bear trap.pdf

7/27/2019 Bear Trap.pdf

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JOTHAMs BEAR TRAPBy Jordan McDonald, October2012-December 2012

EXT- IN THE WOODS - MORNING

FADE IN - Four young people stand around in the forestshooting a less than low budget college cilm, and it lookslike cheesey horror. JOEY KENZIE, aged 17 is tiredlyopperating a boom mic, PHIL MULVEY, aged 17 complacentlyshines on the actress red strobe light, JOTHAM MULVEY, 23has a camera confidently pointed at a DECEMBER MCFADDEN, 20,who is biting her nails in "anticipation" A werewolf costumelays down on the ground by the director, JOTHAM, who isholding a script, eyes DECEMBER as she readies for thescene.

JOTHAMOkay, and...Lights, Camera...

DECEMBER MCFADDEN readies herself, and prepares for thescene. She shakes it all off and then sports a mosthorrified face. Jotham points at Decemeber.

JOTHAM-Youre a dirty hoe!

JOTHAM MCFADEN and his film crew begin laughing, butDECEMBER looks irritated.

JOEYHoooh my god that never gets old!

ANGLE ON - DECEMBER MCFADDEN

DECEMBER drops her act and pushes the boom mic operator,then turns to JOTHAM. She looks slightly irritated, butstill trying to come off sweet. JOTHAM is fighting back asmile.

DECEMBERCome on Jotham, I wanna get throughthis and go home. Dont you wannafinish your own movie, on time?Just for today? Cause I gotlAUNDRY?

ANGLE ON - JOTHAM MUlvEY

JOTHAM cant quite stop grinning, but speaks seriously inhis tone of voice. He looks away from his camera lense andlooks DECEMBER in the eye.

(CONTINUED)


3/79

CONTINUED: 2.

JOTHAMAlright December, you got yourwish, but only because its yourmonth right now.

JOTHAM winks at DECEMEBER. She rolls her eyes and smiles, a

little bit charmed.

JOEY (O.S)Yeah, cause its fucking cold.

JOTHAM (.CONT)So go back, and well do the shotfor real.

PAN To - DECEMBER

December brushes the hair out of her face, and does acurtsy, before returning to do the shot.

DECEMBER (FLIRTY BUT SWEET)Thank you.

ClOSE UP - DECEMBER as she readies for filming

December walks into a close up as she shakes her hands andher head, preparing to act.

JOTHAM (O.S)Lights!

The cheap, red strobe light turns on. December shuts her

eyes and breaths in.

JOTHAM (O.S)Camera!

December opens her eyes and horror fills up in her face. Shereaches back, her mouth and eyes grow wider and hands comeup to her face to guard her.

JOTHAM (O.S)Cook us dinner, woman!

JOTHAM, JOEY and PHIL all begin laughing OFF SCREEN, whileDecember irritably rubs his forehead, her eyes clinchedshut.

CUT TO - EXT FOREST

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 3.

The filming continues somewhere else in the woods. The shotpans to the right as it follows DECEMBER, now wearingraggedy and bloody clothes, with a fake bear trap attachedto her ankle. She runs fearfully through the woods, asJOTHAM follows her with his camera.

JOTHAM (EXCITED)Good, good! Keep running! Keepbeing scared! Check if hes stillbehind you, and- OH MY GOD!

DECEMEBER (ACTING)AAAH!

JOTHAN (CASUALLY)Well I was gonna say be relieved,hes not there, but its fine, itsfine.

DECEMBER stumbles, and falls down, exhausted. Shes laughingin between her catching her breath. JOTHAM follows after herwith the camera, and PHIL follows in after JOTHAM with hisboom mic.

DECEMBER (HEAVY BREATHING)Somebody get this thing off me.(Referring to her bear trap)

PHILYeah sure.

JOTHAM (DRYLY)

Hey I never said cut.

Phil steps forward and removes the prop bear trap from herankle.

Cut To - JOTHAM in the woods (from chest up)

JOTHAM is hoisting off his camera and begins toying with it,probably to review the footage he just shot. JOEY approacheshis brother

PHILHey, bro?

JOTHAM (HALF-PAYING ATTENTION)Yes yes Joey. What is that youneed?

JOEYI was wondering if, like, tomorrowyou could give me a ride to school?

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 4.

Jotham looks up from his camera, puckering his lips.Thinking to himself, displeased.

Cut to - shot from behind JOEY as he speaks to JOTHAM

Jotham continues toying with his camera as he replies toJoey.

JOTHAMWell, maybe I could, but I thoughtyou were skipping class tomorrow todo some more shooting, little bro.

JOEY (ANXIOUSLY)Well, dude, I could, but I mean,couldnt you just film some otherday?

Jotham looks away from his camera, and holds it at his side.He looks at Joey with disbelief.

Cut to - A shot from Joey and Jotham facing each other, thecamera is on the side of both of them.

Joey scratches the back of his head as he averts his eyesfrom Jothams expression of unbelieving.

JOTHAMWhat is your trip, man, I need youtomorrow. Cmon, well do the shotand Ill send you back to school.

He pats Joey on the shoulder, and Joey looks up at him.Jothams expression has changed to one of empathy.

JOTHAMYoull just be truant enough to beinteresting, okay?

JOEYWell, then Ill get bad grades.

JOTHAMHey, if I dont get you tomorrowthis whole film may not pan out, I

need my camera guy. Dont spoilthis - You want fans, right? Youwant people who adore your work,dont you?

Cut to - Jotham (looking back to Joey)

JOTHAM has his arm reached out to Joey, who is not in theshot.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 5.

JOEYWell...Yeah, but like...youre theone who didnt need to get goodgrades.

We hear foot steps on crunchy leafs as JOEY walks away.

JOTHAM rolls his eyes and returns to fiddling with hiscamera.

JOTHAM (UNDER HIS BREATH)Just wait. When you have fans, youwont need anything.

CUT TO

DECEMBER is on the phone with her Mother.

DECEMBERHey Jotham! Im on the phone with

my Mom!

CUT TO

Jotham looks up from his camera, smiling.

JOTHAMUh-huh?

DECEMBER (O.S)Whats gonna be the name of thismovie, again?

Jotham pauses for a second, looks up into his head, peersleft to right.

JOTHAM (PROUDLY)Bear Trap. A film by Damien Pavel.

When Jotham says the words "BEAR TRAP" text will appear atthe bottom left hand corner of the screen, saying "BEARTRAP".

PHIL (O.S)Really? Youre still using thatstage name?

CUT TO


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6.

INT. JOTHAMS MESSY ROOM

The text from the previous shot is still in the same placeas it was before. The shot pans from one corner of the room,all the way around, displaying the lack of order, but clearobsession with not only film, but the fame of being a good

film maker. He has fake emmy and oscars, books on how tomarket your film, but also film posters and memorabilia. Asthis shot plays out, text fades in and out, displayingdirecting, writing, producing, and acting credits. The musicis very fall like, enchanting, but more playful thanwhimsical. The shot finally ends on Jotham in his bed, stillasleep.

He wakes up, looking disheveled, and confused, maybe evenirritated. he reaches over for his alarm clock, which isntplugged in. JOTHAM is irritated by this, reminded of hisshort comings even to plug in his alarm clock to get up ontime. He growls and rolls back over.

CUT TO

INT. BREAKFAST AT JOTHAMS HOUSE.

PHIL and JOTHAM / PHILs Mother SUE MULVEY sit and eatbreakfast. JOTHAM enters, groggily.

SUEOoh, look who it is. Breakfast ison the stove.

PHIL

Damn, have you still not rememberedto plug your alarm clock in?

JOTHAM shuffles over to the stove and loads a plate up.

JOTHAMWhat? Oh yeah-what?

PHILJoth, maybe just waking up to analarm clock will help put you backinto a school sort of mind state.

JOTHAM comes and sits down at the table.

JOTHAMYes, and maybe getting a job willmake me more work focused, rememberthat one? I just need to thinkabout my movie, my movie. Im notsure I have it right yet, and its

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


8/79

CONTINUED: 7.

JOTHAM (contd)gotta be right. I want it to beright, so bad, oh man, if it was.

JOTHAM leans back, a hand behind his head, dreaming away.

SUEAll he is trying to say, Jotham, isthat you could do with a littlemore organization. I mean cmon,were all anarchists here-

JOTHAMTsst. (JOTHAM rolls his eyes againas his eats food from his plate)

SUE-But we pick up after ourselves, doyou know what I mean?

JOTHAMYeah I understand.

SUEReally?

JOTHAMYeah...yeah I understand.

SUEGood...So maybe you wanna enroll ina couple classes this semester-

As she says this, Jotham gets up from breakfast.

SUE (UNFORCEFULLY)-Hey dont just go running anyway,hey, cmon now!

JOTHAM (SARCASTICALLY)Nah, nah. Im just gonna go wait inthe car.

He walks out the front door. SUE and PHIL share a look.

SUE...At least one son is well.

Phil stops eating right as she says this, and pulls his hairout in front of his face like bugs antenna and stands upand leans over the table at her.

(CONTINUED)


9/79

CONTINUED: 8.

PHIL (IN A FUNNY VOICE)Im a bug! Im a bug! These are myantenna Im a bug! Weee!

Sue takes another bite of food, slightly amused.

CUT TO

INT. CAR

JOTHAM is reading a book, his eyebrows squinting very hardat it and his fingers tapping his temple. He may be tryingto look brainy. The car door opens and slams as PHIL climbsin and plops his books and note books down on the seat nextto him.

PHILHey, thanks for the ride, watchareading?

JOTHAMHow to get rich off of shittyB-movies.

PHILWhat, is that the title?

JOTHAMHmm? Oh, no, its uh, StephenKings Guide to Screenplays. Buckleup.

JOTHAM and PHIL drive down the street, skateboarders and dogwalkers pass by. PHIL is clenching his pants nervously as hetalks to JOTHAM, who is overly focused on the road to ignorewhat discussion he knows is coming.

PHIL (O.S)So, Jothy-

PHIL (CONTINUED)-How do you feel when Mom talksabout that sorta stuff?

JOTHAM (ALOOF)What? What thing- Oh yeah, thatstuff about me getting a job. Idont really care. No biggie to me,and you can tell her that.

PHIL scratches his head and peers out the window.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 9.

PHILSo you think your movie will dowell?

JOTHAMAre you kidding, me Phil? This is

gonna be the best thing people haveseen in horror in a while; Alright,people are not gonna care abouttechnology, or, or, or any kind ofnew age "MOVIE MAGIC" that you seein the slop they shovel out now adays. People will remember, littlebrother, what horror is about andthats heart, heart baby, WOO! (heyells out his side window)

PHIL (SHEEPISHLY)What if that doesnt happen,

Jotham? Like...you know, you dothis next movie...It does about aswell as the last one...Would you atleast start turning your alarm onagain? Ya know...Maybe stop actinglike youre above cleaning yourroom?

