People You Hate (Things You Love) screenplay

PEOPLE YOU HATE (THINGS YOU LOVE)
By Joseph Robinson III
Based on the stage play, People You Hate (Things You Love), written by Joseph Robinson
III
Copyright © March, 2, 2017
Cellphone: 630-303-0443
Email: josephrobinson@email.com

EXT. THE SUNROOM RESTAURANT - NIGHT
People walk past.
INT. THE SUNROOM RESTAURANT - SAME
MOM FRANK (50s), is calm, strong-willed, conservative,
practical, and lives by the philosophy, "Be cool and get
through it. Things happen all the time and good or bad we
need to be calm." Mom is at a table talking to JON WILL
(30), who has the spirit of a kid who could do whatever he
wants, cares deeply about everything, and is consumed by his
interests such as Chinese food and popular culture. They are
discussing a job Jon has offered Mom. This is the first time
they have met in person.
JON
So, what do you think?
MOM
I would say your offer is more than
generous.
JON
And the job?
MOM
More than doable.
JON
Good. So, you’ll take it?
MOM
Yes.
JON
Well, all I can do now is welcome
you to the Wow Consulting Company.
MOM
Wonderful.
They shake hands.
JON
Now, before we celebrate, I have
one question.
MOM
My name?

2.
JON
(relieved)
Oh my god, yes.
MOM
Go on.
JON
Okay, your name is, "Mom Frank."
MOM
Mhm.
JON
What is that about?
MOM
Well, it’s a simple story.
JON
Uhhh, okay...go on...
MOM
My -
JON
I mean, is it short for Moses?
MOM
No.
(beat)
My parents were crack addicts.
(beat)
They had a dealer, their favorite
dealer as a matter of fact, who,
he, by the way, went by the name,
"Mother."
JON
They named you after him.
MOM
(that’s right)
They named me after him.
JON
You’re a crack baby.
MOM
(that’s right)
I’m a crack baby.

3.
JON
(beat)
So, do you just have a giant scar
going across your soul?
MOM
(amused)
No.
JON
(how’s that possible?)
I mean, because your name is "Mom."
MOM
No, no scar.
JON
Kids in school didn’t make fun of
you?
MOM
They did. To a point.
JON
What point?
MOM
One day the teasing got bad enough
that all I could do was feel bad.
JON
How bad?
MOM
Bad enough to say.
JON
I’m sure.
MOM
(as a matter of fact)
I’m certain.
JON
What did you do?
MOM
I used to shrug it off, but one
day, I decided to say something.
JON
What did you say?

4.
MOM
Well, trying to be funnier than
they thought they were, I stood up
in a group I was assigned to - and
these kids were especially cruel to
me, so when it came to choosing a
team leader I stood up, crossed my
arms, and, meaning myself, I said,
"let your mother do it."
JON
No. Way.
MOM
Yes. Way.
Jon begins laughing. He laughs very hard.
JON
(laughing)
And they just melted!
MOM
Yeah.
JON
Tell me something they used to say.
MOM
The reigning king was, "Mommy’s
boy? Mommy is a boy!"
JON
(laughing)
You killed it with that line!
MOM
Yeah.
JON
(recalling Mom’s application)
What did you say in your cover
letter?
MOM
"I’m a good mom."
Jon laughs hard.
JON
You’re the only mom! Man mom!

5.
MOM
You’re such a kid.
Jon laughs.
JON
I am. Listen, when I was in
elementary school I was a chubby
guy. And the kids murdered me with
jokes.
MOM
How awful.
JON
Listen, they’d say, "Oh here we
go," and walk pressed up against
the walls. Saying I was that fat! I
wasn’t that fat.
MOM
How fat were you?
JON
I was fat enough to be concerned.
(beat)
Maybe it was the only way they
could say, "Kid, you’re not
alright." But it wasn’t my fault. I
was responding to problems at home.
(beat)
According to my therapist.
MOM
Someone read me the story you wrote
in The Times about being bullied
and coming from a broken home.
Tough stuff, Jon.
JON
Did you read it yourself?
MOM
Eventually.
JON
Yeah, my life was a mess until I
moved in with my uncle.
MOM
Gerry.

6.
JON
Yes. Gerry was a vocal critic about
my life. He was right about the way
I lived.
MOM
How’d you live?
JON
Fat and sad.
(beat)
Uncle Gerry helped me change my
life for the better. I mean look at
me. I’m tall, weighted well,
handsome. I can write in cursive.
Mom is amused by this.
JON (CONT’D)
I mean...not a bad tool right?
MOM
Not at all, Jon.
JON
See? You see.
MOM
Yeah. You know my wife has a
younger sister.
JON
Is she tall, weighted well, and
handsome?
MOM
Yeah. And she can write cursive.
They laugh.
JON
I...I might love you, Mom.
MOM
Everyone should love their mother.
JON
These things with you, Mom. You’re
a keeper.
MANNY CHRIS (20s), A small and nice man, Jon’s assistant
enters with his wife OLIVIA CHRIS (20s), A small and nice
woman. Manny stops at Mom and Jon’s table.

7.
JON
(happy to see Manny)
Manny!
MANNY
Hi, boss.
JON
Having dinner?
MANNY
Yes. It’s our anniversary.
JON
Well, congratulations on one year.
MANNY
Thank you, sir.
JON
(to Olivia)
Hi, Olivia.
OLIVIA
Hi, Jon.
JON
(to Olivia)
Congratulations.
OLIVIA
Thank you, Jon.
JON
(to Mom)
Mom, this is my assistant, Manny,
and his wife, Olivia.
MOM
(shaking Manny’s hand)
Hi, Manny.
MANNY
Hi, Mom.
MOM
(shaking Olivia’s hand)
Hi, Olivia.
MANNY AND JON
You can call her, Vee.

8.
MOM
Ah, hello, Vee.
Olivia and Mom smile.
OLIVIA
Hi, Mom.
JON
(to Manny)
Mom is working for The Wow
Consulting Company now.
MANNY
Oh, just great.
JON
Yeah.
MANNY
Well, welcome, Mom.
JON
He’s taking Mark’s old job.
MANNY
(to Mom, excited)
Mr. Executive!
MOM
Yes.
MANNY
Again, welcome.
JON
Okay - okay - get out of here you
two. Eat! Drink! Live!
MANNY
Alright, boss.
(to Mom)
It was a pleasure meeting you.
MOM
Same to you, Manny.
(same)
Olivia.
OLIVIA
(same as Mom)
Mom.

9.
MANNY
Is that short for Moses?
MOM
Not at all.
MANNY
Oh.
JON
You two will have all the time in
the world soon to discuss anything
you want, or can. Now, he’s mine.
MANNY
Okay, boss.
JON
Bye.
MANNY
Bye, boss.
JON
(to Olivia)
Bye.
OLIVIA
(to Jon)
Bye.
MANNY
(to Mom)
Bye, Mom.
JON
(to Manny)
Alright, go. He’s mine.
A waiter approaches Manny and Olivia.
WAITER
Mr. Chris, your table is ready.
MANNY
Alright.
WAITER
This way.
The waiter leads Manny and Olivia to a table not close to
Mom and Jon.

10.
MOM
Manny seems great.
JON
I like him.
Mom’s cell phone buzzes. He pulls it out and reads the
caller ID.
MOM
Oh boy.
JON
Answer - answer!
Mom answers.
JON (CONT’D)
Moms and cell phones.
MOM
Hello?
(beat)
Yes, I’ll hold.
Mom waits with his cell phone at his ear.
JON
Your wife?
MOM
No.
(beat)
God.
Jon is struck baffled and overtaken by disbelief. He could
just stare.
JON
I’m sorry, what?
MOM
One moment.
(he speaks into his cell
phone)
Yes?
Mom is speaking to GOD (N/A), who is happy, fun, and sounds
as infinitely powerful as he actually is. During their phone
conversation, Jon watches on baffled and in disbelief.

11.
GOD (V.O.)
Mom?
MOM
Yes?
GOD (V.O.)
What are you doing?
MOM
I’m in a meeting.
GOD (V.O.)
With Jon Will?
MOM
Yes.
GOD (V.O.)
(he sounds depressed)
Oh.
MOM
What’s wrong?
GOD (V.O.)
Well, I wanted to talk.
MOM
Okay, then later?
GOD (V.O.)
Okay. When will you be done?
MOM
I’m not sure.
GOD (V.O.)
I only ask to be considerate, but I
know.
MOM
When?
GOD (V.O.)
Later.
MOM
(amused)
Ha.

12.
GOD (V.O.)
Yeah. Funny.
MOM
What do you want to do later?
GOD (V.O.)
We could go for a walk.
MOM
That’s fine. It’s Friday, so we can
go walk as long as next Monday.
GOD (V.O.)
Good. Are you drinking tonight?
MOM
I plan to.
GOD (V.O.)
Go for the red.
MOM
Okay.
(he covers the cell phone and
speaks to Jon)
God said go for the red wine.
JON
Uh... Okay.
MOM
(still speaking to a baffled
and struck with disbelief Jon)
What’s wrong?
JON
You’re speaking to God.
MOM
Yeah...
JON
May I speak to God?
MOM
Let me see.
(to God)
God, Jon would like to speak to
you.

13.
GOD (V.O.)
Did you just put me on hold
without telling me?
MOM
I did, sorry.
GOD (V.O.)
(meaning himself)
Look at who’s "nobody."
MOM
You’re not "nobody."
GOD (V.O.)
I mean, maybe say these things
first. Here’s God on the phone with
a guy who doesn’t consider him
enough to say "dot dot dot I need
to put you on hold."
MOM
We have a thing, I thought I was
good.
GOD (V.O.)
If you were in prayer and someone
knocked on the door to the room
that you’re in, you wouldn’t go,
"My father in heaven, dot dot dot
sorry father I need to get this?"
MOM
I... What’s happening?
GOD (V.O.)
Ahhh, I’m messing with you, I know.
You’re good.
MOM
(relieved)
Good lord!
GOD (V.O.)
He’s around.
MOM
Jesus Christ, God.
GOD (V.O.)
(excited)
You remembered.

14.
MOM
Yes, God.
GOD (V.O.)
You know, I walked the earth too?
And he’s "The Guy." They say, "Well
he’s God!" He’s a god. Not me,
though. I’m dad, buddy boy.
MOM
That’s tough.
GOD (V.O.)
Yeah. And he’s all smiles and
(playfully mocking Jesus)
"Well, it’s your way."
(sarcastic)
What a Christian, huh?
MOM
Well...
GOD (V.O.)
(mocking Mom)
"Well!"
(done mocking)
Hey, did you say "Jesus Christ,
God?"
MOM
Yes.
GOD (V.O.)
That’s a swear.
MOM
Hm?
GOD (V.O.)
Religious profanity. That’s
blasphemy.
MOM
Come on, God.
GOD (V.O.)
Alright alright. Let me speak to
Jon Will.
MOM
Okay.
Mom passes his cell phone to Jon who takes it.

15.
JON
(in disbelief and fear)
Hello?
GOD (V.O.)
Boo!
Jon drops the cell phone. God laughs.
MOM
What happened?
JON
He - he said, "Boo!"
MOM
Oh god, give me the phone.
Jon passes the cell phone to Mom.
MOM
(into the phone)
God, what was that?
GOD (V.O.)
(laughing)
I bet... I bet he thinks you’re
nuts or he thinks he’s nuts. Ha ha
ha! And he’s scared.
MOM
God, stop.
GOD (V.O.)
(mocking him)
God, stop.
MOM
Stop.
GOD (V.O.)
Stop.
MOM
You stop.
GOD (V.O.)
You stop.
BOTH GOD (V.O.) AND MOM
(God is still mocking Mom)
You stop.

16.
MOM
I’ll hang up!
GOD (V.O.)
I’ll use telepathy! (he laughs
really hard)
MOM
Yeah? Okay.
(Mom hangs up. frustrated)
God.
Mom’s cell phone buzzes again. It’s God.
MOM
(he answers his cell phone)
Yes?
GOD (V.O.)
(like a child who did
something bad. decidedly
facetious and silly)
I’m sorry.
Mom hangs up. God calls back.
MOM
(he answers. irritated)
Yes?
GOD (V.O.)
(challenging him)
Do it again... Go on... Hang up,
Mom. I dare you.
MOM
What do you want?
GOD (V.O.)
Let me speak to Jon.
(playful)
Duh. God!
MOM
Fine.
Mom passes the cell phone to Jon who accepts it.
JON
(speaking into the cell phone.
still afraid)
Hello?

17.
GOD (V.O.)
(playful)
Hi, Jon.
JON
Hi.
GOD (V.O.)
This is God.
JON
Hi, God.
GOD (V.O.)
Don’t fire Mom because of me, he’s
a good worker.
JON
I... Can we meet?
GOD (V.O.)
Sure.
(this is funny to God)
You bring the drinks and I’ll bring
the life.
JON
(dumbfounded and struck with
interest)
Uh...
GOD (V.O.)
Okay, my ball, kids these days -
yes let’s meet. Bring nothing -
bring you, though!
JON
Okay, great.
GOD (V.O.)
Oh, sorry about the "Boo!"
JON
That’s, that’s... I mean you scared
me.
GOD (V.O.)
Ah meh, you’re just a baby.
JON
I mean -

18.
GOD (V.O.)
"I mean. I mean." How many times
have you said "I mean" today?
JON
I don’t know.
GOD (V.O.)
(who really cares)
I’d say, but it’s not as well
weighted as you, my tall handsome
friend.
JON
You heard me say that?
GOD (V.O.)
I know a guy.
JON
Who?
GOD (V.O.)
(simply put)
Me.
JON
Right, right. Uh, should I take
your number?
GOD (V.O.)
I’ll call you.
JON
Okay, okay that’s cool. Great.
GOD (V.O.)
Great. Okay, great. Great great
great.
JON
(amused)
Um...would you like to speak with
Mom again?
GOD (V.O.)
No, he’s not cool, man.
JON
Right. I guess this is goodbye?

