ryan.ostrov@gmail.com (818)431-1965 rybooks.com
RYAN OSTROVSKY
INT. CARMELA'S ROOM - EVENING
CARMELA is in her room getting ready. Soft boom bap beat. Phone rings, she answers.
CARMELA Hello?
JOHN SIMON (over the phone) Hey Carmie. It's me.
CARMELA
Well, well, well. Are we calling to apologize?
JOHN SIMON
Yes. Well, I just think there was a big misunderstanding because I didn't think you looked bad.
CARMELA
Oh really? Because you implied that I was hideous.
JOHN SIMON
I wouldn't be dating you if you were hideous.
CARMELA
Well you won’t have to worry about that anymore John Simon.
Carmela slams the phone on the receiver. Knock, knock, knock.
CARMELA (CONT'D) What?
MINDY (ENTER) Are you going out tonight?
CARMELA No.
MINDY
You’re such a liar. Dad said you have to take me.
CARMELA
No he fucking didn’t. Go play with your legos or something I don’t have time for this.
INT. CAR NIGHT
Carmela, Asana, Olivia, are in the backseat. Jabari and Marley are in front. Carmie is in tears, crying into Asana’s arms.
CARMELA
I love him so much.
ASANA Does he love you?
OLIVIA
Men are simple machines programmed to watch sports, eat, shit, and die.
JABARI
We’re not all your baby daddy Olivia.
Olivia socks him in the arm.
JABARI (CONT'D) Ow!
OLIVIA
Yeah keep my name out your mouth Jabari.
JABARI
Yo don’t do that while I’m driving.
MARLEY
Yo watch the road. I can’t die tonight I’ve got too many drugs on me.
CARMIE (in tears) What drugs do you have?
ASANA
Carmie let’s take a beat, assess our emotions. I’m sure they’ll have drugs there.
JABARI
At Joe’s Pizza?
ASANA
…yeah. You know, mushrooms.
MARLEY
I never knew this.
OLIVIA
I’m getting a Ketamine Pizza. With coke sprinkled on top.
EXT. CLUB, DONWTOWN
Olivia is at front of line while Carmie and Asana are on the sidewalk talking w/ pizzas.
OLIVIA
Hey lovebirds. Ditch the fucking pizza.
ASANA
Girl just go we’ll be right there.
OLIVIA
If I get drugged y’all are gonna feel so guilty.
Olivia walks in.
CARMELA
Thanks for being a good friend.
ASANA
Girl, I’ll always be there for you. Don’t play with me.
CARMELA
I wish you were my boyfriend.
ASANA
Well, I’m better than a boyfriend.
CARMELA
I swear I’m done with men, permanently. I don’t even want to see one again.
ASANA
I don’t want to see one either. Carmela kisses her. Asana, in shock, pulls away.
CARMELA
That was
No
ASANA
CARMELA
I’m sorry.
ASANA
It’s ok!
CARMELA
I’m just really in a weird headspace.
Carmela runs off.
ASANA Carmie!
EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET
Carmela is walking, fully dissociated, pulls out cassette, puts headphones on. She arrives at an empty bus stop. ‘DUE: 30 M’. She walks past it passing a dark alley.
BECKY (V.O.) Help!
Carmela runs toward the alley.
CARMELA
Becky?!
BECKY (V.O.)
Carmie! Help me!
CARMELA
Where are you?
Carmela runs down the alley, getting deeper into darkness until the alley disappears and she’s in a dream state.
CARMELA (CONT'D) Where am I?
She looks back at the street. The once busy street is dead quiet. And there is a silhouette of a MAN.
CARMELA (CONT'D) (terrified) …Becky?
Becky’s voice comes out again saying the same thing like a soundboard, but the man doesn’t move. Then, he runs toward her with terrifying speed. Carmela tries to run, she trips, losing her left shoe.
She screams, and suddenly we are back to the real world. The only thing left is her shoe as buzzed groups and pairs walk past the alley.
