c - as the romans do ep5

8/9/2019 C - As the Romans Do Ep5

1/30

INT. RONNY'S BEDROOM - MORNING

Barely any light coming in from the sunrise.

Ronny slowly awakens, his eyes bloodshot. He gets up andchecks himself in the mirror.

RONNYUgh, god.

He yawns and runs his hands through his hair.

RONNY (CONT'D)Good as new.

INT. APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER

Ronny enters the main room, opens the fridge, rummagesthrough, and closes it.

RONNYOf course.

He takes his keys from his pocket, grabs his coat from therack, and exits.

EXT. SIDEWALK - MORNING

Empty sidewalks and streets--no pedestrians, no cars, notrain traffic. The sun is just barely up--the sky is a deeporange-red.

Ronny strides down the sidewalk, half-consciously gazing at

the ground in front of him.

INT. MINI MARKET - MOMENTS LATER

Ronny grabs a jug of tea and a bag of bagels from the shelves.

He approaches the counter--nobody behind it. No othercustomers browse or queue behind him. Ronny gazes at thecigarette packs on the wall behind the counter.

RING--the bell on the door buzzes and Ronny snaps out of hisdaze.

RONNYHello?

He looks over to the door--nobody.

RONNY (CONT'D)Anybody around here? Hello? Payingcustomer, kinda famous.

(MORE)


2/30

2.

RONNY (CONT'D)(under breath)

On TV, anyway.

He yawns.

Beat.

He looks around again, confused.

RONNY (CONT'D)Seriously? What the hell!

He puts the jug on the counter and digs into his pocket.

RONNY (CONT'D)Don't even care anymore.

(beat)Jug of tea and a half dozen bagels.

He tosses a crumpled up five onto the counter, grabs the jugand heads for the door.

RONNY (CONT'D)Keep the change, for the excellentservice.

INT. APARTMENT - MORNING

Ronny enters, drops the tea and bagels on the kitchen counter,and tosses his coat onto the couch. He yawns, shakes hishead and smacks his face.

RONNYWake up.

He rubs his eyes thoroughly, opens--

Laurence sits comfortably on the couch.

RONNY (CONT'D)Whoa. Where'd you come from?

LAURENCEWhat?

RONNYWere you there?

LAURENCEWhat are you talking about?

RONNYHow long have you been sitting there?


3/30

3.

LAURENCEI don't know.

RONNYDid you see me come in? Toss mycoat onto the couch?

LAURENCESure.

RONNY(beat)

Right.

He opens a cabinet and reaches up to get a glass.

He closes it and turns back--Laurence is gone.

Ronny drops the glass and it shatters.

RONNY (CONT'D)Shit!

(beat)Laurence. Knock it off, I'm not inthe mood for this. And I just brokea glass, I'm sure you heard that.

He looks around.

RONNY (CONT'D)Laurence?

He slowly moves his hand along the counter towards the knife

block--jerks his hand away.

RONNY (CONT'D)No, okay, no. This is a dream.Wake up, this is a dream. Wake up,wake up, wake up--

A hand appears and smacks his face.

SMASH CUT TO:


Laurence gently slaps Ronny, asleep in bed.

LAURENCEWake up!

Ronny jolts awake.

RONNYWhat? What?


4/30

4.

LAURENCEYou gotta move your car.

RONNYYeah. Okay. Yeah.

Laurence heads for the door.

LAURENCEGood morning, by the way. Finallyget to sleep?

RONNYAbout an hour.

LAURENCEWell that's good.

Ronny looks at him, "really?"

LAURENCE (CONT'D)It's something. I really wish you'dgo to the doctor.

RONNYI don't wanna take pills.

LAURENCECan't argue that logic, I guess.

RONNYNo you can't. Keys?

Laurence tosses him the keys--he whiffs and they crash intothe wall.

LAURENCENice catch, DeSean.

RONNYYou making breakfast?

LAURENCEYeah, you want any?

RONNYJust a bagel.

LAURENCECan do.

Laurence exits. Ronny gets up and checks himself in themirror--his eyes are still bloodshot.


5/30

5.

He grabs a bottle of drops from the dresser and applies themas he heads to the door.

INT. KITCHEN - LATER

Ronny enters, puts his coat on a chair and sits at the table.Laurence works at the stove.

Ronny yawns loudly.

RONNY(yawning)

Jesus! I hate sleep.

LAURENCEHave you tried sleeping pills?