19.
GOD (V.O.)
Uh, no. I’ll see you soon.
JON
Not that "goodbye."
GOD (V.O.)
Oh, the "See you later" goodbye.
JON
Yes.
GOD (V.O.)
(meaning Jon)
Funny guy here.
JON
Thank you.
GOD (V.O.)
Whoa, humble yourself, boy.
JON
Okay - right - alright.
GOD (V.O.)
I hope not everything is good to
you.
JON
Hm?
GOD (V.O.)
(a kind "we’re done)
Bye, Jon.
JON
Bye.
God hangs up. Beat. Jon, still dumbfounded and in disbelief,
passes the cell phone to Mom.
MOM
He didn’t want to speak with me?
JON
Or to you.
MOM
Oh.

20.
JON
He said you’re not cool.
MOM
Oh, whatever.
JON
Mom, don’t get hurt, I need you.
MOM
All is fine, he’s being silly.
JON
How’d you meet him?
MOM
I -
LIONEL BUSH (20), who is content, happy, and a kid just
doing his job, enters, interrupting Mom’s story. Lionel is a
waiter at The Sunroom Restaurant, a delivery man for a
sandwich shop, a delivery driver for a pizza company,
and the co-founder and CEO of a software startup. He holds a
pen and small notepad.
LIONEL
Hello, welcome to The Sunroom
Restaurant. My name is Lionel, I
will be you waiter this evening.
MOM
Hello, Lionel.
JON
(hello)
Lionel.
LIONEL
May I start you off with drinks?
Jon get’s a text message. He grabs his cell phone and checks
it.
MOM
(to Lionel. buying time so Jon
can check his cell phone)
Just a moment.
LIONEL
Okay.
The message Jon received is from God. After a quick beat,
the message pops up on the screen.

21.
GOD’S TEXT MESSAGE
Hi, Jon, this is God. We just spoke
on the phone... I don’t know how
many gods you know, so I needed to
say so. I’m the big guy. The big
Hebrew God. Yahweh. I guess I’m the
big Christian god now.
(God ends the message with a
yellow smiley face emoji)
:)
Beat. The message goes away. Jon is knocked out by
amazement.
MOM
(Mom notices Jon’s
disposition)
Is that him?
JON
Yeah.
MOM
Tell him I said -
JON
(his cell phone buzzes from
another message from God)
Hold on, I have another message.
(he checks it)
It’s him.
MOM
(to Lionel)
Just a moment.
(to Jon)
What did he say?
JON
(reading the message)
He said, "I already knew what Mom
was going to say before he said it
and I’ll say it first. (In a
mocking voice), ’Leave him alone
and let us eat, guy. Seriously.
From Mom... Love Mom.’" Smiley
face. And then he said, "Listen,
Jon, this is what I heard from that
statement from Mom, ’Blah blah
blah,’ tell Mom to shut his face or
to the moon!"
(beat. Jon looks at Mom)
So, are you friends?

22.
MOM
Yes.
JON
I can’t wait to meet him.
MOM
I believe that.
JON
Good. I’m terrified and excited by
this.
Jon’s cell phone buzzes. God has sent him another text. He
checks it. God’s text message pops up on the screen again.
EAT, BOYS! EAT!
Beat. The message goes away.
JON
Okay, let’s eat!
MOM
Did he say to eat?
JON
Yes. He said, "EAT, BOYS! EAT!"
MOM
All caps?
JON
Yes.
MOM
Do not forget to respond.
JON
Right!
(he types into his cell phone
and sends a message)
Thank you, Mom.
Jon’s text message to God pops up on the screen.
JON’S TEXT MESSAGE
We will! Thank you.
JON
Okay, Mom, let’s order.
Beat. Mom and Jon look at Lionel.

23.
JON
(to Lionel)
Okay, we want something red - wine
specifically.
LIONEL
Okay. We have wine by the glass and
the bottle.
JON
Alright, give us a rundown.
LIONEL
Okay. We have,
Abbot, Abouriou, Abrusco, Alicante
Ganzin, Alvarelhão, Ancellotta, Aramon, Argaman, Argant, Arro
noir, Aspiran, Auburn, Avanà, Avarengo, Barbaron, Barbera, Ba
del Sannio, Barbera
Sarda, Barsaglina, Bo˘gazkere, Bombino
nero, Botanico, Bonaria Piemontese, Bonda, Gondola, Bouchalès
nera, Brachetto, Braquet, Brugnola, Brun
Argenté, Cabernet Dorsa, Cabernet
Franc, Cabernet Gernischt, Cabernet
Mitos, Cabernet Sauvignon, Caiño
tinto, Calabrese
Montenuovo, Caladoc, Calitor, Catawba, Celanese Comune, César
nera, Colorino, Complexa, Domina, Dornfelder, Douce
noir, Douce Noire
grise, Drneku[U+009A]a, Dunkelfelder, Duras, Enfariné
noir, Frappato, Freisa, Frontenac, Frühroter
Veltliner, Garantier, Girò, Gouget
noir, Graciano, Grand Noir de la
Calmette, Grenache, Grignolino, Grisa
nera, Grolleau, Groppello, Helfensteiner, Heroldrebe, Hondarr
Beltza,
Mom and Jon look at one another. Their thought is, "How long
is this wine list?" Beat. They look at Lionel, who never
stopped naming wine choices.
LIONEL (CONT’D)
Horn, Incrocio Manzoni
2.14, Incrocio Manzoni
2.15, Isabella, Ives noir, Jaén
tinto, Coubertin, Juan
García, Kadarka, Kalecik
Karası, Kotsifali, Krasnostop
Zolotovsky, Kratosija, Lacrima, Lagrein, Lambrusco, Landal
noir, Landot noir, Léon
Millot, Liatiko, Limnio, Listán
negro, Madrasa, Magarach
Ruby, Magliocco Canino, Magliocco
Dolce, Malbec, Mammolo, Mandataria, Manseng

24.
LIONEL (CONT’D)
noir, Manto
negro, Maratheftiko, Marechal
Foch, Marechal
Joffre, Marselan, Marzemino, Mauzac
noir, Mavro, Mavrodafni, Merlot, Migrant, Mission, Molinari,
noire, Monica, Montepulciano, Montepulciano
d’Abruzzo, Montù, Moreto, Moristel, Mornen
noir, Morrastel Bouschet, Mourisco
tinto, Mourvèdre, Mtevandidi, Nebbiolo, Negoska, Negrara, Nég
nero, Pamid, Papazkarası, Parraleta, Pascale
di Cagliari, Petit Bouschet, Petit
Rouge, Petit Verdot, Piccola
nera, Piedirosso, Pignolo, Pineau
d’Aunis, Pinot Meunier, Pinot
noir, Pinot Noir
Précoce, Pinotage, Pione, Piquepoul, Plantet, Plassa, Plavac
Mali, Pollera
nera, Portan, Raboso, Lamisco, Refosco, Refosco
dal Peduncolo
Rosso, Rimava, Roesler, Romé, Romeiko, Rondinella, Rosette, R
nera, Rosolino nero, Rotberger, Rouge
du Pays, Royalty, Ruby
Cabernet, Ruché, Rufete, Salvador, San
Giuseppe
nero, Sangiovese, Saperavi, Schioppettino, Schönburger, Sciac
Laurent, Stanu[U+009A]ina
Crna, Sumoll, Susac
Crni, Susumaniello, Swenson
Red, Syrah, Téoulier, Termarina
rossa, Teroldego, Terrano, Terret
noir, Tibouren, Tinta
Amarela, Tinta Barroca, Tinta
Cão, Tinta Carvalha, Tinta
Francisca, Tinta Miuda, Tinta Negra
Mole, Touriga Francesa, Touriga
Nacional, Trepat, Tressot, Trevisana
nera, Uva di Troia, Uva Rara, Uva
Tosca, Avallino, Valdiguié, Valentino
nero, Fermentino nero, Vespolina, Vien
de Nus, Vitis
rotundifolia, Vranac, Vuillermin, Wildlacher, Xinomavro, [U+0
severa, Zinfandel, and Zweigelt.
There is silence for a few beats. Jon reaches into his
jacket pocket and pulls out a pen and notepad. Beat.
JON
Will you repeat that?
Beat.
FADE TO:

25.
INT. THE SUNROOM RESTAURANT - A FEW MOMENTS LATER
Mom and Jon sit in silence waiting for Lionel to return. The
silence is long. At times they adjust in their seats, take
sips of water, acknowledge one another, and begin to say
something but decide against it. Eventually, Lionel enters
with a bottle of the house Merlot. He presents it.
LIONEL
Here we go.
JON
Where is it from?
LIONEL
California.
JON
Great. What year?
Th year of the wine is the present year, so this line, and
any other uses of the year should be changed depending on
when this script is filmed
LIONEL
2017.
JON
This one!
LIONEL
Yes.
JON
And what a year!
MOM
(to Lionel)
He just met God.
LIONEL
The God?
MOM
Yes.
LIONEL
Well, wonderful!
MOM
Yes.

26.
JON
Indeed.
(to Lionel)
Okay Lionel, get a bottle of the
California Merlot, 2017.
LIONEL
Okay.
JON
Now, food. What do you recommend?
LIONEL
Something beautiful. Spaghetti Con
Limone with blistered cherry
tomatoes and parmesan.
MOM
That sounds yummy.
LIONEL
It is. It’s light and citrusy.
JON
Mom, I think we’re having that.
MOM
Fine, it sounds great.
JON
More than great, Mom.
MOM
Okay, son.
(to Lionel)
We’ll have two of those.
LIONEL
Okay, sirs. I’ll put your order in,
and grab your bottle of merlot.
JON
Great!
Lionel takes Mom and Jon’s menus, and with the bottle of
wine, exits.
JON
So... God...
MOM
Wait until you meet him.

27.
JON
I’m excited.
(a quick beat)
Is he great?
MOM
He’s -
Mom is interrupted by the buzz of his cell phone. It is a
message from God. He reads. Beat. The message from God pops
up on the screen.
Stop talking about me! Mucho homo,
hombres!
The message from God goes away. Mom looks at Jon who stares
back.
MOM
God said, "Stop talking about me.
Mucho homo, hombre!" Exclamation
point.
JON
(laughing)
Who is this guy?
MOM
The guy.
JON
I mean...
MOM
Let’s do as he says.
JON
(very happy)
Fine. So... What should we talk
about?
MOM
Tell me what your favorite part of
your company is.
JON
Well...
Lionel enters and places two red wine glasses down. One in
front of each person. He exits.

28.
JON
My favorite thing is our
mission. So our mission is, "The
purpose of Wow Consulting is to,
and only is this, to enrich the
lives of all living creatures of
Earth and one day, if so being a
reality, the universe. Earth and
Heaven and what we do not know. To
bring all living beings together
for one purpose: Harmonious unity
in perfection. Our goal is to find
the right path so we may all walk
in the same direction. The right
direction. Good and forward
forever."
MOM
What a statement.
JON
Mom, we want to build something.
One world, in glory. Our company
culture expresses this purpose from
the open spaces with great scenes,
murals, and landscapes, to the
meticulously chosen minimalist
furniture. Remember "The Space
Room?"
MOM
I do.
JON
Wonderful, right?
MOM
Yes. It can be dangerous, though.
JON
How?
MOM
Because it’s - I noticed - so well
done. You might not leave. You’d
think, "Let’s stay here instead of
going anywhere else."
JON
I know! But whatever, we’re not
open 24/7.

29.
MOM
So people have to go home.
JON
(agreeing)
So people have to go home.
MOM
Good.
JON
Yeah. Look, I was thinking maybe,
one of the first projects you could
work on is us.
MOM
Design?
JON
Yeah. As you know, we have a
governing body over all executives
called, The Court. And so they want
a bigger space, so, we are going to
knock down a wall and open up their
current one. It will be a big
room with a wall that is parallel
to the wall with the main door that
is all glass. It should be
beautiful, so I want you to work on
that.
MOM
Certainly.
JON
You know what? I just had a
thought. Do you care that you’re
over twenty years older than me?
MOM
No, not at all.
JON
Good. The guy before you - I tell
you what, quit, because, and I
quote, "Some punk fatty kid from
Manhattan with some childish hope
is my boss."
MOM
Wow.