EXT. OPEN SKY
SONG 1 is playing. Pan down to a birds-eye of school. CANDACE, JODI, and LIZ are in choreo.
CANDACE
YOU'RE THE KIND OF GIRL WHO LIKES TO PLAY WITH LOVE/ HONEY NO ONE TOLD YOU LOVE AIN'T SOMETHING THAT IS BOUGHT AND SOLD TO/ CUZ IF YOU PLAY AROUND WITH LOVE SOMEDAY YOU'RE GONNA BREAK YOUR HEART/ AND WHO WILL BE BESIDE YOU TO PICK UP THE PIECES THAT FELL APART/
YOU'RE A SWEET THING I HOPE YOU NEVER KNOW JUST WHAT I MEAN/ BUT SOONER OR LATER YOU WILL LET YOUR GUARD DOWN THANK ME LATER/ LISTEN WHAT I SAY I'VE BEEN AROUND THE BLOCK I KNOW A THING/ OR TWO ABOUT THIS THING CALLED LOVE IT'S NOT SOMETHING TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY OF
EXT. ALLEY - DREAM
We see the man in the alley again. It feels dream-like. Asana is in the alley. She turns around and sees CARMELA.
CARMELA
I thought you loved me.
ASANA
I do love you. We're sisters.
CARMELA
Then why did you let this happen?
Asana turns around and sees the man coming towards her with a knife.
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
6:00AM. Alarm is going off. Asana starts, sitting up in her bed. Snoozes alarm. Looks around room, disoriented. Shakes it off.
INT. AV CLUB ROOM
JOHN SIMON (mullet, ripped denim) is developing film. There is static on one of the television sets. PROF. ROSE enters.
PROF. ROSE
Morning John Simon.
JS
If you say so.
PROF. ROSE
Why so glum? It’s blue skies.
JS
Do you know what’s worse than Monday? Having to confront your half-estranged-half-ex-girlfriend.
PROF. ROSE
I always take half-and-half over two-percent if you know what I mean.
JS Sure.
Prof. Rose exits. JS is developing films. As he’s tinkering with the tech, he holds the CRT. Through the static, it begins transmitting a memory.
TV
SCREEN INT. DRESSING ROOM
JS’ POV.
BECKY
Well, how do I look?
JOHN SIMON
You look great!
BECKY
No, I’ve gained like 5 pounds since spring. My old dress doesn’t even fit me anymore.
JOHN SIMON
A diet of 1500 calories per day and some heavy cardio will fix you up in no time.
Becky stands there, looking thoroughly shell-shocked. Then: throws the mirror at him.
INT. AV ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Static again. JS stands, shell-shocked.
INT. CLASSROOM
MRS. BEANSLY walks in the room. She looks flushed.
MRS. BEANSLY Happy Monday everybody. Sorry I’m late, I had to take my kid to the ER.
JODI clears her throat and motions to her collar. Mrs. Beansly looks down and buttons up her collar.
MRS. BEANSLY (CONT'D) Now, we were discussing Hamlet, were we not?
John Simon looks over to the empty seat next to Asana: Carmie’s usual seat, empty. He zones out, mind running. He meets eyes with Asana, who is staring back at him. John Simon averts his gaze back to pretending to take notes.
EXT. SCHOOL
CANDACE
YOU’RE A LITTLE DIVA AND YOU PLAY THE PART BABE YOU’VE GOT THE MAGIC IT’S THE KIND THAT SOMEHOW FEELS SO TRAGIC BUT! IF YOU PLAY SO HARD-TO-GET BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU ASK FOR IT CUZ YOU MIGHT REALLY GET IT FOLLOW MY ADVICE AND DON’T FORGET IT [CHORUS 2]
EXT. SCHOOL - MORNING
JOHN SIMON
I hooked up the transmitter to the CRT, and there was static, you know. And then, it was like I was seeing my own memory on the TV.
THEO
I think you’re just tripping out over Carmie man. Word to the wise, don’t ever stop smoking weed.
JOHN SIMON
Say it again man. You should be a guidance counselor.
Jabari and Marley are talking, and approach.