RONNYI just told you, no.

LAURENCEWhy not?

RONNYActors and sleeping pills...it'slike having cigarettes around whenyou're trying to quit. Bad idea.

LAURENCEThat's a shame. Do you think you'llever get back to sleep on a regularschedule?

RONNYWe'll see. This movie's on a realwonky schedule--oh god! Damn it!Call isn't even until four!

LAURENCEThen go to sleep.

RONNYI wish it were that easy.

LAURENCE

Drink some coffee.

RONNYNah, I think I'll just wait til callto have some. That way it's free.

LAURENCENo, drink some coffee.


6/30

6.

RONNYI'm...good.

Laurence grabs the coffee pot from the machine, pours a mug,and holds it out in front of Ronny.

LAURENCE

Here, have some. It'll be good foryou. It's a new roast.

Ronny stares confusedly at him.

RONNYUh...yeah, I'm good. Thanks though.

LAURENCEYou should have some. You'll betired otherwise. Here. Drink somecoffee.

RONNYWhat is your deal? I don't wantcoffee. Put it back.

Laurence glares at him and takes a sip from the mug.

LAURENCEUgh, gross, nevermind, you were right,this shit is nasty. Ach.

He pours it into the sink and returns to the stove.

RONNY

So what're you thinking for trickytreats tonight?

LAURENCENo.

RONNYWasn't a yes or no question.

LAURENCESorry; I don't want to do trickytreats tonight. It was a mess all

four years of college and I'm not inany mood to deal with hosting it.

RONNYOh come on, not fair! You loved itevery time, regardless of whathappened.


7/30

7.

LAURENCEYeah, when I was a college student Iwas into it, now I'm--

RONNYAn unemployed accountant?

Laurence shoots him a look.

RONNY (CONT'D)Are you...not?

LAURENCEOlder. And I don't wanna party everyweekend like we used to.

RONNYWho are you and what have you donewith the real Laurence? Halloweenis ournight! We had the best times!

LAURENCEAnd it's timeto put it to rest.We're in my apartment--

RONNYOf which I'm paying for half.

Laurence slams his fist on the counter and turns to Ronny,pointing the spatula at him menacingly.

LAURENCEThat's twice in one sitting. One

more and I'm throwing this pan ofeggs in your face.

RONNYThat'd be unpleasant.

LAURENCEI know how much you hate runny eggs.

RONNYMy only weakness...bastard.

LAURENCENice read, DiCaprio.

RONNYI should hope so, those reads arepaying the b--

They lock eyes in an intense stare down.


8/30

8.

RONNY (CONT'D)(weak)

Nevermind...

The bagel in the toaster pops up.

LAURENCE

Smear your own bagel, dickhead.

He turns back to the stove.

Ronny raises his index finger and goes to say something butstops himself. He gets up and grabs the bagel from thetoaster.

RONNYThink I'm just gonna lay in bed fora bit. Get my lines down.

Ronny edges out of the room, glancing at Laurence's back.

He looks down and shakes his head.

CUT TO:

INT. RONNY'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER

He plops down on his bed, puts the plate on his belly, andruns his hands through his hair. He rests his face in hishand, closes his eyes, and holds back tears.

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. DIFFERENT BEDROOM - NIGHT

BUZZER. Ronny jolts awake. A book falls off his chest ontothe floor.

He rubs his eyes and yawns. BUZZER.

He gets up, stretches his neck, heads for the door, stops--he gazes into the mirror in the corner and backs through thedoor.

INT. DIFFERENT APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

Single room, kitchen-living room combo with the kitchencounter separating the two.

Ronny exits the back hallway, stops at the front door andpresses a button on the intercom.

RONNYWho is it? Hello, can you hear me?

He knocks the intercom box--it rattles a bit.


9/30

9.

RONNY (CONT'D)Great.

From upstairs--creaky FOOTSTEPS followed by a door CLOSINGand LOCKING.

Ronny looks up, confused. BUZZER--Ronny snaps to attention,

angrily opens the front door, and heads down the stairwell.

INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS

BUZZER. Ronny hurries to the door.

RONNYKnock it off with the buzzer!

He leans in close to the door, quietly locking the deadbolt.

RONNY (CONT'D)Who is it?

Silence.

RONNY (CONT'D)Hello? Who's there?

From upstairs--the apartment door CREAKS and SLAMS shut.

