"Escalator"

                           by

                    Laurel St. Loren

Sunlight creeps through the blinds and spills over a couple
sleeping in bed.

Two alarm clocks BLARE simultaneously.

A hand reaches out and silences the clock beside him. A
female hand shuts off the alarm on her phone, then she shoves
the phone right off the night stand.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - LATER

TWAIN PARKER, twenty-five, is petite and her makeup is harsh.
Her blonde hair could use a touchup. She irons a shirt as a
toddler, LACEY, tugs at her pocket.

Five year old SUNNY bursts into the room.

                         SUNNY
             Why's Lacey wearing my shirt?

                         TWAIN
             'Cause it ain't fit you in years.

                         SUNNY
             It's mine and I love it.

                         TWAIN
             Make you a deal. You get a job,
             start buying your own clothes,
             and I'll let you decide who wears
             'em.

Sunny, followed closely by Lacey, stomps off, brushing past
TREVOR JANE as he steps into the room.

Trevor, twenty-six, is not a big guy. Preppy and groomed to
the max, he sports khakis and a snow white tee. He puts his
freshly ironed work shirt on, removing pieces of lint as he
buttons up.

                         TWAIN
             Ready to do this?

                         TREVOR
             I've got a good feeling.

                         TWAIN
             That you're gonna lose? Me too.

Twain retrieves a quarter from her pocket.

                         TREVOR
             Heads.

                                                            2.

Twain slaps the corner onto the back of her hand. HEADS. She
gives Trevor her best puppy dog face.

                         TREVOR
             No way.

                         TWAIN
             Fine. I'm gonna lick it.

Twain puts the quarter to her lips.

                         TREVOR
             That is absolutely disgusting.

Twain sticks out her tongue and Trevor GAGS. Satisfied, Twain
slips her tongue back into her mouth.

                         TWAIN
             It's okay, I'll ride with Jos. I
             just wanted to watch ya squirm.

With that Twain grins and pokes Trevor in the ribs.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM

MERCY JANE steps into the house. A thin woman in her forties,
she is attractive and well dressed.

Sunny and Lacey are thrilled to see her. She hugs Sunny and
picks up the baby.

                         MERCY
             How are my big girls?

                         SUNNY
             My mom says I have to get a job.

                         MERCY
             Any luck finding one?

Mercy crinkles her nose, hoists Lacey up, and sniffs her
backside.

                         MERCY
             I've got a job for you. Help me
             change sissy's diaper.

INT. DUSTY'S BASEMENT - MORNING

His parents' basement, but it's awesome. California King bed,
ridiculous TV, and a decor which suggests that whoever lives
here has tastes normally only appreciated by sixteen year
old boys.

                                                            3.

JOSLYN MCNAMARA, mid-twenties, sits up in bed. Even in her
bed headed, puffy eyed state, you can see that she is
beautiful. She tucks wavy, dark hair behind her ear and picks
up her phone. GASPS.

                         JOSLYN
             DUSTY!

The mound of blankets next to her stirs and DUSTY STABILE,
also mid-twenties, emerges from under the covers. He is tall
and a little overweight, but his face is cherubic.

Joslyn hurriedly gets ready for work.

                         JOSLYN
             You turned off the alarm again!

                         DUSTY
                  (out of it)
             So sorry, Jossie.

Dusty falls back into his pillow and closes his eyes.

                         JOSLYN
             Hello? You need to get ready, too!

                         DUSTY
             Janey's got me, dude, it's cool.

Joslyn's retort arrives in the form of a towel in Dusty's face.

INT. DINER - DAY

A small, casual diner. You come here for stuff like biscuits
and gravy and tenderloins.

Twain is behind the register. She talks on the phone and
holds a grimy plate in her hand.

                         TWAIN
                  (into the phone)
             I'll just meet ya, I gotta get
             some stuff anyways.
                  (listens)
             Jossie, you were not outta line!
             He's gotta grow up --

A pizza faced teenaged DISHWASHER, passes by Twain.

                         TWAIN
                  (to the dishwasher)
             Where were you?

                                                            4.

                         DISHWASHER
             Smokin'.

                         TWAIN
             Well, next time you're out there
             "smokin'", chew on the fact that
             I can replace your ass with a
             machine, okay?

The dishwasher is scared to rebut.

                         TWAIN
             P. S., that ain't cigarettes I'm
             smelling, tokie. You ain't sneaky.

Twain thrusts the plate into his hands. The dishwasher slinks
away to the kitchen, head lowered.

Twain then remembers that Joslyn is still on the phone.

EXT. SAVEMOR - DAY

Twain and Joslyn are in the parking lot of a huge grocery
store, slinging bags of groceries into the backseat of
Joslyn's car. Joslyn still sports her SaveMor work shirt and
name tag.

Twain attempts to light a cigarette against the wind. An
OLDER LADY in a sun hat waves at Joslyn.

                         OLDER LADY
             There's my favorite cashier! Going
             home for the day?

                         JOSLYN
             Sadly! I'm so sorry I missed you!

The lady looks at Twain disapprovingly.

                         OLDER LADY
             It's one thing to kill yourself,
             but do you think anyone else wants
             to be around that foul stuff?

Twain lights the cigarette and takes a huge drag. Blows it
out slowly. Joslyn is mortified.

As the lady leaves, Twain is nearly SMASHED TO DEATH as a
nice SUV slams into the spot next to them. The driver,
MERRICK SIBBLE, hops out. He is early thirties, blonde, and
fit. However, he oozes bad vibes that can't be concealed by
good looks.

                                                            5.

                         TWAIN
             DRIVE MUCH, YOU FUCKING MORON?!

                         MERRICK
             Here is something totally
             unexpected. Twain Parker
             overreacting about something.

                         TWAIN
             Merrick, ya almost just killed me!

A PRETTY YOUNG GIRL emerges from the passenger's side of
Merrick's vehicle.

                         MERRICK
                  (to Joslyn)
             Tell me, did I almost kill her?

Merrick and Twain both await her response, and Joslyn hates
it. Merrick flashes a winning smile and plucks Twain's
cigarette from her hand.

                         MERRICK
             Let's start over. Sorry I almost
             killed you, Twain.

He takes a drag off of Twain's cigarette and returns it.

                         MERRICK
                  (to Joslyn)
             Joslyn, what's Dusty been up to?

Joslyn opens her mouth to reply but Twain cuts her off.

                         TWAIN
             Dusty thinks you're an asshole.
             Also, your girlfriend's age
             suggests that you are a pedophile.
             Go away.

Merrick's warm expression drops several degrees. He glares
at Twain for what seems like an eternity.

                         MERRICK
             Stay pleasant, Twain.

                         TWAIN
             Eat a bowl of dicks, Merrick.

Merrick smirks and finally walks away with his girl. Twain
flicks the cigarette at the back of his head.

                         TWAIN
             He fucking sucks.

                                                            6.

EXT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - EVENING

Trevor and Twain occupy one half of a duplex. The driveway,
shared with neighbors, is full. Joslyn is parked on the
street and she and Twain chatter as they unload groceries.

The sounds of a NOISY ARGUMENT can be heard O.S. Twain and
Joslyn look up just as Trevor and Twain's front door BURSTS
open.

Trevor shoots off the porch and into the yard. Dusty is in
the doorway, holding someone back.

                         DUSTY
             Whoa, dude, take it easy!

Dusty is pushed aside as a big DRUNK GUY, holding an empty
pint of whiskey, makes his way down the steps.

Mercy rushes out. She carries Lacey and her nose is bleeding
all over the baby's jumper.

                         TWAIN
                  (confused, alarmed)
             Mercy?!

                         MERCY
                  (to the drunk guy)
             Don't you hit my son!

                         DRUNK GUY
             Shut up, bitch.

The man tosses the bottle and smacks Trevor in the head.
Twain drops her stuff and throws herself in front of Trevor.

                         TWAIN
             GET OUT OF HIS FUCKING FACE!

Trevor tries to scoot her out of the way. The drunk pushes
into their space. Winds back, ready to knock Trevor out.

DUSTY APPEARS AND THROWS THE MAN TO THE GROUND.

                         DUSTY
             Enough.

The drunk man struggles with his own two feet before making
his way towards Trevor once again. Twain SHOVES the man and
he gets in her face.

                         DRUNK GUY
             You want something too, you puny
             bitch?

                                                            7.

Dusty grabs him and steers him towards his beat up truck.

                         DUSTY
             Go on, dude. Clear out.

The man teeters away, a barrage of barely intelligible
insults firing from his mouth.

As he pulls away, he HITS JOSLYN'S CAR. Everyone flinches.
Dusty pats Trevor on the back.

                         DUSTY
             Fuck him, Janey. Fuck him and the
             rusty ass hoopty he rolled in on.

Joslyn is now holding Lacey. Standing beside her is a
terrified Sunny.

Trevor kneels in front of Sunny.

                         TREVOR
             You okay?
                  (to Lacey)
             How about you, little one?

Lacey isn't traumatized, laughing and reaching for dad. Dusty
also laughs.

                         DUSTY
                  (to Lacey)
             Why you laughin', Mini-Jane? This
             is a serious situation, you know
             that?

 Trevor picks both girls up and hugs them.

                         TREVOR
             You guys are tough, you guys are
             so tough.

                         SUNNY
             We're not guys.

                         TREVOR
                  (to Mercy)
             Hey, you picked a good one this
             time. Mensa or Rhodes Scholar?

Mercy dabs her nose on her shirt.

                         MERCY
             Son, I'm sorry this happened.

                                                            8.

                         TREVOR
             Go home.

Trevor means business.

                         MERCY
                  (confused)
             My nose is bleeding all over the
             place. It might be broken!

                         TREVOR
             Then go to the doctor. Go wherever
             you'd like. Just make sure that
             wherever you go, it's far away
             from us.

Trevor looks at her with nary a glint of emotion and walks
away with his children. Twain watches them, perplexed.

Mercy is crushed.

                         MERCY
                  (to Joslyn)
             Your car, hun, I'm so sorry.

                         DUSTY
             Don't worry, Mercy. I'll look at it.

                         MERCY
                  (to Twain)
             Hug the girls for me?

Twain is sympathetic. She touches Mercy's face, examines her
nose.

                         TWAIN
             I seen a few broken noses and you
             ain't broken. But if ya wanna go
             to the doctor, you can tell 'em I
             elbowed you in the face.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Dusty and Joslyn are still there. Sunny gives Trevor a small,
toy dog.

                         SUNNY
             This is Beatrice. I got her for
             you so you won't be sad.

Across the room, Joslyn gives Dusty "awwww" face.

                                                            9.

                         TREVOR
             Thank you. Is she housebroken?
             Does she have all her shots?

                         SUNNY
                  (has no idea)
             Yep. I think so, dad.

Trevor smiles at his child.

                         TREVOR
             She'll make a great pet.

Sunny dawdles. She wants to tell her dad something, but she's
nervous.

                         TREVOR
             Did you need to tell me something?

                         SUNNY
             I think I'll get grandma a pet,
             too. She was really sad tonight.

Twain appears, carrying a knife and an orange.

                         TWAIN
             Sunny Clare, once you eat this,
             you're goin' to bed. Got anymore
             playin' to do?

Sunny scurries off.

Twain sits down on the floor and begins peeling the orange.
She glares at the TV.

ON TV: "Reality." A bikini clad woman twirls around a
stripper pole mounted in the living room.

                         TWAIN
             Who is responsible for this?

Twain accusingly points the knife at Dusty.

                         DUSTY
                  (innocently)
             VH1.

                         TWAIN
             That bitch has got a face that
             needs to be punched.

                         DUSTY
             Speaking of that, you guys don't
             have a babysitter now, huh?

                                                           10.

Trevor and Twain both look at him.

                         DUSTY
                  (awkward)
             I was just sayin' maybe you didn't
             think that one through, uh,
             thoroughly? But props on putting
             your foot down and all.

                         TREVOR
             We will figure something out.

Joslyn claps her hands excitedly.

                         JOSLYN
             In the meantime, how many days
             should I take off?

                         TREVOR
             Joslyn, I can't make you do that.

                         TWAIN
             Yeah, one of us can just quit our
             jobs and stay at home with the
             girls. It's no big deal.

Trevor detects Twain's sarcasm and acknowledges it with a
raised eyebrow.

                         JOSLYN
             A week? Is that enough time? Let me.

Trevor opens his mouth to object.

                         DUSTY
             Janey, shut up. She lives for
             this shit.

                         JOSLYN
             I'll be here at seven-thirty.

Twain jumps up and hugs Joslyn.

                         TWAIN
             Homie, you're the best.

After a moment of reluctance, Trevor smiles and nods in
agreement.

EXT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Trevor and Twain sit on the porch with their door cracked.
MUSIC and TALKING can be heard coming from the neighbors.

                                                           11.

A winged creature lands in Twain's hair and Trevor opts to
blow it away rather than touch it.

                         TREVOR
             June bug.

                         TWAIN
             Thanks.

Twain takes the final drag off her cigarette and flicks the
butt into the neighbor's yard.

                         TREVOR
             Was I out of line tonight? I sent
             my mom home with a bloody nose.
             That sounded bad. I didn't give
             her the bloody nose --

Twain shushes him and gently touches his face.

                         TWAIN
             You're only human.

Neighbors emerge from next door, drunk and obnoxious. One, a
big girl named ANGIE, looks the couple over. Trevor and Twain
lower their heads. Once it's safe, Twain looks at Trevor.

                         TWAIN
             Know what else?

                         TREVOR
             What's that?

                         TWAIN
             You were kinda bad ass.
                  (softly)
             Trevor Jane don't play.

When she says his name in this manner, it sounds like she is
saying "Trev-ah Jyne"

Trevor smiles and blushes.

INT. DUSTY'S BASEMENT - NIGHT

Dusty and Joslyn are together on the bed. Dusty gives Joslyn
a pedicure.

                         JOSLYN
             We saw Merrick Sibble today. He
             almost ran over Twain.

                                                           12.

                         DUSTY
                  (thinly veiled sarcasm)
             But ... he's such a nice guy.

                         JOSLYN
             He had this girl with him. She
             looked like she was sixteen.

Dusty opens a bottle of nail polish.

                         DUSTY
             Twain was only seventeen.

                         JOSLYN
             I don't get it. Is he trying to
             recreate that? Merrick is charming,
             he's good looking --

                         DUSTY
             I am this close to not painting
             your toes.

                         JOSLYN
             But there's always the Twain thing.

                         DUSTY
                  (shakes head)
             It ain't a Twain thing. See,
             Merrick's like a four year old. A
             giant, four year old asshole.

                         JOSLYN
             Okay.

                         DUSTY
                  (shrugs)
             Trevor stole his toy and he's
             been having a tantrum every since.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - MORNING

Twain stands on her tiptoes and reaches to the top of the
closet. Retrieves the iron. Something catches her eye. A
small, blue box, mostly hidden by folded clothing.

She shudders. Then she grabs a roll of wrapping paper and
uses it to push the box completely out of sight.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - KITCHEN

Trevor retrieves several moist towelettes from a drawer and
puts them in his pocket. LOUD MUSIC can be heard coming from
the neighbor's house.

                                                           13.

Twain walks into the room, flustered.

                         TREVOR
             Are you okay?

Twain nods.

                         TWAIN
                  (re: the music)
             Holy shit, these assholes need to
             shut the fuck up, like, yesterday.

                         TREVOR
             Do you want me to go over there
             and talk to them?

Twain knows he's never going to go over there, but she
pretends to contemplate. Lays a hand on his chest.

                         TWAIN
                  (sweetly)
             Nah.

Trevor looks relieved and Twain pulls a quarter from her
pocket.

                         TWAIN
             Man, this sucks. I can't wait to
             get my ride replaced.

Trevor takes the quarter from her.

                         TREVOR
             Possibly, you're just bitter
             because you lose everyday.

                         TWAIN
             Possibly, you're bitter because
             you'll never be as awesome as me.
             So, it's whatever.

They exchange smiles.

EXT. DINER - DAY

Holding a half eaten burger, Twain lights a cigarette and
hands her lighter to Mercy, who lights a smoke of her own.

                         MERCY
             So the McNamara girl's watching
             them? How long's that gonna last?

                                                           14.

                         TWAIN
             Not too long. She's got her own
             job at SaveMor.

                         MERCY
             He didn't need to do that. He got
             carried away, you have to admit it.

                         TWAIN
             Mercy, I'll smooth it out.
             Trevor's just doing the best he
             knows how.

                         MERCY
             He's acting like a spoiled brat.

Twain rolls her eyes.

                         MERCY
             He's trying to spite me. I can't
             deal with this right now. I'm the
             one that got hit in the face --

                         TWAIN
             And it sucked! Don't you get it?
             No one wants to watch their mom
             get hit in the face for the five-
             hundredth motherfuckin' time.

Twain tears into a bite of her burger. She is defensive.

                         MERCY
             You don't need to get smart.

                         TWAIN
                  (mouth full)
             You do. Open your eyes, 'cause
             Trevor's fine.
                  (swallows food)
             In fact, after all the shit you've
             exposed him to, you should be
             thankful that he's not a serial
             killer!

Mercy looks as though she'd like to punch Twain. Instead,
she bursts into tears. Twain cringes.

                         TWAIN
             I'm sorry! Please don't cry!

                         MERCY
                  (sobbing)
             I was a bad mother, what can I say?

                                                           15.

                         TWAIN
             You're not a bad mom.

                         MERCY
             I failed him. I try to make it up
             every day, but the fact remains --

                         TWAIN
                  (firmly)
             You could've been so much worse.

                         MERCY
             You thinkin' I'm a bad mom is
             just as bad as Trevor thinking it.
             You're my child, too, Twain.

Twain suddenly looks fragile, as though she herself may cry.

