"BOY WHO NEVER SLEPT" Written by Solomon D. Rothman SHOOTING DRAFT Script Release Date July 14, 2006 Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 http://www.solomonrothman.com/boywhoneverslept FADE IN: INT. BASEMENT - HANDHELD SHOT - DANIEL'S POV - NIGHT A dingy floor, a beer bottle, a notebook of scribbles. A feeling of uneasiness. SLURP CHUG SPLASH A shaky hand sets down a beer bottle. THUD THUD THUD Someone is walking heavily down a stair case nearby. PAN TO - CASEY SMITH A regular looking guy with a soccer ball in hand and a slightly exasperated expression approaches. CASEY Dude what's going on, I've been looking for you for like the last ten minutes. You're not in your room DANIEL (interrupting) Melissa's pregnant. Fuck man, what the fuck am I going to do? (pacing back and forth nervously) CASEY Man, are you sure she's pregnant FADE TO BLACK. SUPER: ONE YEAR EARLIER BEGIN CREDITS FADE IN: INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - NIGHT Stuff is strewn about and a small untidy room. The walls are bare except for a few decorations and blue bottles on the window sill. DANIEL WESTON 23 years old, slightly unshaven, attractive, sitting on a bed in his room. His left hand grasps a notebook with blank pages. His right hand firmly clutches a plain ballpoint pen. PEN TIP touches the paper. He pauses. He writes "the" and lets out a barley audible sigh. He stares at the blank pages and starts to write again. INSERT - NOTEBOOK Written in barley readable handwriting. "The moonlight shone wildly in the man's eyes on this lonely night." BACK TO SCENE DANIEL Stands up and takes his over shirt off, revealing a strong, lean physique. He picks up the notebook, puts the pen in his mouth and paces back and forth in his cramped room. TAP TAP TAP fingers beat against the notebook. He's eyes look up at the ceiling, he's lost in thought. Daniel drops to the ground, look up, grunts. Daniel's body furiously moves up and down. He's doing pushups. He continues, he strains, the veins in his arms bulge. His face is serious and his pace slows to a... stop. His hands shake. DANIEL RISES END CREDITS FADE TO: INT. COMMON AREA - NIGHT A dark rundown room with a big screen TV and worn out couch. Casey relaxes on the couch with a beer in his hand. His eyes are glued to the television screen. The flickering glow of the television set interrupts the darkness of the room. Daniel enters the room wearing the same clothing as in the previous scene. CASEY (looking up at Daniel) Hey-what are you up to? Comedian on Television set (O.S.) is in the middle of a satirical stand up routine. His jokes and laugh track interrupt the dialogue between Daniel and Casey. DANIEL Not much. CASEY Want a beer? DANIEL Hell yeah. CASEY You got it. Casey throws Daniel a beer from a half empty case sitting at foot of the couch. Daniel opens it, sits down, and drinks heavily. CUT TO: INT. COMMON AREAS - COUCH - DANIEL AND CASEY - NIGHT Casey laughs crazily. Daniel drinks more beer. CUT TO: INT. COMMON AREAS - COUCH - DANIEL AND CASEY - NIGHT Daniel is on the couch. Multiple beer cans are sloppily near him. CASEY Holy shit you sucked those fuckers down! DANIEL Hell yeah, looking for some inspiration. CASEY From cheap beer? DANIEL (sarcastically) From the inner part of my psyche. CASEY (Grinning) What do you write about anyways? DANIEL WESTON Tonight, Sci-fi garbage Casey laughs and turns his attention to the TV,. Daniel joins him. CUT: Casey is asleep on the couch. TV is still on. Daniel puts away a few beer cans and then turns the TV off. DANIEL (V.O.) The end of yet another day in dreary Eugene. 10 beers, bad TV, no ideas. With Casey asleep I'll have only the phosphorus glow of my monitor, the click of the keyboard, and the voiceless online chatter to keep me company FADE TO BLACK. INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - NIGHT His eyes are a hazy and mildly blood shot. He gets on his COMPUTER. He stares at an older laptop. His fingers pound the keys. DANIEL WESTON (V.O.) OK (a few mouse clicks) regional chat rooms... (reading off the screen) What do you look like? What kind of a question is that to start things off? INSERT COMPUTER MONITOR Daniel's words appear on the screen as he types them. And cut between Daniel his computer monitor. DANIEL (V.O.) I'm a 250 lb. Steroid pumping black sex machine. FADE TO: DANIEL (V.O.) I'm a hypochondriac nurse who's afraid of blood. FADE TO: DANIEL (V.O.) I am a child prodigy. FADE TO: DANIEL (V.O.) I am an 83 year old swinger. BACK TO SCENE Daniel smirks. DANIEL (V.O.) I am Batman. FADE TO: DANIEL (V.O.) Everybody here have insomnia like me? INT. MELISSA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT Melissa's tossing back and forth. She sits up quickly and opens her eyes, awakened from a NIGHTMARE. CLOSEUP - MELISSA'S FACE She turns on the light, rubs her eyes and reaches for her computer, yawning. MELISSA'S POV She presses the button on her computer and it comes on. BACK TO SCENE Melissa fixes her hair with a headband and stares intently at the computer screen. And cut between Melissa and her computer monitor. FADE TO: MELISSA (V.O.) (Smiling and typing) Just a fellow insomniac. INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - SAME TIME He's at the computer typing. And cut between Daniel and the computer monitor. DANIEL (V.O.) Sucks huh? INTERCUT instant messaging conversation. MELISSA (V.O.) Yeah, it does. She smiles knowingly. DANIEL (V.O.) I don't sleep well normally... MELISSA (V.O.) I'm a little shaky at the moment 'cause I just woke up. DANIEL (V.O.) Shaky...shaky? Why Shaky from waking up? MELISSA (V.O.) I had a crazy nightmare. She rubs her eyes as she reads Daniel's words. DANIEL (V.O.) I'm sorry. What was it about? MELISSA (V.O.) It's sort of fuzzy, but what I remember is that it was pitch black, and... (voice trails off) ...I think it was chasing me... FADE TO: CLOSEUP - DANIEL'S FACE He's intrigued. BACK TO SCENE MELISSA (V.O.) (continuing story) I kept trying to run away but it came closer and closer... FADE TO: DANIEL (V.O.) You like William Blake? MELISSA (V.O.) (Smiling a little) Sometimes. FADE TO: MELISSA (V.O.) I'm not much for modern poetry, but give me Yeats and I'm pretty happy. DANIEL (V.O.) Yeah, modern poetry kind of sucks. Its either way to sappy or way too abstract MELISSA (V.O.) Tell me about something you've written. FADE TO: DANIEL (V.O.) OK... FADE TO: DANIEL (V.O.) ...then he's doing a seminar at a high school and he's shot and killed by the woman he hurt in his past. He dies in his wife's arms, but he isn't sad he's happy and says that he finally found Harmony in his life. Which is also her name and the name of book he wrote. MELISSA (V.O.) That's awesome. Can you send me the draft? I'd love to read it. You've got me all interested. CLOSEUP - DANIEL'S FACE Looks like he's thinking about something really hard. DANIEL WESTON What's your E-mail address? FADE TO: MELISSA (V.O.) (hesitantly) 16/F/ Portland does that matter? DANIEL (V.O.) (beat) Of course not; we're just talking. I like talking to you. She smiles sweetly to herself, as if pleased. MELISSA (V.O.) Thanks, I like talking to you too. FADE TO: DANIEL (V.O.) It's six. We stayed up all night. MELISSA (V.O.) Oh my God, are you joking? She smiles ruefully. DANIEL (V.O.) Don't you have classes soon? MELISSA (V.O.) Yes! At seven! And a student council meeting! I'm going to be a wreck! Melissa sits back, smiling. DANIEL (V.O.) Well, I would say good night, but that would be pointless. She shuts her computer, looking up thoughtfully at the ceiling. INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - DAY Daniel closes his laptop. Melissa's goodbye lingers in his head. MELISSA (V.O.) Good day, then? He leaps onto his bed and laughs. CLOSEUP - DANIEL He's gazing at the ceiling, smiling contentedly. INT. HALLWAY - DAY Daniel walks down a long dismal hallway lined with doors on each side. Feeling of dreamyness. INT. COMMON AREAS - CONTINUOUS - DAY A low lit game room with a pool table and dying plants as decorations. CRACK Casey blasts his cue on a group of pool balls sending them bouncing off the railing. Daniel enters. CASEY (noticing Daniel) Look who's back from the dead? Daniel looks tired and slightly anxious, but still happy. DANIEL Yeaaaaaaaaaah Daniel picks up a nearby pool cue. DANIEL You're up early. CASEY Yeah, got work in an hour. DANIEL That sucks CASEY Yeah... You going to Lauren's party this week. DANIEL Um.. Is it going to be a sausage fest? CASEY Oh probably, No dude she's bringing the entire volley ball team. Yeah, You know Amy the blonde with the big rack... I'm going DANIEL (interrupting) Is it going to be a kegger what kinda party is it? CASEY No! it's social class. You get to be part of the aristocracy. DANIEL Oh, is there going to be like classy chicks all dressed up in dresses and stuff CASEY Dude, that's what I'm talking about. Casey bring the pool stick to his crotch and motions with his