JOTHAM (IRRITATED)Thats not it, Phil. You dont knowwhat Im going through, and yes,yes alright? Ill turn on thefucking alarm clock if Bear Trap

doesnt do well. Wow.

Nothing more is said, but we hold on this shot as both Philand Jotham try to loosen up from the tenseness they bothfeel, but dont do all that well.

CUT TO

EXT SCHOOL

Jothams car rolls up in front of the school. Phil gets outof the car, empty handed, and stands beside the car. The carthen drives off, Phil watches it drive away. Phil standsthere for a second, then takes out his phone, dials andnumber, and waits for a pick up.

PHILYeah hey turn around, I forgot allmy shit.

CUT TO


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10.

EXT PLAYGROUND FOR KIDS IN A PARK

DECEMBER is writhing on the ground, covered in fake blood.She reaches out in help of some character who isnt beingfilmed. JOTHAM is filming her and Joey is operating the boommic.

DECEMBERHELP ME! HELP ME! PLEASE GOD!

JOTHAMGood, good, youre dying, youredying.

DECEMBERAAAAH!

JOTHAMOkay, and you, are, dead.

DECEMBER stops moving and acts dead, right at the foot ofthe slide. JOTHAM folds up his camera and gives a thumbs up.

JOTHAMAlright, December, your job here isdone!

JOTHAM reaches down and lifts DECEMBER on her feet. He turnsto someone off screen.

JOTHAMThanks guys, well get out of your

hair now.

The camera pans to show a group of young kids lookingconfused and scared.

CUT TO

ext parking lot

JOTHAM, DECEMBER and JOEY stand outside the car as JOEYsmokes a cigarette.

DECEMBERI really hope that last shot wasworth it.

JOTHAMOh, it was, because that was aWRAP! Yee-haw! Joey, would youyee-haw for me?

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 11.

JOEYNo, Im doing something.

JOTHAM looks back at DECEMBER, she gives him a funny look,like "You want ME to say it now?"

JOTHAMYee-Haw?

DECEMBERNi Hao.

JOEYDone.

JOEY gets into the car and slams the door. JOTHAM andDECEMBER make faces at each other implying they both find itfunny that JOEY is irritated. They get into the car, asJOTHAM opens the door he begins speaking.

JOTHAMCold getting to you a little bit,Joey?

JOEYMmm.

CUT TO

INT. JOThams Car

JOTHAM is driving as JOEY leans his head up against the car

window and takes a nap.

JOTHAMSo, what are you going to do now?

DECEMBERI have to get ready to go help outat the soup kitchen.

JOTHANReally? I didnt know you did thatsort of thing.

DECEMBEROnly around the holidays, really.No big thingamajig.

JOTHAMWell, maybe I could join youtonight?

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 12.

DECEMBERHa! You really want to help out asoup kitchen? I dont know ifyoull like it.

JOTHAM

What! An experience like this,helping people in need, thats goodfor people!

DECEMBER...You just want to avoid yourbrother and mother for a littlewhile longer, huh?

JOTHAMIts not them, its just theirforcing me to think about things Ijust dont want to think about for

a little while longer, you know?

JOTHAM looks over at DECEMBER to see if shes laughing, likehe is, but she isnt.

DECEMBERFrom what I gather, your familyonly wants to help you.

JOTHAMBah. I know that, of course. Imjust doing my thing is all, andtheyre doing theirs-

JOTHAM stops the car.

JOTHAM (CONTINUED)-This is your house, Joey...

JOEYZZZ

JOTHAMTHIS IS YOUR HOUSE JOEY!

JOEY wakes up and gets out. JOTHAM turns back to DECEMBER.

DECEMBEROn second thought, you shouldexperience other peoples problemsfor a little while. Drive on, Illgive you directions.

CUT TO


14/79

13.

INT. SOUP KITCHEN

Music is playing inside an auditorium turned soup kitchen. Acouple sits together, eating the food on a bench. A homelesswoman stares at a childs painting that is pinned on thewall, with some others, all turkeys. A group of the soup

kitchen attendees at their benches, eating. In thebackground, a homeless man smoking a cigarette in doors,leaning up against the wall. A woman enters right, waving athim, to alert him to put out the cigarette. He drops thecigarette nonchalantly and steps on it as soon as she entersthe shot. She looks down at his foot, and then back up athim and seems to be more irritated then before, and berateshim. The homeless man looks on.

CUT TO

We see DECEMBER behind the soup kitchen counter, handing outsoup. She smiles as an attendee takes her soup and walks

off.

JOTHAM (O.S)Well, I guess Im ready.

Jotham walks up to December from behind her.

JOTHAMWhy do I have to wear the apron andhat but you dont?

DECEMBERPsychological effect on the

patrons. You are an up right, hardworking young man and Im anapproachable and caring youngwoman.

JOTHAMReally? Just how approachable?

JOTHAM steps next to DECEMBER, and up to the counter.DECEMBER ignores the comment as she deals with a patron.

DECEMBERThank you dear, enjoy dinner,theres plenty of rye left at thebread and crackers table.

DECEMBER turns to JOTHAM and tilts her head towards thesoup.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 14.

DECEMBERCmon now, Joth. Work for it alittle.

A woman walks up and looks at JOTHAM with sadness. JOTHAMhimself looks back at her with unease, and discomfort. They

share a silence, as he reaches behind his neck and continueslooking a little more uncomfortable. He snaps out of it,realizing DECEMBER is glaring at him, and begins fidgetingaround for a bowl.

JOTHAMUh, bowl, bowl, wheres the bowl?Theres no bowl!

DECEMBERShe has one with her!

JOTHAM

What? Oh, okay.

A shot of just the HOMELESS WOMANS hand as it shakes andhands the bowl to JOTHAM. JOTHAMS hand reaches into theshot and takes the bowl, his hand is ALSO SHAKING. He poursthe soup into the bowl and hands it back. The shot CUTS TOJOTHAM AND DECEMBER as they watch the woman scuttle offsadly with her bowl. After a beat of them doing this,DECEMBER elbows JOTHAM.

DECEMBERHey, say thank you and to enjoydinner!

JOTHAMAh, th-thank you mam! Uh, GetBread!

DECEMBER hands more soup out to another patron. JOTHAMbrushes off his apron and has an inward moment as he turnsback to the next patron, who is sobbing quietly to herself.He is frozen, looking at her.

JOTHAMMam? Ma-mam?

The woman introduces herself through her pitiful sniffles.

MARSHAHello, Im Marsha. May I pleasehave some soup? Please? Just somesoup, thats all I want anymore.Some soup. Some soup.

(CONTINUED)


16/79

CONTINUED: 15.

As MARSHA speaks this line, JOTHAM is losing his cool. He isobviously growing more uncomfortable. He takes off his hatand walks away.

DECEMBERHey! Jotham! Im sorry guys, Ill

just be right back, I need to seewhats wrong.

DECEMBER follows JOTHAM as the line of people angrily waveher off. A Man in the crowd of major significance to thestory named BERNY, is standing on his toes, peering over theshoulders of the crowd, trying to make ends of what is goingon in front of him, with the people waving and booing, andthe poeople working the line leaving.

BERNY (MELANCHOLY)Mmmm. I guess its broken again.

BERNY gets out of line and leaves through the back door. Hewalks down the streets (as people avert, or obviously tenseup around Berny) and eventually into an alley way. [thecamera should not follow him down the alleyway but watch ashe enters the alleyway, from a low angle, and a bit faraway. Once he enters the alleyway he is no longer visible]

CUT TO

EXT. SOUP KITCHEN - NIGHT

JOTHAM exits the back door of the SOUP KITCHEN and DECEMBERsoon follows.

DECEMBERHey, what the hell, whats wrong?

JOTHAMNothing, nothing, its just, I-I-Icant do this.

DECEMBERWhat cant you do? Put slop on aplate?

JOTHAMIts the people, December!

DECEMBERWhat, youre afraid of homelesspeople?

(CONTINUED)


17/79

CONTINUED: 16.

JOTHAMNo, its not that. Its, like...

DECEMBERYoure afraid of homeless people.

JOTHANAfraid of becoming one of thehomeless--the the homeless people.

DECEMBER...So? Serve em soup, asshole!

JOTHAMListen. Do you know why I did thistonight?

DECEMBERTo get closer to me?

JOTHAMOh shit, you ruined my delivery.

DECEMBERHehehe, come on, man.

JOTHAMDecember, you know, me, alright? Igot shitty clothes, but I can showyou a good time. How about I justtake you on a real date sometime? Aprivate wrap party.

DECEMBER walks back into the building and shuts the doorbehind her. JOTHAM looks dissapointed, but the shot cuts toa close up of the door. It swings open and DECEMBER leansher head out.

DECEMBERYeah sure, free dinner.

She shuts the door again. JOTHAM smiles and nods his head ashe walks away.

CUT TO

INT. JOTHAMS BEDROOM

MONTAGE of Jotham editing his work set to simple piano musicimplying monotony.

-A close up of Jotham peering into his laptop, wide eyed, asthe sound of rapid clicking goes on.

(CONTINUED)


18/79

CONTINUED: 17.

-Several close up shots of his mouse as it clicks and dragsseveral icons and images and thumbnails all across hisscreen. Very quick editing.

-The clock on his wall, not moving.

-JOTHAM eating pizza with one hand and typing with the

other.

-JOTHAM drinking coffee and typing, but then leans back,looking especially tired. He pauses, then splashes thecoffee on himself, shakes it off, and then keeps working.

-The music slowly fades out as the camera lingers on a sideshot of JOTHAM in bed. He wakes up, staggers over to thecomputer, lifts up the screen, wipes his face, and haggardlystares at the screen. After a moment, his eyes widen.

JOTHAMHoly shit, its done.

CUT TO

INT. JOTHAMS LIVING ROOM

JOTHAMs living room is laid out with chairs in front of thesofa and snacks on the side. He has transformed his livingroom into a movie premier location. People are already inthe seats, and a couple more are just filing in.

JOTHAMThank you for coming, cousin Wendyand Wendys husband, please take aseat and enjoy!

Jotham walks away, smugly sighing, as if accomplishing agreat task.

JOTHAMhey mom, maybe you couldve told meyou invited the Wendy family tothis little shindig

MOMWell, I just figured, you went to

the trouble of making this movie,might as well show it off!

JOTHAM (SARCASTIC)yeah, yeah, yeah

jotham leaves

The door bell rings. JOTHAM jogs over to the door.

(CONTINUED)


19/79

CONTINUED: 18.

He opens the door to find DECEMBER, seemingly drunk, on theother side.

JOTHAMOh good bye!

DECEMBER

Oh, good bye to you, too! Here Ibrought wine.

JOTHAMYesss, wait, I thought you wereunderage?

DECEMBERMy Mom bought it for you,congratulations.