                         MERCY
             You've been my daughter since the
             day he brought you home.

                         TWAIN
                  (softly)
             I'll get it smoothed out, okay,
             Mercy? I promise.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Trevor and Twain have just arrived home. Twain throws her
keys onto the counter and Trevor promptly hangs them up.

The kids are eating spaghetti -- they are happy and messy.

A girl, pretty, eighteen year old WHITLEY, wipes down the
counter with a sponge. Trevor silently disapproves.

Joslyn grins.

                         JOSLYN
             This is my cousin, Whitley. I
             think you all have met. Maybe.

Whitley extends a hand to Trevor and Twain shakes it instead.

                         TWAIN
             Whitley, not Whitney, right?

                         WHITLEY
             That's right. I just came over to
             help. I love kids.

                         TWAIN
             You wanna borrow 'em for a week?

                                                           16.

Whitley laughs.

                         JOSLYN
             Since I am, to quote Dusty,
             "singlehandedly the worst cook of
             all time", Whitley was sweet
             enough to whip this up. The girls
             both helped, though.

                         SUNNY
             Yes, and I did the most work, of
             course --

                         LACEY
             I tell it!

                         SUNNY
             Stop talking over me, Lacey! She
             didn't do hardly --

Lacey SCREAMS in anger.

                         TWAIN
             Sunny, be sweet.

                         TREVOR
             You're five and she's one. That's
             a pretty big discrepancy.

                         WHITLEY
             You two grab a plate, there's so
             much here!

Whitley is overeager and perky, just like her cousin. She
hands Trevor and Twain each a plate. Trevor stands there
like a dork, unsure of what to do.

Trevor hands Twain his plate and she casually slides it back
into the cabinet. Joslyn and Whitley are none the wiser.

Twain puts her arm around Trevor. He gently pushes her away.

                         TREVOR
             The air stopped working in my
             office. Smell me. No, don't.

                         TWAIN
                  (humoring him)
             Okay.

                         TREVOR
             I'm going to take a shower.

Keeping a safe distance, he kisses Twain on the cheek.

                                                           17.

                         WHITLEY
                  (to Trevor)
             Hey, if you've got any special
             dinner requests, let me know.

Intrigued, Whitley watches Trevor as he leaves.

                         TREVOR
                  (over his shoulder)
             Thanks again, Jos.

He can be seen sniffing himself before grabbing a towel and
entering the bathroom.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Squeaky clean Trevor stands in the doorway, staring at Twain.
He holds a thick, boring looking book.

                         TREVOR
             Thanks for feeding me.

Twain lies in bed, also freshly showered. In contrast to
Trevor's big book, she reads something akin to Cosmo magazine.

                         TWAIN
             It was a lot of work opening that
             can of soup, but I'd do anything
             for you, Trev.

Trevor wants to say something, but can't. Like Sunny, he
waits to be asked.

                         TWAIN
             Yes?

                         TREVOR
             That girl kind of implied she was
             going to be cooking for the rest
             of the week. That's nice, but ...

                         TWAIN
             I know.

                         TREVOR
             Will you make sure she doesn't?
             In a way that won't make me look
             creepy?

                         TWAIN
             You mean, "Trevor won't eat
             nothin' not cooked by me or his
             mom" sounds creepy?

                                                           18.

                         TREVOR
             It makes me sound like Norman Bates.

Twain gets out of bed and puts her arms around his neck.
Kisses him on the nose.

                         TWAIN
             You're not creepy.
                  (sniffs him)
             Also, you don't stink. You never
             do, you little freak.

                         TREVOR
             I'm not creepy, but I'm a freak?

                         TWAIN
                  (playfully)
             Yes. You gonna do something about
             it?

She kisses him.

                         TREVOR
             I should probably brush my teeth
             again because I just --

                         TWAIN
             You should probably just punish
             me for calling you names.

Trevor tosses his book on the bed.

                         TREVOR
             How?

                         TWAIN
             I don't know, ya creepy little
             freak, figure it out.

Trevor pushes her onto the bed and lifts her shirt. Places
his hands on her stomach. The side of her tummy is marred by
several red scars but Trevor doesn't notice, he's seen them
a million times.

Regarding their game, he is a little unsure of what to do.

                         TWAIN
             Should I lick a coin?

                         TREVOR
             No. Or I will have to ... take
             your shirt off, like this.

He does.

                                                           19.

                         TWAIN
             Oh, no!

                         TREVOR
             And maybe I will ... Evidently,
             role playing continues to elude me.

Twain gently places a kiss on his lips.

                         TWAIN
                  (whispers)
             Then maybe we should quit playing
             and you can just fuck me.

Trevor begins kissing her with more intensity than before.
He pushes his book off of the bed and it lands with a THUD.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MORNING

Twain wears a wifebeater, but her pants are black and dressy.
She talks to the kids.

                         TWAIN
             You guys are like a cake with two
             ingredients. Your mom and your
             dad, and that's why you look like
             both of us.

                         SUNNY
             And a special ingredient of
             meatballs.

Lacey looks up from her coloring book and laughs uproariously.

                         LACEY
             Meatballs! So funny!

                         TWAIN
             I guess that makes it a pretty
             weird cake. But that's okay,
             'cause we're weird people!

Twain tickles Sunny, then she tickles Lacey. Joslyn walks
into the room, smiling at the girls.

                         JOSLYN
             Did you tell Trevor?

                         TWAIN
             No, and don't you say nothin'
             either. I'll tell him tonight.

Twain ties her shoes as Joslyn begins to braid Sunny's hair.

                                                           20.

                         JOSLYN
             My lips are sealed.

                         TWAIN
             He's sweet and there's so much
             shit I drag him into ...

                         JOSLYN
             I don't think he minds.

                         TWAIN
             That's why I gotta mind for him.
             So his little shoulders don't break.

                         JOSLYN
                  (grinning)
             Wouldn't take much to break those
             little shoulders of his.

                         TWAIN
                  (also grinning)
             Doesn't take much for him to break
             this little back of mine --

Joslyn's jaw drops and she covers Sunny's ears. She is
partially joking, but not entirely.

                         TWAIN
             Wow, you're right.

Twain slaps her own hand before holding her arms out to the
kids.

                         TWAIN
             Hugs for grandpa Jimmy!

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Twain is at the sink, scrubbing a pan. Trevor sits at the
table with his computer.

                         TREVOR
                  (mildly hurt)
             I would've gone.

                         TWAIN
             I know it, Trev, thank you.

                         TREVOR
             Twain, I'll be anyplace you need
             me to be. I don't mind.

                                                           21.

                         TWAIN
             Okay, Joslyn.
                  (softens)
             I just didn't want you to think
             about it today. I went, we had a
             nice time, I brought him the movies.

Twain begins scrubbing the pan with more aggression than
before. Really doesn't want to discuss the situation.

                         TWAIN
             Wow, this crap is fused on! Non-
             stick, my ass. This is like,
             knock-off non-stick.

Trevor watches her with sad eyes, he gets it.

                         TWAIN
                  (biting)
             When you gonna forgive your mom?

Trevor is surprised by the tone of her voice.

                         TREVOR
             Uh ... We've discussed this at
             length. We will figure it out.

                         TWAIN
             Poor Joslyn's missin' nearly a
             week of work, and we ain't figured
             out shit!

                         TREVOR
             Twain, what am I supposed to do?

                         TWAIN
             Your mom has always been wonderful
             to the girls. Not to you, and
             I'll remain personally angry at
             her for the rest of my life, but
             she's trying to make amends by
             being there --

Trevor stands up.

                         TREVOR
             I don't need amends made. Don't
             you get it? I need someone that
             doesn't allow violent alcoholics
             around my children!

Twain tosses down the sponge she has been washing dishes with.

                                                           22.

                         TWAIN
             She made a mistake!

                         TREVOR
             With my kids! She is never going
             to learn!

                         TWAIN
             She came to my work, yesterday.
             She felt fuckin' bad.

                         TREVOR
                  (narrowing eyes)
             She manipulated you.

                         TWAIN
             She's the only mom you got, she's
             the only mom that you will ever
             have!

Twain sits down at the table in a huff. Trevor sits beside
her and lays his head down on the table.

                         TREVOR
             I wasn't trying to be a bad son,
             I was trying to be a good parent.

                         TWAIN
             And you are. You're also a good son.

She lays her head on top of his.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - EVENING

The girls are eating.

Twain wears a tight shirt and her makeup is more dramatic
than ever.

Trevor enters with a case of beer. He is dressed casually,
but still classy, of course.

                         TREVOR
             I'm supposed to find a cooler.

                         SUNNY
             Oh, great. Stinky beer. Did you
             get us anything?

                         TWAIN
             Hey, Greedy McGreederson, you're
             going to grandma's. I think that's
             enough.

                                                           23.

Trevor picks something from Lacey's hair.

                         TREVOR
             Is that paint?
                  (to Sunny)
             Actually, if you're really good
             we'll get you and Lacey ice cream
             before we take you to grandma's.

                         TWAIN
             I guess we could do that. I can
             stop by work so it won't cost
             nothing.

                         TREVOR
             Free ice cream from work? That's
             embarrassing.

                         TWAIN
                  (sweetly)
             You're embarrassing, you giant snob.

Joslyn walks in.

                         JOSLYN
             Found your nightgown, Sunny. I
             put it in your backpack.

Joslyn is wearing a gray tunic, skinny jeans and a small,
black beret.

                         TREVOR
             I was not aware that we were
             attending a poetry slam.

                         JOSLYN
             Yeah, I think something's missing.
             Maybe I could borrow one of your
             fancy little scarves?

Trevor's face drops, insulted.

Dusty appears behind him, also dressed for the weekend. He
puts a cold beer on Trevor's neck.

                         DUSTY
             Don't even listen to her, Janey.
             You make a fancy scarf look so good.

Trevor ignores Dusty.

                                                           24.

                         TREVOR
                  (to Joslyn)
             That joke didn't even make sense!
             Why would you need a scarf in the
             middle of summer?

Twain gives Trevor a peck on the cheek and pokes his ribs.

                         TWAIN
             Cooler. Hall closet.

INT. TORTOISE GAS - NIGHT

Twain carries a huge fountain drink on the counter. Points
to the cigarettes.

                         TWAIN
             I need a pack of those. And these.

She takes two tiny bottles of whiskey from a display on the
counter and slides her I.D. across to the OLD MAN CASHIER.
He pushes it away without checking it.

Twain feels old.

EXT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S CAR - NIGHT

Twain crosses the parking lot.

Trevor and Twain's car is in good condition, but also very
practical and boring.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S CAR - NIGHT

Twain slides in next to Trevor, who is in the driver's seat.
She spikes her drink and hands it to Trevor to taste.

Dusty and Joslyn are in the back, buzzed and giggly.

                         DUSTY
             We seen Cooter while you were
             buying cancer sticks. He said
             Andy is throwing a party --

                         TWAIN
             Andy is a chest-slapping dipshit.
             He sucks.

                         DUSTY
                  (pouty)
             You probably won't even see him!

                                                           25.

                         TWAIN
             Five minutes ago, we were road-
             tripping! Besides, there'll be a
             shit-ton of highschoolers there!

                         DUSTY
                  (shrugging)
             Beat one of them up if you get
             bored.

                         TREVOR
             No, Dusty, there will be no
             beatings tonight.

                         DUSTY
             God, you guys are so square.

Trevor and Twain look at each other.

EXT. ANDY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Nice, three story house. Twenty or so cars parked out front.

                         TREVOR
             Already, I feel like David
             Wooderson.

A DRUNK TEENAGER walks by and Dusty knocks his hat off.

Buzzed Joslyn tramples over Trevor's feet, which are encased
in his nice, spotless shoes. He scowls at her.

                         JOSLYN
             Sorry, Trevor!

Twain grabs Joslyn by the hand and they run to the house.

                         DUSTY
             I got you, dude!

Dusty picks Trevor up. Trevor promptly gets away and dusts
himself off.

INT. ANDY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Everything looks expensive. The music is LOUD. Most of the
attendees are teens or college aged.

COUCH

Twain and Joslyn have set up fort.

The boys arrive with fresh beer. A bottle of whiskey is
tucked under Dusty's arm.

                                                           26.

                         DUSTY
             It's official. I am the oldest
             dude here. Good thing I got no
             shame.

Trevor presents Twain with a beer before sinking drunkenly
into the couch.

                         TWAIN
             Trev, you're so drunk.

Trevor drunkenly shakes his head "no." Dusty opens the bottle,
takes a swig, and grimaces.

                         DUSTY
                  (to Trevor)
             You're up, dude.

                         TREVOR
             I'm alright, thanks.

Twain lays a hand on his chest.

                         TWAIN
             I gotcha.

                         TREVOR
             One. Then it's beer for the rest
             of the night.

Trevor thoroughly wipes the mouth of the bottle and proceeds
to take three times the drink that Dusty did.

                         TWAIN
                  (stunned)
             Wowza!

Trevor wipes his mouth and coughs, still feeling the burn.

                         TREVOR
             I was hoping that would impress you.

Twain chases her shot with a beer and hands the bottle to
Joslyn.

                         JOSLYN
             I don't want this.

                         DUSTY
             Come on, Jossie.

                         TWAIN
             Don't be a weenie.

                                                           27.

                         JOSLYN
             Peer pressure is alive and well,
             I see.

Joslyn sips and regrets it immediately. She races to the
kitchen with Dusty in tow.

Trevor and Twain are alone.

                         TREVOR
             We finally get to go out and all
             I want to do is go home. How cool
             am I?

                         TWAIN
             You're very cool.

Trevor smiles shyly and Twain is charmed.

                         TWAIN
             We can go home, Trev.
                  (upbeat)
             We could have drunken board games.
             That's always fun.

Trevor looks a little embarrassed.

                         TWAIN
             Come on, I know how you feel about
             Scrabble. You get a little too
             into it, aggressive Trevor starts
             coming out ...

Trevor looks very embarrassed.

                         TWAIN
                  (touching his face)
             I want to.

                         TREVOR
             If you're sure you're up for it.
             I can't just let you win.

                         TWAIN
             Well, rules say loser has to put
             out.

Trevor grins and nods his head, excited.

Joslyn and Dusty return. Joslyn sips something girly and
squeezes in by Twain. Dusty stands by the couch, people
watching.

                                                           28.

                         DUSTY
             It's official, I'm no longer the
             oldest dude here.

FRONT DOOR

Merrick strolls in, smooth as a snake. His charisma is an
almost tangible presence.

COUCH

                         TWAIN
             I did not know they were holding
             a douche convention here tonight.

                         DUSTY
             Right? What's with his hair? Is
             that pomade?

Trevor takes Twain by the hand. The color has drained from
his face and Twain concentrates on his eyes.

                         TWAIN
             Hey. Do not worry about him.

                         DUSTY
             Right. Don't let him ruin your
             night, dude.

AT THE KEG

Merrick flirts with a girl, then he spots the four friends.

COUCH

Trevor looks up, down, anywhere but in Merrick's direction.
Merrick pats Dusty on the stomach.

                         MERRICK
             Been workin' out, big guy?

                         DUSTY
             Obviously.

Twain glares at Merrick, who waits for Trevor to look at him.

                         MERRICK
             How are you doin', Trevor?

Trevor makes a minuscule amount of eye contact.

                                                           29.

                         MERRICK
             Remember the last time I seen you
             here? A few years ago?
                  (laughs)
             I whipped the dog shit out of you.

                         TWAIN
             And I stabbed you?

                         MERRICK
             With a butter knife.
                  (to Trevor)
             Did you really spill a drink on
             yourself? Or was that piss?

                         TWAIN
             You lame old douche! You still go
             to high school parties every
             weekend!

Twain's defensiveness answers Merrick's question.

                         MERRICK
             You did piss yourself!

Dusty pats Merrick on the shoulder.

                         DUSTY
             Dude, we got no problems.

Merrick roughly messes up Trevor's hair.

                         MERRICK
             I'm just fuckin' around. You can
             take it, right?

Merrick saunters away.

                         TREVOR
                  (to Twain)
             We should go.

                         DUSTY
             What'd I say? Dude ain't ruining
             this night.

                         TREVOR
             We were already going to ...

                         DUSTY
             Leave. Then he's gonna be telling
             everybody about how he scared you.
             Again.

                                                           30.

Trevor sighs.

                         DUSTY
             You're setting a precedent. Get
             off your ass and come with me.

Trevor looks to Twain for guidance. She leans in to him.

                         TWAIN
                  (whispers)
             Fifteen minutes.

Trevor follows Dusty, but looks back at Twain, mouthing the
words "fifteen minutes" once more.

INT. ANDY'S HOUSE - LATER

Merrick gives a tiny package to a teenage boy. The boy gives
him a pack of cigarettes. Merrick walks away and opens the
pack. He pulls out a cigarette along with a tightly folded
wad of cash. He pockets the money and lights the cigarette.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spots Twain walking into a
bathroom.

INT. ANDY'S HOUSE - BATHROOM

Twain washes her hands. She picks up her beer and takes a
swig, observing herself in the mirror.

The door BURSTS OPEN and Twain flings her beer. It lands in
a foamy puddle at the feet of Merrick.

                         MERRICK
             It wasn't locked. Sorry you
             spilled your beer.

Twain tries to push past, but Merrick blocks her path.

                         TWAIN
             C'mon, I don't want to hang out
             with you in the bathroom.

                         MERRICK
                  (cocky)
             It wouldn't be the first time.

                         TWAIN
             Wow, you are gross.

                                                           31.

                         MERRICK
             No, I'm very sensitive and shy.
             In fact, I was going to change my
             name to Trevor, but the people at
             the name changing place told me
             that I wasn't quite a big enough
             pussy.

                         TWAIN
             You should've had your name
             changed to shithead, 'cause your
             face looks like a bucket of
             assholes.

