DIAMOND

Written by

Steven Clark

Copyright Phase 4 FilmsWGASC #QA11419

OVER BLACK:

"So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him andkissed him." -- Luke 15:20

FADE IN:

EXT. CAR - DAY1 1

Driving down an open highway, rural and clean, past exit signs and under bridges.

INT. CAR - MOMENTS LATER2 2

Behind the wheel is DOUG MERILL, late twenties, a resigned look upon his face. He rubs his chin, sighs a quiet hmm.

Beside him is KATE, a blonde beauty at matching age. A white box rests on her lap. Shes dressed conservatively. Like a funeral.

She glances over, curious.

KATEWhat?

Doug doesnt answer, saving instead to stare straight ahead.

KATE (CONTD)Doug. What?

A tiny chuckle escapes his lips.

DOUG (V.O.)My dad wasnt your. . . Average guy.

FLASHBACK

INSERT: PHOTOGRAPH

A B&W pic of a man, a woman, and a young boy.

DOUG (V.O.)Thats him. Peter Merill. My mom, Judy, and me.

EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - DAY3 3

Green grass, trimmed trees. A man pushes a lawnmower. A car smooths by. Quiet. Norman Rockwell would spit.

DOUG (V.O.)This was my neighborhood.

CUT IN: HOUSE

A modest two-story job.

DOUG (V.O.)This was my house.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY4 4

JUDY (40), pajamas, hair up, kneads dough on a countertop.

DOUG (V.O.)Mom loved to bake. Hated to cook. It came as no surprise, both her parents were bakers. Owned a shop in Youngstown. I guess its true when they say the apple doesnt fall from the tree.

INT. LIVING ROOM5 5

PETER (44), in his easy chair, big old pair of headphones on, beer in hand. Wife beater, slacks, the remnants of a suit jacket laying sullen nearby. The televisions on, but he pays no mind.

DOUG (V.O.)And this is the tree. My dad. Quiet, old school. Wore suits on a plane until he died. Big Neil Diamond fan. In a time before Van Halen reigned dominion. Listened everyday, without interruption. Or else. Always had to have a beer when he listened to Neil, though. Never could figure that one out.

Peter grows frustrated. He throws his headphones off for a brief moment.

2.

PETERJudy, can you keep down the clanging?! I cant hear the damn song on high!

JUDY(calmer)

Why dont you pick your son up from Chriss. Its a beautiful day out today.

PETERIn a minute, let me at least finish the side-

JUDYEnough with that. You go out there, now.

PETERIn a minute!

JUDYYoure just gonna sit there, suck down your beers and listen to that hippie music? Its a gorgeous day Pete, stop playing around and go get your son.

PETERAll right, all right!

He rises, grunts, lifts the needle off the record.

PETER (CONTD)Now look at this, you made me scratch the record!

EXT. MERILL HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER6 6

Peter exits, still putting on a jacket. He looks angered, grumbling.

DOUG (V.O.)Getting my father to do things was like pulling teeth, if the teeth could fight back. But he knew she was right. Mothers always know. He was always sort of. . . Distant. But I loved him. He was just. . . Weird.

3.

INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT7 7

A door slams. Its Peter, down to just a tee shirt and drawers. Hes on a cordless phone, talking.

PETERYeah, no, tomorrow. Yeah yeah, of course.

POV: DOUG

Peeking from his room.

DOUG (V.O.)He worked, a lot. Was never really home. Then when he was, he barely talked. Just listened to music, chewed his food, and went to bed. Well, sometimes.

Peter sees his son.

PETERDoug, go back to sleep. Right now.

DOUG (V.O.)Again. My dad was weird.

INT. CAR - DAY8 8

POV: DOUG

Sitting in the passengers side, Peter at the wheel. Peter looks aside from the road for a quick second to his son, then smiles.

DOUG (V.O.)But I guess he loved me. Maybe it was hard.

POV: DOUG

Running through a field. Firing a toy gun. He turns. Peters there. He fires, and Peter goes down in a flurry of overacting.

DOUG (V.O.)I was too young to understand then. What a father does. What they feel.

