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OVER BLACK--
CHARLIE (V.O.)
This is what we're gonna do...
INT. DARK ROOM - NIGHT
You can see nothing but a chair, and the man strapped to it.
That man, CHARLIE BRIGHT, is not looking so good. His face
is streaked in blood. One eye puffy. This is not how he's
used to introducing himself. But this is how we meet him.
Somewhere just north of thirty, he has striking good looks.
That is, when the blood and bruises aren't getting in the
way.
He speaks to SOMEONE UNSEEN, but appears to be speaking
directly to us. And as he speaks we creep closer and closer
to him.
CHARLIE
You're going to admit you did it.
That's the most important thing.
But then you're going to explain
why you did it. And you're going
to apologize. And I'm going to
tell you how to do it.
INT. NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT
18 Year old BRITNEY ANDREWS, (Miss California 2006) is
hammered, nearly topless, making out on the dance floor with
ANOTHER WOMAN.
Flash bulbs POP.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Because...when it comes to that...
there has never been anyone better
than me.
INT. HOTEL - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
Britney now stands at a podium. Camera bulbs FLASH as tears
streak her face.
She speaks into a microphone, shaky voice, trembling lips.
BRITNEY
I know you won't believe it... but
there's not a day that goes by that
I don't think of what happened.
And how I messed it all up. Words
can not adequately express how deep
my regret goes.
To her right, A DONALD TRUMP looking figure.
To her left, a much cleaner, sharper looking Charlie Bright.
He adjusts the five thousand dollar Rolex on his wrist and
the lapels on his thousand dollar Armani suit.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
There are rules you must follow.
They are the necessary steps to
getting people to forgive you.
Britney wipes tears from her face.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Rule One: Know what you are
apologizing for.
BRITNEY
But you have to know... that I am
so sorry for what my outrageous,
and some might argue pornographic
behavior...
Britney takes a tissue offered by Charlie. He sets his hand
on her shoulder.
INT. BATHROOM - MORNING
STEVE HOLBROOK, home run champion for the Oakland A's shoves
a needle in his arm.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Rule Two: Know who you are
apologizing to.
INT. LOCKER ROOM - DAY
Steve Holbrook now speaks into a throng of microphones.
There's Charlie, tucked away behind him.
STEVE
I apologize to my teammates... for
letting them down. It is true that
I used... certain performance
enhancing substances...
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
BRAD WALLACE, movie star, vigorously fucks a TWENTY SOMETHING
STARLET.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Rule Three: Shift the blame.
EXT. MOVIE THEATER - DAY
Brad Wallace, weeps openly. Speaks to another throng of
REPORTERS.
BRAD
I understand now, after speaking to
my doctors, that I carry a genetic
addiction to sex. My wife and I
are seeking counseling.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Rule Four: Don't want to apologize.
Just do it.
EXT. REHAB CLINIC - DAY
A limo pulls up and out pops Miss California followed by
sunglass wearing Charlie Bright.
BRITNEY
Do I really have to do this?
CHARLIE
It's all about follow through at
this point, baby.
BRITNEY
But you said I didn't mean it.
CHARLIE
There's a difference between not
meaning it and not doing it.
Look, sweetheart, its 28 days and
then we're back in business.
Britney sulks.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
An addendum to the rules: always
seek counseling. It doesn't matter
what you've done, they have rehab
for anything. Drugs, booze, anti
Semitic remarks, racism,
homophobia... it doesn't matter.
There's a clinic somewhere that
will take you.
Britney stares at Charlie. Pouts.
BRITNEY
You'll be here for me when I'm
done?
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Follow these rules and we're
golden. Depart from them and
you're looking at twenty-five to
life. Are we clear?
Charlie smiles.
CHARLIE
Absolutely.
SMASH TO BLACK.
Sorry Charlie
INT. ELEVATOR - DAY
SIMON SIMMONS wears a red basketball jumpsuit and what looks
like half-a ton of gold around his neck. Sunglasses.
Diamond studs, BIG ONES, shoved through each earlobe.
SUPER THE LEGEND
Last Week
Simon is flanked by a POSSE OF HANDLERS. Five of them at
least. He looks pissed.
The door opens. He's the first out.
INT. LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
Simon leads the group to tweaked out looking RECEPTIONIST;
dark hair, pale skin, and... are those track marks?
She seems to recognize Simon. Nods.
RECEPTIONIST
Hello, Simon.
SIMON
I fucked up again. Is Charlie
here?
RECEPTIONIST
He's always here.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
Charlie is sitting across from star Dallas Cowboys
Quarterback HANK WILKES.
CHARLIE
This isn't going to work, Hank.
Unless you understand what you said
is wrong.
Hank's LAWYER pops in--
HANK'S LAWYER
Mister Wilkes was not, legally in
arrears.
Charlie, we realize, talks fast. It's mesmerizing.
CHARLIE
(to Hank's lawyer)
Okay, first off, if you open your
mouth again I'm going to shove his
hourly fee down your mouth and send
your arrear right out the window.
Are we on the same page, Perry
Mason?
Hank's Lawyer is dumbfounded.
HANK
I don't think it was wrong.
CHARLIE
No. Of course you don't. And,
personally, I don't think it was
wrong either. But that's not the
point. That's not why you're here.
Charlie stands.
CHARLIE
Who hasn't hired a hooker now and
again? I get that. You have
needs.
HANK
Exactly.
CHARLIE
But some people might think your
wife would be the best one to tend
to those needs.
HANK
Spoiled bitch.
CHARLIE
Right. She's a spoiled bitch. A
frigid, spoiled bitch. I get it.
HANK
Don't call my wife a bitch.
Charlie isn't fazed. He crosses around the table and lays
his hands on Hank's shoulders.
CHARLIE
You're a big man. She was afraid
you'd crush her, lets say. Closed
up her legs and took up knitting.
That works too. But the hooker is
not the problem.
HANK
It's not?
CHARLIE
No. The problem is what you called
the cop that busted you.
Hank's Lawyer takes a breath. Charlie shoots his eyes over
to him.
CHARLIE
(to Hank's Lawyer, again)
You know what happens to the human
body when they hit the pavement
from forty stories up?
(slaps his hands)
Picasso.
(beat)
Or... what's his name? The guy who
splattered the paint. Anyway...
(to Hank)
The cop. Asian.
HANK
I called him a Chinese Prick.
CHARLIE
Exactly.
Hank's Lawyer sheepishly raises his hand.
Charlie glares at him a moment. Then, tilts his head and
points.
CHARLIE
Okay. You.
HANK'S LAWYER
It's... um, in my mind.... not a
racist statement. It's like
calling someone... an American
Asshole.
Charlie nods.
CHARLIE
Good point. Unfortunately the man
was Korean and not a North Korean
but a South which, to them, is a
big deal. But here's the real
problem: you remember the whole
politically correct thing back in
the '90's? Couldn't call anyone a
"Chairman"... it was "Chairperson".
Or "Chair".
They nod.
CHARLIE
Then, it got better. The pendulum
swung the other way. Clinton was
getting hummers in the Oval Office
and all of a sudden you could say
"black" again instead of "African
American", and the short skirts
were back and some clever guy came
up with the thong. Everyone sort
of came to their senses.
They nod.
CHARLIE
(swings his hand)
Well... that time is gone. The
pendulum...
(swoops his hand to the
other side)
...its back.
They slump. Charlie leans into Hank.
CHARLIE
But don't worry. Once I'm done
with you... you're gonna go in
front of those TV cameras. And
you're gonna be the sorriest
sonofabitch they've ever seen.
Hank looks back at him, a little confused.
CHARLIE
It's a good thing, Hank.
The phone blares out. Charlie snatches it up.
CHARLIE
Charlie here.
INT. LOBBY - DAY
The Receptionist looks at Simon. Talks into the receiver.
RECEPTIONIST
Simon Simmons is back.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - INTERCUT
Charlie stands.
CHARLIE
Again? Why?
(beat)
Put him on.
A moment goes by.
Hank and Hank's Lawyer stare at Charlie: he's so cool.
Their eyes will widen as this conversation... well, you'll
see.
CHARLIE
Hey, my African American man!
(beat)
What do you mean you shot someone?
(beat)
Are they dead?
(beat)
How long have they been dead? Tell
me you called the cops.
(beat)
No, no, it's fine. Clearly they
deserved it. Don't worry about it.
I'll be right there.
Charlie hangs up the phone. Smiles to Hank.
CHARLIE
Hank, can we continue this
tomorrow?
Watch Hank and Hank's Lawyer's jaws drop.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Charlie rolls off a BEAUTIFUL REDHEAD. He rubs his face and
looks distressed.
BEAUTIFUL REDHEAD
It's okay.
CHARLIE
No. No it's not. I've just been
working so hard.
BEAUTIFUL REDHEAD
You have?
Charlie covers his face. Is that a sob?
CHARLIE
The pressure is killing me. My
boss is suck a prick. He treats me
like... like I'm stupid.
Charlie looks at her. The face, so goddamn earnest.
CHARLIE
You don't think I'm stupid, do you?
She melts.
BEAUTIFUL REDHEAD
Oh, no! You're the smartest,
sexiest man I've ever met.
CHARLIE
Oh, stop.
BEAUTIFUL REDHEAD
No, I mean it! Your boss sounds
like an ass!
CHARLIE
He is. A big ass. I just feel
so... worthless sometimes.
She gets up on her knees.
BEAUTIFUL REDHEAD
I am going to make this happen,
Rupert.
CHARLIE
You are?
BEAUTIFUL REDHEAD
Whatever it takes. All night if it
takes that long. You will feel
good about yourself. I promise.
CHARLIE
Really?
BEAUTIFUL REDHEAD
Really good.
She dips her head down. Below the covers. Makes Charlie, as
he folds his arms behind his head, feel really good.
EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET - MORNING
Charlie Bright is dressed in a thousand dollar suit and heads
down 52nd street. He's focused.
A HOMELESS GUY, beard, gray, dirty clothes, the whole nine
yards, sits against a building. Reaches out as he sees
Charlie approach. Moans a little. The guy looks desperate.
HOMELESS GUY
Dalla?
Charlie barely notices the guy as he passes.
HOMELESS GUY
Hey!
The Homeless Guy reaches out and GRABS Charlie's leg.
Catches just the pants.
Charlie stops. Shakes the guy's grip loose. Stops. Turns.
Bends down.
CHARLIE
What the hell was that?
Homeless Guy looks surprised.
HOMELESS GUY
I juss... wanned a dalla.
Charlie looks the man over.
CHARLIE
So you grab my seven hundred dalla
pants staining them with whiskey
and pee and you think that's a good
idea? You think that's going to
make me think, gee, I should pay
that guy?
The Homeless Man shrugs. Charlie looks him over again.
CHARLIE
What's your name?
HOMELESS GUY
Barney.
CHARLIE
You're kidding me, right? That's
like, I could have guessed "Barney
the Bum". What is it really?
BARNEY
It's Bernard! Barney, okay!
CHARLIE
Okay, Barney. So what's your deal?
Drugs? Booze? You just get outta
jail?
BARNEY
Pick.
CHARLIE
You like this suit, huh? Lots of
people walking down this street and
you grab mine?
BARNEY
It's nice fabric. I like the
burgundy. Reminds me of wine. And
shoes.
Charlie smiles.
CHARLIE
I'll tell you what. You tell me
what you did to get here. And I'll
help you get out of it.