Merrick smiles and pats her on top of the head like she's a
good little dog.

Looking slightly nauseous, Twain shoves past him and marches
away, stealing a beer from someone's cooler.

INT. ANDY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM

Twain pushes through the throng of people to reach Joslyn,
who has been joined by Dusty.

Two TEEN GIRLS are in Twain's spot.

                         TWAIN
             MOVE.

                         GIRL ONE
             You're as big as my ten year old
             sister.

                         TWAIN
             Well, I'm twenty-five, and twenty-
             five just so happens to be the
             same number of times I plan to
             punch you in your fucking head if
             you don't MOVE.

The girls finally go, with GIRL TWO muttering something along
the lines of "she's too old to be here."

Twain begins digging into the couch cushions until she
retrieves her purse. Notices Dusty and Joslyn's faces.

                         TWAIN
                  (defensive)
             They should be at home, doing
             their homework.

                         DUSTY
             Where were you at that age?

                                                           32.

                         TWAIN
             Being cooler than you, that's for
             sure. Where's Trevor?
                  (scolding)
             You left him in the kitchen? Good
             job lookin' out, Dusty.

Twain turns to go.

                         JOSLYN
             You can't leave!

Dusty presents three shot glasses and fills them.

                         TWAIN
                  (to Joslyn)
             You are not doing a shot.

                         JOSLYN
             I am. But only if you do it with me.

                         TWAIN
             I will after I find Trevor.

                         JOSLYN
             No you won't! You'll just leave!
             Besides, if I don't do it now,
             I'm going to chicken out.

Twain starts to sit down, then decides against it.

                         DUSTY
                  (to Twain)
             You are a shitty friend!

                         TWAIN
             I'm a great friend!

Dusty and Joslyn wait for Twain to give in.

                         TWAIN
             What was that about peer pressure?

Twain sits and the three raise their glasses.

                                            MATCH CUT:

INT. ANDY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN

Several people take shots in the kitchen. As glasses are
lowered, two of them are revealed to be Trevor and Whitley.

                         TREVOR
             I'm blaming you.

                                                           33.

                         WHITLEY
             I didn't make you do anything.
             I'm just a girl.

Trevor is instantly awkward. Whitley puts her hand on his
shoulder.

                         WHITLEY
             You look so different out of your
             tidy little uniform.

Trevor steps out of Whitley's reach.

                         TREVOR
             I'm also surprised to see you
             here. You don't seem the type
             that gets out much.

                         WHITLEY
             Looks can be deceiving.

                         TREVOR
             Fair enough. Have a good night.

Trevor tries to leave.

                         WHITLEY
             You're not leaving, are you?

                         TREVOR
             Actually, yes. We finally have
             the house to ourselves. We kind
             of want to take advantage of it.

                         WHITLEY
             Get it on?

                         TREVOR
                  (embarrassed)
             We're going to play games. Board
             games.

                         WHITLEY
             Trevor, I don't know these people.
             I'm nervous.

                         TREVOR
             Uh, you don't know me either.

                         WHITLEY
             Please? Five minutes. Five minutes
             and you can totally leave.

Trevor looks towards the living room.

                                                           34.

EXT. ANDY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Twain is in the corner of the yard, talking on the phone.

                         TWAIN
             It's just dead skin.
                  (laughs)
             Not like a zombie, weirdo. I'll
             clip it off tomorrow.
                  (motherly)
             It won't hurt, I promise. Lemme
             talk to sissy real quick.

INT. ANDY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Joslyn and Dusty are still on the couch.

                         JOSLYN
             I wish I was outside talking to
             my kids, right now.

Dusty is uncomfortable, but puts on a happy face.

                         DUSTY
             It'll happen! I mean, God sees
             you all the time, spreading the
             good word. Dude's bound to do you
             a solid sooner or later.

                         JOSLYN
             Why should he? I have premarital
             sex. Look at me! I'm drunk!

                         DUSTY
             Right, and you're starting to get
             emotional.

Joslyn is insulted.

                         DUSTY
             Jossie, there are about a thousand
             options out there in this day and
             age.
                  (upbeat)
             And don't forget we got dibs on
             the Jane kids if Trevor and Twain
             ever bite it.

                         JOSLYN
             "Dibs?" If they ever "bite it?"
             My goodness, are you always this
             insensitive, or is it just easier
             to notice when I'm drinking?

                                                           35.

Twain appears behind them and taps him on the shoulder.

                         DUSTY
                  (to Twain)
             Could you stay for a sec? Please?

A desperate Dusty pretends to rock a baby. Twain understands.

INT. ANDY'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Trevor and Whitley, both drunker than before, sit together
on a frilly bed. Whitley is totally enamored by Trevor, who
remains oblivious.

                         WHITLEY
             So, you work with Dusty, but
             you're not a mechanic.

                         TREVOR
             Service writer. Uh, I handle more
             of the customer service ...
             business aspects. Phone calls,
             quotes ...
                  (random)
             I have an office.

                         WHITLEY
             Well, that's nice. But you should
             be doing more.

                         TREVOR
                  (narrowing eyes)
             Why's that, exactly?

                         WHITLEY
             You have your masters. Do service
             writers even have to have a degree?

                         TREVOR
             No, but it helped. I was their
             first pick. The only iffy part
             was my social skills, but you
             know, for some reason, talking to
             customers comes very easy to me.
             It's just when it comes to ...

                         WHITLEY
                  (flirty)
             Girls?

                         TREVOR
                  (awkward)
             And everyone else in general.

                                                           36.

                         WHITLEY
             I think your social skills are
             fine. I'm just scared that you
             don't know just how much potential
             you have.

                         TREVOR
             I'm only twenty-six years old.
             It's not like I've been assistant
             manager at Denny's for thirty years.

                         WHITLEY
             No, I just look at you, and I see
             something amazing.

Aside from Twain, Trevor is unused to such flattery. He opens
his mouth, a little like a fish struggling for air, as he
tries to come up with something to say.

                         TREVOR
             Well ... well ... my life's not
             bad. My boss likes me, and my
             family never does without. Our
             kids get anything they want,
             Twain's dad gets anything he needs,
             and our nest egg is finally at a
             point --

                         WHITLEY
             What does Twain's dad need?

Trevor gets a look of "oh, crap" as he realizes he has
diarrhea of the mouth.

                         TREVOR
                  (tentatively)
             It's an unusual situation.

                         WHITLEY
             Does he have a drug problem? Booze?

                         TREVOR
             No, actually, it's not in his
             hands at all.

Trevor grabs his beer and quickly stands up.

                         WHITLEY
             I wanted to ask you for some
             advice. School related.

                                                           37.

                         TREVOR
             I can hardly walk. I wouldn't
             feel comfortable giving you any
             advice you'd plan on using.

                         WHITLEY
             Trevor, you're so smart. You've
             got to let me pick your brain for
             two minutes.

INT. ANDY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Joslyn is slumped against Twain. Dusty is on Joslyn's other
side, bored to death.

                         JOSLYN
                  (to Dusty)
             Why do you even like me?

Dusty face screams "HELP ME!"

                         TWAIN
                  (to Joslyn)
             'Cause you're so fuckin' pretty!

Twain grabs Joslyn's face and gives her a huge kiss. Joslyn
screams and leaps to her feet.

                         JOSLYN
             Twain! I'm not a lesbian!

                         DUSTY
             But you are pretty cute ... and
             smart, and ...

                         TWAIN
             Spiritual!

                         DUSTY
             Self-righteous.
                  (realizes)
             Just righteous!

                         JOSLYN
             I get it. I'm gonna quit being
             sad now.
                  (to Twain)
             Only because I never want you to
             put your mouth on my mouth ever
             again.

                         TWAIN
             Glad I could help.

                                                           38.

Joslyn wipes her mouth again.

INT. ANDY'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Trevor wanders around the room, drunkenly poking through
expensive looking items. Whitley taps him on the shoulder.

                         WHITLEY
             Still with me?

Trevor picks up a fancy, decorative egg.

                         TREVOR
             This isn't a real faberge egg, of
             course. It's very nice, though.

                         WHITLEY
             It could be a Cadbury egg, for
             all I know. You're a nerd.

Whitley takes the egg and puts it up. Trevor continues to
move about the room. Whitley stops him.

                         WHITLEY
             But I like you.

Whitley kisses him and Trevor suddenly gains a bunch of
awareness. He backs away.

                         WHITLEY
             I know that I don't know you very
             well --

                         TREVOR
             No, remember? You don't know me
             at all.

                         WHITLEY
             We just spent an hour together --

                         TREVOR
             So? I ... I spent more than two
             months with Twain before --

                         WHITLEY
             I'm not Twain, okay? I'm Whitley.
             I love your cute face. Your big
             brain and ...

Whitley cops a feel; looks very impressed.

                         WHITLEY
             Oh, my God!

                                                           39.

Trevor pushes her away in a gentle but affirmative manner.
Whitley pulls her shirt over her head and Trevor averts his
eyes.

                         TREVOR
             Don't do that.

                         WHITLEY
             Are you secretly gay?

                         TREVOR
             No --

                         WHITLEY
             Then relax. You're not doing
             anything wrong!

Trevor looks sick.

                         TREVOR
             You have a very wrong idea about
             me.
                  (thinks of words)
             When I get really drunk, I act
             stupid. I do embarrassing things.
             Usually, this is not a big deal,
             because it's just the four of us,
             or Twain looks out --

                         WHITLEY
             I don't give two shits about Twain!

                         TREVOR
                  (lowering his head)
             This is my fault.

INT. ANDY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Joslyn drowsily leans against Dusty. Dusty and Twain, however,
are much more lively.

                         DUSTY
                  (mocking Merrick)
             With a butter knife ...

                         TWAIN
             I know! He's such a douche! I
             friggin' drew blood.

                         DUSTY
             Right on. You can stab someone
             with pretty much anything.

                                                           40.

                         JOSLYN
                  (mumbling)
             Every time I've met Merrick, he's
             been polite.

Twain and Dusty stare at her as if she just ripped one. Twain
casually grabs a pillow and slaps Joslyn in the face with it.

                         DUSTY
             Other than that whole thing,
             though, that was a fun ass night.

Twain lights a cigarette and Dusty waves away the smoke.

                         TWAIN
             We had a lot of fun back then. I
             doubt I could hang today, but
             it's always nice to go back and ...

Twain gets a dreamy look in her eyes.

                         DUSTY
             Aw, shit. We gonna get nostalgic?

                         TWAIN
             Commence to reminiscin', homie!

                         DUSTY
             Wait. If we're gonna kick it old
             school, we need to do it up proper.
             Where's the dude that started it
             all?

                         TWAIN
             Where, indeed?

Dusty looks guilty. He stands up to look for Trevor.

STAIRS

Whitley takes her time pulling her shirt over her head as
she descends the stairs.

                         TREVOR
             Get dressed.

                         WHITLEY
             So your girlfriend won't flip out?

                         TREVOR
             I already know that she will! I
             just want to make it as gentle an
             ordeal as possible!

                                                           41.

He realizes that his pants are unzipped. Fixes them.

                         WHITLEY
                  (laughing)
             Keep your pants on, Trevor.

COUCH

Dusty's eyes are bulging out of his head.

Twain remains seated, staring at the stairs. The situation
is too unfathomable for her to process immediately.

STAIRS

                         TREVOR
             Please stop!

He makes a grab at Whitley and they both take a tumble. This
creates a scene.

Trevor sees Twain and startles. He hangs at the foot of the
stares, scared to venture further. Twain gets up.

                         JOSLYN
                  (to Dusty)
             Do something!

Dusty goes to Trevor, but that's it. Joslyn rolls her eyes.

As Twain approaches Whitley, the music is replaced with the
sound of people murmuring "aw shit", etc.

                         WHITLEY
                  (to Twain)
             You can calm down. We were just
             talking.

                         TWAIN
             I'm calm as a pond. You seem a
             little nervous, though.

                         WHITLEY
                  (extremely nervous)
             I'm not nervous. Why would I be,
             when I didn't do anything? You ...

                         TWAIN
             Okay, so if the floor's clean,
             then why are you tripping?

                                                           42.

                         WHITLEY
             I'm not! Trevor and I went
             upstairs to get away from the
             noise. We wanted to talk about
             school, something you wouldn't --

                         TWAIN
             Who the fuck goes upstairs with
             someone else's man? That strikes
             you as normal?

                         WHITLEY
             We were talking.

Whitley backs up, scared.

                         TWAIN
             I ain't gonna hit ya, don't worry.
             I'm gonna honor a promise I made
             to a certain undeserving douche.
             But you should know that you're a
             ho, Whitley, you're a stealth ho.
                  (smiles)
             So, keep it classy, trick face.

Twain walks away.

                         WHITLEY
             I so need Twain Parker telling me
             to be classy.

Twain stops. Turns around.

                         TWAIN
             What?

Trevor moseys over to Twain and touches her arm. She bats
him away, keeping her eyes trained on Whitley.

                         WHITLEY
             I know all about you, and you're
             the trashiest person I've ever
             seen besides the time I volunteered
             at a soup kitchen. Look at you!
             You ever wonder why you have two
             friends and your boyfriend always
             looks like he wants to hang himself?

Twain is humiliated. She shoots Trevor a look and redirects
her attention towards Whitley.

                         TWAIN
             Feel free to tell me.

                                                           43.

                         WHITLEY
             I've said all I need to. You're
             trashy, you're dumb, you're
             selfish --

                         TWAIN
             Selfish?

Whitley can't believe that Twain just doesn't realize!

                         WHITLEY
                  (riled up)
             You really thinks your man likes
             making ends meet at Martin's Auto
             Body just so he can take care of
             your deadbeat dad?

Trevor's jaw drops in horror. Joslyn and Dusty have similar
reactions.

Twain throws her cigarette down, snatches Whitley up, and
BEATS HER ASS until a couple of guys pull her off.

Whitley's defenders stand in the way, so Twain stalks around
like a lion, searching for an alternate route of attack.

                         TREVOR
             Twain, stop!

Twain grabs a stray bottle and HURLS it towards the sound of
his voice.

ANDY, the flashy host, bursts through the crowd. Fabulous,
with his Flock of Seagulls hairdo. He is freaking out.

                         ANDY
             No cops!
                  (to Twain)
             You need to go!

He jabs a finger at Twain and then at the door. Twain raises
her hands in surrender and leaves.

EXT. ANDY'S HOUSE

Trevor follows Twain off the porch and into the yard. As he
reaches for her, she shoves his hand away. Spins around and
looks at him, teeth clenched.

                         TWAIN
             Wanna replace me, Trev? That's
             fine --

                                                           44.

                         TREVOR
             I don't want to replace you!

                         TWAIN
                  (over him)
             But don't make me look stupid!
             I'd never do that --

                         TREVOR
             I know you're incredibly mad, but
             everything that you saw tonight
             was the result of a huge
             misunderstanding!

                         TWAIN
                  (incredulous)
             Ya fell down a flight of stairs
             with a half nekkid teenager!
                  (squints)
             She was shit talkin' my dad?
             Trevor, where'd she get that
             information?

                         TREVOR
             She didn't know what she was
             talking about! Just like you don't
             right now!

                         TWAIN
             You're a bitch, Trev. You're also
             a ...
                  (shouting)
             ... GIGANTIC FUCKING PUSSY!

Trevor looks away. Then he shifts his focus back on Twain
and attempts to control the spiraling situation.

                         TREVOR
                  (calmly)
             Please let me take you home. I'll
             tell you everything.

Twain vomits and wipes her mouth off like a champ.

                         TWAIN
             You ain't taking me nowhere, homie.
             Go take care of your new girlfriend.

                         TREVOR
             She's not my girlfriend. She's
             just a girl that was confused.

Twain begins to stumble away, rambling belligerently.

                                                           45.

                         TWAIN
             Y'all are snakes. Be sure to thank
             Dusty and Jos for stalling me so
             you and Whitley could have your
             time!
                  (drunk sad)
             Y'all are so much better than me.
             Now you'll be the perfect foursome.

Trevor slaps his forehead.

                         TREVOR
             Wrong. Come on, Twain.

Trevor takes her hand and attempts to lead her in the
opposite direction. Twain refuses, so he wraps her in a bear
hug and tries hauling her away.

                         TREVOR
             We're gonna go home, okay? I'll
             make everything better!

Twain tears herself out of his arms and SHOVES him.

                         TWAIN
             Get off me, Trevor! I DON'T
             FUCKIN' NEED YOU!

These words cut Trevor. He stands there, dumfounded.

                         TREVOR
             Fine. Have fun.

Twain smiles at him coldly.

                         TWAIN
             Aw, Trev, did I hurt your crusty,
             insignificant feelings? I will
             have fun. Fuck you.

                         TREVOR
             Fuck you, Twain Parker.

Still smiling, Twain takes a deep breath.

                         TWAIN
                  (top of her lungs)
             FUUUUUCCCKKKK YOOOUUUUUU!

Twain shoots Trev double peace signs, before dropping the
index finger on each hand, leaving him with a double dose of
"fuck you."

The two part ways.

                                                           46.

EXT. ROAD - NIGHT

Twain speed walks down the road, putting as much distance
between her and Andy's house as possible.

Merrick's SUV rolls up, window down.

                         MERRICK
             What happened back there?

                         TWAIN
             Please leave me the fuck alone,
             Merrick.

                         MERRICK
             What the hell is wrong with you?
             I'm just trying to be nice!

                         TWAIN
             You been nothing but a life
             sabotager for over half a decade.
             Now you're nice?

Merrick laughs, but his laugh contains no bitterness. He
stops his vehicle.

                         MERRICK
             Hold on, wait. Just quit walking
             for a minute.
                  (pause)
             I was a saboteur. For a couple of
             years. Anymore, though, I'm a
             dick 'cause you are, baby. You've
             got a knack for a grudge.