JABARI
Hey John Simon, how’s life in Paradise?
JOHN SIMON
I think I’m back in the land of down bad.
MARLEY
Too bad buddy. We’re glad to have ya.
JS
I think I’m fucked in the rear-end.
MARLEY
Return the favor and you’ll be straight.
JABARI
Now let me guess, it was the fat comment.
SIMON
I thought she wanted my help.
JABARI
John Simon, women don’t want help. They just want you to shut the fuck up.
JOHN SIMON
And how do you know so much?
JABARI
How do you know so little?
Candace, Jodi, and Liz storm in.
THEO
Here comes payback.
JS It always come in threes.
CANDACE
Hey punk.
Candace smacks him upside the head.
JS
Thank you sir may I have another.
Jodi punches him in the arm.
JS (CONT'D)
Ow.
JODI
That’s from Carmie.
JS Punches are non-transferable.
Liz fakes him out. He flinches.
LIZ
And guess what? She sent another one. It’ll be here in 3-5 business days.
JODI
Ground shipping, bitch.
JS
Are you really gonna punch me in 3 days?
LIZ
Three to FIVE BUSINESS days. When you least expect it, buddy.
MARLEY
She gave you a window.
CANDACE
That girl would die for you and you made her look a damn fool.
JS
For your information it’s none of your business.
CANDACE
It’s everyone’s business now bro. I swear you’re such a little gremlin.
Candace, Jodi, and Liz exit. John Simon is seething.
THEO
Your sister’s kind of a bitch, dude.
Don’t call my sister a bitch Theo.
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
JS
Why is the whole school feeding off my dead relationship like vultures?
Marley shrugs.
It’s fun.
MARLEY
JS
So does the whole school know? Or just the Three Mouseketeers.
JABARI
Trust me bro everyone’s thinking about themselves.
JS Theo Jabari and Marley walk in to the hallway. All eyes train on JS like homing bombs.
JABARI (CONT'D)
So everybody know.
EXT. SCHOOL
Asana is on the phone.
RECIEVER
Hey it’s Carmie! If you’re hearing this it means I’m busy gettin’ wastedddddd. Beep.
Asana flips the phone closed. Asana sees SOPHIE (awkward, self-cut bangs). Sophie looks and quickly averts her eyes. Asana runs to catch up with her.
ASANA
Sophie!!
She catches up with her.
SOPHIE
Oh, hey.
ASANA
Have you seen Carmie?
Sophie looks around her (read: why the fuck are you asking me).
SOPHIE
Nope.
ASANA looks stressed.
SOPHIE (CONT'D)
She’s always hanging around you, you know, like a parasitic fish.
ASANA puts her head in her hands.
SOPHIE (CONT'D) What’s wrong? The Wondergirls are breaking up?
ASANA
Why are you being like this, Soph?
SOPHIE
Me? I’m just a bitch. I mean, that’s why you’re one and only priority now is her. It’s Carmie this, Carmie that. This is the first time we’ve spoken and weeks, and to the surprise of NONE, it’s about her.
They see John Simon talking and laughing with his friends.
SOPHIE (CONT'D)
Or is it because now you’re golden girl is spending too much time with Billy Ray Cyrus instead of you? Yeah, feels bad, doesn’t it?
Asana storms off. Sophie feels guilty.
INT. AV CLUB ROOM
JS, hand on CRT-TV, is focusing. Theo is watching. Static. Image pops up. Scene from earlier.
THEO
You son of a bitch. This is a VCR tape.
JS
I'm telling you dude. This is my memory.
Asana walks in. TV returns to Static. Seeing them, she is immediately embarrassed. She pretends she forgot something.
JS (CONT'D)
Hey Asana.
ASANA (coolly)
Hey.
She tries to brush past him, but he blocks her.
JS
I tried calling Carmie.
Asana tries to sidestep him again but JS blocks her again.
ASANA
Congratulations.
JS
Maybe you can help iron things out. This will all a big misunderstanding. I didn’t do anything.
Asana gains some courage/ rage.
