk, watches Brian and Nancy make their
progress through the bank. Nobody is being very friendly,
and Brian suddenly seems awkward and vulnerable. Brian and
Nancy reach Sammy's desk.
BRIAN
This is Sammy, our lending officer.
Sammy, this is my wife, Nancy.
SAMMY
(Friendly)
Hi. It's nice to meet you.
NANCY
Brian -- I gotta sit down.
BRIAN
Sure -- Let's go in my office.
He glances nervously at Sammy as he leads Nancy away from
her desk and toward his office. He murmurs something to Nancy,
who responds in a low but very testy voice:
NANCY
I'm fine...!
She roughly pulls her arm away from his. Sammy watches them
go into his office.
EXT. MAIN STREET. DAY
Rudy trudges resolutely through the pouring rain toward the
center of town. He is completely drenched.
INT. BRIAN'S OFFICE. DAY
Sammy knocks on Brian's open door.
SAMMY
Brian...?
BRIAN
Yeah.
RUDY (O.C.)
Mom!
Sammy sees to her left, down the hallway --
SAMMY
Rudy!
Rudy is at the end of the hall, drenched and shivering, but
cheerful.
EXT. EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT. DAY
Rudy is in the car, somewhat dried off, waiting. Sammy and
Terry stand in the employee entrance doorway.
SAMMY
Look, I'm glad you guys are getting
along so well -- like, you have no
idea -- but if I can't rely on you
to remember to get him once a day...
TERRY
You can!
SAMMY
-- And what are you doing taking him
to play pool in the middle of the
night, and then telling him to lie
to me about it?
Pause.
TERRY
I don't know.
INT./EXT. SAMMY'S CAR/CAROL'S DRIVEWAY. DAY
Terry and Rudy pull up in front of the driveway. Terry is in
a silent rage. The rain has let up.
TERRY
Get out of the car.
RUDY
What are we doing?
TERRY
You're going to Carol's house and
I'm going home.
RUDY
Why can't I come with you?
TERRY
Because if you're such a baby you
gotta tell your Mommy about us playin'
pool when I totally asked you not
to, and I gotta listen to her shit
all day, then you're goin' to the
baby-sitter's so you can stay at the
baby house.
RUDY
But I didn't tell her!
TERRY
You know what? Don't even fuckin'
talk to me.
RUDY
I didn't!
TERRY
Just get out of the car.
He leans over Rudy roughly and pushes open the door. Rudy
gets out of the car and marches down the long driveway. He
bursts into tears.
Terry watches him go, then drives off.
INT. BANK -- HALL. A FEW MOMENTS LATER
Sammy walks through the empty bank hall and into Brian's
office. Brian is at his desk.
BRIAN
You're working late.
SAMMY
How did your wife like the bank?
BRIAN
Oh, fine. She wasn't feeling so great.
SAMMY
That's too bad.
BRIAN
No -- I don't mean -- She's not ill.
She's just... I don't know...
SAMMY
Pregnant?
BRIAN
That's it. She's pregnant.
SAMMY
It can make you kind of cranky.
BRIAN
Yeah...
Pause.
BRIAN
Listen, I'm sorry we've been stepping
on each other's toes -- I -- I'm not
actually that bad a guy --
SAMMY
Yeah, I am too... I know you're not,
Brian, but you're driving everybody
crazy.
BRIAN
Well, I -- I'm just trying to do my
best here -- And I'm gettin' it from
all sides.
SAMMY
I know you are...
BRIAN
Anyway... We'll work it out...
SAMMY
Well... I could use a beer.
BRIAN
I could use a tranquilizer.
INT. PUB. NIGHT
Brian and Sammy sit at a table in the corner of the dimly
lit pub. It's a medium noisy place with various locals
drinking beers and eating hamburgers and chicken dinners.
SAMMY
Last I heard, Rudy's Dad was living
over in Auburn. But that was last
year.
BRIAN
Must be so tough raising a kid on
your own... Although I'm beginning
to get the idea my wife wouldn't
mind a crack at it.
SAMMY
Oh... It's just the hormones.
BRIAN
Well, no, it isn't. But never mind.
The waitress brings them two boilermakers.
SAMMY and BRIAN Thanks.
She leaves. Sammy and Brian pick up their shots.
BRIAN
Well, here's to improved employee-
management relations.
SAMMY
Amen.
They click shot glasses and drink.
SAMMY
You can't judge all of Scottsville
by the people in that bank, believe
me.
BRIAN
Well -- Let's -- Let's not talk about
the bank.
SAMMY
OK.
BRIAN
Let's just forget about the bank for
tonight.
SAMMY
Good idea.
They sip their drinks, smiling. Sammy looks at him
appraisingly.
INT./EXT. BRIAN'S CAR/WOODED ROAD. NIGHT
Sammy and Brian are making out in the front seat of his car.
This goes on for a while, getting heavier and heavier.
BRIAN
Sammy?
SAMMY
Yeah?
BRIAN
I want you to tell me who changed
the colors on my computer screen.