Twain musters a weak smile.

                         MERRICK
             But we got a lot of history and
             fuck if I'm gonna watch you cry
             alone on the side of a highway.
                  (wistful)
             Friends? I mean, I don't have a
             lot of time left.

Twain furrows her brow, concerned.

                         MERRICK
             I'm fucking old.

Twain gets it; laughs. Merrick offers her a bottle of whiskey.
She takes a sip and gags.

                                                           47.

                         MERRICK
             Get in.

Twain kicks around some gravel on the ground.

                         MERRICK
                  (smooth)
             I don't bite. Not anymore.

INT. MERRICK'S SUV - NIGHT

They are parked at Tortoise Gas.

Twain is in the passenger's seat, drunk jamming to music.
Merrick gets in and hands her a new pack of cigarettes.

                         TWAIN
             Thank you! Man, if someone steals
             my purse, swear to God, I'm gonna
             thunk a head.

Twain grabs another beer and Merrick hands her his cell phone.

                         MERRICK
             You're not with me.

EXT. DUSTY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Joslyn, Dusty and Trevor get out Trevor's car.

Trevor has Twain's purse. On top of being wasted, he is whiny
and anxious.

                         TREVOR
             Why isn't she hoooome?

                         DUSTY
             You're not staying there anyways.
             You'd just kill each other.

                         JOSLYN
             And Trevor would deserve that
             killing.

Trevor trips over his own feet and Twain's purse flies across
the yard. He lands. HARD.

                         JOSLYN
                  (laughing)
             But that's good punishment, too!

The phone in Twain's purse begins to RING. Trevor crawls to
the purse and picks it up. Drops it. Frantically, he dumps
its contents.

                                                           48.

                         TREVOR
             Wait, wait, wait!

The phone stops ringing just as he finds it.

Trevor attempts to call the number back, then he sits there,
listening to the generic, robotic message on the phone.

INT. MERRICK'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

The coffee table is littered with drug paraphernalia -- pot,
powder on a mirror, razor blades.

Twain is on the couch. She's been at Merrick's for awhile;
her eyes are far away.

Merrick places an open beer before Twain and fires up a bowl.

                         TWAIN
             Check your voicemail?

Merrick examines his phone and, unbeknownst to Twain, deletes
missed calls. Gives her the phone. She looks sad and returns
it.

                         TWAIN
             I don't care.

She slams the rest of her beer, wipes her chin, picks up the
new beer from Merrick, and takes a swig.

                         MERRICK
             Look at you, bad ass. That's why
             I love you.

Twain hits the pipe and hands it back.

                         TWAIN
             You ain't loved shit in your whole
             life! No offense.

Merrick is looking at her as though she is the solution to a
math problem he's been trying to solve for years.

                         MERRICK
             I wanted to give you everything,
             then I ruined you instead.

                         TWAIN
             You didn't ruin me, Merrick. Worst
             you ever gave me was blacked eyes
             and a bad yeast infection.
                  (smirks)
             You ain't as special as you
             believe you are.

                                                           49.

Merrick rolls his eyes.

                         MERRICK
             Nice. You know what? I don't give
             a shit. 'Cause you're so real.
             Look at you, you are so fuckin'
             real.

Twain doesn't yet buy what Merrick is selling. She laughs.

                         MERRICK
             I was a twisted fuck. I'm
             embarrassed. I treated you like --

                         TWAIN
             An animal?

                         MERRICK
             Must've been pretty bad to send
             you running into the arms of --

                         TWAIN
             Why do you still make fun of him?

                         MERRICK
             Why do I make fun of Trevor?
             Because he gets you. All I get is
             an image of you in my head.

Merrick smiles sheepishly and looks away. Trevor style.

Twain's face softens and this prompts Merrick to put his arm
around her.

INT. DUSTY'S BASEMENT - NIGHT

Joslyn is face down in bed, snoring.

Trevor stands in the center of the room, still trying to
call Twain.

Dusty takes the phone and steers Trevor towards a recliner.
Forces him to sit. Then he picks up a half eaten sandwich.

                         TREVOR
             Dusty, don't do it.

                         DUSTY
             It's got veggies, meat, two
             cheeses ... It'll make you feel
             better.

Dusty pushes it towards his face and Trevor pulls his head
away.

                                                           50.

                         DUSTY
                  (determined)
             Eat the sandwich.

Fed up, Trevor grabs the sandwich and scarfs it down in two
bites. Lettuce falls from his mouth and he wipes his face.
He stands up and Dusty palms his forehead. He falls back
into the chair. Tries to stand for a second time and Dusty
face palms him again.

                         TREVOR
             Stop it! You're like Baby fucking
             Huey!

                         DUSTY
             Are you gonna do a door to door?

Trevor stands and receives the palm again.

                         DUSTY
             Give her time.

Trevor objects, Dusty shushes him.

                         DUSTY
             She's not stupid. Unless you show
             up, then she's gonna get stupid.
             She'll be okay.

INT. MERRICK'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Twain nearly lights her cigarette on the wrong end and
Merrick corrects her. Her eyes are glazed.

Merrick has scooted within millimeters of her and pretends
to care as she unleashes a slew of insults at Whitley.

                         TWAIN
                  (slurred)
             This volleyball playing retard ...
             Like, you forget, I'm a fuckin'
             ninja, bitch.

                         MERRICK
             You can't blame it all on her.
             What happened takes two --

                         TWAIN
             I'll wreak havoc on this bitch. I
             don't even give a fuck. That's my
             family, you know?

Twain is annoying. Merrick tries to suppress his irritation.

                                                           51.

                         MERRICK
             Takes two to fuck around.

                         TWAIN
                  (blurting)
             I let him put it in my ass! Like,
             'cause it made him feel tough.
             You know, like, dominant --

Merrick claps his hand over her mouth.

                         MERRICK
                  (half joking)
             Shut. Up.

He releases her.

                         MERRICK
             It takes two people to fuck around.
             Otherwise, it's masturbation.
             Whitley was there and Trevor was
             there. Just like Twain was there
             and Trevor was there.

                         TWAIN
             Please. You fucked this whole
             town. And me and Trevor never did
             it!

Twain lays back and closes her eyes, smiling fondly. She is
oblivious to the TMI dribbling from her mouth.

                         TWAIN
             We made out and stuff, you know.
             Dry humping! We never did it
             though, 'til I broke up with you.
             He wouldn't, he's such a gentleman.
             I tried, though.
                  (drunk laugh)
              I really did.

Merrick is visibly annoyed. You can practically see the gears
turning in his head as he thinks up a way to hurt Twain's
feelings.

                         MERRICK
             Let me get this straight. You got
             Trevor rubbing a stiffy on your
             pant leg for two months, and
             Whitley got the whole shebang in
             one night?
                  (shrugs)
             That's rough.

                                                           52.

Twain suddenly leaps to her feet. She promptly falls into
the coffee table. Merrick eases her onto the couch.

                         MERRICK
             You're okay.

Twain's eyes close. Merrick kisses her and she feebly raises
her hand. He takes her cigarette away from her.

INT. MERRICK'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER

Merrick smokes Twain's cigarette and watches her, like a
vulture waiting for its prey to die.

He slaps her lightly. Nothing. He bites her lip and she stirs
only slightly. Blood wells up and trickles down the side of
her face.

After watching for a moment, Merrick puts his hand over her
mouth.

INT. DUSTY'S BASEMENT - MORNING

The clock reads 10:31 a.m.

Trevor lies on the floor. Opens his eyes. He sits up and
grabs his head, in the throes of major hangover pain.

INT. MERRICK'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - MORNING

At first, Twain appears to be sleeping next to Trevor. She
opens her eyes. Merrick is passed out next to her.

She bolts upright.

INT. MERRICK'S HOUSE - BATHROOM

Twain stands before the mirror, in her jeans and bra.

Merrick has left a giant, ugly bite mark on her collarbone.
He has branded her.

INT. DUSTY'S BASEMENT - MORNING

Joslyn sips tea and shoots mean looks at Trevor, who prepares
to go home. Dusty yawns in bed, attempting to wake up.

                         DUSTY
             Janey, how does someone with the
             macking skills of Forrest Gump
             get someone to take a straight up
             ASS WHOOPING just to impress you?

                                                           53.

                         JOSLYN
             You're a pig.

                         DUSTY
             It was the same way with Twain!
             She was cute, she had a boyfriend
             and she was way up his ass then
             Trevor snuck in like gangbusters --

                         TREVOR
             Dusty, I wish you'd just shut up.

Joslyn's eyes widen.

                         JOSLYN
             My goodness, Trevor, you're a
             homewrecker!

Trevor locates gum in his pocket and sticks about five pieces
into his mouth.

                         TREVOR
             No.

                         JOSLYN
             Merrick's a jerk, but you still
             homewrecked! Then, on top of that,
             you went and homewrecked the home
             you made with the girl you went
             and homewrecked away from someone
             else!
                  (mind blown)
             Goodness!

                         TREVOR
             See if you can squeeze in the
             word 'homewreck' a few more times.

Trevor smells himself.

                         JOSLYN
             Stop by my apartment on your way
             home and take some lavender from
             my herb garden. Twain might like
             it. You do know what lavender
             looks like, don't you?

Dusty laughs.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

Twain, freshly bathed, sits at the table wearing jeans and a
hoodie.

                                                           54.

O.S. Trevor enters the house. Twain nervously stands up.

Trevor steps into the room and stares at her with big, sad
eyes.

                         TREVOR
             I stayed at Dusty's.

He extends a hand to reveal a fistfull of lavender. Twain
takes it from him and hugs him tightly. Buries her face in
his shoulder.

                         TREVOR
                  (whispering)
             I would never do anything to hurt
             you. Do you believe me?

Twain swallows the giant lump in her throat and stifles a
sob. She still can't let him go.

                         TWAIN
             Yes.

Trevor pulls back and observes her. He touches her lip,
concerned. Curious.

                         TWAIN
             Must've been Whitley. But if it
             was, I can guarantee you it was a
             stray elbow --

He cuts her off by placing a small kiss on her cut lip.

                         TREVOR
                  (affectionately)
             I know.

This causes Twain to momentarily forget the dark, Merrick
shaped cloud looming over her head and she laughs a little.

Then she begins to crumble, hunching over as if in severe pain.

                         TREVOR
             Please don't be upset. I didn't
             do anything last night --

                         TWAIN
             I did.

Trevor is confused.

Twain takes his fingers and slowly traces them down her
throat, onto the collar of her hoodie. He pulls the collar
away from her neck, revealing the bite mark.

                                                           55.

He backs off in disgust. Twain bites the bullet and takes a
deep breath.

                         TWAIN
             I went to Merrick's.

Trevor stares at her. Motionless and in complete shock. He
has never been in this situation and has no idea how to
handle it. He shakes his head a little.

                         TREVOR
             What did you really do?

Twain sighs heavily.

                         TREVOR
             Did you fuck Dusty? Did you go
             over there after I passed out?

Trevor is weirdly hopeful. To him, Twain doing Dusty beats
the alternative of Twain doing Merrick.

                         TWAIN
             I would never fuck Dusty.

                         TREVOR
             WHY WOULD YOU FUCK MERRICK
             SIBBLE?!?!

                         TWAIN
             I don't know!

Trevor leaves the room.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM

Twain follows Trevor into the room and turns him around,
forcing him to face her. He looks as though he is going to
throw up.

                         TWAIN
             I didn't go over there to sleep
             with him, okay? He picked me up
             ... I just wanted to get away. I
             hate him!

                         TREVOR
             Well, I can assure you that that
             demented fuck got off knowing
             that you "hate" him, yet he can
             still get down your pants. He's
             sick and you're sick.

                                                           56.

Twain is ashamed. Trevor waits for her to retaliate. She
licks her lips and looks up at him.

                         TWAIN
             Trevor, I do not know what I did
             last night. I do know that I
             would've never wanted to sleep
             with him --

                         TREVOR
             But you did! You had sex with a
             psychotic degenerate just to get
             back at me, when there was nothing
             to get back at me for!

Now Twain is pissed.

                         TWAIN
             Did I? Is that what I did? Were
             ya there? 'Cause if you were,
             fill me in, Trev ... 'CAUSE I
             DON'T FUCKING REMEMBER!

Trevor claps sarcastically.

                         TREVOR
             Awesome, Twain. Good job. If you
             don't remember, then I guess that
             means you blacked out. Or he
             drugged you. Very responsible on
             your part, either way. Merrick
             Sibble is a predator. What kind
             of person willingly goes home
             with a predator?
                  (condescending)
             Someone who is astonishingly
             fucking stupid.

There are tears in Twain's eyes, but she resists letting
them fall. She is insulted beyond belief.

                         TWAIN
             You're gonna talk down to me?

Trevor is close lipped.

TWAIN CLEARS THE COFFEE TABLE WITH HER HAND. Toys, trinkets
and Trevor's computer become airborne before smashing into
the floor.

TREVOR IS INFURIATED.

                         TREVOR
             You like violence?

                                                           57.

He shoves Twain, who reels across the room, CRASHING into
the wall. Twain spits in his face.

Trevor pushes her to the floor and pins her. His face is
inches from hers.

                         TREVOR
             Do you want me to hurt you, Twain?
             Just tell me what you want me to
             do, so that I can do it!

Twain's rage has been replaced with the demeanor of a scared
child. Her lavender is still clutched tightly in her fist.

Trevor, horrified, shakily climbs to his feet.

Someone KNOCKS on the door.

EXT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE

Trevor opens the door to find a very unhappy Angie.

                         ANGIE
             Ever heard of a nap? My kids is
             takin' one. Shut the fuck up.

Twain walks up behind Trevor. Both of them are surprisingly
collected.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE

Trevor straightens his collar and flashes Angie a professional
looking smile. He is unaware that his hair is all kinds of
messed up.

                         TREVOR
             Angie, I want you to know that
             your concerns are very important
             to us. We are doing everything in
             our power to resolve the situation
             as quickly as possible.

                         TWAIN
                  (smirking)
             Will that work for you?

                         ANGIE
             You cute, bitch. Is this funny to
             y'all?

                         TREVOR
             At the very least, it's ironic.

                                                           58.

                         ANGIE
             What does that mean, pendejo?

                         TWAIN
             You are loud all day and every
             day, yet somehow, you've found
             yourself here, telling us to be
             quiet. That's ironic, bitch.

                         ANGIE
             Keep flappin' your gums, ho, and
             I'mma walk in there and bust your
             head like a nut.

Twain shrugs nonchalantly.

                         TWAIN
             You'd have to squeeze your fat
             ass through the door, first.

EXT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE

Angie attempts to barge into the house. Trevor uses all his
might to fend her off.

                         TREVOR
             Go home, Angie, please! We're sorry!

He continues serving as a human shield and finally manages
to close the door.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM

Angie is heard KICKING the door.

                         ANGIE (O.S.)
             Dead bitch! Pedazo de mierda!

Trevor sits down on the floor, drained. Twain joins him and
gently fixes his hair.

                         TREVOR
             The first time I ever went to
             your house, you were so drunk.
             You kept trying to pick a fight
             with Shenora Davis --

                         TWAIN
             Well, she's friggin' gross --

                         TREVOR
             You sat down and put your arm
             around me. You had beer breath
             and you told me I was fancy.

                                                           59.

Twain rolls her eyes.

                         TREVOR
             I went home that night completely
             infatuated.

                         TWAIN
                  (laughing)
             Yeah, if I was layin' charm down
             like that ...

                         TREVOR
             Dusty called me a stalker.

They both laugh, then Trevor grows serious again.

                         TREVOR
             But when I got the chance, I
             grabbed it and it was the scariest
             thing I'd ever done. I told you I
             could make everything better for
             you. I promised you that I would
             never let you down.

                         TWAIN
                  (quietly)
             You've never let me down, Trev.

Trevor shakes his head in disagreement.

                         TREVOR
             Last night I failed you on a most
             spectacular level.

Trevor is verbally beating himself more than he is actually
talking to Twain.

                         TREVOR
             I went upstairs with a drunk
             teenager to talk about school?
                  (embarrassed)
             Everyone thinks I did something
             with her and I have no way to
             prove that I didn't.

                         TWAIN
             I know you didn't.

                         TREVOR
                  (worked up)
             I called you stupid? I need to
             wear a sign! I have absolutely NO
             common --

                                                           60.

                         TWAIN
                  (firmly)
             Quit it.

                         TREVOR
             This is all my fault! I ruined
             everything, then I just let you
             go! I handed you over to him!

Twain takes his face in her hand and tries to make him look
at her. He pulls away, on the verge of hyperventilation. He
looks at his hands.

                         TREVOR
             And just now, when I ... I am so
             fucking sorry!

Trevor buries his head in his knees. Twain rubs his back.

                         TWAIN
                  (whispering)
             Trevor Jane, shhhh.

Trevor stands up.

                         TREVOR
             I'm going to take a shower. Then
             I'll fix this.

He walks out of the room.

Twain stays, toying with her mangled lavender which she still
holds.

EXT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - DAY

Trevor walks to his car. Dusty pulls up with his nice, newer
truck and rolls his window down.

                         DUSTY
             Everybody in one piece over here?

Trevor turns around. He is casually holding a gun in his hand.

                         DUSTY
             Holy fuck.

Dusty hops out of his car, ready to aid Trevor or possibly
subdue him.

                         TREVOR
             Six years later, he is still
             messing with us.

                                                           61.

                         DUSTY
             Who's messing with you?
                  (reads Trevor's face)
             Oh.

                         TREVOR
             I'm going to kill him.

                         DUSTY
             Janey, you're not killin' nobody.

                         TREVOR
             Yes, I am.

Dusty takes the gun with little to no effort. Then he punches
Trevor in the arm for having it in the first place.