4.

Doug moves in on his dad, to finish him off. Peters laughing.

POV: DOUG

Doug, walking downtown. Hand in hand with his father. He looks up. His father doesn't notice.

DOUG (V.O.)What they endure. In having a child, a parent turns selfless, yet sacrifices their self.

POV: DOUG

Peter sitting in his usual spot on the couch, headphones on, beer nearby. He looks almost sad. Staring off into a space not there.

DOUG (V.O.)They give up everything. Was dad any different? Who cared. All I knew then was that he was there, distant or not. He was there.

CUT TO BLACK

DOUG (V.O.)And then he was gone.

INT. KITCHEN - EVENING9 9

Peter in fresh clothes, Judy in tired, casual attire. A suitcase sits at the table.

PETERJudy, we have to talk about this-

JUDYWe dont have talk about a goddamnthing. Just get out. Out of my house, out of my sight.

PETERYou cant act like this, we have to think about what we have here.

5.

JUDYAbout what?! Oh, all the things youve just so happily thrown away?!

PETERI didnt do that.

JUDYThen what Peter?! What did you do?

PETERIm trying to tell you, it wasnt anything! It was stupidity! Im sorry honey, please. Just sit down. Doug, I mean, what about him?

JUDYOh, Ill tell you about him. Youre not gonna see him. Youre not gonnasee him, so youd better go out and start a family of your own! Cause youre not welcome in mine.

PETERJudy, don't be like this!

JUDYBe like what?! I wasnt the one downtown! Goddammit, I wasnt the one traipsing out of that. . . Place. And youre telling me not to be like this?!

POV: DOUG

Judy throws the suitcase to the floor.

The two look back to the doorway, seeing their son, and adjust.

REVERSE: DOUG, TEENAGER

Standing there, looking sullen. Van Halen tee. Confused. Angry. Scared.

PETERDoug.

JUDYOh, thats perfect timing. Welcome home sweetie. Your dads leaving.

6.

With that, Judy makes her exit, crying. Its just Doug and Peter now.

Silence goes on forever. Then:

PETERDoug, I-

DOUGWhat is this?

PETERHow was the show son?

DOUGWhat are you doing?

PETERIm. . . Im leaving. Your mom and I. . . We just want you to know it has nothing to do with you.

DOUGWhat did you do?

PETERDoug, Im-

He doesnt get the chance to speak. Doug grabs a nearby glass and throws it at the wall behind his father. Peter cringes as it flies by, then looks to his son in disbelief.

DOUGWhat did you do?!

The two stand there in a stun, panting. Then Doug leaves the way of his mom. Somewhere, a door slams, leaving Peter now alone.

DOUG (V.O.)Mom cried a whole lot.

INT. BEDROOM - LATER10 10

Judy lays on the bed, fully clothed, writhing with grief.

DOUG (V.O.)But eventually, the crying stopped.

7.

EXT. SCHOOL LOT - DAY11 11

Doug, keeping his backpack tight, walking about. Hendrixshirt. He comes to a wall and tosses the bag aside. Another kid is already there, listening to CD layer. Rock plays.

KIDCool man. You brought the guns?

DOUG(sitting)

Always.

Doug reaches into his bag, and pulls out beer.

KIDThats it! Deal it out, brother.

JUMP CUT: THE TWO DRINKING

DOUG (V.O.)And then the crying was replaced by something else. Fear maybe.

JUMP CUT: THE TWO RUNNING AROUND, FOOLING

DOUG (V.O.)Confusion.

JUMP CUT: THE TWO THROWING BOTTLES AT THE SCHOOL WALLS

DOUG (V.O.)Hate.

INT. BEDROOM12 12

Judy just lays down, watching television. Looking old.

DOUG (V.O.)Mom just stopped talking. Almost took Petes place in that regard.

Peter walks by, going to the bathroom. Judy follows him with her eyes, in surprise. He passes, and she follows, opening the bathroom door and finding it empty.

DOUG (V.O.)The anger would come for her. Later. I was a teen.

(MORE)

8.

Angst was already in my program. Dad just happened to take its brunt.