BARNEY
Bullshit.
CHARLIE
You've had better offers today?
INT. SALON - LATER
Barney the bum sits in the chair getting the full treatment.
He's being transformed.
Charlie stands behind him. They match eyes through the
mirror.
BARNEY
They laid everyone off. I started
drinkin'. I got no family. No one
gonna send me a Christmas check.
CHARLIE
You want to change, Barney?
Barney nods.
INT. SAX FIFTH AVENUE - LATER
Barney's dressed to the nines. Damn near a ten, I tell ya.
He's clean shaven. A different man it seems.
CHARLIE
You look good, Barney. Now... you
need a job. You can work for me.
You can start as an assistant.
It's okay if you can't type. We
can teach you that.
(beat)
You can read though, right?
Barney turns to him. Genuine disbelief. Tears form in his
eyes.
BARNEY
Why are you doing this for me?
Charlie places his hands on Barney's shoulders.
CHARLIE
Everybody deserves a second chance.
INT. BRIGHT CRISIS MANAGEMENT - SCREENING ROOM - EVENING
Six people, Charlie among them, are watching a "mock apology"
from one of their clients, Senator of the great state of
Wisconsin, JIM KIPLING.
ON THE SCREEN-- Kipling does his best to look sad.
KIPLING
I want to apologize for...
Charlie shoots up from his seat.
CHARLIE
Stop the tape!
The image of Kipling freezes. Charlie spins to the room.
CHARLIE
Are you kidding me, people? I want
to apologize? We all want a lot of
things! World peace. A drunken
night with Cameron Diaz; just you,
her and a bottle of cognac and some
KY warming liquid. Doesn't mean
its going to happen!
(beat)
Well, it might happen. But
definitely not world peace. No
matter how much I want it.
The Group squirms in their seats.
CHARLIE
Prep him again. This is about
quality control, people! We can't
control the reaction but we can
control the delivery! Are we
getting this?
More silence.
CHARLIE
Raise your hand, who wants to work
here?
They all raise their hands.
CHARLIE
Okay, who wants to work for Burger
King?
All the hands drop.
CHARLIE
Everyone put your goddamn hands
back up!
They... slowly do.
CHARLIE
Okay. You want to work for Burger
King? Really? That guy is pretty
creepy, but that's just me.
(beat, hard)
Keep it up. I'll see what I can
do.
INT. BRIGHT CRISIS MANAGEMENT - HALLWAY
Charlie marches back toward his office. RICK GARCIA,
Charlie's Staff Director catches step.
RICK
Harsh, Charlie.
Charlie stops.
CHARLIE
Really, Rick?
Charlie gently pulls Rick into an empty nearby office.
INT. OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Charlie shuts the door.
CHARLIE
You know what we do here, right?
Rick nods.
CHARLIE
What is it we do here, then?
RICK
We represent clients in their
involvement with--
CHARLIE
--Wrong. Rick, we play on people's
emotions. Their willingness to
forgive. Everybody wants to be
happy, Rick.
(beat)
I pay those people in there very
well so they can be happy. But
when they don't live up to my
expectations, I have to play on
another emotion.
A moment. It comes to him:
RICK
Fear.
Charlie smiles. Lays a hand on Rick's shoulder. Nods.
Opens the office door and leads Rick back out into the hall.
CHARLIE
Get your team together and go
through it again. I don't want to
attend a strategy session like that
ever again.
Charlie leans slowly into Rick.
CHARLIE
I love ya, Rick. We've been
friends a long time.
(beat)
Don't make me scare you.
Rick turns a shade of pale.
INT. CHARLIE'S CONDO - NIGHT
The door opens. Closes. The lights come on and we see how
very successful Charlie really is; he lives in a material
world of gleaming black and chrome. Modern furniture acts as
dressing to the skyline out his floor to ceiling windows
fifty floors up.
Charlie flings his coat over a couch and heads to the
kitchen. Grabs a beer and heads back into the living room.
Collapses on the couch. Takes a sip and snaps on the TV.
ON THE TELEVISION--
Hank Wilkes stands at a podium. Addresses a large group of
REPORTERS. He looks quite contrite.
HANK
(on the television)
I was poorly educated by my
stepfather, who grew up in the
south...
Charlie holds out his beer to the TV.
CHARLIE
There ya go, Hank. Rule three:
Shift the Blame. Good kid.
Charlie smiles as a SHADOWY FIGURE suddenly approaches from
behind and SMACKS him with something. We--
SMASH TO BLACK.
INT. CHARLIE'S CONDO - LATER
Our view is clouded for a moment. Slowly... they come back
into focus: a HITMAN in a black ski mask, dressed all in
black blends into the Italian black leather sofa chair five
feet away.
The Hitman holds a METAL DEVICE in front of his face; it
changes his voice as he speaks, to an electronic "Steven
Hawking" type computer sound. (He will use this through the
entire scene).
HITMAN
Sorry, Charlie.
He holds a silenced Glock 9 trained at Charlie, still on the
couch, who shakes lose the cobwebs. Notices his HANDS ARE
BOUND BY A SET OF HANDCUFFS.
Blood drains from his face.
CHARLIE
What is going on?
HITMAN
You're in some trouble.
Charlie tries to break free of the cuffs.
CHARLIE
I don't know what you want... but
I'm a very wealthy--
HITMAN
I don't want money, Charlie.
CHARLIE
Please just take what you want.
HITMAN
I don't think you have what I want,
Charlie.
Charlie starts to bring forth the tears.
CHARLIE
I don't want to die. Please, don't
kill me. I'm sorry. Whatever I
did to you... I'm so sorry.
HITMAN
Yeah, right. Good one.
CHARLIE
Why are you doing this to me?!
HITMAN
You've been a bad boy. You need to
apologize.
CHARLIE
I'm sorry!
HITMAN
Not to me.
The Hitman stands.
HITMAN
You've hurt someone badly. In your
past. And now you're going to
apologize to her. You have one
week. Five days. You're going to
apologize and mean it. No B.S.
Really mean it. And if you
don't... I'm coming back. And next
time... we won't have such a
pleasant conversation.
The Hitman stands. Heads for the door.
CHARLIE
Who?! Who am I supposed to
apologize to?!
HITMAN
You're a bright boy, now. I'm sure
you can figure that out. But if
not...
The Hitman makes a "creaking" sound as he drags a finger
across his own throat.
HITMAN
Only I won't use my finger and make
a "creaking" sound. I'll shoot
you.
(beat)
And don't bother with cops, or
bodyguards. I always know how to
get to you.
The Hitman reaches for the doorknob.
CHARLIE
Wait!
HITMAN
Yes?
CHARLIE
The key. I need to get free... if
I'm going to do what you want me to
do.
HITMAN
It's around here somewhere. I
could tell you. But what fun would
that be?
The Hitman opens the door. Turns back.
HITMAN
Might want to check the toilet.
The Hitman leaves. Charlie exhales. Hard. Catches his
breath.
INT. BATHROOM - LATER
Charlie crawls best he can... to the toilet. Lifts the lid.
Gags. So bad, we just can't show you. The stink rises and
sticks to his face.
Charlie gags again and holds his breath. Shoves his hand
into the toilet. Feels around.
INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER
Cops swarm the room, marking evidence, taking notes, admiring
the view, and scratching their balls.
Rick is here. He sits with a showered and exhausted Charlie
on the couch.
RICK
Some nut, probably.
CHARLIE
No. This guy knew me. He said...
(hushed voice)
He said I had to--
DETECTIVE
Excuse me, Mr. Bright. I need you
to give me a description of the
assailant.
Charlie looks to him, annoyed.
CHARLIE
Hmm. Lets see. Well, he was
wearing a black ski mask. He had a
nose. Eyes. Not sure about the
ears, I couldn't see those.
DETECTIVE
Easy, Mary. No need to get snippy.
CHARLIE
You know, why don't you gather up
your guys and go see a movie. That
way you can feel like you caught
something tonight.
Detective holds up his hands.
DETECTIVE
Your funeral.
Charlie turns back to Rick, hushed voice again.
CHARLIE
He said I had to apologize to
someone from my past.
RICK
Who?
CHARLIE
I don't know. But he said I had
three days to do it or he's coming
back.
RICK
Did you tell them?
CHARLIE
The cops? Please. You know these
guys. They couldn't protect me if
I had donuts taped to my ass. Call
Senator Kipling. Call in a favor.
We need S.S.
RICK
Germans?
CHARLIE
Secret Service, dumbass.
INT. CHARLIE'S OFFICE - THE NEXT DAY
Two steely eyed, crew cut SECRET SERVICE AGENT'S (GROVER and
QUINN) stand before Charlie's desk.
AGENT GROVER
We'll be right outside. If any
emergency should arise just call
out "Hawk" and we'll be in here in
point-two seconds.
AGENT QUINN
Point three at the latest.
CHARLIE
Why "Hawk"?
A moment.
AGENT QUINN
Would you prefer another code word,
sir?
CHARLIE
I'm just wondering.
AGENT QUINN
It's cool, sir. Better than
"Sparrow".
CHARLIE
Okay. But that door is the only
way in.
AGENT GROVER
Someone could scale the building,
sir.
AGENT QUINN
Or a sniper.
AGENT GROVER
There's no taking chances.
CHARLIE
Hawk it is, then.
They open the office door. Rick is there, smiles "hi" and
starts moving in.
Bad idea. The Agents grab him and SLAM him against the door.
CHARLIE
(causally)
Nah, he's okay.
AGENT QUINN
Sorry, sir.
The Agent's leave. Rick tries to catch his breath.
CHARLIE
They're good.
RICK
They're psychotic.
CHARLIE
Psychotic is good for now. We need
to figure out who I'm supposed to
apologize to.
RICK
Why bother? You have the Wonder
Twins.
CHARLIE
I want to know who it is so I can
use that to figure out who the hell
broke into my place, nearly put a
bullet in my head and made me dig
through shit so I free my hands to
make a phone call. If that's okay
with you, of course.
RICK
Of course.
Rick takes a seat.
RICK
What about Hugh Grant? He had that
Tonight Show bump but his career 's
been in the dumps ever since.
CHARLIE
No way. Too soft.
RICK
Oh! Bill O'Reiley! From that
thing.
CHARLIE
No way. One, Bill's chicken shit.
Two, he and I are friends. We get
together every year at his place in
Connecticut, get drunk and make
prank phone calls. No way.
(beat)
I'm pretty sure he said it was a
she. A woman.
RICK
Oh. Well, that narrorws it.
CHARLIE
I never give them my real name.
Plus, he said it was in my past.
A moment.
RICK
How far in the past?
CHARLIE
I don't know.
Rick nods.
RICK
Well. Lets do what we always do.
CHARLIE
And what's that?
RICK
Start at the beginning.
SMASH TO BLACK.
INT. HOSPITAL DELIVERY ROOM - NIGHT
A MOTHER sweats, pushes. Gives birth.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Mom. She always loved me.
Mom holds beautiful BABY CHARLIE.
INT. KINDERGARDEN CLASSROOM - DAY
Five year old CHARLIE tugs on another five year old GIRL's
pigtails.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Is it really necessary to start
this far back?
RICK (V.O.)
These are your rules. Not mine.
The PIGTAILED GIRL runs off screaming.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I don't even remember. Next.