Ronny flinches and starts toward the stairs, craning to seethe door--

BUZZER--Ronny jumps, recomposes, and stomps for the door.

He unlocks the door and whips it open--an old PRIEST with aglass eye stands there, gazing forward blankly. He pressesthe buzzer again.

RONNY (CONT'D)(bitter)

Can I help you?

No response. He hits the buzzer again, face expressionless.

Ronny grabs his hand--his blank stare instantaneously morphsinto a sneer at Ronny.

RONNY (CONT'D)(startled)

Jesus--

PRIESTHelp you? There's no helping you.


10/30

10.

RONNYI'm glad you woke me up at this hourto tell me this. Will that be all?

PRIESTIt'll come for you too.

RONNYWell, let it come if it wants, mywindows have bars and my doors havelocks. All good.

PRIESTYou don't seem to understand theimportance of what I'm telling you.

RONNYYou don't seem to understand that Iwas sleeping. I don't know whatmental hospital you broke out of,

and quite frankly I don't care.Leave.

PRIESTYou would willingly incur the wrathof Satan?

RONNYYou would willingly incur the wrathof my fist in your throat if youdon't leave.

PRIEST

This will be the night you are sentto the eternal flame, Roman. We'vealready taken your brother.

RONNY(spooked)

What? What?

From upstairs--an abnormally loud STOMP.

Ronny flinches and looks up--

An unseen force hits him in the chest and he falls back ontohis ass. The door slams shut and locks on its own.

His breathing speeds up. He stares at the door, dumbfounded.BUZZER.

He rubs his face with quivering hands, stumbles to his feetand scurries up the stairs, the lights on the wall turningoff as he goes.


11/30

11.

RONNY (CONT'D)Wake up, wake up. None of this isreal, wake up.

INT. DIFFERENT APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

Ronny throws the door open, falls through the door and kicks

it closed. He jumps to his feet and locks it.

He runs to the windows and pulls down the blinds. He runsto the balcony door, locks it, and draws the curtain--as itcloses, a silhouetted figure appears through it.

He gasps loudly and covers his mouth. He runs for the hallwayand grabs a knife off the counter on his way.

INT. DIFFERENT BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Ronny hurries through the door, closes and locks it, presseshis back to it, and slumps down to the floor. His hand

trembles from gripping the knife.

The closet door inches open. He gawks at it as his eyes,bloodshot, tear up.

RONNY(weak)

No...no...please no...

He clenches his jaw, scrambles to his feet, runs at the closetdoor, and yanks it open, knife above his head--

Laurence, burnt to a crisp, appears there. He reaches out

at Ronny before crumbling into ash.

Ronny screams, throws the knife, and falls to the floor.

DIRECTOR (O.S.)Cut! Cut! Jesus Christ!

An ASSISTANT DIRECTOR approaches him.

ASSISTANT DIRECTORWhoa, whoa, hey now, Ronny! Hey,you alright?

Ronny, in shock, looks around--film set lights adorn theroom and a camera on a tripod, backed by a CAM OP, a DIRECTOR,and a SCRIPT SUPERVISOR, blocks the doorway. A few PRODUCTIONASSISTANTS peek in.

RONNY(stammering)

I saw it, it--he--I saw it!


12/30

12.

ASSISTANT DIRECTORIt's okay, it's okay, that was agreat take, we all saw it! Reallyamazing. We got a lot of good stuffthere, our editors are gonna loveit.

RONNY(panting)What?

She helps him to his feet.

ASSISTANT DIRECTORSo we're gonna need to run throughscene three shot A again, that'sfrom the top of page thirty eight.You need a script?

Ronny gawks at the closet.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONT'D)Okay, we have a few more minutesuntil dinner, do you wanna just callit early?

Ronny nods.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONT'D)(yelling)

Alright, that's dinner! Scene three-A take two when we get back!

She turns back to Ronny.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONT'D)Why don't you get some sleep duringthe break, you look like you coulduse it. Try the set bed, it's prettycomfy.

RONNYI think I might, thanks.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Just mind the stains, I had to firetwo PAs I caught having sex on it.

She walks away. Ronny looks at the bed, disgusted.

RONNYWould've been nice to know thatearlier.


13/30

13.

INT. DIFFERENT APARTMENT - LATER

Ronny sits on the couch, eating from a plate on the coffeetable with one hand and holding a script with the other.

VOICE (O.S.)Oh my god, Ronny Roman.