                         TREVOR
             That's where she went last night.
             That's where she had her "time"
             at. With him.

Trevor hides his face between the car door and the side
mirror. Possibly crying, but he is undoubtedly upset.

Dusty is sympathetic. He steers Trevor to the passenger's seat.

                         DUSTY
             We'll handle this.

He looks at the neighbor's porch. There are several
questionable looking dudes sitting on it. Dusty returns to
his truck and locks up.

Then he gets into the driver's seat of Trevor's car and SLAMS
the door shut.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY

Twain is flopped down on the bed, staring at nothing in
particular. She senses something amiss.

A velvety, blue box, partially hidden beneath the winter
clothes, peeks at her from the top of the closet.

Twain gets up and cautiously walks to the closet.

INT. DUSTY'S TRUCK - DAY

Dusty pulls into Tortoise Gas. Trevor looks at him, face
saying "what are we doing here?"

                                                           62.

                         DUSTY
             I need something to drink. It's
             an emergency.

                         TREVOR
             An emergency?

                         DUSTY
             Hangover? Dehydration? Dude, I
             only pissed one time since I got
             up. And it was a trickle!

Trevor leans his head into the seat as Dusty jogs into the
store.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY

Twain tears through the bedroom, scouring drawers, throwing
things.

INT. DUSTY'S TRUCK - DAY

Dusty slides back into the passenger's seat. He drinks half
of his soda and grins at Trevor.

                         DUSTY
             Ready to mangle a bitch?

He slaps Trevor in the chest with jolly aplomb.

EXT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - DAY

Twain bursts from the house and off the porch.

She is immediately apprehended by Angie and a FEMALE FRIEND.
The friend secures Twain's arms behind her back.

                         ANGIE
             Don't hold this bitch.

Twain is released and promptly punched by Angie.

                         TWAIN
             I just want to leave.

                         ANGIE'S FRIEND
                  (mockingly)
             She just wanna leave, Angie Jo!

                         ANGIE
             I wanna curb stomp you, mouthy
             bitch.

                                                           63.

                         TWAIN
             If you're gonna beat my ass, could
             you just do it? 'Cause I've GOT
             TO GO! Please!

Angie enjoys playing God. She contemplates. Slowly.

                         ANGIE
             We can keep it civil, girl. We
             neighbors, after all.

                         TWAIN
             I appreciate it.

                         ANGIE
             But so help me God? I ever hear
             that estúpido redneck voice of
             yours again ...

Angie grabs Twain by the collar and throws her to the ground.
She and her friend walk away, laughing.

                         ANGIE
             Tenga un buen día!

Twain gets up and runs to Dusty's truck. Tries both doors.
Frustrated that they are locked, she SMACKS the window.

After a second of weighing her limited options, she takes
off running.

INT. MERRICK'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Merrick breaks up weed on the coffee table. Also on the table
are scissors, scales and baggies.

A BEATING ON THE DOOR.

He rises to answer, but Dusty KICKS the door in. Shoves
Merrick into the coffee table.

Trevor enters. Merrick sighs dramatically, as though he can't
even be bothered wasting his time.

                         MERRICK
             Jesus. Get the fuck out of here.

                         TREVOR
             What did you do with Twain last
             night?

                         MERRICK
             Everything she asked me to.

                                                           64.

                         TREVOR
             You make her sick.

                         MERRICK
             Here's a fun fact. Take a slut
             that's mad at her boyfriend, get
             her liquored up, that bitch will
             do anything you want.
                  (smirks)
             'Course, you know that, huh?

A look of horrified realization washes over Trevor's face.
Merrick's smirk widens into a full-on grin.

                         MERRICK
             Aw, Trevor, did I break your
             stride a little bit? You came in
             here looking so tough. I got your
             girl in the car SO easy.

                         TREVOR
             And for what purpose? To teach me
             a lesson? Why are you so jealous?

                         MERRICK
             Jealous? You think I want that
             fucked up, needy bitch?

                         DUSTY
             I think you're trying to rewrite
             history, dude!

                         MERRICK
                  (over Dusty)
             I don't give a fuck about that
             bitch. All I know is that you
             been a little too cocky a little
             too long. Like you got one over.

                         TREVOR
             I never bother you! We go out of
             our way to avoid you!

                         MERRICK
             Right there! You pull all these
             little bitch moves, then pull the
             "who me?" card out of your ass
             when shit gets deep. Come to think
             of it, you've got a lot in common
             with that girl you fucked last
             night --

                         TREVOR
             I didn't fuck anyone last night!

                                                           65.

                         MERRICK
             I did, though. I fucked your
             girlfriend.

                         DUSTY
                  (to Trevor)
             Smoke this cocksucker!

                         MERRICK
             He ain't smokin' shit. He'll keep
             his mouth shut and take it. Same
             way Miss Twain took it last night.
                  (to Trevor)
             Over and over again.

Trevor PUNCHES Merrick, knocking him into the coffee table
again, breaking it. Merrick swiftly recovers and jumps Trevor.

                         MERRICK
             How many times do I gotta beat
             you before you learn, little fucker?

Dusty is fed up. He whips the gun out and slams it into
Merrick's head.

Merrick falls back, clutching a bleeding scalp. He tackles
Dusty and tries to take the gun.

                         TREVOR
             Dusty, throw the gun! Throw it away!

EXT. MERRICK'S HOUSE

Twain runs to the front door.

O.S. THE GUN GOES OFF.

INT. MERRICK'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM

Twain bursts through the front door.

                         TREVOR
             Twain!

Merrick stumbles backwards and falls, bright red blood
blossoming across his chest.

                         DUSTY
             I shot ... I shot somebody.
             Accidentally.

Dusty is dazed. Trevor removes the gun from his hand.

                                                           66.

                         TWAIN
             Why the fuck did you bring the gun?!

Twain smacks Trevor, then begins to rapidly tap her fingers
against her sides, trying not to lose it.

                         TWAIN
                  (to Merrick, angry)
             You fucking asshole! This is all
             your fault!

Merrick attempts to sit up and fails.

                         MERRICK
             Twain, help me. Please! I'm
             fuckin' dying!

                         TWAIN
             What are we going to do?

Trevor doesn't answer immediately. Instead, he stares at
Merrick with unemotional eyes.

INT. MERRICK'S HOUSE - KITCHEN

Drawers and cabinets are ripped open as Trevor and Twain
search.

                         TWAIN
             Dipshit doesn't own a paper towel?!

Twain rips opens a drawer. It is full of dishtowels.

                         TWAIN
             Wait!

The drawer CRASHES to the floor. She SHRIEKS and begins
picking up towels with shaking hands.

Trevor pulls her to her feet and takes the towels from her.

                         TREVOR
             I've got it.

He puts his hands on her shoulders. Gently leans her into
the counter.

                         TREVOR
             We've got to keep it together
             right now, okay? For Dusty.

Twain nods. Trevor actually wants her to keep it together
for herself, and Twain knows it.

                                                           67.

                         TWAIN
             For Dusty.

Trevor takes her by the hand and leads her out of the room.

INT. MERRICK'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM

Trevor and Twain reenter the room.

Dusty is on the floor, applying pressure to Merrick's chest.

                         DUSTY
             He's bleedin' like a stuck pig,
             dude.

                         MERRICK
                  (to Twain)
             I should've never brought your
             ass here last night.

                         TREVOR
             That is correct.

Trevor drops the towels on his face. Dusty grabs one and
puts it to use, laying it over Merrick's wound and applying
more pressure.

Trevor kneels down next to Merrick and looks at him curiously.

                         TREVOR
             Are you in a lot of pain right now?

                         MERRICK
             Call an ambulance, freak!

                         TREVOR
             I'm thinking we should just sit
             here and watch you bleed to death.
                  (to Twain)
             Does that sound like a good idea
             to you?

Twain doesn't say anything.

                         DUSTY
                  (baffled)
             Guys ...

Merrick tries to sit up again, gasps, and falls back down.

                                                           68.

                         MERRICK
                  (To Twain; gasping,
                  enraged)
             You're not going to help me? You
             stupid fucking bitch! Nasty cunt
             rag slut --

Twain SNAPS. She kicks Merrick in the side. Then she shoves
Dusty's hands away and jams her finger into Merrick's bullet
hole. PULLS ON IT.

Merrick SCREAMS. Horrifying, guttural howls.

                         TWAIN
             The fuck is wrong with you?! Cunt
             rag?! You want me to help you,
             you fucking psychopath?!

Trevor eases Twain off of Merrick. She wipes her bloody
finger on Merrick's shirt.

                         TWAIN
             Learn some manners, motherfucker!

Merrick tries to say something, but wheezes instead. A big,
wet circle has formed on the crotch of his pants.

                         TWAIN
             Merrick, did you spill a drink on
             yourself, or is that piss?
                  (to Trevor)
             He peed his pants!

                         TREVOR
                  (smirking)
             How embarrassing.

                         DUSTY
             Y'all can't torture him!

                         TREVOR
             We're not torturing him. At best,
             we're denying him prompt medical
             treatment.

                         DUSTY
             He's a human being, for fuck's
             sakes!

                         TREVOR
             Are you able to prove that?

Dusty's eyes bulge in horrified astonishment.

                                                           69.

                         DUSTY
             This ain't the time for this shit!
             He's fucking bleeding to death
             and if he dies, we are all FUCKED!
             Call someone!

                         TWAIN
             You shot him, you call.

                         DUSTY
             I DON'T HAVE MY PHONE, TWAIN!

After what seems like forever, Trevor reluctantly pulls his
phone out of his pocket.

                         MERRICK
                  (struggling)
             Once again, you're bending over
             because someone told you to.

Trevor tries to concentrate on his phone, but he is bothered
by Merrick's words.

                         MERRICK
             Such a faggot.

TWAIN SUDDENLY SNATCHES THE SCISSORS FROM THE FLOOR AND STABS
MERRICK IN THE CHEST.

Dusty's hands are narrowly spared. He tumbles backwards
before fleeing to the bathroom.

                         TWAIN
                  (screaming at Merrick)
             IT'S OVER FOR YOU! YOU'RE DONE!

Twain continues stabbing until Trevor yanks her to her feet.
She covers her mouth with her hand.

Merrick emits a bloody GURGLE and Trevor covers his ears.

Dusty emerges from the bathroom and joins his friends. He
covers his eyes.

THEY RESEMBLE THE THREE WISE MONKEYS.

                         TREVOR
                  (calmly)
             We've got to clean this up.

INT. MERRICK'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

Twain opens a cabinet with her foot. Retrieves a trash bag.
She wets a sponge and wipes everything in sight.

                                                           70.

She puts the fallen drawer back into the counter, and then
cleans it as well.

O.S. a vacuum is heard roaring to life.

INT. MERRICK'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM

Almost finished. Twain pulls her hoodie off and Trevor
removes his own shirt. Twain is left in her wifebeater,
Trevor in his crisp white tee shirt.

Dusty, on look out, peers out the living room window.

                         TREVOR
             Everything wiped down, vacuumed,
             vacuum wiped down, vacuum bag in
             the trash bag. And I'll take care
             of that once I take you home.
             What am I missing?

He speaks frenetically, like a mad scientist. Twain looks at
Merrick's body.

                         TWAIN
             What about that?

                         TREVOR
             I don't want to risk moving him.
             I don't think he's got anything
             on him that could hurt us, but I
             wonder if I should pour something
             ...

Dusty jerks his head towards Trevor, highly irate.

                         DUSTY
             It's not a science project, dude!
             You won't get an award for most
             creative disposal ... Fuck, you
             wanna make sure there's nothing
             left? Torch this motherfucker.

                         TREVOR
             No.

                         DUSTY
             Why not?!

Twain shoots Dusty a steely look.

                                                           71.

                         TWAIN
             'Cause I don't deal in no type of
             fire bigger'n what comes outta my
             lighter. Trevor's gonna burn the
             bag later, but the house stays.

                         DUSTY
             Gee, Twain, I really hate to force
             you out of your comfort zone, but
             I'm not comfortable with spending
             my fucking life in jail!

Exasperated, Dusty walks out of the house.

Twain kneels down and closes Merrick's eyes. Upon standing,
she and Trevor exchange a look. They look gleeful, maybe
even turned on.

INT. DUSTY'S BASEMENT - DAY

Trevor, Twain and Dusty look like little kids in trouble.
Joslyn sits on the bed, chest heaving. She is beyond upset.

                         JOSLYN
             How could this happen?! You want
             me to lie for you? Put my butt on
             the line because you murdered
             someone?!

                         DUSTY
             Put the motherfuckin' car in
             reverse. I murdered NO ONE.

Dusty points at Twain, who is totally offended.

                         TWAIN
             You fucking shot him!

                         DUSTY
             He was alive after I shot him!

                         TWAIN
             Probably not for long! You shot
             him in the chest!

Dusty starts to get panicky again.

                         TREVOR
             It doesn't matter who did what!

                         DUSTY
             I beg to differ! You guys stood
             there ... and you taunted the
             asshole and then ...

                                                           72.

Dusty shakes his head, disgusted.

                         TREVOR
             Merrick Sibble has been destroying
             lives for years. He had it coming
             to him. Quid pro quo.

                         TWAIN
                  (quickly, quietly)
             Squid pro what?

Joslyn leaps from the bed, furious.

                         JOSLYN
             I'm pretty sure, Trevor, that
             you're not God. And I'm pretty
             sure that you do not have the
             authority to decide who lives and
             who dies.

                         TWAIN
                  (snide)
             Oh, that's right. You had a lil'
             crush on Merrick, didn't ya?
             Explains a lot.

Joslyn SCREAMS.

                         JOSLYN
             I'm going home. I don't want to
             talk to any of you for the rest
             of the night. If anyone calls me
             before seven a.m., I will go to
             the cops.

Joslyn stomps up the stairs and slams the door behind her.

INT. MERRICK'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

The white gloved team rifles through the crime scene. A
female MEDICAL EXAMINER hunches over Merrick's body.

In the middle of it all are two FBI agents. EVAN GRAY, who
is in his mid-thirties at most, and the older, salt and
pepper haired STRICKLAND.

                         M.E.
                  (to Gray and Strickland)
             He was stabbed five times.
             Scissors, I'm pretty sure.

                         GRAY
             Scissors?

                                                           73.

Gray crouches beside the M.E. and she points to a wound.

                         M.E.
             No weapon yet, but see these
             little holes? There and there?
             It's where the scissors opened
             upon penetration.

                         STRICKLAND
             Time of death?

                         M.E.
             Recently. When his friend found
             him, rigor mortis hadn't even set
             in.

Strickland nods and he and Gray walk a few steps.

                         STRICKLAND
             Drug dealer found dead by another
             drug dealer. Hope it served as a
             wake up call, but I'm doubtful.
                  (looks around the room)
             I'm going to get a statement and
             then I'm heading back.

                         GRAY
             I grew up in a town just like
             this, there's no such thing as a
             secret. Someone's talking about
             this already.

Gray makes his way around Merrick's living room. He sees a
TINY SPOT on the light colored couch. Upon closer inspection,
he realizes it is blood, but unlike the rest. An isolated
drop, as if someone were lying there with a bloody nose or lip.

Gray points this out to a passing C.S.I.

                         C.S.I.
             I assume it belongs to the victim.

Gray looks again.

                         GRAY
             It just seems like Mr. Sibble's
             injuries all occurred over there.
             This spot is just ... well, it's
             over here.

INT. ANDY'S HOUSE - EVENING

Gray taps an ink pen against his temple. He is impatient and
tired.

                                                           74.

Andy sits across from him. Psyched at being interviewed, he
hams it up like he is on Law & Order.

                         ANDY
             Maybe an hour? Once the fight
             broke out, I was focused on
             sedating my people, you know, and
             making sure the cops didn't get
             called. No offense.

                         GRAY
             I don't do house parties. So,
             Merrick shows up, stays for an
             hour, and then what? Did he talk
             to anyone?

                         ANDY
             I'm not sure. I kind of try to
             avoid Merrick at all costs.

                         GRAY
             Can you remember anything else? A
             comment, an argument? Was there
             someone at the party who normally
             wouldn't be in attendance?

Gray waits for a moment before standing up.

A lightbulb goes off in Andy's head. He snaps his fingers.

                         ANDY
             Merrick left with Twain Parker!

                         GRAY
             Who is that?

                         ANDY
             The girl who started all the drama!

                         GRAY
             Twain? Like Mark Twain?

Andy nods and Gray scribbles in a tiny notebook.

                         GRAY
             And Parker. So, you saw them leave
             together?

                         ANDY
             No. Someone ran into the house
             and they were all like "Oh my God,
             Twain just got in Merrick's car
             and Trevor's gonna freak out!"

                                                           75.

                         GRAY
             Trevor?

                         ANDY
             Twain's boyfriend!
                  (salaciously)
             Merrick is Twain's EX-boyfriend.
             Trevor and Twain hate Merrick.

Andy squeals in excitement.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Twain is curled up on the couch. Trevor walks in with a cup
and gives it to Twain.

                         TREVOR
             We didn't have any tea, so I made
             you some Thera-Flu.

                         TWAIN
                  (breaking into a smile)
             You're sweet.

Trevor sits down and puts his head on her shoulder. She
strokes his face.

                         TWAIN
             How are you?

                         TREVOR
             Better, now that I'm clean.
                  (looks at hands)
             My fingernails were disgusting.

Twain pulls his arm over her. There is a KNOCK at the door.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - FRONT DOOR

Gray is there, badge out, as Trevor opens it.

                         GRAY
             Trevor Clarence Jane?

Trevor nods slowly.

                         TREVOR
             Yes, sir.

                         GRAY
             I'm Special Agent Evan Gray --

                         TREVOR
             Whoa? FBI?

                                                           76.

