Untitled Screenplay

By Sebastian Lena

March 2, 2015

JAKE (V.O.)

Love looks not with the eyes, but

with the mind.

FADE IN:

Close up on a bright, bluish luminescent light. A faint

buzzing in the distance.

JAKE (V.O.)

My man Shakespeare penned that line

over four centuries ago. And would

you believe it? It’s as true today

as it was back then.

The buzzing gradually grows louder.

JAKE (V.O.)

The sad reality of it all is: It’s

the ones we love--the ones we build

up the most--that tend to hurt us

the worst.

The buzzing is at its peak. Then suddenly...ZAP. Silence.

We zoom out to see-

EXT. PATIO DECK - NIGHT

A bug zapper hanging invitingly.

The now lifeless body of a bug falls into a tray beneath the

device. It joins countless other fallen comrades.

Not a second later, another bug approaches.

JAKE (V.O.)

But even though we see the scars,

even though we know what’s coming,

we just grit our teeth, wince and

move forward towards the light.

The bug drifts curiously towards the brightness. Clueless.

JAKE (V.O.)

And we do it over...and over...and

over again. Until finally...

ZAP. Another one bites the dust.

BLACK.

2.

JAKE (V.O.)

We become addicted to the pain.

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

The doors to the building swing open.

JAKE (V.O.)

My addiction was Jenny Beckman.

Slow motion as JENNY BECKMAN (Early 20s, drop-dead gorgeous,

a designer whore) makes her way down the front steps. Her

blonde hair blows in the wind.

JAKE (V.O.)

Or as I was lucky enough to call

her...my girlfriend.

EXT. STREET - SOON AFTER

Jenny struts down the street. The sidewalk is her runway.

JAKE (V.O.)

She was the girl of my dreams.

GUYS fawn. Heads turn. Jaws drop. Even a GIRL looks her way.

Jenny is loving every second of it.

JAKE (V.O.)

And of everyone else’s, so it

seemed.

EXT. CROSSWALK - SOON AFTER

An ELDERLY COUPLE hold hands waiting to cross the street.

JAKE (V.O.)

You’d be hard-pressed to find a

sweeter girl.

The "WALK" signal flashes. Before the couple can take a

step, Jenny nudges them to the side and crosses.

By the time they regroup, the "WALK" signal is gone. Cars

beep as they’re left stranded in the middle of the walkway.

3.

INT. SHOP - SOON AFTER

Jenny rummages through shelves. Looks around suspiciously.

JAKE (V.O.)

There wasn’t a single dishonest

bone in her body.

She slides lipstick and makeup into her open purse before

quickly exiting the shop.

EXT. TOWNHOUSE - SOON AFTER

Jenny knocks at the door and waits impatiently.

JAKE (V.O.)

But as perfect as she was, she

still found time to love me

unconditionally.

She raises her hand to knock again before-

INT. TOWNHOUSE - MOMENTS LATER

A SHIRTLESS MAN, showing off a body carved by the gods

themselves, opens the door. Jenny immediately straddles him

as they begin wildly making out.

JAKE (V.O.)

There was just one problem. Teddy

six pack over there? That ain’t me.

INT. APARTMENT - BATHROOM - DAY

A medicine cabinet slams shut. Off the mirror’s reflection

we see JAKE FISCHER (Mid 20s, scruffy faced, a

decent-looking guy if he tried). He mashes a generous

serving of gel into his hair.

JAKE (V.O.)

Yeah, I was played. My "et tu,

Brute" moment, if you will.

Jake picks out a couple of gel crusts from his hair and

admires his work. He then heads into-

4.

INT. APARTMENT - JAKE’S ROOM - SOON AFTER

Jake expertly maneuvers around objects scattered across the

floor. It’s become muscle memory at this point.

He opens up the closet...nothing but hangers.

JAKE (V.O.)

But ask anyone whose ever been in

love. Sometimes, we only see what

we want to see.