Ronny looks up from his plate, confused. He turns to thevoice--

A woman, mid 30s, LEA, wearing mental asylum garb comes aroundto Ronny's front and sits on an ottoman across the coffeetable.

RONNY(through food)

How do you do--(swallows food)

Hi, yeah, I'm Ronny Roman...who are

you? How'd you get in here?

LEARonny...you don't recognize me?

He shakes his head no.

She leans in close, he responds in kind with wide eyes. Heslips his hand off the table, gripping the plastic knife.

LEA (CONT'D)Ronny, I know where your father is.

He drops his script and adjusts his sitting position.

RONNYOkay, I wanna know who the hell youare.

LEAMy name is Lea, your father is inthe same place I came from.

RONNYOkay.

He rubs his face and takes a deep breath, recomposing himself.

RONNY (CONT'D)What's his name?

LEAI don't know.


14/30

14.

RONNYUh-huh. And what mental hospitaldid you break out of?

LEAIt's not a hospital. They won't letus leave. I'm lucky I got out to

talk to you.

RONNYLucky the security guard dozed offand you found an unlocked door?

LEA(crying)

It's horrible, they take us downinto the basement and do awful things.They torture us. They cut out partof our brains!

RONNYThe government?

LEANo, the doctors.

He picks up the script and flips through.

RONNYOf course. I gotta do some reading,please go downstairs so the UPM cando...something about this.

She stands and backs up.

LEAYou don't believe me?

RONNY(rubbing eyes)

No. Please leave. I really don'thave the energy for this right now.

LEA(yelling)

He has a scar on his lip and theyshaved his curly black hair!

RONNYWhat? What? What did you just say?What did--

She runs her hands through her hair and groans in fear--shepulls some locks out.


15/30

15.

LEAOh no, I did it...no, no, oh god,no...

He tosses his script aside, gets up, and approaches her.

RONNY

Lea, whoever you are, you have totell me--where did you come from?Where is my dad?

From downstairs--people CHATTERING and coming up the stairs.

LEANo, they're coming! They're coming!Please, help me! Help us!

RONNYLea, what hospital did you come from!?

She sits down, with her knees to her chest and covers herears, rocking back and forth.

He kneels down.

RONNY (CONT'D)Lea--

She looks up at him, her face crazed and angry.

LEAYou will never get him back!

She shoves him, stands up, and thrusts her palm into hisface. He falls backward--


Ronny, in his bed, jolts awake--he coughs and gasps throughsleep apnea. He recomposes, catches his breath, and sitsup.

Quiet.

He stumbles out of bed, picks up an untouched bagel from the

floor, and heads for the door.

INT. APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

Ronny opens the door--a booming Halloween party occupies theapartment.

RONNYWhoa, whoa, what the hell--


16/30

16.

A MAN in a priest costume parties past him.

Laurence spots him and stomps toward him. Ronny gazes offat nothing, dumbfounded.

LAURENCEYou piece of shit. You despicable,

deplorable, dumbass piece of shit!Why would you do this!? Goddamn it,I have been running your party forhours now while you're catching upon beauty sleep. That's great. Idon't know why but that's it. I'msick of it. I don't give a shit ifyou're not mature enough to takecare of yourself on your own, figureit out. I'm done living with you.Pack your shit, leave before thelast guest does.

Ronny stumbles past him into the living room, full of costumedguests--a mental patient, a burn victim, a zombie, a few menin black. Lea, wearing a revealing dress, winks and blows akiss.

A MAN in an elaborate bagel costume stands up on the couch--

BAGELWho wants some cream cheese!?

The crowd cheers in response.

LAURENCE

Ronny! Wake up!

He jumps and turns back to Laurence.

RONNYI didn't do this.

LAURENCEStop. Just stop. I'm not buying itthis time. I'm not.

RONNY

Laurence, you have to believe me, Ididn't do this. I don't even remember--

Laurence grabs Ronny's head and pushes him against the fridge.Some guests take notice. Ronny struggles to keep his eyesopen.

LAURENCEEnough. I just want to live alone.

(MORE)


17/30

17.

LAURENCE (CONT'D)You're like a goddamn tornado, justcoming through and destroying anythingyou feel like. I was happy to beaway from you. I was finally donewith you. I was ready to start anew chapter of my life, I had a

fiancee! But the second you comeinto it, everything falls apart.I'm done.

RONNYWhat? Laurence...I love you.

BUZZER. Ronny flinches--

The priest with the glass eye replaces Laurence.