                         GRAY
             That is correct.

                         TREVOR
             Why is there an FBI agent at my
             door?

                         GRAY
             It's late and I apologize, but
             would it be alright if I asked
             you a couple of questions?

Trevor allows him in. Gray observes the small, frail woman
on the couch. These people cannot be killers.

                         GRAY
             Twain Evelyn Parker.

Twain is on her feet in an instant.

                         TWAIN
             Yes, sir.

                         GRAY
             You two are certainly polite. Now,
             the name Merrick Sibble, are you
             familiar with it?

                         TWAIN
             Unfortunately. Why?

                         GRAY
             He was found murdered in his home
             this afternoon. Stabbed.

Twain's eyes bulge. Trevor lays his hand on her arm.

                         GRAY
             Does this come as a surprise to
             either of you?

                         TREVOR
             Merrick Sibble kept the kind of
             company that you cross the street
             to avoid, so no, I'm not feeling
             a great deal of surprise right now.

                         GRAY
                  (to Twain)
             Well, you must be a little
             unnerved, at least.

                                                           77.

                         TWAIN
                  (stuttering)
             Why so how?

                         GRAY
             It must be jarring to know that
             you escaped just hours before a
             murderer struck.

Twain is speechless.

                         GRAY
             You left Andy's party with him,
             correct?

                         TWAIN
                  (shamefully)
             Yes.

                         GRAY
             How long were you there?

Twain takes a deep breath and she and Trevor gear up for the
performance of their lives.

                         TWAIN
             A couple of hours. See, Trevor
             made out with this girl --

                         TREVOR
             We didn't make out.

                         TWAIN
             So, I slap the bitch. Then I take
             off walking, Merrick picks me up.
             Next thing I know, I'm at his
             house drinking and ...

Twain looks down.

                         GRAY
             You know what? I don't really
             care about how hard you partied.
             What else happened?

                         TWAIN
             I walked home.

                         GRAY
             What time did you get home?

                         TWAIN
             Sheesh, I was pretty tore up.

                                                           78.

                         TREVOR
             You showed up at three.
                  (to Gray)
             We argued some more, fell asleep,
             and then we picked our kids up
             from my mom's house at noon.

                         GRAY
             Will your mom confirm this?

                         TREVOR
             In a heartbeat. Would you like
             her number?

A groggy Sunny wanders into the room.

                         SUNNY
             I'm thirsty.

Trevor picks Sunny up.

                         SUNNY
                  (to Gray)
             Who are you, mister guy?

                         GRAY
             I'm Evan. What's your name?

                         SUNNY
             Sunny Clare Jane and my sister's
             middle name is Evyn, just like you!

                         GRAY
             That's interesting, Sunny.

                         SUNNY
             You're interesting. I like your
             suit. Are you a businessman?

A charmed Gray begins to speak, but Trevor carries his
daughter out of the room.

                         GRAY
             Cute kid. She's smart.

                         TWAIN
             Both my girls are. But Trevor's
             their dad, so they couldn't be
             stupid even if they wanted to.

                         GRAY
             Did you bite your lip?

                                                           79.

                         TWAIN
             I guess I got the herp, but thanks
             for noticing.

Gray hands her a card.

                         GRAY
             One more thing. Even if you were
             angry, why would you hang out
             with Merrick Sibble at all?

                         TWAIN
             When you see the person you've
             been with since you were nineteen,
             running down the stairs with their
             pants unzipped, with someone who
             isn't you ... you'll hang out
             with just about anyone who isn't
             them.

INT. JOSLYN'S CAR - MORNING

Joslyn grips the wheel so hard her knuckles are white.

Twain's arms are folded tightly across her chest. Awkward
all around.

                         JOSLYN
             So does that make you a suspect?

                         TWAIN
             Trevor said I might be a person
             of interest, but that it ain't
             the same as bein' a suspect.
                  (defensive)
             Your name never came up!

Joslyn looks even more upset. She parks in front of Twain's
restaurant.

                         JOSLYN
             I'm allowed to be worried! I was
             horrified the time we got drunk
             and Dusty stole that sign! Now I
             have to deal with the fact that
             my best friend killed someone?

                         TWAIN
             Stop worrying! Worrying makes
             shit worse, always. Tomorrow, we
             are going to the carnival, just
             like always.
                         (MORE)

                                                           80.

                         TWAIN (CONT'D)
             We're gonna watch fireworks, we're
             gonna have a super fun time, and
             after that, we're gonna go on
             with our lives.

                         JOSLYN
             What if I don't want to go?

                         TWAIN
             Then I guess the super fun part
             is optional.

INT. STRICKLAND'S CAR - MORNING

Strickland is in the driver's seat, holding a manila folder.
Gray sits in the passenger's seat, guzzling coffee.

Strickland hands Gray the folder.

                         GRAY
             Parker?

Strickland smiles.

INT. RESTAURANT - KITCHEN - DAY

Twain is stocking shelves. A waitress taps her on the
shoulder, startling her.

                         WAITRESS
             Some suit out there, he wants you
             to take his order.

She hands Twain a dirty plate.

                         KATIE
             Customer complained.

Twain gives the dishwasher the evil eye. Her face suggests
that she is about to blow a gasket. Instead, she turns and
walks out of the kitchen.

EXT. RESTAURANT - DAY

Twain lights a cigarette with shaky hands. Gray follows
closely behind her.

                         TWAIN
             Now everybody's gonna be talking
             about how a friggin' cop was
             pokin' around my work!

                                                           81.

                         GRAY
             Maybe you're being a little
             dramatic.

                         TWAIN
             Sir, you do not understand how a
             town of twelve hundred people works!

                         GRAY
             Believe me, I do. And the reason
             I'm here isn't so bad. I just
             wanted to see if you'd remembered
             anything else about your time
             with Merrick Sibble.

                         TWAIN
             I would've called you if I did.

                         GRAY
             Your story's the exact same, word
             for word?

                         TWAIN
             Close as you can get.

                         GRAY
             You hated Merrick.

Twain takes a massive drag from her cigarette.

                         TWAIN
             Hate's a real strong word.

                         GRAY
             You don't hate someone who used
             to beat you with your own hairbrush?

Twain stops dead in her tracks.

                         TWAIN
                  (flustered)
             You're trying to push buttons,
             but it won't work.

                         GRAY
             He took advantage of you. He was
             mean to you, he passed you around
             to drug dealers like currency --

                         TWAIN
                  (angrily shaking head)
             You don't even know what you're
             talking about!

                                                           82.

                         GRAY
             I'm glad you hate him! It's
             healthy! But he's dead, and it's
             my job to figure out who killed
             him. Helping me is not going to
             bring him back to life.

Gray is very earnest, and Twain loses her edge.

                         TWAIN
             I'm sorry I can't tell you more.

                         GRAY
                  (long pause)
             Twain, do you own a gun?

                         TWAIN
             I thought Merrick was stabbed?

                         GRAY
             I was just asking.

                         TWAIN
             At one point, yes. We gave it to
             Trevor's grandfather after Sunny
             was born.

                         GRAY
             Thank you.

Twain turns to leave.

                         GRAY
                  (casually)
             If you're lying on a couch
             bleeding from the face, you might
             be experiencing something that
             would make you want to do terrible
             things. And I think everyone would
             understand that.

Twain jogs back into the restaurant with a quickness.

INT. DUSTY'S BASEMENT

Dusty buttons his shirt. He looks spiffier than usual, but
his face is solemn.

Joslyn just looks frazzled.

                         DUSTY
             We have to go.

                                                           83.

                         JOSLYN
             Why? So they can treat me like
             crap all night, when I didn't
             even do anything?

                         DUSTY
             I know you didn't do anything.
             You remind me every five minutes.

                         JOSLYN
             That's because I didn't do anything.

Dusty throws a lamp across the room, startling Joslyn.

                         DUSTY
             I will not forget! You didn't do
             anything and I am this big, scary
             killing machine -- even though I
             DID NOT kill anyone! But is it
             okay if I, Dusty Who Did Something,
             goes out and tries to act normal
             for one fucking night? IS THAT
             OKAY WITH YOU?

                         JOSLYN
                  (scared, in tears)
             I know you're under a lot of
             stress, but please don't be mean
             to me because ...

Dusty envelopes her in a tight hug.

                         JOSLYN
             I almost said it again.
                  (deep breath)
             And I never said that I wouldn't
             go. I've got some art supplies I
             want to give to the girls. I know
             they'll like them.

A bit of the old Dusty resurfaces, and he lands a super
gentle punch on Joslyn's arm. Then he plants a long kiss on
her lips.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY

Trevor sits on the bed. He is wearing light khakis and a
blue polo shirt.

Twain is in her bra and undies. She pulls on a pair of light
khaki capri pants.

                         TWAIN
             He got under my skin so much.

                                                           84.

                         TREVOR
             He's supposed to. He's trying to
             psych you out, he wants you to
             slip up.

Twain pulls her own blue polo over her head.

                         TWAIN
             I don't wanna slip up, Trev!

                         TREVOR
             If it's yours, say you got your
             ... Say you had a bloody nose.
             They already know you were there.

Twain chews on this fact for a moment, then checks herself
out in the mirror.

                         TWAIN
             Do I look goofy?

                         TREVOR
             Well, we both do. We're over the
             age of five and we're wearing
             matching outfits.

On cue, Sunny and Lacey run into the room, sporting their
own matching red and white outfits.

                         SUNNY
             When will Dusty and Jossie be
             here, huh? Huh?!

                         TWAIN
             They'll be here when they get
             here, quit being a spaz.

                         SUNNY
                  (mile a minute)
             I wanna show Joslyn my painting.
             I got lots of paintings to show
             her, but I have to show her the
             one I painted of us and you were
             on daddy's lap and Lacey was on
             my lap and I was giving her some
             food. Oh! And I need to show her
             my painting of her brushing
             Dusty's hair! It's sooooo --

                                                           85.

                         TREVOR
                  (pacifying)
             Dusty and Joslyn will be here
             very soon, and the first thing
             I'm going to do is direct them to
             your paintings.

                         SUNNY
             Hurray!

                         LACEY
             'Urray!

                         SUNNY
             STOP COPYING ME! YOU ALWAYS COPY ME!

Lacey looks all kinds of dejected and Twain is sad for her.

                         TWAIN
             Sunny, she just loves you. She
             wants to be like you because she
             thinks you're very cool.

Twain kisses both girls on the forehead and Sunny ponders
what her mother said.

                         SUNNY
                  (sincere)
             I'll be nice to my sister.

The girls run out of the room, but Sunny bounces back in,
grinning from ear to ear.

                         SUNNY
             Love you, mom and dad!

Then she's off again.

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

The poorly lit street is lined with the dozens and dozens of
cars of carnival attendees.

Trevor and Twain carry the girls down the sidewalk. Dusty
carries their many prizes and a funnel cake. Joslyn slurps a
slushy, and looks as miserable as ever.

Behind them, the night sky explodes in a multitude of color.
The fireworks have begun.

The baby startles and Twain gets her settled. Trevor looks
back at the lights, pouting. Twain pats him on the arm.

                                                           86.

                         TWAIN
             I know.

Sunny also pouts.

                         TWAIN
             We'll go to grandma's tomorrow
             and y'all can shoot off as many
             fireworks as you want.

                         JOSLYN
             I'm sorry I don't feel good.

Trevor ignores her.

                         DUSTY
             Don't trip. You can still get a
             good view from here.

Twain is getting a view of something else. Gray's car parked
on the street.

                         TWAIN
                  (to Trevor)
             Look.

Twain hands Lacey off to Trevor. She strolls up to the window
of the car and taps on it. Peers inside the empty car.

                         TWAIN
             Police radio, manila folders.
             This fucker is following us.

                         DUSTY
             What are you doing?

Dusty is NOT feeling the moment. Joslyn joins Twain, wide
eyed and paranoid.

                         JOSLYN
             Those are probably your files in
             there. Our files. They have to
             know we hang out by now.

                         DUSTY
             Just what the fuck kind of 'file'
             would you have, Joslyn? You've
             never even had a speeding ticket.

                         JOSLYN
             It bothers me that this creep is
             staking us out! I wish somebody
             would do something.

                                                           87.

Twain grabs Joslyn's slushy, then HURlS it onto Gray's
windshield. Bright red ice sprays all over the place.

                         DUSTY
             The FUCK?!

Twain takes Lacey back, then Trevor grabs Twain and drags
her away from the car. Dusty and Joslyn break into a run
behind them.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Joslyn is sprawled out on the couch, bawling. Overwhelmed.

                         JOSLYN
             Now I'm connected to this, thank
             you so much! Joslyn McNamara,
             aiding and abetting. Joslyn
             McNamara ... This is the worst
             thing that has ever happened to me!

In the B.G., Trevor and Twain share the same apathetic look.

                         DUSTY
                  (gently)
             No one saw nothin'.

Joslyn sits up and glares at Twain.

                         JOSLYN
             How could you throw my slush at
             that cop's car?

                         TWAIN
             You asked me to do something, I
             did something!

                         JOSLYN
             What, made it worse?! I wish you
             never threw it! I wish you'd never
             stabbed anyone!

Trevor puts a finger on his lips, indicating Joslyn to keep
it down.

Twain steps towards Joslyn and takes a breath. Calms herself.

                         TWAIN
                  (controlled)
             Here is what I'm going to do, Joslyn.
             I'm gonna climb into my DeLorean,
                         (MORE)

                                                           88.

                         TWAIN (CONT'D)
             and I'm gonna transpond back to a
             time where I refuse to do shots
             with you and your idiot boyfriend
             and go find my boyfriend instead,
             which will prevent him from acting
             like a --
                  (dirty look at Trevor)
             -- DRUNK ASSHOLE with your cousin,
             thereby preventing ALL EVENTS
             THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THEN!

                         JOSLYN
             I'm sorry, but you cannot be
             insinuating that this is in some
             way Dusty or I's fault.

                         TWAIN
             Nah, Jos, I'm happy to take credit,
             because this is such a FUN
             situation. But since you don't
             like it, I'mma time travel for
             you! In fact, maybe I'll go back
             twenty-six or so years and punch
             your mom in the fucking uterus,
             that way you'll never exist and
             nothing will ever offend your
             delicate ass sensibilities!

                         DUSTY
                  (to Twain)
             Maybe someone should've punched
             your mom in the uterus, you crazy
             fucking bitch.

Now Trevor steps up.

                         TREVOR
             Dusty, stop.

                         DUSTY
             Fuck that! She always runs her
             mouth and no one can say anything
             because ...
                  (mock sympathy)
             Twain had a real bad childhood
             and we mustn't ever mention her
             parents or any of the other five
             million triggers that might cause
             her to fly off the deep end!

                                                           89.

                         TWAIN
                  (over Trevor's
                  shoulder)
             Homie, if I fly off the deep,
             you're gonna know it. For real!

                         DUSTY
             You murdered someone, for fuck's
             sake! How much further you
             planning on flyin', psycho?

                         TREVOR
             You're perfect, Dusty? You're a
             lazy fucking slob and your
             girlfriend is a whiny bitch!

                         DUSTY
             Being lazy and whiny beats the
             shit out of being the two
             codependent fuck-ups known as
             Trevor and Twain. Let me give you
             some advice. When the day comes
             that you also become one half of
             a murder-suicide, you'd better
             make sure that psychotic bitch
             does it right, or you too might
             wind up with the brainpower of a
             newborn baby.

Trevor SHOVES Dusty as hard as he can, which knocks him off
balance, but little else.

                         DUSTY
             Swear to God, Janey, touch me
             again? Kill me. 'Cause I'll break
             your fucking neck --

                         TWAIN
             You touch his neck and I will cut
             your fucking eyeballs out --

Trevor gently pushes Twain aside. He looks at Dusty with
eyes full of desperation. Eyes at home on someone close to
the end of their rope.

                         TREVOR
             I am under a lot of stress, Dusty.
             I am running on very little sleep
             and my life is falling apart
             before my eyes. I have very little
             self control left. So if I ever
             hear you say another word about
             her, I will kill you.
                         (MORE)

                                                           90.

                         TREVOR (CONT'D)
             If you talk about her parents, me,
             my children, my mom, grandparents,
             ancestors, pets ... If you say
             anything at all, I promise that I
             will shoot you in the fucking head.

O.S. LACEY CRIES. Dusty shakes his head.

                         DUSTY
             We're gone. Peace out, dude.

Trevor grins cockily.

                         TREVOR
             No, you better just stay here,
             lest we assume you're off plotting
             against us.

Twain also grins, eyes sparkling back to life.

                         TWAIN
             True facts! We gots the gun!

Trevor and Twain skip away to the kids' room.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Dusty and Joslyn sit on the couch. Joslyn no longer sobs,
but her eyes are puffy and red. Dusty squeezes her shoulder.

                         DUSTY
             It'll be okay, Jossie.

                         TREVOR (O.S.)
             Dustin!

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - HALLWAY

Trevor and Twain are outside of the kids' room. Dusty appears
at the end of the hall and peers at them suspiciously.

                         DUSTY
             Plan on executing me now?

They shake their heads no. Good enough for Dusty. He goes to
them and wraps them both in a boa constrictor like hug.

                         DUSTY
                  (overemotional)
             I said some fucked up shit!

                                                           91.

                         TWAIN
             Yeah ...
                  (struggles against
                  Dusty's hug)
             ... Us, too.

Trevor and Twain finally manage to disengage themselves from
Dusty's hug.

                         TREVOR
             We also involved you in a murder.
             So, really, we owe you an apology.

                         DUSTY
             Apologies over here, too. You
             know I got nothing but love.

                         TWAIN
             I wanna talk to Jos.

                         DUSTY
                  (scratching his head)
             Dude, I don't know.