INT. HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM - DAY
A fifteen year old CHARLIE is backstage with equally aged
EMILY. Hidden behind the curtains from the rest of the
troupe. They are kissing.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Emily Warcowski. We did "Our Town"
together. She wouldn't let me
touch her boobs.
Charlie slides his hand up to her chest. Emily bats it down.
FIFTEEN YEAR OLD CHARLIE
Sorry, Emily.
EMILY
I'm not that kind of girl.
She pouts.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
She wouldn't even look at me after
that. Even quit the play. I don't
think that's it, trying to cop a
feel.
FIFTEEN YEAR OLD CHARLIE
I'm really sorry.
Emily walks off in a huff.
RICK (V.O.)
Drama club, huh?
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Knock it off. Next.
Fifteen year old Charlie frowns.
INT. FORD ESCORT - NIGHT
Parked in a secluded spot. A seventeen year old CHARLIE and
SUZANNE are fooling around in the back seat. Her head is in
his lap and he's wincing.
SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD CHARLIE
Ouch! Teeth, teeth, teeth!
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Suzanne DeFritas. She should
apologize to me.
RICK (V.O.)
Only two girls in high school?!
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I was in the drama club. It got
better.
INT. COLLEGE DORM - NIGHT
Nineteen year old Charlie is getting laid on a top bunk. It
looks awkward and slightly painful.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
This is pointless. Nineteen years
of pent up hormones when I get to
college. I couldn't begin to
remember... who...
They finish. We see the young woman's face.
Meet LILLY QUELLS at age twenty. A beautiful blonde, pale
skin, flush cheeks. Eyes? They're a little... off.
INT. CHARLIE'S OFFICE - DAY
It hits him.
CHARLIE
Shit.
RICK
What?
CHARLIE
It's Lilly.
RICK
Lilly?
CHARLIE
Lilly Quells. Don't you remember?
Sophomore year? I dated her for a
year. We broke up right after you
and I met. I used to tell you
about her. A little... insane.
Remember?
INT. DORM ROOM - FLASHBACK
Lilly sits on a bed crying. Bawling, actually.
LILLY
It's gone! And it was my favorite
pen!
College age Charlie tries to comfort her.
CHARLIE
I don't want to say "its just a
pen" baby. But...
She cries louder now, if that's possible.
INT. CHARLIE'S OFFICE - BACK TO SCENE
Rick nods.
RICK
Oh, yeah.
CHARLIE
Threw a tantrum after I dropped a
fork at her parent's Thanksgiving.
The whole night they spent trying
to console her.
RICK
What the hell do you have to
apologize to her for?
Charlie stands. Paces.
CHARLIE
It ended badly. She was a virgin
when we met. By that point I was
eating whatever didn't taste right.
(beat)
I led her on for... gosh, a couple
of years. Even promised to marry
her at one point. I got bored.
She was the first woman I ever
really...
RICK
Ever really what?
CHARLIE
Used.
Rick nods again.
CHARLIE
That's got to be it.
(beat)
I broke her heart. And I owed her
an apology.
RICK
So you find her. Apologize.
CHARLIE
Oh, no. I find out who she sent.
Feed him barbed wire 'till he shits
nails.
Charlie thinks.
CHARLIE
She had an older brother. Real
nutball that guy was too. Uh...
Lance. Gotta be him. This is too
easy.
RICK
Fine. What next?
CHARLIE
Google him. Lance Quells. Find
the sonofabitch.
INT. MERCEDES - EVENING (DRIVING)
Cruising (crawling really) down Fifth Avenue, Charlie stares
in his rear view.
SEES-- Agents Quinn and Grover following in a dark Sedan.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
The Agent's follow Charlie as he heads to his front door.
Keys it open and turns to them.
AGENT QUINN
We'll be right out here.
CHARLIE
All night?
AGENT GROVER
Yes, sir.
A moment.
CHARLIE
You guys want something to eat?
AGENT QUINN
We're good, sir.
CHARLIE
You do eat, right?
AGENT GROVER
We have two packets of beef jerky,
sir. We're good.
Charlie shakes his head: okay, then.
INT. CHARLIE'S CONDO - CONTINUOUS
Charlie walks slowly through his place. Nervously checking
around every corner.
After a moment he settles. Thinks.
INT. CHARLIE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Charlie digs through boxes stored in a utility closet...
finds what he's looking for: a college yearbook.
He flips through the pages. Finds her:
LILLY QUELLS-- sweet, young, pretty. Eyes... a little off.
Charlie smiles. Reads the handwritten inscription below her
picture:
"To Charlie: Wise men say, only fools rush in, but I can't
help falling in love with you. Love, Lilly"
Charlie closes the book.
INT. CHARLIE'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Charlie flips through CDs gathered by his stereo. Finds what
he's looking for. Elvis. He slips it in, hits play, and
settles on the couch as Elvis Presley sings their song:
ELVIS
Wise men say only fools rush in...
But I cant help falling in love
with you... Shall I stay... Would
it be a sin... If I cant help
falling in love with you...
Charlie closes his eyes and drifts.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT. LOBBY - MORNING
Charlie heads to the exit. Wonder Twins in tow. He spins
back to them.
CHARLIE
Can you guys give me a little lead
time? I feel like Paris Hilton,
here.
AGENT QUINN
Sorry, sir.
INT. BRIGHT CRISIS MANAGEMENT - HALLWAY - MORNING
Charlie keys his way into his office.
AGENT QUINN
Well be right outside, sir.
CHARLIE
(annoyed)
Yeah, yeah.
INT. CHARLIE'S OFFICE - LATER
A knock.
CHARLIE
Come in.
The door opens. Agent Grover holds Rick's arm.
RICK
Seriously?
CHARLIE
Guys, let him go. I told you.
Rick is released. The door closes.
RICK
What the hell?
CHARLIE
I know. They're driving me crazy
too. Whatta you got?
RICK
Nothing on Lance. Can't find a
thing. But I found Lilly's
address. It's an apartment in
Chicago, Illinois.
CHARLIE
Illinois? Probably living that
suburban mom thing she always
dreamed about. Cute house. White
picket fence. God that stuff makes
me sick.
RICK
Want some Tums?
CHARLIE
Lets keep looking. Try one of our
Private Eyes. Unless the kid is
dead he's out there somewhere.
Probably right here in New York.
RICK
We still on for lunch?
CHARLIE
Yeah.
RICK
Table for four?
CHARLIE
They can eat their beef jerky in
the parking lot.
EXT. DAMON'S JOINT - LATER
Midtown. A front; despite the name, its a nice place for a
chicken Cesar salad of a cappuccino.
Agents Grover and Quinn stand dutifully by the door.
INT. DAMON'S JOINT - CONTINUOUS
Charlie and Rick munch and sip.
CHARLIE
Lilly was a piece of work, you
know?
RICK
I barely remember the chick.
CHARLIE
She was nuts. Literally cookoo.
One time-- this is hilarious... We
knock it out and fall asleep,
right? 'Bout three in the
morning... I hear this moaning. I
wake up and she's not there next to
me. And there's this muffled
moaning coming from somewhere.
RICK
Jesus...
CHARLIE
Exactly. So I call out, "Lilly!
Lilly?" Nothing. Then, all of a
sudden, the mattress starts lifting
up. There's something kicking my
mattress under the bed. So I jump
out of bed. And I'm freaked out.
This is some weird shit. So I call
out again, "Lilly?" Nothing. And
I bend down all scared and stuff
and look down under the bed. I
see pillows all lined up. Reach
in, pull out the pillows. There
she is. Moaning.
RICK
Under the bed?
CHARLIE
She decided...
(starts chuckling)
She wanted to know what it was like
if she died. Got buried. Then
woke up... like a... zombie.
Stuffed pillows around her like she
was in a coffin. Seriously.
RICK
Unbelievable.
CHARLIE
And get this. She said it wasn't
that bad.
They both break out in laughter. Charlie downs his drink.
CHARLIE
Funny. At the time... I actually
thought it was... adorable.
Charlie gets lost a moment in the memory. Snaps back to now.
CHARLIE
I gotta piss. Be right back.
INT. BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
To a urinal. Unzips. Unloads. Sighs.
The door opens. Someone unseen heads to a stall. Closes
the door. Clicks the lock.
A moment. Charlie whistles.
The stall opens again.
Charlie closes his eyes. Suddenly... SLAMED-! Against the
wall, dick in hand.
Our Hitman, ski mask and all, pins Charlie against the
urinal. Charlie hyperventilates.
Hitman flashes a stack of index cards in Charlie's flushed
face. It reads "Dickhead".
CHARLIE
(a squeak)
Hawk. Hawk. Hawk.
The Hitman jabs Charlie.
HITMAN
(gruff)
Read.
Charlie hesitates. Enough for Hitman to PUNCH Charlie in the
solar plexus.
CHARLIE
Fine!
(reading)
Dickhead.
The Hitman changes the card.
CHARLIE
(reading)
Yeah, you, Dickhead.
Hitman changes the card again
CHARLIE
(reading)
You think you know me.
Changes again.
CHARLIE
(reading)
You don't know shit.
(terrified)
Please... I'll apologize to whoever
you want. Just... don't hurt me...
WHACK-! This time to the side of the head.
The Hitman changes the card. "Encourages" Charlie to keep
going.
CHARLIE
(reading)
But you're on the right track.
The Hitman JABS him in the side again.
CHARLIE
No... please...
Again. This one, a little more crippling. Tears well in
Charlie's eyes as the Hitman turns one last card, the letters
in thick, bold, black print.
CHARLIE
(choked, reading)
You have four days left.
WHACK-! SMASH to the head again. SMASH...
TO BLACK.
As we FADE BACK IN, Charlie is lying unconscious on the
floor. A CROWD of people, men, women, restaurant employees,
the two Secret Service Agents are gathered around.
Rick in kneeling beside him. Coaxing him back to life.
RICK
Charlie? Wake up, buddy.
Charlie suddenly jerks awake. Breathing heavily. He's
defensive, then gets his bearings. Masks the terror he was
feeling.
Charlie scans his eyes over the gathered crowd: what the
fuck? Settles his eyes on the embarrassed Secret Service
Agents Quinn and Grover.
RICK
Are you okay?
CHARLIE
Sure. I love taking naps on the
bathroom floors, right?
RICK
Yeah. You're fine.
Charlie reaches out and GRABS Rick's shirt. Yanks him close.
Real close. Whispers into his ear.
CHARLIE
Fire the Wonder Twins.
Rick nods.
CHARLIE
Rick, I have to go to Chicago.
Rick nods again.
EXT. AIRPORT - AFTERNOON
A passenger jet floats to the runway. Touchdown.
INT. CAR RENTAL COUNTER - AFTERNOON
A very pretty young CLERK hands him a set of keys.
CLERK
(flirty)
Enjoy your stay in Chicago.
Charlie raises an eyebrow. Starts to speak. Stops. Focus,
Charlie...
CHARLIE
Maybe next time.
INT. BMW - LATE AFTERNOON (DRIVING)
Only the best for our boy Charlie; even though its a rental,
he's at home in this luxury ride, cigarette between his lips
and a bluetooth in his ear...
But as the surroundings grow darker... and the neighborhoods
slowly deteriorate... Charlie's face sours.
He picks out a piece or paper... a map. With an address.
Says to himself, "This can't be right."
Fishes out his cell phone and presses a button. After a
moment...
RICK (V.O.)
Hey, Charlie.
CHARLIE
So I have a little question for
you.
RICK (V.O.)