30.
JON
Yah. And he said it with disgust
and disappointment.
(beat)
I am glad you’re here.
(beat)
I’m glad you’re here and not
against me.
MOM
He really said "fatty?"
JON
Sadly yes. He read my life story
the same as you. That prick of his
was from my past. Look, I know I’m
just a kid, but I built a fine
business.
MOM
You have.
JON
And you know what else?
MOM
What?
JON
I am a kid! And so? I like Chinese
food, popular art, not being
sick...uh...the mind... Space! And
I treat people fairly. Mom, I knew
a guy who was a beast! Just mean,
and, cruel for no reason. I’m not
like that.
MOM
I see that.
JON
It was my dad.
(amazed at how bad his dad
was. he was impossibly bad)
What a guy! He’d hit everyone and
everything. And spit. And stink!
God the smell! I couldn’t eat at
home because of the smell...but I
did. So what? I was sick. I ate
everywhere because the smell
of food was the best smell I knew.
So good.
(with disdain)

31.
JON
My dad...mean and ugly. I wrote a
short piece about him. Would you
like to hear it?
MOM
Yeah.
Jon pulls out his cell phone and opens a document. He clears
his throat. He reads.
JON
(reading)
"This guy sucks!" The end.
(beat)
Good right?
MOM
That was something from your
Twitter feed, right?
JON
Yeah.
MOM
It’s a heavy statement.
JON
Yeah. It could have been more, but,
that was enough.
MOM
Yeah, clear. Unmissable. Clean. A
lot of heart.
JON
Yeah, you hear me. You hear well
old man.
MOM
Whoa! Buddy, don’t say call me
that.
JON
Oh. Sorry, Mom.
MOM
We’re okay.
JON
Good. Here is a mental note: "Do
not call Mom ’old man.’"

32.
MOM
You called your mom an old man?
They laugh.
JON
(beat)
I do like you! You can call me kid,
though.
MOM
(amused)
You know what? You can say "old
man."
JON
Woo! Ha ha! You know what we need?
MOM
What?
JON
Think.
Mom thinks.
JON
Say it with me and you win.
BOTH
(beat)
Wine!
(beat)
Waiter!
INT. THE SUNROOM RESTAURANT - A FEW MINUTES LATER
Jon sits alone at the table. He checks his phone for a few
beats. Mom enters then sits.
JON
(still looking at his cell
phone)
Nice restrooms huh?
MOM
Yeah.
Jon puts his cell phone away and looks at Mom.
JON
You could sit inside there for a
while.

33.
MOM
Yeah.
JON
Look around.
MOM
Mhm.
JON
It’s modern and nice.
MOM
Yeah, TVs right in front of you
when you’re at the urinals.
JON
Was the news on?
MOM
Yeah. Nice weather for the rest of
the day.
JON
Good, they said we might get rain.
MOM
No rain.
JON
I was so depressed when I heard
there might be rain.
(how he currently feels)
Now? I’m all good buddy.
MOM
Good.
Lionel enters with a bottle of red wine and shows it to Jon.
JON
Great. Let’s see it.
Lionel opens the bottle, places the cork in front of Jon,
and pours a bit in his glass. Jon picks up the glass and
swirls it for a beat. He smells it, then tastes it.
JON
(pleasant due to the good
taste)
Yum.

34.
MOM
Wonderful.
JON
(Lionel)
This is good. Fill us up, my man.
LIONEL
Yes, sir.
Lionel goes on to fill Mom’s glass, then Jon’s. He leaves
the bottle on the table and exits. Mom and Jon swirl their
glasses for a beat. They drink.
BOTH
Ahhh.
JON
To life.
MOM
To life.
They cheers then drink.
JON
Now, more about the company. Our
roof is a great place also.
MOM
Did you choose the location?
JON
(asking Mom why he asked the
question)
The view?
MOM
Yes, sir.
JON
Great, I know. I chose the
building.
MOM
What a call.
JON
Hopefully, you actually see what I
see, because it means so much.

35.
MOM
It’s across from your uncle’s old
building.
JON
Yes. It means a lot. And you know
what?
MOM
Hm?
JON
We just bought his old building.
MOM
Oh?
JON
Yes. We’ll be tearing down one of
the major facade walls of both
buildings and connecting the two.
Building a pond too.
MOM
I really like what you’ve done with
the current building, and I hope
you keep up with such great
designs.
JON
You know,
(he drinks)
I had final say over all designs.
MOM
For?
JON
For our current building.
MOM
Good choices.
JON
Great choices. I went to school for
architecture.
MOM
I know.
JON
It will be the same idea.

36.
MOM
Unless there is some great feat in
design that shows up.
JON
True. But, though, we need to keep
in mind we are pointing to
something.
MOM
The great city in the sky?
JON
The great city in the sky. Right
on, Mom.
They drink. Beat. Silence begins to set in as they
contemplate the great city in the sky.
MOM
Here, ask me anything you want.
JON
Anything?
MOM
Yes.
JON
Absolutely anything?
MOM
Yes.
JON
Absolutely absolutely anything.
MOM
Yes, go on.
JON
Okay... Why not have kids?
MOM
Because my wife and I were happy
with just us.
JON
Did God say anything about it?
MOM
No. He said for us, it didn’t
matter.

37.
JON
Hm. I -
Jon is interrupted by the buzz of his cell phone. It is a
message from God. He reads. Beat.
JON (CONT’D)
God said, "Stop talking about me.
Mucho homo, guys!" Exclamation
point.
MOM
He should see that restroom.
Both of their cell phones buzz. They both received the same
message from God.
BOTH
God said, "I did see that restroom,
dot dot dot, wow, dot dot dot,
leave me alone!" Exclamation point.
They laugh for a beat. Then both of their cell phones buzz.
They check. They look at one another.
BOTH
God said, "LOL."
They laugh for another beat. Then both of their cell phones
buzz. They check. They look at one another.
BOTH
God said, "Seriously, boys, I’m in
a meeting, leave me alone, dot dot
dot, exclamation point."
JON
(laughing. asking Mom a
legitimate question)
Do as he says?
MOM
Yes.
JON
Fine.
MOM
(beat)
Now, what about you?

38.
JON
Kids?
MOM
Yes.
JON
I want kids.
MOM
So I should be in expectation?
JON
Yeah, we’re trying. It’ll happen
when it happens. If it happens.
I’ll quote you, "Be cool, no matter
what."
MOM
Good call.
JON
Here’s a good call,
(quoting Mom)
"Let’s say this: Buy a giant boat,
throw a fundraiser like you
normally do and go out to sea.
Attach a net to the back of the
boat and fish while you hold your
event. Gather tons and tons of fish
and then sell it. Make money and
money and see what happens." You
said that.
MOM
I did.
JON
They did that.
MOM
They did.
JON
It’s not something you hear every
day.
MOM
It’s not.
JON
They made so much money. That’s
what I want, something different.

39.
MOM
I will do my best.
JON
Good. I’m also happy about all of
the accounts coming with you. I’m
sitting on a good number myself,
and here comes you with over double
of what I have.
MOM
I’m also over twenty years older
than you.
JON
Yeah, but you kept all of your
accounts after all this time.
MOM
True.
JON
Honestly, we’re looking good with
you.
Mom smiles.
JON
Seriously. And you know what else?
MOM
Hm?
JON
Let’s drink.
MOM
Let’s.
They drink. Lionel enters with their food on a food tray. He
has a food tray stand with him also. He sets the stand down
first, and then the tray on top of that. He places their
plates in front of them.
JON
Wonderful.
MOM
(meaning how good the food
looks and smells)
Look at this.

40.
LIONEL
Awesome, yes?
MOM
Yes.
JON
His eyes know well.
LIONEL
Yes, sir.
MOM
My nose too.
JON
Perfect.
(to Lionel)
Alright, Lionel, just great.
LIONEL
Great. Would you fellas like
anythings else?
BOTH MOM AND JON
I’m fine.
LIONEL
Okay. Enjoy.
Lionel exits.
BOTH MOM AND JON
Let’s eat.
Mom and Jon prepare to eat. They mirror one another.They
take their napkins and place them on their laps, take a
drink, then grab their silverware and eat. Beat. They stop
and look at one another.
BOTH
So good.
They eat. A few beats pass.
JON
Okay. too good. It should be
illegal.
Jon continues to eat.

41.
MOM
Yeah.
They eat for another few beats.
MOM
This restaurant is one of your
accounts, right?
JON
Yeah, Mom.
MOM
Do you get a discount?
JON
They offered, but I turned it down.
MOM
Why?
JON
Some discounts I turn down. Just a
feeling.
MOM
Okay.
JON
Think I’m dumb?
MOM
You’ve built a great business, I’m
not nearly as rich as you -
JON
So my decisions are gold.
MOM
For now.
(he drinks)
jon
You know what we should do?
MOM
I don’t know, boss.
JON
I believe we should, and this is
just me, Uber to pier 15 and walk
around.

42.
MOM
I’m in.
JON
Great.
MOM
Great.
JON
How about before we leave we each
have a slice of, "The Best
Cheesecake Ever!"
MOM
What’s that?
JON
The best cheesecake ever.
MOM
Can you really say that?
JON
It’s the brand name.
MOM
(amused)
Ahhh.
JON
You’ve never had it?
MOM
No.
JON
Uh-oh, no culture.
MOM
I’m fired.
JON
You’re fired.
MOM
Fine.
JON
(beat)
Still want cheesecake?

43.
MOM
Yeah.
JON
Okay.
They eat.
MOM
Do you need a consultant?
JON
Yeah.
MOM
Okay.
(beat)
Am I hired?
JON
You’re hired.
MOM
Great.
JON
The last guy was so old.
MOM
Well, I hope he still did his best.
JON
Mhm.
They eat for a couple beats. Jon stops eating.
JON
Okay, it’s time for cake.
(calling Lionel)
Waiter!
INT. THE SUNROOM RESTAURANT - SOMETIME LATER
Mom and Jon are in the same places as before. The table has
been cleared of everything except for the wine and the
cheesecake. They eat their individual pieces of cheesecake
while doing business on their cell phones. This goes on for
some time in silence. They eat, they drink, they type.
Occasionally they look up and acknowledge one another.
Lionel enters with their bill.

44.
LIONEL
Hello, sirs, there is no rush but I
have your bill.
JON
I’ll take that.
LIONEL
Okay.
(he hands the bill to Jon)
If you need anything I will be
(gesturing to a waiter
station)
Over there.
JON
Great.
MOM
Great job, Lionel.
LIONEL
Yes, sir. Thank you.
JON
(to Lionel)
Great job.
LIONEL
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Lionel exits. Mom and Jon go back to what they were doing
before he entered. This goes on for some time. Eventually,
Mom looks up.
MOM
Jon, are we still headed for the
pier?
JON
(he looks up)
Yes.
MOM
Okay.
They go back to their cell phones. Beat. Mom looks up and at
Jon.
MOM
Should I request an Uber now?
Jon looks up and at Mom.

45.
JON
Yeah, that’s fine.
They go back to their cell phones and do business for a
couple beats. The screen goes black. "Who Are You" by The
Who plays. The song plays through the opening credits.
FADE IN:
TITLE CARD:
People You Hate (Things You Love)
FADE IN UNDERNEATH:
Written by Joseph Robinson III
FADE TO:
Directed by ___________________
OPENING CREDITS:
Pictures, home movies, etc., of the main cast of characters,
Mom, Jon, CASEY FRANK (30s), Mom’s loyal, and loving wife.
Casey is like Mom, a calm, strong-willed, conservative, and
practical person who lives by the philosophy as Mom, "Be
cool and get through it. Things happen all the time, and
good or bad we need to be calm," CHARLES FRANK (50s), Mom’s
younger brother, a calm, strong-willed, conservative, and
practical man. Charles lives by the same philosophy that Mom
does, "Be cool and get through it. Things happen all the
time, and good or bad we need to be calm," SUNNY DAY (40), a
smart, frazzled, and frustrated man, Lionel, and JOSEPH
ROBINSON III (20s), Mom’s client at The Wow Consulting
Company, and a writer who is worried about his work not
being good enough, is seen with the opening credits. We see
their lives past, present, and future. We see them in
braces, at their graduations, at family dinners, with
friends, etc.
INT. HALLWAY OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER - AFTERNOON
We see a sign that says, "A.A. Group 1A" outside a meeting
room. A man walks inside. After a few beats Mom walks up to
the door and stops. He pulls out his cell phone and checks
his messages. He receives a text message from his brother,
Charles. The text message from Charles pops up on the
screen.
CHARLES’ TEXT MESSAGE
Come in, brother. I’m by the
donuts.

46.
Mom responds to the message. We see him type and send it.
MOM’S TEXT MESSAGE
Of course you are.
Mom enters the meeting room and walks over to Charles, who
is standing by the donuts.
INT. COMMUNITY CENTER MEETING ROOM - SAME
There are members of Alcoholics Anonymous standing around
talking to one another.
CHARLES
(greeting and happy to see
Mom)
Brother.
MOM
(greeting and happy to see
Charles)
Charles.
They hug.
CHARLES
How long has it been?
MOM
Too long.
CHARLES
Too long.
MOM
Is it us, or our age?
CHARLES
What?
MOM
We’re getting fat.
CHARLES
(who cares)
Yeah? Well, why not?
MOM
(amused)
Ha!

47.
CHARLES
I’ve been sucking in my gut for a
while now.
MOM
I gave up on that.
CHARLES
Why?
MOM
I’m not as strong as I used to be.
CHARLES
(amused)
Ha ha!
Mom smiles.
CHARLES
So, how are you?
MOM
I’m well.
CHARLES
How’s Casey?
MOM
Always awesome.
CHARLES
Good.
MOM
How are you?
CHARLES
I’m happy.
MOM
Good.
CHARLES
My anniversary is in a week.
MOM
Are you going to Liz’s gravesite?
CHARLES
Not this year.