                         TWAIN
             She needs to relax, and with you
             spazzin' out and Trevor bein' all
             intense, I don't see that happening.

                         TREVOR
                  (to Dusty)
             Come on, I'll buy you food.

                         DUSTY
             'Cause I'm fat?

Dusty looks towards the living room. Sighs.

                         DUSTY
                  (to Twain)
             Be fuckin' nice to her, okay?

Twain gives him the thumbs up.

EXT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Trevor and Twain stand on the porch, his hands wrapped around
hers.

Angie and co. noisily smoke and drink on their own porch.
The night is occasionally punctuated by the sound of
fireworks in the distance.

                                                           92.

A somber tone hangs in the air. Trevor and Twain try to keep
it casual.

                         TWAIN
             So what if we can't talk them
             into a state of, uh ...

                         TREVOR
             Placidity?

                         TWAIN
             Sounds good.

                         TREVOR
             Then I guess we'll kill them.
                  (surprised at self)
             That was wholly inappropriate,
             wasn't it?

                         TWAIN
             It really was.

                         TREVOR
             Look, just go in there and put on
             your charming face. I know you
             have one.

Twain tilts her head, narrows her eyes and smiles at Trevor.

                         TREVOR
             That'll work. You stay calm, and
             talk Joslyn off that ledge that
             she's clearly on. And tell her
             I'm sorry I called her a bitch.

                         TWAIN
             Okie dokie.

Dusty steps outside.

                         DUSTY
             So, what's up?

                         TREVOR
                  (to Twain)
             I'll be back soon. I love you.

                         TWAIN
             And I love you, Trevor Jane.

Trevor kisses her, their fingers untangling as they part.

Angie and friends can be heard mocking the couple, but Twain
doesn't react. She is busy watching Trevor leave.

                                                           93.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER

Joslyn sits at the table, fiddling with the cross around her
neck.

Twain leans against the counter.

                         TWAIN
             Trevor wanted me to tell you that
             he's sorry. He was just mad.

Joslyn nods imperceptibly.

Twain wets a paper towel, sits down on the floor and lights
a cigarette.

                         TWAIN
             And I'm sorry, too. I mean it. I
             don't deserve a friend half as
             good as you.

                         JOSLYN
             That's not true. Everyone deserves
             a good friend.

                         TWAIN
             I should've handled myself better.
             I'm just having a hard time
             shaking this feeling that I'm
             getting ready to start a new
             career as a license plate maker.

                         JOSLYN
             Everything is going to work out
             the way that it should. I truly
             believe that.

Twain looks at her, searching Joslyn's eyes for confirmation
that she does, in fact, believe that.

                         JOSLYN
             The last thing Dusty or I want to
             see is either one of you in trouble.

                         TWAIN
             Dusty?

                         JOSLYN
             When we had our second date, he
             told me he was taking me to meet
             his best friends, Trevor and Twain.
             For some reason, I thought you
             and Trevor were a gay couple.

                                                           94.

                         TWAIN
             Maybe 'cause I have a guy name?

                         JOSLYN
             More like, you have two last names.
             Anyways, you were never just
             Trevor's girlfriend.

Twain taps cigarette ash onto the wet paper towel.

                         TWAIN
             That's always been the cool thing
             about Dusty. He just is. Like, he
             can kick it on either side of the
             tracks, you know?

                         JOSLYN
             That's my big, lovable teddy bear.

                         TWAIN
             Trevor ain't like that, though.
             Trevor's a doll you never take
             out of its case. If Dusty hadn't
             brought him along on a pot run,
             our paths never would've crossed.
                  (reminiscing)
             Trevor hated Merrick. But he made
             any excuse to come over because
             he liked me. It was the first
             time in my life anyone just
             genuinely wanted to know me.

For a moment, Twain is lost in her own little world. She
snaps out of it.

                         TWAIN
             Which is why I'm jealous of you!

                         JOSLYN
             Why on earth are you jealous?

                         TWAIN
             You're prettier, for one.
             Naturally. And you have this light
             around you. People want to be
             around you, do stuff for you. No
             one ever treated me like that,
             before Trevor.

                         JOSLYN
             This is so funny right now. I've
             always been jealous of you.

                                                           95.

                         TWAIN
                  (rolls eyes)
             It's okay, Jos, you can just take
             the compliment.

                         JOSLYN
             Dusty and I have to work at our
             relationship everyday. Because
             we're completely different. But I
             love him, so I put in the work.
             As long as he loves me, I will.
             You and Trevor are just as
             different, but you don't have to
             put in that work. You make it
             look easy.

                         TWAIN
             We're more alike than you think.
             Do you want me to tell you a story?

Joslyn nods tentatively, and Twain lights another cigarette.

INT. DUSTY'S TRUCK - NIGHT

A paranoid Dusty is driving and smoking a J. Trevor rides
shotgun.

                         DUSTY
             Something bad's gonna happen,
             Janey. I can feel it in the pit
             of my stomach. I literally feel
             it in my bones, dude.

                         TREVOR
             You can literally feel that?

                         DUSTY
             You don't feel the same way?

                         TREVOR
             You didn't stab him, your gun
             didn't shoot him and you have one
             of the most credible people in
             the world supplying you with an
             alibi.

                         DUSTY
             Ever watched Investigation
             Discovery? No crime is unsolvable.
             When someone gets away with shit,
             it's 'cause of luck. Janey, our
             luck ain't been great, lately!

                                                           96.

                         TREVOR
             We do have the advantage of having
             committed a crime in a town that
             boasts the shittiest police force
             in the universe.

                         DUSTY
             Which is why they brought in the
             FBI.

Trevor takes Dusty's joint and puts it in the ashtray.

                         TREVOR
             I'll confess.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Twain is still on the floor. She lights a new cigarette with
the old one and crushes the old one into the wet paper towel.
Distressed, her fingers perform a tap dance on the floor.

                         TWAIN
             She shot him in the yard, then
             she came back. She was pourin'
             something ...
                  (laughs cynically)
             Obviously now, I know that it was
             gas. She caught me peekin' 'round
             the corner, so she snatched me up.
             She put this hard ass gun on my
             chest and she told me "We're not
             gonna be together anymore, Twain.
             'Cause I'm goin' down here and
             you're goin' up there, but I hope
             God can explain it to you." I
             kept screamin' for her to stop.

Twain has to catch her breath. Joslyn looks very worried for
her friend.

                         TWAIN
             She told me to do it my way. So I
             ran back to my room and I squeezed
             my eyes shut and she lit my house
             up. When I opened my eyes, she
             was standing there, waiting for
             me to look.
                         (MORE)

                                                           97.

                         TWAIN (CONT'D)
             Then that sick bitch blew her
             brains out.
                  (sobs)
             To this day, I don't know if she
             chose not to shoot me 'cause some
             part of her was still my mom and
             wasn't cool with shooting seven
             year olds in the heart, or if she
             just wanted me to burn. I don't
             know.
                  (through clenched
                  teeth)
             'Cause I didn't burn. I used my
             kitty cat alarm clock and I broke
             the window and then I crawled
             through that shattered motherfucker.

Twain lifts her shirt up to reveal the scars on her abdomen.
Then she crumples into the floor.

                         TWAIN
             Sometimes I wish I had burned.

With that, Twain begins BAWLING.

INT. DUSTY'S TRUCK - NIGHT

                         DUSTY
             That sick shit that went down
             there ... they ain't gonna look
             at you like a hero, they're gonna
             look at you like a maniac.

                         TREVOR
             I wanted to scare him. Shot him
             instead. Crime of passion.

Dusty fires his J back up.

                         DUSTY
             Don't forget dude was stabbed a
             bunch of times.

                         TREVOR
             It wasn't premeditated. Plus, I
             killed a drug dealing rapist.

                         DUSTY
             Uh, you didn't kill no one, dude!

Dust has a lightbulb moment. Snaps his fingers.

                                                           98.

                         DUSTY
             Shit. Get Twain to confess!

Trevor rubs his temples.

                         TREVOR
             Dusty, that is so idiotic, I can't
             even process it right now.

                         DUSTY
             If anyone can claim crime of
             passion, it's her. She says she
             snaps and it's the truth!

Dusty pulls into a fast food restaurant.

                         DUSTY
             I didn't say "set your old lady
             up." Talk it over, make a plan.
             She's got that mark on her neck?
             Makings of a motive, bam.

Trevor is mulling this over.

                         TREVOR
             You know, she said Agent, uh,
             Gray acted like he was trying to,
             I don't know, reach out to her.
                  (squints at Dusty)
             He told her that he would
             understand why she would want to
             do terrible things to Merrick.

                         DUSTY
             Your plan is already falling into
             place. Damn, I think good when
             I'm high!

Dusty then pulls up to the loudspeaker to place his order.
He rubs his thumb against his fingers and extends his palm.
With a sigh, Trevor pulls his wallet out and hands Dusty
some cash.

Trevor gazes out the window.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Twain is smoking yet again. She's much calmer, now. In fact,
She appears to be embarrassed to have cried in the first place.

                         TWAIN
             Thanks for listenin', homie!

                                                           99.

                         JOSLYN
                  (cautiously)
             Have you ever been to therapy?

                         TWAIN
             Briefly. In the home. But then I
             got my first family, so I never
             seen her again. I don't trip,
             though, 'cause I got a real family
             now. I also got Trev, and he's
             the best therapist a crazy bitch
             could ask for.
                  (introspective)
             See, we got a system. If somethin'
             breaks me, he'll put me back
             together. If somethin' breaks him,
             then I'll break it.

Joslyn nods slowly.

                         TWAIN
             It works.

Joslyn has been affected by Twain's words, and she is silent
for a long moment, on the verge of something profound.

                         JOSLYN
             Dusty didn't bring you two
             together. Neither did Merrick ...
             or pot. It was everything that
             happened, years before you two
             ever met.
                  (looks at Twain)
             It was all mapped out. It was ...

                         TWAIN
             A trajectory? Is that the right
             word?

                         JOSLYN
             Mercy never put him first. She
             didn't care if nobody after nobody
             hurt her son. Right?

Twain's eyes are sad. Her heart hurts, almost visibly, for
her boyfriend as Joslyn's words are spoken.

                         JOSLYN
             She made him powerless. A target.
             But ... you know ...
                         (MORE)

                                                          100.

                         JOSLYN (CONT'D)
             if she hadn't, Dusty wouldn't
             have felt the need to serve as
             bodyguard in school. They might've
             never been friends. You would've
             never met him. Maybe I would've
             met Dusty, but I never would've
             met you.

                         TWAIN
             Sorry you weren't luckier.

                         JOSLYN
             Don't say that. You're my best
             friend in the world. If I could
             take back what happpened to
             Merrick, but had to give up all
             the good times the four of us
             have had ...
                  (smiles)
             I'd have to think about it really
             seriously, but I wouldn't go
             through with it.

Twain smiles as well, mood lifted. Joslyn rises and gets
herself a glass of water.

                         JOSLYN
             And you've got it pretty good,
             now. You call yourself messed up,
             but if you weren't, Trevor
             would've never found someone that
             he was able to protect. Someone
             he could take care of. He'd
             literally die for you, Twain. And
             I mean that in the best way.
                  (sips water)
             I mean, I'm amazed he hasn't
             already confessed for you.

Something suddenly dawns on Twain. Her eyes widen as she
looks up at her friend.

                         TWAIN
                  (alarmed)
             I am a lucky girl, aren't I?

EXT. TORTOISE GAS - NIGHT

Agent Gray scrubs bright red slushy from his windshield. His
phone rings.

                                                          101.

                         GRAY
                  (into the phone)
             Yeah?
                  (scrubbing)
             Some asshole threw something on
             my windshield. Remember how I
             said I grew up in a town like
             this? This is why I left. I hate
             these shit holes.

TWO TEENAGERS walk by, laughing. Gray stares them down as he
resists the urge to kick their asses.

                         STRICKLAND (V.O.)
             Well, if you get bored once you're
             finished scrubbing glass, I've
             got something to occupy your time.

                         GRAY
             Which would be what?

                         STRICKLAND (V.O.)
             Twain Parker's blood on Merrick
             Sibble's couch. It's a match.

                         GRAY
                  (pessimistic)
             She's just gonna say she had a
             bloody nose. It won't matter.

                         STRICKLAND (V.O.)
             Au contraire, Mr. Gray. Toxicology
             says that not only was she drunk,
             but she had enough benzos in her
             to kill her. Mr. Sibble drugged
             her that night and your M.O.
             theories? I'd say they've been
             right on target.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - BATHROOM - LATER

Twain stands before the mirror, applying more eyeshadow. Her
preppy ensemble is gone, and she now wears a pair of faded
jeans, a bright pink belt and a wifebeater.

She fluffs her hair, then she walks out of the bathroom.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - GIRLS' ROOM

The girls are fast asleep.

Twain sees toys on the floor. She places them in a basket
and then she straightens up a stack of paintings.

                                                          102.

She watches Lacey in her crib. Kisses her forehead.

                         TWAIN
             Lacey, I love you with all my heart.

Sunny has kicked her blankets off. Twain tucks her in and
kisses her on the forehead as well.

                         TWAIN
             I also love you with all my heart,
             Miss Sunny Clare.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - BEDROOM

Twain retrieves a journal from a dresser drawer. She tucks
it under her arm and turns to leave. Stops.

She looks back at the dresser. There are numerous photos
arranged on top. Her, Trevor, and the kids at various stages
of life. Pictures from the beginning, Trevor's awkward phase,
the girls as newborns.

Twain looks at them for a long while.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - KITCHEN

Twain shoves the journal into her purse.

                         TWAIN
             Could you do me a big favor? Two,
             actually.

Joslyn nods.

                         TWAIN
             Watch the girls for a bit?

                         JOSLYN
             What for?

                         TWAIN
             The other thing you need to do is
             call Trevor. Call him in ten
             minutes and no sooner. You'll
             wanna call sooner, but don't.
             When you call him, tell him to
             come home.

Twain grabs her keys. Joslyn is completely bewildered.

                                                          103.

                         TWAIN
                  (reassuring)
             Everything's gonna be fine, Jossie.
             Remember? Everything's gonna work
             out. Just please do me these
             favors, and I won't ask you for
             nothin' again.

                         JOSLYN
             Twain, I'll do it, I'm just
             confused ...

Twain's face goes blank, offering no further information.

Joslyn pulls her cross over her head and places it around
Twain's neck.

                         TWAIN
             Why, thank you.

Twain kisses Joslyn on the forehead.

EXT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Twain puts her purse in the car. She skips over to the
neighbors' yard. Stands there, waiting.

Finally:

                         TWAIN
                  (at the top of her
                  lungs)
             HEYYY ANGIIEEEE!

Angie and her friends burst out of the house and start down
the porch steps.

Twain whips out the gun tucked into her jeans and everyone
FREEZES.

Twain SHOOTS a hole through Angie's roof, then she aims the
gun right at Angie. Her hands are trembling around the weapon.

                         TWAIN
             Call the cops. When they get here
             ...
                  (exhilarated)
             ... tell 'em I went to see my dad!

Twain runs to her car.

                                                          104.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S CAR - NIGHT

Twain scribbles furiously in her journal. Rips out the page
and lays it in the passenger's seat. She tucks the journal
under the seat, then she tucks the gun into her sock.

INT. PLEASANT MANOR - NIGHT

A nursing home and rehabilitation center. After hours. The
place is quiet, the residents are in bed and the numerous
corridors are dark.

Twain appears at the front desk.

The frizzy-haired NIGHT RECEPTIONIST is startled; drops her
romance novel.

                         TWAIN
             I need to see my dad, James Parker.
             Please.

The receptionist points to the wall.

                         NIGHT RECEPTIONIST
             I need you to read the sign, hun.

Twain looks. There is a small, printed sign. It is brightly
colored and in comic sans:

VISITING HOURS 8 AM TO 8 PM NO EXCEPTIONS

                         TWAIN
                  (calmly)
             Okay. I read your stupid sign,
             and I still need to see my dad.

                         NIGHT RECEPTIONIST
             Those are rules, hun, there's no
             need to be hateful. Eight o'clock
             rolls around, you come on back.

The receptionist picks up her book. Twain stares at her,
debating whether or not she should say something. She decides
against it and begins walking towards her father's room.

The receptionist jerks her head up.

                         NIGHT RECEPTIONIST
             I'm calling the police!

                         TWAIN
                  (over her shoulder)
             Give it a few minutes, they'll be
             here anyways!

                                                          105.

EXT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Several cop cars are there, lights flashing.

Spectators line the street. A cigarette smoking grandma,
Angie's crew, etc.

Trevor, holding both sleepy Jane children, speaks to Joslyn
heatedly. Dusty stands between them, trying to mediate.

                         TREVOR
             It would've taken you maybe five
             seconds to ask her where she was
             going!

                         JOSLYN
             It all went down in about five
             seconds!

                         TREVOR
             Did it? Did it literally take
             five seconds?

                         DUSTY
             C'mon, dude, don't take it out on
             her.

                         LACEY
             Wanna go to sweep, dad.

Trevor kisses the top of Lacey's head.

                         TREVOR
             Soon, baby, I promise.

Agent Gray approaches them and at the same time, Angie spots
Trevor.

                         ANGIE
                  (to Trevor)
             That crazy ass puta tried to shoot
             me!

                         TREVOR
             WHAT?!

                         ANGIE
             I have HAD IT with you dumb fucks!

Angie starts towards Trevor, ready to whoop him. Two uniforms
and Agent Gray intervene.

Trevor is at the end of his rope.

                                                          106.

                         TREVOR
             Please! Just tell me where she's at!

                         GRAY
             Take a deep breath, we'll talk
             about this --

Trevor snaps.

                         TREVOR
             Don't tell me to take a deep
             breath when taking a deep breath
             is not going to accomplish a
             single fucking thing!