Jake turns towards a massive pile of clothes in the corner.

He reaches in and grabs a--nope, that’s an empty beer

bottle. He tosses it aside, picks up a wrinkled, red plaid

button-up and throws it on.

JAKE (V.O.)

And that’s the pathetic part.

He buttons up and eyes a pair of worn-out jeans behind the

dresser. He lifts them to his nose and grimaces. Pauses.

Then again, who’s judging? Jake puts them on and moves to-

INT. APARTMENT - KITCHEN - SOON AFTER

A modernized kitchen. It’s beauty masked by empty liquor

bottles and old pizza boxes spread out across the counter.

JAKE (V.O.)

As long as Cupid’s arrow is lodged

firmly in our backs, even the worst

of people can come off as the best

for our beliefs.

POP. Jake grabs a Pop-Tart from the toaster.

JAKE (V.O.)

Ain’t love grand?

And with that, he’s out the door.

INT. OFFICE BUILDING - WORK SPACE - LATER

An endless sea of cubicles. The usual quiet and calmness of

an office environment is replaced by constant chatter from

dueling TV screens across the room. Sports, celebrity

gossip, food--you name it, a TV screen is playing it.

At the front, a SECRETARY mans a lone desk, focused on

anything but what’s going on around her.

5.

Behind her, the company name is printed in big red font

across the wall: "ClickIt." Under it, in small black

writing: "The pulse of the internet."

It’s corny. But what else would you expect from a company

whose foundation of success was built upon cat slideshows

and food listicles?

Jake makes his way into this zoo.

JAKE (V.O.)

Maybe I’m just bitter. Or maybe

love’s just a-

INTIMIDATING VOICE

Fischer. A word in my office.

It’s FRANK (Early 50s, the head honcho, wears his moustache

as if it were a badge). He motions Jake into his office.

INT. OFFICE BUILDING - FRANK’S OFFICE - SOON AFTER

A decent-sized office. Everything seems to have been

meticulously placed.

Jake and Frank sit on opposite sides of a monstrous desk.

FRANK

You’re fired.

JAKE

Seriously?

A beat. Jake is in shock. Frank stares back blankly. Then-

FRANK

(bursting out laughing)

No, but you should have seen the

look on your face.

Frank mocks Jake’s look of horror. Jake fakes amusement.

Finally, Frank settles down. His face grows serious.

FRANK

Love impedes success.

JAKE

What?

Joe looks at the corner of his desk and picks up a-

PICTURE FRAME

6.

The photo shows Frank with a familiar-looking BLONDE draped

across his arm. It’s Jenny.

FRANK

It’s no secret that I was never a

fan of you dating my daughter.

Simply put, I didn’t think you were

worthy. Still don’t.

Ouch. That one hurt.

FRANK

But I’m also not a fan of what this

breakup has done to your work

performance. You’ve been taking

dumps on my desk for the last six

months and trying to pass them off

as articles.

JAKE

That’s not entirely true.

Joe spins his computer monitor around towards Jake.

FRANK

(pointing at screen)

25 pickup lines broccoli would

totally use on you? C’mon, maan!

JAKE

I’m sorry. It’s just, my mind has

been-

FRANK

You see? Love impedes success.

JAKE

But haven’t you been happily

married for 25 years?

FRANK

Happily? Ha! Try asking me when the

last time I touched my wife was.

An awkward beat. Does he really want Jake to ask?

JAKE

(hesitantly)

When was it?

FRANK

That was a rhetorical question,

Fischer. And none of your damn

business!

7.

A knock at the door. The secretary pokes her head in.

SECRETARY

Mr. Beckman? Sorry to interrupt,

but Jenny is on line one.

Jake’s eyes light up at the mention of her name.

FRANK

Thanks, Samantha. (off Jake’s look)

What are you so giddy about?

Jake plays it off nonchalantly. Frank eyes Jake suspiciously

as he picks up the phone.