PRIESTYour time has come.

Ronny's eyes widen and his breathing speeds up--he slams hishead against the fridge door and falls to the floor.

Laurence takes his hands off and backs away--the crowd formsaround Ronny.

RONNYNO!

Ronny screams in a tantrum.

RONNY (CONT'D)

I don't wanna go! I don't wanna go!I want it to stop! Make it stop!

BUZZER. Ronny screams and presses his face into the floor,covering his ears.

Silence.

Laurence gawks at him. Cedge pushes through the crowd--

CEDGERonny? What's the problem? Ronny!

He hurries toward Ronny--Ronny yells and swats him away.Cedge backs up, hands up. He turns to Laurence.

CEDGE (CONT'D)(aside)

What'd he do?

Laurence shakes his head.


18/30

18.

LAURENCEI don't know!

Ronny curls into the fetal position and whispers inaudiblyto himself.

LAURENCE (CONT'D)

I'm calling the cops.

CEDGENo! You call the cops if you wanttrouble.

LAURENCEWhat else are we supposed to do!?

A few guests quietly leave. One emerges to the front of thecrowd, recording on his phone.

LAURENCE (CONT'D)

Are you shitting me!?

Cedge approaches him menacingly--he steps back, stillrecording.

Cedge grabs the phone from him and spikes it at the wall.

GUESTWhat the hell, bro!

He steps back and shoves Cedge. Cedge shoves him back andpins him against the wall.

CEDGEDo not try it. I will stab you, Iwill not hesitate.

LAURENCEEverybody out. Everyone, get out.

Laurence and Cedge corral the crowd toward the door.

Ronny looks up--everyone is gone except the priest.

PRIEST

Isn't that better? Nice and quiet,plenty of room to sleep.(beat)

It can be like this. Come over here.

Ronny gets up, rubs his eyes, and slowly approaches the priestin the corner of the room. The priest holds out his hand.Ronny takes hold of it--

The priest runs his hand over Ronny's arm.


19/30

19.

One of the GUESTS in the crowd being pushed toward the door,points and screams.

Laurence turns--Ronny digs a pen into his wrist.

LAURENCENO!

Laurence bounds toward Ronny--blood spurts from his wrist.

LAURENCE (CONT'D)Ronny!

CUT TO:

INT. ASYLUM - DAY

Ronny walks slowly down a whited-out hallway, wearing thesame clothes Lea wore. He holds his bandaged wrist.

A NURSE approaches him.

NURSESomething wrong with your bandage?

RONNYNo.

NURSEWell, if you keep holding it likethat, it won't heal properly. Sowhy don't we just--

The nurse reaches for Ronny's bandage and tries to unlatchhis grip. Ronny moves to avoid it.

RONNYNo thanks. No, please, just--stop!Please. I'd prefer to just...keep ahold on it.

NURSEOkay. A group session is startingin the common area, why don't yousit in? I think it'd be a very good

experience.

RONNYWell, no offense, but I'd ratherdie.

Ronny chuckles.


20/30

20.

NURSEYou understand where you are, andwhy that remark worries me?

RONNYYes, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that.The drugs areworking. Not the first

time I've said that, believe it ornot.

He chuckles. The nurse checks her tablet.

NURSEWhat did you say your name was?

RONNYI'm--Ronny Roman, I'm an actor. I'mkinda famous. On TV.

NURSE

I'm sure you are. Please, the groupsession is just down the hall.

RONNYRight. Thank you.

The nurse steps into an office and closes the door. Ronnysneers after her and walks along the empty hallway--it seemsto stretch off into infinity.

RONNY (CONT'D)Oh shut up, I'm not buying it.

VOICE (O.S.)Buying what?

Ronny turns his head--the hallway is now

INT. COMMON AREA - DAY

The voice comes from a DOCTOR running a group session withseveral patients. They all stare at him.

Ronny scoffs.

RONNYHah. Real cute.

DOCTORWould you like to join us?

RONNYSure wouldn't.


21/30

21.

DOCTORPlease.

Ronny sighs and glances back down the hallway behind him--itstretches on into infinity.

RONNY

Huh.(turns back)Yeah, sure, I got nowhere to be.

DOCTORExcellent.

He takes a seat in the circle. The other patients stillstare at him.

RONNYMy name is Ronny Roman and I'm analcoholic.

He chuckles. No reply from the group.