ASANA
That’s the problem. You DIDN’T understand. You DIDN’T understand what she wanted. You DON’T understand that your words have meaning. You DON’T. DESERVE HER. Now MOVE.
Asana shoves him. On the TV, a new scene comes out of the Static.
TV SCREEN - LAST NIGHT
CARMELA
I swear I’m done with men, permanently. I don’t even want to see one again.
ASANA
I don’t want to see one either.
INT. AV ROOM - PRESENT
Asana takes her hands off JS.
ASANA
What the hell was that?
JS
I...
ASANA
You put a camera on me or something? Fucking freak.
Asana storms off. JS and Theo stare at each other in shock.
THEO
Don't even think about doing that to me. My memories are not for public viewing.
EXT. OPEN HIGHWAY
A solitary cherry red Camaro drives down the highway. We see the fuzzy dice, her sunglasses in the rearview mirror, her gear shift which is an 8 ball.
OLIVIA
BABYGIRL
I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU THINK YOU HEARD BABYGIRL
DON’T YOU KNOW YOU’RE PLAYING IN MY WORLD WHY YOUR FACE SCREWED UP WAS IT SOMETHING THAT I SAID AND NOW YOU’RE TU-TURNING RED SCREAMING INTO PILLOWS IN YOUR BED PRAYING ON MY RIP LIKE I WON’T TAKE IT TO THE STREETS
BABY
YOU REALLY BEEN RUNNING YOUR MOUTH LATELY
I’M REALLY NOT THE ONE TO PLAY WITH HASN'T ANYBODY TOLD YOU I'M DANGEROUS DON’T PLAY
I’M LOOKIN’ FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU TO USE FOR MY HEINOUS ARRANGEMENTS
SO BABY DON’T FEED THE TIGRESS CUZ WHEN SHE’S OUT HER CAGE SHE’LL COME FOR SECONDS (X4)
EXT. SCHOOL - CONTINUOUS
Candace and Jodi are standing outside. They are watching Dylan
JODI
Don’t look. He’s gonna look right here. Ready?
Candace looks.
JODI (CONT'D)
I said don’t look!
Candace snaps her head back.
JODI (CONT'D)
Oh my god he’s so cute look at his face.
CANDACE
Jodi if you’re trying to give me a concussion it’s working.
LIZ
You have got it bad like Micheal girlie. Why don’t you just go over there and lay on the old Jodi Parker charm?
JODI
Let’s put it this way. Napoleon didn’t build the Colosseum in a day.
Candace and Liz look at each other, let it go.
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Olivia bursts through the doors. Walks. Draws eyes as usual. OLIVIA struts up, surveying Candace, Liz and Jodi. Olivia and Asana meet.
ASANA
Olivia. Carmie’s not with you?
Olivia looks around.
OLIVIA
No bitch. Carmie's not with me. Last I checked you two left me by myself in a nightclub.
ASANA
Olivia, I kept trying to tell you it wasn't her scene...
OLIVIA
Funny. Carmie never used to need translators.
ASANA
Will you just listen? She ran off last night.
OLIVIA
To get away from you?
Asana is quiet.
OLIVIA (CONT'D)
Who made you expert on what Carmie wants anyway? I've been her best friend since we were in diapers.
ASANA
I think there's a lot you don't know about her.
OLIVIA
I think there's a lot you don't know about blending your neckline girl.
A health bar appears above Asana. It takes a small hit.
OLIVIA (CONT'D)
Oh I know her. And instead of just standing around doing nothing, I’m gonna do something about it. I’m gonna get back at John Simon right now. For Carmie.
ASANA
To prove you have power over him? Carmie doesn't need you to protect her. You only make it worse.
Olivia says nothing. But her eyes say: War. Olivia exits.
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
John Simon and Theo are at his locker talking. John Simon is making a call.
CARMIE (V.O.) (over receiver)
Hey it’s Carmie! If you’re hearing this it means I’m busy gettin’ wastedddddd. Beep.
John Simon exhales.
JS Nothing.