FRANK

Hello, pumpkin...I’m in the middle

of something with Jake...yes, that

Jake...can I call you back?

Jake is hopeful. Maybe his name might stir up her interest.

FRANK

Love you too, sweetie. Bye.

Frank hangs up the phone. Jake eyes Frank. Well?

FRANK

She says...ew.

Jake is heartbroken. Frank takes great pleasure in this.

FRANK

Where was I?

JAKE

Love impedes success.

FRANK

Oh, right. I’m going to give you

one more chance, Fischer.

Because--I can’t believe I’m saying

this--I see something in you.

JAKE

Thank you, sir. I promise I won’t

let you down.

FRANK

You better not. Or I’ll be forced

to become the second Beckman to cut

you loose. And you know how much I

hate following trends.

8.

INT. "THE BROKEN BRIDGE TAVERN" - NIGHT

A crowded bar. Your typical college dive.

JAKE

I think I might hate Jenny’s dad

more than her.

Jake is hunched lifelessly over the bar. A full beer sits

invitingly in front of him.

He is flanked on either side by best friends ZACK TAYLOR

(Mid 20s, the class clown, wins the battle over the last

slice more often than not) and CARTER HUTTON (Mid 20s,

dressed to the 9s, a future TIME Man of the Year).

ZACK

Hey, that’s progress. (to Carter)

Right?

Zack shoots Carter a concerned look. But he’s too busy

scanning the room. Left to right. Front to back.

Carter locks onto a potential target. Cute, but is that a

guy with her? Probably her boyfriend. Nope. Locks onto

another. One’s got the looks of a Victoria’s Secret model.

Her friend? Totally balling her eyes out. It’s a guys’ suck

kind of night. Pass. Finally...a table of THREE GIRLS, all

relatively attractive and appear to be single. JACKPOT.

He makes eye contact and smiles. Smooth as fuck.

CARTER

(back to the guys)

Forget Jenny. Forget her dad. What

do you say we go over there and

show those ladies a good night?

ZACK

Totally in!

One of the girls smile back at Carter. He tries to play it

cool, but then...Zack waves back, goofy grin and all. The

girls look away. Mission aborted.

Jake seems to be in his own little world.

JAKE

You know Monday would have been our

five-year anniversary?

9.

CARTER

Jesus. You put up with that for

four-and-a-half years? Humanity

owes you a medal.

JAKE

It just feels weird. Like a part of

me is missing.

ZACK

Let me guess. They’re round, saggy

and typically hang below a penis?

Carter grills Zack. Definitely not helping the situation.

JAKE

You wouldn’t understand.

ZACK

Jake as your best friend-

JAKE

You’re not my best friend.

ZACK

-I feel its my obligation to say

this. (beat) You guys remember my

cat Cher?

CARTER

Who could forget? I swear she was

out to make me her Sonny.

ZACK

I used to feel bad for that horny

little skank. All she did was wake

up, eat, shit on my bed and go back

to sleep before the Lord mercifully

removed her from this Earth.

CARTER

(looking up at the skies)

Bless her little soul.

JAKE

Your point?

ZACK

My point is, I think you might be

worse. You don’t eat. You don’t

sleep. For Christ’s sake, man, look

at yourself. You look like a

frickin’ lumbersexual. (to Carter)

Am I not right?

10.

Carter tries to remain neutral. But he can totally see it.

JAKE

(getting up)

You know what? I don’t need this.

He begins to walk towards the exit.

ZACK

Nice one, Carter.

Carter shoots Zack a menacing glare and gives chase to Jake.

Zack simply shrugs and slyly reaches for Jake’s beer.

A beat.

CARTER

Jake! (catching up) It’s all in

good fun, bro.

Jake turns around. Everything about him looks defeated.

JAKE

Think I’m going to call it in. Just

not feeling it tonight.

CARTER

Bro, look. I get it. Life ain’t no

picnic right now. But for one night

could we just try and forget all

the bad and just focus on the good?