RONNY (CONT'D)No, really though, I have no cluewhat I'm doing here, I've been losingpieces of memory for a few weeksnow. Losing sleep, too.

DOCTORAnd, from what I understand, you'vebeen suffering audiovisualhallucinations. How are those going?

RONNYWhat do you mean?

DOCTORAre you seeing, hearing anythingthat's not there?

Ronny glances around--the room has partially turned into anupscale doctor's office.

RONNY

Not where?

The room returns to normal.

DOCTORHas the medication been working?

RONNYGives a nice mellow.

(MORE)


22/30

22.

RONNY (CONT'D)And I don't mind it completely killingmy appetite, I need to lose someweight anyway.

DOCTORYou've been losing weight?

RONNYI haven't eaten anything in...mustbe a few months now. How long haveI been here?

DOCTORLet's talk about your father.

RONNYNo...no. Let's not.

DOCTOR

He's part of the reason you're here,isn't he?

RONNYMy father's dead, been dead for twoyears and five months...plus howeverlong I've been here.

DOCTORYou mentioned your father on the wayin here. Do you know what happenedto him?

RONNYYeah, aneurysm.

DOCTORIt wasn't an aneurysm.

RONNYShut up. How is he a reason I'mhere?

(beat)Where is here, exactly? And Ishouldn't have to ask you again, how

long have I been here?

DOCTORRonny, I need you to relax.

Ronny gets up and starts for the hallway--there is none.The room has no exits.


23/30

23.

RONNYGod, you guys are good! This somekind of prank? What kind of mysteryplayhouse did you conjure up after Iblacked out?

He runs to the window.

RONNY (CONT'D)Nice windows. Whaddya got, like aone-K and a video screen five feetaway so I don't get suspicious?Huh?

He punches the window, still holding his bandaged wrist.

RONNY (CONT'D)Real funny, when's Ashton Kutchergonna come out and gimme a hug tellingme it was all a joke, huh? Come on

out, Ashton!

DOCTORAshton Kutcher isn't here.

RONNYY'know what, I bet you this much, Icould take him in a fight. Believeme on that. I met him at a club inSoHo and that dude's a jackass. Icould knock him on his ass. But youdon't believe me. I'm probablyinsane. And, how's this, I think I

wanna eat. I'm hungry. Voracious,doc. Got any food? What's that inyour brown bag, huh?

Ronny runs over to the doctor and grabs the brown bag frombeside his chair. He tears it open and grabs a bagel frominside it.

RONNY (CONT'D)Mm, bagel, what's on it? Bit ofcream cheese? Maybe I could getsome iced tea to go with it--

FLASH TO:

INT. MINI MARKET - MORNING (FLASHBACK)

Ronny stands in the market, wearing a jacket. He holds hisunscathed wrist in one hand and a bagel in the other.

He drops the bagel on the counter and stumbles backward.


24/30

24.

RONNYNo, no, wait--which one is real!?

(yelling)Hey! Hey, anybody awake!? Somebody!

He runs to the back counter--the kitchen behind it is empty.He turns to the bathroom door, throws it open, and runs

through it.


Ronny hurries through the door and closes it behind him--hefreezes and looks around.

RONNYNow you're cooking! Bring mesomewhere interesting!

He wheezes out a laugh, turns around, and hurries throughthe door.

INT. DIFFERENT APARTMENT - NIGHT

Ronny slams into the wall of the hallway and stops. He turnsaround to face the door--it's still Ronny's bedroom.

He holds out his hand, partially through the doorway.

RONNYArchitectural impossibility.

He looks up.

RONNY (CONT'D)(yelling)

You're getting sloppy!

He rounds the corner into the stairwell--

INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS

He bounds down the stairs, runs to the front door, opens it--it's a mirror of the stairwell he's in.

RONNY

Trap? No.

He runs through, slams the door behind him, and sprints upthe stairs.

INT. APARTMENT - DAY

Cedge, Jen, and Laurence sit on the couch. Ronny bursts inand they jump.


25/30

25.

LAURENCEGood, you're home.

CEDGEProblem?

RONNY

No, just in time. Pack up a bowl, Iwanna smoke.

JENWe were about to go out to grab somebagels.

RONNY(yelling)

What is the deal with bagels!? Idon't get it! I just don't get thesymbolism! What're you trying totell me!?

JENI mean, it doesn't have to bebagels...

LAURENCEYou, uh...feeling alright, buddy?

