After Hailey

"AFTER HAILEY"
Screenplay by
Scott Frank
Based on the novel by
Jonathan Tropper
REVISED
06/26/08
BLACK
We hear the SOUND OF A 35MM CAMERA, the whirring of the autodrive, as several pictures are taken, and we then...
FADE IN: A TOWN IN IRAQ
Burning. Whatever happened here, happened hours ago and moved
on. Its quiet, save the flames and that sound of the camera.
A lone FIGURE moves about the engulfed structures, shooting
a piano that had been dragged out of one of the houses, the
graffiti on cement walls, an old Datsun on fire.
The PHOTOGRAPHER, lowers his camera, rewinds the film, and we
see that hes young, bearded, in his mid twenties. He wears a
faded red baseball hat, carries a small knapsack.
He marks the film cannister with a Sharpee, slips it in his
pocket, reloads the camera with a roll from another pocket.
He starts to shoot through a burning window when the quiet is
broken by an APPROACHING HELICOPTER. The Photographer looks
off through the smoke, raises his camera...
LENS POV - THE HELICOPTER
Emerging from the haze, U.S. ARMY, touching down fifty yards
from us, blowing dust and debris everywhere.
The doors open and a mixture of PRESS and MILITARY PERSONNEL
get out, give their attention to A GREY HAIRED VIP in a flak
jacket. A SENATOR. CLICK/FREEZE as we snap some pictures.
We find the only WOMAN in this group, nearly forty, pretty,
even in the shit she has to wear out here. She looks around,
tries to write in a notebook, but the pages are too whipped
by the chopper wash. She looks up at us. CLICK/FREEZE.
AT THE CHOPPERS
As the CAMERAMAN squints off in the direction of the young
photographer who now sits down and lights a cigarette, the
dust fucking up any chance of taking pictures for a while.
CAMERAMAN
Ill be damned-- Doug Parker.
REPORTER
Who? The kid? Thats R.D. Parker?
CAMERAMAN
Yeah. I wonder if he remembers I
still owe him a hundred bucks?
2.
The Cameraman waves, and the photographer, whom we now know
to be DOUG PARKER, flips him off and looks away.
CAMERAMAN
I guess so.
They move off. The Reporter pauses, looks back...
Hailey?
REPORTER
The woman, HAILEY, looks at Doug a moment longer, then

hurries after the Senator and his group.
DOUG
watches the group now head into the town, raises his camera
with one hand, takes a couple more quick shots of the woman,
then flicks his cigarette into the burning Datsun, gets up
and moves on.
INT. HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL BAR - NIGHT
Journalist hangout. Doug sits at a table by himself, a beer
and a dozen film canisters on the table in front of him. He
scribbles notes from the day into a spiral notebook, hears
LAUGHTER and looks across the room to where...
HAILEY sits at the bar. A couple of JOURNALISTS, beers in
their hands, standing on either side, start in on her.
Doug watches as she politely declines their drunken offer to
join them at their table. They move off. Hailey finishes her
drink, gets up and walks past Doug, out of the lounge.
Doug turns back to his notebook. We HEAR LOUD CRYING OVER...
EXT. FUNERAL - DAY
Outside the destroyed town. A DOZEN pine boxes lie atop the
dirt. PEOPLE FROM THE TOWN wail and weep, the women, all in
black burkhas throw themselves on the coffins of their dead.
The SENATOR approaches the small group starts shaking hands,
consoling, his entourage of journalists and military people
right there with him to record all of it.
Hailey sees A MAN in his best suit, sitting in the dirt
sobbing, rocking a SMALL BOY, who in turn holds A FRAMED
PHOTO OF HIS MOTHER in his lap. Hailey feels her own eyes
welling up and looks away, sees...
3.
DOUG
Off on his own, taking pictures in the midst of a small group
of GRIEVING WOMEN gathered outside a crumbling house. Hes up
close, right among them, photographing one woman who clutches
a dead child wrapped in a blanket. They can all barely stand.
In the middle of all of the incredible weeping, Doug calmly
takes out his light meter, holds it up and takes a reading.
HAILEY
Watches Doug as he adjusts his camera, resumes shooting.
Picture after picture, seemingly unaffected by any of it.
INT. HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL BAR - NIGHT
Doug alone at a table, a beer, film canisters, making notes.
VOICE
How do you do that?
He looks up, sees Hailey standing there, still in her clothes
from the afternoon.
HAILEY
How do you get so close?
Shes got a drink in her hand, apparently not her first.
Shes shaken up from the day. He finally shrugs.
DOUG
They trust me.
She nods, gestures to the chair. May I? He nods and she
sits down, extends her hand.
HAILEY
Hailey Adams.
Im--
DOUG
HAILEY
--R.D. Parker. I know.
DOUG
Its okay, you call me Doug.
HAILEY
Whats the R stand for?
DOUG
Richard. My Dads name.
4.
HAILEY
And does your Dad know youre here?
DOUG
Gee, I never heard that one before.
HAILEY
Sorry. Couldnt help myself.
The guys at the bar are all looking this way, cant believe
shes sitting there with Doug.
HAILEY
I dont know how you do it. I dont
know how you can just stand there,
check your F Stop or whatever while
women are weeping all around you.
DOUG
Key is to stay detached. You have
to be single minded, you cant ever
divide your attention. You do, you
miss something.
HAILEY
You mean, the key is to not care.
DOUG
I care about the photograph.
She just looks back at him.
DOUG
What are you doing here?
HAILEY
What do you mean?
DOUG
(indicates the other
journos)
Youre not one of them, I can tell.
HAILEY
Maybe I just wanted to come over
here, get away.
To Iraq?
DOUG
HAILEY
Why not? Great deals on hotels.
5.
DOUG
You with the Senator?
With?
HAILEY
DOUG
Was just a question.
HAILEY
I started a magazine.
DOUG
You mean, like online?
HAILEY
No, I mean, like a real one. One
you read on actual paper.
Wow.
DOUG
HAILEY
Ive been doing a piece on the
Senator, he invited me along.
DOUG
I bet he didnt invite Mrs.
Senator.
Again, she studies him over the top of her drink.
HAILEY
How old are you? Twenty-six, twentyseven?
DOUG
Twenty-four.
Jesus.
HAILEY
She finishes her drink, gets up.

HAILEY
Nice meeting you, Doug.
He watches her walk out of there.
INT. HOTEL ELEVATOR - NIGHT
Doug, knapsack over his shoulder, rides up in silence. The
chime sounds and the doors open, Doug starts off, pauses.
6.
Down the hall, Hailey stands outside her door, struggling
with her key card. The fluorescent lights flicker above, a
bit of trash is on the floor. Doug starts up the hall...
HAILEY
I know Im not that drunk.
DOUG
Here, let me try.
She hands him the card. He tries it. No go.
HAILEY
Glad its not just me.
He looks at the card. Then at the door.
DOUG
You know what? I dont think this
is your room.
She looks at him. He walks up the hall. Tries another door.
It opens. She feels like an idiot.
Thanks.
HAILEY
DOUG
Sure.
(returns the card)
Good-night.
He goes across the hall to his door.
HAILEY
Youre right there?
DOUG
Im pretty sure. But they move the
numbers around sometimes.
She smiles. A moment. But then a BELLMAN, unshaven,
disheveled, pushes a squeaky cart passed...
HAILEY
Will I see you tomorrow?
DOUG
Im gonna head north. Its getting
crowded around here.
HAILEY
Right. Okay. Well, it was nice
meeting you.
7.
You, too.
DOUG
They shake hands. She stands there as he goes into his room,
shuts the door and we now...
FADE TO BLACK.
A RED LIGHT comes on, revealing Doug standing on the bathroom
counter in his underwear screwing a red bulb into the ceiling
fixture. A makeshift darkroom.
JUMP CUT TO: THE HOTEL BATHROOM - LATER
As Doug develops his CONTACT SHEETS in the sink, leans close
to look at them. He takes a couple of them, still dripping
from the rinse, and opens the door...
INT. HOTEL ROOM - SAME
Doug carries the contact sheets across the dark room, throws
open the curtains to reveal an Iraqi city out the window. He
sticks the wet sheets to the glass, so that light will shine
through, grabs a loop from the table and presses it right up
to a contact sheet, peers through it.
LOOP - POV
Images from the past few days. We saw him take some of these
shots, but now we see how they looked through his camera. The
guy is quite good. We hear SOMEONE STIR O.S and...
DOUG
Backs away from the glass, turns to...
THE BED
Where we see Hailey lying under the covers.
He watches her sleep a moment, then quietly reaches for his
camera, takes a couple shots of her. Then looks up over the
camera at her. He moves closer, gently pulls the sheet back
to reveal her nude body, then steps back, shoots a few more.
HAILEY
(eyes closed)
Those better not show up on the
internet.
He lowers the camera, looks at her as she opens her eyes and
sees him staring stupidly at her.
8.
What?
HAILEY
DOUG
Youre the most beautiful woman
Ive ever seen.
HAILEY
Are you always this honest?
No.
DOUG
He kisses her. She looks at him.

HAILEY
Im thirty-eight.
DOUG
So you told me last night. Twice.
HAILEY
And divorced.
DOUG
Be more of a problem, you were
married.
(then)
Come with me. Up north.
She considers him a moment, then suddenly sits up, starts
looking around for her clothes...
HAILEY
I gotta go.
DOUG
Im serious. Spend a few weeks with
me, youll have a lot more to write
about than if you stick with the
Senator, his little entourage.
HAILEY
Look, this was very nice, but-- My
life right now, its a mess. If I
told you all of it, youd be out
that door, believe me-DOUG
That why youre here? You running
away from home?
HAILEY
Yeah. I guess I am.
9.
DOUG
Then run away with me.
HAILEY
I have a son. Hes thirteen.
DOUG
Whats his name?
HAILEY
Russel. Russ.
Doug nods. Thinks about that. She pulls on her shirt.
HAILEY
Doug. Its nothing personal. Ive
just had some bad luck with men.
DOUG
Thats because you dont know the
secret.
HAILEY
Whats the secret?
DOUG
You have to train us when were
young.
He kisses her, draws her back down to the bed as we...
FADE TO BLACK.
SUPER: TWO YEARS LATER.
WOMANS VOICE
Mr. Parker?
FADE IN: INSIDE AN AIRPLANE
Doug, iPod buds in his ears, is asleep. A FLIGHT ATTENDANT
gently nudges him.
Sir?
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
He opens his eyes. Focuses on the smiling woman.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Weve landed.
As Doug sits up, looks around, we...
10.
WIDEN TO REVEAL:
Hes the last one off the plane. Theres even a MAINTENANCE
GUY already running a vacuum at the back of the cabin. Doug
quickly unbuckles, starts getting his stuff together...
INT. BAGGAGE CLAIM TERMINAL -
LATER
Dougs bags -- a metal suitcase for his cameras and a canvas