Go for it.
CHARLIE
When you printed out this map for
me... did you use Google, Yahoo or
"Take-a-Tour-Of-The-Shittiest-Part
Of-Chicago-dot-com?"
RICK (V.O.)
Not everyone can afford to live on
the 42nd floor, Charlie.
CHARLIE
No shit, dickhead. But I'd settle
for a one level walk up someplace
where I'm not ninty-five percent
sure I'm going to get shot when I
get out of the car.
RICK (V.O.)
Everyone knows you're bullet proof,
chief.
CHARLIE
Gee, thanks. How does my ass
smell, Rick?
RICK (V.O.)
It's the right address.
CHARLIE
You better be right.
Charlie hits the "end" button.
EXT. SOUTH CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT
The BMW slows to a stop outside a run down duplex. Considers
driving away, whether the person behind the wheel like it or
not; yeah, even the car seems scared.
Charlie lights another cigarette. Mutters to himself as he
exits...
CHARLIE
Charlie Bright, 34, found mutilated
outside a run down...
In the distance, a POLICE SIREN.
Charlie flinches. Then heads up the steps, his eyes scanning
the adjoining buildings. Ears, taking in the rattling urban
sounds that he's only heard in movies.
Hesitating for a moment, he raises his hand to knock when--
The DOOR SWINGS OPEN.
And there she is... Lilly Quells. A little older. A little
beaten down. But her eyes are still clear.
CHARLIE
Hello, Lilly.
It takes a moment. But then... she nods. Smiles. Charlie's
eyes wash over her. Skin smooth. Hair, still golden blonde.
Her hands...
WHAP-! smack Charlie across the face. He stumbles back.
LILLY
You... are a piece of shit.
Charlie rubs his burning cheek.
LILLY
Part of me didn't believe it. Some
strange guy walking up to my door.
Then, oh my God. It can't be. Am
I seriously going to get a chance
to smack Charlie Bright across the
face like I have been dreaming
about for years? Really?
CHARLIE
I think we know the answer.
LILLY
I'd tell you to go to hell but I'm
sure you already run the place.
CHARLIE
I really only vacation there. Can
I come in?
She laughs. Slams the door in his face.
CHARLIE
I'll take that as a maybe.
He knocks again. The door swings back open and--
WHAP-! Lilly smacks him again. Again he falls back and
again she slams the door shut.
CHARLIE
(nursing his face again)
Sonofa--
A moment. He knocks again. Again the door swings open.
Again, her hand sweeps toward him face... but this time he
ducks, swoops down and pivots right through the front door.
INT. LILLY'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
He holds up his hands.
LILLY
Get the hell out of my place or I'm
calling the cops.
CHARLIE
Lilly, I just--
LILLY
I will start screaming rape. And
you know what happens when I yell
rape in this part of town?
CHARLIE
They sell tickets?
LILLY
Get the hell out.
CHARLIE
Lilly, I know you hate me. I know
I was a bastard to you. I just
need five minutes and I will be out
of your life. And trust me... you
are gonna want to hear what I have
to say.
Lilly says nothing. After a moment, she closes the door.
LILLY
Five minutes.
INT. LILLY'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - LATER
Oh, how to describe this decor; think Sears garage sale chic.
Charlie sits on a questionable couch. A little worried maybe
about the mites he's picking up from the fabric.
LILLY
I'm gonna get a beer.
CHARLIE
Okay.
LILLY
Well. Do you want one?
CHARLIE
Sure.
Lilly disappears into the kitchen. Returns with two cans of
Milwaukee's Best. Cracks one open and hands it to Charlie.
CHARLIE
Oh, thanks.
LILLY
Sorry, I'm sure you're into all
that high end liquor.
CHARLIE
Are you kidding? Only the "best"
for me.
LILLY
Ah, Charlie. Still full of it.
(beat)
Damnit. I forgot the straw.
CHARLIE
The straw?
She disappears back into the kitchen. Charlie stares at the
can. Takes a sip-- yuck.
LILLY (O.C.)
Crazy straws, crazy straws. Where
are the damn crazy straws?
CHARLIE
(softly, to himself)
Pretty much any straw you pick is
gonna work, lady.
She reappears carrying two bendable "Crazy Straws". Sticks
one into Charlie's beer. Then her own. Starts sucking.
CHARLIE
This is a... very nice place,
Lilly.
LILLY
You're gonna waste your five
minutes B.S.ing about my Sanford
and Son furniture, go right ahead.
CHARLIE
Well, lets be honest. We both know
why I'm here.
LILLY
Honestly, Chuck, I really don't
care.
CHARLIE
No one calls me that anymore. It's
Charlie.
LILLY
Well, you'll always be Chuck to me.
Chuck the Fu--
CHARLIE
--all right, all right, you know
what? If that's how you want to do
this.
LILLY
Do what?
CHARLIE
Right, like you don't--
LILLY
GET OFF THE GODDAMN COUCH!
Charlie leaps to his feet as Lilly THROWS her beer can at a
CAT that springs off the couch and scampers away.
LILLY
Not you, Charlie. You can sit.
Wide eyed Charlie slowly sits again.
LILLY
You were saying.
CHARLIE
Right...
Charlie takes a moment. He's getting into character. Eyes
appear to well with tears. He looks up to Lilly, ashen
faced.
CHARLIE
I... I know what I did to you was
wrong. I hurt you Lilly and you
have every right to hate me. I
will not begrudge you that. But
you have to know... that I am so
sorry for what I did.
LILLY
Are you kidding me?
CHARLIE
I know you won't believe it... but
there's not a day that goes by that
I don't think of you. Of us. And
how special it was. And how I
messed it all up. Words can not--
LILLY
--adequately express how deep my
regret goes. Yeah, yeah.
CHARLIE
What?
LILLY
Miss California. I saw it. I saw
you there with her. On TV. You're
screwing her aren't you? I could
tell by the way you touched her
shoulder. Jesus, you think you
could mix up the speech a little.
CHARLIE
I mean it, Lilly.
LILLY
You're a bullshit artist, Charlie.
I know what you do for a living.
CHARLIE
That doesn't mean I can't
apologize.
LILLY
That doesn't mean I have to accept
it. And I don't.
CHARLIE
This is what you asked for.
LILLY
Five minutes are up.
CHARLIE
Great. So now, what? You're just
going to let him kill me? That's
what you really wanted in the first
place, right? This whole "sorry"
bit was just to get me here so he
could kill me, right?
Lilly stands.
LILLY
Charlie, I really don't know what
you're talking about. It's time
for you to go.
CHARLIE
Sure you don't.
Charlie gets up and Lilly pulls him over to the front door.
Opens it.
LILLY
Have a good life, Charlie. I take
that back. Have a crumby life.
CHARLIE
You forgot to add "what little time
you have left". Didn't you?
Lilly rolls her eyes.
LILLY
Goodbye, Charlie.
She shuts the door in his face. Again.
EXT. LILLY'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Charlie shakes his head. Turns and sees--
Nothing: the BMW is gone.
Charlie's face goes white. Looks to the heavens.
CHARLIE
Are you kidding me?! It was a
rental!
Charlie's eyes scan the neighborhood... MENACING SHADOWS seem
to creep closer.
Charlie spins back to the door. Knocks hard.
The door swings open. Again.
This time Charlie is ready, both arms up, protecting his
face.
LILLY
What's wrong, you forget you
conscience? Check your college
dorm, circa 1993. I think you left
it there.
CHARLIE
Someone stole my car.
Lilly smiles.
LILLY
That tends to happen to nice cars
around here.
CHARLIE
Please, Lilly. Just... call me a
cab.
LILLY
Cabs won't come around here this
time of night.
CHARLIE
Well... how the hell am I going to--
LILLY
That's your problem. Chuck.
She swings the door shut. Again.
Charlie, at a complete loss as to what to do, feels the
neighborhood closing in on him. He sits by her door. Pulls
his legs up close. Looks around, on the off chance a hero
might be close.
The door opens. Again.
Lilly has a coat on. Keys in hand.
LILLY
Looks like if I want you out of my
life again I'm going to have to
drive you there.
CHARLIE
Thank you, Lilly.
LILLY
Save it. Not that the idea of you
trying to survive out here by
yourself didn't bring a smile to my
lips. I want you gone. This is
purely selfish.
CHARLIE
Whatever.
She leads him to the curb. He stops. Looks at her ride.
LILLY
What?
CHARLIE
You have a... K Car?
LILLY
A nice reliant automobile. Get in.
INT. LILLY'S K CAR - NIGHT (DRIVING)
Silence. Just the overbearing roar of the aging engine.
Charlie picks his teeth. Looks to Lilly. She does not look
back.
CHARLIE
Smooth ride.
LILLY
I know you lie for a living,
Charlie. But does it ever bother
you to not be physically able to
tell the truth?
CHARLIE
Not really.
Lilly sighs and shakes her head.
CHARLIE
I do appreciate this.
LILLY
I don't care.
More silence.
CHARLIE
So... what are you doing these
days? For work? Back in college I
remember you were all charged up
about law school but I'm guessing
that... probably didn't happen.
LILLY
You think?
CHARLIE
So... what do you do?
LILLY
I'm not going to tell you.
CHARLIE
Why not?
LILLY
You don't need any more ammunition.
CHARLIE
I'm not as bad as you think I am,
you know.
LILLY
Yes. Yes you are.
CHARLIE
I'm really not.
Pause.
LILLY
I work at Dunkin' Donuts.
CHARLIE
Oh.
Charlie fights back the grin. She notices it.
LILLY
Go ahead.
CHARLIE
I wasn't gonna say anything.
LILLY
It pays the bills. And I can look
at myself in the mirror in the
morning.
CHARLIE
So can I.
LILLY
Vampires don't have a reflection,
Charlie. Everybody knows that.
EXT. MOTEL 6 - NIGHT
On the edge of sketchy-town, near nowheresville. The El
tracks stretch above. Lilly's K Car parks.
INT. LILLY'S K CAR
Charlie furrows his brow...
CHARLIE
I don't need a five star hotel, of
course. But I was thinking... I
dunno, one star. Half a star,
maybe.
LILLY
This is as far as I'm taking you.
CHARLIE
No, don't get me wrong. I'm
grateful for the ride. You should
let me... buy you lunch sometime.
LILLY
Sure. How about never? Does never
work for you?
CHARLIE
I'll be getting out then.
He gets out.
CHARLIE
Thanks again.
Lilly doesn't register a thing. Hits the gas.
EXT. MOTEL 6 - NIGHT
Charlie slopes over to a half-sleeping DESK CLERK. Taps on
the window and 'bout near gives the poor guy a heart attack.
DESK CLERK
What can I get you?
CHARLIE
Yes, I'll have the filet mignon. A
side of roasted garlic green beans
and--
DESK CLERK
Huh?
CHARLIE
People come up here, they usually
need more than just a room?
DESK CLERK
You don't need to be a smart ass,
son.
CHARLIE
I know I don't need to. I like to.
One room. Just for tonight.
The Clerk punches it out.
DESK CLERK
Forty-seven dollars.
Charlie takes out his wallet. Hands over a gold American
Express.
DESK CLERK
We don't take American Express.
CHARLIE
What do you mean you don't take
American Express? Everyone takes
American Express. That's why they
tell you not to leave home without
it.
DESK CLERK
Well I don't take it.
CHARLIE
It's the only card I have.