hips. CASEY (humorous voice) Maybe get some poontang. Daniel laughs and continues to play pool. DANIEL You're a freak man. FADE TO: CASEY So how's that literary masterpiece coming along? DANIEL How do you think? It's not. I've been going through some writer's block. CASEY Writer's block? So what do you do at night when you can't sleep. Casey motions with his hand like his jacking off. DANIEL I.. Uh.. work out CASEY Oh, right on. Work out. That's why your right arm is better then your left I take it. Casey motions again with his hand. DANIEL Hey, That's a CASEY Hey, someone brought it to my attention it wasn't me. DANIEL (jokingly again) That's a conq. Daniel looks at the pool table and then at Casey again. He turns slightly more serious. DANIEL So anyways I've been talking to some chick, dude, online. She's hot. CASEY What? DANIEL Some chick dude, she's hot CASEY (seriously) Where did you meet her? DANIEL Online Daniel hits a ball in slowly. He looks up and smiles in anticipation of the joke. CASEY Dude, she's fat. DANIEL How do you know? CASEY All online chicks are heffers, Shalom! DANIEL She's hot CASEY (prying) Oh, so you've seen her? DANIEL I will. CASEY Have you seen her DANIEL I will. CASEY Oh so I see you haven't, you're going whalin budy. That's right. Casey hold the pool stick up like a javelin. CASEY Man the harpoon. FADE TO BLACK. INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - NIGHT Daniel sits in front of his bed. Tape recorder in hand. CLICK he hits the record button. DANIEL (speaking into the recorder) Hello, this is Daniel Weston's stream of consciousness. Yet another attempt at writing something that doesn't lick balls Daniel gets up and walks over to his desk. He turns on a STEREO and some UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS. DANIEL There is an endless array of grass. Bright green, lush and calming. The sun is high, the sky a perfect shade of blue oblivion. A group of people are in a herd, all banded together wearing tattered clothing. Their eyes are wide open, gazes held at fixed at points in the distance. Their hair is torn by wind that's no longer present. There is a path of pure granite cutting through the endless grass. These people are together walking. Slowly, staggering, but always walking, they are searching for the end. The end is what they seek... (pause) crap, pure crap. CLICK He presses stop on the recorder, puts it down EXT. COLLEGE TOWN STREETS - LATER ON - NIGHT Typical university housing street, with low cost houses, apartments, and signs of young people. Daniel is standing outside his apartment building wearing headphones. SLOW ZOOM ON DANIEL He walks in a direction-less wonder gazing randomly at the empty streets and buildings. He looks lost. Daniel crosses an empty street, he's lit by the glow of the many street lights. He pauses and stares into the night's sky. CLOSEUP - DANIEL He looks up and stares hard at a full moon Daniel walks away and disappears into the darkness of a empty street. FADE TO BLACK. INT. DANIEL'S BEDROOM - NIGHT Daniel takes a swing off an a energy drink. His eyes are fixed on his computer. DANIEL (V.O.) Hi, how have you been? INT. MELISSA'S BEDROOM - SAME TIME MELISSA (V.O.) Good. A little tired in school, though. INTERCUT instant messaging conversation. DANIEL (V.O.) So what part of the high school caste system are you in? I bet you're popular... MELISSA (V.O.) Um... kinda. I mean, I know a lot of people. DANIEL (V.O.) That's awesome. I was a bit of a longer in high school, unfortunately. MELISSA (V.O.) Why's that? You seem really nice. DANIEL (V.O.) Please don't say that MELISSA (V.O.) Why not? DANIEL (V.O.) Because girls don't like nice guys. MELISSA (V.O.) I do. DANIEL (V.O.) Really? Well, who are you dating? A big football jock? MELISSA (V.O.) No... I'm not dating anybody. What about you? DANIEL (V.O.) No, I'm still waiting for someone to blow me away. MELISSA (V.O.) Do you have a picture of yourself? DANIEL (V.O.) I have a digital camera. I could take one right now. MELISSA (V.O.) Cool DANIEL (V.O.) Do you have a pic? MELISSA (V.O.) Yes, and I'll send it after I get yours. DANIEL (V.O.) Okay... give me a sec. (muttering to himself) Picture picture picture... He pulls out his digital camera and turns it on. He makes funny faces taking pictures and trying to be sexy, pulling his sleeve up. Daniel takes a few pictures. Chooses one. DANIEL (V.O.) OK... Here it is. Daniel nervously presses the send button and waits. MELISSA (V.O.) (surprised) Oh My God, you look so young! DANIEL (V.O.) Greeaat! MELISSA (V.O.) No you're cute, really cute. And so buff. Do you work out a lot? DANIEL (V.O.) Thanks. I do a lot of of pushups, sit-ups and handstand presses. At night when I can't sleep. I also do martial arts. MELISSA (V.O.) You're so cute. DANIEL WESTON (V.O.) I prefer sexy. MELISSA JONES (V.O.) Very sexy. DANIEL (V.O.) Now send me your pic (typing, muttering to himself) Please don't be a heifer... please don't be a heifer. A picture pops up on the screen. Daniel just stares. He is so taken in he doesn't speak right away. MELISSA (V.O.) That bad huh? DANIEL (V.O.) No.. You're beautiful, completely beautiful. You have the most beautiful intense eyes I've ever seen. MELISSA (V.O.) You're just saying that. DANIEL (V.O.) I don't do that. I'm serious... FADE TO: DANIEL (V.O.) Melissa, do you like chest hair? MELISSA (V.O.) What kind of a question is that? I swear you're the king of random. DANIEL (V.O.) I don't know... I have some and was wondering what you thought. MELISSA (V.O.) Um, I don't particularly like it, but it's OK. DANIEL (V.O.) OK Daniel smiles. Melissa closes her computer and looks up. She's happy. CUT TO: INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT A shared kitchen area with two large microwaves. Daniel takes a container of wax and puts it in one of the microwaves. CUT TO: INT. APARTMENT SHARED BATHROOMS - NIGHT CLOSEUP - DANIEL'S HANDS Daniel uses a small stick to mix a container of thick gooey wax. Daniel takes off his shirt, revealing a thin muscular body with thick black chest hair. He takes a strip of paper and applies the wax mixture to it. He presses some paper strips up against his chest and they stick to it. He puts them on until they cover up his entire chest. He grabs one corner of the first strip with his fingers. He breathes in and out deeply. DANIEL Okay one... two... Daniel rips off the strip taking all the hair on his chest with it. DANIEL WESTON Aaarrrggghhhhhhhh! CASEY enters nonchalantly to use the bathroom. CASEY What the fuck? DANIEL (embarrassed) Don't ask man. CASEY You're crazy man Daniel RIPS another strip off his chest. He SCREAMS in pain and then LAUGHS as if he can't believe what he's doing. RIP Daniel slowly pulls off another strip. His irritated chest is spotted with hairy and non hairy regions. Daniel looks at Casey and breaks into LAUGHTER. DANIEL (Turning to look at Casey) Things you do for chicks, huh? CASEY (Using the urinal) Ah that's great... that's classic, props to you; I couldn't do it. DANIEL I'm bleeding. Check it out. Daniel points to a red spot on his chest CASEY I'd just shave it DANIEL (relieved laughter) Ok. Oh god... INSERT - WAX STRIP Wax strip with clumps of hair from Daniel's chest. EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - DAY Melissa, wearing a backpack and regular school clothes, walks home from high school. ZOOM ON - MELISSA She walks across a bridge and messes with her hair. INT. MELISSA JONE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT The bedroom is light and feminine. Melissa is talking to a friend. She's wearing sexy and cute school clothes. She is on her cell phone. She takes down a hanging mirror and is attempting to see how her new jeans look. MELISSA Uh huh... I hope so... no, I missed practice today 'cause I wasn't feeling well... Yeah... I don't know though. Should I wear those new jeans I got? She looks around for a place to set the mirror. She holds the mirror behind her again to try and see her butt. She's obviously distracted. MELISSA I think they make my ass look totally hot... uh huh... trying to see it. She sets the mirror down on the chair, still attempting to get a good view. MELISSA So anyway, are you going to the football game this Saturday? Is Jason is going to be there? Yeah, I love them. Oh yeah, I'm totally going to wear them... yes, you should definitely wear the skirt... no, the skirt looks totally cute... yeah. Turns yet again to try and see her rear. She is still distracted. MELISSA Hmm... no... forget it... but just take my word on it... mhmm. She struggles a bit with the mirror. Her parents are arguing in the other room. MR. JONES is shouting something at MRS. JONES. Their words are muffled. MELISSA (Sighing) Oh god, I can hear my parents going at it yet again. They never stop. Yeah, I've gotta go... k, bye. Melissa walks to the wall to replace the mirror. She has problems getting it straight. She walks to her bed, puts