JAKE

Honestly, it’s getting real hard to

tell the difference anymore.

CARTER

C’mon, man! Look around. We’re at

the Bridge. It’s Friday night, the

place is live and I could really

use my wing man right about now.

Jake looks around. Everyone is enjoying themselves. Jake

can’t resist the temptation forever.

The walls begin to come down. Carter notices.

CARTER

So I’ll tell you what you’re gonna

do. You’re gonna get your ass back

in that barstool. Chug a beer. And

then another. And another, until I

look pretty enough to take home.

11.

A beat.

JAKE

Bro, my life’s going down the

drain, not my standards.

CARTER

(laughing)

That’s my boy!

Carter puts his arm around Jake and leads him back to the

bar area. Zack sees this and excitedly grabs the BARTENDER’s

attention.

ZACK

JAGER BOMBS!

MONTAGE - VARIOUS

A). BAR - Jager bombs turn into pitchers. Pitchers turn into

shots. Shots turn into champagne bottles. The boys are

getting wild.

B). DANCE FLOOR - Everyone enjoying themselves. Carter

discretely grabs a GIRL’s ass. She smiles and begins dancing

with him. Zack attempts the same. It’s a GUY WITH A PONY

TAIL. Zack runs away before he can react.

C). VIP SECTION - The boys interrupt a Bachelorette Party.

Tyler begins grinding with the BRIDE-TO-BE. Jake grabs a

giant champagne bottle and starts chugging.

D). STAGE - The fun continues as the boys sneak up on stage.

Tyler pulls out a wad of cash and begins making it rain.

Jake does the same. Quickly realizes he can’t afford to.

Jumps off the stage recklessly to recover his money and

knocks people down.

E). DANCE FLOOR - BOUNCERS rush in and grab Jake. Zack

attempts to help. He gets grilled by a bouncer and

immediately thinks better of it.

F). OUTSIDE - Jake breaks fee and lands a punch on a bouncer

that would make Floyd Mayweather proud. Raises fist

victoriously.

Bouncer reemerges and lands the knockout blow.

BLACK.

12.

We’re looking from Jake’s P.O.V. Everything is blurry.

Suddenly, the silhoette of a woman comes into focus. It’s

AMANDA GRANGER (Early 30s, hasn’t met an ear she couldn’t

talk off).

AMANDA

Rise and shine!

We’re now looking at-

INT. AMANDA’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

An unusually desolate apartment. All that’s missing is

tumble weed blowing across the floor.

Jake is laid out on a beaten-up couch. He removes a frozen

bag of peas from his face. He moans.

The hangover is upon him.

AMANDA

(off Jake’s clueless look)

Sorry, you probably don’t remember.

I’m Amanda.

She hands Jake a plate with a slightly over-toasted bagel.

It’s obvious visitors are a rare occasion for her.

Jake sits up. It’s the most difficult thing he’s ever done.

JAKE

Did we...?

AMANDA

God, no. No. No way.

JAKE

Gee, thanks. Way to turn me down

easy.

AMANDA

No, I mean...you’re not my type.

JAKE

If I had a dime for every time I

heard that.

AMANDA

Let me try again. (pause) You’ve

got a penis.

13.

JAKE

(it finally clicks)

Ohhhh.

An awkward beat.

JAKE

Do I even want to know how I got

here?

AMANDA

Well, let’s see. I was coming back

from a walk, and there you were.

Right on the steps.

JAKE

Who goes on walks at 2 a.m.?

AMANDA

Who passes out on people’s stoops?

JAKE

Touche. Continue.

AMANDA

(acting out the scene)

So, there you are, sprawled out

across the steps--probably trying

to crawl your way up. Drool is just

oozing outta your mouth. Next thing

I know, you’re slurring at the top

of your lungs, ’Jennay! Jennay!’

(beat) Figured I’d save you from

further embarrassment.

Jake looks absolutely mortified.