duffle -- are the only bags left on the carousel. Doug grabs
them both, heads for the exit.
EXT. JFK AIRPORT - EARLY MORNING
Doug stands beside his bags. A pimped out Escalade pulls
erratically to the curb, and CLAIRE, Dougs twin sister,
decked out in Gucci sunglasses and three hundred dollar
jeans, jumps out-CLAIRE
What the fuck, Doug?
DOUG
Hey, Claire-Doug grabs his bags while Claire walks around and pops open
the back, going on the whole time.
CLAIRE
Ive been circling for over an
hour. Get over here-She hugs him. Hangs on tight.
CLAIRE
You okay? My twin telepathys been
telling me youre in trouble.
DOUG
Im fine and we dont have twin
telepathy.
Claire releases him as a COP starts to write a ticket.
CLAIRE
Hey! Were leaving, asshole!
She heads for the front, he throws his bags in back.
INT./EXT. ESCALADE - MORNING
Claire drives like a maniac from the airport, past Manhattan,
the city reflected in his shades as he stares out the window.
11.
CLAIRE
Gonna be one fucker of a wedding.
Debbies been running Mom ragged.
DOUG
Im moving back to the city.
She looks at him.
DOUG
Soon as I sell the house. Deal with
Haileys things. Im gone.
CLAIRE
Hey, Doug? Do me a favor, keep that
to yourself. Tell Debbie you came
home for the wedding, okay?
EXT. NEW YORK - AERIAL
The car continues on, moving away from the city, into the
upscale suburbs of Westchester County...
EXT. NEW RADFORD, NEW YORK - MORNING
As the car moves through the center of the upscale town, and
into a tree-lined neighborhood of nice, but modest homes.
EXT. DOUG & HAILEYS HOUSE - MORNING
Claire pulls into the driveway. She gets out, follows Doug as
he lugs his stuff up the walk to the two-story bungalow.
INT. DOUG & HAILEYS HOUSE - SAME
Doug unlocks the door, opens it, but remains in the doorway.
The curtains are closed; the furniture, covered with sheets.
He closes the door, takes off his sunglasses. No ones been
here for a while. Claire steps up beside him.
CLAIRE
Laney Potters been taking care of
the place. She said shell come by
later with your mail.
DOUG
(starts up the stairs)
Thanks for the ride, Claire.
CLAIRE
Doug. I need to talk to you.
(he pauses, looks back)
Maybe once youre settled in,
youll call me?
12.
DOUG
Yeah. Sure. Ill call you.
She nods, watches as Doug continues up the stairs.
INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - SAME
Doug peers into a bedroom -- a teenage boys room -- also
unused in a while, except for the bed which is , for some
reason, unmade. Doug stares at the bed a moment, then backs
out of the room and crosses to the master bedroom.
INT. DOUG & HAILEYS BEDROOM - SAME
Doug stands in the doorway. He takes in the red lace bra that
hangs on the closet door. The bathrobe draped over the chair.
The hairbrush on the nightstand, the make-up on the dresser.
He then backs out of the room and shuts the door.
INT. BASEMENT - GUEST BEDROOM - SAME
Just a bed, night table and a lamp. Doug tosses the duffle on
the bed. Hell stay down here for now. He moves to the
bathroom door and opens it, turns on a RED SAFE LIGHT,
revealing HIS DARKROOM.
EXT. DOUG & HAILEYS HOUSE - LATER
A mini van pulls up. 34 year old LANEY POTTER inspects her
pretty face in the rearview mirror. She opens her door to
reveal a curvy body beneath a sleeveless blouse and short
skirt.
She grabs pile of mail and a tinfoil-covered Pyrex dish off
the other seat, swings her Coppertone waxed-legs out of the
car.
INT. BASEMENT - SAME
Doug unpacking, puts his knapsack in the darkroom, shoves the
red baseball cap onto a high shelf when-WOMANS VOICE (O.S.)
Hello? Anybody home?
INT. KITCHEN - SAME
Doug comes in, sees Laney, her back to him as she puts the
Pyrex dish into the fridge.
Laney?
DOUG
Laney turns and smiles warmly.
13.
Dougie.
LANEY
She closes the fridge, gives him a quick hug and a kiss.
LANEY
Im so glad to see you.
You, too.
DOUG
LANEY
I brought you your mail, something
to eat-He looks at the pile of mail on the table.
LANEY
Sorry about barging in, the front
door was just sitting open.
(straightening up)
You have to be careful this time of
year. We once had a skunk come
inside the house. Dave had to
finally shoot it.
DOUG
He shot a skunk?
LANEY
You know Dave.
(then)
Cmere-She pulls him close, kisses him on the cheek and hugs him,
holding on tight.
LANEY
Mmmm. Im so glad you made it back
safe and sound. Oh-(serious, looks at him)
The cat ran away.
The cat?
DOUG
LANEY
Mr. Pickles?
Oh--
DOUG
LANEY
I thought youd wanna know.
14.
He just nods. Did we have a cat? He cant remember. She keeps
her lower half pressed up against him and looks up at him.
LANEY
You really look great.
DOUG
Thanks. And thanks for the-whatever you brought--LANEY
Meatloaf. I know you love it.
DOUG
You didnt have to do that-She puts her head against his chest, closes her eyes.
LANEY
Hailey was my best friend. I owe it
to her, take good care of you.
She holds onto him until the moment gets weird and Doug
finally backs away...
DOUG
Well, thanks again, Laney.
LANEY
Im here if you need me, Doug.
DOUG
Thanks. And say hi to Dave for me.
He watches her walk out, start back for her own house. He
then heads for the basement...
INT. DARKROOM - LATER
Doug puts on the red baseball hat, turns on a boombox. He now
upends his knapsack, dumps several dozen CANISTERS OF EXPOSED
FILM onto the black, Formica counter.
Doug grabs THREE DEVELOPING REELS and a CHANGING BAG off a
shelf. He shoves the reels and three rolls of exposed film
inside the bag.
He reaches into the bag and begins transferring the film from
the canisters onto the reels...
Doug puts the reels of film inside the stainless steel tank
and then pours chemicals through a funnel inside...
15.
Doug hangs the developed negatives up to dry on a line, then
rinses the reels, dries them with a blow dryer...
Doug opens a little fridge, a little red safe light coming on
to reveal an old six pack. Doug grabs a beer...
EXT. HOUSE - DUSK
As Doug comes outside, sits down on the porch and lights a
cigarette. He takes in a neighbor mowing a lawn. Some kids
playing in another yard. Dougs out of place here. He goes
back inside.
Doug begins developing the prints. Images of WORKERS, not
soldiers this time. In mines. Dirty faces. Equipment.
INT. DOUG & HAILEYS BEDROOM - NIGHT
Doug comes in for a change of clothes, takes in Haileys robe
over the chair, grabs a T-shirt and sits down on the bed. He
looks at the chair, tired, rests his head in his hands,
closes his eyes. We hear GIGGLING O.S. Doug looks up---at the chair. Haileys sitting in it. Wearing the bathrobe.
HEADPHONES on her head, iPod in her hand. She Looks back at
him.
HAILEY
(too loud)
I like it!
REVERSE - DOUG
A year earlier, leaning in the doorway watching her bob her
head to the music.
HAILEY
(too loud)
Youre staring at me.
DOUG
I bet I can guess when you get to
my favorite song.
She smiles at him. Cant hear him with the headphones.
DOUG
Just by the look on your face. I
bet Ill know.
16.
HAILEY
(too loud)
What?
She pulls one of the headphones free.
HAILEY
(normal now)
Whatd you say, sweetie?
DOUG
I said, take off the robe.
Hailey looks back at Doug a moment, then gets up. Takes off
the robe, lets drop onto the back of the chair. She stands
there in front of the window, nude, backlit by the sunlight.
She closes her eyes, listens to the music...
HAILEY
Been a long time since anybody made
me a mix tape...
He moves to her, pulls her close to him. She puts one ear
phone to Dougs ear, sees him staring at her.
HAILEY
Is this your favorite song?
DOUG
It is now...
And as he kisses her, WE HEAR THE DOORBELL DOWNSTAIRS.
ANGLE ON THE BED
As Doug looks at the clock. TWO A.M. He gets up and looks out
the window.
A POLICE CAR IS PARKED at the curb. Doug looks back at the
chair. Just the robe now. WE HEAR THE DOORBELL AGAIN...
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR now as Doug comes down the stairs. He
moves to the front door, opens it to reveal A COP.
COP
Evening, Sir. This belong to you?
And now we see that the cop holds the arm of A KID -- 15
years-old, rough soul patch below his bottom lip, stoned.
Russ--?
DOUG
17.
COP
He got into a fight with some other
kids at the Seven Eleven.
The kid, RUSS, shifts his feet and his face moves into the
light and we see the bruises. His black T-shirt ripped at the
neck, his ear bleeding where his earring snagged.
COP
Says he lives here, forgot his key.
KID/RUSS
The fuck you doing in my house,
Doug?
Hey.
COP
(squeezes him)
(then, to Doug)
Youre not the father?
DOUG
No-- Im his stepfather. I used to
be anyway.
COP
Used to be? You look young enough
to be his brother.
DOUG
I was married to his mother.
COP
And where is she?
DOUG
Shes gone.
RUSS
He means shes dead.
The cop looks at Russ who raises his hand and lowers it in a
descending arc, whistling as it goes down, and then hissing
through his teeth to make the sound effect of an explosion.
RUSS
Bbye airplane.
DOUG
Shut up, Russ.
RUSS
Make me, Doug.
18.
COP
(squeezes him)
Keep quiet, son.
RUSS
Im not your son.
The cop presses him easily up against the doorpost to quash
his flailing arms, turns back to Doug. His patience tried.
COP
So wheres the father?
DOUG
I dont know.
(to Russ)
Wheres Jim?
RUSS
Down in Florida.
DOUG
What about, whats her name, Angie?
RUSS
Probably right on top of him.
COP
So the kid doesnt live here?
DOUG
He used to. This was his mothers
house.
RUSS
And now its my house.
The cop looks annoyed, all this giving him a headache.
COP
Okay, look, whatever hes been
smoking, I didnt find any of it on
him. My shifts just about over and
I got no desire to process the kid
over a stupid parking lot scuffle,
so... can you deal with this?
Doug looks at Russ who looks anywhere but back at Doug.
Sure.
DOUG
The cop releases Russ who whips his arm away and bolts past
Doug into the house and straight up the stairs.
19.
COP
Next time, son, you get booked!
RUSS (O.S.)
Im not your fucking son!
COP
(watching him go)
The kids headed down a path.
(turns to Doug)
This isnt the first time hes been
in trouble.
DOUG
Ill be sure and tell his Dad.
INT. RUSSS OLD ROOM - NIGHT
Doug steps into the doorway, his shadow falling onto the bed
where Russ has already crawled under the covers. Doug stands
there a moment, trying to think of something to say.
RUSS
Just let me sleep alright?
DOUG
How long you been staying here?
RUSS
Look, Id known you were gonna be
here, I wouldnt have had the cop
drop me off.
(rolls over)
What are you doing here anyway?
DOUG
I live here, remember?
RUSS
Actually, no, I dont. I remember
me. And I remember my mom. But I
dont remember you. I must have
blocked it out of my mind.
DOUG
Or were just too stoned.
(turns to go)
I want you out of here first thing
in the morning.
RUSS
(rolls back over)
Dont worry, Dougie, I will be.
20.
As a battered Nissan with tinted windows pulls to the curb,
music blaring.
EMILY (PHONE)
(British)
Im looking at them right now.
Doug is in bed on the phone, barely awake.
EMILY (PHONE)
My first reaction is that theyre a
bit cold-- maybe too, I dont know,
geometrical?
DOUG
Which one are you looking at?
Doug sits up as we HEAR A HORN HONK.
EMILY (PHONE)
The one of the tractor thingie, the
operator crouching in front of it.
DOUG
Its a giant truck, Emily, its
supposed to be cold.
Doug stands on the bed, looks out the ceiling window, which
is ground level outside. We just see the CHROME WHEELS of a
CAR AT THE CURB.
EMILY
Also, some these feel more like
Africa, not Mongolia-We hear FOOTSTEPS UPSTAIRS. THE FRONT DOOR OPENING/CLOSING.
And then we see Russ from the knees down as he skateboards
down the walk to the car, gets in, the car peels away...
DOUG
Youre looking at jpegs. Ill bring
you the prints sometime next week-EMILY (PHONE)
And by sometime you mean when
exactly?
DOUG
Bye, Emily.
21.
Doug hangs up, rubs his face, gets out of bed.
EXT. DOUG & HAILEYS HOUSE - DAY
As the garage door rises, smoke issues from the pipes of an
older, here-and-there dented Porsche. Doug backs out of the
driveway, revs it alive, then heads off down the street.
EXT. NEW RADFORD, NEW YORK (VARIOUS) - DAY
Doug drives through town, aviators on, baseball hat pulled
down low. He pulls into a grocery store.
INT. GROCERY STORE - DAY
Doug loads a case of beer, several bottle of Bushmills, a
couple bags of ice, Pop tarts, Advil, into his cart.
He looks to where two LOCAL WOMEN whisper, look back at him,
quickly smile when he catches them staring at him. He lifts
his camera as if to snap a picture of them. They turn away.
He heads for the cashier.
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
Doug sits in his car. Looking out over the graves, drinking
from one of the whiskey bottles. He raises his CAMERA...
LENS POV - GRAVE MARKER
With Haileys name on it. Doug snaps a picture.
At the curb, a MAN -- 30, slicked-back hair, pleated slacks,
dress shirt and tasseled loafers -- leans on a Lexus as Doug
pulls into the driveway. He comes over to meet Doug...
MAN
Doug Parker?
(hands him a card)
Gavin Liddle. New Century Realty.
We spoke on the phone-DOUG
Oh-- yeah-LIDDLE
I hope its okay, but I walked the
property, peeked in the windows...
Doug pulls a couple bags of groceries from the back.
22.
DOUG
What do you think?
LIDDLE
I dont have to tell you this is a
fabulous neighborhood. Ill get you
some comps and we can set a price-Doug starts for the house.
DOUG
I dont need any comps. Just sell
it for whatever you can get.
The realtor stands there as Doug heads inside.
Okay then.
LIDDLE
INT. DOUGS KITCHEN - LATER

Doug is unpacking the groceries. He opens the fridge, shoves
a couple six packs inside, then pauses. He crouches down and
peers into the back.
INSIDE THE FRIDGE
A FILM CANISTER sits all alone on a shelf. Doug grabs it.
He sets it down on the counter. Pours Bushmills into a coffee
cup, takes a drink, looks thoughtfully at the canister. Doug
finally scoops it up and heads outside.
EXT. DOUG & HAILEYS HOUSE - SAME
Doug sits on the porch, considering the film canister in his
palm. We hear RUMBLING and Doug looks up as the Nissan pulls
to the curb in front of the house.
The door opens releasing first hip-hop, cigarette smoke and
then Russ. The kid wears shorts, faded Battlestar Glactica Tshirt, an iPod in his pocket.
Hands are slapped, cheerful obscenities shouted over the
music. A slurpee cup comes flying out a half-opened back
window, splatters on the sidewalk.
Russ hits the roof as the car speeds off, tires screeching as
it rounds the corner, then turns sees Doug sitting there. He
pulls his earbuds free, comes over to Doug now. Stands there.
RUSS
I left some stuff--
23.
Russ starts to go inside.
DOUG
Shouldnt you be in school?
RUSS
So what, youre like my father now?
DOUG
Im just making conversation.
RUSS
And Id love to answer you, I
really would, but you gave up the
right to ask those kinds of
questions when you banished me to
go live with Jim and Angie.
DOUG
I didnt banish you. Jims your
Dad.
Whatever.
RUSS
Russ turns away. Doug sees a spot of COLOR ON HIS NECK.

DOUG
You get a tattoo?
Yeah--
RUSS
Russ pulls back his hair to reveal a blue, tadpole shaped

squiggle trailing around the bend of his neck, surrounded by
orange, comic book flames.
Nice.
DOUG
RUSS
You even know what it is?
DOUG
Flaming sperm?
Fuck you.
A meteor?
RUSS
DOUG
RUSS
Its a comet.
24.
DOUG
Whats the difference?
RUSS
How the fuck should I know?
DOUG
Okay then. Its a comet.
RUSS
Its Haileys Comet.
Doug looks at the kid as he sits down.
RUSS
Shed have fucking hated it. Shed
have yelled and cried and grounded
me for a year.
Probably.
DOUG
Russ produces a bent joint, pats his pockets for a lighter.

RUSS
You got a light?
DOUG
You really gonna do that in front
of me?
RUSS
Why not?
(finds a lighter)
Never mind.
As he fires it up, Doug gets up, heads back inside.
INT. KITCHEN - SAME
Doug refills the cup with whiskey, takes a drink, watching
Russ as he follows Doug inside, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
DOUG
Im moving back to New York.
Russ stops, looks at him.
When?
RUSS
DOUG
Soon as I can sell this place.
25.
Russ stands there, dumbstruck, until-DOUG
Look, in about six months, youre
gonna have a few million dollars in
trust from the airline settlement.
All you gotta do is lay low, stick
it out with Jim until you turn
eighteen, and then youre home
free.
RUSS
Thats all, huh? Fuck you.
An angry Russ flicks the joint in the sink, looks at Doug-RUSS
This is my house.
--and walks out the door. Doug just sits there a moment, then
picks up the camera, moves to the window-CAMERA POV - RUSS
Walking away from the house. We ZOOM IN. FOCUS. ON HIS NECK.
ON THE TATOO and SNAP A PICTURE.
Doug pulls the film canister from his pocket and lets it roll
around in his hand. He drains the mug of whiskey, grabs the
bottle instead and heads for the basement.
As Doug sets the film canister on the counter, then kicks the
door closed.
As THE RED LIGHT COMES ON and we see Doug at the enlarger,
puts the newly developed negative in the frame, shines it
onto some photographic paper. He watches the timer, then
kills the light.
ON A TRAY
As the papers dropped into it. Slowly an image of HAILEY
begins to resolve, close-up, looking at us, back over her
shoulder. Doug drinks some Bushmills straight out of the
bottle, stares at the picture.
We hear THE DOORBELL.
26.
Doug looks at the image a moment longer, then opens the door,
lets the light in, WATCHES THE IMAGE GO BLACK. He hangs it up
on the dry line anyway and walks out.
INT. KITCHEN - LATER
Doug, squinting against the light, watches as Laney Potter
puts another meatloaf into the fridge. Hes a bit unsteady
from the whiskey. From the photograph.
DOUG
Look, Laney, its really nice of
you, but you dont have to feed me.
LANEY
Im worried that if someone doesnt
look after you, youll starve. I
mean, look at you...
She comes over and hugs him.
LANEY
...youre so skinny.
Doug stands there with Laney pressed up tight against him.
She begins to slowly rub his back. He takes a whiff of her
hair, but then gently pulls away from her embrace.
DOUG
Sorry. Im just a little out of it
today.
LANEY
Can I do anything?
DOUG
You know, I think Ill just have
some dinner and crash.
LANEY
I hate to think of you here all
alone when youre not feeling well.
You want me to stay a while?
He gently walks her to the door.
DOUG
No, Im fine. Think Im still just
a little jet lagged is all. I just
need to get some sleep.
LANEY
I can tuck you in?
27.
DOUG
Thats okay-She hugs him again. Hes not sure what to say...
DOUG
And thanks again for picking up the
mail and taking care of everything.
LANEY
Im always here, Doug. For anything
you need. You know that, right?
DOUG
I do. I know it. Thanks.
The two of them look at each other. Silence. A moment.
Nothing. She presses up tight against him, their legs
intertwined. Oh man. He kisses her. A nice, deep one.
She responds by running her hands up under his shirt and
grinding her lower self into him as she gives him a kiss,
looks like she might swallow his head.
Locked together at the mouth, her hand now running down his
pants, his hand running up her skirt, they begin to travel
across the floor, back into the kitchen where they slam up
against the fridge, the little magnets flying everywhere.
LANEY
Doug? A bed might be better.
He leads her out of the kitchen, starts to lead her upstairs,
thinks better of it, heads for the basement...
As they spill into the room and fall onto the bed.
LANEY
We have to hurry, Sarahs ballet
lessons over in twenty minutes-She begins pulling his clothes off. Sees the PICTURES OF THE
MINERS ALL OVER THE WALLS...
Oh, my--
LANEY
But she quickly resumes pulling the rest of her clothes off,
pulls him down to the bed with her, lifts his hat off...
LANEY
Hurry, before I burst...
28.
Shes all over him. Doug looks past her into the darkroom,
that black photograph hanging from the line, seemingly
suspended in the dark. He closes his eyes and we go to...
BLACK
We hear A PHONE RING OVER...
INT. DOUG & HAILEYS HOUSE - MORNING
The phone rings on a table in the f.g. while out the window
Doug, in sweat pants, no shirt, pounds a FOR SALE sign into
the front lawn. Doug comes inside, answers the phone...
DOUG
Hello?
(listens, then)
He what?
INT. HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE OFFICE - WAITING ROOM - DAY
Where Russ has a bloodstained paper towel wrapped around the
knuckles of his right hand. His left eye is bruised and half
shut, the left side of his face nicked and cut.
DOUG (O.S.)
Impressive.
Russ looks up, sees Doug standing there.
DOUG
Whatd the other guy look like?
RUSS
Like a big fucker with his knees on
my chest, pounding the shit out of
me.
Doug sits down beside him on one of the four attached chairs.
DOUG
You wanna talk about it?
RUSS
It was just a lame ass fight, Doug.
No need to get all Dr. Phil on me.
DOUG
Okay. Well...
Doug gets back up, looks at the glass door.
29.
DOUG
I better go pay your bail or
whatever-Russ just nods. Ill be here.
INT. GUIDANCE COUNSELORS OFFICE - SAME
Doug enters, is surprised by Russs GUIDANCE COUNSELOR -- for
starters, its a woman, same age as Doug, with straight black
hair and milk bath skin. She stands, holds out a hand covered
with bracelets...
COUNSELOR
Mr. Parker... thanks for coming.
(shakes his hand)
Im Brooke Hayes.
Doug watches a she sits down, her hair bouncing to reveal
whole constellations of earrings, hoops, studs and bands
hiding under it. More Tori Amos than guidance counselor.
DOUG
Youre the guidance counselor?
Yes. Why?
BROOKE
DOUG
Well, youre kind of young is all.
BROOKE
I was gonna say the same thing.
Have a seat.
She folds one knee under her as Doug sits across from her.
BROOKE
Im fully licensed, I assure you.
DOUG
So... whats the deal here?
BROOKE
The deal is that Russ took on half
the football team this morning and,
as you can see, got his ass kicked.
DOUG
They ganged up on him?
30.
BROOKE
According to witnesses, one of the
guys made a remark and Russ just
went off on him. I think it took
three or four of them to pull him
off.
DOUG
Whatd the guy say?
BROOKE
No ones talking. But unfortunately
for Russ, the school enforces a
zero tolerance policy on violence.
Its a mandatory three day
suspension.
Ms. Hayes.
DOUG
BROOKE
Call me Brooke, please. And Ill
call you Doug, okay? I mean, for
Gods sake, were both under
thirty, right?
DOUG
Right. Brooke. You realize that Im
not Russs legal guardian. That he
lives with his father.
BROOKE
Yeah... I uh, I had Jim here the
last time Russ got into a fight.
DOUG
Its happened before?
BROOKE
Its pretty much a regularly
scheduled event these days.
Anyway, Jim gave me a fairly
incoherent speech about kids
needing to fight their own battles,
and how he didnt raise his son to
back down from bullies.
Doug just nods.
BROOKE
So this time I figured it might
make sense to try another avenue.
So when Russ mentioned that you
were back in town, I thought--
31.
DOUG
--Im not the guy to talk to Russ.
Since Ive been back, Ive seen him
twice, and both times, hes pretty
much told me to fuck off.
BROOKE
Hes a teenager. What hes really
trying to say is, Fuck you, tuck
me in.
DOUG
This was more like a straight up
fuck you.
BROOKE
Hes going through a hard time. He
needs someone to help him through
it.
DOUG
Again, Im not the guy-BROOKE
Youre grieving just like he is.
DOUG
Hes a screw up. Always has been.
Even when his mother was alive.
BROOKE
Russ got straight As... when his
mother was alive. Hes a smart kid.
Doug doesnt respond to that. Just looks back at her.
BROOKE
I have to say, youre not all that
observant for a guy who takes such
interesting pictures.
Doug takes this in. She leans forward, gets serious.
BROOKE
In my experience...
DOUG
Your vast experience.
BROOKE
Okay, now youre just being a dick.
DOUG
Sorry-- go ahead--
32.
BROOKE
In my experience, kids like Russ,
when they start acting out, getting
into fights and such? Generally
speaking, it means theyre trying
to get someones attention, and in
this case you can be damn well sure
that its not Jims.
Doug takes a breath, looks out the window a moment, then:
DOUG
Listen, Im not-- its just-- I
dont wanna get stuck in a life I
never even asked for. You know?
BROOKE
I do know actually.
(stands)
Was nice meeting you.
INT. DOUGS CAR - DAY
They drive along in silence. Doug keeps glancing at Russ,
trying to think of something to say. Cant get there.
EXT. JIMS HOUSE - DAY
Doug pulls to the curb out front.
INT. DOUGS CAR - SAME
Doug looks out to where A TRICYCLE lies on the front lawn.
Other toys for a LITTLE KID. A BMW convertible sits in the
driveway. Toy for a BIG kid.
RUSS
Jimbo and Angie are moving to
Florida.
Doug looks at him. What?
RUSS
They dropped the bomb on me last
night. Were going right after
Christmas.
DOUG
What the hells in Florida?
RUSS
I dont know. Some job or
something.
(MORE)
33.
RUSS (cont'd)
I kind of stopped hearing
everything after the word Florida.
(then)
Everybodys moving.
DOUG
Well, I guess now we know why you
got in the fight.
RUSS
Hey, Doug? We dont know shit,
okay? The fucker cracked on my
tattoo, so I smacked him. And
because hes a total pussy, his
friends had to jump in and save his
ass.
They both just sit there a moment, then:
RUSS
Anyway...
(opens the door)
Thanks for the ride.
Russ.
DOUG
Russ pauses, turns back expecting Doug to say something else,