JOTHAMAaah, I like your Mom.

DECEMBER grabs JOTHAMs butt.

DECEMBERWhat about ME?

DECEMBER looks very amused by what shes just done, JOTHAMlooks a little confused, but also enjoying himself, like hedoenst know why.

JOTHAMUh, yeah, I really like you, too.Get in there you crazy kid.

JOTHAM steps back into the living room area, when the doorbell rings again. He spins around and answers the door.

JOTHAMYes, hello?

PAUL HENNESYHello, Im Paul Hennesy, Ive heardthere is an independent film beingplayed tonight looking fordistribution?

JOTHAMOh my, well, yes there is sir,there is, please come in side.

PAUL HENNESYVery good, and who is it that madethe film?

(CONTINUED)


20/79

CONTINUED: 19.

JOTHAMWell, that would be, uh-

There is a crashing sound and then the sound of the crowdgoing "Awww," in disapproval.

JOTHAMExcuse me!

JOTHAM stalks into the kitchen. PHIL and SUE are sweepingand cleaning up a broken wine bottle.

PHILMom broke her wine.

JOTHAM (FRANTICALLY)Thats fine, December brought more-Who invited the film distributor?

PHILWell, through school I had a fewconnections, and I just thought-

JOTHAM hugs PHIL very tightly.

JOTHAMOOOH BABY BROTHER! Alright no timeto lose, Mom, Phil, Im startingthe movie now!

JOTHAM takes off into the living room.

JOTHAM now stands in front of the crowd of people in hisliving room.

JOTHAMLadies and gentlemen, I now bringyou, the return of horror...BearTrap.

He spins around and points the remote at the television, andthe movie begins.

CUT TO

Extreme close up shot of the TELEVISION as it plays BEARTRAP, JOTHAMs film.

JOTHAM sits on the ground next to his little brother, JOTHAMpats PHIL on his leg very fast and very enthusiastically. Hehas a large grin on his face.

(CONTINUED)


21/79

CONTINUED: 20.

PHIL (UNDER HIS BREATH)Ow!

A scream comes from the TV and JOTHAM immediately looks backover at it and stops hitting PHIL.

CUT TO- The film BEAR TRAP again. DECEMBER, acting in thefilm,is being scared by her in-film boyfriend. She screamsand then turns around, relieved.

DECEMBERS CHARACTEROh, my god, its only you.

The boyfriend says nothing, just bobs his head around withhis hand in pocket. DECEMBER then strokes his chest, and themusic becomes sultry.

DECEMBERS CHARACTERI love you, Billy.

CUT TO - PAUL HENNESY, peering at the televsion, puckeringhis lips in thought, and tilting his head side to side. Inthe background we see JOTHAM staring at him, anxiously. Thesound from the television is hacking and screaming.

CUT TO- The Film, at a scene in which DECEMBERS characteris in a ball on the floor as JOTHAMs character stands aboveher with a bear trap, brandishing it like a weapon.

JOTHAMS CHARACTER (SPITEFUL)You know, I guess it was alwaysgoing to come to this. The whole

world on my shoulders, as soon as Iwas a baby. But I had a weak back,babe, and I just couldnt take it.And yet...You, and the world, wantsto punish me for it. Well dontworry, baaabe. Ill just take careof things on my own now. Ill justwatch out for myself...

JOTHAMs character shoves the bear chest onto his stomachand the sound of a bear trap closing plays, even though thebear trap doesnt actually close. He falls over.

CUT TO- The audience watching, they dont look excited.

DECEMBERS CHARACTER (O.S)I guess thats...the bare end.

CUT TO- PAUL HENNESY looking displeased and confused.

(CONTINUED)


22/79

CONTINUED: 21.

PAUL HENNESY (UNDER HIS BREATH)"The Bare End?" What is that, Idont-

JOTHAM looking very concerned over PAULs reaction the film,he is sweating a little bit and acting nervous. He stands up

immediately and ejects the movie.

JOTHAMOkay, that was BEAR TRAP, thank youall for coming, I hate to rush youall out, buuut, I have to, so-Mr.Hennesy, would you like thedirectors phone number to speakwith him in private aboutdistributing, or-?

PAUL (DISTURBED)Ah, I dont think that will be

necessary, though I must ask, whomade this film?

JOTHAM...What, was it too gorey for you?

PAULOh, hardly, its just...

PAUL makes a face of pure distaste.

PAULAre you the director?

JOTHANAah, no, no no-

JOEY (ACTING ENTHUSED)Well sure he is. Oh yeah, uh, hey,great movie JOTHAM, speaking ofwhich.

JOEY starts clapping, and the rest of the people startclapping and wooing as well. PAUL shakes his head, whilelooking down to himself, as if to snap himself out of somehorrible trance, and then gets up and makes for the door.JOTHAM stares at him leaving, sadly, making faint movementsto reach out to him.

DECEMBERWooo!

(CONTINUED)


23/79

CONTINUED: 22.

SUETake a bow, sweety! Take a bow!

The crowd all asks for him to take a bow. JOTHAM sighs androlls his eyes, and starts bowing, slowly, and depressingly.After his second bow, the sound of a door slams, which is

PAUL leaving the house. He sighs again, and then bows again.

CUT TO-

EXT. JOTHAMS BACKYARD

JOTHAM is on the phone in the backyard, he is walking fromone side of the backyard to the other, smoking a cigarette,and on the phone.

JOTHAMYeah, I know its not the last filmIm ever gonna make, but that

doesnt answer my question...YES IKNOW we only shot it in two months,that really doesnt answer myquestion...

He stops walking.

JOTHAMFuck, I can take a hint. You didntlike it.

JOTHAM hangs up and drops the phone on the ground. He foldshis arms. Takes a drag of his cigarette. Then he reaches

down and picks up the phone and dials a number, then putsthe phone to his ear.

JOTHAM (IRRITATED)Hey? Sorry I hung up on you...Wow,I dont sound it, and yet I am!Magic!

In her room DECEMBER is watching TV and chatting withJOTHAM.

DECEMBERDont get snippy, cmon, yourtrying to get into my pants, right?

JOTHAM (NERVOUSLY AND FAST)Aw come on, December, jeez...I meanhey, I was just gonna say that Imreally happy to be getting to knowyou better right now, adddisclaimer: I dont know if I have

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


24/79

CONTINUED: 23.

JOTHAM (NERVOUSLY AND FAST) (contd)

the right to say that we aregetting to know each other better,but I wanted to put that out there- while this great thing ishappening between us, there is a

bad thing happening in my head...

DECEMBER (SAID ALMOST AS IF SHE HASDISDAIN FOR THE WORDS SHE IS SAYING)

Youre unhappy about your films, soyoure going to be unhappy aboutyour life, because film is yourlife?

JOTHAMYesss, thats right, you took thewords right out of my mouth. Man,you are so articulate.

DECEMBERTsst, Jotham that is seriouslysweet. Sweeter than even whats ontelevison right now.

JOTHAM (ON THE PHONE)Ewgh, Im sure.

DECEMBERYoud go back to the homelessshelter with me, right?

JATHOM jerks the phone away from his head, jumping.

JATHOMWHA?

DECEMBER (ON THE PHONE)Haha, I just wanted to hear yourbad-person reaction.

JATHOM...Eeeh, its really not the timefor that.

DECEMBER (ON THE PHONE)Jotham, hey, I didnt mean anythingby it.

JATHOMYeah I get it, but, I just dontwanna hear about my shittiness now.Sorry...

(CONTINUED)


25/79

CONTINUED: 24.

DECEMBERYeah, Im sorry, too.

JATHOMAlright, I think Im gonna go fornow.

DECEMBERBye?

As DECEMBER is saying Bye, Jathom hangs up the phone, heregrets it slightly.

JATHOMOh shit, uh, yeah bye.

He puts his phone in his pocket and lights up anothercigarette. He looks up at the sky.

SUE (OFF SCREEN)Dinner! Come and get it!

JATHOM turns around and tosses the cigarette out, eventhough hed just lit it, he steps INSIDE.

JATHOM walks up to the dinner table and takes a seat, SUEand PHIL are already eating. A plate of food is slid ontohis table by his mother.

JATHOM (ABSENT MINDLY)Ah, yeah, thanks Mom.

PHIL (HONESTLY)So, whats next for Bear Trap?Gonna start playing it around theschool amphitheaters for a buck,like the last ones?

JATHOM (UNSURE)Uhh, yeeeaaah.

EXT. DOWNTOWN AREA - NIGHT

JATHOM stands behind some building where there is adumpster. He stands there in the alley way, looking into agarbage bag. Inside the garbage bag are bunches of DVDs andVHSes. He reaches in and pulls out a VHS, which can beassumed is BEAR TRAP. He puts it back in and hesitantly tiesup the bag. He lifts up the dumpster top goes to toss thebag in, but before he does he notices a stack of boxes ofbeer, nicely assembled on the side of the dumpster. Heshrugs, and tosses the bag in. He walks away.


26/79

25.

INT. COFFEE SHOP - NIGHT

DECEMBER and JOTHAM are having coffee in a booth at aDENNYS like restaurant late at night.

DECEMBER

So why in a dumpster behindDENNYS?

JOTHAMIts just, I guess, thats howparanoid Id be about them findingout Ive thrown away my movie, yaknow. If I did it at home theydknow.

DECEMBERThats sad, Jotham.

She sips on her coffee.

JOTHAM...Yeah I know.

DECEMBERSo what, you made me go through allthat bullshit for nothing?

JOTHAMWha-well.

DECEMBER

Cmon man, that wasnt just YOURfilm, I worked on that shit, too!

JOTHAMSo, YOU wouldnt have thrown themall away behind some dumpster?

DECEMBER is humbled, because she most certainly would.

INT SOUP KITCHEN

DECEMBER is working at the soup kitchen and BERNY approachesthe front of the line.

DECEMBERHello Berny, how are you?

BERNYIm well, Im well.

(CONTINUED)


27/79

CONTINUED: 26.

DECEMBERI didnt see you last week, whatwere you doing?

BERNYOh, well, last week. The line washeld up. I guess I just walked out

and got myself something to eat onmy own.

DECEMBER grimaces, without looking BERNY in the eye. Shegoes on to pour soup for someone else now.

DECEMERWell thats not good, you knowthat. When you can get a goodhealthy clean meal you stay righthere.

BERNY

Mmm...I think thats the tone ofvoice that killed the entrepreneur.

DECEMBERWhat is that supposed to mean?Dont eat in the trash, Berny!

BERNYAlright, miss, alright! Dont comechasing after me!

BERNY picks up the food and walks off, sighing to himself,unhappy.

INT. JOTHAMS ROOM

JOTHAM is asleep in his bed, as the music that had begunplaying as JOTHAM threw out his film begins to fade out. Hewakes up, groggily, but quickly, and checks his alarm clock.Its still not plugged in. He drops the thing and then walksover to the his window, which has the drapes pulled downover it.