THEO
You’re in the doghouse, mate.
JS
I mean, this is an overreaction. Don’t you think.
THEO
Oh yeah. Girls are crazy.
JS ‘hey John Simon. I’m okay. I don’t want to talk right now. Beep.' Is that so hard?
Olivia approaches.
OLIVIA
Maybe she doesn't want to talk to you. Ever think about that?
THEO
Olivia now is not the time.
OLIVIA
Stay out of this you snub-nosed little bitch no one talking to you.
THEO's health bar drains and he leans on the lockers.
THEO
It’s true! It’s all true!
JS is deep in thought.
JS Were you with her last night?
OLIVIA
Yep. She was in real bad shape.
JS Where did y'all go? I'm worried about her.
Olivia scoffs.
OLIVIA
Well it's a little late to be worried about her John Simon. You should've been worried about her before you broke her heart.
JS
Look, I've heard it enough times today. And I really don't need you to pile it on.
OLIVIA
Oh, I'll play you the world's smallest violin.
JS
All I want to know is if she's okay. But no one else will tell me that.
OLIVIA
Yeah right. Just admit it. You used her up and now you're just trying to get to me.
JS turns bright red. JS slams his locker and leaves.
THEO
So…do you like snub-nosed…
OLIVIA
Little bitches? No.
Candace approaches Olivia. Liz and Jodi are not far behind.
CANDACE
Hey, stay away from my brother. He’s already a little shit I don’t need him being corrupted further.
OLIVIA
He fucked with Carmie. I'm standing up for my friend.
CANDACE
Carmie doesn't need you.
It lands hard.
OLIVIA
Go back to rubbing carrot paste on your head, carpet muncher.
Candace gasps. Jodi and Liz appear.
JODI
You did not just say that.
OLIVIA
And you wanna talk to me with those roots Pippy Longstalker? Please. I would say your nailbeds are fucked up but no one's gonna notice with your split ends.
Jodi’s life bar drains and she falls against the locker crying.
JODI
I am a worm!
Candace and Olivia face off.
CANDACE
Do what you want to John Simon but fuck with my friends I'll raise hell on your ass.
OLIVIA
Oh, wow. I'm so scared Candace. She exits.
LIZ Fucking cunt.
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Olivia walks up to Tommy, who is hanging out with Tyler and Jonah. Olivia flirts in front of the girls.
JODI
I can’t watch.
CANDACE
Don't worry Jodi. I'm gonna bury the bitch.
LIZ
Candace, breathe. It’s not worth it.
EXT. DOWNTOWN, JOE’S PIZZA - DAY
JS, Jabari, Theo, and Marley are standing outside the pizza shop. JS is looking around on the street, smoking.
JABARI
Yeah we dropped em off here at 10:30.
JS
They didn’t get pizza.
JABARI
What do you mean they didn’t get pizza?
MARLEY
They probably got calzones.
JS
What teenage girls go out for pizza at 10pm after a breakup?
JABARI
Wait a second.
MARLEY
She played you, son.
JABARI
Bruh, you were there too.
JS
They most certainly went to a club or bar.
MARLEY
There’s about 14 bars on this block JS.
THEO
Yeah it’s Russian Roulette out here.
JS
This is Olivia we’re talking about. We just have to think like Olivia.
JABARI
Nowhere well-lit.
THEO
That narrows it down some.
JS
Somewhere you can dance: seedy, but not too seedy for Asana and Carmie.
JABARI
That’s Red Room.
EXT. CLUB, RED ROOM LATER
The gang is outside Red Room. Some regulars are hanging outside, talking to the day-shift bouncers.
JABARI
I dunno bro. I still think they went to get pizza.
JS
Well, whatever happened here, I don't think they were here for long.
THEO
If you go into the club you're probably gonna stay for a couple hours.
MARLEY
The drinks are mad expensive.
JS
Asana was ashamed today at school. She wouldn’t meet my eyes. She was quiet, and covering her body with her arm.
JABARI
It was probably just weird because of you and Carmie.