DESK CLERK
Well, in this particular case, I
believe they should say "American
Express. Don't leave home."
CHARLIE
I will give you five hundred
dollars tomorrow for one room. One
night. I am a very rich man and--
DESK CLERK
You're a smart ass.
CHARLIE
Fine, I'm a very rich smart ass.
Please. I'll go to an ATM
tomorrow. Please...
(beat)
...I need your help. Help me.
Charlie's so goddamn genuine again. The Desk Clerk considers
the offer.
DESK CLERK
You promise?
Charlie smiles.
CHARLIE
You have my word.
INT. MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Down to his underwear, the TV on (Letterman) and the
bluetooth in his ear, Charlie scratches an itchy part.
CHARLIE
I'm telling you. She's cookoo.
INT. OFFICE - NIGHT
Rick Garcia has phone pressed to his ear, legs up on his
desk.
RICK
That bad, huh?
INT. MOTEL ROOM
DIRECTOR: INTERCUT as you like.
CHARLIE
Nuts as ever. I kept waiting her
to walk back into the room in a
clown suit trying to convince me to
follow her into the basement.
RICK
So she wouldn't accept the apology.
CHARLIE
Not yet.
RICK
Yet?
CHARLIE
When's the last time you saw me
give up? I'm on a mission, pal.
It's time to make the doughnuts.
RICK
Huh?
CHARLIE
I'll call you tomorrow.
Charlie ends the call. Settles into his bed and turns up the
volume.
CHARLIE
Time to make the doughnuts.
FADE TO BLACK.
A FINGER slides down an open phone book. To "D". Stops at
the ten listings for "Dunkin' Donuts"
INT. MOTEL ROOM - MORNING
Charlie is up and back on the phone.
CHARLIE
(on the phone)
Hi, yes, I'm looking for a Lilly
Quells? No? Okay, thank you.
Hangs up. Dials again.
CHARLIE
Hi, is there a Lilly Quells that
works there?
INT. CAB - MORNING
The DRIVER has taken Charlie's destination request to engage
in a free-flowing conversation about the importance of
doughnuts in the diet.
DRIVER
Glazed are good. And jelly, of
course. I like jelly. They put
all sorts of things in doughnuts
now. I tried one with cream cheese
in it once. Cream cheese ones give
me diarrhea.
CHARLIE
Can you just... please stop
talking.
Charlie's cell phone chimes in. Charlie checks the number.
Sighs.
CHARLIE
(into phone)
Hi, baby. How's the treatment
going?
INT. REHAB CLINIC
Britney, in a gown, looks terrible. Ashen faced, puffy eyes.
Trembling. She weeps into the pay phone receiver.
BRITNEY
You gotta get me outta here,
Charlie! I am dying.
INT. CAB
CHARLIE
You're not dying, baby.
BRITNEY
It's awful here. They won't even
let me have aspirin! And I have
bad cramps right now, Charlie.
CHARLIE
You'll be fine. Only 25 more days
to go.
BRITNEY
I swear to God, Charlie, you get me
outta here or you are fired. This
is not what I signed up for. You
promised this was going to be easy.
CHARLIE
Look, sunshine, I wasn't the one
who got caught high on mushrooms
french kissing Paris Hilton at Sky
Bar, okay? You did this to
yourself.
BRITNEY
I swear to God--
CHARLIE
Okay, baby, goin' into a tunnel.
Talk to you later.
He hangs up as the cab stops outside Dunkin' Donuts.
DRIVER
Girl, trouble, huh? Boy, I know
what that's like.
CHARLIE
Tell you what, Ahmed. Why don't
you come inside and I'll buy you a
cream cheese filled doughnut.
Would you like that?
The Driver, apparently, does not appreciate sarcasm.
DRIVER
Six bucks.
CHARLIE
Here's ten. Buy yourself a sense
of humor.
Charlie splits.
EXT. DUNKIN' DONUTS - MORNING
The cab peels away and Charlie settles himself. Hair?
Check. Clothes? Check. Teeth? He gives them a rub with
his finger and heads inside...
INT. DUNKIN' DONUTS - CONTINUOUS
A vomitus explosion of orange and pink with a thick, sugary
taste to the air.
Charlie immediately spots Lilly, working the counter.
Smiles. Glides over and stands in line behind two OTHER
PEOPLE.
After a moment, its his turn. Lilly looks up. Sees him.
Shakes her head.
LILLY
Charlie, what part of go crawl into
a deep dark hole and die didn't you
understand?
CHARLIE
Can't very well do that on an empty
stomach, now can I? Had a
hankering for some bear claws.
LILLY
You're stalking me.
CHARLIE
No, I just need to talk to you.
LILLY
We're done talking. Zeus!
Charlie looks perplexed; why has Lilly invoked the name of
the god and ruler of Mount Olympus?
ZEUS JACKSON, store manager, and frightening tower of a man
with arms thick as his neck, chest nearly bursting out of his
Dunkin' Donuts uniform, appears from the back. He scowls at
Charlie.
ZEUS
What's the problem?
LILLY
This customer is being rude.
CHARLIE
Rude? I'm not being--
LILLY
And he won't leave. I've asked him
several times.
ZEUS
(menacing)
Is that so?
CHARLIE
Zeus, huh? You don't look Greek.
ZEUS
(even more menacing)
Get outta my store. Now.
LILLY
You better do it, Charlie. Zeus
likes to break thinks. And people.
With that, Zeus crushes a cruller in his hand.
CHARLIE
No need to take your anger out on
the pastry, Zeus. I'll leave.
I'll be right outside, Lilly. Let
me know when you're available.
Charlie backs slowly away to the door.
Lilly watches him go. Stares as he stands outside, in the
cold, pacing.
ZEUS
You know him?
LILLY
Ex-boyfriend.
ZEUS
Want me to cripple him?
LILLY
Not yet.
EXT. DUNKIN' DONUTS - LATER
Hours pass, but Charlie is still pacing outside the store.
Finally, Lilly steps outside.
LILLY
You're not going to give up, are
you?
Charlie smiles.
CHARLIE
Just lunch, Lilly. Please.
INT. BURGER KING - DAY
A look of abject terror on Charlie's face as he stares... at
a picture of "the" Burger King.
He and Lilly are in line at the counter.
LILLY
What's wrong?
CHARLIE
Nothing. It's... nothing. Are you
sure you want to eat here? I can
take you wherever--
LILLY
Not swanky enough for you, I
realize that, Charlie. But this is
what I can afford and you're not
going to get the satisfaction of
buying me anything.
(to Clerk)
I'll have a number four.
INT. BURGER KING - LATER
Charlie and Lilly sit across from one another at a thin table
near the center of the dining room.
He stares wide-eyed as she pulls french fry after french fry
and lines them up on her tray, end to end, in a train that
surrounds the rest of her meal.
Lilly next opens up four catsup packets and places them in
each corner of the tray.
Next she opens her purse and produces a "Crazy Straw",
replacing the sane straight straw that's currently in her
diet soda.
CHARLIE
Everything okay, Lilly?
LILLY
Yes. Why?
CHARLIE
I thought maybe you were doing some
sort of art project there.
LILLY
I have routines. You know that.
CHARLIE
Guess I forgot.
LILLY
You seem to have forgotten a lot of
things, Charlie.
CHARLIE
Such as?
LILLY
When I told you I never wanted to
see you again. Twelve years ago.
Last night.
CHARLIE
But, I know. That's why I'm here.
LILLY
That makes sense. I tell you I
never want to see you again, so I
keep seeing you. Do you like
living in opposite land? Do I have
to tell you that I want to see you?
Will that make you go away?
CHARLIE
Right. I'm the crazy one.
(beat)
Lilly... I know.
LILLY
You know what?
CHARLIE
I know.
LILLY
(slowly)
You... know... what?
Charlie furrows his brow. Cocks his head.
CHARLIE
You don't know.
LILLY
Is this some sort of game?
CHARLIE
Lilly... I can't tell you why. But
I need you to listen to me. I am
sorry. Truly. And I need you to
accept my apology.
LILLY
Why?
CHARLIE
I just need you to do it. Then I
will be outta your life so fast
you'll think I had a jet rocket
stuffed up my ass.
Lilly smiles.
LILLY
Now that's something I'd pay to
see.
EXT. SIDEWALK - LATER
You don't so much stroll down this street as walk quick and
don't make eye contact with strangers. Even so, you could
say that Charlie and Lilly are strolling. Walking her back
to work.
LILLY
Fine, Charlie. I give up.
CHARLIE
You give up?
LILLY
I accept your apology.
Charlie stops. Excites.
CHARLIE
Really?!
LILLY
Yes. If that means you will leave
me alone. For real. Forever.
CHARLIE
I will. I promise.
LILLY
Your promises mean nothing. All
the same, I accept your apology.
CHARLIE
And you'll tell that to... anyone
who asks?
LILLY
Who's going to ask?
CHARLIE
I don't know. But if anyone did,
you'd say--
LILLY
Yes. I forgive you.
He looks at her. For the first time so far, really looks at
her. It's a moment suspended. She really is truly lovely.
His heart skips a beat, maybe.
Back to reality--
CHARLIE
One last question. Your brother
Lance. Where is he living
nowadays?
LILLY
Why?
CHARLIE
Just curious.
Lilly squints her eyes.
LILLY
He lives in the apartment above me.
Charlie nods.
CHARLIE
Oh course he does. Thank you,
Lilly. You'll never see me again.
She smiles.
LILLY
One can dream.
She leaves him... heads back inside the Dunkin' Donuts.
He is frozen, watching her. Nods. Sees Zeus inside the
store flip him the bird.
Charlie waves to Zeus. Bye bye.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT. CAB - AFTERNOON
Charlie, back in the backseat of a cab, on his way back to
the motel, back on the phone.
CHARLIE
It wasn't her idea, I don't think.
I know people, Rick. I looked in
her eyes and she had no idea.
RICK (V.O.)
But she accepted the apology.
CHARLIE
Yeah. It was actually a lot easier
than I thought it was going to be.
I almost... kind of wish it was.
I forgot how much... how much I
enjoyed her. Weird as she is.
Charlie's mind drifts. Catches himself. Shakes it off.
RICK (V.O.)
So what's the plan now?
The cab stops. Charlie shoves some cash into the Drivers
hand and gets out.
EXT. MOTEL 6 - CONTINUOUS
Charlie head to the Desk Clerk.
CHARLIE
The plan is, I'm gonna check out of
this crappy motel, get on a plane
and head back to my warm
comfortable life.
RICK (V.O.)
What about Lance?
CHARLIE
I'll deal with that loser later. I
know where he is. I can bide my
time. Come up with something
especially weird to have someone do
to him. Rick, I gotta go. Call
you when I'm back in New York.
Charlie ends the call and raps on the Desk Clerk's window,
startling the guy again.
CHARLIE
You sleep a lot, don't you?
DESK CLERK
What can I get you?
CHARLIE
I'm checking out. Just need to get
some stuff out of my room.
The Desk Clerk scribbles on some papers.
DESK CLERK
Okay, that'll be five-hundred forty
seven dollars.
Charlie peels out... just a few bills from his wallet.
CHARLIE
Here's forty-seven.
DESK CLERK
You promised me five hundred!
CHARLIE
I do that sometime. Sorry.
Charlie slides away.
EXT. MOTEL ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Charlie keys open the door and swings it open to see--
The room is TRASHED! His jaw drops as he steps inside...