48.
MOM
Would you like to come over?
CHARLES
No.
MOM
Are you almost over it?
CHARLES
Almost. The A.A. groups occupy a
lot of my time.
MOM
What do you do outside of it?
CHARLES
I drink.
MOM
(beat)
A lot?
CHARLES
No. Just enough.
MOM
What’s "enough?"
CHARLES
What’s not?
MOM
How many groups do you lead?
CHARLES
Eight.
MOM
Okay. Are you anyone’s sponsor?
CHARLES
No. I drink too much.
MOM
God, Charles.
CHARLES
(meaning God)
How’s he by the way?

49.
MOM
Tall and impressive as usual.
CHARLES
Invite him next time.
MOM
Fine by me.
CHARLES
Good.
(beat)
Listen, I drink because I like
alcohol...not because I’m an
alcoholic. Most times I’m not even
drunk. I’m dead to it.
MOM
It just tastes good?
CHARLES
(simply put)
Yeah.
A couple beats pass as they take one another in.
MOM
So, are you leading today’s group?
CHARLES
Yes.
MOM
May I sit in on this meeting?
CHARLES
Why?
MOM
Why not, Kid?
CHARLES
Alright, but you need to say
something.
MOM
Fine.
CHARLES
Alright.

50.
MOM
I’ll tell them what you do outside
of A.A. to occupy your time.
CHARLES
(meaning Mom)
Funny guy here.
MOM
Anyway, it’s good to see you.
CHARLES
Must be since you said it twice.
MOM
Well, now I mean it.
CHARLES
Look, I can handle myself.
MOM
I know.
CHARLES
Then let’s get a beer later.
MOM
Alright.
CHARLES
So, would you like a donut?
MOM
May I have a donut?
CHARLES
Yeah.
Mom grabs a white powder donut and takes a bite. It’s
disgusting. He spits it up on to the floor.
CHARLES
That bad?
MOM
Where are these from?
CHARLES
Would you hate me if I said they
were here when I got here...

51.
MOM
What?
CHARLES
Twenty minutes ago?
MOM
God.
CHARLES
Yeah.
MOM
I’m throwing these out.
CHARLES
Do it.
MOM
(gathering the donuts. upset)
Just awful.
CHARLES
I went to the donut shop, you know,
the one that gives you pink to-go
boxes -
MOM
The ones from the movies?
CHARLES
Yeah. And I said, "Give me whatever
you think we’d like."
MOM
Were you talking to a guy who was
quitting?
CHARLES
No.
MOM
Tell them these are gross.
CHARLES
I can take them back.
MOM
Were they free?
CHARLES
Yeah.

52.
MOM
(checks his watch)
You don’t have time. Call them and
have them deliver new ones.
CHARLES
Free ones?
MOM
No. Fresh ones.
CHARLES
Okay.
MOM
I’ll buy them.
CHARLES
That’s a lot of donuts.
MOM
How many more meetings do you have
today?
CHARLES
Six.
MOM
How many people will be here
throughout the day?
CHARLES
About a hundred.
MOM
That’s fine.
CHARLES
I need your card.
Mom takes out his wallet a pulls from it a credit card. He
gives it to Charles.
CHARLES
Okay.
MOM
Make sure they know they may have a
bad batch of donuts.
CHARLES
Okay.
(he begins to dial the donut
store)

53.
Are you still throwing those out?
MOM
Yes.
Mom takes the bad donuts and exits.
EXT. FACADE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER - SAME
LONG SHOT: BACK AREA OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING
Mom opens a back door leading to garbage dumpsters. He props
the door open. A man stands outside smoking a cigarette. Mom
walks to the dumpsters and throws the donuts away. He
reenters the building, closing the door behind him. Beat.
Mom enters. He walks over to Charles who hands him his
credit card. Mom puts his credit card back inside his
wallet.
CHARLES
The worst thing you ever ate?
MOM
I’d say your wife’s vanilla ice
cream was.
CHARLES
(very true)
Yeah.
Beat.
The Alcoholics Anonymous meeting is in session. They sit in
a circle. There are ten people, including Mom, DENIS (30s),
a handsome and kind man, LACY (20s), a woman who is pretty,
and wanting, NIGEL (30s), a blue-collar man, who is very
angry, and JAKE (20s), a quiet and sad man, who has nothing
going on, sitting in the circle. Charles sits holding the
A.A. big book.
CHARLES
Alright, guys. It’s time we go over
one of the 12 steps of A.A.
(he opens the book. he reads)
Step 2. We came to believe that a
power greater than ourselves could
restore us to sanity. Who remembers
step 1?

54.
Denis raises his hand.
CHARLES
Denis.
DENIS
We admitted we were powerless over
alcohol - that our lives had become
unmanageable.
CHARLES
Correct. So, with that
understanding, that we are
powerless over alcohol, that our
lives have become unmanageable,
would it only make sense to seek a
higher power to help us expel our
obsession?
THE GROUP
Yes.
CHARLES
My parents were drug addicts. They
had a debilitating dependence on
crack-cocaine. It tore our family
apart - it killed my grandfather.
Many bad things happened because of
a lack of a power greater than what
was present. But, as we know, we’re
here to gain control. Who would
like to tell us about how the
second step applies to them?
Nigel raises his hand.
CHARLES
Go ahead, Nigel.
NIGEL
I was drinking one day, I was
angry, and I started a fight with a
group of guys at a local bar. I
beat them up pretty badly - but in
this blind spot, where I was
swinging and hitting and breaking,
I came an inch away from a
waitress. I froze an inch away and
looked into her eyes and I knew...
I knew, "Whatever power there is
out there moving me, alcohol and
whatever else, is too much for me
to handle." I knew I needed help. I

55.
NIGEL
needed a "higher power," to break
me out of the corner I was in. So,
I’m here.
CHARLES
We’re glad you’re here because
you’re right, this place is a gift
from a higher power.
LACY
This group is a form of a higher
power.
DENIS
Given to us from a higher power.
From above.
NIGEL
From above?
LACY
You heard him.
NIGEL
(amused)
I did. I’m just angry.
CHARLES
Why?
NIGEL
I just - still can’t get over the
fact that he’s out there and I’m in
here.
LACY
Who?
NIGEL
God.
DENIS
God works in mysterious ways.
NIGEL
This isn’t a game show.
Beat. Nigel’s statement grabbed everyone’s attention.
NIGEL (CONT’D)
There’s no mystery here. Some
people are just born to die.

56.
CHARLES
Now wait a second, where are you
going with this?
NIGEL
How can a person be born with such
a bad hand and not be born to die?
Is it funny to God? Hm? They live
miserable lives, and they die
miserably. That really happens,
Ace. The worst thing some other
people go through is witness other
people’s misery. They sit around
counting the bodies...
DENIS
What about us?
(beat)
Were we born to die?
NIGEL
We’re the people who had a choice.
We could die. But we saw the light.
We saw alcohol choke us out. We
accepted our trouble and went home
and tried to clean up. We could
die. We can’t, we have
responsibilities. It’s like that
kid,
(to himself)
What’s his name?
(beat. to the group)
There’s this kid named, Jonny
B-Good.
LACY
The musician.
NIGEL
Right.
CHARLES
What about him?
NIGEL
He said, one day he was walking
with his friends, and he started
hearing them talk when they weren’t
actually speaking. And when they
did speak, he’d hear them say more.
He heard two things as if they
spoke from two mouths. He said, "At
first it was awesome and cool and

57.
NIGEL
fun and funny." Then one day, they
asked him to quit the music
business. That was tough for him to
hear.He asked them why he should
quit the music business and they
said, "Because we don’t see you
anymore." Well, one guy said what
everyone else was thinking.
MOM
How’d he ask?
NIGEL
He said he started to say two
things at once like them. He said
he’d say something like, "I love
you, Sarah," and he’d also say,
"Know." When he did, Sarah smiled
and they walked into the sunset. He
said whether or not his friends
knew that they were saying two
things at once, he was always
right.
DENIS
What does that have to do with
responsibility?
NIGEL
He said, their double talk, as he
called it, brought them closer
together. So, he felt a great
responsibility to them - To be with
them. He loved them. He knew that
his work was hurting the best
relationships he had ever had.
That’s like us. We have a
responsibility to people so we
drink.
JAKE
And it’s not so stressful that we
need to drink.
ALL EXCEPT FOR MOM AND CHARLES
(assorted synonyms of "that’s
right")
Right.
JAKE
But something says, "Why not?" So
we do.

58.
CHARLES
It’s only troubling and trouble to
hear a statement such as, "Some
people are born to die..." I
understand your point, Nigel. I do.
To say, "God works in mysterious
ways," could be hurtful. Where’s
the mystery in our pain? We’re
hurt.
NIGEL
Right.
CHARLES (CONT’D)
The thing is, though, no matter
what, we may not stop fighting the
good fight. What’s the "Good
fight?"
MOM
Don’t die.
CHARLES
"Don’t die."
Beat. The room is silent as the people take in the
statement, "Don’t die." Charles looks around at each person
taking in their reactions. A few beats pass.
MOM
(to Nigel)
Nigel?
NIGEL
Hm?
MOM
That musician. Did he quit the
music business?
NIGEL
No.
Silence as Mom reflects.
EXT. THE COMMUNITY CENTER PARKING LOT - SAME
Mom walks Charles to his car. Beat. Charles unlocks his car
and opens the driver’s door. He puts his things inside then
turns to Mom. They stare for a couple beats, taking one
another in.

59.
MOM
When we were younger, did you ever
feel like you were born to die?
CHARLES
Mom, I still do.
MOM
(beat)
I used to.
CHARLES
Every chance I get to be happy,
it’s taken away. My wife’s death
really proved what I had always
thought. "You can’t have here, so
why are you here?"
MOM
Are you suicidal?
CHARLES
No. But I’m suffering.
Beat. Mom and Charles take one another in for a couple
beats. A man walks past with a cup coffee in hand. Mom and
Charles watch the man with the cup of coffee walk past and
away. Beat. Mom and Charles want coffee now.
CHARLES
Do you want coffee?
MOM
(absolutely)
Yes.
CHARLES
Let’s go, big brother.
Charles closes his car door and locks the car. They walk
away.
EXT. A FOOD TRUCK - SAME
Mom and Charles walk up to a food truck. There are a few
people forming a line to the food truck in front of them.
They get in line. Beat.
MOM
Do you think, that when you’re born
the way we were, in a bad
situation, and maybe we shouldn’t
be alive because life will only be

60.
MOM
bad for us, maybe, there’s this
unspoken thought that, we must
expect to be given special
treatment?
CHARLES
So people don’t care about us?
MOM
Yes.
CHARLES
Like we expect some privilege of a
good life because our parents were
crack addicts?
MOM
Yes.
CHARLES
And that’s why we lose?
MOM
Yeah.
A couple beats pass as Mom thinks. At this point, Mom and
Charles are at the order window of the food truck. Mom
continues to think while Charles orders two coffees. Beat.
Charles pays for the two cups of coffee and is given the two
cups of coffee by the cashier. Charles turns and hands one
to Mom who continues to think. They walk away. We see them
walk away for a couple beats.
EXT. CHARLES’ CAR - SAME
Charles is in his car, ready to drive away. His window is
down and he speaks to Mom who stands beside his car holding
a cup of coffee.
CHARLES
So.
MOM
So.
CHARLES
See you in a week?
MOM
Yeah.

61.
CHARLES
(beat)
What if... What if our parents
didn’t deserve to live, and the
world kicked them out but needed
two bodies to take up space...
MOM
Then we’re okay.
CHARLES
Right.
MOM
(beat)
Cool.
CHARLES
(amused by Mom’s choice of
words)
Cool.
MOM
Well, I’m hip.
CHARLES
(amused)
You are, you middle-aged man from
America.
Mom laughs. Beat.
CHARLES
Hey, big brother... Are you sure
you don’t want to go get a drink
with me?
MOM
I’m sure I would love to... I just
can’t.
CHARLES
Work?
MOM
Yeah.
CHARLES
Alright.
(beat)
Bye, buddy.

62.
MOM
Bye, buddy.
Charles drives away as Mom watches. A couple beats pass then
Mom get’s a call from Casey. Mom answers his phone.
MOM
Hi, Casey.
CASEY (V.O.)
Hi, sweetie.
MOM
What’s up?
CASEY (V.O.)
I was thinking I would make a cake.
MOM
Okay. Do you need to know which one
to make?
CASEY (V.O.)
I just need to know which one to
make.
MOM
Double chocolate.
CASEY (V.O.)
Okay.
MOM
(beat)
Bye?
CASEY (V.O.)
(yes)
Bye.
MOM
Bye.
CASEY (V.O.)
Bye.
Mom ends the call and puts his cell phone away. Beat. He
takes a deep breath and exhales. Beat. He walks away.

63.
EXT. A WOODEN DOCK AT A LAKE SOMEWHERE IN NEW YORK - DAY
Mom and Jon are sitting at the end of a wooden dock fishing.
They each have a fishing pole. There is a small cooler
in-between them. A couple beats pass as they fish.
JON
You know what? My father never took
me fishing.
MOM
Have you ever gone?
JON
No. My uncle was allergic.
MOM
You know what -
JON
Hm?
MOM
You can call me dad if you like.
JON
Oh, shut up, Mom.
Mom laughs.
JON
I hope you fall in.
MOM
C’mon, kid, be nice.
JON
(leading Mom to something)
Be nice toooo...
MOM
(trying to guess what he’s
being led to)
Tooooo...?
JON
Your...
MOM
(he has no idea)
Your...?