but Doug reaches into the backseat, hands Russ his BACKPACK.
DOUG
Dont forget this.
The kid nods, takes it and Doug drives away, Russ walking up
to the house in the b.g.
EXT. DOUG & HAILEYS HOUSE - NIGHT
Doug pulls in beside Claires ESCALADE.
INT. HOUSE - SAME
As Doug comes in, spots Claire at the fridge.
CLAIRE
Gee Doug, we on a liquid diet now?
DOUG
What is it, makes everybody wanna
just walk into my house-CLAIRE
You were supposed to call me.
34.
DOUG
Ive been busy.
She looks at the refrigerator magnets all over the floor.
CLAIRE
Yeah, well, my twin telepathy is
telling me that you were busy
banging Laney Potter.
DOUG
We dont have twin telepathy.
CLAIRE
Okay, maybe I came by last night,
saw her Windstar parked out front,
heard the two of you tearing up the
basement.
DOUG
Jesus, Claire.
CLAIRE
Believe me, it was not something I
wanted to hear. I thought you were
getting mugged. I almost called the
cops. Now that wouldve been funny.
DOUG
Hilarious. You want a beer?
CLAIRE
I cant. Im pregnant.
Boom. He looks at her. She nods. Yeah.
DOUG
Wow. Thats great.
Congratulations.
CLAIRE
(flat)
Oh, its fucking awesome. Thanks.
She looks around the room.
DOUG
Theres more?
(she nods)
Stephen?
CLAIRE
And you said we dont have
telepathy?
35.
DOUG
What happened?
(no answer)
You cheat on him?
CLAIRE
Nice. Adultery loves company.
DOUG
He cheat on you?
CLAIRE
I wish.
(indicates the sign)
Are you moving? Maybe Ill make an
offer. I always liked this place.
DOUG
Claire. Tell me what happened.
He follows her into the living room.
CLAIRE
Nothing happened. Nothing ever
happens. And nothing ever will
happen. And that...
(sits down)
...is what happened.
DOUG
Maybe you guys just need to talk to
somebody-CLAIRE
--Oh please, I dont need some
Freudian with a sweater vest and a
dirty mind to tell me I never
shouldve married Stephen in the
first place. Youve been telling me
that for years. I seem to recall
you actually making your case
somewhat emphatically at my
wedding.
DOUG
I was drunk.
CLAIRE
(looking around the room)
Seems to be a theme in your life.
DOUG
Were talking about you.
36.
CLAIRE
The irony of the whole thing is
that we barely even have sex
anymore. Its nothing less than a
miracle that I havent cheated on
the man. But... there was this one
night, nothing was on TV, and so...
DOUG
You make it sound so special.
CLAIRE
Believe me, I forgot about it as
soon as it was over. But then, a
few weeks later, I was late, so I
took a test and imagine my
surprise...
She flops back on the couch. Sits there a moment, then...
CLAIRE
Im sitting in the bathroom washing
the pee off my hands and it just
hits me that Im going to be a
mother and now this is all Ill
ever be. Mrs. Stephen Ives. Just
another rich, bored housewife, a
sad cliche. And I dont want to be
Laney Potter, screwing other men
just to feel alive again for a few
hours.
DOUG
Thanks for that.
CLAIRE
I thought maybe I could stay here
for a while.
He looks at her. Here?
CLAIRE
Just until I figure some shit out.
Doug, in sweats and running shoes, comes out the door, down
the walk and starts running up the street...
INT. DARKROOM - NIGHT
As Doug stares at the print of Hailey, once more turns on the
light, watches it turn black.
37.
EXT. THE NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT
Doug pushes himself, past homes lit up with families, some at
their dinner table, some watching TV. Doug doesnt look in at
any of them. He just runs...
QUICK CUT TO: HAILEY
As she looks back at us. The same image we saw in the dark
room. FREEZE as we take her picture.
EXT. NEW RADFORD - NIGHT
As Doug runs through the now quiet town, past closed store
fronts. WE HEAR A PLANE PASS OVERHEAD...
QUICK CUT TO: INT. DOUGS CAR - AIRPORT - DAY
Doug hands Hailey his iPod...
DOUG
Something to keep you company-EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT
As Doug runs through the lot, we CRANE UP TO REVEAL...
EXT. TRAIN STATION - NIGHT
Doug runs onto the platform, stands there all alone a moment,
jogging in place, breathing hard.
QUICK CUT TO: INT./EXT. DOUGS CAR - AIRPORT - DAY
As Hailey gets out of the car, starts for the terminal. Doug
gets out, raises his camera over the roof...
Hey-(then)
Hailey!
DOUG
She turns, looks back at him. He snaps her picture. The image
from the darkroom.
DOUG
Have a nice trip.
Doug looks down the tracks, a LIGHT appears, growing as the
train to Manhattan arrives, breezes to a stop right in front
of him. He steps back as the doors open and a few people get
on.
38.
Doug stands there, looking at them through the windows as
they find seats. He wants to get on. Wants to go. Takes a
step towards the door, then reaches down into his pockets,
realizes he has no money and steps back.
He watches as the train pulls away from the station, heading
towards the city without him. He watches it disappear before
turning away, running back into the night as we now...
FADE TO BLACK
Quiet. Then we hear CLAIRE SCREAM.
As THE SCREAM CONTINUES...
INT. STAIRS - SAME
As Doug bursts through the basement door in his underwear,
runs up the stairs two at a time...
INT. DOUG & HAILEYS BEDROOM - MORNING
As Doug runs into the room, stops cold when he sees Claire
holding Russ against a wall, her hand around his throat.
Russ?
DOUG
RUSS
Shit-- I thought she was you!
CLAIRE
Russ? Fucking hell, I was just
about to kill you!
Claire lets go of the kid, sits down on the bed, catches her
breath. Russ rubs his throat...
RUSS
Im sorry, I didnt know you were
sleeping in here!
She steps back, looks at him.
CLAIRE
Youve grown.
Thanks.
RUSS
DOUG
Russ, what are you--
39.
Claire shakes her head, looks at Doug, looks away.
CLAIRE
Uh, Doug, your soldiers outta the
fort.
RUSS
(looks, then looks away)
Dude. Jesus...
Doug tucks himself back into his boxers, looks at Russ.
DOUG
Whatre you doing here?
RUSS
Uh, Well, bit of a misunderstanding
with the pater familias.
DOUG
What are you talking about?
RUSS
Ill tell you all about it after.
DOUG
After what?
Outside we now hear THE SOUND OF CAR DOORS SLAMMING and then
THE DOORBELL RINGS. Russ drops down in front of the window
and peeks over the sill like a sniper.
RUSS
After you get rid of Jimbo.
Doug and Claire walk to the window...
HIS POV - OUT THE WINDOW
The view of the porch is blocked by the eve, but he can hear:
JIM (O.S.)
Russ, you get your ass out here!
Im going to fucking kill you!
At the curb, ANGIE, Jims wife, leans against the car,
watching her husband with a bemused expression.
CLAIRE
Whos that?
RUSS
Angie. My stepmom.
40.
Angies dressed like a tg49
eenager in low riding sweats and a cut off tank top, exposing
her remarkable cleavage, toned abs, sculpted arms and so on.
A woman with time.
Lucky you.
CLAIRE
JIM (O.S.)
Russ! Get out here!
Doug can see NEIGHBORS in driveways and windows watching as
yet another drama unfolds on their formerly quiet block. He
opens the window, sticks his head out...
Jim!
DOUG
And now JIM, Haileys ex, backs up onto the lawn so that we
can see him. Well into six feet, broad and buff with hands
the size of pie plates, he looks like a retired football
player. This morning, hes unshaven, in jeans, slippers and a
dirty T-shirt. Clearly, whatever happened has superceded his
morning ablutions.
JIM
I know hes up there Doug!
From his spot below the window, Russ shakes his head and
waves his arms at Doug frantically. Dont tell him!
Hes here.
DOUG
And Russ throws his hands over his face in despair.

JIM
Let me have him! Now!
DOUG
Im coming down to talk to you.
JIM
Its none of your business!
DOUG
Okay. Suit yourself.
Doug steps away from the window and shuts it, looks at Russ.
Doug!
JIM (O.S.)
41.
DOUG
Whatd you do?
RUSS
I stole some discs from his porn
collection.
DOUG
Hes mad at you because you stole
some porn?
Well...
Russ.
RUSS
DOUG
RUSS
It was homemade.
Oh, man...
DOUG
CLAIRE
What was on it?
RUSS
Pretty much what youd expect.
CLAIRE
Do you have it here?
Claire.
DOUG
CLAIRE
Im just asking.
DOUG
So this discDiscs.
RUSS
DOUG
Discs. Theyre of Jim and Angie?
RUSS
More like just Angie.
Alone?
CLAIRE
42.
RUSS
She has toys.
Downstairs we can hear JIM POUNDING ON THE DOOR.
DOUG
Where are the discs now?
RUSS
The originals are back in his
dresser.
DOUG
You made copies?
RUSS
So he wouldnt miss them.
Smart.
CLAIRE
Doug gives her a look, then-DOUG

How many copies did you make?
RUSS
(beat)
I have this web site.
Oh fuck---Awesome.
DOUG
CLAIRE
Doug grabs some sweat pants from the dresser, pulls them on
as...
RUSS
My friends are all obsessed with
Angie. They begged me. And Jimbo
never wouldve known about it if he
hadnt been snooping around in my
hard drive. Serves him right for
violating my privacy.
DOUG
You put naked videos of your
fathers wife on the internet and
he invaded your privacy?
RUSS
Two wrongs dont make a right.
43.
Jim is trying to climb up the drainpipe to Russs room which
would be almost comical if it didnt look like the guy might
actually make it. Doug steps outside, looks up at him.
DOUG
What are you doing, Jim?
JIM
Im gonna kill the little shit.
DOUG
Claires calling the police. You
really dont want to be breaking
and entering when they get here.
JIM
Its my house.
DOUG
Actually, it isnt anymore.
JIM
Stay out of this, Doug!
Doug turns to where Angie leans on the car.
DOUG
Angie, will you help me out here?
INT. HOUSE - SAME
Russ paces nervously while Claire hangs up the phone, peeks
out the window, we hear Angie:
ANGIE
Come down Jim, youre making an ass
of yourself.
Claire watches as Angie then looks at Doug and shrugs.
can I do?
What
CLAIRE
So, Russ, what kind of toys are we
talking about?
EXT. DOUG & HAILEYS HOUSE - SAME
Doug sees a couple NEIGHBORS in their windows or doorways. He
starts towards Jim, the big man almost to the top...
DOUG
Get your ass down here, Jim.
44.
JIM
Or what, Doug?
DOUG
Or Ill bring you down.
JIM
Id pay good money to see that.
Doug jumps up, grabs Jims sweat soaked T-shirt which rips.
A pissed off Jim lets go, drops to the ground, faces Doug.
JIM
Come on, you little pussy.
Doug nails Jim in the face, surprising both of them. Jim
tastes the blood on his lip, then shoves Doug in the chest
with both hands, knocking Doug off his feet.
ANGIE
Goddammit, Jim!
Jim ignores her, steps over to kick Doug when Russ leaps off
the porch onto his father and the three of them roll to the
ground. Doug gets a good punch into Jim who flings Russ off
his shoulder. Russ hauls back, takes a swing at Jim but Doug
steps in and takes the punch to his own face instead-Russ!
DOUG
Shit--
Jim grabs Russ by the hair when we hear A SIREN BLAST and now
they all freeze, as a PATROL CAR pulls over and we go to...
INT. SPORTS BAR - DAY
Jim sits across from Doug who holds a bottle of beer to the
bruise on his face.
JIM
Sorry about that.
DOUG
I think youre just sorry it wasnt
you, threw the punch.
Jim nods, chuckles at that, picks up a shot of whiskey.
JIM
I guess you and Ive never really
hit it off.
DOUG
Why would we?
45.
JIM
Yeah. It was a sticky situation. I
dont doubt that Hailey gave you an
earful about me. Im sure that gave
you a bias.
DOUG
Hailey never said much, outside of
the bit about you banging the baby
sitter in the basement-Okay--
JIM
DOUG
Getting it all on the nanny cam,
fairly innocuous shit like that.
JIM
Okay. Jesus...
Jim sees how this is gonna go, downs the shot of whiskey,
signals the waitress for another.
DOUG
Russ tells me youre moving to
Boca.
JIM
Angies brothers got a hurricane
shutter business down there. After
what happened in New Orleans, they
cant expand fast enough.
DOUG
What do you know about hurricane
shutters?
JIM
How hard can it be?
DOUG
What about chasing ambulances? You
just gonna give that up?
JIM
Listen to you. Mr. High and Fucking
Mighty. Makes his living taking
snaps of dead soldiers.
Doug watches as Jim chases the whiskey with the beer.
46.
DOUG
You think with all the shit hes
been through this past year, that
moving him to a new town, a new
school, away from everyone hes
ever known, will be good for him?
Jim says nothing, just smiles at the waitress as she sets
down another shot.
DOUG
You move him to Florida, hell just
have that much more to be pissed
off about.
I agree.
JIM
DOUG
So why cant you and Angie just
wait a little while? Hell be off
to college in a few years and then
you can go.
JIM
Weve already put it off for Russ.
We were all set to go last year.
Everything was in place. But then
Hailey died.
DOUG
What a terrible inconvenience for
you.
JIM
You know damn well thats not what
I meant. Jesus...
(then)
My point is, that with Hailey gone
and my taking custody of Russ...
this has all been a pretty big
change for Angie and me to absorb.
DOUG
What about losing your mother in a
plane crash? Wouldnt you say
thats a pretty huge change too?
Jim considers Doug a moment, then...
JIM
Im not perfect as you so like to
point out.
(MORE)
47.
JIM (cont'd)
I cheated on my wife, and like a
fucking idiot ended up trading my
family for sex.
He looks around, shakes his head, then.
JIM
You think its easy, taking a kid
whos been raised to hate you, and
bringing him into a home with your
new wife and son? I already fucked
up one marriage, and let me tell
you, Im not going to fuck up
another one.
DOUG
So Russ doesnt matter?
JIM
Of course, he matters. But Angie
matters, too. And so does my other
son.
Doug says nothing. Jim finishes his beer. They both sit there
a moment, looking away, then:
JIM
You could take him.
Doug looks at back at him. Hes serious.
DOUG
Im not his father.
JIM
What do you think she would want?
Who?
DOUG
JIM
Hailey. Who do you think shed want
Russ to live with?
DOUG
Thats not the point.
Isnt it?
JIM
DOUG
Im not in the equation.
48.
JIM
I thought we were talking about
whats best for Russ?
(then)
I guess were both just babbling
brooks of bullshit, arent we?
DOUG
Hes your son, for Christs sake.
You cant just give him away.
Jim leans back in his chair, thinking about it.
JIM
Angies unhappy, and Russ is
unhappy. Its my job to make them
both happy, and the way I see it,
theres only one way to do that,
and that answer is you.
DOUG
And you could do that, you could
just give him up like that?
JIM
Im setting him free. Its what he
wants, you and I both know it. But
more importantly, its what shed
want. Why do you think she fought
so damn hard for sole custody?
DOUG
What are you talking about? You two
had shared custody.
Jim looks at Doug a moment. Chuckles.
JIM
Jesus... she never told you.
DOUG
Told me what?
JIM
She signed the papers, day before
she left for California.
(then)
I gave Hailey sole custody of Russ.
Caught off guard now, Doug just stares back at Jim.
JIM
Why wouldnt she tell you that?
49.
Doug doesnt answer that one.
JIM
Look, all I know is, I wasnt
supposed to have him.
DOUG
Maybe not, but...
(gets up)
Hes still your son.
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
Its starting to rain as Doug pulls into the parking area,
pulls right up to us and sits there. Cant get out of the
car. WE HEAR THE SOUND OF AN AIRPLANE PASSING OVERHEAD...
INT. DOUGS CAR - AIRPORT - DAY
As Doug hands Hailey his iPod...
DOUG
Ive programmed two days worth of
play-lists. Music for the plane.
Music for the car ride from the
airport to the hotel. Music for
while you wait for your luggage.
Music to celebrate when your new
investors give you more than you
asked for.
HAILEY
You got music for when my investors
back out?
DOUG
No, but Ive got music for late at
night when you miss your husband.
She stares at the iPod a moment, grabs her purse.
HAILEY
Oh, Russ has a dentist appointment
tomorrow at four, I wrote it down-DOUG
Ill be at the Magazine all day. I
gotta get ready for the mine shoot.
Cant Jim do it?
She looks at him a moment,
HAILEY
Sure. Ill call him.
50.
She turns away, looks at the iPod but doesnt move.
HAILEY
Weve had a lot of fun, Doug.
DOUG
Uh-oh. Nothing good ever follows
Weve had a lot of fun, Doug.
HAILEY
No, really, youve helped me get
through a tough time. And I wont
forget that.
But...
DOUG
She turns to him now.