JOTHAMDont burn me Mr.Sun.

He guards his face from the sun and then opens the blinds,only to reveal that it is night time. He looks relieved, andthen disturbed that hes waking up so late and has such aterrible sleeping schedule.

He walks into the living room and grabs a coat on his wayout the door.

(CONTINUED)


28/79

CONTINUED: 27.

PHIL (O.S)Hey, Joth.

JOTHAM turns around and nods to PHIL standing in the livingroom.

PHIL (TENTATIVELY)Man, youve been in this funk forweeks...and its just that, youpromised me if Bear Trap didnt dowell, and Im guessing, just by theway youre acting because I lovedthat movie, uh, that you would plugin your alarm clock.

JOTHAMYeah...I know.

JOTHAM then walks out the front door.

The shot follows him as he walks down the street.

CUT TO- JOTHAM walking still, kicking a can he found untilit rolls to far and he forgets about it.

CUT TO- JOTHAM walking alongside the forest/park area thathe had filmed Bear Trap in. He stops and peers at it for awhile. He wipes his nose, and then ventures in.

FADE TO- JOTHAM perusing the forest.

FADE TO- JOTHAM even deeper into the forest now.

FADE TO- JOTHAM jogging and being a little spooked out.

JOTHAMCmon, cmon, where the hell is theroad. This park cant be that big,okay, I came from that way, right,so then...Wait, no I came from thatway? Shit.

A faint light and sound of light applause and whirring ofsome electrical appliance comes from a little farther oninto the woods. JOTHAM is first spooked by this, but thenbecomes too curious to deny going after the light. Hefollows the sound and the light.

JOTHAM leans next to a tree and peers beside it. Immediatelybeyond the tree is a group of people in dark robes, in asmall clearing in the forest, gathered around and sittingaround an electronic projector displaying light on a large,white blanket draped over a tree branch.

(CONTINUED)


29/79

CONTINUED: 28.

One of the people is coughing and hacking and spittingsomething into the dirt. Two people are chatting andlaughing and patting each other on the back. Another man issobbing and crying.

MARSHA, the woman from the soup kitchen, is now whereing a

black robe and sitting in the back row, sitting silently.Behind her is JOTHAM peering out from behind the tree.MARSHAs expression is one of questioning, as if shes heardsomething strange behind her and shes trying to figure outwhat it might be. She turns around, and as she does, JOTHAMhides behind the tree, and MARSHA misses a glimpse of him.She faces forward again, still looking confused, and JOTHAMpeers his head out again, making an overly strained faced.

JOTHAM (WHISPERING)Is that...The lady from the-

The sound of a loud, affirmative clearing of the voice cuts

JOTHAM off, JOTHAM is a bit startled.

CUT TO- An AGED MAN with a raggedy, but clearly ONCE FANCYsuede jacket (and also has INTERESTING FACIAL HAIR) steps infront of the crowd, in front of the projection. This isBERNY. He is GRUFF, OBSESSIVE, but ALMOST CLASSY.

BERNYAlright, settle down now, settledown, its not quite midnight, buttheres still time to be late.

Some of the crowd laughs at this, while some arent

listening and continue to talk.

BERNY (ANGRY)Come on now! Hush up!

Everyone quites down. BERNY adjusts his jacket and clearshis voice.

JOTHAM watches intently.

BERNY claps his hands together, and smiles.

BERNY (CLASSY AND HOST LIKE)Good evening...I see someone newhas joined us. What is your name,lad?

JOSEPH (NERVOUSLY AND UNSTABLE)Uuh, Im, Joseph, sir.

(CONTINUED)


30/79

CONTINUED: 29.

BERNYWelcome, Joseph. Dont stain therobe, ah, haha.

BERNY has made a joke, but the group of people eitherwerent listening or found nothing to laugh at. BERNY

dislikes this fact, and continues on.

BERNYI suppose youre here because theword of mouth, recently...is film.But not just any film. One thatencapsulates our dreams, and ouranguish, and the reason we are.

Panning shot around the group of people as BERNYSintroduction continues. There is a stillness, mixed with thesound of crickets, broken by JOSEPH

JOSEPHAre you serving drinks? I heard...

BERNYYes my friend, Quin, get Joseph adrink, please.

JOSEPH is very happy to get some hard liquor.

QUINWe got plenty, this guy is packing.

JOSEPH

Oh wow, this is great.

BERNY (CONTINUED)Yes, Im sure the drinks haveenticed most of you here...Butlets just say thats the bait, andthis projector is...Well, ourmidnight showings have gone on foronly two weeks, nearly, and yet-

JOTHAM is behind the tree, making a making realizationconnected to his film.

JOTHAM (UNDER HIS BREATH)Two weeks?

BERNY continuing his speech, the crowd reacts to his wordsaudibly.

(CONTINUED)


31/79

CONTINUED: 30.

BERNYAlready this film has shown itssigns of good. Look at youall,being together, and recognizing,that all we can help is each other,and none can help us but ourselves.

That is the meaning of tonightsfeature. Self-respect,self-involvement, and mostimportantly, never fall intolifes, little, bear traps.

A Close up shot of JATHOM as he fearfully realizes they areabout to play his movie.

The crowd makes the sound of a dulled out half-way cheer,but BERNY still reacts proudly to it. He fixes his jacketand looks over them like, "Thats more like it". BERNY stepsoff stage and signals to start the movie. A man by the

projector stands up and pushes PLAY.

The movie begins, just as it had begun at JOTHAMs homepremiere. JOTHAM slowly and fearfully backs away from thepeople, and when hes far enough, he starts running. Thereis then a burst of cheer from the crowd behind him, stoppinghim dead in his tracks. He thinks to himself that he likedwhat he heard, and turns around. Theres another burst ofcheering and clapping.

CUT TO

A slow panning shot of the whole group of them as they are

laughing hysterically at the film. In the background, JOTHAMonce again peers his head out slowly from behind the tree.

JOTHAMPfft.

On the screen is the MONSTER, played by JOEY. He is laughingand chasing JOTHAMs character through the woods. Then heschasing him through the back alleys. JOTHAMs characterfalls into a trash can and is covered in trash. The MONSTERclaws out JOTHAMS CHARACTERS stomach as guts fly up intothe air and JOTHAM sticks his tongue out and screams. Themovie uses a "flash back" cut as the screen gets wavier andwavier.

JOTHAM (NARRATING BEAR TRAP)That was the day this allstarted...The day I met...The BearTrap.

(CONTINUED)


32/79

CONTINUED: 31.

The audience is laughing and booing again, and JOTHAM isdisheartened, but in the very back row there are threepeople in black robes who are reacting differently,positively. One of them claps his hands above his head andgrunting wildly - The character that does this will berefereed to as WEIRD HOMELESS MAN.

MARGARETNow THAT is how you open a movie!

TJOTHAMs heart is melted by the cheers of the fans, hisexpression shows he may even feel a kinship with his "fans"already. He stands up and brushes off his knees and staresdown at his shoes and takes a large nervous breath. Themusic is turning much more sinister. He looks up again atthe crowd who whoop and holler at the movie. One of them isjoyfully twisting his head all around, and catches sight ofJOTHAM. He snaps his sight straight to him. This characterwill be known as UNSTABLE HOMELESS MAN. UNSTABLE HOMELESS

MAN share a moment of silence, staring at each other. Theintensity grows for a moment, and then UNSTABLE HOMELESS MANclenches his head and screams and points at JOTHAM, causingJOTHAM to jump. The rest of the crowd turn to look atJOTHAM.

BERNY (SAUVE)Calm down calm down everyone, itsmerely another guest. Im sorry,friend, but youve shown up a tadlate. The good news is, there is noticket charge, ha ha.

JOTHAM steps out from behind the tree

JOTHAM (NERVOUSLY)I appreciate that.

BERNY (IN AWE AND REALIZATION)Wait a moment...Yes, why didnt Isee it before? You are DamienPavel.

JOTHAM (RESERVED)That I am.

BERNY (IMPRESSED)Damien Pavels at my theater...Youhave impressed me, sir, I wouldnever have guessed that you...Thatyou would be so intertwined withthe community.

(CONTINUED)


33/79

CONTINUED: 32.

JOTHAM (FAKING CONFIDENCE, BUT CONFUSED)Well, it was just as yousaid...Just, word of mouth.

BERNYYour film, Ive been wishing totell you, is so inspiring to me,

inspiring to all of us, Im sure.

A lack luster reaction from the people, besides the blackrobes, who do cheer.

BERNYTruth shimmers from your film, itbursts from it! It shows us thereality!

JOTHAM pauses for a moment, taking this all in. At first heis humbled.

JOTHAMWow...

He then looks up from the ground and stares into the dirty,wasted face of BERNY as BERNY brandishes a goofy smile.JOTHAM appears discontent, but tries to hide it.

JOTHAM...I must ask...Who are you all?

BERNYWe are vagabonds-

The camera JUMP CUTS from one revealed face to another,their HOMELESS lifestyle shown apparent on each of theirfaces.

BERNY (CONTINUED)-Brought together by this oranother thing, some more far gonethan others, yet we stand amongourselves with dignity. As much aswe are allowed. The robes...theyare nothing more than a stylisticchoice, mirrored after the robesworn in your film.

JOTHAM says nothing, but his expression of seriousnessheightens the dramatic moment.

JOTHAMDont let me stop the showing.Please, just...carry on.

(CONTINUED)


34/79

CONTINUED: 33.

JOTHAM puts his hands in his pockets and walks back behindthe crowd and leans against a tree. BERNY hits play on themachine. It begins again. People continue to stare andwhisper at JOTHAM. BERNY shushes them up. JOTHAM again,relishes this moment, enjoying the attention, not only ofhis presence, but that they must watch his film as well.

BERNY stands beside JOTHAM in the back of the crowd.

BERNYTruly, thank you for joining us.Who was it exactly that informedyou of my presence?

JOTHAMDo you do this every night?

BERNY (ATTENTIVE AND IN AWE)Oh yes, Damien. Every night atmidnight I play your film, for a

growing audience, at that.

JOTHAMAnd this equipment, did you find itthe same way you found my movie?

BERNYMore or less.

JOTHAM...I never intended for anyone toenjoy my film. I made it for me,but I knew there was maybe one

audience who would understand me.So I threw my tapes away.

JOTHAM starts walking away.

JOTHAMYou might see me again soon. Have agood night everyone.

BERNYOh, but- but!

GROUP OF HOMELESS PEOPLEBye! Good night!

Good Bye! Dont forget aboutus!

JOTHAM struts off into the darkness.

(CONTINUED)


35/79

CONTINUED: 34.