INT. PETERS APARTMENT13 13

Peter sits on an unmade bed, in a shambled apartment bedroom. He hold a cordless. Dials, puts it to his ear.

It rings. For a while. No one answers.

Its the Merril residence. Leave a message. Beeeeep.

PETERHey. Judy, its Pete. Just wanna know what Dougs schedule is for the week. Wanna take him out. Just l-

Someone answer the phone with an audible click.

In the background:

JUDY (O.C.)(muffled)

Who is it Doug? Doug?

The receiver clicks, and is replaced by the sound of static.

Peter drops his arm into his lap, defeated.

He cries.

INSERT: PHOTOGRAPH

The same from before. A younger hand hold it now. It rips it in half.

INT. DOUGS ROOM14 14

He sits at the floor. Rummaging through a large, cardboard box. Marked in sharpie on the side, reads: PETERS.

Doug reaches in, pulling out headphones. Records. These he studies, lingers on. Neil Diamond. Of course.

DOUG (V.O.)Mom kept his stuff. Up in an attic crawl space. Hiding, almost like a treasure she wanted to keep buried.

DOUG (V.O.) (CONT'D)

9.

Feet ascend the stairs as he rummages. He pays no mind.

JUDY (O.S.)Dee, you want a sandwich or something? Chrisll be over soo-

She arrives at the door. Her mood changes immediately.

JUDY (CONTD)Get out of those!

She steps into the room, grabbing up the box.

DOUGWhat? Why?!

JUDYWhat were you doing up there anyways?

Judy points to the records Doug still holds.

JUDY (CONTD)Give them here.

DOUGWhy do you even have these?! Just get rid of it, throw it in the trash where it belongs-

JUDYI said give them here!

Doug does so, with obvious reluctance.

Judy leaves, leaving Doug to stew. He still has the headphones, which he throws.

EXT. GRASSY FIELD - DAY15 15

Doug sits at the top of a hill, a box marked PETERS beside him, tossing records into the distance. They go like frisbees.

DOUG (V.O.)I never really listened.

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT16 16

Judy and Doug sit at the table, eating silently.

Then finally:

10.

JUDYYour dads coming over tomorrow.

DOUGWhat? No way.

JUDYI want to hear none of it. Ive decided. . . I cant live this way anymore Dee. Avoiding his phone calls. Pretending I dont see his car, drive by here almost weekly. Im living like a fugitive.

DOUGThen move! I hate this shitty town anyways.

Judy slams her hand on the table.

JUDYLanguage!

Silence again.

DOUGSorry.

JUDYHes coming over. Youre going to see a game with him. We will forget about what hes. . . Done to us, and make peace. Understood?

Doug says nothing.

DOUG (V.O.)I said nothing. Had nothing to say. First my dad betrays my trust, her marriage, and now Im supposed to make peace? Please.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY17 17

Doug stands at the door, looking out the window. A night bag sits nearby on the floor.

Judy stands with him, on the phone.

JUDYYeah, no Peter. Hes got everything. Yeah, alright.

(MORE)

11.

(hanging up)Hes turning the corner now.

Doug says nothing.

JUDY (CONTD)You okay?

DOUGAm I supposed to be?

JUDYPlease, dont be like this all we-

(looking forward, jolting)Oh, there he is. Grab your bag. I want this to be quick.

Doug does so as Judy passes him to open the door. Looking through the peephole, she waits.

Peter knocks. Judy opens the door in a rush, revealing him well dressed, and smiling quietly. As she swings it open she

THE SCENE FREEZES

DOUG (V.O.)Now. Before I go any further, I have to tell you another story.

CUT TO BLACK. FLASH BACK.

EXT. CHILDRENS PARK - MORNING18 18

Two boys, young enough to be playing the monkey bars, run around. Having fun.

DOUG (V.O.)Once upon a time there was a boy. He had a friend, named Doug. Douglas to any Christian. The two of them, they went everywhere together. Not a parents hand could tear them apart. Met almost at birth.

EXT. PARKGROUND - LATER19 19

The two walking, shoulder to shoulder, a young adult at their side.