her hair up and sits on the bed to do her homework. She looks bored and goes to the book shelf; she grabs a book, lays down, and begins to read. CLOSEUP - BOOK The picture of a dragon hints at a Fantasy book. INT. COMMONS - DANIEL'S BEDROOM - DAY The room is encased in darkness. Suddenly an ALARM BEEPS. Daniel MOANS and SLAPS the alarm clock. It BEEPS faster and LOUDER. Daniel grunts, SMACKS it again, and the lights comes on to reveal Daniel's back. He is in boxers. He puts on a Gadget City uniform and tries opening his eyes really wide, but they continue to shut. INT - COMMONS - TRACKING SHOT - HALLWAY Daniel steps into the hallway and pauses to smack himself on the cheek. He walks down the hall. INT. COMMONS - STAIRWELL Daniel clomps down the stairs to the exit door. DANIEL (in a mocking voice) Welcome to Gadget City. Sir, may I show you our projection TV's. This TV is the best. You should get this one. Absolutely. CUT TO: EXT. PARKING LOT Daniel walks toward his car. INT. CAR - DRIVING TO WORK DANIEL (In a mocking voice) What are you going to do when this breaks? I think you should really go with our extended warranty. Yes you definitely should. Are you sure? Nope, I'm sorry I can't just ring this up for you until I fully present the warranty. I really think you need it. Sir, come back. Please… (laughing at himself) I fucking hate selling extended warranties. FADE TO BLACK. INT. MELISSA'S BEDROOM - DAY Melissa is dressed in normal school clothes. Her friend CLARISSA, a slightly preppy teenage girl, is sitting next to her. They're doing homework. MELISSA What are you wearing for Jason's Halloween party? CLARISSA I don't know. I'm thinking of going as Catwoman. Do you think I could pull it off? MELISSA Absolutely, it would be awesome. We could get soem black hair dye, maybe some leather pants... CLARISSA I don't know, Amy might copy me. She's been being such a bitch lately. MELISSA God, I know! She's really a nice girl, but she's just so selfish. I don't know what it is, but she has some weird kind of competition thing with you. CLARISSA Me neither... MELISSA But so what if she copies you; you'll look better in it anyway. They giggle and continue with their homework. FADE TO: The girls playing on the bed and tickling each other. They are laughing as Melissa hugs Clarissa. Its obvious they're best friends. MELISSA (Calming down) Um... ok. I have a question... do you think 23 is too old? CLARISSA Too old for what? MELISSA Don't freak out on me, OK? Clarissa nods with a curious expression on her face. MELISSA Well, I met this guy online, his name is Daniel and he's really awesome. He's sweet, and wonderful, and he's just so amazing. Clarissa listens patiently. MELISSA (Taking a deep breath) The only problem is that he's twenty- three. CLARISSA You met him online? I don't know... that's kind of risky. I mean, what if he's some kind of psycho or deranged lunatic? MELISSA (Eagerly) No, he's not, he's not, he's totally not! CLARISSA How do you know? MELISSA I can just tell; we connect. When I'm talking to him I just feel so comfortable. He's sweet, and nice, and romantic... he feels like my soulmate or something. CLARISSA That's cool I guess. It's still weird though. What does he look like? Is he hot? MELISSA Very... CLARISSA Let me see... oho, you're right. (Teasingly) Age might not matter. MELISSA (giggling) You really think so? FADE TO BLACK. SUPER: A COUPLE MOTHS LATER FADE IN: INT. MELISSA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT SLOW ZOOM ON MELISSA She's sitting in a chair typing. She's wearing a blouse and underwear. She has a blanket wrapped around her and is intent on the computer screen. And cut between Melissa and Daniel. INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - SAME TIME Daniel is sitting at his computer typing. He's smiling and looks like he recently finished working out. And cut between Daniel and the computer screen INTERCUT instant message conversation between Daniel and Melissa. DANIEL (V.O.) Hey, I missed you. How's your mom? MELISSA (V.O.) Doing better. She's been fighting a lot less with my dad. DANIEL (V.O.) That's good. Hopefully it will last. My parents used to fight like crazy and they are always at each other's throats. I never want to be like that... I wrote you something. MELISSA (V.O.) No one's ever done anything like that for me before. DANIEL (V.O.) You're worth it. Okay, here it is. Ode to Melissa MATCH CUT: CLOSEUP - MELISSA'S FACE MELISSA (V.O.) (Wonderingly) Ode to Melissa I greet the fly that lands on my bed I try to find words worthy of your presence. She's very moved as she reads the poem. MELISSA (V.O.) Outside, you lurk with nervous feline eyes. Day yawns to night, Trees become dark bodies -- Giant shadow puppets of street lamp Halos. She grabs her webcam and begins to hook it up to her computer. Daniel looks more and more surprised as he watches his computer screen. Melissa's voice continues to read the poem. DANIEL (Reading off screen) Accept webcam... YES! MELISSA (CONT. V.O.) Eyes close to the warmth of dreams Green dreams of happy tomorrows, And you busy, calm, watchful night You are the cool darkness between Days. The molecules of time sleep, Their quiet undulations Across your starry hands DANIEL'S POV He's watching Melissa steady a green webcam. MELISSA As I lie and watch your naked skin Bathed by moonlight. Oh... wow. The webcam stops shaking. MELISSA (V.O.) I have a surprise for you. DANIEL (V.O.) (Reading the screen) Accept webcam request (beat) Yes. Daniel leans forward. Melissa rises and slowly begins to unbutton her shirt. Daniel's eyes open wider as she continues to unbutton her shirt slowly. DANIEL LEANS BACK IN HIS CHAIR DANIEL (V.O.) Ahhh... Melissa opens the shirt completely. She looks into the camera as if looking directly at Daniel. She slowly undoes her bra and lets it open slightly. Her perfect, perky breasts are exposed for a few seconds. Daniel is typing rapidly. DANIEL (V.O.) I want to call you. Daniel is flushed with emotion. He calls her and her PHONE RINGS. Melissa pulls her shirt closed again and grabs her RINGING CELL PHONE. She puts it to her ear. INTERCUT phone call between Melissa and Daniel. MELISSA Hi. (beat) DANIEL How are you doing? MELISSA Great. FADE TO: DANIEL You should tell your dad how you feel. MELISSA You think he'll actually understand? DANIEL No, but at least it's a good start. FADE TO: MELISSA The beginning of your script Harmony is based off you huh? DANIEL How did you know that? MELISSA I could just tell. FADE TO: DANIEL WESTON So what happened at school? FADE TO: DANIEL WESTON If you could do anything right now, what would it be? MELISSA I don't know, something with you. DANIEL I'd want to feel a cool breeze on a high mountain lake sitting near a bonfire, looking at the stars... that's where I'd like to be. MELISSA Oho... that sounds nice... but I would want some marshmallows. DANIEL (Smiling) Definitely. It's all about the marshmallows. CLOSEUP - CLOCK - TIME PASSING DANIEL Good night Melissa MELISSA Good night Daniel DANIEL Good luck on your test tomorrow; I hope you're not too tired. MELISSA I'll be alright. Thanks though. And bye! DANIEL Bye. Daniel picks up a notebook and begins to write feverishly. FADE TO BLACK: INT. COMMONS - HALLWAY - DAY CASEY exits his room with happy expression and two beer bottles in hand. He walks a few doors down to Daniel's room. CLOSEUP - CASEY LOUDLY KNOCKS on the door. He takes a large swig from one of the beers he's holding. No answer. He knocks again. INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - DAY Daniel, looking very tired, stumbles to the door and opens it. He sees Casey standing there grinning. CASEY Just get up? DANIEL WESTON (very sleepy) Um.. Yeah. CASEY (Handing Daniel a beer) Time for some pre-party beer action. DANIEL Oh yeah? Daniel takes the beer and sluggishly takes a drink. Casey takes a seat on Daniel's bed and looks around. He picks up a shirt lying somewhere. CASEY (throwing the shirt at Daniel) It's Friday night, it's going to be rockin,' lets go. (Jokingly) Come on twinkletoes -- come on INT. CASEY'S ROOM - DAY Daniel and Casey both have beers in their hands and are sitting across from each other with a chess set between them. They are both in a very happy mood. DANIEL I can't believe you got me to drink Steel Piss Tap CASEY Aw, it's good for you dude. Daniel and Casey clink their beers as they share a cheer. CASEY It puts the lead in your pencil. Daniel laughs and takes another swig. CASEY So how's that Melissa thing going? DANIEL I don't know... well, Melissa's great, beautiful, sweet, nice... CASEY Then what's the problem? Daniel picks up a chess piece and moves it. DANIEL She's sixteen... check! CASEY (negative sigh) Oh. DANIEL Don't tell me you haven't thought about being with a younger chick dude. I know you. Casey, Casey Smith on the prowl. CASEY (laughing) That's something, ah... sixteen? That's pretty young. That's something that, you