SAMMY
I'll never tell.
They start kissing again in the cramped space. Brian bangs
his head. They laugh.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE CAR. CONTINUOUS
We pull back and away from the car. The sodden trees spout
faucets of water down on the car.
INT. KITCHEN. NIGHT
The kitchen is dark. Sammy comes in, her hair a little wet,
and turns on the light. She goes to the telephone.
There's a NOTE in Terry's handwriting:
"BOB CALLED."
TERRY (O.C.)
Where were you?
Sammy jumps, startled. Terry is in the kitchen doorway.
SAMMY
Nowhere. I had dinner with my boss.
TERRY
Kind of a late dinner, ain't it?
SAMMY
Yeah. How was Rudy?
TERRY
Fine.
SAMMY
Did the plumber come?
TERRY
Yes, the fucking plumber came.
SAMMY
Terry -- Give me a break!!!
Pause.
TERRY
What's the matter with you?
SAMMY
Nothing. I'm just tired.
TERRY
You want to smoke some pot?
SAMMY
No I don't. Why, you got some?
EXT. PORCH. NIGHT
Sammy and Terry stand side by side on the porch, passing a
joint back and forth. It has stopped raining but the trees
and roof are still dripping. The crickets are chirping loudly.
SAMMY
So... Bob asked me to marry him.
TERRY
Wow.
(Pause)
Are you going to?
SAMMY
I don't know. If he'd've asked me
this time last year I would have
probably said yes. But the minute he
said it, I don't know, I felt like
somebody was trying to strangle me.
TERRY
Well... bad sign.
SAMMY
I know.
(Pause)
Plus, Terry...
(Whispers)
I fucked my boss...!
TERRY
What?
SAMMY
I know! And his wife is six months
pregnant.
TERRY
Jesus Christ, Sammy...!
SAMMY
I know, I know.
He passes her the joint. She declines. He puffs away. The
water drips off the porch and the crickets chirp. She puts
her head on his shoulder. He puts one arm around her and
puffs away with the joint in his free hand.
SAMMY
Terry, I'm sorry I got so mad before.
I just don't want him, you know --
terrified of "telling," if there's --
TERRY
Uh, well, that's not really his
problem, Sammy.
Sammy straightens up.
SAMMY
Oh really? What's his problem?
TERRY
His problem is that he's like totally
sheltered because you treat him like
he's three, instead of eight, so
that's how he behaves.
SAMMY
Oh yeah? And how do you think he
should behave?
TERRY
I think he shouldn't have to run and
tell his Mommy every time he does
something she might not like, for
one thing.
SAMMY
Uh huh. And what do you --
TERRY
(On "and")
I mean I took him to play pool! It
was a little clandestine thing we
did for fun! It wasn't like a big
secret, I mean who cares? I was
actually trying to be nice to him.
But he's so freaked out that he
disobeyed your orders that he has to
fuckin' squeal on me and I have to
listen to your fuckin' shit all day
when I didn't even fuckin' do
anything!
SAMMY
First of all, he didn't tell me
anything: Darryl did. OK? Second of
all, I don't really give a shit if
you took him to play pool: I was mad
at you because you left him standing
at the bus stop in the rain. But no,
I don't want you telling him not to
squeal, because I don't want him put
in that position!
TERRY
(Losing ground)
Well... that... is a perfect example
of what I'm talking about.
SAMMY
You are in idiot.
They stand apart now. Silence.
TERRY
Darryl told you?
SAMMY
Yes!
They stand there. The rain gutters drip.
INT. BANK. MORNING
Sammy, coat on, arrives at her desk and puts her purse down.
There's a NOTE on her CHAIR.
"SAMMY -- PLEASE SEE ME."
INT. BANK -- HALLWAY. A MOMENT LATER
TRACKING SAMMY, coat off, carrying a stack of folders, as
she walks from her desk, around the corner, down the hall,
past a couple of employees and to BRIAN'S OPEN DOOR. She
taps on it. Brian is at his desk.
SAMMY
Morning.
BRIAN
Yeah, good morning. Could you get
the door?
OUTSIDE THE OFFICE: Sammy shuts the door. MABEL and DORIS,
standing near the door, look at each other: i.e., Sammy's in
trouble again.
INSIDE THE OFFICE: Sammy stands by the closed door. Brian
comes out around his desk.
SAMMY
Listen -- I just --
Brian kisses her. She drops her folders and they make out
against the door.
OUTSIDE THE OFFICE: The employees click away at their PCs.
Mabel exchanges a quiet word with Chuck.
INSIDE THE OFFICE: Brian has Sammy pressed against the wall
with her skirt hiked up and is trying to get both of their
underwear out of the way. It's not so easy in their office
clothes. Sammy tears away.
SAMMY
Brian, that's enough.
BRIAN falls back, breathless.
BRIAN
OK. Sorry.
He lunges at her again. They kiss some more.
OUTSIDE THE OFFICE. A MOMENT LATER: Sammy comes out of the
office, more or less composed, carrying her folders. She
heads down the hall past the other employees, including Mabel,
and surreptitiously readjusts her scrunched-up underwear.