HAILEY
Do you regret getting married?
DOUG
Not until just a second ago.
HAILEY
Im serious, Doug.
DOUG
Jesus, is this because I cant take
the kid to the fucking dentist?
No.
HAILEY
(takes his hand)

I just need to know if this is
really what you want.
She then grabs her bag out of the back.
HAILEY
You think about it. Im back on
Monday. You can tell me then.
She leans over and gives him a long kiss, even smiles at him,
then starts to get out.
DOUG
Dont forget this.
He hands her the iPod. She takes it.
HAILEY
Ill see you Monday.
51.
Doug grabs his camera, gets out as she walks to the terminal.
He peers over the roof of the car.
Hey.
DOUG
(then)
Hailey!
She turns around. He takes her pictures. Smiles.
DOUG
Have a nice trip.
She looks at him a moment, smiles, but theres unmistakable
sadness in it, then goes into the terminal and disappears.
Doug gets back in the car, pulls away from the terminal. He
drives for a moment, then:
DOUG
Have a nice trip?
(then)
Jesus.
He takes out his cellphone and dials her number.
INT. TERMINAL - SECURITY - NIGHT
Haileys phone and laptop in a bin, going through the x-ray
as Hailey steps through the metal detector.
INT. DOUGS CAR - NIGHT
Doug gets Haileys voice mail. He pulls over...
EXT. AIRPORT - NIGHT
Doug starts running back to the other terminal...
INT. TERMINAL - NIGHT
Doug bursts inside, runs through the terminal, tries to catch
up with Hailey. But when he gets to security-GUARD
I see your boarding pass, sir?
DOUG
I just need to talk to my wife.
Shes about to get on-GUARD
Im sorry, I cant let you through
without a boarding pass.
52.
Doug steps out of line, reaches for his phone, but realizes
hes left it in the car. He looks at the Departure Screen,
sees that her flight is BOARDING.
As Doug pulls a ticket from the windshield and gets back
inside. He sits down, sees the red light flashing on his
phone. He pulls away, dials for his messages. Then-HAILEY (PHONE)
Doug its me. Listen, I was just
trying to say that I understand if
you feel trapped now. Youre still
young. I cant blame you if you
want out.
Doug leans back hard in the seat.
HAILEY (PHONE)
The reality of a wife and a teenage
stepson, thats a lot to deal with.
Maybe Im asking you to be someone
youre not. I just want you to know
that I love you no matter what.
Okay? No matter what.
We can hear the ANNOUNCEMENTS in the cabin in the b.g.
HAILEY (PHONE)
I have to go. Ill see you Monday
night.
Doug looks out the windshield, pulls over again, once more
gets out of his car...
EXT. AIRPORT - HIGHWAY - NIGHT
As Doug stands there, watching her PLANE TAKE OFF, PASS
OVERHEAD.
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
Doug sits in the car, the rain pounding the roof. He finally
starts the car, pulls out.
Its pouring when Doug pulls into the driveway. He gets out
of the car, notices something in the bushes. He reaches into
the shrubs and pulls out the For Sale sign. He considers
it a moment, then walks over and sticks it back in the lawn.
53.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Doug comes in, goes to the fridge and grabs some ice. Russ
sits at the table, his back to us, looking at something...
DOUG
What happened to my sign?
RUSS
I dont know, Doug. Hows your
face?
DOUG
Fine. Hows your hand?
Doug wraps the ice in a towel...
RUSS
For the record, you walked into my
swing.
DOUG
You were supposed to stay inside.
RUSS
I couldnt leave you out there to
deal with Jim by yourself. Thats
not how I roll, man.
DOUG
I was handling it.
RUSS
Really? Because it looked to me
like you were getting your ass
kicked.
Doug comes over to the table, holds the towel to his face,
sees now what Russ is looking at: A PORTFOLIO of Dougs
photographs, magazine covers, etc.
DOUG
Whered you get that?
RUSS
Claire found it. She said I liked
fighting so much, I should check it
out.
(nods at a photo)
You got skills, Doug. Ill give you
that.
54.
Doug watches Russ as he looks at the photos of SOLDIERS,
before, during and after various skirmishes. Nodding. He
waits, says nothing as Russ turns the pages.
RUSS
Some of these guys dont look old
enough to be soldiers.
Doug looks at the photo. A GROUP OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS playing
football.
DOUG
Some of them arent much older than
you are.
Doug waits, watches Russ turning the pages, smiling at the
soldiers playing football. Doug waits. Russ turns another
page and his smile goes away. He looks sick now.
DOUG
Id gone back to my car to get
another camera body when the
grenades came over the wall.
Russ stares at the football game, now a chaotic bloodbath.
DOUG
Russ? You okay?
Russ looks at the clock.
RUSS
I should get back.
EXT. JIMS HOUSE - NIGHT
Its pouring as Doug pulls up in his car, Russ in the
passenger seat, looks through the rain at the dark house.
DOUG
Doesnt look like anybodys home.
RUSS
They probably took my little step
bastard to Chucky Cheese.
(looks out the window)
You were right. Im gonna ride it
out with Jim another couple years.
Take my airline money and jam.
DOUG
Sounds like a good plan.
55.
Russ gets out of the car. Doug watches him run through the
rain to the house, take out a key, wave to Doug, then go
inside the dark house. Doug watches a single light come on
upstairs, then pulls away...
As he drives through town, the rain coming down hard now. He
comes to a stop light, glances in the rear view mirror. Sees
RUSS BACKPACK sitting in the back seat.
DOUG
Shit.
INT. JIMS HOUSE - NIGHT

A KNOCK. Then Doug enters the house with the backpack
DOUG
Russ?
He looks around. Sees A LITTLE BOYS TOYS in the living room.

PICTURES OF ANGIE and JIM and their young son. Nothing of
Russ anywhere. MUFFLED MUSIC comes from upstairs.
DOUG
Russ?
INT. BEDROOM - SAME
One Russ clearly shares with his little brother. A RACE CAR
bed on one side, Russ lies atop a regular bed on the other,
headphones on, eyes closed.
Doug watches him a moment, looks around the room at all the
toys. Russ has been shoved in here like an afterthought.
Russ opens his eyes, sees Doug and sits up with a start...
RUSS
Jesus-- Doug-- you scared the shit
outta me!
Sorry.
DOUG
I uh--
He stops, sees A PHOTOGRAPH of a GIRL beside Russ bed.

DOUG
Whatre you doing with a picture of
my sister?
What?
RUSS
56.
DOUG
Debbie, my sister. What are you
doing with her picture?
RUSS
(innocent)
Nothing.
(re: the backpack)
That mine?
Russ holds his hand out for the backpack. Doug doesnt move.
Regroups. Looks once more around the room, then at Russ-DOUG
Listen, you wanna come stay with me
and Claire for a while?
RUSS
Stay with you-DOUG
And Claire. Just for a few weeks,
you know, until I sell the house.
RUSS
What about my Dad?
DOUG
I think hell be okay with it.
Russ looks at him. Really. Doug turns away before he changes
his mind.
DOUG
Grab what you need. Ill be out in
the car.
EXT. JIMS HOUSE - NIGHT
We CRANE DOWN as Russ carries a duffle to where Doug sits in
the car, thoughtfully watching him run down the walk as we...
FADE TO BLACK
LANEY (V.O.)
Tell me how much you love my wet
pussy...
We now BOOM UP FROM THE SIDE OF THE BED TO REVEAL Laney
Potter on top of a somewhat uncomfortable Doug, going on
about her anatomy...
57.
LANEY
My God. My pussy is so wet! Im
dripping... Can you feel it?
Uh-huh...
DOUG
LANEY
Oh, God, Im going to come... are
you coming, Doug?
Uh-huh...
DOUG
LANEY
God, you feel so good inside me...
oh, God, Im coming, Im coming...
She screams, goes still, then collapses in a sweaty heap
beside Doug.
LANEY
I missed you.
DOUG
I missed you too.
LANEY
Thats a lie, but it comes from a
sweet place.
(rolls over)
I know this is strange for you,
Doug. Whatever this is were doing,
were each getting something
different out of it. But youre a
beautiful man and a stellar lover,
and I just dont want you to ever
think you have to lie to me. Im a
big girl, and Im going to try
really hard not to fall in love
with you.
Okay.
DOUG
LANEY
We do have a lot in common, though.
(off Dougs look)
We both married older spouses.
Oh--
DOUG
58.
LANEY
I mean, Daves only four years
older, but I always felt like you
and me were on the same team, you
know?
Sure--
DOUG
LANEY
Hailey used to talk about how good
in bed you were. Of course, we all
thought she was lying-You all?
DOUG
She starts laughing. Gets on top of him again...

INT. KITCHEN - DAY
As Doug and Laney come upstairs, stop cold in the kitchen
doorway.
Oh, hey.
DOUG
Russ and Claire sit at the table quietly eating Laneys

meatloaf right out of the tin.
DOUG
I didnt know you guys were back.
RUSS
We were being quiet. Unlike some
people.
CLAIRE
(waves)
Hi, Laney.
LANEY
Claire. Hello, Russ.
RUSS
Hey, Mrs. Potter. Great meatloaf.
LANEY
Glad you like it.
CLAIRE
Care to stay for dinner?
59.
No.
LANEY
(then)
I think, Id better be leaving.
Ive got to... leave. So thanks
anyway.
AT THE FRONT DOOR
Doug opens it, glances back at the kitchen, then to Laney.
Whos now very uncomfortable, shaking a little bit.
DOUG
Sorry about that.
LANEY
Could have been worse. Could have
been Dave.
She kisses him again and then is out the front door, running
down the porch steps like shes being chased by wild dogs.
INT. KITCHEN - SAME
As Doug comes back in. Claire and Russ are quietly eating
their meatloaf.
DOUG
Okay. Shes gone.
Neither looks at him, just keep eating meatloaf until:
CLAIRE
Too bad. I was hoping shed stay,
talk some more about her vagina.
And the two of them lose it, beating the table, laughing.
Doug has to smile, sit down, looks at Russ.
DOUG
Look, Russ, I dont want you to get
the wrong impression.
RUSS
Dude, my impression is that you
were banging Mrs. Potter, who Ive
always thought is hands down the
hottest housewife in New Radford.
Which part of that is wrong?
DOUG
All of it. Its all wrong.
60.
RUSS
If you feel bad about it, send her
my way. Im grieving too, you know.
Id tap that in a heartbeat.
CLAIRE
Right or wrong, if she can screw
like she can cook, Ill sleep with
her myself.
(slides Doug the plate)
Have some meatloaf.
RUSS
Youve certainly earned it.
And again they burst out laughing. Doug flips them both off.
Suddenly Claire looks at her watch.
CLAIRE
Shit-- were gonna be late.
For what?
DOUG
CLAIRE
Moms having a dinner for Mikes
parents.
DOUG
Dad up for something like that?
CLAIRE
He has his good days and his bad
days. Im sure hell be fine.
RUSS
Whos Mike?
DOUG
Guy Debbie hooked up with at your
Moms funeral-CLAIRE
Dougs ex best friend.
DOUG
Maybe you remember walking in the
bathroom-RUSS
Dude, its fucking scorched into my
brain. Can I come?
61.
CLAIRE
Sure. What the hell. You can be my
date.
EXT. WESTCHESTER COUNTY - DAY
As Claire drives her Escalade at breakneck speed...
INT. CLAIRES CAR - SAME
Claire at the wheel, Doug beside her, Russ in the back seat,
hanging on to whatever he can as Claire now swerves around a
corner, narrowly missing another car.
RUSS
Watch out-- Fuck-He looks back over his shoulder...
CLAIRE
Hey, bud, you have a problem with
my driving, you can take the bus
home.
RUSS
Like busses even come to this
neighborhood.
CLAIRE
How do you think the help gets
here?
(then)
Listen, you guys, nobody knows
about Stephen. Or... the other
thing.
DOUG
You didnt tell Mom?
CLAIRE
No. And I dont plan to.
DOUG
Claire, eventually, shes gonna-CLAIRE
Just dont say anything, okay?
Claire turns a corner, pulls up the drive and stops the car.
Stares out the windshield. Looks at Doug who does the same.
Russ leans forward...
RUSS
Dude. Your dads in his underwear.
62.
EXT. RICHARD & EVA PARKERS HOUSE - DUSK
RICHARD PARKER -- tall, distinguished looking if not for the
fact that hes currently wearing nothing but powder blue
boxer shorts, white Nikes with black socks --throws a
baseball against the side of the house and catching it in an
old, weathered mitt. RUDY, his caregiver, holds a robe, tries
to get him inside.
RUDY
Dr. Parker, please-INT. CAR - SAME
Claire sets the brake and shuts off the car.
DOUG
I thought you said he was okay.
CLAIRE
I said he had good days and bad
days. This looks like a bad one.
(opens the door)
Deep breath everybody.
She and Russ get out of the car. Doug stays behind a moment,
raises his camera...
LENS POV - THE HOUSE
As Rudy tries to get Richard into a bathrobe. CLICK CLICK
CLICK as Doug snaps some photos.
Hi, Daddy!
CLAIRE (0.S.)
Richard greets Claire, scoops her up and hugs her, Claire now
indicating Russ...
CLAIRE
You remember Haileys son, Russ...
RUSS
Hey, Dr. Parker.
Richard gives Russ a hug, Russ patting him on the back with
his fist, ghetto style. Richard looks at the lens, squints.
DOUG
Lowers the camera. Gets of the car, were right behind him as
he now walks towards his father.
63.
Hey, Dad.
DOUG
Richard steps away from Russ, stares at Doug.

DOUG
Its me, Doug.
And slowly Richards face lights up. He drops the mitt and
pulls Doug into a tight hug.
Dougie.
RICHARD
Claire and Russ watch as Richard clings to Doug, then opens

his eyes, looks over Dougs shoulder at Russ, does the math,
backs off and looks around...
RICHARD
Wheres Hailey? Is she here?
Shes uh--
DOUG
CLAIRE
--shell be coming later, Daddy.
RUDY
Dr. Parker, you really need to come
inside and get cleaned up.
Richard shakes him off, sizes up Russ who stands nearby.
RICHARD
You play ball, Phil?
RUSS
Its Russ-RICHARD
(tosses him the ball)
You pitch.
INT. HOUSE - KITCHEN - SAME
The counter is laid out like a photo shoot for Bon Appetite,
with picture perfect salads, side dishes and a roast. EVA -fifties, in a black dress, glass of wine in one hand, -moves about the dining room table quietly checking place
settings.
She doesnt see Doug enter behind her. He remains in the
doorway, watches his mother as she moves to the window,
stares into the backyard. Something sad about her.
64.
Hi, Mom.
DOUG
She turns. Stares at him.