INT. MOTEL ROOM
He scans the walls. On one, written in red spray paint, the
words: NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
CHARLIE
What the--
WHACK-! a pipe slams against the back of his head.
SMASH TO BLACK.
INT. MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
A familiar scene for poor Charlie: he's tied to a chair, arms
now bound by sheets behind his back. Feet tied together with
pillow cases.
He slowly comes to.
There, on the edge of the bed, is the HITMAN. Wearing his
familiar uniform of black. Ski mask over his head.
Metal voice-altering machine in hand.
HITMAN
Hello, Charlie.
CHARLIE
No cards this time? I liked the
cards better.
The Hitman shakes his head.
CHARLIE
I apologized. Like you asked. And
she accepted it, Lance.
HITMAN
I'm not who you think I am,
Charlie.
CHARLIE
I've done what you asked! I
apologized! She accepted!
The Hitman shakes his head again.
CHARLIE
What?!
HITMAN
You can't apologize for something,
bright boy. Unless you know what
you're apologizing for.
The Hitman takes out another index card. Shows it to
Charlie.
Without having to be encouraged, Charlie reads it aloud.
CHARLIE
Three days.
The Hitman nods. Stands. Leaves.
Charlie waits a moment. Then starts shouting!
CHARLIE
Help! Someone help me! Help!
A few more moments pass. Then, someone comes to the door.
Slides in a key and opens it...
It's the Desk Clerk. He stares at Charlie for a moment.
DESK CLERK
This not surprise me.
CHARLIE
Please, help me! Untie these
sheets.
DESK CLERK
I don't think so.
The Desk Clerk closes the door.
Charlie settles.
CHARLIE
Damnit.
INT. MOTEL ROOM - LATER
Charlie keeps working his hands, trying to undo the knots.
He's having no luck.
He leans back farther. The chair tips as his hands reach
down.
Suddenly loses his balance! The chair tips over. And
Charlie cries out as he crashes to the ground... yes,
breaking the chair and setting him free.
CHARLIE
Of course it did.
EXT. MOTEL 6 - LATER
Charlie approaches the Desk Clerk's booth, wallet out.
The Clerk smiles.
DESK CLERK
Got outta your prediciment, I see.
Charlie pulls out a stack of hundred dollar bills. Five of
them. Pushes the money at the Clerk.
CHARLIE
There. Five hundred dollars. Just
like I promised.
Charlie starts to walk away. Spins back and wags a finger at
the Clerk.
CHARLIE
You know, the next time you see me
in a situation like that... I
expect some help.
The Clerk just counts his bonus.
INT. BAR - NIGHT
A dive by all dive standards-- Charlie is one of only two
customers in the place, each perched at the counter sipping
away their sorrows.
Charlie... we can start to tell... is a little drunk. And
he's muttering to himself.
CHARLIE
...said to apologize to her and I
did... now stupid... what am I
apologizing for... ridiculous...
The BARTENDER approaches.
BARTENDER
You say somethin', pal?
Charlie looks up from his shot.
CHARLIE
I am sorry, okay!
BARTENDER
Okay, buddy.
CHARLIE
Don't I look sorry?!
BARTENDER
I think you look hammered.
CHARLIE
Well I am! And I am sorry! I am
the king of sorry! Let me tell you
what, you cheat on your wife?
BARTENDER
Don't have a wife.
CHARLIE
Girlfriend? Or are you gay?
BARTENDER
Hey, watch it, pal. I don't wanna
have to hit you.
CHARLIE
Doesn't matter. Point is... if you
did cheat... or you got caught
shoplifting... or you, uh, you shot
someone... and you needed to
apologize about it? I'm your man!
I am the man. Got it? Don't tell
me I don't know how to apologize.
BARTENDER
Settle down, buddy. No one's
telling you anything.
CHARLIE
I'll give you an example... what's
your boyfriend's name?
WHAP-! The bartender decks Charlie. Sends him crashing to
the ground.
CHARLIE... flat on his back, nods.
CHARLIE
I'm sensing a theme today.
EXT. LILLY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
A drunk Charlie stumbles up the front steps, to Lilly's door.
Burps. Knocks.
CHARLIE
(slurring)
Lilly... guess whoooo...
Keeps rapping. Finally, the door opens.
LILLY
I knew it was too good to be true.
CHARLIE
I know. I know. But guess what?
When I apologized before... it
turns out... I didn't know what I
was apologizing for. So it doesn't
count. Can you believe that?
So now I have to know why I am such
a bastard that you want me dead.
LILLY
You're drunk, Charlie.
CHARLIE
Clearly. And you are pretty.
Lilly is not amused.
LILLY
How did you get here, Charlie?
CHARLIE
I... walked.
LILLY
You walked here? Through this
neighborhood? By yourself?
CHARLIE
Yeah, it's really not that bad. I
bumped into these two guys and, for
a moment, I thought, oh no, I'm
dead. But... it turned out they
just wanted my wallet. Which was
cool.
Lilly sighs.
LILLY
Come inside.
He smiles, nods and heads inside.
CHARLIE
Okeydokey.
Lilly shuts the door.
INT. LILLY'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Charlie collapses on the couch.
CHARLIE
If it's so bad... why do you live
here then?
Lilly crosses into the kitchen to pour Charlie a glass of
water.
LILLY (O.C.)
I'm poor, Charlie. Or hadn't you
noticed.
CHARLIE
No. I noticed. Believe me, I
noticed. You are one broke lady.
Lilly appears and hand him the glass of water. He stares at
it.
CHARLIE
No crazy straw?
LILLY
I'm all out.
CHARLIE
You're all out of crazy?
LILLY
Drink the water. Then I'll give
you a ride back to the motel.
Charlie takes a sip then sets the water down. Lilly starts
to pace the room.
CHARLIE
No! No, I need to know what I did
to you that was so bad.
LILLY
You don't need to know anything.
CHARLIE
You're wrong. I do. I need to
know why you hate me so much
because somebody out there, and I'm
pretty sure I know who it is, wants
me to know. And now, to be honest,
with all the fuss that's been put
up around it, I think I kind-a want
to know too.
LILLY
No you don't, Charlie.
No Charlie stands. A little wobbly, but stands nonetheless.
CHARLIE
Yes! I want to know. I broke your
heart. Fine. People get over
that. Normal people. But there's
something else, isn't there? What
did I do that makes you hate me so
much?
LILLY
...Charlie...
CHARLIE
What is it?!
LILLY
I was pregnant!
Sudden silence.
LILLY
Yeah, Charlie. You knocked me up.
Charlie slowly lowers himself back into the couch. Sobers
up, but fast.
CHARLIE
Mine?
LILLY
C'mon, Charlie. You know you were
my first. My only.
(beat)
I found out right after we broke
up. Tried to tell you but... you
won't answer when I called. I
would come by but you'd, what, hide
in the closet? Wasn't that it?
CHARLIE
I'm sorry.
LILLY
Sure you are.
Lilly is know back in that place. The words fall out of her
mouth.
LILLY
I didn't know what to do. You were
gone. My parents were gone. I
couldn't tell my brother.
I couldn't tell anyone. So as much
as I couldn't stand the thought...
CHARLIE
You had a...
LILLY
I had an abortion, yes. But things
got fucked up. And when it was
over... the doctors told me I never
had to worry about something like
this happening again.
Charlie buries his face in his hands.
CHARLIE
Oh my God...
Tears start to well in Lilly's eyes.
LILLY
Wait, Charlie. It gets better.
(beat)
You see after something like that
happens... you don't feel so good.
Sometimes you think about doing
things. Like sitting in a car...
with the engine on... parked in a
garage. Or taking medicine. Lots
and lots of medicine.
Charlie's face is pale.
LILLY
Three years, Charlie. Three years
in the hospital before they decided
I was fit to walk among the rest of
human kind. And every day you know
what I thought about?
CHARLIE
I can guess.
LILLY
Don't you dare.
(beat)
I thought... what color his eyes
would have been. Would they be
blue like yours? Or green like
mine. Would his hair have been
curly... or straight?
What would he have looked like,
Charlie? When he smiled.
Charlie, too, starts to cry.
CHARLIE
I had no idea.
LILLY
How could you? You never stopped
long enough to see what the rest of
us were doing. You weren't the
only one with dreams, Charlie.
(beat)
You're just the only one whose
dreams came true.
(beat)
And that's why I'm mad at you.
Because every time I see you... I
know I still... care about you. I
guess.
Lilly breaks down now.
Charlie slowly rises to his feet. He crosses to Lilly.
Hesitates. Reaches a hands down. To her face. Her hand
reaches up. Takes his.
He pulls her to her feet. They embrace. Begin... to kiss.
Slowly at first. The passion rises.
Suddenly, Charlie breaks away.
CHARLIE
I can't...
LILLY
Can't what?
CHARLIE
I can't hurt you again.
LILLY
You will hurt me more... if you
leave.
Charlie, numb, crosses to her again. Pauses a moment.
Then, they lock. Animal like. The noises, sights. Clothes
shred. Naked bodies... kids, cover your eyes... Naked bodies
entangle. Charlie and Lilly collapse to the ground.
And though we might like to see what happens next, the screen
fades
TO BLACK.
INT. LILLY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Charlie and Lilly lie side by side. Post-coital amazement.
CHARLIE
Don't disappear under the bed, now.
Lilly breaks out in contagious laughter.
LILLY
That was silly. I know that now,
you know?
CHARLIE
Sure you do.
They both smile.
LILLY
I've missed you.
Charlie nods.
CHARLIE
It's strange.
LILLY
What is?
CHARLIE
I couldn't have come here with the
intention of finding myself where I
am now. And still, I'm pretty
happy about how it worked out.
LILLY
This is a foreign concept to you?
CHARLIE
Pretty much.
LILLY
You plan too much. You know how to
make God laugh, right?
Charlie nods.
CHARLIE
Knock-knock joke.
Lilly laughs.
LILLY
Have a plan, silly. Life is
random. Happiness can come from
unexpected places.
CHARLIE
Not in my experience.
LILLY
Only fools rush in, right?
CHARLIE
Stop.
LILLY
Sing it. Please! It was our song--
CHARLIE
I know.
LILLY
I never had a "song" with anyone.
You used to make me melt when you
sang that to me. You sang it to me
on our first date.
CHARLIE
I have a horrible voice. I don't
even know why you would want that.
LILLY
Please...
CHARLIE
No. I will give you something
else. Something I hardly ever
give.
LILLY
What's that?
His head disappears under the covers. Lilly laughs. Then
starts to squirm.
LILLY
Oh, Charlie...
INT. LILLY'S APARTMENT - MORNING
Sunlight peeks through windows unseen lighting the path from
the front door to the back hall leading to the kitchen.
Silence.
In the back, in the hallway, Lilly appears wearing nothing
but a long tee shirt.
She disappears into the kitchen. We hear the water run. A
glass of water drunk.
A door knock.
Lilly crosses back into our sight to the front door. Opens.
LANCE
Hey, cutie.
LANCE QUELLS steps into the apartment. Notice: a strong man,
slightly overweight. Bit of a brick, both downstairs and up.
Steps a little too deliberately. Almost on tip-toes.
He carries a bunched up paper bag.
LILLY
Hey, hansome.
At the end of the hall, Charlie appears, in underwear only.
Rubs sleep from his eyes as he heads toward Lilly.
CHARLIE
Morning, sunshine.