Once he is out of sight of BERNY, JOTHAM begins running andpanting and leaves the forest. He mad dashes all the wayhome and stops at the front door, looks at the door, dazed,knowing he has to slow down or hell wake everyone up. Helaughs about what had just happened. He comes inside andgets in bed, then hides under the covers, all except hiseyes, which are very thoughtful, but tense, as though he

hasnt gotten himself into trouble yet, but he knows he isgoing to test the waters sooner or later.

JOTHAMThey loved it.

INT- JOTHAMS KITCHEN

Paul and Sue are eating lunch in the kitchen, having afriendly chat.

PAULSo this kid in my class-

SUEYeah.

PAULHes just this really big douchebag, you know-

SUEOooh, I know.

PAULSo, like, I didnt pick a fightwith him really, but-but, you knowhow these kids are.

SUEYou gotta stand up for yourselfwith it comes to certain kinds ofpeople, I only say that because Idont see a black eye or anything.

PAULKids at school are nuts, Mom, Iwouldnt be surprised if I get

slugged before the years up.

SUEWell thats fantastic. Dont saythat around your brother, hellnever wanna go to school.

PAUL smiles at the comment as SUE has a little giggle. PAULsips his coffee.

(CONTINUED)


36/79

CONTINUED: 35.

SUEYou know Im just joking aboutthat. I mean, Jesus, I would hopewe could joke around about that alittle bit.

JOTHAM (O.S)

Hey.

SUE jumps.

SUEOh, oh, uh, hi, hey JOTHAM.

JOTHAM takes a seat at the table as SUE eyes him and PAULlooks at him while holding up his coffee mug and reading abook.

PAULHey man, late night last night?

JOTHAM (OBVIOUSLY IN A DAZE FROM LASTNIGHT)

Hmm? Oh, oh yeah. It was a, uh, itwas a long night.

SUE can sense that something is strange with JOTHAM. Shestands up in front of him and feels his head.

SUEHoney? Are you alright? Hung over alittle?

JOTHAM (MINDLESSLY AND MONOTONE)Yeah...

SUE (QUESTIONABLY AND ALERT)...Uh, okay.

SUE sits back down nervously, eyeing her son. This is playedfor laughs.

JOTHAM sets his chin on his fist as he leaves the world inthought, the kitchen is quiet, except for PAUL going onabout school.

PAULYeah, so, like I was saying, thekid was a total asshole, Mom, heinterrupted the teacher twice inone day, I was telling him like,Hey man calm down with that shithow rude can you get! and helooked at me with such pure, like,-

(CONTINUED)


37/79

CONTINUED: 36.

JOTHAMSo I plugged my clock in.

SUE (SUPRISED)You did what?

JOTHAMI did, I did. I simply did.

PAULHoly shit man. What does that mean?

JOTHAMI dont know, I even picked up myroom a little bit. Not a whole lot,you know, I really dont want tobrag when it comes to picking up myroom for the first time in years,but, yeah, I did that this morning.

SUEOh my God, Joth. Thats really goodto hear. Did you set the alarm,too?

JOTHAMNo...But Ill go do that right now!

JOTHAM excitedly gets up and runs to the living room.

JOTHAM (O.S)Woo!

SUE and PAUL look at each other, slightly impressed.

SUEWell, hey, thats something.

INT. DINER

At a diner around twilight, as the sky is purple and orange,DECEMBER sits by her self and casually munches on frenchfries, when JOEY spots her.

JOEYHey December.

DECEMBEROh, uh, hey Joseph. Funny seeingyou here.

(CONTINUED)


38/79

CONTINUED: 37.

JOEYWhats up.

JOEY sits down in the booth, right away a server walks upand before the server says anything, JOEY speaks.

JOEYOne bud light, thanks.

The server nods and walks off.

JOEYSo whats up, why you eating allalone and shit.

DECEMBERUuh, Im kind of on a date rightnow.

JOEY (NERVOUS)What? Where is he?

DECEMBERHes outside having a cigarette.

JOEY (CONFUSED AND NERVOUS)What? I didnt see JOTHAM outthere.

DECEMBERJotham? What?

A man approaches the table, his name is BRAD.

BRADWhos this?

DECEMBERGet out of here, Joey, please.

JOEY awkwardly but still keeping his aloof demeanor, leaves.

JOEYUh, yeah cool.

INT PAULS ROOM

PAUl and JOEY are having a conversation.

PAUL (DISSAPOINTED)Aaah, are you serious?

(CONTINUED)


39/79

CONTINUED: 38.

JOEYYeah man its super lame.

PAULShit...I think JOTH is gonna bepretty disappointed...Damn, man. I

dont really want to tell him.

JOEYYeah fuck that Im not telling him.

PAULYeah...

They both are thinking to themself.

PAULThen again, he doesnt know you allthat well, so, its almost better

that way if you did tell him...As afavor to me...For all the food Ivebought you.

JOEYShit.

JOEY gets up and leaves the room.

JOEY enters JOTHAMs room.

JOEYHey, uh, JOTH?...Dude?

But no one is present. JOEY pauses, then enters anyway andsteals some of JOTHAMs weed from his drawer by the bed,quickly and sneakily, like hes done it many times before.he pulls a bug of weed out and breaks it in half, leavingone half and taking the other, closing the drawer andleaving. He does this act really quite fast and it is playedfor laughs.

EXT. FOREST - TWILIGHT

DECEMBER and JOTHAM are taking a walk in the park. They areholding and chatting. The mood is very light kind ofromance.

DECEMBER (SOUNDING SKEPTICAL)So then, you think yourespiritual.

(CONTINUED)


40/79

CONTINUED: 39.

JOTHAMYup, I do think about things inthat way, at least sometimes.

DECEMBERReally? Like how so?

JOTHAMLike, this so: I can understandwhere people come from when theysay that dreams are real andreality is (his accent changes tosound sarcastically whimsical) buta dreeeam.

DECEMBERI dont know what that means.

JOTHAM

Youll never understand someone ifyou have to ask them if theyrespiritual.

DECEMBER (TEASING)I thought you said everything had apoint, now youre saying asking youis pointless? Pfft.

JOTHAMOh I can see youre at leastspiritED.

DECEMBERHahaha, a little bit.

As they walk, there is a pair of shoes, and a dirty sockdraped over them that sit along the trail. JOTHAM stares atit as they walk by, then turns to DECEMBER.

JOTHAMYou know, Ive been thinking

DECEMBERWhats that?

JOTHAMWell, to be honest with you-

DECEMBERYes?

(CONTINUED)


41/79

CONTINUED: 40.

JOTHAMI want to go back to school.

DECEMBER (CONFUSED BUT SLIGHTLYIMPRESSED)

Oh, wow.

JOTHAMYeah, its just like...my life isgetting better, it feels. And Ijust want to make it even more so.

There is a pause is a pause of romance and tension as theystare at each other, when DECEMBER breaks it.

DECEMBERNow I kiss you?

JOTHAM

Well, yeah.

DECEMBERNo no no no. Not gonna get me tokiss you after those dirty hoejokes back when we were shooting.

DECEMBER walks a little bit ahead of JOTHAM, staring at theground as she walks, with a satisfied grin. JOTHAM pausesfor a second, and then starts walking again, just a bitbehind DECEMBER, looking down at the ground, but in aspiteful expression

DECEMBERBut good try though!

INT. JOTHAMS ROOM - NIGHT

JOTHAM is asleep with the lights off. His digital clockdisplays the time 11:35. When it turns to 11:36, the alarmgoes off, and JOTHAM walks up, jostled out of sleep. Heturns the alarm clock off, wipes his eyes, and gets up.JOTHAM puts his clothes on and steps out the front door.

JOTHAM goes on a night time walk through a suburban town atnight, waving to people as they go by, soaking in the smellsand brustling leaves of bushes and trees. He skips along andtakes a detour through the high school, walking by an oldfilm class. And then he leaves the school, and continues on,eventually finding his way to the forest.

CUT TO

(CONTINUED)


42/79

CONTINUED: 41.

JOTHAM sits down in the forest and smokes a cigarette. Arock sits next to him. He takes a puff of his cigarette,then puts the cigarette to the rocks "lips". He thenmotions as if to say to the rock "Breath deep, breath deep,"Then he looks relieved and proud of the rock and pats it onthe back as he takes back the cigarette and smokes ithimself.

CUT TO

JOTHAM is still walking through the forest, smiling tohimself. He even begins skipping.

Someone bumps him. It startles him very badly. To his rightis the lady from the SOUP KITCHEN: MARSHA. She doesntrecognize him right out.

JOTHAMOh, hello, you startled me.

MARSHA is a woman in her late forties who has been homelessfor fifteen years. She is now disturbingly giddy, which isin juxtaposition to her extreme unhappiness when JOTHAM hadfirst met her. They continue walking down the path. Themusic fades out.

MARSHA (OVERLY FRIENDLY AND IN JOTHAMSFACE)

You know, I thought I hadrecognized you when I saw you. Ithink it was maybe somewhere onHerts Street, but maybe not.

JOTHAMYes, well, maybe.

MARSHAI think that maybe I saw you onDonner Street, or maybe MarshalStreet.

She waits for a response.

JOTHAM (NERVOUSLY BUT ASSERTIVE)No.

Marsha backs off to think to herself. Her mood changes toself-depreciating and angry, though she hides it under herbreath.

MARSHA (QUIETLY FRUSTRATED)Cant remember nothing. Youre justa buncha dumb, Marsha, a bunchadumb!

(CONTINUED)


43/79

CONTINUED: 42.

JOTHAM side steps away from MARSHA, he appears quiteuncomfortable.

They approach BERNYs "THEATER" and as they step closer,their bodies become more illuminated, and the noise ofchitter-chatter grows.

MARSHA excitedly scoots ahead of JOTHAM and introduces him.

MARSHAIve brought a friend along! DamienPavel is back!

The crowd claps and applauds his return, especially BERNY.

BERNYWow, oh wow, Damien! You havereturned! We have missed you thesepast viewings! Please, havesomething to drink, please!

BERNY turns and motions for someone to come bring himsomething. HOMELESS MAN # 1 stands up and runs off.

JOTHAM (SLOWLY)Well, I guess, maybe if you havelike-

As JOTHAM is finishing this previous statement, HOMELESS MAN# 1 enters the frame with a bottle of wine.

JOTHAM (WITHOUT YET SEEING THE BOTTLE OFWINE)

-beer.

BERNY shoos him away even harder and HOMELESS MAN # 1 runsoff again

CUT TO

BERNY turns to JOTHAM, far more calm now. He appears proudand appreciative that JOTHAM has come to see him again.

BERNYAh, Im so glad to see you again,

Mr. Pavels. Is that Russian?Pavels?

JOTHAM contemplates how to reply, nervously.

JOTHAMUuuuh.

An open beer is handed to JOTHAM, he takes it.

(CONTINUED)


44/79

CONTINUED: 43.

JOTHAMYes.