DOUG
I got back a couple days ago.
EVA
I heard. I just didnt believe it.
DOUG
Its my little sisters wedding.
EVA
Oh, please. Who punched you in the
face?
DOUG
I got into a thing with Jim, Russs
Dad.
EVA
And he hit you?
DOUG
Actually, Russ hit me.
EVA
Russ hit you.
DOUG
But he meant to hit Jim.
EVA
Are we speaking allegorically?
DOUG
Its complicated.
EVA
It certainly is.
DOUG
Russ is here by the way.
She looks out the other window at Russ and Richard.
EVA
My God, hes almost a man.
Doug looks around at the spread.
65.
DOUG
Tell me, Mom, did you ever meet
Haileys parents?
EVA
I dont know, Doug. Did you ever
introduce them to me? Before you
eloped I mean.
DOUG
You made it pretty clear you didnt
approve-EVA
I liked Hailey-DOUG
A forty year old divorcee with a
kid, just what every mother wants
for her son.
EVA
I didnt approve of the marriage.
DOUG
Whats the difference-EVA
You werent enough for her.
Doug just stands there.
EVA
Did you come over to pick a fight
with me, Doug? Because Im not in
the mood, not tonight-Before he can respond, Claire enters behind him.
Hey, Ma.
CLAIRE
She enters glaring at Doug, Knock it off. She kisses her

mother.
EVA
Wheres Stephen?
Doug moves to the window, watches his father play ball with
Russ. Raises his camera and takes a shot of his father.
CLAIRE
He had to go out of town on
business.
66.
EVA
Thats a shame.
CLAIRE
Hell get over it.
Oh my God!
VOICE
Dougs younger sister, DEBBIE -- tight-assed, immaculate, and

all tucked-in in a short, black skirt and light sweater, hair
pinned off her face.
Doug?!
DEBBIE
DOUG
Congratulations, Deb-DEBBIE
Youre here! Youre here!
He sees Claire looking at him, stops.
DEBBIE
I missed you so much.
She hugs Doug. Eva watches, sees how uncomfortable Doug is.
DEBBIE
I wanna hear all about-- where were
you? China?
Mongolia.
DOUG
DEBBIE
Same difference-DOUG
Well, actually, theyre two
separate-DEBBIE
You know, I bought one of your
photographs.
DOUG
You bought one?
67.
DEBBIE
For Mike. For his wedding gift. The
one of the little boy riding on the
tank? I bought it at this gallery
in the city.
DOUG
I would have given you one.
DEBBIE
I know. I just felt so proud to be
able to buy one, in a gallery-She hugs him. Doug stands there. His younger sister worships
him. This makes him uncomfortable.
DEBBIE
I missed you so much.
Suddenly the baseball comes crashing through the kitchen
window, spraying glass all over the food on the counter.
Richards sweating face appears at the window.
RICHARD
That boy can hit.
Russ appears beside Richard, bat in hand, looking guilty.
RUSS
Fuck.
(then, smiles)
Oh-- Hi, Debbie.
Debbie has shifted gear, gives Russ the barest wave, all
business whipping out her cell phone like a six shooter,
turning her back on the rest of them:
DEBBIE
Mike, hey its me... No, just a
typical day at the asylum. Listen,
tell your parents theres been a
change of plans...
RICHARD
Little help, Doug.
Doug pulls the ball out of the middle of what was a beautiful
salad, tosses it to his father...
RICHARD
Thanks, Doug.
Doug stares after his father as he plays catch with Russ.
68.
INT. SURF CLUB - NIGHT
As we TILT DOWN from an expensive chandelier to the bar where
Doug takes a drink from the bartender, looks down the bar to
where Eva gets her own drink, then moves off. Russ steps up:
RUSS
Cuba Libre. Two limes.
DOUG
Hell have a coke.
Russ picks up Dougs camera off the bar, puts it to his face.
DOUG
Sure. Go ahead. I dont mind...
RUSS
Tell me, Doug, when you go to take
a leak, do you bring your camera
with you?
Doug watches Russ point the camera around the room.
DOUG
Youre getting your fingerprints on
my lens-RUSS
Chill, Doug-DOUG
--At least hold it the right way.
Put your left hand under the
lens... like this-He looks at Doug who mimes the direction. Russ does as hes
told, looks through the lens...
RUSS
Excellent...
LENS POV - DEBBIE
Introduces Eva and Richard, transformed, in a pinstripe suit,
to MIKES PARENTS. MR. AND MRS. SANDLEMAN. SNAP. FREEZE. THEN
ANOTHER...
RUSS
So whos this Mike asshole, really?
DOUG
Hes a lawyer. Works with Dave
Potter--
69.
RUSS
Guy whose wife youre banging-DOUG
Shh. Jesus, Russ...
RUSS
Whats up with your Dad? Last time
I saw him, he was Doctor Dickhead,
this ice cold fucker, barely said a
word to me.
DOUG
You just described my childhood.
(looks at his Dad)
He had a stroke. My mom found him
passed out in the shower. He woke
up someone else.
Russ takes a picture of Richard hugging Debbie.
RUSS
Meaning now he hugs everyone.
DOUG
Yeah. Now he hugs everyone.
INT. DINING ROOM - LATER
One long table. Doug, seated next to Russ, looks to the head
where Richard sits beside Eva.
RICHARD
Sweetheart, you look as beautiful
as the day I met you.
EVA
Youre just saying that because
its true.
Richard now turns to MIKES FATHER, MR. SANDLEMAN.
RICHARD
We made love for the first time in
her parents basement.
Russ pauses mid drink, looks at Richard. Claire picks up a
butter knife and mimes harakiri. Eva squeezes his arm...
EVA
Okay, Richard. I really dont think
everyones all that interested--
70.
RICHARD
You were wearing a white silk
blouse, and no bra, and we had one
of your fathers Sinatra records
playing.
DEBBIE
Subject change, please.
RICHARD
(to Mr. Sandleman)
So. Phil is it?
Howard.
MR. SANDLEMAN
RICHARD
Howard then. Tell me again what
business youre in?
MR. SANDLEMAN
Commercial Real Estate.
Russ sees Doug and Claire exchange a look, leans in.
RUSS
Whys he keeps calling everybody
Phil?
DOUG
Phil was Dads younger brother. He
died in Viet Nam. Before the
stroke, Dad never said his name.
Russ turns back, looks at Richard as he stands.
RICHARD
Id like to propose a toast to the
happy couple.
Everyone raises their glasses.
RICHARD
Debbie. Youre my little girl, and
no matter how far you go, and how
much you grow, that will never
change. And now, as your wedding
day approaches, I just want you to
know how proud your Mom and I are
of you. Not because of all youve
accomplished so far, but because of
who you are.
(MORE)
Oh.
71.
RICHARD (cont'd)
I can still see you in your little
pink whale pajamas, curled up on my
lap and singing to me about the
itsy bitsy spider. I remember like
it was yesterday...
His voice trails, his eyes welling up. Doug looks away.
RICHARD
Sometimes when I wake up in the
morning, I still expect to see that
little girl come running into our
bedroom, dragging that stuffed frog
you had, and take a running jump up
into the bed and cuddle with me.
He grabs a napkin from the table and wipes the tears off his
face, looking around at everyone, his expression determined
as he finally says, apropos of nothing:
RICHARD
Im still in here.
Doug looks across at Claire and Debbie, both crying. He then
looks back at his father. Eva puts her hand on Richards arm.
RICHARD
I guess what Im trying to say is
that no matter how old we all get,
you three will always be my
children, and Debbie, you will
always be my baby girl.
(raises his glass higher)
To Debbie and Phil.
Mike.
EVA
RICHARD
Right. To Debbie and Mike.
INT. DINING ROOM - LATER
As Russ comes out of the bathroom, we see lingering SMOKE
inside as another PATRON enters, fans at the smoke, looks
back at Russ who heads for...
THE TABLE
Coffee is poured, dessert is served. Doug watches as Russ,
unsteady, his eyes glazed over, approaches the table, and
sits down next to Doug.
72.
DOUG
You had to get high right now? It
was so important?
RUSS
Its a biological imperative, dude.
Its too fucking intense in here.
Intense?
DOUG
RUSS
I cant tell if you all love each
other or hate each other.
(looking around)
Its like theres a hunk of C-4
strapped under the table and any
one of you could explode at any
minute.
Doug looks around the table, tries to see them from Russs
eyes.
RUSS
I never had to deal with all this.
Was always just me and my mom.
DOUG
You were lucky.
Russ looks across the table at Debbie, shakes his head.
RUSS
I know you cant see this, man, but
she is beyond hot.
Debbie?
DOUG
RUSS
Shes fucking awesome.
DOUG
Shes your aunt.
RUSS
Step-aunt. Maybe not even that.
He lets out a long, heartfelt sigh, still staring at Debbie.
RUSS
If I had any kind of balls, I would
tell her right now how I feel.
73.
DOUG
You understand shes getting
married, right?
Russ looks at Mike whos currently tracing patterns in some
spilled salt with the point of his steak knife. Debbie says
something into his ear and he nods, looks at Doug, smiles...
RUSS
What a waste. That dude was your
best friend?
DOUG
In high school.
Mike now leans across the table...
MIKE
You still pissed?
DOUG
Why would I be pissed?
MIKE
Well, at the funeral, you seemed
kind of upset-DOUG
My wife had just died.
MIKE
Right. I know. But-- I mean, when
Debbie and me... got together-DOUG
Which time? In the bathroom? During
the service? Or in my darkroom-MIKE
Wasnt during...
Claire!
VOICE
And they all turn to look as a very drunk MAN, mid 30s, in a
disheveled, but expensive suit, comes stumbling to the table.
MAN
Why are you doing this?
Shit-(then)
Stephen--
CLAIRE
74.
STEPHEN
What the fuck happened, Claire?
Tell me. What? Is there someone
else? Is that what this is?
CLAIRE
Stephen, lets go outside-STEPHEN
Why are you leaving me? Just tell
me, whatd I do that was so bad?
Evas hand goes to her mouth. And now everyones looking at
Claire. Russ leans close to Doug, lowers his voice...
Kaboom.
RUSS
EXT. STEPHEN AND CLAIRES HOUSE - LATER

As Stephens Mercedes pulls through the gates and up the
drive to the Mediterranean styled mansion.
INT. STEPHENS CAR - SAME
Doug puts the car in park, looks at a defeated Stephen
sitting in the passenger seat, rain pelts the roof.
STEPHEN
Thanks, Doug. You can take the car
home. Ill send someone to pick it
up tomorrow.
DOUG
Its okay. Ill just call a cab.
Stephen closes his eyes, leans against the window.
STEPHEN
I know shes bored. Ive known it
for a long time. I just didnt know
what to do about it. Hell maybe Im
bored, too.
Doug glances into the rearview mirror. RUSS is sitting back
there, uncomfortable, doesnt really wanna hear any of this.
STEPHEN
I cant compete with what you had
with Hailey, Doug.
Doug looks at him.
75.
STEPHEN
Thats what she wants. But nobody
has that.
Stephen puts his head back against the window, shuts his
eyes, fighting tears. Doug glances again at Russ, then-DOUG
Look, I know right now it seems
overwhelmingly bad, but youre in
shock. I mean, I think Claire
probably is, too. She acts all
tough, but the baby is-- well, its
just a lot to absorb. Just give her
some time.
Stephen opens his eyes, turns in his seat until hes facing
Doug and fixes him with a hard stare, then:
What baby?
STEPHEN
Russ sinks down in the back seat.

INT. DOUG & HAILEYS HOUSE - NIGHT
As Doug and Russ come inside, both wincing as...
CLAIRE (O.S.)
I was gonna tell you when I was
ready to tell you!
RUSS
(pats Doug on the back)
Nicely done.
CLAIRE (O.S.)
Im not your fucking concubine,
Stephen!
DOUG
We better hide.
INT. BASEMENT - SAME
Doug turns on the light. Russ sees all of the photographs on
the wall.
RUSS
These all from that mine you were
talking about?
Yeah.
DOUG
76.
Russ studies a shot of an old woman.
RUSS
Whats wrong with her eyes?
DOUG
Shes blind. From the dust.
RUSS
Huh. So what are you thinking when
you take a picture like this?
DOUG
(looks at the photo)
I dont know, Im thinking... do I
have enough light? Am I at the
right aperture? Should I be closer?
Take a step to my left?
RUSS
Really? Thats it?
Russ looks at the photographs some more, then:
RUSS
Whats an aperture?
DOUG
Its the space through which the
light passes into the lens.
Doug looks at Russ, considers him a moment, then...
Hang on--
DOUG
Doug goes into the dark room. Russ stands there looking at
the wall. At the faces looking back at him.
Here--
DOUG
Doug comes back into the room with a CAMERA, sits down on the
bed.
DOUG
See these numbers on the lens?
They refer to the size of the
opening in the iris. Look into the
lens-- See how it opens and closes
to let in different amounts of
light?
77.
INT. LIVING ROOM - SAME
Claire comes down the stairs, her face streaked with tears.
She starts down for the basement, but stops when she hears:
RUSS (O.S.)
Yeah, I see that...
She can see Doug sitting beside Russ on the edge of the bed.
DOUG
Well, the size of that opening is
called an aperture...
She turns away, leaves them be.
INT. GROCERY STORE - DAY
EVERYTHING IN SLOW MOTION as Doug and Russ come around an
aisle pushing a cart. They toss bottles of soda, bags of
chips, boxes of pasta, jars of tomato sauce, loaves of white
bread, sandwich spreads and frozen food into the cart.
As Doug pulls a cellophane wrapped watermelon half off a bin
and tosses it like a football to Russ who misses it, watches
as the big piece of fruit hits the floor with a juicy thud.
Shit.
RUSS
DOUG
I cant believe you missed that.
RUSS
Dude. That was nowhere near me.
DOUG
I thought you were cutting left.
RUSS
I was faking left.
Good job.
DOUG
RUSS
Lets just take a different one.
DOUG
We cant put this back. Didnt you
ever hear the expression; you break
it you bought it?
78.
RUSS
Didnt you know that the customer
is always right?
DOUG
What would Jesus do?
RUSS
Jesus wouldnt have thrown it like
a little girl.
DOUG
Just put it in the cart.
EXT. GROCERY STORE - DAY
They ride the two carts across the lot to the car.
RUSS
Can I drive? I have my permit.
Russ behind the wheel.
DOUG
You didnt signal.
RUSS
Nobody signals.
DOUG
Youll flunk your road test if you
dont signal.
RUSS
Speaking of tests, Im thinking of
dropping out.
Doug looks at him.
RUSS
Its not like Im learning shit.
Classes are all weak sauce, the
teachers could give a fuck.
DOUG
What would you do?
RUSS
Work. Get a job.
DOUG
Russ, you cant drop out.
79.
RUSS
Why not? You did.
DOUG
I was an idiot. Two hands on the
wheel please.
RUSS
I drive better with one.
Watch it--
DOUG
The other driver swerves, HONKS. Russ casually flips him off.
RUSS
If I cant drop out, then can you
loan me some money.
For what?
Buy a car.
DOUG
RUSS
DOUG
You dont even have a license.
RUSS
I will soon. Doug, you understand
you cant get laid in high school
without a car.
DOUG
Do you need to get laid in high
school?
RUSS
Just because you didnt.
DOUG
I got laid plentyRUSS
Did you have a car?
Doug doesnt answer. Yes. He had a car.
RUSS
Tell you what, Doug, you can load
the glove compartment with condoms
and drunk driving pamphlets if that
makes you feel better.
80.
Doug has to smile at that.
RUSS
Should I get on the highway?
DOUG
Sure, but stop at this red light
first.
Russ stomps on the brakes-EXT. DOUG & HAILEYS HOUSE - NIGHT
Looking through the kitchen window, PULLING BACK as Doug and
Russ and Claire all sit down for dinner. Probably the first
real family meal any of them have had in a long time. We
CONTINUE PULLING BACK TO REVEAL:
STEPHEN, parked in his car across the street watching. And
now a mini van drives by, momentarily blocking his view of
the house. LANEY POTTERs behind the wheel, looking at the
house. She slowly drives past and we then...
FADE OUT.
SOUND OF A TRAIN OVER...
EXT. TRAIN STATION - MORNING
Doug, in his aviators, stands on the platform among PEOPLE IN
SUITS as the Manhattan bound train pulls to a stop. He stands
there a moment as everyone starts to get on, then follows. He
pauses, looks back...
DOUG
You coming?
And now a very sleepy-looking Russ follows him onto the
train.
RUSS
Dude. Its way too early.
DOUG
You wanna skip school, see what I
do? You gotta get up early.
INT. TRAIN - MORNING
Doug drinks a cup of coffee, stares out the window. Russ sits
in the seat across from him, does the same.
81.
EXT. 49TH AND MADISON - DAY
Doug and Russ exit the cab. Russ and Doug then cross to the
NEWSWEEK building, Russ pausing to look up, around the city
before he follows Doug inside.
INT. MAGAZINE OFFICES - DAY
Doug sits across from EMILY -- the photo editor, forty, an
untucked white blouse over jeans, while Russ takes in the
various framed photos on the walls in the b.g. Emily looks
over Dougs prints.
EMILY
You know what Im missing from
these?
Nudity?
DOUG
EMILY
You. Im missing that young kid
with the camera I met in Juahaca
eight years ago. What you had in
those photographs-DOUG
I was on mushrooms.
EMILY
I want you to go back to the mine.
Doug watches Russ chatting with some young staffers.
DOUG
Em, I just got home-EMILY
I want the old Doug Parker to
photograph these people.
Doug says nothing, stares at the images while Emily now turns
and looks through the glass at Russ.
EMILY
He looks like his mother.
EXT. SOHO - CAFE - DAY
Doug and Russ eat lunch watching the rather high number of
beautiful women that pass by.
82.
DOUG
Spring and Mercer. My favorite
corner in the whole city.
RUSS
(watching a girl)
Mine, too.
(then)
Youre famous.
Excuse me?
DOUG
RUSS
I thought you were just some young
asshole my mom was having sex with.
But youre famous.
DOUG
Um... thanks.
They watch the girls another moment, then...
RUSS
So youre going back to wherever
you call it?
DOUG
Ulan Batar. In a few weeks.
RUSS
For how long?
DOUG
Three months.
Russ nods. Another moment. Doug checks his watch.
DOUG
Cmon, we got one more stop...
EXT. EAST VILLAGE - DAY
They get out of a cab. Doug leans in the window...
DOUG
Well just be a minute.
Russ follows Doug across to his building.
INT. DOUGS LOFT - DAY
Russ follows Doug inside, takes it all in. Doug crosses to a
cabinet.
83.
RUSS
No wonder my Mom wanted you to get
rid of this place.
He looks at Doug who fishes around in the cabinet, grabs a
CAMERA IN AN OLD LEATHER CASE.
RUSS
And no wonder you didnt.
Here--
DOUG
RUSS
What is it?
DOUG
My first camera.
Doug opens the case for him, so that Russ can see the camera.
DOUG
I got it used. Nothing automatic.
You gotta do all the work yourself-focus, pick your aperture, your
shutter speed. Itll take some
getting used to.
RUSS
Youre giving this to me?
DOUG
Im letting you borrow it. I did a
paper route for two years to buy
it. You fuck it up or lose it or
let some dickhead steal it, Ill
kill you.
RUSS
Its heartwarming how much faith
you have in me.
But Russ is smiling as he moves to the window, raises the
camera to his eye. He keeps his back to Doug as...
RUSS
What should I take pictures of?
DOUG
Whatever you want. Come on, lets
go.
Russ follows Doug to the door.
84.
RUSS
Dude, you gotta narrow it down. I
need a specialty like you.
DOUG
Whats my specialty?
Suffering.
RUSS
Doug looks back at the kid a moment, then...