Charlie's eyes clear. Sees Lance. He freezes. I mean,
locks up! Then stumbles back over his own feet. To the
kitchen.
LANCE
Who is that?
Lilly rushes off to the kitchen.
INT. LILLY'S KITCHENM - CONTINUOUS
Charlie stands prepared: a spatula in one hand. A large
spoon in the other. He looks terrified.
LILLY
What's wrong?!
CHARLIE
He's come to kill me.
Lance appears in the doorway and cocks his head.
LANCE
Hey.
CHARLIE
Stay the fuck away from me you
psycho!
LILLY
Charlie!
LANCE
Who is this?
LILLY
Charlie Bright. An ex-boyfriend
from college.
Lance takes a moment to think.
LANCE
Oh.
CHARLIE
You see?! He's gonna kill me!
LILLY
Charlie, no!
LANCE
What are you gonna do, Charlie?
Spoon me?
LILLY
Lance, wait in the living room!
Lance shrugs his shoulders. Disappears.
Lilly crosses to Charlie. Leans close. They speak only in
whispers.
LILLY
What the hell was that? What are
you talking about someone's going
to kill you?
CHARLIE
I was scared.
LILLY
Who are you afraid of? Ever since
you came here you've been talking
about--
CHARLIE
Nothing. I'll...
LILLY
I know you, Charlie, don't lie to
me.
Charlie covers.
CHARLIE
He saw me with his sister, clearly.
He knows we...
(beat)
And with everything that's happened
to you...
LILLY
He doesn't know.
Even more hushed than before...
CHARLIE
Doesn't know what?
LILLY
He doesn't know what happened to
me. The thing. The everything I
told you.
CHARLIE
You were in a hospital for three
years! How does he not know what
happened to you for three years!?
Beat.
LILLY
I told him I was on vacation.
CHARLIE
For three years!?
LILLY
He's not very smart.
Okay, Charlie nods. Looks at the crumpled paper bag. Still
whispering.
CHARLIE
What's that?
LILLY
Birth control pills.
CHARLIE
(angry, still hushed)
I thought you said--
LILLY
I told you. He doesn't know.
CHARLIE
What kind of brother picks up his
sister's birth control pills?
That's sick.
LILLY
He's concerned. He still thinks
I'm sexually active.
CHARLIE
Ew! He's your brother!
LILLY
He's very concerned. And this
incident probably makes all his
concerns justified. He worries
about these things.
CHARLIE
Ew!
Lance calls out from the living room.
LANCE
Everything okay?
LILLY
Fine! We'll be right there.
(to Charlie, hushed)
Be cool. And you owe me a big
explanation.
Charlie slowly nods.
INT. LILLY'S KITCHEN - MORNING
An uncomfortable silence as the three of them sit and eat
breakfast at a small Formica table.
Lance takes a bite of eggs and cheese. Smiles halfheartedly
at Charlie.
Charlie, disearnestly, smiles back.
Lilly looks uncomfortably at the whole scene.
Finally, Charlie, between bites, suspiciously, speaks:
CHARLIE
So... Lance. Where are you working
these days?
Lance seems a bit dim. Talks with his mouth full.
LANCE
Fosters. In the warehouse.
CHARLIE
Chicken?
Lance takes offense.
LANCE
Screw you, I ain't chicken 'bout
anything!
CHARLIE
I mean where you work. Fosters
Chicken?
LANCE
Beef.
CHARLIE
Sorry. I haven't heard of Foster's
Beef.
LANCE
That's probably why they goin'
outta business.
Silence. Charlie gets back to his breakfast.
CHARLIE
Sorry.
LILLY
He'll find something else, won't
you?
Charlie cringes a little: why do they keep calling each other
"babe"?
LANCE
So... you dating my sister again?
CHARLIE
Huh?
LILLY
Lance, that's not appropriate.
CHARLIE
Well, I don't--
LANCE
Why not?!
Lance starts to get agitated, it seems. Charlie gets
uncomfortable.
LANCE
You live here now? In Chicago?
LILLY
No, Lance--
LANCE
You just usin' her?
CHARLIE
No!
Charlie's cell phone rings. He snaps it up without looking
at the number calling. Probably should have...
INT. REHAB CLINIC - MORNING
Britney is back on the pay phone.
BRITNEY
Hey, baby...
INT. LILLY'S KITCHEN
Charlie tenses up.
CHARLIE
Hey?
INTERCUT:
BRITNEY
I'm so sorry I got mad at you,
baby.
CHARLIE
Not a good time, Rick. Can I call
you back?
LILLY
Who is it?
Charlie looks to Lilly. Shakes his head: no one.
Charlie moves into the other room.
INT. LILLY'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM
Hushed into the receiver:
CHARLIE
This is a bad time.
INTERCUT:
Britney tugs on the cord.
BRITNEY
And this is easy?! I'm talkin' on
some sort of ancient device. They
took my cell phone, Charlie! My
link to the outside world!
I don't even know what this is I'm
talkin' on!
CHARLIE
Settle down.
LILLY (O.S.)
Is everything okay?
CHARLIE
It's fine!
BRITNEY
Who's that?!
Charlie settles on the couch.
CHARLIE
You know, Britney. I think it's
time we see other people.
BRITNEY
What?!
Charlie hangs up the phone. He heads back into the kitchen.
INT. LILLY'S KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
LILLY
Is everything okay?
CHARLIE
Yeah. It was just Rick, my
managing partner. We have a client
in rehab who's freakin' out a
little.
LANCE
How long you stayin' in Chicago?
CHARLIE
Well, you really are Mister
Question Man aren't you?
(beat, settles)
I'm sorry. I have to go back to
New York tomorrow. My business...
Lilly sulks.
CHARLIE
But I'll be back, Lilly. In a few
days. I think...
He looks at Lance; guys an oaf. Whoever the Hitman is... it
can't be Lance.
CHARLIE
...I think everything is going to
be fine now.
Lilly nods. A smile grows.
CHARLIE
Let me take you out tonight, Lilly.
A real date. We can talk about...
LILLY
Okay.
CHARLIE
First... we need to go shopping.
EXT. DOWNTOWN CHICAGO - DAY
The SOUNDS of a city alive. Over there, camera; settle on
Michigan Avenue. That department store. Neiman Marcus.
INT. NEIMAN MARCUS - DAY
Lilly calls out from a dressing room.
LILLY (O.S.)
It's too expensive.
Charlie sits in a chair and smiles. He can spot her ankles
and for a moment that's all he needs in the world.
CHARLIE
Just come out here.
A moment. The dressing room curtain parts and there she is.
To call her just stunning would be like calling the Eifel
Tower an oversized salt shaker; Lilly is a vision. In the
truest sense of the word. She glows in the white sparkling
Christian Dior evening dress.
We have not seen her like this before. She... has not seen
herself like this before. Face flush. Charlie, breathless.
LILLY
Say something.
He tries.
CHARLIE
You are... perfect.
LILLY
It's two thousand dollars, Charlie.
CHARLIE
I... don't... care.
She smiles at him.
LILLY
Be careful. A girl could get used
to this, Charlie.
He smiles back.
INT. TRES ARTIST - EVENING
An intimate, dark restaurant with floor to ceiling windows.
Beyond them, headlights moves silently.
Charlie and Lilly are seated near the back. They sip Pinot
Noir, the bottle set to the side, and Charlie can't keep his
eyes locked anywhere but to hers.
LILLY
It's been a long time since someone
treated me so nice.
CHARLIE
That's a crime.
LILLY
Why, Charlie?
CHARLIE
Why what?
LILLY
Why are you here? Why did you come
to Chicago to find me? You didn't
wake up one morning and decide you
had to see me again.
Charlie shifts, a little uncomfortably. Covers it with his
brilliant smile.
CHARLIE
Is that so hard to believe?
LILLY
Yes. You've been saying from the
moment you showed up at my door
that someone forced you to come
here.
CHARLIE
Forced is such a strong word.
LILLY
That you had to apologize to me.
You were afraid for your life.
What happened, Charlie? Don't lie.
Not anymore.
Charlie takes another sip. Considers the possibilities.
Chews his bottom lip a moment more.
CHARLIE
It doesn't matter, Lilly. Someone
just reminded me that I had been a
stupid fool. And that I needed to
make things right.
LILLY
Who?
CHARLIE
I don't know.
He downs the rest of his wine. Pours another glass.
LILLY
Oh, Charlie. You haven't always
been a fool. I remember when I
first met you. You were this shy,
quiet freshman. So sensitive. You
barely spoke.
CHARLIE
I talked.
LILLY
Barely. But you meant every word
you said. Now, look at you.
A line for everything. Does money
and success change people that
much?
CHARLIE
It helps.
LILLY
See? That's what I mean.
CHARLIE
I'd been that person my whole life.
Money doesn't change you. It just
gives you the ability to tell
people to piss off and not worry
what's going to happen next. Do
that enough and... I guess... this
is what you get.
LILLY
Do you ever miss that other person?
CHARLIE
One day you realize that it doesn't
matter how honest you are, Lilly.
People hear what they want to hear.
They believe what they want to
believe. I just figured out how to
make them believe what I wanted
them to believe.
LILLY
Is that what this is tonight,
Charlie? An illusion?
Charlie smiles. Shakes his head.
CHARLIE
I couldn't have dreamed this,,
Lilly. In my wildest imagination.
(takes her hand)
This is so very real.
EXT. LILLY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The SOUNDS that once terrified him in this neighborhood drown
away as he leads Lilly to her door.
They stop before the door. Lilly turns to Charlie.
LILLY
I understand if you don't come
back.
CHARLIE
I'm coming back.
She opens the door and they both slip inside.
INT. LILLY'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Charlie shuts the door behind them. He takes Lilly's hand
and spins her back to him. Kisses her softly.
They break. He stares again deep into her eyes.
CHARLIE
Or... you could come with me.
Lilly's eyes go wide.
LILLY
What?
CHARLIE
I want you to come to New York with
me.
LILLY
That's crazy.
CHARLIE
So what? I like a little crazy.
It's not like we don't know each
other. This isn't a whirlwind
romance. It's fifteen years in the
making. I see it now, Lilly.
You've helped me realize what's
been missing in my life. I...
think I love you.
She's speechless.
CHARLIE
What do you say? Will you come
with me?
LILLY
I... okay.
He smiles and kisses her again.
LILLY
Lance. I can't leave him in--
CHARLIE
Tell him to come to. I can set him
up in an apartment... in Brooklyn.
I can help him get a job.
LILLY
You mean it?!
CHARLIE
Absolutely.
She SHRIEKS! Bounces around excitedly.
LILLY
I'll go pack!
Lilly races to the back bedroom.
Charlie smiles. Wide. There is a knock at the door.
LILLY (O.S.)
Can you get that? It's probably
Lance. He likes to check on me
after I go on a date.
Charlie rolls his eyes. A little. Spins back and swing open
the door revealing--
RICK GARCIA
CHARLIE
Rick? What the hell are you doing
here?
RICK
I haven't heard from you in two
days. I thought you were in
trouble. And, where the hell does
this chick live?
CHARLIE
I know. It's bad. But not for
long.
RICK
Huh?
CHARLIE
C'mon in.
INT. LILLY'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Charlie leads him into the living room, his back to Rick.
CHARLIE
You could have called, you know?
You didn't have to fly out--
RICK
Hey, I didn't know what was up.
Figured at the very least I could
be some back up.