JS
But that would have emboldened her. This was an embarrassment, I know it.
THEO
How much of this is in your head?
JS
Another question for another day. They inspect the scene.
JS (CONT'D)
I'm positive Carmie didn't leave with Asana. This is gonna sound weird but I think they had a romantic encounter.
JABARI
A romantic encounter? What are you sayin’ my sister’s gay?
MARLEY
It’s his girl too, bro.
JS
I’m just looking at the facts. It’s not time to get personally invested.
JABARI
I don't see any facts here, bro. I see a whole lotta assumptions
JS shrugs.
JS
Nothing’s off the table right now. If Carmie ran off, it was probably towards the bus, since her house is right next to the bus stop, right?
THEO Makes sense.
MARLEY
Bus stop that way.
EXT. BUS STOP LATER
The four are gathered around the bus stop. The street stretches on, across the street BANK BUILDINGS. Behind the Bus Stop A GAPING ALLEY.
MARLEY
The bus runs crazy late at night. I tried to get a ride here last weekend, took like an hour, no joke.
JS
If I’m right so far, we can probably date here her around 11:30.
MARLEY
It woulda had to have been the last bus scheduled.
So she either could've gone on the last bus, or...
JS turned around, staring into the ominous alley.
THEO
What you think she went in there?
JS
Anything's possible.
MARLEY
There's only two reasons you would walk into an alley: drugs and head.
They walk in. From across the street -- SOMEONE IS WATCHING THEM.
EXT. ALLEY CONTINUOUS
THEO
Maybe we can ask this guy.
A bum THE SCARECROW rustles under newspapers.
THE SCARECROW
Everything here is quite alright. But when night strikes sometimes there’s a fight.
The Scarecrow walks off.
THEO
Did he just talk in a limerick?
JS sees something glimmering in the rubble A RING. JS picks it up. Examines it. Holds it up.
JABARI
Is that…
JS
I got this for her for our anniversary.
The three boys look on in horror. John Simon would be satisfied if it weren't for the implications.
JABARI
Oh shit.
Yeah. Oh shit.
EXT. SCHOOL
VANILLA ICE CREAM plays. Candace is sitting on a rock playing acoustic guitar surrounded by some friends.
CANDACE
SOMETHING THAT YOU SAID MADE ME UNDERSTAND I’LL ALWAYS HAVE A HAND THOSE DAYS WHEN WE WERE DOWN AND OUT IT’S OVER NOW SOMETHING THAT YOU DID MADE ME TURN MY HEAD I’LL NEVER SPEAK AGAIN UNLESS YOU WANT ME TO I’LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING I’M LIKE TIGHTS AND PILATES YOU’RE LIKE MORE OF VANILLA ICE CREAM
LET’S GET HOT LIKE TAMALES HOLD ME CLOSE AS WE SAIL THE SEAS YOU’VE GOT ALL THE RIGHT THINGS THEY SQUINT HARD LIKE THEY CHECK YOUR ID
WISH YOU’D TRY TO FIGHT IT WE SHOULD TRY NOT TO BE LIKE THEM YOU HAVE ALL THE RIGHT THINGS THEY ALL TRY LIKE THEY CHECK YOUR IDS
WISH WE’D CALL IT MY THINGS WE SHOULD TRY EVERYTHING I KNOW TRY EVERYTHING I KNOW ONE FOGGY MORNING I COULD RISE FROM BED SHAKE MY WEARY HEAD WITH NO DOUBT IN MY MIND OF HOW IT OUGHT TO BE IT’S SO UNNERVING THOUGHTS THAT LEAVE ME BLIND I PUSH THEM ALL BEHIND WHEN YOU ARE NEXT TO ME IT’S LIKE IT’S ALL I NEED I’M SO OVER TRYING WE LOOK GOOD LIKE VANILLA ICE CREAM WISH YOU’D COME AND FIND ME WE SHOULD SMOKE AS THE DAY GOES BY LAY AND WATCH THE DAY GO BY LAY AND WATCH THE DAY GO BY