DOUG
Just start taking pictures, Russ.
Whatever catches your eye.
(starts out the door)
Just no nudes or homeless people.
Thats cheating...
INT. TRAIN - NIGHT
Doug sits across from Russ who keeps snapping Dougs picture.
DOUG
Okay, now youre annoying me.
Hey, Doug.
MANS VOICE
Doug looks up, sees A MAN, about forty, in a nice suit,

friendly face, carrying a briefcase.
Dave. Hey.
DOUG
MAN/DAVE
Good to see you.
DOUG
You, too. Been a while.
DAVE
Sure has.
(then)
Hello, Russ.
RUSS
(snaps his picture)
Mr. Potter.
DAVE
I barely recognized you. What are
you, like thirty now?
85.
Russ just smiles. Dave stands there. Finally-DOUG
Have a seat.
DAVE
Thanks.
(then)
So. Big days coming up.
(off Dougs look)
Your sisters wedding?
DOUG
Right. Very exciting.
DAVE
Hes a good guy, Mike.
Russ makes a snort, looks out the window.
DAVE
He was dragging his feet, telling
me he was waiting to make partner
before he purposed. So I made him
partner. Comes a time a man has to
step up, right?
Doug just nods. Dave laughs.
DAVE
I gotta say hes quite nervous
about it now.
DOUG
Id be nervous, too, I was gonna
marry Debbie.
DAVE
Two lawyers-- man, thats gonna be
fun.
RUSS
Oh yeah. A lotta fun.
Doug gives Russ a look.
DAVE
You coming to the bachelor party
tomorrow night?
Uhhhhh--
DOUG
86.
DAVE
I had this idea, all the groomsmen
go on a hunting trip together, but
the season doesnt start for
another month.
RUSS
Plus, theres the chance Mike
accidently gets shot instead of a
deer and cant marry Debbie and how
big of a bummer would that be?
Doug looks at Russ who shrugs, enjoying himself.
DAVE
Listen, I hope Laneys not driving
you crazy, pestering you, bringing
food over all the time.
DOUG
Oh, no, its nice of her. And shes
a great cook.
DAVE
I know sometimes she can go a
little overboard.
Doug just smiles, tries not to look at Russ.
DOUG
Shes a good friend.
Quiet now as Dave and Doug and Russ each walk to their
respective cars. Dave waving as he gets into his Volvo...
DAVE
Good-night, Doug. Russ.
RUSS
Night, Mr. Potter.
DOUG
Night, Dave.
Doug pauses before getting into his car, watching as Dave
drives out of the lot -- a little car seat in the back -feeling like complete shit.
RUSS
Shes a good friend?
87.
Doug leans over, repeatedly bangs his head on the roof of his
car, all the while...
DOUG
Shit shit shit shit..
RUSS
(snatches the keys)
I better drive.
Russ pulls in the driveway, drives on to the lawn, runs over
the For Sale sign.
INT. DOUGS CAR - SAME
As Russ looks at Doug, smiles.
Ooops.
Funny.
RUSS
DOUG
Doug shakes his head, starts to get out, pauses.

DOUGS POV - THE LIVING ROOM
Dougs mother sits on the couch, asleep.
RUSS
Looks like your Moms here.
DOUG
Yeah.
(gets out)
Try not to wake her up.
INT. DOUG & HAILEYS HOUSE - NIGHT
Russ enters, salutes Doug and quietly heads up the stairs.
Doug closes the door, looks across the room to where his
mother now dozes on the couch, Leno on the TV, a sleeping
Claires head in her lap. One hand is buried in Claires
hair, the other holds a half-filled wineglass.
An empty bottle of Merlot stands on the coffee table. Doug
walks over, gently wraps his fingers around the stem of the
wineglass when his mother quickly pulls it away from him.
EVA
Get your own.
88.
Hey, Mom.
DOUG
She opens her eyes, considers him.

EVA
You have a guilty look on your
face.
(as he sits)
Come on Douglas, we have no secrets
in our family.
DOUG
We have a truckload of secrets in
this family.
EVA
No, we have lies. Families need
lies. Otherwise we wouldnt be able
to look at each other anymore. But
trust me, there are no secrets.
DOUG
Whatre you doing here?
Eva gently brushes some hair from Claires face.
EVA
Claire needed to talk.
DOUG
(starts out of the room)
Are you spending the night? Ill
get a bed ready for you-EVA
I cant. Your father will panic if
he wakes up and Im not there. It
seems hes rediscovered sex.
DOUG
Okay. Well-EVA
He wants it all the time now. Its
a wonder I can walk.
DOUG
(grabs the phone)
Ill call you a cab.
EVA
Russ is living with you?
89.
DOUG
(starts to dial)
Thats right.
EVA
For how long?
Well see.
DOUG
Eva nods, watches him dial, then:

EVA
Your father was cold to you, and I
let him get away with it.
(Doug stops, turns to her)
Go right ahead, hate us both.
Eventually youll get bored, or
your hatred will burn itself out
and youll find us again. But that
beautiful boy upstairs? He lost the
one person who truly cared about
him. One day, in the middle of the
hardest part of his life, she just
vanished. The way I look at it,
hes gonna need a lot more than a
well see if hes ever going to
get past his grief.
He stands there as she gets up now.
EVA
Whether you like it or not, youve
just made a kind of promise to him.
I hope, with all my heart, that you
keep it.
She sets down the glass, grabs her coat and purse.
EVA
I dont need a cab. I spilled half
the bottle when I fell asleep.
She kisses him on the cheek, walks out of the house,
stranding Doug in the middle of the living room.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
Doug leans against his car watching as students spill out of
the building. He spots Russ on his skateboard, moving along,
already heading off campus. Doug gets into his car.
90.
Doug stays a distance away, follows Russ out of town, the kid
listening to his iPod, in his own private reverie. Finally,
Doug follows him through a pair of giant gates into...
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
Doug pulls into the lot. Russ is already heading for his
mothers grave. Doug sits in the car. Watches as the kid
makes his way along the path. Stops. Sits down at Haileys
marker. Doug raises his camera...
LENS POV - RUSS
Talking to his mother. Doug pans away, to a FUNERAL across
the grounds. Watches it for a moment, pans back to Russ who
is now looking this way. He raises his middle finger, then
motions for him to come over...
DOUG
Hesitates. He has to get out. He opens the door. Russ yells-RUSS
Doug! Leave the fucking camera!
Doug glances off at the funeral, some of the MOURNERS looking
at Russ, then sets the camera down on the seat. We follow him
down to where Russ sits on the grass. They sit there quietly
side by side a moment. Then-RUSS
I went to the airport once.
Doug looks at back Russ.
RUSS
Tried to buy a ticket for the same
flight she was on. I wanted to sit
in the same seat she sat in.
Why?
DOUG
RUSS
I needed to know what she was
thinking before she knew anything
was wrong. Before she knew she was
gonna die. Was she happy? Upset?
Asleep? What? They said I was too
young, wouldnt sell me a ticket.
Was a lame idea anyway.
91.
Doug sits down beside him, looks out at the valley, New
Radford out there.
DOUG
I swore Id never come back here. I
hated it here. When I met your mom,
a few thousand miles away, I had no
idea that she lived one town over
from where I grew up.
RUSS
Do you think you and my Mom would
have made it.
Doug keeps looking out the valley.
DOUG
I dont know. We were still in the
honeymoon phase, you know?
RUSS
She thought youd leave sooner or
later. Because she was older.
Doug turns to him.
RUSS
She once told me she was afraid
that when she was fifty and you
were thirty-eight, youd look at
her and jam.
DOUG
She said that?
RUSS
She said now was one thing, but it
would be hard for someone like you
to stay with an older woman once
she actually got old.
DOUG
Someone like me.
RUSS
You were gone a lot. Wed talk
about you. Not just you. I mean,
that would be fucking pathetic.
As Doug and Russ pull back into the driveway. They both watch
as Gavin Liddle, the realtor, exits the house with a YOUNG
COUPLE in tow. He walks them to their car at the street.
92.
Doug and Russ get out, watch as Gavin shakes hands with them,
gives Doug a thumbs up as he gets into his own car. Doug puts
a hand on Russs shoulder...
DOUG
Lets go develop some film.
As Russ follows Doug into the darkroom.
DOUG
Okay. Whats the first thing we do
when we walk in here?
RUSS
Turn on the red light thingie?
Doug reaches up, puts the old red hat on Russ head.
DOUG
Hat. Then music.
Doug reaches up and turns on the stereo.
DOUG
Then we turn on the red light
thingie...
INT. DARKROOM SEQUENCE - LATER
Doug shows Russ how to use the darkroom. How to get the
undeveloped film onto a reel, how to dry it, how to cut
paper, how to print and so on.
We see all of the images that Doug has taken so far slowly
come to life in the trays.
INT. GUEST ROOM - BASEMENT - DAY
As Doug and Russ replace the miners with Dougs photos from
the past couple of weeks. Russ steps back, looks at them.
Huh.
What?
RUSS
DOUG
RUSS
Its your life for a change.
Now Doug, too, stares at the pictures on the wall. His
father. His Mother. Claire. Debbie. The neighborhood.
93.
It doesnt look so bad. They ignore the RINGING PHONE and now
Claire comes down the stairs, holding the cordless, covering
the mouthpiece.
CLAIRE
Dougie-(holds up the phone)
Horny house frau on line one.
DOUG
Laney? Shit-(then)
Tell her Ill call her back.
CLAIRE
(nods, starts to go, then)
You better get going or youre
gonna be late.
DOUG
Late for what?
CLAIRE
Mikes bachelor party.
(heads back upstairs, into
the phone)
Mrs. Potter? Hes running out the
door. Can I take a message?
INT. GENTLEMENS CLUB - NIGHT
A bored Doug sits at the bar, watching Mike get a lap dance,
the other groomsmen, all likewise mounted. Mike peers out
from behind his stripper.
MIKE
Hey! Someone take care of Doug!
DOUG
No-- no-(raises his drink)
Tonights about you, not me.
Doug watches the guys in the mirror behind the bar, one of
them working his Blackberry even as a girl grinds on top of
him. Doug downs his drink, motions to the BARTENDER.
DOUG
Jack and soda.
Doug turns, watches Dave Potter, get a lap dance from an
Asian girl with disproportionately large breasts. Daves
hands snaking around to cradle her ass.
94.
Hi.
STRIPPER (O.S.)
And Doug sees the Brunette looking back at him, coming over
in her sheer halter top, rubbing his shoulders as she sidles
up to the chair next to him.
STRIPPER (CONTD)
Im Shawnie.
DOUG
Hi, Shawnie.
STRIPPER/SHAWNIE
Whats your name?
DOUG
Im-(as the bartender sets
down his drink)
--Jack.
SHAWNIE
You want to come with me to the
Champagne room, Jack?
DOUG
Oh, no thanks.
SHAWNIE
How about a lap dance?
Doug looks at her, pulls a twenty from his wallet.
DOUG
Here. You see that guy over there
with the brunette on his lap?
Yeah?
SHAWNIE
DOUG
His name is Mike. Go give him a lap
dance and tell him its from me.
Mike.
SHAWNIE
DOUG
Right, but tell him your name is
Debbie, okay?
SHAWNIE
Whos Debbie?
95.
DOUG
Whos Shawnie?
SHAWNIE
Debbie it is.
She smiles. Doug pays his tab, gets up and starts to walk out
when phone rings, he fishes it out of his pocket...
INSERT - PHONE
The caller I.D. says Laney Potter.
DOUG
Looks up from the phone to Dave Potter, Daves face buried
between the giant breasts of his lap dancer, rocking her up
and down with his legs to the beat of the music. Doug puts
the phone away and gets the fuck out of there.
Music on as Russ cleans up. Hes stacking the trays on a
shelf when he sees Dougs notebook. He takes it down and
opens it, looks at the notes on photos going back years.
Russ sits down on a stool, pages through it, fascinated. He
comes to the strip of negatives Doug had stuck inside.
He holds them up to the light and sees his mothers face
staring back at him.
Russ studies them a moment, then kicks the door closed.
INT. TRAIN - NIGHT
Doug sits in the nearly empty car. He reaches into his coat
pocket, pulls out a LIPSTICK, stares at it a moment...
SILENT CUT TO: DOUG & HAILEYS BEDROOM
Doug in the chair, watching Hailey, in a cocktail dress. She
then leans over the dresser, peers into a make-up mirror and
applies the lipstick. Dougs reflection beside hers.
She turns to him, holds out the tube for him to hang onto. He
gets up, slips into his coat pocket as they head out...
INT. TRAIN - NIGHT
Doug pulls a RECEIPT from his pocket next...
96.
SILENT CUT TO: A RESTAURANT - NIGHT
NYC. Dinner over. Doug signs the credit card slip. Hailey, in
that awesome dress, plays with her glass of wine...
HAILEY
I have to go to San Francisco next
week.
INT. TRAIN - NIGHT
Doug stares at the seat across from him. We PAN OVER to the
opposite seats where he and Hailey, dressed for that dinner,
kiss each other deeply. He pulls back looks at her...
DOUG
What do you think they call The
Mile High Club on a train?
HAILEY
I dont know. The Mile Long club?
DOUG
Thats truly lame.
She laughs. Yes, it is. He takes her hand, leads her to the
back of the train.
ON DOUG - NOW
Staring off. The train pulls into the New Radford station.
Doug looks at the lipstick, sets it upright on the sill by
the window, and gets off the train.
We stay on the window, the lipstick there in f.g., see Doug
on the platform, turning back, looking up at it now as the
train pulls away.
Doug pulls into the driveway, his headlights illuminating the
For Sale sign sticking out of the trash. he gets out of his
car, is pulling the sign out of the trash when he gets lit up
by another set of headlights. They go off, the door opens.
Doug.
WOMANS VOICE
Doug stands there as Laney Potter gets out of her minivan,

wrapped in a long coat.
LANEY
Why wont you return my calls?
97.
He stares back at her, can see that shes drunk, wondering
how to calm her down, terrified of setting her off.
DOUG
Look, Laney-LANEY
I thought we were friends, Doug.
Whatever else we were, I thought we
were friends-We are-Bullshit--
DOUG
LANEY
She realizes how harsh that was, tries to calm down.

LANEY
Is it another girl?
No--
DOUG
LANEY
So what then? Last week you were
making love to me, and now I have
to chase you down in your driveway.
I hate that youre making me this
person. Dont I mean anything to
you?
DOUG
Of course you do, but really, what
the hell are we even doing? It
cant lead anywhere.
LANEY
I love you.
There. She said it. She tries not to cry.
LANEY
I know I said I wouldnt, but I do.
DOUG
Laney, youre married.
LANEY
That didnt stop you before.
DOUG
Its stopping me now.
98.
LANEY
I dont have to be married.
Laney--
DOUG
LANEY
I was going to leave him eventually
anyway.
DOUG
That may be, but you cant do it
for me. Im not a good bet.
LANEY
So you can sleep with me, but you
cant have a relationship with me.
DOUG
I cant sleep with you or have a
relationship with you.
LANEY
You used me.
DOUG
We used each other, didnt we?
And now the tears start streaming down her face. Doug sighs,
moves to hug her, a gesture she mistakes for an invitation,
wrapping her arms around his waist...
LANEY
Oh, Doug...
She lets the coat fall open and we see she doesnt have much
on underneath it.
Mmmm....
Laney--
LANEY
DOUG
She pushes herself against him.