know, you think about and you talk about, but you don't actually do. Like banging your step mom. Casey moves a chess piece confidently. DANIEL (surprised) You banged your step mom? CASEY (rolling his eyes) Nevermind, dude. DANIEL Oh man. CASEY Dude, I was joking. Snarfer. Daniel moves a piece and puts CASEY'S king in check. DANIEL Check. CASEY Ahhhhhh, shit. DANIEL (quietly) Sarah's going to be back in town this month. CASEY Yeah? You two still talk? DANIEL Yeah, we managed to stay friends. CASEY Are you still in love with her? DANIEL No. CASEY That's good at least. Daniel moves another piece and puts CASEY in check again. DANIEL Check. CASEY Damn... Shit ... I'm never playing this game again. Why do I suck so bad? It's the beer. DANIEL Is this party going to be any good? What's the back up plan? Walking up and down University Street, smashed, causing havoc?. CASEY (grinning) Actually, that is the backup plan. INT. RANDOM PARTY - NIGHT Daniel sits on a couch, looking dazed and drunk. His eyes move slowly back and forth, and he looks totally out of it. He's holding a cell phone to his ear and wears and expectant expression. INT. MELISSA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT Melissa is sleeping. RING RING. She wakes up, dazed, fumbling for her cell phone. She looks at the caller ID. She answers in a SLEEPY VOICE. MELISSA Hello? DANIEL (Slurring) Hey Melissaaa... this is Daniel... I'm bleeding inside... I wanted to tell you... I need you. MELISSA (Concerned) Are you okay? Where are you at? DANIEL Melissa... I love you. I want to hold you... and fuck you... and tell you I love you... MELISSA (Annoyed) You're drunk. You need to get home and go to sleep. DANIEL No I wanted to tell you... and I want to be with you... you're perfect. I want to see you... MELISSA (A little desperately) Please, just try and get home safe. We can talk tomorrow when you're sober. DANIEL I'm serious... I love you, I want to be with you... will you marry me? MELISSA (Now angry) Daniel, its 4:30 am. Call me when you're sober. DANIEL I'm serious... will you marry me? MELISSA (Angry and annoyed) Good bye, Daniel. (hangs up) Melissa hangs up and curls in a ball with her hands over her face. FADE TO BLACK. INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - MORNING Daniel is still wearing his clothes. He rolls back and forth. He opens his eyes, looking dazed and extremely hung over. There is vomit on his chin, cheeks, and the front of his shirt. He looks nauseous. Daniel slowly stands up. He looks as if he could collapse at any minute. He walks out of his room. FADE OUT: FADE IN: INT. COMMON AREA - MORNING Daniel sits down on the couch. COLLEGE STUDENT #1 is watching TV. COLLEGE STUDENT #1 Hey. Are you alright? DANIEL Yeah. I drank way too much last night. COLLEGE STUDENT #2 enters. She gives Daniel a funny look. COLLEGE STUDENT #2 Man. You don't look so good. CASEY enters and looks at Daniel. CASEY Dude... you look like shit. DANIEL Thanks. FADE OUT: INT. BATHROOM - MORNING Daniel is showering. IT is hot and steam starts to fill the room. A person uses the stall next to the shower and flushes. DANIEL Ow! Hot hot hot... damn it. FADE TO BLACK. INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - AFTERNOON Daniel is lying on his bed again. He is holding his phone and looking through the calls to see who he called while in his drunken stupor. INSERT cell phone screen showing "Melissa." He groans and puts his head in his hands. EXT. COMMONS - SIDEWALK - DAY MELISSA Hello? DANIEL Hi... this is Daniel. How are you? MELISSA I'm OK. DANIEL I'm sorry about last night. I was really drunk. I spent all day lying in bed dry heaving. MELISSA Why did you do that to yourself? Do you even remember all the stuff you told me on the phone last night? DANIEL Not really. I was feeling lonely. I'm sorry for waking you up last night to talk to a drunken idiot. MELISSA It's not OK, but I'm fine. DANIEL I still want to meet you though. MELISSA I don't know... FADE OUT. SUPER: TWO WEEKS LATER EXT. PARK - DANIEL AND GIRL WALKING - DAY Girl is SARAH. Daniel and Sarah are walking together, but not too close. DANIEL (V.O.) It's been two weeks since my drunken exuberance. Sarah my ex finance is back to walk over me yet again. When asked about my love life I mentioned Melissa. Of course I changed her age to 19. I feel like the proverbial loner, mentioning a girl I've never met. INT. RESTAURANT - DANIEL AND SARAH - DAY SARAH Why are you still here? You graduated two years ago. Shouldn't you be moving on? DANIEL I don't know. I guess I'm just waiting for some inspiration. To come out and be like... Here I am world Daniel Weston. I'm waiting to write my masterpiece. SARAH Don't wait too long. So how was your weekend? Did you go out? DANIEL Yeah and I got hit on by some older chicks. SARAH Is that good? DANIEL It's not good or bad, they just drank a little too much and couldn't help themselves. SARAH Ahh. Okay. DANIEL Probably thought that if I got drunk enough I'd take them home... kinda sad actually. SARAH I'm sure. So nothing came of that? DANIEL Um...not exactly my type. Yeah, there were no girls for me; no one that was interesting at least. SARAH Interesting enough to what? DANIEL To date. I want to be blown away, but I haven't met a girl yet who's done that to me. Maybe it's not even possible. I mean, I've loved girls, but I haven't been blown away by them. SARAH Um... thanks. DANIEL I didn't mean it like that. SARAH Yes you did. But that's okay. You can care about someone, even love them, and not be 'in' love with them or 'blown away.' DANIEL I could be in love with Melissa like that, but I'd have to see her in person to really know. Ah fuck it... I'll just stick to working a lot, and going out by myself. SARAH Right. Anyway, it would be hard to know what your feelings really are without spending time in the flesh. DANIEL (teasingly) It's all about the flesh SARAH Mmmm. Apparently it's not, because as you say, you have no problem with that area. DANIEL I was kidding. Sex is easy, but sex with passion and meaning... yeah... that's the good stuff. Anyway... at least part of you still has to find some strange, unexplainable attraction to the directionless writer still searching for that special thought. SARAH Maybe, but only a little part. DANIEL (awkward silence) I know. So how are you and your husband doing? SARAH We're fine. DANIEL You look really happy together. SARAH Thanks, we are. Stop trying to change the subject. Why haven't you met Melissa yet? DANIEL She says she's not ready to meet me yet and that she feels pressured. SARAH That's odd... don't you guys talk all the time? DANIEL Yeah, but remember she's only si-, ah, 19, and I kinda called her drunk awhile ago and said some things. SARAH What things? DANIEL It's embarrassing. I asked her to marry me, told her I loved her, and, well, you know... SARAH No wonder she doesn't want to meet you right away. DANIEL Maybe I should stop talking to her, tell her I don't want to do the wrong thing and mess her life up. SARAH Right. Then you'll start drinking and call her and all this shit will come out and you won't even remember what you said to her. DANIEL I don't do that anymore. SARAH Yeah. Famous last words, Daniel. DANIEL I promised I'd stop... SARAH Promised who? You even used to call me drunk. DANIEL What?! SARAH You used call me and beg me to live with you, kiss you..., all that stuff. DANIEL (embarrassed) Ahhh, you never told me all that before. I'm sorry about that... SARAH If I had a boyfriend who was doing that. You have a habit of doing this and not just in isolated incidents. DANIEL So what would you recommend? SARAH No more whacked out phone calls, obviously. And honestly, I would want to meet her in person, to try and see if your feelings are real and if she feels the same. You'll gain a much clearer and accurate idea of the situation and the type of relationship that may exist between the two of you, in the real world, not virtual land. Now, there is a huge risk in that, because what if they are real and she still doesn't feel the same for you? It will hurt like a bitch, but at least you'll know, and you can stop putting yourself out there. Even though that's a worst case scenario, there is a positive side to it, because you will definitely get closure either way. DANIEL Well she doesn't want to meet me yet. She's all fucked up. SARAH I think she does; she's just nervous. Just explain it to her the way I've explained it to you. If she really cares about you as a true friend, and not some trophy who is infatuated with her, then she'll want to do whatever she can to help salvage the friendship while still respecting your honest feelings for her. DANIEL Okay, I guess I'll do what I originally wanted and take her out. SARAH Okay, let's get your terminology right first. You won't be "taking her out" you'll be "meeting" her. It's the difference between sounding sleazy and sounding decent. Those are the little things