BERNY (FILLED WITH NOSTALGIA, BOTH GOODAND BAD, VERY TENDER AND SENTIMENTAL BUT ALSO DISAPPROVING.AS HE SAYS THIS LINE, HE HAS HIS NECK BENT DOWN, AND

GRINNING TO HIMSELF)Oooooh...Russian parents.

BERNY looks up and shoots JOTHAM a look of "Heh, I beenthere, pal,"

BERNYHow much baggage of theirs did theyleave to you, like some pack mule,to carry the weight of theirproblems.

JOTHAM

Well that just sounds likeeveryone.

BERNY is taken back by this statement, in a good way.

BERNYIve never thought of it that way.It is true...though I dont feelanywhere outside my brain. MyMother...She was just a ripe bitch.And my Father, he, too...What afool...They never even thought ofmaking sure I did well in school.

There was a time and a place inAmerica where things like thatcould happen, Damien, and I wasborn then...But your film, Damien,it has brought me closer to findingpeace with my...my lack ofknowledge and my...lack of love, Isuppose.

JOTHAM...My film did that?

BERNYIt has. It is filmed sincerely. Ican relate to it, my eyes arelinked to my beating heart. Itmoved me.

JOTHAMHow?

(CONTINUED)


45/79

CONTINUED: 44.

BERNYBecause I learned from it. Ilearned about myself, about myparents, and maybe..about you. Isuspect you have the samedisposition I had, Russian parents,

Damien. I can see it on you.

JOTHAM (LYING)Bah! I never knew my parents.

JOTHAM drinks of his beer.

BERNY (SADDENED BY THIS NEWS)Oooh. As it is with so many of us,my friend.

He places a hand on JOTHAMs shoulder. JOTHAM is frozen byhow uncomfortable he feels.

BERNYYour movie, it has taught me,whatever it is that makes you whoyou are, regardless of what theworld has to say of it...Its notyour fault.

JOTHAM stares down, and actually looks as though he hasinternalized what BERNY had to say.

JOTHAM (EFFECTED EMOTIONALLY)...Thanks, Berny. And the same goes

for you. Its not your fault,either.

They share a moment of nodding heads and looking affirmativetowards one another. JOTHAM trails off in his head, andpeers away.

JOTHAM (DISPLEASED)So thats really what my moviesmessage is, huh?

JOTHAM sips his beer.

HAPPY HOMELESS MANHey! Lets start this thingalready!

WEIRD HOMELESS MANYeah!

(CONTINUED)


46/79

CONTINUED: 45.

FRIGHTFULLY ANGRY HOMELESS MAN (DEAD PANAND PLAYED FOR LAUGHS)

Im getting very impatient. Very.Impatient.

JOTHAM rubs the back of his neck, anxiously.

JOTHAMYou should start the movie.

BERNY presses play. The movie begins, everyone cheers.

FADE TO

The movie ending and everyone is still cheering. The vhscomes to a halt and BERNY takes center stage.

BERNYAnother viewing for the books.

Though we have not gained any morefriends tonight, we havegained...our visionary. Damien,thank you for joining us tonight.And thank you for this picture.

The crowd cheers him on.

CUT TO

The camera pans upwards from JOTHAMs feet to his head. Athis feet are a number of beer bottles, and in his hands isanother one.

JOTHAM (PROUD AND STUPID DUE TODRINKING)

Thank you.

BERNYAnd it is on that note, that I askof you to merely stay a while, andanswer a few questions.

JOTHAMI dont see why not.

The crowd claps once again. BERNY is ecstatic.

BERNYPlease, take a seat, take a seat!Up to front now, yes.

The crowd cheers on as JOTHAM tipsily draws closer to thefront of the crowd and takes a seat on a plastic high school

(CONTINUED)


47/79

CONTINUED: 46.

issue chair. He sits down and the crowd goes quiet. There isa pause as JOTHAM drunkedly says nothing and bobs his headaround. He looks up, and plays drums on his knees, peeringup and all around at the stars and tree tops. His gazereturns to the group and he giggles, then waves.

JOTHAMOh yeah, hi.

MARSHAMr. Pavel! Mr. Pavel!

JOTHAMYeah go for it.

MARSHAMr.Pavel, when you came up with theconcept of the bear trap, whatexactly did you think it meant?

JOTHAMWell...Straihgt up, it was,like...pretty much like the world Iguess.

RANDOM HOMELESS MAN (ANNOYED BY JOTHAMSANSWER)

Ugh.

JOTHAMPfft.

The crowd makes a noise of understanding after JOTHAMsexplanation about the world. BERNY is especiallyappreciative of the new found knowledge.

JOTHAMSo yeah, thats like, that whatsthat all about. It grabs you andbites the shit out of, and itslike, you just find it in thewoods, its not like anyone toldyou it was there. One day yourenot born and then youre born andIm just like, hey man, what thefuck.

He sips his beer.

JOTHAMFuckin pisses me off.

(CONTINUED)


48/79

CONTINUED: 47.

FRIGHTFULLY ANGRY HOMELESS MAN (DEADPAN)

Excuse me.

JOTHAMYes?

FRIGHTFULLY ANGRY HOMELESS MANI dont trust anyone with your kindof hair cut.

JOTHAM...Oh?

FRIGHTFULLY ANGRY HOMELESS MAN (A BLACKROBE FAN)

But I trust you.

The crowd "cheers". JOTHAM drunkenly rallies on their cheers

by lifting his beer glass in the air and nodding his head.

JOTHAMWell hell yeah, thats what I liketo hear.

MARSHA stands up, happily.

MARSHAI have a theory about your movie,Mr.Pavel.

JOTHAM (DRUNKENLY)

And thats not going out of style,neither.

The crowd ignores this very strange thing to say.

MARSHA (EMBARRASSED YET GIDDY)The theory is that, you made themovie while thinking about love.

JOTHAM (STRANGELY HONEST,SELF-REALIZING, QUITE)

...Yeah...Thats it.

JOTHAM stands up.

JOTHAMThats what I meant all along!

The crowd "cheers". JOTHAM thinks to himself, he smirks.

(CONTINUED)


49/79

CONTINUED: 48.

MARSHAIts about love! Its all aboutlove!

Marsha hugs herself and the crowd is "cheering". BERNY patsJOTHAM on the back, JOTHAM looks up at him, surprised and

happy to see him, as if he hasnt seen him in days. He liftshis drink up to him. BERNY puts his hand up as if to say "Nonot me," HAPPY HOMELESS MAN and WEIRD HOMELESS MAN come inon the sides of JOTHAMs chair and pick him up. He ishoisted above their shoulders and lifted up and down on thechair. Marsha hops around in front of JOTHAM, trying to gethis attention.

MARSHAOh! Oh, I have a question for yousir! Hehe!

JOTHAM

Shoot!

MARSHAWhere do you live!

JOTHAM (SOBERED UP)..Excuse me?

MARSHAWhere is it exactly that you live?

JOTHAMWell, I live, in the-the streets.

MARSHAWhere?

JOTHAM becomes more anxious as their chair wobbling isbecoming less steady, and almost tipping him. He sees thebeer now in his hand and chucks it. The people around himnow seem like a dark carnival.

JOTHAM (FORCEFULLY)Okay, Please, stop.

The mood goes dead. The black robe fans stare at JOTHAMblankly, shocked, and sorry. BERNY breaks up the silence

BERNYOh you jostled him too hard! Sir,let me help you down.

BERNY hits WEIRD HOMELESS MAN by slapping him in the ribs.

(CONTINUED)


50/79

CONTINUED: 49.

BERNYLet him down! Let him down!

WEIRD HOMELESS MAN (PAINFULLY)Oooo, oooo, noooo.

JOTHAM is set down and the people lay off of him.

BERNYSo sorry, my friend, we did notmean you any kind of harm. Did somescratch at you? Tasted you?

JOTHAMUh, NO, I was just wanted down,thank you for the beautifulevening, and I think Ill take myleave.

JOTHAM stands up the people stand aside for him to walk out.Once he is outside of the circle, BERNY cries out.

BERNYWait! Please, we still have timefor questions, please. We didntmean for things to get upsetting!

The crowd grows in its sadness. Their cries are audible.JOTHAM is sweating and extremely nervous. He bolts, and runsas fast as he can away.

BERNY (YELLING AT JOTHAM AS HE RUNS

AWAY)WAIT!!! WAIT!!! WHAT IS YOUR REALNAME!!! YOUR REAL NAME!!!

JATHOMAAAH!

JATHOM runs as fast as he can away. We follow him as he runsup the street, turns a corner, goes another street and thenfinds his home and enters. He gets under the covers. hecalms down, but then looks as though hes just realizedsomething.

JATHOMThat took me like twenty minutes.Thats how close I am.

He stares out the window. The wind is blowing outside, not alot, but just a little. JATHOM focuses on this, beforesnapping himself out of it and calling DECEMBER on thephone.


51/79

50.

INT. DECEMBER ROOM

DECEMBER is making out with another boy. Her phone rings.She looks at it and sees that JATHOM is calling. Sheignores it. He calls again. She irritably answers the phone.Her boyfriend also is irritated. The shots change from

JOTHAM to DECEMBER indeterminately.

DECEMBERHello? Jotham?

JOTHAMDecember, I have something I needto tell you.

DECEMBER (ANNOYED)Is it that you love me?

JOTHAM

What?

DECEMBERYou just need me so much you gottacall me at two in the morning toconfess it or something? Why areyou calling me so much, man?

JOTHAMNo, no!

DECEMBERCmon Jotham, you have to just

admit it and get over it.

JOTHAMLook, my feelings for you can wait.

DECEMBEROh?

JOTHAMYou know homeless people?

DECEMBER...What, like in general? I knowthey exist.

JOTHAMOkay so you know homeless people?Yeah, they love my movie.

(CONTINUED)


52/79

CONTINUED: 51.

DECEMBERWhat?

JOTHAMThey love you in it and they loveme in it and they think my

directing style is genius.

DECEMBERThe homeless people. Just, all ofthem?

JOTHAMNo! Not all of them! Butdefinitely, DEFINITELY some of thepeople who came to your soup driveswere in the woods down the streetfrom MY house, they have a littlecult centered around MY movie!

DECEMBERCmon, theyre not tasteless.

JOTHAMReally, December? Lets keep thisthing brief, do you believe me ornot?

DECEMBERNo.

JOTHAM hangs up the phone and throws it into his bed and

grunts angrily. He plops down on the ground and pulls at hisshirt, frustrated. He exerts his self and catches hisbreath. The wind blows outside. He quickly and while filledwith rage, shuts the window. He lies back in bed with aputput golf stick in his grasp. He redials DECEMBER, but nopick. He redials again. No answer. He redials again.

EXT. JOTHAMS HOME - DAY

The phone rings as JOTHAM approaches his car. He sighs andpicks up.