64.
JON
El...
MOM
(he has no idea what he’s
being led to)
Jor El...?
JON
(as if speaking to a child who
needs special attention)
Your elders.
MOM
Oh, whatever.
JON
Funny, though, right?
MOM
Yeah, kid.
JON
So anyway, I just never did.
(unbelievable to him)
I never went fishing.
(beat)
Nuts, huh?
MOM
Why?
JON
All the money in the world, and
never this. I missed out big time.
MOM
Don’t say that. The world is a big
place, and with such great size,
there are many things you may not
get to do in your lifetime.
JON
But fishing is like hotdogs at a
baseball game. Who hasn’t had one?
MOM
Do you believe in this idea:
"Things happen for a reason?"

65.
JON
Things are consequential. Yes.
MOM
No. Higher than that. Higher than
man.
JON
Oh.
(he is not well versed on this
subject)
I need you to say more.
MOM
Well, let’s say, as we live, we
have this silent conversation with
God.
JON
Okay.
MOM
Each and every day, we do things
based on two things, what we want,
and what he wants. You wake up in
the morning and he goes, "Well,
Jon, there’s this guy named, Mark
who needs a boost. He’s sad. If he
gets sad enough he will take it out
on other people. He has a gun and
he says to himself, ’I know how to
use it.’ He will really hurt people
today if he doesn’t get that
boost." You say, asking for more
information, "Well what do you know
about this?" God says, "He is sad
because his wife left him and his
boss suspended him for mistreating
a customer." You say, "Why did he
mistreat that customer?" God says,
"Because his wife left him and he
was angry. Now he’s murderous. He
needs a boost. He needs to know
life is good." You go, "What does
he need?" God says, "He needs
someone to buy him a drink and be
nice. He needs someone to introduce
him to a new path that will lead
him to a better life. He needs you.
He needs you to help make him a
better person. He needs you to show
him a better day." You say, "And
this will save lives?" God says,

66.
MOM
"Yes of course." You say, "What’s
the worst that could happen?" God
says, "Well, that is the thing...
If you do this - and keep in mind
you’re the only person who can do
this - based on your location and
character type. So, if you do this,
you’ll save the day." You say,
"What’s the problem? If there is
one." God says, "If you do this
thing, you can’t do that thing that
keeps you going. You’ll need to
wait another year before you can do
that thing. You’ll need to
sacrifice something. I know it
could be tough but I’ll make you a
deal. If you do this I will make
sure you’re okay. I will move you
and you will be well, and you may
get triple if not just double of
what you would have had. Will you
do this?" You say, "No. I do not
want to wait for what I have to do.
No matter if you’ll take care of
me. Those people can die, and you
know what I think? You’re wrong for
asking me to skip my thing for
theirs. Sure, I could wait another
year, and yeah, maybe I’d be more
than okay because you’re here, but
I refuse. This is done." God says,
"Fine."
JON
Whoa.
MOM
Let’s define that person, the guy
who said "No" to God. If we decide
he is a foolish man, then, when
what a foolish man is paid for the
life he lives is given to him, as
wages, we just go, "Well, you asked
for it." We’re asking for whatever
we get. It’s fair, I believe. But
it’s hard when someone like you has
to wait because of someone else’s
mistakes or choices. Take your
father, for example, he never took
you fishing, and your uncle was
allergic, what do you think you’re
upset about? It’s because your

67.
MOM
childhood was awful, and because of
that, you had to wait to have this
thing done. It doesn’t seem right,
but what about that conversation
with, God? Maybe you agree with
him, that now, fishing with me, was
the best time ever. You are here
now because you should be. Right?
JON
Right.
MOM
Do not forget, that if things
happen for a reason, and sometimes
things may seem unfair, you will
always be in the right place at the
right time. And you should feel
fortunate, because you have so many
ways now to do whatever you want. I
look into your eyes and I see, "You
think you could probably do
whatever you want." It really helps
that you’re not a bad person,
though.
JON
I do feel that way.
(beat)
Would you like to know what I hate?
MOM
Yes, boss.
JON
Being Charles Foster Kane. Rosebud.
Do you know what that is?
MOM
The character from the movie,
"Citizen Kane."
JON
Right.
MOM
What is your, Citizen Kane?
JON
What is rosebud?

68.
MOM
It’s his sled from childhood.
JON
Say more.
MOM
The first time we see Charles
Foster Kane, he is playing.
JON
With himself.
MOM
Right.
JON
Completely in control of his
imaginary world.
MOM
And he’s told to grow up, though in
time, he goes back to that
imaginary world where he was in
charge.
JON
He just about always did whatever
he wanted.
MOM
Yeah.
JON
He ruled his day!
MOM
(agreeing)
He ruled his day.
JON
Rosebud is that world he had
control over. He’s his own man no
matter what. Like him, I want that,
but like him I know that when I do
do whatever I want, people could
hate me. Because I’m too much and
not enough. I’m outnumbered. I
follow their rules but I know
there’s more. But I keep in mind
what I know, that I’m outnumbered.
So I sacrifice things I want to do
to their freedom so I can at least

69.
JON
be free to do some of the things I
want to do. Sure I get to do some
things I want to do, but it’s under
the rule of their freedom, not my
freedom. The thing is, the things I
want to do are called bad.
MOM
So you’re saying, if you could be
bad, you would.
JON
Mom, I am bad. I’m just outnumbered
so I can’t do what I want.
MOM
What’s bad?
JON
It depends. To someone out there, I
am because their king said so. It’s
Catholic versus Protestant really.
MOM
Definitely.
JON
They’d lock me up if they could.
MOM
(absolutely)
They’d lock you up.
JON
If they would just let me rule the
world - I would.
(beat)
But anyway...I meet God tomorrow.
MOM
(beat)
Dot dot dot.
JON
Yeah.
They fish in silence.
MOM
Let’s say you had gone fishing when
you were a kid, do you think it
would have been good?

70.
JON
Live now and let tomorrow go?
MOM
Yeah.
JON
(beat)
Did you fish when you were a kid?
MOM
I did. But it was always a cover
for my parents.
JON
What, did they fill in for their
dealer?
MOM
As a matter of fact. It was filled
with paranoia, scratching, and a
lot of "Oh boy’s."
JON
It was always a bad scene?
MOM
(absolutely)
It was awful!
JON
Well, is it good now? Us I mean.
MOM
Yeah, boss.
JON
(joking)
Good, I’m insecure.
MOM
That’s a lie.
JON
Yep.
There is a long silence as they fish.
JON
Would you like to know what I love?

71.
MOM
Yeah.
JON
A good watch. Timing is everything,
and since we need to know time, I
think, "Let’s go with something
stylish." Nice is nice.
MOM
I have only three watches. Gold,
black, and a silver Apple.
JON
I’m sitting at five Apple’s, six
Rolex’s, four -
MOM
And so on and so forth?
JON
Yah.
(beat)
I also love art. In my house it’s
wall to wall.
(of course)
But perfectly placed, of course.
MOM
How perfect is it?
JON
There’s an intentional and
unintentional scheme. Sometimes I
run into great coincidences. You
know when you’re in a bar and they
have music playing and soundless
TVs going?
MOM
Yeah.
JON
Sometimes the action on the TV and
the music syncs up perfectly.
MOM
Yeah.
JON
Well, I’ll have you know, I have a
painting of myself that hangs where
as soon as you walk in the front

72.
JON
door you can’t miss it. After that
about five feet there hangs a
mirror you can’t miss. I always see
myself.
MOM
What do your guests see?
JON
It depends. If they have the same
spirit as me, themselves. Or, what
they’re not.
(beat)
In my bedroom, I have a Smith and
Andy painting. The one with the
giant arrow. It hangs on the wall
by the entrance of my closet. The
arrow is actually pointing to my
closet. Now, because of it I always
remember to hang my clothes. I walk
in my bedroom and boom, there it
is. The law. I used to forget. Then
one day, someone gave me this
painting. They said, "Do as you
wish, your eye is better than
mine." I said to myself, "Well how
about I hang it in the bedroom by
the closet and that’s that." I
looked up one day and boom! Synced
with the song of my life. I used to
take my suits and throw them on the
floor. I needed a maid. My house
was so clean, but my bedroom was a
mess. I named it, "Always A Mess."
MOM
(amused)
"Always A Mess."
JON
(amused)
"Always A Mess."
(beat)
Sub-conscience? Coincidence?
(no matter what)
No matter what...A good thing!
MOM
(agreeing)
A good thing.

73.
JON
(beat)
Would you like to know what I love
the most?
MOM
Chinese food?
JON
(oh my god)
Dude, it’s so good! It smells so
good. It comes in many shapes and
sizes.
(beat as he reflects)
Did you know Chinese food has the
world’s biggest variety of flavors?
MOM
I did not.
JON
It has five key flavors made to
traditional Chinese medicinal
order. I think, "Sweet, sour,
salty, bitter, and spicy, dot dot
dot, ’awesome!’" When you told me
to bring a cooler I said "Okay! But
what if I catch nothing? What will
I eat?" Ask me what’s in the
cooler?
MOM
What’s in the cooler?
Jon opens the cooler and pulls out a white oyster pail and
chopsticks. He opens the oyster pail. He takes a deep smell
which makes Mom laugh. Beat. He takes a bite then looks at
Mom who is just waiting for something funny to be said.
JON
Ask me if you can have some.
MOM
May I?
JON
No. Way.
He eats and Mom laughs.
JON
(with food in his mouth)
It’s not funny!

74.
Mom laughs.
JON
(no longer with food in his
mouth)
Now, am I selfish or understood?
MOM
(laughing)
Understood.
JON
Good. I hate being misinterpreted.
(he eats for a couple beats.
he stops)
Now, we’ve been here for five
hours, we caught nothing and it’s
grandmother, I think this scene is
done.
MOM
Now what?
JON
(he feels this is so simple no
one could miss it)
So watch me eat for five minutes
then let’s go for ice cream.
MOM
(laughing)
Fine, kid.
JON
(playfully, he mocks Mom as
he’s about to eat)
Fine, kid.
(he eats.)
Mom laughs.
TITLE CARD:
One Month Later
EXT. THE WOW CONSULTING COMPANY - DAY
People walk past, into, and out of, The Wow Consulting
Company building.

75.
INT. MOM’S OFFICE AT THE WOW CONSULTING COMPANY - DAY
Mom in his office sitting at his desk talking on the phone
talking to Joseph. While speaking on the phone he works on
other documents. There is a glass bar to his right.
MOM
I understand... No... No... Well,
possibly. You... No way... And then
that...? Wow. Look, if you really
care - and I see you do - you ought
to write a statement and do a media
blitz... Well, how’s that right?
... I do remember... Yes... We
record everything, even phone
conversations... Okay... Before the
system, we have now I had a court
stenographer... Mhm... No, we have
a board... They watch our every
move... Mhm... Mhm... Mhm... Oh...
Mhm... What is that? ... Yes...
Don’t put that there. ... Well, it
will sound bad... Trust me...
"Why?" I - hold on, I’m going to
put you on speaker.
Mom puts Joseph on speaker phone.
MOM
Alright, I’m here.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Okay.
MOM
As I said, don’t move the
characters around.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Why not move the characters around?
MOM
Because they will seem funny.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Like, "I laugh at you funny?"
MOM
Absolutely.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Oh.
(beat)

76.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
That’s not cool.
MOM
Not at all.
(beat)
Look, I’m right.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
I’m still against it, for some
reason.
MOM
So? Trust me, Joseph.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Why?
MOM
Because it’s my job to be right
about this.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
You haven’t failed yet.
MOM
True.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
But Maybe you should still read
what I wrote.
MOM
Okay.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Would you like an email?
MOM
Yeah, email me.
A couple beats pass as Mom looks at documents and Joseph
sends the email to Mom. The sound of an email being received
by Mom’s email goes off. Mom checks his email.
MOM
I just got it...
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Are you reading it now?

77.
MOM
Yes.
A couple beats pass as Mom reads Joseph’s email.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
So...?
MOM
Hm?
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Is it good?
MOM
Hold on, Joseph.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Alright.
(beat)
I just -
MOM
Why are you so worried?
JOSEPH (V.O.)
(beat)
I can’t fail.
MOM
Why would you fail?
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Because I did.
MOM
(beat)
So?
(four beats)
You didn’t die.
(a couple beats)
You still have your eyes.
(a couple beats)
You feel.
(four beats)
You are sitting on another chance.
(beat)
Maybe you could fail again.
(beat)
Don’t work towards that, though.
(a quick beat)
Just get it.
A long silence passes as Mom continues to read the email.

78.
MOM
What are you doing?
JOSEPH (V.O.)
(beat)
Thinking.
MOM
(gently)
Okay.
(a long beat as Mom reads)
I’m done.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
(about the email)
And?
MOM
I don’t think you should move the
characters around.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Oh.
MOM
But I like it.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Oh.
Silence. Mom thinks about Joseph.
MOM
(calling gently)
Joseph.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Yes.
MOM
I like it.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
I know.
(beat)
I have a meeting.
MOM
Okay.
(a quick beat)
Call me later.