JUDY (CONT'D)

12.

DOUG (V.O.)They were obviously close.

INT. KIDS BEDROOM20 20

A fort in the bed sheets. Lightbulbs shine from inside. Comics line the outside.

DOUG (V.O.)Play dates, summer camps. Fifteen years worth, and not a weekend apart.

MATCH CUT

Same room, same bed. Two teenagers now. Laying down, holding playboys above their heads. Centerfolds. One puts his down on his chest, still staring ahead.

DOUG (V.O.)They grew together. Two grapes, hanging from the same vine. Looking back, it almost seemed lonely. Sheltered.

EXT. SCHOOL - DAY21 21

The two boys, almost men really, walking alone.

DOUG (V.O.)But Douglas liked it that way. Having their own world.

The other kid waves. Says goodbye. Doug walks off.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY22 22

Walking home, Doug is stopped by a larger teen.

He takes the smaller boy, and tosses him about.

DOUG (V.O.)But the world always fines a way to be teared down.

INT. BEDROOM23 23

Douglas stands alone, crying. Bruised. His other comes inside, and seeing Douglas in shambles, rushes in for a hug.

13.

Comforts, as the smaller boy sobs into the floor. They look up at one another.

They kiss.

DOUG (V.O.)What would people do if they knew? Especially then. Hell, even now.

JUMP CUT

The two laying in bed, kissing deeper now. The first part is over, the jitters gone. Now, there is only them. They break, and the smaller says:

DOUGLASI love you Peter.

FLASH FORWARD. THE SCENE RESUMES

Judy swings the door further, revealing Peter is standing next to another man. Hes dressed even better, with an even greater sense of unease.

PETERGuys, I hope I'm not keeping you. Traffic on the highway was. . .

He trails off.

JUDYYeah, thats okay. You take Shelby?

PETERNo. No, I actually got off on Park West.

JUDYShouldve taken Shelby. Its quicker this time of day.

PETERYeah.

Peter looks over at Doug, who's now behind his mother.

PETER (CONTD)You ready my man?

DOUGWhos he?

14.

Now the tension sets.

PETERThis is-

JUDYA friend. Do you all want some waters to take with you? Supposed to be hot out today, and that stadium is gonna be an oven with this humidity.

Peter pays no mind. He grabs his taller friend by the shoulder.

PETERThis is Douglas. Douglas. . . thisis my son.

DOUGLASIve heard a lot about you, Dee. We even share a name, huh. I like your shirt my man.

Douglas holds out his hand. Doug only holsters his bag tighter.

DOUG (V.O.)If only I knew.

INT. PETERS APARTMENT24 24

The two, Peter and his son, sit in the living room, after a day of awkward moments and silent time. A baseball glove, bat, and bag is thrown about carelessly. A stack of cassettes, headphones, and a player sit nearby.

You can probably guess the artist therein.

Douglas comes in toting two plates.

DOUGLASHere we go boys. Spaghetti sauce Doug. Spaghetti plain for Pete. How I wish we had some of your moms cake right now. Pete tells me it was always a show stopper.

PETERThank you.

15.

Peter begins almost immediately. Doug just lets his sit on the table. The older man exits, leaving father and son once again.

After some time eating, Peter notices his son taking none.

PETER (CONTD)You not hungry cool guy?

(smiling)Or is moms regular cooking still as bed as I remember.

DOUGWho is he.

Peter stops. Swallows. Sets his plate down.

PETERDouglas?

DOUGNo, Im Douglas. Whos he.

PETERWell. Hes a friend.

DOUGYeah, but why is he here.

At this moment, Douglas walks back in, his own plate in his hands.

DOUGLASEverything good guys?

PETEREverythings fine.

DOUGWhy are you here?

Douglas stands there for a moment, stunned.

DOUGLASIm sorry?

DOUGYou heard me. Youve been with us all day. Your pictures on the wall here. What are you, roommates?

DOUGLASIm sorry, I-

16.

DOUGAnd if so, why didnt you just stay the hell home.

(getting up)Or both leave me the hell alone.

PETERDee!

Doug leaves.