CHARLIE
I have it handled.
RICK
Sure you do... bright-boy.
Boom. Charlie freezes. Slowly spins back to Rick.
CHARLIE
What did you call me?
Rick nods. Shrugs his shoulders.
Charlie turns to see--
Lilly, standing in the doorway to the kitchen, looking
contrite.
CHARLIE
Lilly?
LILLY
Sorry, Charlie.
Charlie turns back to Rick just as the pipe in Rick's hand
slams into his head, knocking everything--
TO BLACK.
INT. DARK ROOM - NIGHT
The picture DISSOLVES in and we are back where we started. A
dark room. Charlie, in the ever familiar position of being
bound to a chair. Nothing else in the room is visible. At
first.
Then slowly we begin to spot things. Pictures plastered on
the walls. Of Charlie. Some from newspapers. Some candid,
surveillance type.
Its a stalkers scrapbook.
Charlie's face is a bloody map of the world.
Lilly stands shyly back against a wall.
Rick grabs another chair and sits directly across from
Charlie.
RICK
You're a mess, Charlie.
Charlie looks up at Rick.
CHARLIE
You were supposed to be my friend.
RICK
Friend? Is that what I was?
Really? I'd say you treated me
more like a... lap dog.
Charlie's eyes wander over to Lilly. She smiles back at him.
Rick SMACKS Charlie's face back to him.
RICK
Hey. We're still talking.
Charlie is panicked.
CHARLIE
Rick... we can forget this. I get
it. I treated you badly. It won't
happen again. I know now that I
was... thinking wrong about the
people that matter in my life. The
people...
Charlie looks to Lilly.
Then... Rick looks to Lilly. Back to Charlie.
RICK
She's amazing, isn't she? One of a
kind. You're wondering how I know
her, right? See, after you broke
her heart in college, Charlie,
she'd show up at our dorm room late
at night, you'd be off with some
other women or... hiding in a
closet somewhere. But I was always
there, covering for you. We would
talk for hours. And then... one
night... it just happened.
Charlie drops his head.
RICK
We did it on your bed, too. Lots
of times. All sorts of ways. One
time we did it doggy--
LILLY
T-M-I, Rick.
Rick glances at Lilly and snickers.
Charlie looks back up at Lilly.
CHARLIE
That story you told me. About
being pregnant...
She shakes her head.
RICK
She was in the hospital for a few
years but that wasn't because she
was a danger to herself as... well,
you know.
LILLY
(ashamed)
Acute sociopathic behavior.
There's medicine for it now.
RICK
Are you not having as much fun as I
am, babe?
LILLY
I'm fine.
Charlie's world is crushed and the pieces are strapped to his
shoulders.
CHARLIE
Why now? After all this time?
RICK
It was a college fling, Charlie.
We lost touch. Until one day--
She saw you on TV. With Miss
Kentucky. Your thousand dollar
watch. Smug, self righteous--
LILLY
I saw you on TV and I was so mad.
I found out where you worked... and
I was just going to call. Give you
a piece of my mind.
RICK
But you had already left that day.
Remember that day, Charlie? Let me
refresh your memory...
INT. BRIGHT CRISIS MANAGEMNT - HALLWAY (FLASHBACK)
Charlie smiles. Lays a hand on Rick's shoulder. Nods.
Opens the office door and leads Rick back out into the hall.
CHARLIE
Get your team together and go
through it again. I don't want to
attend a strategy session like that
ever again.
Charlie leans slowly into Rick.
CHARLIE
I love ya, Rick. We've been
friends a long time.
(beat)
Don't make me scare you.
Rick turns a shade of pale.
INT. RICK'S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
Rick slams his door shut, muttering to himself.
RICK (V.O.)
I was so pissed, I could have
killed you...
Rick's phone rings. He snaps it up.
RICK
What?
INTERCUT WITH LILLY'S APARTMENT
LILLY
Yeah, I need to talk to that
sonofabitch Charlie Bright!
RICK
He's gone. Who is this?
LILLY
Lilly Quells.
RICK
Lilly?
Rick settles back into his chair.
RICK (V.O.)
We must have talked for an hour.
Sharing our mutual hatred for you
and everything you stand for.
INT. DARK ROOM - RESUME SCENE
Rick smiles at Charlie.
RICK
Then it just came to me. Exactly
how to teach you a lesson. They
were your words, Charlie. We play
on people's emotions. Their
willingness to forgive. But when
they don't live up to expectations,
you have to play on another
emotion.
CHARLIE
Fear.
FLASH TO--
A shot of Rick at the New York restaurant, putting on the
skimask and heading into the men's room...
FLASH TO--
A shot of Rick, dressed as the Hitman, breaking into
Charlie's motel room...
INT. DARK ROOM - RESUME SCENE
CHARLIE
So what's next? You're gonna kill
me?
RICK
Oh, yeah. You've taught me
everything I need to know. I can
take it from here. You'll be
missed. But not too much.
Rick stands from his chair. Steps back. Lilly stares at the
floor.
LILLY
(softly)
Part of me never thought you'd fall
for it, Charlie. But like you
said, people believe what they want
to believe.
RICK
Yeah they do. Clearly they do.
Suckers.
Charlie lifts his broken face to Rick and Lilly.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Rule One: Know what you are
apologizing for.
CHARLIE
I didn't mean to hurt you.
RICK
Sure you didn't.
Rick produces a gun from his waist.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Rule Two: Know who you are
apologizing to.
Charlie pleads with his eyes to Lilly. She looks away. Then
to Rick. He just smiles.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Rule Three: Shift the blame.
Charlie looks to Lilly.
CHARLIE
Please don't kill me. The person I
was... its not who I am.
Rick snickers.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Rule Four: Don't want to apologize,
just do it.
CHARLIE
I'm sorry.
RICK
It's too late for sorries, Charlie.
Rick lowers the gun at Charlie's head. He closes his eyes.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
And when all else fails... and
nothing is working... close your
eyes... and forgive yourself...
Lilly steps forward.
LILLY
Let me do it.
Rick turns to her... considers it a moment. Then--
RICK
Okay.
He hands her the gun. She looks at Charlie. Then turns the
gun on Rick and pulls the trigger.
BAM!
SMASH TO BLACK.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
...then maybe, just maybe, they'll
finally believe you.
Beat. Another beat.
LILLY (V.O.)
AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
INT. DARK ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Lilly SCREAMS hard as she can. Charlie recoils. Slowly
opens his eyes. Sees Rick dead on the ground, legs twitching
awfully. Blood pooling on the ground.
CHARLIE
Lilly.
She keeps screaming.
CHARLIE
Lilly!
She stops. Hyperventilates.
LILLY
What have I done, what have I done,
what have I done, what have I done?
CHARLIE
Lilly!!!
She stops. Turns to Charlie.
CHARLIE
(lying)
He'll be okay.
Rick's final twitch settles; Charlie notices out of the
corner of his eye.
LILLY
(wanting to believe)
Really?
Charlie... goes into Crisis Control.
CHARLIE
We'll call an ambulance in a
minute. He'll be fine.
Lilly looks at Rick.
LILLY
I don't know...
CHARLIE
Lilly, this is very important...
who knows about your plan?
LILLY
Huh?
CHARLIE
Your plan to kill me? Who knew
about it? Does Lance know? Does
anyone know?
Lilly is dizzy.
LILLY
N... No. It was just me and Rick.
CHARLIE
Okay. Okay. Here's what we're
going to do. Untie me first and--
LILLY
I killed him, Charlie.
She starts to cry.
CHARLIE
No, no. Don't cry. Emotion...
real emotion is a bad thing right
now. I can fix this. You need to
stay focused.
LILLY
(still crying)
I'm gonna go to jail for the rest
of my life.
CHARLIE
No you're not. Lilly? Lilly,
listen to me. Look at me! Focus!
No you are not! I won't let that
happen, okay?
Lilly settles. Sets the gun down on the ground and loosens
Charlie's bindings. He wiggles out as she picks the gun back
up.
Charlie stands free.
CHARLIE
Lilly? Give me the gun.
She looks at him sadly. Shakes her head.
CHARLIE
Lilly?
LILLY
No.
CHARLIE
Give me the gun.
He suspects what will happen next. It does. She puts the
gun to her head.
LILLY
I killed him.
CHARLIE
Please, Lilly...
LILLY
I can't go to jail.
CHARLIE
You won't.
LILLY
You can't save me.
CHARLIE
I can.
LILLY
Goodbye, Charlie.
She closes her eyes.
In the same moment, Charlie drops to his knees. Sings.
CHARLIE
Wise men say, only fools rush in...
but I can't help... fa-ah-ling in
love with youuuuuu....
She opens her eyes again.
CHARLIE
...As the river flow-oh-s. Gently
to the sea-ee. Darling so it go
ohs... somethings were meant to
beeeee...
She lowers the gun.
LILLY
Stop.
CHARLIE
I can fix this.
LILLY
You always know what to say,
Charlie.
Charlie smiles.
CHARLIE
It's what I do.
EXT. LILLY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
A body. Covered in black. Wheeled out on a gurney.
Flashing red and blue lights scatted the sky.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
There are four words in the entire
world that matter.
The body is lofted into an ambulance. But there's little
point. It's a one way ticket to the morgue.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Two of them, everyone believes.
The other two, nobody buys.
Lilly stands at the front door giving a statement to a COP.
LILLY
(to Cop)
...an ex-boyfriend from college.
He was stalking me. I'm just glad
I'm a registered gun owner. Would
you like to see my license? I'm so
scared right now...
She reaches out and hugs the Cop. He pats her back.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
The first two. The one that
everyone believes: Help me. Can't
turn it down.
The ambulance takes off.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
The other two: I'm sorry.
The Cop leaves Lilly. She quietly slips back inside.
INT. BRIGHT CRISIS MANAGEMENT - DAY
Moving like a ghost toward the front desk from the elevator.
The day has just begun though we hear not a sound.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Everybody makes mistakes. That's
life. Everyone needs help
sometimes.
We NOTICE at the front desk, LANCE QUELLS, in shirt and tie,
is now the RECEPTIONIST. He speaks into a phone but we hear
nothing.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
That is why we exist, you and I.
We are fellow people, here to help
each other when we need it.
We glide silently down the hallways of Bright Crisis
Management. Past BUSY PEOPLE going busy places. Holding
papers.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Because we do need it. Someone
there to tell us that it's going to
be okay...
We SWEEP down the hall to one office. The placard outside
reads: LILLY QUELLS, MANAGING PARTNER.
Lilly signs a piece of paper and leaves the office, crossing
into the one adjoining...
CHARLIE (V.O.)
...someone to tell us that we
aren't as bad as we think we are.
...Lilly moves into Charlie's office. She plants hands him
the paper and plants a kiss on his cheek.
CHARLIE
Thanks.
LILLY
You're welcome. But no time for
that. We have a meeting. Kokodova
is in the conference room.
CHARLIE
The pop star?
LILLY
She got hammered and drover over a
Shiztzu on Beverly Boulevard.
CHARLIE
On purpose?
LILLY
Probably.
Charlie nods.
CHARLIE
I like her music.
LILLY
She's not bad.
Charlie smiles. Lilly smiles back.
CHARLIE
Lets get to work.
They kiss.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
...and sometimes everyone needs a
second chance.
Charlie and Lilly leave the office, hands locked. He
starts...
FADE TO BLACK.
...and finishes:
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Even you.
the end
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