79.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Alright.
Joseph hangs up. Beat. Mom hangs up. Mom works on his
computer. He stops. He looks up. Beat.
MOM
(to himself)
I want a drink.
He stands and begins to walk over to his bar - but is caught
by the power cord of his computer. He stumbles. He stops. He
goes to tuck it away. Beat. The cord falls out again. Beat.
He pulls it and his computer almost falls to the floor, but
he catches it. Beat. He puts the computer back. Beat. He
goes for the cord again. He can’t get it. Beat. He sticks
his hand under his desk to tuck it away. He thinks he has it
so he begins to walk away. The cord falls out. He studies
his desk. Beat. He goes to wrap the cord around to the right
side of his desk and stick it into a small opening. Beat. He
gets stuck.
MOM
I’m stuck.
He struggles. Beat. He tries to prop himself up to get
leverage by putting his feet on the desk. He fails. He tries
again. This time he makes it. He pushes with his feet.
MOM (CONT’D)
Ow - ow - ow.
He gives up. Beat. He pulls. Beat. It doesn’t work. He tries
again but this time the pulls are sudden jerks, as if to
catch his desk off guard. Beat.
MOM (CONT’D)
Let me go, desk.
It doesn’t work. He gives up on this idea. Beat. He gets an
idea. He looks at where he is stuck. He spits at his finger
and the spot where he is stuck. Beat. He tries to pull free.
It doesn’t work. He spits again. He tries placing his feet
on the desk and pulling free. He pushes and pulls. He flies
free. Beat. His desk falls apart. Beat. He thinks, "Well
this is that." He stands. He dusts himself off. He goes over
to the bar to make himself a drink. The container that holds
the alcohol slips from his hand and falls on the glass bar
breaking it. Beat. He walks over to the left side of his
desk and grabs his briefcase. He walks to the area a few
feet in front of his desk and sits in the lotus position. He
opens his briefcase and pulls out a bottle of water. He
drinks. Beat. He looks out at the camera. Beat.

80.
TITLE CARD:
The next morning.
EXT. THE WOW CONSULTING COMPANY - LATE AFTERNOON
A beautiful, black, sedan pulls up. The driver gets out of
the car and walks to the backseat on the passenger side, and
opens the door. A man steps out, setting his feet first - at
this point we only see his feet so we don’t know who the man
is. He wears shiny black dress shoes and a gray three-piece
suit, with a white dress shirt and black tie. He stands.
Still we don’t know who the man is. We see his feet up to
his knees. This is a very wealthy, and appears so, man.
TILT UP: TO THE TOP HALF OF THE MAN
It’s Jon. He wears shades and holds in his left hand an
oyster pail with chopsticks sticking out. Beat. He smiles.
"Downtown" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis plays. Jon walks
towards the building. Downtown continues to play. The song
plays in it’s entirety while Jon makes his way to Mom’s
office, where it ends.
Jon’s journey to Mom’s office is a choreographed dance that
involves every employee at The Wow Consulting Company. The
dance is inclusive of the employees working. Jon stops at
times to sign documents and take care of other important
business. Manny is an important piece to the choreographed
dance. As Jon’s assistant he should always be there, except
for when Jon makes it Mom’s office. Manny lip syncs the
chorus.
The song ends once Jon is at Mom’s office and Jon knocks on
the door.
MOM (O.S.)
Come in.
Jon opens the door and enters.
INT. MOM’S OFFICE AT THE WOW CONSULTING COMPANY - DAY
Mom is sitting on the floor working on his computer. The
broken desk and bar have been taken away.
JON
Mommy!
MOM
Hi, Jon.

81.
JON
Hello.
JON
Whoa what happened to your desk?
MOM
Check the tapes.
JON
Later. I’m hungry.
MOM
Okay.
JON
Did you eat?
MOM
No.
JON
Order something?
MOM
Yeah. A sandwich.
JON
Tell me about it.
Jon sits in the lotus position like Mom. He eats as they
speak.
MOM
It’s a simple sub with ham, turkey,
lettuce, red and white onion, red
and yellow tomato, green bell
peppers, chicken, bacon, cheddar
cheese, beef, salt, pepper, lamb,
carrots, olive oil, spinach, black
olives, oregano, yellow mustard,
jalapeño peppers, guacamole -
JON
Is this a sandwich or what you grow
on your farm?
MOM
It’s called "The Big Yum."
JON
When will it be here?

82.
MOM
In a week.
JON
(amused)
Yah. Well, anyway, make sure to
drink a lot of coffee and take a
walk.
Jon’s statement amuses Mom.
JON (CONT’D)
And use the toilet at your house.
MOM
You’d like the sandwich.
JON
Then I want half.
MOM
Fine, but I’m ordering another one.
(he takes his cell phone out
and orders another)
Done.
JON
Did you get fries?
MOM
(no)
Would you like fries?
JON
Yes.
Mom goes to his cell phone and orders fries for Jon. Jon
eats.
JON
Should I stop eating?
MOM
You? You’re okay.
JON
(meaning his Chinese food)
Yummy.
(he eats)
MOM
It should be here soon.

83.
JON
Okay.
(beat)
How has your first few weeks been?
MOM
Great.
JON
Good job nabbing the Johnson and
Millson account.
MOM
Yeah, and good for them.
JON
They were so deep in the red it was
impossible.
MOM
They will be turned around in a few
quarters.
JON
They didn’t like us before you.
They said they hated my direction.
MOM
They hated Mark.
JON
Yeah, but what about the guy we
sent in after Mark.
MOM
I think he is from the same school
as Mark.
JON
He’s my number one salesman.
MOM
I know.
JON
Was. He’s fired.
MOM
Do you think that’s a bit extreme?
JON
I saw his plateau coming. He does
smell like Mark. He’s dropped off
the map. Do you know what he needs?

84.
MOM
What?
JON
A reality shower.
MOM
Which is what?
JON
When you’re bad you’re "no."
Simple.
MOM
You’re not wrong.
JON
His sales from the last quarter
were shocking.
MOM
Too bad.
JON
Hopefully he lands well.
MOM
Hopefully.
JON
You know what I think?
MOM
Sometimes.
JON
He was being primed to be fired.
MOM
Hm?
JON
Believe it, Frank. It was you.
Things happen for a reason. God saw
a better situation and made a call.
(beat)
I think you were in a better place
to acquire accounts for us; Maybe
you believed in what we do here
more, so you needed to be here.

85.
MOM
But he’s not an executive.
JON
He would have had your job. His dry
spell raised ears and we searched
for someone else.
MOM
And there I was.
JON
And there you were.
MOM
(beat)
There I was.
Beat. There is a knock at the door.
MOM
Come in.
Lionel enters with the two giant brown paper bags. It is the
food Mom ordered. Mom gets up to meet him. He stops. He
realizes it’s Lionel, the waiter from The Sunroom
Restaurant.
MOM
You again.
LIONEL
Hello, hi again.
MOM
Hi, buddy.
Mom hands Lionel money.
LIONEL
So, we’re looking at two Big Yums.
Lionel hands Mom the two bags.
MOM
Great. Now, Lionel, which is
better? The Sunroom Restaurant or
the sandwich shop?
LIONEL
I don’t know yet.

86.
MOM
If I see you again, and you know
then, let me know.
LIONEL
Of course.
MOM
Alright, bye.
LIONEL
Bye.
Lionel exits.
MOM
(walking back to the spot
where he was sitting)
The same guy.
JON
From the restaurant?
MOM
Yeah.
Mom sits.
JON
New job?
MOM
No, he works at both places.
JON
Tough.
MOM
Unless he likes it.
Mom unpacks the food. Jon joins him. The sandwiches are
gigantic.
JON
Is this a joke?
MOM
No. Just not for the faint of
heart.
JON
(fanning himself)
Oh my.

87.
MOM
Eat it, boy.
JON
Happening.
They each take a bite. They chew for a beat.
JON
Ummm, wow.
MOM
(chewing)
Mhm.
JON
Oh, by the way, I met God
yesterday.
MOM
And?
JON
(eating)
Woo!
MOM
(duh)
Duh.
They eat. A couple beats pass. The screen goes black. Beat.
TITLE CARD:
The next day.
EXT. THE WOW CONSULTING COMPANY ELEVATORS - AFTERNOON
An elevator is seen. The doors are closed. Beat. The
elevator doors open, revealing Casey Frank. She is wearing,
blue sunglasses, a blue dress, matching blue shoes, and
holds a blue handbag, Mom’s dry cleaning, and Mom’s dinner.
She steps out of the elevator and makes her way to Mom’s
office.
INT. MOM’S OFFICE AT THE WOW CONSULTING COMPANY - SAME
Mom sits at his new desk. He works on his computer. Across
to his right is a new glass bar. There is a coat rack to his
left. After some time Casey knocks on the door.

88.
MOM
Come in.
Casey enters. She has Mom’s dry cleaning and dinner.
MOM
Casey, sweetie, what’s up?
CASEY
Hi, dear. I have your dry cleaning
and dinner.
MOM
Great. Hang the clothes on the coat
rack and hand me the food.
She does. She kisses him on a cheek then sits on his desk.
CASEY
What are you working on?
MOM
This project for The Golden
Republic Accounting Firm.
CASEY
What are they up to?
MOM
The same as everyone else...world
domination.
Mom’s line makes Casey laugh.
MOM
Oh, I have something for you! Get
up.
They both stand. Mom pulls a hidden chair from his desk. It
is attached to it.
MOM
Ta daaaa!
CASEY
(excited)
Oh, Mom, it’s just great!
MOM
Try it out, why don’t you?

89.
CASEY
Okay - okay.
Casey sits.
MOM
Comfy?
CASEY
Yeah.
MOM
I had to order a new one, and I saw
this and said, "I know she likes to
sit on my desk, so let’s order this
one." Right out of the oven.
CASEY
It’s still warm. I love it.
MOM
Good.
CASEY
Has Jon sat in it yet?
MOM
Not yet.
BOTH
But he will.
CASEY
Duh.
MOM
I know.
CASEY
That guy.
(a quick beat)
I just love this so much.
She really does.
MOM
I knew you would.
CASEY
So, you were thinking about me?

90.
MOM
(duh)
Yeah.
CASEY
Good.
MOM
Mhm.
CASEY
I needed this, Mom. I had such a
rough day.
MOM
What happened?
CASEY
Remember Tina?
MOM
Your old friend from High School.
CASEY
Yes. She called me and said,
"Remember you said, ten years ago
we would go shopping when or if I
ever got pregnant?"
MOM
So...?
CASEY
Well, she calls me up, oh so
pregnant.
MOM
Did you go?
CASEY
(unfortunately)
Yes. I had too. I wish I had known
what I was getting myself into
before I met her. In high school my
friends and I would tease her so
bad. It was murder. Then one day
she saves my life and I change. We
all did. I promised to always be
there for her, as best I can, and
you know what? She is just so awful
now. Mom, very awful.

91.
MOM
Think it’s the pregnancy?
CASEY
Or one day she saw some light, and
now we’re with a psychopath.
MOM
What happened?
CASEY
First she kept saying, "I know you
wish you had a kid!" And um, noo
not even, I’m happy. We all know
that, but she kept saying it, as if
she could beat pain into me.
MOM
Then what?
CASEY
Then, when I would suggest
something, she’d cut it down and
say, "That old guy is rubbing off
on you. What year is it?"
MOM
(hurt)
I’m stylish.
CASEY
(comforting)
I know, don’t cry.
MOM
Did she keep saying the same things
over and over again?
CASEY
No, she mixed it up.
MOM
Go on.
CASEY
Okay. At one point she mocked my
clothes. Like I’m some blind dumb
seamstress dressing in the dark.
MOM
Which she called you?

92.
CASEY
She said a lot of things.
MOM
Like what?
CASEY
Would you believe she said
something so bad, that it would
offend you more than me?
MOM
What did she say?
Casey whispers in his ear. His eyes grow. He looks at Casey.
MOM
(unbelievable someone could
say that)
What?
CASEY
I’m not done.
MOM
Ew, really?
CASEY
Mhm.
MOM
Okay, finish.
Casey goes back to whispering in his ear. She gestures as
she speaks. Some of the gestures are outrageous. Eventually
she is done.
MOM
Ew.
CASEY
Mhm. Nuts right?
MOM
Yeah.
CASEY
Would you like to play "Say My
Day?"
MOM
Yeah. Give me the top twenty words.

93.
CASEY
Okay. You could build this sentence
easily. Okay the words are,
(she clears her throat)
"hate, big, mean, awkward, smelly,
sideways, delighted, spooked, bad,
angry, arrogant, Tina, clumsy,
awful, wicked, depressed, comical,
ugly, liar, pig, it."
MOM
Okay, you said: "Look I am always
delighted to say I hate big awkward
smelly sideways people, such as
yourself, meaning Tina, because I’m
honest and I believe in it - but
you’re so mean I’m spooked and I
just want to go somewhere else and
tell a person who understands good
from bad, you pig."
CASEY
And that’s my day.
(beat)
Now you.
MOM
Top ten?
CASEY
Top five.
MOM
Okay. "Love, though, cruel, Casey,
you, know, happy, fun, sadness,
God."
CASEY
You’re funny.
MOM
What did I say?
CASEY
"Casey the love of my life
(duh)
- after God -
(no longer "duh")
came to my office with sadness, due
to a cruel person, and I was sorry
she had a bad day, because she
makes me so happy."