JOTHAM (TIRED AND IRRITATED)Hello?

DECEMBER (O.S)Yeah, you wanna go for a drive?

JOTHAM (CONSIDERATELY)Yeah, come and get me.

(CONTINUED)


53/79

CONTINUED: 52.

CUT TO

A little later, DECEMBER has pulled right up to the curve.

JOTHAM climbs into the front seat, buckles up and DECEMBERimmediately drives off. The camera stays focused on JOTHAM.

JOTHAM (WHILE BUCKLING UP)Hey December, you change your nameyet?

DECEMBER (O.S)Hahaha, naaah. But hey, JOTHAM, benice to our passenger, alright? Iknow youre all weird right now.

JOTHAM (IMMEDIATELY NERVOUS)Wait, what, what passenger, who?

DECEMBERMarsha Glemmings, a woman who cantafford the bus so Im helping herwith a ride.

JOTHAM (PANICKED)Whoa, wait, what!? Where are youpicking her up?!

JOTHAM sticks his head out the window and with great panic,is searching for Marsha on the streets.

DECEMBER (WHISPERING AND ANGRY)

Dude, shes in the back seat!

JOTHAM freezes, then, terrified slowly moves his head aroundto look at DECEMBER, who looks at him as if hes being very,very rude. He hardly notices this. JOTHAM continues to turnhis head around and sees MARSHA in the back seat. They stareat each other, MARSHA has a heartbreakingly happyexpression.

JOTHAM (TRYING TO ACT NORMAL)Hello, Marsha. Im Jotham. Sorryabout that, I was just, confusedabout something.

MARSHA puts her hand out to shake.

MARSHA (BLISSFUL, VERY HAPPY TO SHAKEHIS HAND)

Its not problem at all. We knowhow it is to become confused.

(CONTINUED)


54/79

CONTINUED: 53.

JOTHAM (AWKWARDLY)Yeah.

JOTHAM reaches out and shakes MARSHAs hand.

JOTHAM

Shakey shakey. Yes.

JOTHAM removes his hand and faces forward. No one saysanything for a moment, Marsha still smiles in the backseat.

MARSHAWhat are you doing tonight?

JOTHAMNothing, Im busy, though.

MARSHAYoure not coming?

JOTHAM...

DECEMBERComing to what?

No one says anything for a moment, then MARSHA lurchesforward.

MARSHA (GLEEFULLY)To our film showing.

DECEMBER (CONFUSED)Well...What film showing?

Again another pause.

DECEMBER (UNBELIEVING)Not Jothams film, is it?

MARSHA (ILLUMINATED)Jotham?

JOTHAM (VERY ANGRY BUT STILL RESTRAINED)Hey back there, my name is NOTfucking JOTHAM, alright, its aSHIT name, that is NOT my NAME.

DECEMBER (CUTTING IN)Whoa, we need to rewind - whoa, areyou yelling at Marsha?

(CONTINUED)


55/79

CONTINUED: 54.

JOTHAMYeah, but-

DECEMBERWhoa, wait, you were telling meabout this before, werent you?Wait, whoa-

MARSHANow I recognize you.

JOTHAM and DECEMBER both shut up and tense up.

MARSHA (DISSAPOINTED)You worked at the soup kitchen. Youwere on the other side of thecounter...I was crying and you ranaway. Ran away somewhere beyondthat other side. Other side of thesoup kitchen.

DECEMBER begins driving faster, JOTHAM eyes the speedometer,noting that she is speeding up.

DECEMBERIs something upsetting you Marsha?

JOTHAMI hope to God something isupsetting her! She needs to wakethe fuck up! Creepy, delusional oldfuckin weirdo!

DECEMBERJOTHAM!

DECEMBER speeds up again, and cuts someone off at a four wayintersection.

JOTHAMFucking what are you doing actinglike my movie is the bible. Thatshit is outright stupid. I neverwant to hear from you, or fuckingBerny, or ANYONE. Leave me the fuck

alone!

DECEMBER slows down and parks.

DECEMBERThis is close enough.

MARSHA is sobbing and climbing out the car, as she does, shespeaks.

(CONTINUED)


56/79

CONTINUED: 55.

MARSHA (SOBBING VERY LIGHTLY, SPEAKINGTIMIDLY)

Youre right, youre right...Yourmovie is our bible.

Shes out of the car and walks around to the window that

JOTHAM is on and says, still sadly, but in an almost honestway, speaks-

MARSHAWhat kind of movie did you makeagain, Damien?

DECEMBER pulls away from the curb and drives, MARSHAwatches, standing still as they take off.

JOTAHM (TO HIMSELF)A bloody one.

DECEMBERHoly shit, Jotham, I need anexplanation, that was weird.

JOTHAMStraight up? I went for a walk inthe woods and found a tribe ofhomeless people praying to mymovie.

DECEMBER keeps driving. DECEMBER does not look like shebelieves JOTHAM, and is even annoyed by him saying this.

DECEMBER (EXASPERATED)Just, go on.

JOTHAMTrust me, Im trying as hard as Ican not to believe it, so you canrest assured, its the truth.

DECEMBER (TIRED)Kay.

JOTHAMYou just dont know! Thats thething! Ive been going there forweeks, and I fucking established arelationship with these people,like Im their friend, or even, oreven their master, or something.

(CONTINUED)


57/79

CONTINUED: 56.

DECEMBERUuuuh.

JOTHAMI mean I HAVE cut my ties with themalready, why cant it just be easy

now...Look Im not blaming you foranything but you kinda said myfirst name back there.

They sit at a red light.

DECEMBERThey dont know your name?

JOTHAMOnly my stage name.

DECEMBER

...Explain this again to me?

JOTHAMHomeless people, some of themscary, watch my movie and creamthemselves over it, like its theirfucking idol or something.

DECEMBERIdol...

JOTHAMTrust me, Im at least ONE of their

idols, and when he hears Im nottruly like them, AND I justscreamed into MARSHAs face...

JOTHAM trails off, thinking to himself. MARSHA drivesforwards, jostling JOTHAMs head. He comes back to reality.

JOTHAMWell I just dont know. Im alreadysleeping with a bat in my hands, Iguess Ill just keep doing that.

DECEMBERWhat you need to do is get a lot ofrest tonight- everything is fine.Im sure youve over exaggerated atleast some what...but,

JOTHAMBut what?

(CONTINUED)


58/79

CONTINUED: 57.

DECEMBERWell, its not like I didnt seehow Marsha acted back there. Andyou, good god. Ive never seen youso freaked.

CUT TO

DECEMBER parks outside JOTHAMs house.

DECEMBERAlright, get along little doggy.And dont worry.

DECEMBER goes out to rub JOTHAMs arm. JOTHAM is nervous andapprehensive.

DECEMBERJust chill out, chill out. Its all

good, take a sleeping pill.

JOTHAMOh...okay.

DECEMBER takes her hand away, and her smile grows extralarge for a moment, flashing JOTHAM her teeth. He leans infor a kiss during this. DECEMBER pushes him off her.

DECEMBERWhoa! I dont think so!

JOTHAM

But I- Damn dude.

DECEMBERWhatever signal I sent, I didntsend it, I mean cmon,I told you totake a sleeping pill.

JOTHAMHey! Be straight for once, are youeven interested in me?

DECEMBERWhat?....Well, I mean, yeah, kinda.Your alright and everything, but...

JOTHAMBut what?

DECEMBERIts just...Your really funny andnice sometimes but I could never

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


59/79

CONTINUED: 58.

DECEMBER (contd)

take you seriously. Youreentertaining to be around and youget a good joke in now and againbut...I just have men I could beseeing.

JOTHAM falls back into his chair, now stressed aboutsomething else. DECEMBER is a little embarrassed, andawkward about JOTHAM still being in the car.

DECEMBER...So yeah, you wanna get out ofthe car?

JOTHAM (WITH HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS)How likely is it that Ive reallymade a mess of things this time?

DECEMBERMore than usual?

JOTHAM looks up from his hands at DECEMBER.

DECEMBERLook, Jotham...Since youre soscared tonight...Why dont you comesleep at my place?

JOTHAM...Really? Y-you mean it?

DECEMBERYeah, yeah, yeah.

DECEMBER takes off from the curb and starts driving away.

EXT. JOTHAMS HOUSE - NIGHT

A POV shot of someone climbing over a fence in a backyard,and then creeping over another fence into JOTHAMs backyard.The shot creeps up behind a window, watching PHIL play videogames in the living room. A hand reaches up and taps on thewindow.

INSIDE, PHIL is startled by the sound of tapping. He pausesthe game and steps outside. No one is around. His phonerings inside the house, he steps back to the phone andleaves the door open. Phil picks up the phone in thekitchen.

(CONTINUED)


60/79

CONTINUED: 59.

PHILHello.

JOTHAM (O.S)Hey Phil its Joth. You gonna be athome tonight?

PHILUh, yeah.

CUT TO

JOTHAM is jumping lightly on DECEMBERs bed while on thephone with PHIL.

JOTHAMOkay sweet, Im not coming hometonight so you gotta take out thegarbage.

PHILAh, dude, are you serious? Thatsnot even my job-

JOTHAM (O.S)Ey ey ey, I dont hear nothing likethat right now.

JOTHAM is now standing on DECEMBERs bed with his hand onhis hips.

JOTHAM

Im in a really good place rightnow, and I just dont want to bedisturbed. Im going to enjoy thisnight-

DECEMBER walks into the room in the background, carryingfast food.

JOTHAM-and youre going to take thegarbage out.

DECEMBERGet off my bed!

JOTHAM (TO DECEMBER, QUIETLY)Oh, yeah sure.

PHIL (O.S)Wait who was that?

(CONTINUED)


61/79

CONTINUED: 60.

JOTHAMNo one, take out the garbage.

PHILThat was DECEMBER.

JOTHAM hangs the phone up. He turns around to DECEMBER who

is laying out some fast food on the bed.

DECEMBEREat up.

JOTHAMPfft, hell yeah I will.

CUT TO

PHIL is eyeing his phone, confused.

PHIL

...Hes out with December? Hoh boy.

PHIL puts the phone down and returns to the couch.

He sits down and starts playing the video game.

The Cameras shot gradually pans to encapsulate both PHILsface and BERNYs legs, leaning off a or stool behind PHIL,out of focus. The tension holds for a moment, as the blurredimage of BERNY is hunched over, his hands clasped together,staring at the TV screen.

BERNYIve never seen anything like thisin my life.

PHIL gasps and freezes in fear, and his hands cramp up.

The shot has refocused, now PHIL is blurred out and BERNY,wearing a mask, is in focus.

He is indeed lurching over, his elbows on his knees, hiseyes look worn out and tired. He seems melancholy, and isinterested in PHILs game, almost like a trance.

BERNYKeep playing. Dont mind me.

PHILUh...Sure.