that freak girls out. DANIEL All right, we'll see what happens. Thank you, though, I appreciate you your advice on this. CUT TO: Daniel and Sarah are getting ready ready to leave. SARAH My husband's waiting for me, but it's been fun catching up with you, and I'm sure we'll see each other around. (teasingly) Since you're here. DANIEL (ruefully) Thank you for that. SARAH (smiling) No problem. Daniel sets some money on the table. DANIEL There it is. Anyways, it's been fun hanging out with you. SARAH You too. They hug. DANIEL Have a good night SARAH Yeah, you too, good bye. Sarah walks away and Daniel sits there alone for awhile, thinking. He looks a little pathetic. FADE OUT: FADE IN: SUPER: THREE MONTHS LATER INT. COMMONS - DANIEL'S ROOM - DAY Daniel rummages through the clothes in his closet. He throws a bunch of selections on his bed. He's trying on outfits in his mirror. DANIEL Too old. Fuck it. He changes to a plain shirt. DANIEL Too boring. He changes to a sleek black shirt. DANIEL Too smooth. He changes to a wife beater. DANIEL Right. He changes to another nondescript shirt. DANIEL Too bland. He takes his shirt off and puts on a backwards baseball cap, smiling. DANIEL Too young. He pitches his voice higher. DANIEL I'm Daniel Weston. How you doin.' He laughs at himself and throws the cap off. He puts on a bright yellow shirt. DANIEL No. Changes into a blue button-up shirt. DANIEL Closer, but not quite right. He changes to a casual white button-up shirt. DANIEL Perfect. EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY Daniel is running to his car. In his excitement he trips and almost falls to the ground. EXT. PARK - TRACKING SHOT - MELISSA WALKING - DAY It's a beautiful day. Melissa walks along a park path, She's in a white sweatshirt and jeans, carrying her school bag. CUT TO: Daniel walking towards Melissa. She is sitting on a park bench, watching him approach. DANIEL Melissa? MELISSA (shyly) Hey. DANIEL I'm Daniel... well, ah -- MELISSA Nice to meet you. DANIEL Um, how are you doing? MELISSA Good, how are you? She fiddles with her purse. Its obvious she's a little nervous. DANIEL Cool. Did you have a good day at school? MELISSA It was good; I only had three classes, so... DANIEL It's so nice to finally see you. MELISSA (smiling shyly) You too. Daniel tries to cover up an awkward silence. DANIEL It's a nice day. MELISSA (smiling and nodding) Yeah it is. More silence, less awkward this time. Daniel looks at Melissa and they giggle a little. DANIEL Do you want to take a walk? MELISSA Sure. They start to walk. CUT TO: Daniel and Melissa running up a hill towards a picnic table. CUT TO: Daniel and Melissa sitting on a picnic table. They are sitting very close. DANIEL So what do you want to do? MELISSA I don't know. What do you normally do on a first date? DANIEL (teasingly) I thought this wasn't supposed to be a date. MELISSA That was before... DANIEL Well... I want to do something special. Something you've never done before. MELISSA Well name something and I'll tell you if I've done it or not. DANIEL Skydiving. You ever been skydiving? MELISSA (laughing) Skydiving? DANIEL Yeah, jump out of a plane, have some fun. MELISSA Yes, I know, but why would I want to jump out of a plane? DANIEL It would be fun. I'm serious, we should go skydiving. Melissa shakes her head, amused. DANIEL The only thing is that I heard the first time you jump you have to go strapped to someone's crotch. MELISSA (shaking her head vehemently) No. DANIEL Yeah! MELISSA I'm not doing it. DANIEL (laughing) Wha... why? MELISSA Hello, jumping out of a plane however far up that is, and being strapped to someone, and maybe having my parachute not come out... DANIEL (flirtatiously) You can go strapped to me if you want. MELISSA Have you ever skydived before? DANIEL (laughing) Of course, I do it all the time. Melissa is looking at him suspiciously. She suspects he's just teasing her. MELISSA Are you just kidding? Daniel is laughing again. DANIEL Anyways, um, actually the reason you have to go strapped to someone is because 1 out of 100 people have faulty parachutes. MELISSA Exactly! Daniel nudges her a little, smiling. DANIEL (teasingly) Just kidding. You're scared. MELISSA I am! Daniel leans a little closer, nudging her with his shoulder. It's obvious she likes the attention, but still feels a little nervous around him. DANIEL Maybe we should go see a scary movie... MELISSA I told you how I feel about scary movies. DANIEL Yet you watch them by yourself in the dark when you're bored? MELISSA (smiling sheepishly and giggling) Yeah, I like them but they scare the hell out of me; I'm a freak. DANIEL But you like it MELISSA (Teasing voice) Do you? DANIEL Let's see... Daniel moves closer to Melissa and looks straight in her eyes. MELISSA What are you looking at? DANIEL Your eyes... MELISSA What about them? DANIEL Well, they're beautiful, but they're also dilating. MELISSA What does that mean? DANIEL That you like what you're looking at. MELISSA Is that really what it means? DANIEL Actually, yeah. In magazines they dim the lights before taking the shots so the models look excited and like they enjoy staring at the intended audience... so what do you want to do? Again, he leans into her a little, trying to be seductive. She's shy. MELISSA I don't know. DANIEL Ah, lets go see a movie. MELISSA What kind? DANIEL Zombie killers four. Melissa gives him a "come on" look. DANIEL (laughing) I'm just kidding.. MELISSA (ruefully) Well, nothing can be as bad as Death Stalkers 3. DANIEL Zombie Killers 4. But the zombie genre's been coming back. There have been like four new zombie movies; there's even a comedy, Shane of the Dead. MELISSA I saw that one. DANIEL Really? You saw Shane of the Dead? Daniel is laughing, surprised. MELISSA I did; it was funny. DANIEL (agreeing)) It was hilarious. MELISSA I was still freaked out though. Please don't laugh at me. Maybe I'll see it, but you have to promise to stay with me for awhile afterwards. DANIEL Why's that? MELISSA Cause I get scared. I know it's stupid, but I can't help it. It's so bad. I get scared by anything. DANIEL Oh, zombie killers isn't really going to be that scary. MELISSA I got freaked out by the Jaberwokki from Alice in Wonderland. DANIEL Oh my god... that is bad. He smiles and takes her hand. DANIEL Come on, let's go on a walk. MELISSA Where do you want to go? He points in a random direction. They appear more relaxed around each other. DANIEL Well, first let's go this way. MELISSA (not really paying attention) Okay. DANIEL Then when we're done going that way, let's go over there. Then lets go talk to some runners. He laughs and Melissa shakes her head. MELISSA What? She realizes he's teasing and laughs with him. CUT TO: EXT. PARKING LOT - MELISSA'S CAR - DAY Daniel is standing next to Melissa. There is a slight awkwardness and they are both staring at each other. It is quiet for a few seconds. They hug. MELISSA I had a really good time. DANIEL Yeah, I'm so glad I finally got to meet you. This is great. When can I see you again? MELISSA Tomorrow. DANIEL Really? Melissa smiles sweetly and seductively at him and then slowly turns and starts to walk away. Daniel reaches for her before she goes a couple steps. He pulls her to him and puts his arms around her and gives her a hug. They kiss on the lips. She's shy and a little awkward. More silence, but this time filled with sexual tension as opposed to awkwardness. DANIEL (Smiling) Good bye Melissa. MELISSA (Smiling back) Bye. MELISSA gets in her car and drives away. FADE TO BLACK. INT. COMMONS - COMMON AREAS - COUCH Daniel is hanging out with CASEY again. They are both drinking beer. CASEY Hey I'm going to try and get some 'shrooms this weekend. Do you want to trip with me. DANIEL I don't think so. I've never done that before. CASEY Have you tried any psychedelics before? DANIEL No. CASEY That's like dying and having never had sex. DANIEL I don't know about that, I've seen them do some bad things to my friends. Nightmares, flashbacks, etc. CASEY Oh that only happens if you way over do it. It's not something you're suppose to do all the time, just every once in a great while. DANIEL Yeah, but what's the point? CASEY It gives you a new perspective and takes you completely out of your element. It's a little hard too explain to someone who has never experienced it before. DANIEL Doesn't it make you stupid? CASEY Do I seem stupid to you? Wait... don't answer that. Anyway, it changes you, but for the better. It improves your creativity. It could give you that inspiration you're always looking for. DANIEL Yeah, but I don't think it's worth the bad things It can do. CASEY Well I believe in the 50 times rule. After 50 times you have permanent psychosis, cause there is only so much your mind can take before it completely detaches from reality. Well, heave you've ever read or heard about the LSD experiments the government did? They experimented on some their top scientists without their