AMANDA

It wasn’t all bad though.

JAKE

Thank God.

AMANDA

You did manage to give me the heads

up that I have a ’cold-hearted,

man-eating, no-soul having bitch’

living two floors above me.

JAKE

Oh, no.

14.

AMANDA

But surprisingly, ’she’s the

sweetest little thing once you

really get to know her.’

JAKE

Wow. Sorry about all that.

AMANDA

(laughing)

Don’t sweat it. I could use the

entertainment these days.

A beat. Jake notices the clock.

JAKE

Shit. I better get going. Another

hour and I’m sure my friends will

have an FBI manhunt in progress.

Jake gets up and begins quickly gathering his belongings.

Among them, he’s surprised to find: a pink, bedazzled wand

with a glow-in-the-dark star at the top, furry handcuffs and

a penis straw. Memorabilia from last night’s adventure.

Jake is embarrassed and confused. Amanda chuckles.

AMANDA

You need a ride?

INT. AMANDA’S CAR - LATER

Music booms on the radio.

AMANDA

You punched him? Just like that?

JAKE

Just like that.

AMANDA

Must have felt great.

JAKE

Honestly, I couldn’t really tell

you. But I’d like to imagine that I

pictured six months of pain and

frustration plastered all over that

bouncer’s face.

Amanda notices Jake analyzing his battle wounds. His face

and hand still kill.

15.

AMANDA

And how’d that work out for ya?

JAKE

More pain plastered across mine.

Laughter overpowers the radio. A beat.

Jake notices a crumpled piece of notebook paper under his

shoe. He can barely make out some of its content.

INSERT - NOTEBOOK PAPER

13). Ride a mechanical bull

14). See Paris at least once in every season

15). Eat every flavor of cheesecake from the Cheesecake

Factory

BACK TO SCENE

Jake picks up the paper to examine it further. But before he

gets too far, Amanda snatches the paper out of his hand.

JAKE

You’re a little too young to be

putting together a bucket list,

don’t you think?

Amanda forces a smile. Some inner turmoil is visibly

building inside of her. A beat. Two beats. Suddenly-

AMANDA

I have a brain tumor. The doctors

say I’d be lucky to make it ’til

next summer.

Jake is shocked. Completely caught off guard.

AMANDA

(exhaling)

Fuck, that feels good to say out

loud!

JAKE

I’m sorry to hear that.

AMANDA

It’s okay. You didn’t know.

Jake’s eyes fixate on the paper in Amanda’s hands. He begins

to put the pieces together.

16.

Amanda sees this.

AMANDA

It’s silly, I know. You’re probably

thinking, ’Hey, look, it’s the sick

girl checking off her bucket list

before she dies. How original.’

JAKE

No. Not at all.

AMANDA

You don’t need to lie. I know it’s

stupid.

Silence. Jake scrambles for a response. Something, anything

would be good right now.

But before Jake can even open his mouth-

AMANDA

(slowing car to roll)

This you?

JAKE

Yeah. Right here is good.

Amanda pulls over to the curb. Jake wastes no time popping

open the passenger side door.

He lingers before turning towards Amanda.

JAKE

Hey, umm, thanks again for last

night. And, uh, good luck...with

everything.

Amanda nods in acknowledgment. She smiles.

AMANDA

You take care of yourself, Jake.

Jake steps out and just watches as Amanda’s car disappears

down the street. What in the fuck just happened?

INT. THE BRO PAD - SAME DAY

A beautiful apartment. High ceilings. Exposed brick. Large

windows. Spacious floors.

But that’s where the beauty ends.

17.

This is the same mess of an apartment we saw Jake stumbling

around earlier. It’s your typical bro pad.

We catch up with Zack and Carter in the middle of a heated

FIFA matchup.

FIFA ANNOUNCER

To Fernando Torres. TORRES! There

it is! The golden goal!

Zack leaps off the couch in victory. Carter slams down the

controller in frustration.