94.
MOM
Do you believe me, Casey?
CASEY
Yes, duh.
MOM
(duh)
It’s the law!
CASEY
Mhm.
MOM
Think about this for a moment. Tina
saved your life once.
CASEY
Okay.
MOM
Tina saved your life by pushing you
from in front of a bus?
CASEY
Mhm.
MOM
This day of yours says something to
that.
CASEY
That I should have died?
MOM
No, silly. That maybe it’s your
turn to save her. If she’s so bad,
it could become a never ending
event. She could hurt a lot of
people. Including the baby.
CASEY
The problem was that I couldn’t say
how I felt because I was so guilty
from the debt. She saved me. I
could only be there, and say
whether things were nice or not.
"Oh this is cute!" Blah blah blah.
Even then, I could barely say
anything because she kept cutting
me off.

95.
MOM
I think you couldn’t say because
you needed this moment with me.
CASEY
I think so too.
MOM
You need to call her.
CASEY
I will.
MOM
Good. Anything else?
CASEY
Well, they couldn’t find your
clothes at the cleaners.
MOM
How long were you there?
CASEY
An hour.
MOM
Rough business, lady.
CASEY
Mhm. They said, "Maybe you were not
here. It was maybe another store?"
I went, "No way, Paco!" He goes,
"Okay, ma’am, I will check." Hm,
fifty-eight minutes later, "Hi,
Miss, I have it here."
MOM
They wanted my cashmere.
CASEY
Or to see me wrinkle my nose.
MOM
Did you?
CASEY
No, I was cool.
MOM
Good. Anything else?

96.
CASEY
The main event...
MOM
Which wasn’t Tina?
CASEY
(upset about the fact)
No, Mom.
MOM
What?
CASEY
Two words. Sunny. Day.
MOM
When were you with Sunny?
CASEY
Right before I saw you.
MOM
He was in the building?
CASEY
No, he was a block away.
MOM
What did my buddy do?
CASEY
He talked. He made the Tina story
seem like a passing, unimportant,
and light thought. He began with,
"Casey. Casey. Casey. Let me tell
you the worst story ever."
MOM
And you said, "Ever?"
CASEY
Mhm.
MOM
Finish.
CASEY
He said, "A guy walks into a room
filled with people who are exactly
alike. People of our fair city
united under the flag of hypocrisy.
Loathers of truth and defilers of

97.
CASEY
justice. Vicious funny men who have
built existences on what we call,
’The Unfortunate Breath Of Reality
-,’ which is, in Italian, "Potrei!"
I said what’s "Potrei?" He said, "I
could! Their law is ’I could.’
(unbelievable)
I could, Case. They are the biggest
group of hypocrites I have ever
met. Not just that. They are, my
god, Casey, inconsiderate wicked
hulks. Monsters with one more day!
Lovers and haters of everything all
at once and all the time."
MOM
Who was he talking about?
CASEY
His board of directors.
MOM
He’ll tell me about it.
CASEY
He’s coming over tomorrow.
MOM
(quoting Sunny)
"They are...inconsiderate wicked
hulks. Monsters with one more day!
Lovers and haters of everything all
at once and all the time."
(beat)
Too bad for him. I know they’re
rough on him. Too bad for the both
of you. The worst part about Sunny
is, he includes everyone in
whatever he does or says, and you
can feel it. He says, "They
are...inconsiderate wicked hulks.
Monsters with one more day! Lovers
and haters of everything all at
once and all the time," and he even
means the innocent person right
across from him.
CASEY
I hate it.

98.
MOM
As do I. The biggest problem is,
he’s not always like that. Most
times he’s great. It’s only when
he’s having a bad day.
CASEY
Lately, he’s always been having a
bad day.
MOM
Work is hurting him.
CASEY
Why is he your friend?
MOM
God’s will.
CASEY
Well...
MOM
Mhm.
(beat)
So...
CASEY
(this will make her feel
better)
I want a slurpy.
MOM
Then let’s go.
They exit.
INT. MOM’S OFFICE AT THE WOW CONSULTING COMPANY - EVENING
Mom is on his computer building a model of the room that
will be occupied by The Wow Consulting Company governing
body, The Court. The room where The Court will be in is
called, "The Courtroom." We see Mom as he works. A couple
beats pass as he builds the model. His office phone rings.
He answers.
MOM
(hello)
Mom Frank.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Mom, it’s me, Joseph.

99.
MOM
Hi, Joseph. What’s up?
JOSEPH (V.O.)
So, look, I was thinking, maybe
instead of presenting my short
stories, I could present a play.
MOM
What?
JOSEPH (V.O.)
It’s called, "No Worries! 1984"
That’s, "No Worries, exclamation
point, 1984.
MOM
Okay. Tell me about it.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Okay, so, a writer named Kay
Jeffrey Jones, travels to Hawaii to
find inspiration for a novel he has
been working on. While there, a
volcano erupts. He doesn’t need to
leave immediately, because the lava
flows so slowly. Now, also because
the lava flows so slowly, one bar
stays open. The owner keeps it open
as long as he can. The writer finds
the restaurant and goes inside. The
restaurant has been on the island
of Hawaii over 100 years, and on
this day, the 100th anniversary of
the restaurant’s opening, it will
be destroyed. The usual patrons
have gathered for one last visit.
The restaurant is called, "A Hui
Hou," which translated into
English, means, "Until we meet
again." The writer drinks with the
usual patrons, Ahe, an elderly man
whose family has been patrons of
this restaurant since it’s opening,
his worrisome wife, Dabria, a young
woman named Paloma, a bum named
Aloha, who is allowed in the
restaurant this one time due to the
surrounding circumstances, a young
couple, Jimmy and Louisa, and Noah
"Ian" Michaelson, the owner of the
restaurant, a middle-aged man, who,
when hit with difficult times by

100.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
the ailing real estate market, took
over his family’s business. This
story deals with loss, love,
finding passion, friendship, and
death. The play takes place in the
year 1984 when mount Mauna Loa
erupted the last time on the island
of Hawaii.
(beat)
Thoughts?
MOM
It’s a good story. Could be
captivating.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Let me tell you the first part.
MOM
Go on.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Close your eyes.
MOM
Okay.
Mom closes his eyes.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Are they closed?
MOM
Yes.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Okay, good.
The screen fades to black.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Are they still closed?
MOM
Yes.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Good. Now this is what I have. The
setting is a restaurant named, "A
Hui Hou," in the year 1984 on the
island of Hawaii during the last
volcanic eruption of Mount Mauna

101.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
Loa. The restaurant is very
traditional to the look and feel of
a 1984 Hawaiian restaurant. Wood
tones especially of bamboo. Behind
the bar is a wall of alcohol
bottles. There are stools at the
bar and two tall tables center left
and right, leaving an open space
for walking, standing, and when the
occasion calls for it, dancing.
Left of the bar are two marked
bathrooms, one men’s, one women’s.
Offstage left is an office and
kitchen where Paloma works as cook
and dishwasher. Down right is a
single door that is the entrance to
"A Hui Hou." Upstage of that is a
jukebox. Outside, by the front
door, is a small sandwich-board
with chalk writings of the daily
special. Today’s special is,
"Pineapple beer and steak, for
$16.95, or free if the lava wins."
Mom laughs.
JOSEPH (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Here is the cast with ages: Kay
Jeffrey Jones, 35. Ahe, 60. Dabria,
his wife, 60. Paloma, 26. Kealoha
The Bum, 48. Jimmy Jimson, 25.
Louisa Jimson, his wife, 25. Noah
"Ian" Michaelson, 52.
MOM
What do the names mean?
JOSEPH
Ahe means, soft breeze. Dabria
means, angel of death. Dabria is
Ahe’s reminder about not being a
bad person. Paloma means, beautiful
dove. Kealoha means, the dear one.
And Ian means, God is merciful.
MOM
Okay.
JOSEPH
Scene 1. Lights up on the
restaurant. Ahe sits at the bar
drinking a pineapple beer. Dabria

102.
JOSEPH
is in the women’s washroom. Noah is
in the office stage left. Kay is
stage right, outside of the
restaurant checking a map. Once
done, he stuffs it in his side bag.
He looks out towards the audience,
watching the lava as it flows
steadily towards the restaurant. As
he does, Noah enters left, from the
office and is stopped by Ahe.
INT. A HUI HOU - AFTERNOON
AHE
(with his drink raised)
Noah! Hau’oli l¯a Ho’omaha loa!
Happy retirement!
NOAH
Thank you, Ahe. Drink up.
AHE
I will.
(a quick drink)
Last night before I have to spend
more time with the wife.
NOAH
You poor unfortunate man.
AHE
I ever tell you what her name
means?
NOAH
Not now my friend, I have business.
AHE
Okay - okay, I’ll tell you later.
Noah crosses to the front door and out, as Kay speaks his
line.
KAY
(referring to the lava)
Here she comes.
Kay turns to the restaurant.
KAY
(referring to the food and
drink special board)

103.
KAY
This special better be worth it.
Kay crosses to the front door as Noah exits.
NOAH
Hello.
KAY
Aloha.
(referring to the lava)
Last days.
NOAH
I know. A beautiful, destructive
sight.
KAY
I hope the beer goes with it.
Ha-ha. Good beer good view.
NOAH
Get the special. The pineapple beer
is a family recipe.
KAY
Oh. Top seller?
NOAH
No. It’s the first time we’ve sold
it.
KAY
I will try it.
NOAH
Good. Did you happen to see a
homeless man around here?
KAY
No, I assumed they’d be the first
ones out of here.
NOAH
Some of the first.
KAY
He’s probably made it clear off the
Island by now.
NOAH
Not this one.

104.
KAY
Well, then, if he comes by I’ll buy
him a pineapple beer.
NOAH
Good. I’ll see you inside.
KAY
Fine.
Kay enters the bar and immediately takes the seat at the
stage right table.
AHE
(raising his glass to Kay)
Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!
KAY
What is that, happy new year?
AHE
(pleased with Kay’s knowledge)
Yeah. Times they are a changing.
KAY
That they are.
Kay pulls a notepad from his bag as Dabria exits the women’s
washroom and crosses to the stool next to Ahe.
AHE
Hau’oli Makahiki Hou! Drink up,
sweetheart.
DABRIA
Oh you, Kulikuli.
AHE
Ahhh, you shut up woman. Man needs
his drink, and quiet needs noise.
DABRIA
I’ll rue the day you can escape the
bar.
AHE
Ahe agrees.
(he drinks)
Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!
KAY
Ma’am, is he bothering you?

105.
DABRIA
Who are you?
KAY
Kay Jeffrey Jones, Esquire.
DABRIA
Well, Kay Jeffrey Jones, this old
man is my husband Ahe. We call him,
Kai.
KAY
Like the sea.
DABRIA
Yes, cause he drinks so. More than
a whale.
AHE
Foolish whales, they need air at
times. Ahe only needs the sea.
(he drinks)
KAY
Well, drink up, Ahe.
AHE
I will.
(he drinks)
DABRIA
Maha’oi.
AHE
Maika’i no au.
DABRIA
’Oe Huki ’ino.
AHE
Who’re you calling jerk? Do not
impress this man.
DABRIA
Oh hush up Ahe.
AHE
You hear that, Mr. Jone Jerry
Jones?
KAY
It’s Jeffrey.

106.
AHE
That’s what I said. Hey, I ever
tell you what her name means?
KAY
No.
DABRIA
And he won’t. I am Dabria.
AHE
Ah, you wanna know don’t you?
KAY
Not really.
AHE
¯Opala, of course you do.
DABRIA
Not now Ahe.
KAY
The eruption?
DABRIA
The bar has been on the island for
one hundred years. Today is the
last day.
AHE
So we drink. Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!
(he drinks)
DABRIA
How many times have you said that?
AHE
Once.
DABRIA
Three times since I’ve been here.
AHE
And?
DABRIA
I’ll cut you off on this special
occasion.
AHE
Ah phooey.
Noah enters and crosses behind the bar.

107.
AHE
Noah, you hear that?
NOAH
What?
AHE
The woman here threatened to cut me
off.
NOAH
On an occasion as special as this
one?
AHE
Yeah. Women right? Ha. Did I ever
tell you what her name means?
KAY
So, Noah, right?
NOAH
Yes.
AHE
He owns the place.
NOAH
That is correct.
KAY
Well, then it’s a pleasure to meet
you.
NOAH
Thank you. You’ve joined us on a
special occasion.
AHE
We call it, "Last Days On The Big
Island."
KAY
Because of the eruption.
AHE
Forget the eruption! Anything can
erupt, it’s because of the lava!
NOAH
It’s flowing towards us at about a
mile an hour.

108.
KAY
It’s a great sight.
AHE
Great?
DABRIA
Ahe.
AHE
No, see it’s just like vacationers
to say things like that. It’s the
most horrible thing to see. This
place has been here since, how long
Dabria?
DABRIA
1884.
AHE
It’s been one hundred years this
place has been here. Now look, one
eruption and next thing you know,
the reason a man wakes will be
melted and burned away. Aloha to
the end.
(he drinks)
DABRIA
Like how his wife is not a reason
to wake?
AHE
Ahhh, you’re reason to sleep.
KAY
When was the last eruption?
AHE
1950, what’s your point?
KAY
Then it’s typical.
AHE
(simply put)
Still sucks, Kay the writer.
(he drinks)
KAY
Well, I’m sorry for your loss. I
was here to write a book and
couldn’t find inspiration.