knowledge. They were dosed with an insanely high amount and tripped for like a week. Afterwards they returned to their normal jobs and continued working for the government, except for one guy, who went completely insane and then tried to sue the government for causing his mental illness. He tried to kill everyone that turned completely homicidal. My mother works as a nurse at Precious Heart Hospital and the third floor is completely devoted to mental patients that can't come back into society and most of them are former drug addicts. People that abuse meth really bad can go into a homicidal psychosis permanently, where they are always trying to kill random people and have delusions of persecution. DANIEL Crazy, you definitely don't make it sound very appealing. CASEY Well that's only in the extremes. A little bit completely changes you, but for the better. You should try it sometime. DANIEL No thanks. I've talked to too many hippy fucks who try to tell me everything they've learned from tripping. It usually consists of seeing how it's all energy that comes up from the ground and flows through everything, cause everything is connected and that they've learned so much, but can't describe it. I'm like OK, you've learned nonsense... great. CASEY How was your date with Melissa? DANIEL It was great actually. She's a really cool girl. CASEY Have you hit it yet? DANIEL No... and I don't want to right away. I really like this girl. CASEY Oh come on, Mr. Insomniac. Why would you want to wait? Don't you get tired of jacking off to internet porn? DANIEL Haha... CASEY The Donkey show is a lot less interesting the 18th time. DANIEL (Laughing) You're a fucking pervert. Casey begins making humping noises and moving his hips back and forth. He continues and gets really into it. A COLLEGE GIRL enters the common area and stares at Casey. He doesn't notice her at first. Then he stops and looks, embarrassed. He tries to play it cool. CASEY Hi. What are you up to? FADE TO BLACK. INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - DAY Daniel sits on his bed, writing rapidly. CLOSEUP - NOTEBOOK DANIEL (V.O.) Slowly running my hand over her face, the tips pressing ever so softly against her skin, from her lips, to her neck, to her chest... over her belly and down to her... (sigh) Gazing into her eyes, enveloped in utter stillness, thrust against her skin, stillness...kisses, lips parted slightly as my tongue caresses the soft warmth of her tender neck. The small quivers of skin, eruptions spilling gently against my fingers as I run them across her naked back, hands exploring the intricacies of her soul. Long kisses... hot, as I press my lower lip against her skin, moving slowly, building into fast, deep kisses that touch every inch of her body. Moaning, clenched in my arms... hot... sweaty... hard, then soft... the shock and vibration of her body as I stroke her to distraction, continuing the rhythm, with every thrust slowly increasing, harder... faster... eyes locked... building... skin inflamed... hot, scorching, no release... then... ahhhhhhhh, ecstasy, sweet, hot and intense. When you're lying in post- coital sweat, every fiber of your body screaming with exquisite sensitivity , drained, the muscles relaxed, poured onto the bed as the breath steadies, lying next to perfection... then, my friend, you've found heaven. Daniel smiles. He looks down at his writing again. DANIEL'S POV The scrawled, jumbled writing on the page. BACK TO SCENE DANIEL (Softly, smiling to himself) Well it's quite obvious I'm a horny bastard. EXT. FIELD SOMEWHERE - DANIEL AND MELISSA ARE PLAYING Daniel and MELISSA are running around having fun and being goofy. DANIEL Have you seen Dirty Dancing? MELISSA Who hasn't? That's the best movie ever. They continue to play around. They are laughing and having fun. Melissa runs and jumps on Daniel he isn't ready and almost falls over and they are unsuccessful. They both laugh. DANIEL Wait, you have to warn me first OK? Let's try it slowly this time. MELISSA Okay. Don't drop me. They try again. She doesn't balance right and again they fall over, laughing. They go over to a tree. Daniel helps Melissa climb; she has trouble. DANIEL Ok, put your foot here. Now pull. Good. MELISSA I can't... DANIEL Yes you can. I've got you. Push. Higher. Come on. I've got you. Use some upper body strength. Melissa is laughing. He boosts her up and steps back, leaving her halfway up the tree. Her legs are dangling. They are both laughing. MELISSA I need to get up more. Daniel! Daniel! She continues to dangle. Daniel laughs, watching, and smacks her bottom. They laugh again. It's obvious they're having fun. FADE TO BLACK. INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - NIGHT Daniel and Melissa are hanging out. They are sitting on Daniel's bed. Melissa is holding the script for Harmony. MELISSA Harmony is really good; I like the how the demon whose haunting him is really himself. DANIEL That was supposed to be the most powerful part. The realization that all his problems, all his hate, and everything that was combined and traced out towards the world is really a reflection of his own cruelty rather than the cruelty of the world. The metaphor of the demon being a young version of himself. MELISSA I love the symbolism; it's great. DANIEL You should help me write something. MELISSA Help you how? DANIEL UM... help me with some ideas. MELISSA I read... DANIEL (teasingly) Give me some crazy ideas. I know you're a literature nut. MELISSA I read books. I like looking at them and analyzing them, but as for writing, that's all you. I can help you edit, help you submit it to publishers, but that's about it. DANIEL That would be cool... how do you know so much about publishing and editing and stuff? MELISSA My parents have a small publishing business. Its actually pretty successful, so I've been immersed in the publishing world all my life. It's probably why I love books, though I should be sick of them at this point. Daniel is surprised. DANIEL Crazy. How come you never mentioned that before? MELISSA I don't know. I didn't really think about it, I guess. DANIEL Hmm. I need to write something bigger; better than Harmony. MELISSA Why bigger? Why not start off little? DANIEL I want something... I'm a perfectionist. I hate reading my own work. He points to Harmony. DANIEL When I read something like that, I think 'ah, this is horrible' which is normal, I guess. I know its okay, but its not what I want. MELISSA So, another random question. What's the first thing you look at in someone when you're trying to figure out what's going on in their head? What's going on in their mind? DANIEL Where did that come from? MELISSA I don't know. Nowhere, I guess. Just thoughts. DANIEL Just thoughts, huh? There are a lot of things I look at. How they're body moves, how they move their hands... but mostly their eyes. Their eyes show if they're in pain happy, or sad; if they're anxious or they want something. Get an in depth look at their personality. MELISSA You can tell all that from someone's eyes? DANIEL Yes, and a lot more. MELISSA What do you see in my eyes? DANIEL I see beauty, and innocence, and a die-hard romantic... but you are kind of hard to read. MELISSA Why's that? DANIEL You just are. I don't make the rules. Why are you laughing? MELISSA I don't know... it's hard when someone's talking about you and what you're like. And I am a hopeless romantic... you got that right. DANIEL And much more... what's your biggest fear Melissa? MELISSA That I'll never fall in love DANIEL I guarantee that won't happen... MELISSA How do you know? I haven't fallen in love yet. DANIEL Well for one thing, hormones and nature will make you fall in love sometime no matter what... MELISSA I hate that you think like that. DANIEL If you put two people on an island with no one else they'll fall in love. Nature has a part in love too you know. But it's not a bad thing.. nature is beautiful, love is beautiful. I just understand how it works. Nature is a catalyst... for your feelings... it doesn't create your feelings... but it can help you realize them. Does that makes sense? MELISSA Kinda, but I don't know... I believe in soul mates... That there is one person you are destined to be with Daniel smiles. MELISSA What? I really do! I know it's silly, but I can't help it. DANIEL It's not silly, it's cute. You're cute. MELISSA (smiles sweetly up at him) So what's your biggest fear? DANIEL Being alone... like ending up alone. MELISSA I thought you said nature would make sure you fell in love. DANIEL Yeah, but being in love doesn't mean you won't be alone... the only thing that really exists is the moment right now... that's my biggest fear... being trapped in fleeting moments where all I can think about is how much I love someone and not being able to express it... being forever alone...no one to care about or share myself with... I hate being alone. MELISSA I'm sure you'll never be alone for any real