The celebrations are cut short by Jake’s arrival.

ZACK CARTER

Hey.

Jake stops dead in his tracks. Not the welcome he imagined.

JAKE

That’s it? ’Hey?’

ZACK

Would you prefer us to bow at your

feet, master?

JAKE

No, but a little concern would be

nice. I mean, I did get roughed up

by a bouncer, black out and wake up

on some random girl’s couch.

CARTER

And you’re freaking out? Sounds

like a typical Friday night to me.

ZACK

Whoa! Hold up a hot, blistering

second. You got laid last night?

(to Carter) The Jakemeister’s back!

Carter shakes his head in disbelief. He hands Zack a $20

bill.

Yep. They actually bet on whether Jake got laid or not.

JAKE

I didn’t-

GIRL (O.S.)

Carter...

18.

Suddenly, an ATTRACTIVE GIRL steps out from Carter’s

bedroom. She appears to be wearing nothing but a t-shirt.

She’s clearly hungover.

ATTRACTIVE GIRL

Come back to bed.

With that, she stumbles back into the bedroom.

There’s something oddly familiar about her.

JAKE

(whispering)

Isn’t that the bride-to-be from

last night?

CARTER

(shouting into bedroom)

Be there in a sec! (to Jake) Not

anymore.

Carter smirks and heads into the bedroom. He pauses and

turns back towards Jake and Zack.

CARTER

You guys, mind...(nodding towards

room) you know...heading out for a

bit?

JAKE

Gotcha.

CARTER

Thanks, bro.

Carter closes the door behind him. Moments later, giggling

can be heard from inside.

ZACK

Wanna listen?

Jake is creeped out. Pushes Zack forward.

JAKE

C’mon. Let’s go.

INT. CHIPOTLE - SAME DAY

It’s rush hour. Jake and Zack are at the midpoint of a line

that stretches out the door.

19.

ZACK

Did you thank her?

JAKE

For saving me from complete

humiliation?

ZACK

No, for saving your job.

Jake doesn’t follow.

ZACK

Think about it, bro. You need a

spectacular story to save your job.

And one just happened to fall into

your lap. When the universe speaks,

you listen. No questions asked.

JAKE

Is the universe also to blame for

that sweater?

Close-up on Zack’s sweater. It’s pink with a flamingo on it.

Questionable fashion choice to say the least.

ZACK

Easy, Joan Rivers. It was a gift

from Grandma Taylor. Only thing I

could grab with you hauling me out.

JAKE

If that’s your story.

The line moves. Still a ways to go.

JAKE

But nah, I couldn’t do that to

Amanda.

ZACK

Dude. You barely know her.

JAKE

Still, it’s not the kind of bad

karma I need right now. I’m trying

to better myself to convince Jenny

that she made a mistake.

Zack is dumbfounded.

20.

ZACK

Your job is in jeopardy and all you

can think about is getting back in

the drawers of the bosses daughter.

You’re something else, Jake. You

know that?

JAKE

Shut up.

ZACK

I’m just saying, this breakup has

been using you like toilet paper,

bro. And not the thick, soft kind

you pay a little bit extra for.

You’re the thin, flimsy type that

rips apart mid wipe.

Jake rolls his eyes. A beat.

ZACK

When’s the last time you spanked

the money?

JAKE

(caught off guard)

What?

ZACK

You know, clubbing the clam.

Bleeding the weed. Releasing the

kraken.

Jake looks around uncomfortably. He notices a YOUNG BOY

glued to every word coming out of Zack’s mouth.

JAKE

You really want to bring this up

here?

ZACK

You just seem like you’ve got a lot

of pent-up stress. That’s all.

Zack is unaware that he’s up to order. Jake nods towards the

waiting CREW MEMBER. She’s disgusted.

CREW MEMBER

(coldly)

What can I get ya?

21.

ZACK

I’ll take a chicken burrito bowl,

uhh, brown rice, pinto beans, corn

and guac. (to Jake) Trust me, it

helps. I always make sure to set

aside a little Zack time before

bed.