LANEY
You feel so good.
She backs him up against the van, kisses him, runs her hand
down his stomach to his crotch where she begins rubbing and
grabbing at him...
99.
LANEY
Lets get in the car-Laney--
DOUG
He grabs her hand to pull it up and she struggles against

him, smiling like its a game, so he twists it and pulls it
behind her back which only makes her press harder against
him.
LANEY
I know you want this, I can feel
it.
DOUG
Laney-- Goddammit-(pulls away)
Stop!
She stands there looking back at him. He sees that shes put
on some special lingerie, high heels. Shes utterly exposed.
DOUG
Laney, Im sorry.
She closes the coat, shakes her head, waves him off.
LANEY
No. Im sorry.
And just like that, the fight is gone from her eyes, and she
leans against the van, hugs herself in the coat, looking sad
and defeated which makes Doug feel even more horrible.
Listen--
DOUG
LANEY
Please dont. This is already
humiliating enough.
She opens the door and gets back inside the van. She sits
there a moment.
LANEY
I really am going to leave him, you
know.
Laney--
DOUG
But shes already backing out. She drives off, leaving Doug
standing there.
100.
INT. DOUG & HAILEYS HOUSE - SAME
Doug comes in, tosses his keys on the counter, moves to the
sink, splashes water on his face, grabs a towel, dries off.
He then suddenly, angrily, throws the towel into the sink.
He takes a breath, turns to the table and stops dead.
ON THE TABLE are a dozen blow-ups of Hailey, from the roll
Doug developed, the last shots Doug took of his wife. Doug
picks one up, his expression hardening as he studies it.
INT. RUSS ROOM - NIGHT
Russ sleeps in his clothes on the bed. Doug comes in, still
holding the photograph and turns on the light. Russ sits up.
RUSS
Dude-- what the fuck-DOUG
(holds up photo)
What is this?
RUSS
What time is it?
DOUG
What is this?!
RUSS
Its a picture. Of my mom. What do
you think it-DOUG
When I said Id teach you, it
wasnt so you could invade my
fucking life.
RUSS
Whats wrong-DOUG
Stay out of my shit. Understand?
Doug turns to walk out.
RUSS
I dont wanna forget her.
(Doug pauses)
Maybe you do, but I dont.
DOUG
You think I wanna forget her?
101.
RUSS
Cmon, Dude, you jammed the minute
we buried her. A year later, you
come home, but dont talk about
her, you just put her house up for
sale. Hell, we go to the cemetery,
you dont even get out of the
fucking car.
Russ tosses the picture back to Doug.
RUSS
Im so sorry I developed your
precious photograph.
Doug sets the picture down on the desk, stares at it.
RUSS
You gonna say something?
Doug realizes its Russ hes angry at, takes a breath,
finally looks up at the kid.
DOUG
This was your mom right before she
got on the plane.
(then)
There were times shed look at me,
like she was seeing me for the
first time, like she was wondering
how shed so grossly underestimated
my character.
He hands Russ the photo, starts out of the room. Russ studies
the picture as Doug starts out of the room.
RUSS
Hey, Doug?
(then)
Dont feel bad, she used to give me
the same look.
EXT. OCEAN BLUFF - AERIAL - DUSK
As we move over the water towards the bluff and then start
moving up and over the top to REVEAL 500 GUESTS in folding
chairs facing the ocean.
EXT. BLUFF - DUSK
Doug, in a tux, stands with Claire, in a bridesmaid gown, and
Russ, in a suit. Russ photographs the guests as Claire points
them out:
102.
CLAIRE
Thats our cousin Nicole, the
reformed lesbian, who came out
after college and then took it back
to marry Peter, her high school
sweetheart who I think really is
gay. Over theres our cousin, Nate,
a few years older than us who told
us what a rim job was when we were
eight. He gave me my first puff on
a cigarette. Paid me twenty dollars
to show him my boobs.
RUSS
And did you?
CLAIRE
Twenty bucks is twenty bucks.
She winks at Russ and moves off.
Doug!
MIKE (O.S.)
Doug turns to see an anxious Mike approaching. Russ takes his

picture.
RUSS
Whats wrong with him?
DOUG
Hes marrying my little sister.
MIKE
Have you guys seen Dave Potter?
Doug and Russ exchange a look.
DOUG
Not since last night.
MIKE
Hes an hour late.
DOUG
Well, the guy looked like he was
having a pretty good timeMIKE
Daves never late. For anything.
Doug watches as Mike surveys the crowd, turns to Doug.
103.
MIKE
He doesnt get here soon, I may
need you to fill in for him.
Fill in?
DOUG
MIKE
Hes my Best Man.
Doug looks at him.
Mike, I--
DOUG
Doug can feel Russ looking at him.

DOUG
Yeah. Sure. Be happy to.
MIKE
Thanks, man.
Mike hurries off. Russ pats Doug on the back.
RUSS
My boy is growing up.
Doug looks around anxiously.
EXT. A CANOPY - DUSK
Mike and Debbie standing beneath it, we start PULLING BACK
while the RABBI begins to address the crowd.
RABBI
...before I perform the ceremony,
Id like to just take a moment and
read a passage from Psalms...
REVEAL: EXT. BLUFF - DUSK
Doug as Best Man. Claire smiling at him as Maid of Honor. As
the Rabbi begins to address the crowd, we hear him UNDER THE
MUSIC WHICH CONTINUES OVER. Meanwhile...
Doug looks at his mother and father, Eva looking at Doug now.
Russ sitting on one side of her, Richard on the other, Dougs
father crying, takes Evas hand.
Doug.
MIKE
104.
Mike is looking at him. Doug realizes he hasnt been
listening.
What?
The ring.
DOUG
MIKE
Doug fishes around in his pockets, pulls out his Valet

ticket, a pack of cigarettes, finally finds the ring.
Doug watches as Mike slips the ring on Debbies finger. Hes
all of sudden genuinely moved. He looks at the two of them.
Can see that they love each other.
Doug looks at his mom and dad, his father holding onto Eva
now. Doug looks at Claire, her own eyes full of tears, and
then at Russ. The kid happily fiddling with the camera. He
raises it, takes Dougs picture and we go to...
EXT. BLUFF - NIGHT
PULLING BACK. The band plays as Doug moves through the crowd
to the bar where he bumps into Russ with a drink in his hand.
RUSS
To the happy couple.
DOUG
Whatve you got there?
RUSS
Some tonic water.
Uh huh.
DOUG
RUSS
With just the tiniest splash of
gin.
DOUG
And in your pocket?
RUSS
What pocket?
Doug reaches into Russ coat pocket, comes up with a JOINT.
RUSS
Oh, you mean, that pocket.
105.
DOUG
(putting it in his own
pocket)
Can we be serious for a moment?
RUSS
Doug, if we cant be serious for a
moment, then the terrorists have
already won.
DOUG
We dont have a lot of rules.
RUSS
Thats true
DOUG
I cant control what happens when
youre out with your friends. I
just have to trust you to make the
right decisions. But I dont want
you drinking or doing drugs on my
watch.
RUSS
Just say no thank you.
Doug keeps looking at him.
RUSS
Okay. But surely one celebratory
drink, under your watchful eye-One.
Sweet.
DOUG
RUSS
Doug looks out at the crowd.

DOUG
So... any women here catch your
fancy?
Russ looks to where Debbie is laughing with her girlfriends
and sighs.
Just one.
RUSS
DOUG
I dont want to sound too negative
here...
106.
RUSS
I know. Love sucks.
DOUG
Amen to that.
EXT. BLUFF - NIGHT
Middle of dinner. Doug, at the head table, seated beside
Claire. He watches his mother, sipping her wine, looking
beautiful as she leans against his father who smiles at
various well wishers who come up to greet him...
SOMEONE
Richard! Great to see you!
RICHARD
Great to be seen, Phil, great to be
seen.
Doug smiles, looks away as now Mike stands and starts TAPPING
HIS GLASS. A HUSH falls over the room now.
MIKE
Debbie and I are so happy that you
could all be here to celebrate with
us. All I can say is that I never
believed someone this beautiful
would ever be willing to marry
someone like me.
Ooohs and aaaahs from the guests, except for Russ, sitting at
a table in the middle who mumbles...
No shit.
RUSS
MIKE
Anyway, Ill turn it over to my old
friend, Doug, who coincidentally
happens to be the brother of the
bride.
Doug looks up horrified... looks across his own table to
where Debbie now looks at him, nervous. Claire elbows him.
CLAIRE
Youre up, bro.
Doug slowly stands, a bit drunk, and turns around to face the
fifty or so expectant gazes.
CLAIRE
You need a drink.
107.
DOUG
You have no idea.
More LAUGHTER from the room.
CLAIRE
I meant for the toast.
She hands him somebody elses wineglass. He stands there,
holding it, the guests faces swimming in front of him.
DOUG
As many of you know, Im
good at this. In fact, I
last time I did this was
Claires wedding, and if
there, you know how well
turned out.
not very
think the
at
you were
that
Some strained laughter flutters around the room.

Claire shooting him a wide-eyed look of alarm.
He sees
DOUG
I meant the toast, not the
marriage. Shit...
Claire shakes her head, buries her face in her hands. Russ
gets to his feet, looks at Doug, starts clapping his hands.
RUSS
Thank you, Doug. Very nice. Big
hand for Doug...
Everyone APPLAUDS. Doug slowly sits. Claire leans close.
CLAIRE
Excellent.
(then, looks up at Russ)
Our boy is wasted by the way.
DOUG
He only had one drink.
CLAIRE
The waiters have been refilling his
wine glass all night.
Doug looks across the party to Russ who now begins...
RUSS
Ladies and gentlemen, for those of
you who dont know me, Im Russ.
(MORE)
108.
RUSS (cont'd)
Im sure youre all wondering what
I could possibly have to say on
this momentous occasion.
He now turns to face Debbie, who smiles nervously, blushes.
RUSS
You see, Ive only known Debbie for
a few years, but from the first day
I met her...
He stops to take a deep breath, then...
RUSS
From the first day I met her Ive
been madly in love with her.
Debbies jaw falls and theres a nice gasp from the crowd.
RUSS
And it had nothing to do with
seeing her naked in Dougs bathroom
at my Moms funeral.
Debbie flushes, ready to kill the little fucker. Russ
realizes this was probably the wrong thing to say-RUSS
Look, Debbie, I know Im just a
kid, but I always imagined what I
would say to you if I ever got the
chance, and what I would say is
that you are hands down the most
beautiful girl Ive ever known.
And now Debbie is staring at him in a different way.
RUSS
Youre kind and smart and funny and
sexy, and so pretty, really, so
perfectly pretty, and I would have
happily given up the next ten years
of my life to be your boyfriend.
And even though youre way out of
my league, I know youre going to
be the standard that I will measure
every girl I ever meet against, and
I already know theyre all gonna
fall way short. But at least youve
given me something to strive for,
right?
Debbie cannot move, just stares at Russ. Eva and Doug
exchange looks. Doug shrugging as Russ goes on...
109.
RUSS
Anyway, now youre getting married
and so Ill have to get over you,
and I just figured Id have an
easier time doing that if I said
these things out loud. So Mike, I
just want to say no disrespect
intended, youre a solid guy and I
just hope you never stop realizing
how lucky you are.
Mike nods, raises his glass. None taken.
RUSS
And Debbie, I just want to wish you
the best, you deserve it, and tell
you that thinking about you got me
through a very shitty time in my
life -- excuse me everyone -- and I
will always, always love you for
that.
He looks around at the crowd, suddenly self conscious and
raises his glass sheepishly.
RUSS
Bottoms up, everybody.
Theres a smattering of shocked applause and nervous laughter
as Russ sits back down, a commotion of fast conversation, and
now Debbie stands up and the room quiets down again.
DEBBIE
Russ, I dont even know what to
say. That was the sweetest thing I
ever...
She pauses for a moment, unsure of how to proceed.
DEBBIE
Well, all I can say is that if
things dont work out with Mike,
youll be the first to know.
The crowd laughs and Russ looks like hes seriously
considering slitting his wrists.
Fuck me.
RUSS
The dinner resumes. Claire makes her way to over Russ, puts a
hand on each shoulder and crouches down beside him.
110.
CLAIRE
There isnt a woman in this room
who didnt just fall in love with
you. Including me.
Doug watches Claire with Russ. Russ looks this way and Doug
raises his glass to him across the room. Russ raises his in
return. Then raises his camera. Doug flips him off, gets up.
EXT. COUNTRY CLUB - DRIVEWAY - NIGHT
Doug walks into the dark parking lot. He looks around, then
pulls the joint he confiscated from Russ from his pocket and
lights up. He takes a deep hit, holds it, lets it go, happy
now, just relaxing when-Doug.
MAN
Doug quickly flicks the joint away, sees Dave Potter step out
of the darkness, dressed in suit pants and a T-shirt. His
hair looks like he stepped out of the shower and into a wind
tunnel.
Hey, Dave.
DOUG
And now as Dave steps forward, we see that hes holding A

GUN, down at his side.
DOUG
How you doing?
DAVE
Not so good.
And now he lets out a small, strangled noise and points the
gun directly at Dougs chest.
DAVE
Pretty damn bad, actually, if you
must know.
Doug nods, the weird grin on Daves face scarier than the
gun.
DOUG
Are you gonna shoot me, Dave?
DAVE
You fucked her, Doug!
(glances about, softer)
You fucked my wife.
111.
Doug just stands there a moment, nods, then...
DOUG
Im sorry-DAVE
God damn you-He takes a step closer. Ten feet away. He wont miss.
DAVE
You fucked her. Like she was just
anybody. You turned the mother of
my children into a whore!
DOUG
I screwed up, Dave. Im sorry. I
was a mess, and I was still crazy
from everything and-DAVE
--WELL CRY ME A FUCKING RIVER! What
is that, like a new stage of grief?
Anger. Denial. Banging someone
elses wife? Fuck you!
RICHARD (O.S.)
What the hells going on out here?
And now Claire steps outside after him and screams.
Its okay.
Its okay?
DOUG
CLAIRE
You cant be serious.
Richard starts to slowly move closer...

RICHARD
Put the gun down, son.
DAVE
Get away from me!
RICHARD
Take it easy, son.
DAVE
He fucked my wife!
Richard stops moving. Claire closes her eyes.
112.
CLAIRE
Oh, fucking hell.
RICHARD
Is that true, Doug?
Yeah.
Oh. Okay.
DOUG
RICHARD
DAVE
Im gonna kill him.
RICHARD
No, youre not. I mean, you want
to, sure, and no one can blame you
for wanting to, but you know you
cant really kill him.
DAVE
He doesnt deserve to live.
RICHARD
Thats not really for you to
decide.
Uh, Dad--
CLAIRE
RICHARD
You have a family? Children?
Yes.
DAVE
(still pointing the gun at
Doug)
RICHARD
Then you worry about them first.
Because if you pull that trigger,
the only move left is for you to
put that gun in your own mouth.
Dad.
CLAIRE
RICHARD
Are you prepared to do that?
Dave just stares at Doug, shaking, sweating. Doug moves
closer to Dave, lowers his voice so only he can hear:
113.
DOUG
Its okay, Dave. You do what you
have to do. I understand. Im
ready.
Dave looks back at him for a long moment, his face finally,
relaxing into a sad little smile.
DAVE
This is not how I pictured the day
going when I woke up this morning.
DOUG
You and me both.
Dave nods, and then, just as hes lowering the gun, Russ
materializes from the darkness of the parking lot and hurls
himself at Dave, his outstretched arms reaching for the gun.
RUSS
Motherfucker!
The instant before his momentum knocks them both over, there
is a deafening roar that blows every other sound in the world
out of existence and a brief MUZZLE FLASH.
Russ and Dave roll around on the ground and Doug watches the
gun clatter away on the driveway.
Claire is shrieking and Richard is yelling and pointing, but
there is no sound. Doug sees Russ lying on the ground and he
stumbles over to him...
Russ?
DOUG
Someone tries to help Doug up, he shoves them away, shouts.