INT. HALLWAY25 25

Doug stomps down its path, as Peter follows. His friend is close behind in third.

PETERDee, you apologize!

DOUG (turning around)

For what?! What, Peter?!

PETERFor. . . I am your father, and I will not be spoken to on this level in my own house!

DOUG My father?! You had to be there to be my father! Kinda part of the requirement, dont ya think Pete?! My father left years ago.

PETERExcuse me?!

Older Doug grips his front man by the shoulder, almost pulling him.

DOUGDid I stutter? I didnt leave! Mom didnt leave!

PETERDont you think I tried! All the calls, all the letters!? Thrown away! You threw them away! You hung up on me, you let it ring!

DOUGSo I ignored you! Well the apple doesnt fall far, does it.

17.

DOUGLASHey mister, you are way out of line here!

Younger Doug stops cold at this. Hes panting. The rest do the same, waiting.

Then the teen ignites, all at once. Storming forward, he grabs the older Doug by the nape of his neck collar and pushes him forward, into a wall.

Peter leaps, and Doug pushes. They struggle for a time before Peter wrangles his child, and Douglas is once again thrown aside.

PETERStop it, stop it, stop it!!

Doug screams, tearing from his fathers grip.

EXT. PETERS APARTMENT - NIGHT26 26

Doug the son sprints down the grass, and collapses under his own momentum. His utters a series of breathless shouts, as he pounds away at the grass with his fists. He stops, crying.

Peter exits out into the night, and approaches quick. He tries to grab his son, but Doug pulls away, and runs off.

PETERDoug! Doug!

Peter tries to run after him, but loses wind quickly, and doubles over. Hes panting now too. He looks off as his son continues away, at full speed into the darkness.

INT. MERILL HOUSE27 27

A slamming at the door send Judy awake. She gathers herself, and a robe, and goes downstairs. The slamming continues throughout.

She reaches the door and pulls it open, revealing Doug, sobbing, out of air, with his head slightly pointed towards the ground.

DOUG (V.O.)And that was the last time I saw my dad alive.

18.

INT. DOUGS ROOM - NIGHT28 28

Its dark. Pitch black. A phone rings.

Then a light goes on. Its Doug, the younger, now a little older, and sporting a shorter hairstyle.

He squints at the light coming from the dead of sleep, and reaches for the phone.

DOUGHello?

Silence, then:

DOUG (CONTD)What? Hold on hold on hold on, what are you shouting about?

EXT. PETERS APARTMENT - LATER29 29

A car rushes to a halt just outside the curb. Doug runs out, and inside. He hears sound, movement, and travels to it to another bedroom, where Douglas is crouched up on the floor near an overturned arm chair and an unmoving Peter.

INT. PETERS BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS30 30

DOUGWha- whats going on-

DOUGLASHe just collapsed, I dont know, I dont know, I cant wake him!

Peters son kneels down and takes his dad by the head. He lifts it up off the floor.

DOUGGrab the chair, Im gonna sit him up.

The older does so, lifting it back upright. Doug grabs his dad by the waist and lifts him forward, holding on to him the whole time, even when he's seated.

DOUGLASHes been battling a cold for a while and I dont know, I dont know, Ive never seen this before!

19.

DOUGWheres the ambulance?

CUT. SILENCE.

The two of them carrying Peter down the hallway.

EXT. NORTON - MORNING31 31

Doug sits on a concrete bench far outside near the street. Hes smoking. Hendrix shirt, dirty now.

DOUG (V.O.)They didnt have a name for it then. Just called it a virus. My dad died of a bug. The tree. . . got torn down by a termite.

EXT. CEMENTARY - DAY32 32

Doug, the son, dressed casual, walking away on an outside sidewalk.

DOUG (V.O.)Once upon a time there were two boys. Then, after all this time, after all the hiding, the lies, there was one. And he ended in a whisper.

The cemetery melts away into a line of trees. Doug just keeps walking.

INT. DOUGS ROOM - DAY33 33

Same clothes, same day. Staring at the ceiling from his spot on the bed. Hes got headphones in. Big ones. Neil Diamond is on the bedside table.