The sound of his game controller making clacking soundscontinues. BERNY nods his head, very solemnly, veryseriously, and also, in a way, accepting.

(CONTINUED)


62/79

CONTINUED: 61.

BERNYIve never seen anything like thisbefore.

CUT TO

A side shot of PHILs face, in focus, of course. He isclearly very nervous.

PHIL...Modern Warfare?

CUT TO

BERNY, watching the game.

BERNYA home with family pictures. Allthese...chairs. A fire place,

probably never used...This gameyoure playing. Does Jotham playsuch games?

PHILUuuh...Maybe. I really dont know.He used to I think.

BERNYHe had so much fun, didnt he?

BERNY looks at a photo of JOTHAM as a child, playing with adog. PHILs clacking and fingering on the game pad slowly

come to a hault. PHIL is again too frozen with fear to playthe game.

BERNYKeep playing.

PHIL cant, he is panicking under his skin.

BERNYGo on.

PHIL launches up out of the sofa and dashes for the frontdoor. BERNY grabs onto the nearby stool or chair and throwsit at PHIL, while sitting down. PHIL takes the hit and fallsto the ground.

BERNYReally, I didnt want to hurt you.I only came here to look around.Just to marvel.

(CONTINUED)


63/79

CONTINUED: 62.

PHILPlease dont hurt me

BERNYIs anyone else home?

PHILNo!

BERNYOkay then...Im going up toJothams room now.

PHILHes not, hes not home.

BERNYYes, but his unfinished scriptsare.

PHIL...Whaaat? Sst, ow.

BERNYI really am sorry about thebruising Im leaving you with,but...

BERNY appears very honest.

BERNYWhen I hit you just now...It was an

act of gratitude.

PHIL still looks really confused by what BERNY is saying.BERNY stands up and walks quickly towards and up the stairs.Once PHIL sees BERNY leave his sight, he immediately callssomeone on the phone.

BERNY scurries into JOTHAMS room and begins pilferingthrough his closet, looking at clothes, rapidly trying tofind something of interest. Every once in a while staring acertain shirt or toy for a moment, and then dropping it andcontinuing to look for something to read before cops showup.

SUE (O.S)Yeah, here he is.

BERNY is now the one frozen, he cocks his head up.

(CONTINUED)


64/79

CONTINUED: 63.

BERNYIs that JOTHAMs sister I hear?

SUE (O.S)His Mother.

BERNY (AFFIRMATIVELY)Mmmm.

BERNY turns around to see SUE on the phone and holding aknife.

SUEWhat the hell do you want with myson?

BERNY pauses for a moment, then runs and jumps out thewindow, lands in a bush, and then neighborhood dogs andpeople begin making lots of noise.

BERNY gets himself off the ground and quickly limps off intothe forest.

INT DECEMBERS LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

JOTHAM is sitting up with one of the kitchen knives watchingthe DISNEY channel, very intently. It goes to a commercialand a very tame, but still spooky commercial comes on.

TV NARRATORWho is that creeeepy ghost, lurkingin the dark?

TV GHOST (SILLY)Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo-waaa, its me! Thefriendly ghost boy!

JOTHAM (WHIMPERING AND AFRAID TO BESILLY AND ENTERTAIN HIMSELF)

Too scaaaary!

He flips the channel as it goes to really boring news.

JOTHAM (IMPERSONATING A STUFFY NEWSANCHOR)

Ah, bah bah bah, in other news, abillion people died today.

He flips the channel and accidently turns it off.

JOTHAMAh, shit.

(CONTINUED)


65/79

CONTINUED: 64.

JOTHAM stares into the TV, and then his cell phone startsvibrating. He picks it up, nervously.

JOTHAMYeah?

SUEJoth, its your Mother.

JOTHAMYeah okay, whats up?

SUESomeone broke into our housetonight, Joth.

JOTHAMWhat?

SUEHe threw a chair at your brothersback and jumped out your window,and took off like a crazy person.

JOTHAMWhat the fuck...Who was he?

SUEJoth, he said he came in because hewanted to read your movie scripts.

JOTHAM

...

SUEYou there?

JOTHAMUh, yeah.

SUEHe came into the house and wantedto read your movie scripts, Jotham!What is that?

JOTHAMIll be right over!

JOTHAM hangs up the phone and runs out to the front door.Theres nothing for him to do here. JOTHAM barges intoDECEMBERs room and shakes her awake.

(CONTINUED)


66/79

CONTINUED: 65.

JOTHAMWe gotta drive we gotta drive wegotta drive!

JOTHAM and DECEMBER are in the car driving, JOTHAM hops outwhile they are still moving.

JOTHAMClose enough!

DECEMBERHey!

JOTHAM runs from the street into his house. Inside are acouple cops around PHIL with a blanket on the sofa. SUE isstanding there talking with cops. JOTHAM runs into the room.Nothing is said.

LATER ON, the cops are speaking to JOTHAM directly, and suecloses the door behind them.

OFFICERYou say his name is Berny, whatshis last name?

JOTHAMI dont know.

OFFICERBut you know this man?

JOTHAMWell, yeah, I know him. I gave himsoup at the sou

She is currently very TIRED. She walks back to the tablewith JOTHAM and PHIL and sits down. They all appearDISTRESSED or ANXIOUS.

SUEWell, can you blame them?

JOTHAMSure I can.

SUEThat story is...its just a littlebit far fetched, honey.

JOTHAMYes, of course it is...Phil, whatdo you think?

PHIL looks over.

(CONTINUED)


67/79

CONTINUED: 66.

PHIL...About the movie cult?

JOTHAMYes.

PHIL...I dunno.

JOTHAMGreat. Well, I dunno, either.

JOTHAM bends his head down between his knees. He rattles hishead around, much to the comedic disturbance of PHIL andSUE. He jerks his head up, his hair is very messy.

JOTHAMYa know what. I do know a littlebit. I know that Im sorry, Im

more sorry than Ive ever been inmy life. I caused a man to comeinto our home and beat up mybrother and scare my mother, andand, wreck the fucking chair,damnit! Im just so sorry, but Imtoo much of a snob to say itbefore. But goddamnit, Im just asorry son of a bitch, I guess iswhat I am.

JOTHAM contemplates what he has just said, and then standsup and walks outside. He calls DECEMBER on the phone.

DECEMBER (O.S)Uh, hello? Do you need another rideor something?

JOTHAMYes, December. And your tripod.Were gonna make a movie.

INT JOTHAMS ROOM - DAY LIGHT

Tense atmospheric music is playing. JOTHAM is lurched overhis computer typing away at a rapid pace. BEHIND him,DECEMBER and PHIL open the door and STAND in the DOORWAY.

PHILHey, Joth, you done with thescript?

(CONTINUED)


68/79

CONTINUED: 67.

JOTHAM (ENERGIZED)No, but Im ready to startshooting!

He clamps shut his lap top.

CUT TO

EXT FOREST - DAY

We see JOTHAM circling around DECEMBER and PHIL as he FILMSthem FIGHTING in costume.

JOTHAMGood! Good! Really capture thedesperation in youre supposed tofeel, Phil! Yeah, that a boy!

INT SUPER MARKET - DAY

DECEMBER peruses the aisles of a SUPER MARKET, when acostumed MONSTER HAND sticks out from behind the cans of dogfood and GRABS DECEMBERs WRIST. DECEMBERs expression isone of UTTER TERROR and she drops to her knees screaming.JOTHAM rallies her on in the background, much to the dismayof other customers and employees.

JOTHAMYes! Yes! Perfect! Oh my god,perfect!

EMPLOYEE

Get out.

JOTHAM (IGNORING THE EMPLOYEE)Yeah just one more shot, just onemore shot.

INT JOTHAMS LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

JOTHAM is staying up late, editing the film on his laptop inthe living room, the same room where PHIL was attacked.JOTHAMs eyes dart around the computer screen, when a LIGHTBEEPING goes off behind him in the kitchen. He turns aroundto see a KITCHEN CLOCK sounding off an alarm that is nowindeed MIDNIGHT. JOTHAM turns back forward and peers out thewindow that BERNY entered his house from. The wind blowsoutside, and JOTHAM looks determined as he GULPS some COFFEEdown and returns to editing his movie.


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68.

INT JOTHAMS LIVING ROOM - DAY

The music begins to die down as JOTHAMs mother enters thekitchen that same morning and pours some coffee, and thenpeers over to find JOTHAM asleep at his computer. She skirtsoff and returns with a BLANKET. She gently lays it across

JOTHAMs shoulders, but even from this very light touch,JOTHAM jerks awake.

JOTHAMHI-UH, WHAT, WHOA. WHAT? Okay,movie movie movie movie.

JOTHAM, without thinking about it, wads up the blanket fromhis mother and tosses it across the room, and then grabs hisMothers coffee and begins drinking it as he works on hisediting. She looks a little taken back, but then appearscompassionate all the same.

SUEHoney? Hows the movie coming along?

JOTHAMIt should be done in a few hours.Do me a favor and call my friendsover, would you?

SUEOh...alright then.

CUT TO

A SINGLE SHOT OF A BLANK DVD BEING EJECTED FROM JOTHAMSLAPTOP.

PHIL and JOEY follow into the room behind JOTHAM.

PHILDude, is the movie done thatquickly?

JOTHAMThats right. I didnt think Icould work that fast, either, buthere we are.

JOEYIs it any good?

JOTHAMUuh, well...Look, its not SUPPOSEDto be good.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 69.

PHILJotham, Im sure well love it.

As Phil says this he approaches JOTHAM and lays a hand onhis shoulder.

JOEY

If you know what he means.

JOTHAMThanks, Phil. Im sorry I got youinto this mess, but...maybe thistime I can fix it.

PHILAnd if not, just remember, Imgoing to tell the cops youendangered me by keeping thiscreepy secret about a film cult forso long.

JOTHAM...Yeah.

INT FOREST - NIGHT

BERNY trots through the forest, alone, with both hands onhis briefcase. He looks aggravated. He comes to the clearingin the woods where he holds his movie showings. He sets hisbriefcase down with a sigh and looks over the area, solemnlynow. There is the sound of bristling, and Berny looks overat it.

BERNYHello? Is that you, Marsha,Maurice?

A dog emerges from the bushes, and then runs off again.BERNY laments, as he opens the brief case and prepares themovie projector and screen inside.

BERNYPoor thing, I must have scared itoff. I suppose it makes nodifference, I have nothing to feed

it. Itd just die sooner and slowerif it tagged along with me, like myclothes. As soon as I wearsomething, it looks as though Ivedragged it through the dark.

He stops what hes doing and shakes his head, hes just madea FREUDIAN SLIP.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 70.

BERNYDirt. (NOW WHISPERING) I meantdirt. (BACK TO NORMAL VOLUME) Haha,aaah. But maybe did I drag themthrough the dark as well.

CUT TO

EXT FOREST - NIGHT

JOTHAM,

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