length of time. DANIEL Why's that? MELISSA Because you're too nice a guy. DANIEL Oh god, please don't say that. MELISSA Say what? DANIEL You just called me a nice guy. MELISSA So? DANIEL Girls don't like nice guys MELISSA I do. Melissa leans over and kisses Daniel softly on the cheek. MELISSA Have you ever been in love before? DANIEL Once. MELISSA Really? DANIEL Yeah. MELISSA Why didn't it work out? DANIEL She was very career oriented, which is cool, but I was still an undergrad and she graduated and was going to leave for grad school. I had to stay and finish my degree. I don't do long distance relationships, so it was goodbye. I don't want someone without ambition, but I do want someone who will support me and will make decisions in our best interest. And at the time I didn't plan on being suck in this same city. MELISSA Why are you still here? DANIEL Still waiting for my inspiration. I am going to write something incredible someday. MELISSA What happened to her? DANIEL She moved, met someone else, and got married. MELISSA Wow... that was quick. DANIEL Well, she's a little older than me, so it was probably her "time." MELISSA What's a little older? DANIEL Two years. MELISSA What's name? DANIEL Sarah. MELISSA Do you still love her? DANIEL I'll always love her. I think if you really love someone that your feelings will never go away. MELISSA Oh... I guess I sort of understand... Daniel, do you care that I'm only 16? DANIEL Of course not. I think it's hot. What's sexier then a beautiful young girl. MELISSA Is that the only reason you like me? I mean, why do you like me so much; what makes me so different? DANIEL Oh, come on now... I love how you look at me, how you talk, the excitement in your eyes when we talk about playing tag on moon... why would you ask me that? MELISSA (shyly, looking down) I don't know... DANIEL (softly) Melissa... MELISSA (looks up) Yeah? DANIEL Can I kiss you? Melissa looks into Daniel's eyes. He slowly moves his finger to the side of her face. He runs them down her neck and slowly on to her chest. Melissa closes her eyes, then opens them and looks excited, but slightly nervous. Daniel leans forward and kisses her. They pull apart, smiling. MELISSA I like you. DANIEL I like you too. FADE TO BLACK. INT. COMMONS - COMMON AREA - DANIEL AND CASEY - DAY CASEY Hey, hold on a second, something's different. Casey moves a little closer to Daniel and looks at him. Daniel smiles and has a funny grin. DANIEL What do you mean? CASEY You're glowing. DANIEL Glowing? What? CASEY You got laid didn't you? You had sex with Melissa? DANIEL No. Well, not yet anyway. CASEY Not yet, when are you planning it? DANIEL I'm not, I really like this girl. CASEY What do you guys do together? DANIEL We talk about everything and nothing at the same time. CASEY Uh huh... everything and nothing... weirdo. Dude, I know what you should write about! DANIEL What? CASEY Write about what you know. Write about Melissa, that's what's interesting to me. Tell me about her. DANIEL What about her? CASEY How she breathes, how she feels, what that does to you. I think it would be interesting. DANIEL That's a great idea! A cat wanders into the room. Casey picks it up and cradles it like a baby. CASEY You're a stupid cat aren't you? You're just stoopid, huh? Yeah, you're just a big baby. FADE TO BLACK. INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - DAY He is again trying to write something. He looks relatively happy and is messing around, typing on the computer. FADE OUT: INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - NIGHT DANIEL So what do you want to listen to? MELISSA Something sexy. DANIEL Something sexy? MELISSA Yeah DANIEL Why's that? Melissa smiles. They begin to dance. Daniel picks her up like you would carry a baby and takes her to the bed. They fall onto it and start making out. FADE TO: INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - DAY Daniel and Melissa are lying in bed together. The sheets are messed up and Daniel has his arm around her. DANIEL How do you feel? Melissa smiles and snuggles into Daniel, burying her head a little in the crook of his arm. MELISSA Good... how do you feel? DANIEL Alive. MELISSA Alive? What do you mean? DANIEL I feel energized, full of life, ready to take on the world. What do you want to today? Let's go for a walk, or even better, go hiking? Wait. What about a road trip? San Francisco would be fun. MELISSA Um, no, hello. I have to go to school and then back home so my parents won't suspect anything. DANIEL What would happen if your parents found out about me? MELISSA Well... that's not going to happen. DANIEL But what would happen if they did? MELISSA They would freak and probably try to prosecute you. My mom would be more likely to be okay with it, but my dad would absolutely freak. FADE TO BLACK. EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - MELISSA WALKING HOME - AFTERNOON Melissa hurries out of the school and begins her walk home. WIDE SHOT - BRIDGE AND PARKING LOT IN FRONT OF SCHOOL CLOSEUP - MELISSA WALKING FADE TO: EXT. RANDOM PARK - BENCH - DANIEL WRITING Daniel is drinking an energy drink and staring into a note book. He is attacking it with the pen and writing very rapidly. He stops, looks around, smiles and continues to write. FADE TO BLACK. EXT. HIGHSCHOOL - BLEACHERS - DAY Clarissa and Melissa are hanging out after school. CLARISSA You know Justin likes you right? He's totally cute. I bet he asks you to Homecoming. MELISSA (smiles) Maybe, but I probably won't go with anybody. CLARISSA Why's that? MELISSA You know why; I think I'm in love with Daniel. CLARISSA (in a teasing voice) I can't believe you had sex with him, you're such a slut. MELISSA Clarissa! CLARISSA Just kidding! Well, you should at least bring him sometime when we all hang out. MELISSA Don't you think that would be weird? CLARISSA Yeah, but I want to meet him. MELISSA But what if my parents find out? CLARISSA Do you really think you can hide it from them forever? FADE OUT: INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - NIGHT - ONE MONTH LATER Daniel is drinking another caffeine drink and writing. He is typing on his laptop once again. CELL PHONE RINGS. Daniel answers it. INT. MELISSA'S BEDROOM - SAME TIME MELISSA Daniel, I'm pregnant. (beat) INTERCUT telephone conversation. Daniel is shocked. He fumbles a bit and rubs his face. DANIEL (fast and nervously) Oh my god... shit... are you okay? Are you alright? Where are you? I'll come pick you up. MELISSA You can't right now. My parents are home. DANIEL I don't care about that. I need to see you. MELISSA I'm sorry. I-I just can't. I'll be okay, honestly. DANIEL No, you won't, you're pregnant. What are we going to do... oh my god my life could be over... let me come get you... go away with me. MELISSA Stop talking crazy, Daniel. DANIEL What do you think about an abortion? MELISSA What-!? Damn, my mom is calling me, I'll call you back. MELISSA hangs up. DANIEL Wait... PHONE is DEAD. Melissa is no longer on the line. Daniel is still holding the phone in shock. FADE TO BLACK. INT. BASEMENT - HANDHELD SHOT - DANIEL'S POV - NIGHT A dingy floor, a beer bottle, a notebook of scribbles. A feeling of uneasiness. SLURP CHUG SPLASH A shaky hand sets down a beer bottle. THUD THUD THUD Someone is walking heavily down a stair case nearby. PAN TO - CASEY He has a soccer ball in hand and a slightly exasperated expression as he approaches. CASEY Dude what's going on, I've been looking for you for like the last ten minutes. You're not in your room DANIEL (interrupting) Melissa's pregnant. Fuck man, what the fuck am I going to do? (pacing back and forth nervously) CASEY Man, are you sure she's pregnant DANIEL That's what she told me... my life's over. She's mad at me, her parents are going to find out... I'm going to jail... I'm a fucking idiot. CASEY (in a more serious, calming voice) Calm down Daniel. Make sure its for real and that she takes a pregnancy test. DANIEL Why do you keep saying that? CASEY 'Cause girls are wrong about that sometimes or they tell you that to get a rise out of you. It's happened to me a few times and they never ended up being pregnant. DANIEL Well, Melissa isn't like that. CASEY Trust me, ask her to take a pregnancy test at Planned Parenthood. DANIEL Won't her parents find out for sure then? CASEY It's anonymous. Daniel continues to drink. CASEY Trust me, you'll be alright. FADE TO BLACK. INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - NIGHT Daniel is stumbling around drunk. He calls MELISSA'S PHONE... it RINGS five times, then her VOICE MAIL comes on. DANIEL (In a drunken slur) Melissa I'll take care of you. Don't worry about anything. I have money. We'll be happy. Run away with me... (more drunken, incoherent slur) FADE TO BLACK. INT. PARK - DAY Daniel walks up to Melissa on a park bench and immediately gives her a passionate hug. She hugs him back and they pause in each other's arms. DANIEL Hi. MELISSA Hi. DANIEL I missed