109.
AHE
So you get it.
(beat)
A book? Inspiration? Yuck. It’s
easy, too easy.
KAY
I was searching for a jewel that
will rejuvenate my senses so as to
provoke the power of creativity
that is my mind.
AHE
(silence. then he holds up his
beer)
To be more, we must drink more.
KAY
That’s why I’m here. I saw it was
open and I figured why not tempt
the fates, maybe I’d find
inspiration in death. One drink at
a time.
They are silent.
NOAH
(speechless)
Weeee don’t get many writers around
here.
AHE
Ian more pineapple beer please.
Also thank you for holding out for
so many years.
NOAH
’A’ole pilikia. No problem.
AHE
It’s really good beer. If you had
pulled it out a hundred years ago,
maybe the gods would have plugged
Mauna Loa.
NOAH
Maybe so, my friend.
KAY
This sounds like a really good
beer, I’ll have one with my steak.

110.
NOAH
Coming up.
Noah uncaps a beer and gives it to Kay who drinks and is
immediately satisfied.
KAY
So, the last eruption was thirty
years ago...
NOAH
Yes.
KAY
How was the damage?
NOAH
We weren’t reached then.
AHE
That’s why I drink, we may get
lucky!
NOAH
Then drink. Enough drink in you and
you might tip the island.
KAY
A beer like this, who needs food?
AHE
Just drink! See?
KAY
Agreed.
NOAH
Wait until you have the steak.
Medium rare good?
KAY
That’s fine.
NOAH
Pairs well with the beer.
KAY
Good.
Noah exits left.

111.
AHE
See Dabria, man like that, who can
enjoy a good beer, is a good man.
Kay, sit here with us. Leave your
things it’s not busy.
KAY
’Ae. Yes.
AHE
See, you know Hawaiian words.
Kay walks over to the bar and sit next to Ahe.
KAY
I’m trying. I’ve been here, a month
now.
AHE
Ah. Then you’ve been inspired?
KAY
Not as much as I’d like. I still
have writer’s block.
AHE
Pomaika’i.
KAY
Good fortune?
AHE
(yes)
You know.
KAY
I’m still hoping to be inspired. I
don’t want this trip to be a waste
of beauty because I could not find
the right hook to inject color into
my sad black and white creations of
late.
AHE
(unbelievable)
Who speaks this way?
(to Dabria)
I can’t hear the guy.
KAY
My apologies.

112.
AHE
Ahhh, you’re not at fault.
AHE
(to Dabria)
He aha is na pilikia?
DABRIA
Pehea i ’ike?
KAY
(uncomfortable)
What’s that?
DABRIA
(changing the subject)
What’s the story?
KAY
It’s about a young couple who fall
in love.
DABRIA
How wonderful.
AHE
(he disagrees)
Ah, ah, typical.
KAY
That’s what I say. I need to beat
typical.
DABRIA
I think it sounds lovely.
AHE
Lovely is ’Ona lama, ’ona mau.
(he drinks)
Nohea, onaona.
DABRIA
Don’t listen to the drunk.
KAY
What did he say?
DABRIA
"Lovely is alcohol. Lovely."
AHE
Ahhh, I wasn’t drunk till I met
you. Had to be for that wedding.

113.
DABRIA
Pay no mind to him. Inu, Ahe. Drink
like it’s your last.
AHE
(revelation. depressed)
What if it is?
They are all silent.
AHE
Once this place is gone, it will be
my last.
KAY
This place means that much?
AHE
When I was a Keiki, a kid that is,
I would try to sneak in...Ahhh, Ahe
remembers it like it was
yesterday...
The screen begins to fade to black for Ahe’s flashback.
AHE
Ah yes, when I was a boy -
DABRIA
Ahe!
The screen suddenly jumps back to its previous setting.
DABRIA (CONT’D)
No flashbacks. The lava will flow
over us before you’re done.
AHE
Ah, Dabria. ‘Olu‘olu wahine. The
Nice woman I’ve got.
(he drinks)
No flashbacks then. This place has
been apart of my life since I was
young. A man can appreciate a good
home away from home.
(beat. meaning the lava)
Especially now.
Noah enters from left with a plate that has steak, a
pineapple, and utensils.

114.
NOAH
Here you are, mister.
KAY
Okay.
(meaning the food)
Well, this looks great.
NOAH
Wait ’till you eat it. Best on the
island. Another beer?
KAY
Yes.
NOAH
Coming up.
(he crosses to behind the bar)
KAY
Smells delicious.
DABRIA
Paloma makes a delicious steak.
AHE
Meal.
DABRIA
Delicious meal.
KAY
Who’s Paloma?
DABRIA
The young woman who makes the meals
here.
KAY
Fantastic.
AHE
What’s that?
DABRIA
¯Aiwaiwa.
AHE
Ah. Fantastic.
(he drinks)
Kay takes one bite of the steak, and as if overtaken by
euphoria, inadvertently lets out a sigh of joy.

115.
KAY
My god that’s delicious. I’m sorry
for the sigh, I couldn’t help it.
NOAH
No worries, I know the flavor.
Here’s your beer.
Dogs are heard barking outside.
NOAH
Ah, it might be him. I’ll be back.
Noah exits the restaurant. He searches and sees no one. He
reenters the restaurant.
AHE
Nothing?
NOAH
No.
DABRIA
Maybe he’s gone and left the
island.
NOAH
This one? Not possible. He would
have died before leaving here.
KAY
(still eating)
My god!
They look at him as he eats and makes sounds of joy.
KAY
Yes. My god, yes.
AHE
Ian?
NOAH
Yes?
AHE
I’ll have a steak too.
Kay lets out another cry of joy.
NOAH
I think I will too.

116.
DABRIA
I’m fine.
AHE
Shut up woman, Mahalo E Ke Akua No
Keia La.
(he drinks while watching Kay)
FADE TO:
INT. MOM’S OFFICE AT THE WOW CONSULTING COMPANY - EVENING
JOSEPH
So? What do you think?
MOM
I like it. Tell me more.
JOSEPH
I will later today.
MOM
Alright.
JOSEPH
I just got a text, and I have to
go. Okay?
MOM
Yeah. Bye.
They hang up. Beat. Mom thinks about the play "No Worries!
1984." After two or three beats, Mom goes to work on the
model. Beat. An error message pops up. It says, "Due to an
unknown error all data related to this project will be
erased in 10 seconds." There is a countdown. Mom attempts to
stop it. He clicks.
MOM
What?
(he clicks)
No no no no no no no no. STOP! No
no no no no no.
The computer sends a message that reads, "Sorry all data has
been erased. Send report to maintenance on the fifth floor.
Message #2978634."
MOM
(upset)
That was four hours of work! GOD!
He makes a phone call on his office phone and speaks to I.T.

117.
MOM
Hello?
(beat)
My computer erased all of my data.
I -
He gets a text message and checks it.
MOM
You know what? I have to go.
He hangs up. He dials a number into his cell phone. A beat
passes as it rings. The person on the other end answers. He
speaks.
MOM
Hi.
(beat)
I am on my way.
He stands, and while still on the phone, exits his office.
When he closes the door a beat or two pass. His desk falls
apart. A beat or two pass. Mom slowly opens the door. He
enters with his cell phone in his hand that that has dropped
to his side. A beat passes then he picks his cell phone up
and puts it to his ear. He speaks into the cell phone.
MOM
I...need a new desk.
(beat)
Yep.
(beat)
I’m on my way.
Mom exists his office.
INT. MOM AND CASEY’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Mom and Casey are asleep. A beat passes. We then hear tiny
pebbles being thrown at Mom’s bedroom window. After sometime
he awakens. He goes to the window and looks out. He sees Jon
who spots him. Jon pulls out his cell phone and sends Mom a
text. The text message appears on the screen.
Come outside!
Mom responds. We see Mom’s text message pop up on the screen
once he sends it.
MOM’S TEXT MESSAGE
Okay, let me grab my robe.

118.
Woo!
Mom grabs his robe and walks to the front door. He opens it.
Jon has his back turned.
MOM
Would you like to come in, Jon?
JON
No.
(he turns to Mom)
I need to tell you something.
MOM
What?
JON
Come outside.
Mom exits his house closing the door behind him.
EXT. MOM AND CASEY’S HOUSE - NIGHT
MOM
Is there a problem?
JON
Well, more like an issue that needs
to be taken care of.
MOM
What?
JON
Do you know the band Nathaniel
Ratliff and The Night Sweats?
MOM
Yes.
JON
I know them.
MOM
Okay.
JON
They were in town so I invited them
over to my place.

119.
MOM
Okay.
JON
I have a studio in my home, and I
wanted to know if you would like to
come over and recreate one of their
music videos.
MOM
(beat. this is unbelievable)
Really?
JON
Yes.
MOM
It’s three AM.
JON
C’mon.
MOM
I -
JON
C’mon.
Silence. Mom doesn’t want anything to do with this.
JON
C’mon.
(beat)
C’mon.
(very serious)
C’mon. I said, "C’mon."
MOM
Fine.
JON
You may come as you are.
MOM
No, I’m changing.
JON
Fine.
Mom exits into his house. Beat.
MEDIUM SHOT: JON SMILES.

120.
INT. JON’S STUDIO - SOMETIME LATER
Jon, Mom, and Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats
recreate the music video I Need Never Get Old by Nathaniel
Rateliff and The Night Sweats.
EXT. MOM AND CASEY’S HOUSE - MORNING
Jon pulls up in his car.
INT. JON’S CAR - SAME
JON
Good day, Mom.
MOM
Good day, Jon.
Mom exits the car.
EXT. JON’S CAR - SAME
Mom walks to his front door. As he goes to open it Casey
opens it.
CASEY
Hi, Mom.
MOM
Hi, Case.
CASEY
How was it?
MOM
Fun.
CASEY
Good. I made breakfast.
MOM
Great, I’m -
(he yawns)
hungry.
CASEY
Come on, you’re a mess.
As they walk inside:
MOM
(like a small child)
It was so much fun.

121.
CASEY
(soft and motherly)
I know.
Casey closes the door.
INT. MOM AND CASEY’S LIVING ROOM - DAY
Mom is sitting on the couch watching TV. Sounds of some show
is heard. At times he pulls out his cell phone to text.
After sometime, Casey enters with a tray of food and drinks.
It is chips, dip, soda, and water.
CASEY
Alright, I have snacks.
Casey sets the tray down on the coffee table.
MOM
(referring to what happened on
the TV)
So, he goes, "We’ll be right back
after a message from Pan Am."
CASEY
They aren’t in business anymore.
MOM
I know it was just an old
commercial.
CASEY
Funny.
MOM
Yes.
A couple beats pass as they watch TV and eat snacks. The TV
is their focus, so when they speak, most of the time they
are looking at the TV.
MOM
So, I read an article talking about
Hawaii and I say we go next month
for a week.
CASEY
Great.
MOM
Mhm.
(beat)
A client called about a play he
wrote, and it was set in Hawaii,

122.
MOM
1984. I think a trip there will be
great.
CASEY
Wonderful.
MOM
We need to shop for swim gear.
CASEY
When?
MOM
Sunday.
CASEY
Okay.
(beat)
Did they call about your computer?
MOM
Yeah.
CASEY
All fixed?
MOM
No. They didn’t want me sitting
around without any word.
CASEY
Oh. That’s nice.
MOM
Yeah.
(about what is happening on
the TV)
Now, you see this guy? He knows
this is a bad idea.
CASEY
(this is bad)
What a guy.
MOM
Mhm.
CASEY
(beat)
Would you like to buy a boat?

123.
MOM
Hawaii?
CASEY
It got me there.
MOM
Maybe.
(beat)
A big boat.
CASEY
A big boat.
MOM
We’ll go Sunday.
They watch TV. A couple beats pass. The doorbell rings.
Beat. Casey goes for the door. She opens it. A well dress
man is there. It’s Sunny Day.
CASEY
Hi, Sunny.
SUNNY
Case, hi.
CASEY
Come in.
SUNNY
Thank you.
Sunny enters. Casey closes the door.
MOM
(excited to see him)
Sunny!
SUNNY
Mom, hi.
MOM
How are things?
SUNNY
(depressed)
Oh boy.
MOM
Well, come on, tell me about it.

124.
SUNNY
Look, I -
MOM
Wait.
(to Casey)
Casey grab him a beer and a piece
of cake.
SUNNY
(coming over)
Well, this was a good decision.
MOM
Sit down.
Sunny sits as Casey exits into the kitchen.
MOM
Now, what’s going on?
SUNNY
My board or directors.
MOM
"A guy walks into a room filled
with people who are exactly alike.
People of our fair city united
under the flag of hypocrisy -"
MOM AND SUNNY
"Loathers of truth and defilers of
justice. Vicious funny men who have
built existences on what we call
’the unfortunate breath of reality
-’ which is, in Italian, ’potrei!’
...Their law is ’I could.’
(unbelievable)
...They are the biggest group of
hypocrites I have ever met. Not
just that. They are...inconsiderate
wicked hulks. Monsters with one
more day! Lovers and haters of
everything all at once all the
time."
SUNNY
They stink!
(beat)
They think they can do whatever
they want. If they do it it’s
perfectly fine. They shout, "Cut
here cut here!" I have a

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