Judy enters, dressed in nines. The remnants of tears long dried. She knocks at the door, throws a dress hat to his bed. It hits him square on the chest, and sends him out his trance. Doug takes off his headphones, and looks to her.

JUDYDesserts done if you want it.

DOUGIm fine. Thanks.

20.

She mutters. Almost leaves. Then lingers for a moment longer.

JUDYThey say hell go the same way. Something new. Shame what it does to you.

Doug says nothing at first.

DOUGDid you know. About him.

Judy sighs.

JUDY(exhausted)

I dont know. . .

DOUG A mother always knows.

He turns over, away from her. Shuts his eyes.

Judy lingers only a moment longer.

JUDYYou know you were named after him. He told me, not too long after I finalized the divorce. I guess. . . I really didnt know.

She leaves. Doug opens his eyes after a second, only to close them again, and fall asleep.

CUT TO BLACK

DOUG (V.O.)As I said. My dad wasnt your average guy.

KATEDoug?

INT. CAR - DAY34 34

Behind the wheel is DOUG MERILL, late twenties, a resigned look upon his face. He rubs his chin, sighs a quiet hmm.

Beside him is KATE, a blonde beauty at matching age. A white box rests on her lap. Shes dressed conservatively. Like a funeral.

21.

She glances over, curious.

KATEYou ready?

Doug collects himself, grabs the keys.

DOUGYeah. You?

KATE(smiling)

Yeah.

INT. PETERS APARTMENT35 35

The two enter to an older woman, dressed down in scrubs.

KATEHey.

NURSEGood, youre here. Hes been asking for you all damn day. Hes in the tv room, just go on ahead. Ill get his dinner out.

INT. LIVING ROOM36 36

She leads them in to an empty room. An air purifier runs in the corner. Its quiet, sterile. And then theres Doug.

Douglas sits alone, in a chair, the chair, staring out a window. A tray table sits nearby, with a bottle of water and day calendar of pills. A television plays in the background. Doug might not even hear it. Hes weak now. A blanket covers him.

The two grab up some chairs from the side wall and sit on either side, younger Doug taking the side with the table.

DOUGHey Dee.

DOUGLAS(smiling)

Hey yourself. Kate.

Kate grabs his open hand. Holds it.

KATEHi sweetie.

22.

DOUGLASYoure looking more beautiful with each passing day, honey. You two married yet?

(leaning towards her)You better get him. Quick.

Doug laughs.

DOUGfraid not Dee. What you been up to?

DOUGLASOh. The usual. First Dallas, then Happy Days. Then I go insane.

DOUGYou catch the new Dynasty then? Kates been bugging me all month to have you get her caught up again.

DOUGLASOh shit, Kate. Keep up with the stories. Hey, first things first. Did you bring it?

DOUGOf course.

Doug motions for Kate, who brings the box over to him. He sets it down at the table, and opens it up.

Inside is a fork, and a piece of cake.

DOUG (CONTD)Ma made it up special for you my man. Vanilla I think.

DOUGLASShit flavored for all I care Dougy, just bring it here. Before that nurse gets back with the slop.

KATENow Doug.

DOUGLAS Now yourself. Shes trying to poison me, I know it. Shes just doing it too damn slow.

DOUGShush. Bring me your mouth.

23.

DOUGLASOh. Honey, if I had a nickle.

The older man chuckles, an act that send him into a fit of coughing.

DOUGLAS (CONTD)Shit. Ive gotta take my steroid after this. Kate, you mind? Bathroom cabinet, top left.

KATEGot it.

Kate gets up, leaves.

DOUGLASAnd help her out in the kitchen too. Damn if she doesnt need it.

DOUG Its falling off the fork Dee, come on.

DOUGLASOh, hold your ass.

The older leans forward, mouth agape. He brings his hands to catch any falling pieces, and theyre shaking.

The younger brings the fork forward. Feeds it to him. Slowly, one after another, until the box is empty, and only crumbs remain.

FADE OUT.

CUT IN.

Two boys lay on a bed. They hold each other tight. As of that moment, the sun is out. And nothing is wrong with their world.

END.

24.