INT. DAWSON'S. DAY
Sammy and Bob sit at lunch. Sammy is picking at her food.
BOB
You're awfully quiet.
SAMMY
I'm sorry.
BOB
Um... Have you thought at all about
what I said?
SAMMY
Of course I've been thinking about
it.
BOB
So... Any decisions? Or -- do you
still want to think about it some
more...?
SAMMY
Well -- I mean -- I don't know, Bob.
I mean, we haven't exactly been going
steady the last few months, if you
know what I mean --
BOB
Yeah, no, I know --
SAMMY
-- and then we see each other twice
and you suddenly say you want to get
married? I mean...
BOB
No, you're right, you're right --
SAMMY
What are you talking about?
Pause.
BOB
I don't know... I... Maybe this is...
Last year I sort of thought you were
possibly interested in that... idea...
but I was the one who, you know,
wasn't "ready" at that point -- So
that's why I thought things kind of
slowed down with us...
SAMMY
Don't make me feel bad for you.
BOB
(Bristling)
I don't want you to feel bad for me.
INT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT
Sammy, Terry and Rudy are all watching TV. Sammy and Rudy
are in pajamas. Nobody's happy and nobody's talking.
The PHONE RINGS. Sammy goes to it and picks up, surprised
because of the hour.
SAMMY
(Into phone)
Hello?
BRIAN
(On phone)
It's Brian.
Sammy turns away and lowers her voice so Terry and Rudy won't
overhear her.
SAMMY
Brian. Where are you?
EXT. GAS STATION. SIMULTANEOUS
Brian is on the pay phone outside a gas station.
BRIAN
I'm buying milk. I just thought I'd
say hello.
WE CUT BETWEEN THEM. Sammy doesn't say anything.
BRIAN
Look, I know it's probably too late,
but is there any way you can come
out for a little while?
SAMMY
Brian, I think you're going crazy.
BRIAN
I know I am. Can you meet me?
SAMMY
Um, OK.
INT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT
SAMMY comes down the stairs, fully dressed, into the living
room, where Terry and Rudy are still watching TV.
SAMMY
Um -- I have to go out for a minute.
Do you want anything?
TERRY
Like what?
SAMMY
I don't know.
RUDY
Where are you going?
TERRY
Yeah, where are you going?
SAMMY
I just have to go out for a little
while.
RUDY
Where?
TERRY
Yeah, where?
SAMMY
I just have to go to Mabel's house.
RUDY
Why?
SAMMY
You know what, Rudy? It's personal.
This is a personal matter that has
to do with Mabel. I just have to go
see her for a little while.
Terry gives Sammy a look like, "You've got to be kidding."
Sammy tries to shush him with a conspiratorial look back.
She goes out.
LATER. Terry and Rudy sit in front of the TV, alone.
TERRY
Listen. Listen. I'm sorry I said you
squealed on me. I was totally out of
line, and I really owe you an apology.
(Pause)
Did you hear what I said?
RUDY
(Staring at the TV)
I don't care.
INT. SAMMY'S CAR (MOVING). NIGHT
Sammy drives, listening to music. She shakes her head at
herself.
EXT. MOTEL. NIGHT
Sammy's car and Brian's car are parked side by side outside
a roadside motel.
INT. MOTEL ROOM. NIGHT
In the motel room, Sammy and Brian, half-clothed, make love
rather hurriedly on top of the unmade creaky bed.
EXT. MOTEL. NIGHT
Outside the motel, Sammy and Brian get into their respective
cars and start their motors.
INT. SAMMY'S CAR (MOVING). NIGHT
Sammy drives in the other direction. She breaks into a smile,
and then she laughs. Then she stops.
INT. SAMMY'S BEDROOM. NIGHT
Sammy lies awake plagued by guilty feelings.
EXT. CHURCH -- RECTORY. DAY
Sammy heads toward the little white church building.
INT. CHURCH -- RECTORY -- OFFICE. DAY
RON the MINISTER and Sammy drink coffee in silence.
RON
(Gently)
What's on your mind, Sammy?
SAMMY
Well, a lot. But principally... I
was just wondering if you had an
opinion. If you know someone, in
your family, or just someone you
really care about, and they just
can't seem to get ahold of
themselves...
EXT. MAIN STREET. DAY
The SUN SHINES on Main Street.
INT. SPORTING GOODS STORE. DAY
Rudy watches wide-eyed as Terry places on the sales counter
two rods and reels, a bunch of lures, two fishing hats, a
box of swivels, a knife and a fish scaler.
TERRY
You know who this is for?
RUDY
Me!
TERRY
That's right, my little friend.
(To the saleslady)
Hello. We're going fishing.
INT. SAMMY'S HOUSE -- KITCHEN. DAY
Sammy, Terry and Rudy are all putting away the groceries.
Everybody seems to be getting along.
RUDY
I got a new rod and reel, five lures,
I got a hat, I got a knife and I got