you MELISSA I missed you, too. They talk for several minutes in hushed voices, but they are agitated. CLOSEUP - DANIEL AND MELISSA'S FACES DANIEL You're not pregnant? What the fuck! Why did you lie to me? MELISSA I didn't lie! I wasn't sure... I thought I was because my period was a week and a half late... FADE TO: DANIEL You want a fantasy, this is real. The guy you want doesn't exist. This isn't a fucking movie. This is real; I'm real. MELISSA I know what I want... DANIEL Yeah, and what is that? MELISSA God, I don't know, but not this. DANIEL Well... at least this way life is interesting. MELISSA You're a mess, Daniel. INT. - DANIEL'S ROOM - DAY - TWO WEEKS LATER Daniel is again drinking beer. He's pacing back and forth, looking very nervous. He's looking at a small black jewelry box. FADE TO BLACK. FADE IN: INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - DAY He is drinking more beer and looking over some text. He is rough-shaven and looks depressed. He is editing something on the computer for awhile. He presses print. INSERT - COMPUTER SCREEN Printing page 1 of 550. BACK TO SCENE It finishes printing and Daniel sighs and puts the pages together in order. He continues drinking more of his beer. He makes a large stack and then assembles them. He pulls out the black jewelry box and reveals a beautiful ring. He puts both the manuscript and the ring in a packet. EXT. SIDEWALK - DAY Daniel walks to a post office drop off box and drops the package in. FADE TO BLACK. INT. MELISSA'S ROOM - NIGHT She is looking through her mail and sees a big package. She opens it and takes out both the jewelry box and the ring. She begins to read. CLOSEUP - MELISSA READING She reads the whole thing. There are tears in her eyes. She looks at the ring and puts it on her finger. MELISSA CALLS Daniel. His PHONE RINGS six times before the ANSWERING MACHINE PICKS UP. She doesn't leave a message. She gets dressed and leaves. EXT. JONES' HOUSE - GARAGE - MELISSA'S CAR Melissa gets in her car and drives to Daniel's place. INT. COMMONS - HALLWAY - OUTSIDE DANIEL'S ROOM - NIGHT She walks down the hallway and knocks on his door. Daniel answers, he is holding another beer. DANIEL Hello. MELISSA Hi. You're still awake. DANIEL (soft and slowly) I've been going through a little insomnia again lately. Did you get my package? MELISSA (emotionally) Daniel, it is beautiful. That's the most beautiful thing anyone has ever given me. DANIEL I'm glad you liked it. MELISSA I loved it... whats that? She points to the beer in his hand. DANIEL Why do you care? MELISSA Why do I-you know what, whatever. Bye -- DANIEL (reaching out and grabbing her hand) Melissa, wait... I'm sorry (hugs her) MELISSA You're an alcoholic. And I do care, because I love you. DANIEL I prefer drunk... but yes I know. And I'm working on that. MELISSA How? By drinking yourself to death. You know what Daniel? I think you do get scared. DANIEL Of what? MELISSA Not amounting to anything. DANIEL Yeah... MELISSA Alcohol is your escape. It allows you to avoid doing anything useful. DANIEL Maybe. She looks hopeless. He touches her arm, but she shakes him off and walks quickly down the hall. She's sobbing now. He watches her go. FADE TO: INT. MELISSA'S BEDROOM - DAY Melissa is in her bedroom and puts Daniel's manuscript in a large manila envelop. She puts a bunch of stamps on it. FADE TO: INT. JONES' HOUSE - KITCHEN MR. JONES comes home holding a heavily stamped envelope containing the manuscript. He goes to the kitchen and begins to make himself something to eat. He sets it down on the counter. After making his food, he looks at it again. He's a little bewildered and opens the envelope. It contains the manuscript and a small note. He picks up the note. INSERT - NOTE It is a note, ostensibly from Daniel WESTON. "DEAR EDITOR: I HAVE WRITTEN WHAT I HOPE TO BE AN ENGAGING AND PROVOCATIVE PIECE ON THE BEAUTY OF A WOMAN. IF YOU WOULD TAKE THE TIME JUST TO READ IT OVER, I'M SURE YOU WOULD ENJOY IT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU SOON. SINCERELY YOURS, DANIEL WESTON." BACK TO SCENE MR. JONES frowns a little, shrugs and sits down on the couch, manuscript in hand. FADE TO: MR. JONES in the middle of reading the paper. While he's reading we hear Daniel'S VOICE OVER. DANIEL (V.O.) She was an angel, about to get her first taste of mortality, the realization that it wouldn't last forever. That incredible feeling... that you're free. You want to feel every tiny fiber of your limited existence... to dwell in an emotional sandstorm, to be so flushed with the human experience that if even if death came in the preceding seconds, you would smile, for you knew you were really, truly alive once. Mr. Jones picks up the phone and dials. He speaks to someone on the other end. MR. JONES Hi Rob - I've just received a very interesting manuscript. I'm going to send it to you to read. I know we don't normally look at anonymous submissions, but you have to read this; it's great. FADE TO: INT. DANIEL'S ROOM - DAY PHONE RINGS It's an executive from Mr. Jones' publishing company. DANIEL Hello? EXECUTIVE Hi, is this Daniel Weston? DANIEL Yes. RANDOM EXECUTIVE This is the Senior Vice President for Aldor Publishing and we've received your submission... FADE TO BLACK. INT. JONES' HOUSE - HALLWAY OUTSIDE MELISSA'S ROOM - DAY Mr. Jones is excited. He knocks on Melissa's door. INT. MELISSA'S BEDROOM - DAY MELISSA opens the door and MR. JONES enters. MR. JONES Hey honey, how was your day? MELISSA Pretty good actually. She runs her hand through her hair and Mr. Jones sees the ring. CLOSEUP - RING CUT TO: CLOSEUP - MR. JONES His face looks pinched, as if he's just realizing something. He remembers Daniel describing the ring to his lover in the manuscript, and the description of the lover. MR. JONES (calmly, but you can tell something's wrong) Where did you get that ring Melissa? MELISSA (looking uncomfortable) Um... I just got it at the mall. Mr. Jones looks at her for a moment, turns and walks away. He stops at her door and turns to her again. MR. JONES Give Daniel my regards, won't you? CUT TO: Melissa looks shocked. MELISSA Daddy -- Mr. Jones interrupts her. MR. JONES How did this happen? FADE TO BLACK. INT. MELISSA'S ROOM - NIGHT Melissa is in her room lying on the bed with the pillow over her head. We hear the VOICES of her Mr. Jones and Mrs. Jones YELLING at each other in the back ground. MRS. JONES I can't believe this happened. That we were so god-damned blind. We have to do something. MR. JONES We were so stupid... I was stupid... You were stupid. Clarissa's house my ass. Melissa calls Daniel. FADE TO: EXT. JONES' HOUSE - PORCH Daniel knocking at the door, well-groomed and nicely dressed. CUT TO: INT. JONES' HOUSE - FRONT DOOR MRS. JONES POV Reaches the front door and opens it. Sees Daniel. BACK TO SCENE MRS. JONES Hello? Can I help you? DANIEL Hi, I'm Daniel Weston. I need to speak with you. MRS. JONES (barely controlling her anger) Honey that man's here. Mr. Jones walks to the door. MR. JONES Who? MRS. JONES Daniel Weston. Mr. Jones looks at Daniel and doesn't say anything for a minute. MR. JONES Why are you here? DANIEL Can I please just speak with you? Mr. Jones and Mrs. Jones look at each other. Mr. Jones looks extremely angry. MR. JONES So speak. DANIEL Please, can I come in? Mrs. Jones knows her husband will probably yell. She looks outside nervously. MRS. JONES Homey, please, I don't want the neighbors to see or hear what's going on. MR. JONES Fine. You've got five minutes. FADE TO: INT. JONES' HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - COUCH Daniel sits facing Mr. and Mrs. Jones, trying to explain. DANIEL If you're going to prosecute me, then do it, but know that I do love your daughter. I never intended this. I just met her and couldn't help falling in love with her. FATHER She's only 16. DANIEL I know, but that didn't change my heart. FADE TO: DANIEL You like my work. Just because I was inspired by your daughter doesn't mean it's any less valid. FADE TO: EXT. JONES' HOUSE - PORCH Daniel is leaving. You hear Melissa calling his name and her parents yelling. INT. JONES' HOUSE - TRACKING SHOT Melissa rushes through the house and out the door, still calling his name. Daniel looks into her eyes and smiles. MELISSA Don't worry, they won't prosecute. And we can still see each other... well at least talk... DANIEL (smiling sadly) We'll see. I love you Melissa. And thank you. MELISSA For what? DANIEL (touches her face, kisses her, and pulls away) Everything. Daniel lets her go and squeezes her hand. He turns and walks away. FADE TO BLACK. SUPER: ONE YEAR LATER INT. NEW YORK - HOUSE - NICE OFFICE - DAY Daniel is looking good and dressed very maturely, sitting at a desk. He's online and typing to Melissa. INT. JONES' HOUSE - MELISSA'S ROOM - DAY Melissa is smiling, and replying to Daniel. INTERCUT chat conversation. MELISSA (V.O.) How's New York? DANIEL (V.O.) Very cold, but good... FADE TO BLACK. THE END