RONNYNo, no. I'm not here. I'm not here,I'm somewhere else, ostensibly indanger. Not here. Where...

LAURENCEOh, god...Laurence, have you takenyour medication?

RONNYMy medic--

(playing it cool)What medication are you talking about?

LAURENCERonny, did you talk to the doctor?

RONNYWhat doctor? I haven't gone to adoctor in years--

He glances away--Laurence appears standing next to him.

LAURENCEWake up!

BUZZER--Ronny screams in reply.


26/30

26.

Laurence, Cedge, and Jen stare blankly at the TV.

RONNYLemme out! I'm done! I'm finished,just stop! I wanna get off theride!

He throws a headbutt straight at the wall--

CUT TO:

WHITE SPACE

Ronny stumbles forward and recomposes.

RONNYHoly shit, did I just kill myself?

LIZ (O.S.)You couldn't kill yourself if you

tried, don't be vain.

RONNYThat--wait, Liz?

She appears from nowhere and smacks him on the back of thehead. He wheels around to face her.

RONNY (CONT'D)What the hell are you doing here? Ican't talk now, I'm kind of in themiddle of something.

LIZI know. I did it.

RONNYYou? Of course, the honeypot!

LIZNo, I'm just a figment of yourimagination. You dropped some wickedacid.

RONNY

Oh, wow. Seriously? All that stuff--

LIZCreations of your own mind. Theinsomnia and the weed and the Xanaxdidn't help.

RONNYOh, boy. Then what about you?


27/30

27.

LIZManifestation of guilt. Because younever called me back. Seriously,what the hell, bro?

RONNYAhh, right, y'know, I was gonna,

then...

LIZMmhm.

RONNYWhat about the priest? And all thestuff about dad?

LIZLike I'm gonna tell you that? Figureit out yourself. And call me back!

RONNYI'm kind of in this thing, with Jen...

LIZ(beat)

Mmhm.

RONNYSo how do I wake up from this?

LIZSame way you normally do.

Fire appears from thin air and surrounds Ronny.

RONNYThis is not how I normally wakeup...you should tell whatever partof my brain is in control to tonethis down.

CUT TO BLACK.

VOICENobody's in control, Ronny. Not

even you.

CUT TO:

CU RONNY'S FACE

Ronny sleeps with his head under the covers. His breathingis labored and his face is drenched in sweat.

He slowly opens his eyes.


28/30

28.

RONNYJesus.

He throws the covers back--


Dozens of candles adorn the room. The lights are off andthe curtains are drawn.

RONNYWhoa, what--wait, am I awake?

He looks around. Some sweat dribbles into his eye and heblinks it away. He wipes his brow.

RONNY (CONT'D)Hello?

(beat)Probably not.

He gets up and blows out each of the candles. He stops andlooks closer at one of them--it has an unlit joint next toit.

RONNY (CONT'D)Oh, Cedge. Love you, buddy.

He lights the joint on the candle, and finishes extinguishingthe candles.

INT. APARTMENT - MORNING

Laurence and Cedge sleep next to each other on the couch,feet up on the coffee table. The remnants of a cheapHalloween party are littered around the room.

Ronny enters and takes a hit off the joint.

RONNYWho let me fall asleep with all thosecandles lit?

Laurence lazily raises his hand and promptly drops it.

LAURENCEYou said it'd help you sleep.Something about energy fields.

RONNYSounds like something I would dowhile acid.

LAURENCEOh my god, we did acid, too?


29/30

29.

RONNYToo?

LAURENCEWhew!

(beat)How'd you sleep?

RONNYLike a baby, guess it worked.

(beat)Yo, Demi's?

Cedge bolts upright and points at Ronny.

CEDGEYo.

Laurence, eyes still closed, grabs Cedge's shoulder to pullhimself up.

CUT TO:

INT. DEMI'S - MORNING

Laurence, Ronny, and Cedge sit at a booth, each with acheesesteak.

LAURENCEI'm glad we did that last night,thanks for including me.

CEDGE

No thing, man.

RONNYI figure you had some stuff to workout.

LAURENCEI did.

RONNYYeah, I don't say it enough, butthanks. I really appreciate having

you around again.

LAURENCEThanks, man.

Ronny holds back a huge smile and looks down at his food.

RONNYAh, shut up.


30/30

30.

CEDGEOne love to ya other brother.

LAURENCEYeah--uh, we love you too buddy.

Cedge cackles and takes a bite.

c - as the romans do ep5

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