                         ANGIE
             She said she's going to see her dad!

                         TREVOR
                  (nodding emphatically)
             Okay, thank you!

Trevor hands the children off to Dusty and Joslyn. Kisses
each of them.

                         TREVOR
                  (to Dusty and Joslyn)
             Thanks. Keys?

Dusty tosses the keys to him.

                         DUSTY
             Do what you need to, Janey.

Gray attempts to follow Trevor, but is intercepted by Dusty
and Joslyn. They are trying to stall him.

                         DUSTY
                  (too friendly)
             What's up, officer?

                         GRAY
             Mr. Stabile, step out of my way.
             Now.

                         JOSLYN
             They're not bad people!

Gray is busy watching Trevor, who is out of sight.

                         GRAY
             I agree. Excuse me.

                                                          107.

                         DUSTY
             Let me go with you.

                         GRAY
                  (glaring)
             That is top five on a list of
             things that are not going to happen.

                         JOSLYN
             What about them getting hurt? Is
             that on your list, too, Mr. Gray?

                         GRAY
                  (impatient)
             No one is going to get hurt!

                         SUNNY
             Why will mommy and daddy get hurt?

                         JOSLYN
             They're not, sweetie. I just
             overreacted, I'm sorry.

Sunny begins to cry. Lacey copies her sister and cries as
well. Sad babies are too much for Gray.

                         GRAY
             Dustin and Joslyn. I know your
             intentions are good, but I need
             you to trust that I only have
             good intentions as well. I want
             to make sure your friends are safe.

Dusty and Joslyn nod.

                         GRAY
             What I need you to do is take
             care of these babies. They're
             tired, they're upset, they need
             you.
                  (specifically to
                  Joslyn)
             Can you handle that?

                         JOSLYN
             Blind and with both hands tied
             behind my back.

                         GRAY
             I'm thinking you'll do okay, then.

                                                          108.

                         DUSTY
             Hey, when you get there ...
                  (heartfelt)
             ... treat her like glass.

                         JOSLYN
                  (equally heartfelt)
             Him, too. But you can't let him
             know that you are.

Gray nods, goes to his car and gets in.

INT. PLEASANT MANOR - JAMES PARKER'S ROOM - NIGHT

The room is surprisingly nice. Lovely and bright, there are
tons of photos and the TV is too nice for a place like this.

On the night stand is a photo of Trevor, Twain, and the kids.
They pose next to a man in a wheelchair. He is JAMES PARKER,
a frail looking man in his early forties.

James lies in his bed, looking towards Twain, who is perched
on the edge. He doesn't so much look AT her, so much as
looking past her. Or through her.

                         TWAIN
             I hope I didn't startle you,
             comin' in here like this. I
             figured you'd be up, though.

James doesn't say anything. He can't. Twain keeps up this
one sided conversation as though it isn't abnormal at all.

                         TWAIN
             You don't really sleep well at
             night, do you? I don't either.
             I'm lucky, though, 'cause I always
             got someone with me during those
             times.
                  (chokes up)
             I wish you did, too.

Twain pauses, as though willing away the tears that threaten
to fall.

                         TWAIN
             I wish I'd been here more. Trev's
             always sayin' we need to visit
             more ... It's just ...
                  (choking up further)
             ... it's weird, you know? It
             shouldn't be.

                                                          109.

Twain has to stop and suck it up, as not to upset the damaged,
wisp of a man before her. She quickly composes herself and
smiles. Stands up.

                         TWAIN
             Now I gotta leave again, terrible
             as that sounds. Now, I remember
             how forgiving you were. Are. So,
             I'm gonna go ahead and send mom
             your love, but I also plan to
             give her a major ass kicking for
             what she did.
                  (as if having been
                  scolded)
             I know, you're not supposed to
             hit your mom. It's just this once.

She hugs him. He touches her head, roughly. His version of
affection.

                         TWAIN
                  (softly)
             I love you, daddy. Very much.

EXT. PLEASANT MANOR - NIGHT

Twain runs across the parking lot. Doesn't notice Dusty's
truck parked in a shadowy corner of the parking lot.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S CAR

Twain gets in. Trevor is waiting in the passenger's seat.

                         TREVOR
             Hey.

Twain SCREAMS.

EXT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S CAR

Twain bolts from the car and Trevor is on her side a second
later. Twain draws the gun, points it at him.

                         TREVOR
             Why are you acting like this? You
             wanted me to find you.

                         TWAIN
             No, I wanted someone to find me.
             About three minutes from now.

                         TREVOR
             It'll be kind of pointless without
             this.

                                                          110.

Trevor moves back several steps and takes Twain's note from
his pocket.

                         TREVOR
                  (reading the note)
             Dear FBI Agent Gray and whom it
             may concern, I killed Merrick
             Sibble 'cause he was --

Twain swipes for the note, but Trevor strolls around the car
with it.

                         TREVOR
             -- a genuinely bad human.
                  (smiles)
             I think the way you spell
             'genuinely' is genuinely adorable.

                         TWAIN
             Trevor Clarence, gimme my note
             and I mean it.

                         TREVOR
             Give me the gun.

Twain shakes her head like a defiant five year old.

                         TREVOR
                  (patiently)
             We've talked about this. You're
             not going to do this.

Twain presses the gun to her temple. Trevor remains calm.

                         TREVOR
             We both know how much you hate
             guns and I know that it's scaring
             you to death to have one touching
             your face.

Twain doesn't move a muscle, but her eyes show that she is
considering.

Trevor slowly begins to tear the note. Twain gasps and
immediately offers up the gun. Trevor grabs it, but keeps
the note.

Enraged, she tackles him and he tosses the gun out of reach.
She makes a grab for it, but he SLAMS her against the car.

                         TREVOR
             Just stop it!

                                                          111.

Trevor holds her close and whispers into her ear for a good
thirty seconds, M.O.S. Twain is reacting positively.

                         TREVOR
                  (still whispering)
             You didn't have to fight anymore.
             I told you that you never would
             again. You're safe.

Twain nods, trusting him entirely.

Police sirens WAIL in the distance.

                         TWAIN
                  (regretfully)
             I wanted to marry you!

Trevor looks down.

                         TWAIN
             I just didn't want to be like her,
             though! I didn't wanna fuck up
             like that! And I totally made a
             worser fuck up thinkin' you'd
             ever let that happen!

Twain is very pissed at herself. Trevor pulls a tiny satchel
from his wallet and retrieves an expensive looking ring from
it.

                         TWAIN
                  (floored)
             You keep it with you?

                         TREVOR
             Yes. I'm a creepy little freak. I
             just thought it would be nice to
             have in case you ever changed
             your mind.

Twain is speechless.

                         TREVOR
                  (sheepishly)
             So, will you marry me, Twain Parker?

                         TWAIN
                  (nonchalant)
             Sure, Trevor Jane.

Trevor smiles and shrugs.

                                                          112.

                         TREVOR
                  (equally nonchalant)
             Twain Jane.

Twain laughs.

                         TWAIN
             Twain Jane.

Suddenly, the couple engages in a long kiss that is so
intense, it borders on violent.

INT. POLICE CAR - NIGHT

An EAGER COP speeds down the road, talking on his radio. He
is barely out of his teens and super excited. Biggest event
of his career.

                         EAGER COP
             We've got a possible hostage
             situation at Pleasant Manor
             Assisted Living and Rehabilitation.
             Suspects armed and dangerous.

EXT. PLEASANT MANOR - NIGHT

Trevor grabs the gun from the ground just as Gray arrives,
first on the scene. Gray jumps out of his car, his gun also
drawn.

                         GRAY
             Trevor, don't do that. Listen to me.

                         TREVOR
             Unless you have something
             especially useful to contribute,
             I'm pretty sure we're finished
             listening to you.

                         GRAY
             Off the top of my head, I can
             tell you that pointing a loaded
             weapon at a federal agent is a
             very bad decision.

                         TREVOR
                  (politely)
             That really wasn't all that useful.

                                                          113.

                         GRAY
             Come on, Trevor, you're not a
             dangerous guy. You're a good guy.
             You know, we're pretty much
             working the same side here, you
             just don't see it.

Trevor turns his attention towards the sound of oncoming
vehicles.

A police car SLAMS into park, followed by several others.
They emerge from their cars, weapons drawn.

Trevor throws his arm in front of Twain, protectively. He
tries to maintain his composure, but is just as freaked out
as she is.

Gray senses this and motions the others to back off.

                         GRAY
             I know that you both want for all
             of this to be over, right?

                         TREVOR
             Yes, sir.

Gray shoots a glance at the eager cop, who stands beside him,
excitedly aiming his weapon. His presence has Gray uneasy.

A few of the nursing home's staff have come outside to gawk.

                         GRAY
                  (to spectators)
             Inside, now!
                  (to Trevor and Twain)
             So now I want you two to take it
             easy. Let some of your adrenaline
             die down.

Trevor's hand wavers a bit and additional guns are cocked.
Twain looks like she is going to crap her pants. She clutches
Trevor's shirt, in an attempt to gain some comfort.

                         GRAY
                  (to the cops)
             Is taking it easy a foreign
             concept to you guys?

                         TREVOR
             Stop aiming at her.

No one does. Twain grows increasingly fearful.

                                                          114.

                         TREVOR
                  (to Twain)
             Stay here.

Trevor walks several feet away, still pointing his gun at
the officers.

                         TREVOR
             Hey, Mayberry. Point them at me.
             I'm the one who might shoot you.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - NIGHT

The TV shows cartoons.

Joslyn is on the couch with the girls. Dusty is across from
them, arms folded against his chest, thinking.

Sunny lays with her teddy bear and tries to rest. Lacey is
in Joslyn's arms.

                         LACEY
             Mommy be home?

                         JOSLYN
             I'm not sure, but is it okay if I
             stay with you 'til she gets back?

                         LACEY
             Joshie, yeah.

Joslyn beams and Lacey nestles against her. Shuts her eyes.

Sunny's blanket has fallen to the floor. Joslyn is unable to
get to it. Dusty sees this and picks up the blanket. He tucks
Sunny back in in a surprisingly paternal manner.

EXT. PLEASANT MANOR - NIGHT

Trevor and Twain face each other, but about fifteen feet and
several cops keep them effectively separated.

Trevor takes a very deep breath and closes his eyes.

                         TREVOR
             I killed Merrick Sibble.

Twain looks as though the wind has been knocked out of her.

                         TREVOR
             Look at her neck! He's fucking
             psychotic!

                                                          115.

                         TWAIN
             Trevor, shut up!

                         GRAY
                  (to Trevor)
             I know. He drugged her and it was
             a terrible thing --

                         TREVOR
             He's been messing with us for
             over half a decade! Broken windows,
             harassment ... he made people
             hate us! He was never going to stop!

                         GRAY
             You're still letting him mess
             with you, Trevor! Right now!

                         TREVOR
             He won't laugh about it this time,
             though.

                         TWAIN
             Trevor didn't kill no one, Mr.
             Gray! I did it!

                         GRAY
             Twain, it's alright.

                         TWAIN
             No it ain't! I fuckin' did it!

                         TREVOR
             Twain, it's my fault!

When Trevor proclaims this, it comes across as completely
honest. He does see it as his fault.

                         TWAIN
             It's NOT!

                         TREVOR
             Go to Turkey Creek, Mr. Gray.
                  (to the other cops)
             You know where it's at. Over on
             the north side, you can find a
             tree. It's unmistakable. It's
             darker than the others and it's
             got the weirdest, most misshapen --

                                                          116.

                         TWAIN
                  (overlapping)
             -- branches you ever seen on a
             tree! That's where I burned all
             the evidence. You can probably
             still find debris and shit!

                         TREVOR
             There's nothing left, except for
             a burnt patch of ground.
                  (to Twain)
             You didn't burn that bag.

                         GRAY
                  (to Twain)
             Because you hate fire. You hate
             guns, too.

                         TWAIN
             What?! I smoke cigarettes! I shot
             the neighbors roof, you idiot!

                         TREVOR
             You're reaching.

                         TWAIN
                  (to Gray)
             He didn't ...
                  (desperate)
             He is lying to you!

Twain stomps her foot like a child.

                         TWAIN
             Trevor Clarence, why you lying?
             You wanna leave me? You wanted to
             be away from me so bad, then why'd
             you interfere in my FUCKING PLANS?!

                         TREVOR
             I am never going to leave you,
             don't you know that by now?!
             Fucking trust me!

Twain stops panicking.

                         TREVOR
                  (soothingly)
             I'm going to take care of
             everything, I promise you that.
             Do you believe me?

Twain's eyes confirm that she believes him. This puts Trevor
at ease, which puts Gray at ease.

                                                          117.

Eager cop spits out his gum and steps up. Tough guy.

                         EAGER COP
             Good. Now lay down. You'll have
             the next several years to discuss
             this during visitation.

Gray and Trevor jerk their attention in the officer's
direction, horrified.

                         GRAY
             DO NOT SPEAK AGAIN, OFFICER!

Twain's fragile grasp on sanity is torn away. Her hands
become a blur of constant fidgets.

                         GRAY
             Twain! Don't listen to this rookie
             yokel who is going to be fired
             tonight! He's with the Clayview
             PD! How many times did they let
             Sibble skate? Don't listen to him.
             You listen to me.

                         TWAIN
                  (inconsolable)
             No. 'Cause everyone lies to me
             and everybody leaves me --

                         GRAY
             I swear on my job that Trevor's
             not looking at that much time. I
             will do everything I can to see
             to that! Look at him, he wants to
             protect you! He was trying to
             protect you when he killed Merrick
             Sibble!

                         TWAIN
             HE DIDN'T KILL HIM, STUPID! I DID!
                  (gives up)
             I don't care, I don't care.

Twain reaches into her pocket. Guns are pointed back on her.

                         TREVOR
             She doesn't have anything! Stop!

Twain pulls out her car keys and toys with them. With her
other hand, she briefly touches the left side of her neck.

SHE PLUNGES THE KEYS INTO THE SIDE OF HER THROAT. This hurts
more than she expected and SHE RIPS THEM BACK OUT.

                                                          118.

                         GRAY
             Motherfuck!

Trevor is beside himself.

                         TREVOR
             Put your hand on your throat! Put
             pressure on it!

Trevor demonstrates. Twain obeys, but then she drops her
hand and allows herself bleed.

                         TREVOR
             No, no, no! Do what I told you!

                         GRAY
             I'm coming over there, okay?

                         TWAIN
             Get away from me.
                  (to Trevor)
             If you wanna leave me, then fine.

                         TREVOR
             I just wanted to keep you safe!

Gray gets close to Twain and she backs away, arms outstretched.
Trevor points the gun at Gray.

                         TREVOR
             Stop.

Gray looks worried.

                         GRAY
             Twain, please let me help you!

Gray scratches his head, as if it will encourage his brain
produce a plan.

                         GRAY
             Okay, Twain. Here's the deal. I
             think you nicked your external
             jugular. If that's the case, then
             you have about four, maybe less
             than four, minutes to shit or get
             off the pot. Make your choice.

Twain runs blood soaked hands through her hair and clutches
Joslyn's cross.

                         GRAY
             What about Sunny and Lacey?

                                                          119.

                         TWAIN
             I'd mess 'em up.

                         GRAY
             How can you know if you're not
             there?

Twain stumbles. Trevor is frantic and makes an attempt to go
to her.

                         GRAY
             Put your gun down, Trevor.

                         TREVOR
             She's going to die!

                         GRAY
             THEN DROP YOUR WEAPON.

Trevor lowers it.

                         TWAIN
             Don't.

                         TREVOR
             What do you want me to do?

Twain leans against the car. The fight has left her, she has
given up.

                         TWAIN
                  (softly)
             Nothin'.

                         TREVOR
             No, I can't do that.

                         GRAY
             Twain ...

                         TWAIN
             It's okay.

                         TREVOR
                  (firmly)
             I'm going to save you.

Despite his words, Trevor does not drop the gun. Gray tries
to gain the attention of the eager cop, who is out of
Trevor's line of vision.

                                                          120.

                         GRAY
                  (out of the side of
                  his mouth)
             Shoot him in the shoulder. He
             can't see you. Incapacitate him.

The cop looks at Gray. He wasn't paying attention.

                         GRAY
                   (pleadingly)
             Trevor, I'm asking you to let me
             handle this. Let me get Twain, okay?

Trevor is concentrating on his girlfriend, pays attention to
nothing else.

                         TREVOR
             I promised you I would never leave
             you.
                  (very loyal)
             I won't.

Twain manages a smile, at peace.

                         GRAY
             Trevor, get down right now!

Trevor looks up in the sky, possibly praying.

THEN HE SHOOTS TWAIN IN THE CHEST and she DROPS to the ground.

GRAY SHOOTS TREVOR, who DROPS as well.

INT. TREVOR AND TWAIN'S HOUSE - GIRLS' ROOM - NIGHT

Lacey is in her crib. Joslyn is giving Sunny a drink. Dusty
stands in the doorway.

                         SUNNY
             Goodnight, aunt Jossie. I love you.

                         JOSLYN
             I love you too, sweetie.

Sunny pops up in bed and grins broadly at Dusty. He grins back.

                         DUSTY
             What are you cheesin' about, mini
             Twain? Mini Jane here is showin'
             you right up at the sleep Olympics.

                         SUNNY
                  (fake pout)
             Good night Dusty.

                                                          121.

Joslyn puts her arm around Dusty, and they watch Sunny drift
off.

EXT. PLEASANT MANOR - NIGHT

The cops busy themselves at the scene. Gray walks away from
it all, vacant eyed and depleted.

TREVOR AND TWAIN ARE BOTH DEAD.

Their blood runs together to form one glistening, black pool
on the asphalt.

We rise up, slowly, into the night sky. Up into the pretty,
twinkling stars.

END