RUSS?!
DOUG
And now Russ rolls onto his stomach and pushes himself up to
his feet and looks at Doug, his eyes wide with alarm.
What?
You okay?
Me?
RUSS
DOUG
RUSS
114.
Doug looks down, sees his white shirt is soaked with blood,
he sits back on the ground, looks up, not unlike one of his
photographs...
Oh, man...
DOUG
INT. AMBULANCE - NIGHT

Richard speaks to the Paramedic, we hear none of it over the
screaming siren.
EXT. HOSPITAL - LONGSHOT - NIGHT
As the Ambulance pulls into the Emergency bay. Richard and
the paramedics unload Doug and we PULL BACK TO REVEAL...
Claire getting out of her car, hurries towards the building.
Russ remains in the passenger side, cant move.
INT. EMERGENCY ROOM - NIGHT
Two paramedics on each end of the stretcher, Richard walking
along with them. A young female DOCTOR in blue scrubs falls
in with them as they burst through the doors.
DOCTOR
(to the Paramedic)
What happened?
RICHARD
--Single GSW to the lower left
abdomen with clearly visible entry
and exit wounds. Vitals are stable,
no sign of any internal bleeding.
Start an IV, irrigate with five
hundred CCs of Saline, and get me
a CAT scan of the stomach and
pelvis to rule out solid organ
damage.
PARAMEDIC
What he said.
The paramedic rolls his eyes as the Doctor looks at Richard.
DOCTOR
Im sorry, who are you?
RICHARD
Doctor Richard Parker.
115.
DOCTOR
Well, Doctor Parker, I need to call
up for a surgical consult.
RICHARD
Whats your name, young lady?
DOCTOR
Doctor Holden. Stephanie Holden.
RICHARD
Well, Doctor Holden. You just had
your surgical consult. Now whos
the attending on call?
DOCTOR
Doctor Morris.
RICHARD
Sanford Morris?
Yes.
DOCTOR
RICHARD
Go wake him up. Tell him Richard
Parkers son is bleeding all over
his ER.
EXT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Russ sits in Claires car, shivering. He looks at his watch,
looks at the hospital, finally gets out of the car.
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - SAME
Claire, Debbie, Mike, Richard, and Eva all exit a room, head
down the hall towards the elevator. Russ steps into FRAME in
immediate f.g., slips into Dougs room.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - SAME
Russ comes inside, shuts the door behind him, looks at Doug,
asleep in the bed. There are tears in Russ eyes.
RUSS
Doug, look, Im really-But the door opens and now Debbie comes back into the room,
slightly out of breath, glances at Doug-DEBBIE
Let him sleep. Hes gonna be fine.
116.
He nods. Okay.
And Russ?
Yeah?
DEBBIE
RUSS
DEBBIE
Your toast was amazing.
She throws her arms around him and gives him a long, soft
open mouthed kiss on the lips. When shes done, she gives him
another, shorter one, then a peck on his forehead.
DEBBIE
I think youre beautiful, too.
(then)
Okay. Bye.
And then shes gone, leaving Russ with a blushing, looking
utterly dumbfounded. He looks to the bed where Doug, awake
now, looks back at him.
You okay?
DOUG
RUSS
Just give me a minute.
Then he jumps up onto the chair and does a little dance, and
then he runs across the room, opens the window, and lets out
a long, triumphant scream, and then pulls his head inside and
looks back at Doug...
RUSS
Is today the best day ever, or
what?!
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - LATER
Doug wakes up, confused, finds Russ lying on the bed beside
him, still in his suit and tie, sound asleep, Doug looks at
the kid a moment, and then immediately falls back asleep.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - MORNING
Doug once more wakes up. We hear the CLICK OF A CAMERA
SHUTTER, he sees Russ by the door, taking his picture.
DOUG
Knock it off.
117.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - MORNING
As Doug opens his eyes again to find Jim sitting there
looking at him. Doug sits up. Looks around the room.
JIM
Hes at my place.
Jim leans forward, considers Doug, then:
JIM
I look at you right now and I think
to myself, Jesus, hes just a kid.
What a fucking idiot I was for
thinking this kid could ever be a
father to anyone. I mean, Christ,
even me, on my worst day-He stops, takes a breath, shakes his head.
JIM
You gave it your best shot, Doug,
you tried, but I cant leave my son
with you. Whatever your life is, I
dont think its safe for my boy.
Russ needs a man in his life, not
some... not you.
He stands up. But doesnt go anywhere.
JIM
And no matter what you may think of
me, I do love that kid. And I dont
wanna lose him. I know that now.
Jim walks out. Doug lies there a moment. Finally turns over.
The camera he gave Russ sits on the side table. Left behind.
EXT. HOSPITAL - DAY
Doug walks with Claire to her car. She tries to help him
inside, but he waves her off.
INT. CLAIRES CAR - DAY
Doug stares out the window at New Radford. Claire shoots a
look his way, but knows better than to talk to him.
Claire pulls into the driveway. Doug gets out of the car
without a word and heads inside.
118.
INT. DOUG & HAILEYS HOUSE - DAY
Doug enters, looks up the stairs at Russs room. He goes up.
Peers into the room. Claire appears behind him.
CLAIRE
Jim came by yesterday, picked up
all of his stuff.
Doug stares at the bed. Now made. Every single personal
article now gone from the room.
INT. BASEMENT - GUEST BEDROOM - DAY
Doug looks at the wall of photographs that he and Russ
developed and printed. He starts taking them down...
Gavin, the realtor, shows a COUPLE through the house. The
group moves past the back door and we see Doug sitting in
backyard, smoking, waiting for them to leave.
DOUG (V.O.)
I feel a little weird...
INT. DOCTORS OFFICE - DAY
Claire lies on the table, getting an ultrasound. Doug sits
turned away from his exposed sister, glances at the NURSE.
DOUG
Shouldnt Stephen be here?
CLAIRE
Were getting a divorce.
Doug exchanges an uncomfortable look with the nurse who now
squeezes some ultrasound gel onto her belly.
DOUG
Still, its his baby, too.
CLAIRE
In sperm only. He didnt even want
a kid right now. Anyway, were in
the process of figuring it all out.
I have to say, were being very
modern about it.
DOUG
Modern? Meaning...?
119.
CLAIRE
We have a lot more sex now.
Doug and the nurse share another uncomfortable look.
CLAIRE
We have sex and then we talk about
the sex. We rate it. We designate
areas for improvement. But soon
Ill be a fat horse, then we wont
have very much sex, and well have
nothing else to talk about and that
will be that.
We hear THE BABYS HEARTBEAT and Claire goes still, listens.
DOUG
There might be something to talk
about.
INT. DOUG & HAILEYS HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY
As Gavin Liddle points, Doug signs escrow papers.
Doug and Claire pack up the house.
INT. DOUG & HAILEYS BEDROOM - DAY
Doug stands in the doorway with a trash bag. He looks at the
robe on the chair. He finally steps into the room and starts
shoving it all into the trash bag. The robe. Her make-up. He
goes into the closet and starts taking down her clothes...
Claire comes into the room behind him and without a look or a
word starts helping him.
INT. RICHARD & EVA PARKERS HOUSE - NIGHT
Doug has dinner with Eva and Richard.
DOUG
I told the police that it was an
accident. Dave was showing me the
gun and it went off.
Richard says nothing. Just eats quietly.
DOUG
They said that as long as he has a
license for the gun, hell probably
be okay.
120.
EVA
Laney Potter. Jesus, Doug...
Mom.
DOUG
EVA
You really are a moron sometimes.
DOUG
Thanks, Mom.
EVA
Have you spoken to her?
DOUG
What am I supposed to say?
Eva doesnt answer, just looks back at him.
a moment, finally turns to his father.
DOUG
You were really something, Dad.
Richard looks up at him.
DOUG
That night at the hospital. If I
wasnt bleeding so much, I would
have enjoyed watching you more.
(then)
Anyway. Thank you.
Richard stares at Doug a moment, then:
RICHARD
Did Hailey die?
Doug exchanges a look with Eva.
Yes.
When?
Last year.
DOUG
RICHARD
DOUG
RICHARD
Did I know?
Yes.
DOUG
Doug sits there
121.
Richard nods thoughtfully, then:
RICHARD
Im sorry, Doug.
As Doug comes up from the basement with his duffle and camera
cases. The house is empty. Claire stands in the middle of the
living room, shakes her head.
CLAIRE
I really should have bought this
place.
Doug takes a last look around, then walks out the door. She
follows him out.
As Doug watches the house recede in the side view mirror.
EXT. NEW RADFORD - DAY
Claire stops at a stop light. Doug looks off at the grocery
store across the road, then looks again...
DOUGS POV - LANEY POTTER
Loading bags into her minivan. She looks tired, unkempt.
CLAIRE
Word is, theyre in counseling, but
are sleeping in separate bedrooms.
They both watch as she slowly wheel her cart over to the cart
park and then walk back to her car.
CLAIRE
I hope they figure it out.
Doug watches her, now opens his door.
Doug--
CLAIRE
DOUG
Ill be right back.
We stay in the car as Doug gets out and jogs over to Laney.
Claire pulls over. Turns in her seat and watches as Laney
stiffens, nervously glances about at the sight of Doug.
122.
Doug says something to her. Laney nods. He keeps speaking to
her. She looks down, nods some more. Doug now hugs her. She
hesitates, then hugs him back, her body heaving as she sobs.
Doug eases his hold, whispers to her, then backs away.
And now Doug jogs back to Claires car, Laney watching him a
moment, before quickly getting into her own car.
Claire pulls out, glances at Doug who just stares forward,
the town of New Radford now receding behind him.
EXT. AIRPORT - DAY
Claire stands at the curb while Doug takes his bags out of
the back.
CLAIRE
They get cell phone service in
Timbuktu, or wherever the fuck
youre going?
DOUG
Timbuktus in Mali. In West Africa.
Im going to Mongolia-CLAIRE
--What-the-fuck-ever. I just wanna
know if I can call you, let you
know whether you got a niece or a
nephew.
He smiles at her, hugs her.
DOUG
You can call me.
(then)
Ill miss you, Claire.
CLAIRE
That you will. And you know what
else?
(whispers in his ear)
Youre not as big a shit as you
think you are.
He looks at her. She puts her sunglasses back on, stands
there, motions for him to get going.
INT. TERMINAL - SAME
Doug enters, pauses, looks back at Claire, standing there
watching him. He waves. Claire waves back, then turns and
screams at the COP about to write her a ticket. Doug then
walks into the terminal as we now go to...
123.
EXT. RIO TINTO COPPER MINE - MONGOLIA - AERIAL
A mile-deep scar in the earth.
EXT. MINE - DAY
Dust. Heavy Equipment. Doug, bandanna over his face, in the
middle of it all. He rides in the cab of one of the trucks,
photographs the DRIVER.
Doug photographs workers in the OPERATION TOWER. Supervisors
on satellite phones.
In the pit. An ALARM goes off and Doug coolly pans his lens
to the mine where a truck has gone onto its side. He barely
gets his ass out of the way as ore and sand begin to
avalanche.
INT. HOTEL BAR - NIGHT
Doug sits in the lounge making his notes. He hears LAUGHTER,
looks at some people at the bar, goes back to his notebook.
EXT. MINE - DAY
He photographs a MINER standing in front of a truck tire twostories tall. The MINERS eating lunch. Doug there with them.
Doug photographs a Gulfstream landing. He clicks off shots of
the EXECUTIVES disembarking the private jet.
Doug walks through the massive TENT CITY where the miners
live. He catches a glimpse of a SMALL BOY running amongst the
hundreds of small, yurt-like structures. He raises his camera
and follows him, here and there getting shots of the kid.
Doug sees the boy disappear into one of the tents. He moves
to the opening, raises his camera, takes a few shots...
LENS POV - INSIDE THE TENT
A FAMILY. Several small children. A WOMAN, the mother, looks
up from her cooking at Doug...
He stops taking pictures, lowers the camera. Looks at this
family. All of them staring back at him now. Doug raises the
camera again, but cant bring himself to take their picture.
He stands there, unable to move. The boy asks to see the
camera. Doug looks down at him, takes it from around his
neck, sits down with the boy, shows the camera to him...
The Boy steps back and takes Dougs picture.
124.
INT. HOTEL BATHROOM - NIGHT
Dougs makeshift darkroom. As he looks at the photo the boy
took of him developing in the tray. He takes a pair of tongs
and moves the print aside so that we see other shots of Doug
in the tent with the family.
The Photographer no longer so detached, he takes a long drink
from a bottle of Bushmills as we now HEAR A PHONE RING OVER-INT. DOUG & HAILEYS BEDROOM - NIGHT
Doug asleep in their bed. The PHONE RINGING ON THE NIGHT
STAND. He reaches for it, eyes still closed.
DOUG
Hailey?
(then)
Oh-- uh-- this is he.
(opens his eyes)
Excuse me?
He sits up now, listens. We hear someone still speaking as he
hangs up the phone. Sits there in the dark a moment.
WE PUSH IN NOW as he dials another number. This time we hear
RINGING ON THE OTHER END. Hear a groggy STEPHEN answer:
Hello?
STEPHEN (PHONE)
DOUG
Stephen, its Doug. I need to talk
to Claire.
STEPHEN (PHONE)
Doug? You have any idea what time
it is?
DOUG
Just put her on the fucking phone.
A moment, then-CLAIRE (PHONE)
Doug? Whats-DOUG
Shes dead.
CLAIRE (PHONE)
What-- Who?
125.
DOUG
Hailey. Her plane went down. Shes
dead.
CLAIRE (PHONE)
Oh, Jesus. Are you sure?
DOUG
The airline just called.
CLAIRE (PHONE)
They know for a fact she was on the
plane?
DOUG
She was on it.
CLAIRE (PHONE)
Im coming over.
DOUG
You dont have to-CLAIRE (PHONE)
Ill be there in an half hour.
Doug hangs up the phone. Sits there in the dark. Something
occurs to him and he gets up out of bed.
We follow Doug across the hall. He slowly pushes a door open,
the light from the hall washing over Russ lying in his bed.
Doug doesnt move, cant bring himself to wake Russ and tell
him whats happened. Doug finally just slides down the jamb,
sits on the floor, right there in the hallway, as we...
CUT BACK TO: DOUG
In the hotel room. Lying face down on the bed, hand holding
the bottle as he slowly turns his head towards us and we...
FADE TO WHITE
SOUND OF SATURDAY MORNING CARTOON OVER...
INT. KITCHEN - MORNING
TV ON. A LITTLE BOY, three, stands on a chair, pours cereal
into a bowl. Sloshes some milk inside. We hear the DOORBELL.
The boy climbs down off the chair, opens the front door to
reveal Doug standing there. He looks at the kid, confused.
DOUG
Uh, is this--
126.
RUSS (O.S.)
Jack, get up here! You gotta get
dressed!
Doug looks to where Russ comes down the stairs in baggy
pajama bottoms, hair all over the compass.
Doug?
RUSS
DOUG
You left this-He holds up his old camera. Russ looks at it.
RUSS
You came all the way down to
Florida to give me a camera?
DOUG
That and to ask if you got a summer
job yet?
RUSS
Of course not. Why?
DOUG
You wanna go to Mongolia?
Mongolia?
RUSS
DOUG
I need an assistant. Just for the
summer.
RUSS
Doug. My Dad will never-DOUG
Sure he will. Ill talk to him.
RUSS
Dude, where have you been? My dad
hates you.
DOUG
(looks past Russ)
I dont blame him.
Jim has now stepped onto the porch beside Russ.
127.
DOUG
When Hailey died, I never thought
of myself as part of the family,
but as debris, a loose end who was
still hanging around because I
didnt have anything else to do. So
I walked away, left you to your
anger and your grief. Im sorry,
Russ. Im so sorry.
Russ nods, tries to keep it together. Doug looks at Jim now.
DOUG
Im not asking to take him away
from you. I could never do that.
Youll always be his father. Im
just asking you to, please, let me
be in his life. Please dont shut
me out. Not now. Not when were
just starting to get to know each
other.
Doug looks past Jim and Russ into the house where Angie
stands holding her son, tears in her eyes.
DOUG
I mean, Jesus, Jim, you, of all
people, should understand the
concept of one more chance.
Now Jim looks back at her, too.
EXT. MIAMI HOUSE - DAY
As Russ throws a duffle into the back of Dougs rental.
RUSS
Look, Doug, I appreciate
youre doing, but I hope
think were gonna, like,
sudden start hugging and
catch and shit.
what
you dont
all of a
playing
DOUG
Whatever.
(tosses him the keys)
You drive.
Sweet.
RUSS
128.
INT. CAR - DAY
As Russ gets in behind the wheel. He starts the car. Sits
there a moment. Then-Thank you.
RUSS
Doug nods. Russ then puts the car in gear and grins.
RUSS
You know what they say? Nothing
parties like a rental.
We CRANE UP as he lays rubber out there. The car getting
smaller and smaller as we now...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. AIRPLANE - NIGHT
We move IN SLOW MOTION down the aisle towards the back of the
plane, PASSENGERS talking, reading, sleeping... until we come
to HAILEY -- sitting by the window.
She takes out the iPod Doug gave her, puts on her headphones,
listens to one of the songs hes downloaded for the flight, a
smile slowly spreading on her face as we then-CUT TO BLACK.

After Hailey

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After Hailey

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"AFTER HAILEY"

The woman, HAILEY, looks at Doug a moment longer, then

She finishes her drink, gets up.

He kisses her. She looks at him.

He opens his eyes. Focuses on the smiling woman.

Dougs bags -- a metal suitcase for his cameras and a canvas

Laney turns and smiles warmly.

INT. DOUGS KITCHEN - LATER

Russ turns away. Doug sees a spot of COLOR ON HIS NECK.

Russ pulls back his hair to reveal a blue, tadpole shaped

Russ produces a bent joint, pats his pockets for a lighter.

Russ pauses, turns back expecting Doug to say something else,

And Russ throws his hands over his face in despair.

Doug gives her a look, then-DOUG

She turns to him now.

(takes his hand)

INT. JIMS HOUSE - NIGHT

He looks around. Sees A LITTLE BOYS TOYS in the living room.

He stops, sees A PHOTOGRAPH of a GIRL beside Russ bed.

She starts laughing. Gets on top of him again...

Russ and Claire sit at the table quietly eating Laneys

Richard steps away from Russ, stares at Doug.

Claire and Russ watch as Richard clings to Doug, then opens

She turns. Stares at him.

She enters glaring at Doug, Knock it off. She kisses her

Dougs younger sister, DEBBIE -- tight-assed, immaculate, and

EXT. STEPHEN AND CLAIRES HOUSE - LATER

Russ sinks down in the back seat.

Doug looks back at the kid a moment, then...

Doug looks up, sees A MAN, about forty, in a nice suit,

Doug shakes his head, starts to get out, pauses.

She opens her eyes, considers him.

Eva nods, watches him dial, then:

Doug stands there as Laney Potter gets out of her minivan,

She realizes how harsh that was, tries to calm down.

She pushes herself against him.

He grabs her hand to pull it up and she struggles against

Doug turns to see an anxious Mike approaching. Russ takes his

Doug can feel Russ looking at him.

Doug fishes around in his pockets, pulls out his Valet

Doug looks out at the crowd.

Some strained laughter flutters around the room.

And now as Dave steps forward, we see that hes holding A

Richard starts to slowly move closer...

Someone tries to help Doug up, he shoves them away, shouts.

INT. AMBULANCE - NIGHT

Doug sits there

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