JAKE

Ah. So that explains the locked

doors and Adele on repeat.

Jake is totally judging him.

ZACK

What? Her voice is remarkably

comforting.

INT. BRO PAD - JAKE’S ROOM - NIGHT

Jake is on his hands and knees looking for something under

his bed. He reaches for and pulls out a-

SHOE BOX

On top, scribbled in permanent marker: "Jake and Jenny."

From the lack of dust buildup, it’s obvious that it wasn’t

too long ago that Jake last took a trip down memory lane.

Jake opens the box, revealing photos, letters and mementos.

The pictures detail beach trips, skating on the frog pond

and games at Fenway Park among other outings. Common in most

photos: Jake smiling from ear to ear while Jenny looks like

she wants to be anywhere but there.

Jake moves on to the letters.

They are all ordered by month. Seems to have been a

tradition between the two to write each other a letter for

their monthly anniversary.

He opens up one that he wrote; it’s a novel with both sides

of the page covered. He moves on to one of hers; it’s

nothing more than aboue two-to-three sentences.

The signs were there, Jake was just too blind to see them.

He still is.

CARTER (O.S.)

I’m surprised you didn’t keep the

first condom you two used.

22.

We see Carter leaning against the door frame.

JAKE

I’m surprised you actually know

what a condom is.

Carter laughs as he walks over to get a closer look at this

box of misery. Concern is written all over his face.

CARTER

You know, you really should throw

that thing out.

JAKE

Can’t bring myself to do it.

CARTER

Just say the word and it’ll be

done.

Jake warns off Carter with his eyes. Back the fuck up.

CARTER

Only trying to help.

A beat.

CARTER

So I hear you’re contemplating

using that girl’s story to save

your job.

JAKE

Nothing’s set it stone. We’ll see

what happens.

CARTER

You want my take? Just imagine how

you might feel if someone exploited

your misery these last six months

simply for a byline.

Jake lets that sink in. Good point.

CARTER

Just some food for thought.

Carter pats Jake on the shoulder and leaves.

A beat. Jake reaches in his desk drawer and pulls out a

notebook. He tears out a new page and begins writing.

23.

INSERT - PAPER

It reads: "Dearest Jenny".

EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - DAY

Jake makes his way down the sidewalk. A man on a mission. He

holds an envelope in his hand.

Suddenly, his phone vibrates. There’s a notification: "One

new voicemail."

Jake plays the message:

FRANK

Fischer. It’s Frank...or Mr.

Beckman to you. I really hope you

took what I said to heart. I fully

expect to hear a pitch worthy of my

time tomorrow morning...or else.

Jake doesn’t have much time to digest message as he

approaches his destination.

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - SOON AFTER

A DELIVERY DRIVER with a package in hand waits at the front

door. Seconds later, the door opens and Jenny steps out.

Jake quickly lunges behind some nearby bushes. He slowly

peeks through the leaves.

JENNY

Three-to-five business days? It’s

been six.

DELIVERY DRIVER

Sorry, m’am, but Sunday’s dont

count. (holding out e-pen) If you

could sign...

Jenny quickly signs and grabs the package.

JENNY

Ugh. You’re useless.

She slams the door shut in the driver’s face.

DELIVERY DRIVER

Bitch.

24.

Jake watches as the driver walks down the steps and gets

back in his truck. The coast is clear.

But before he can make his move-

AMANDA (O.S.)

The sweetest little thing, huh?

Jake is startled to see Amanda standing behind him. Two

large grocery bags in her arms.

JAKE

(standing up quickly)

This isn’t what it looks like.

AMANDA

And here I thought I was the only

one who enjoys a good bush.

Amanda smiles. Jake is still embarrassed.

AMANDA

Want to get the door for me?

JAKE

(motioning towards bags)

Here.

Jake grabs one of the bags from Amanda.

INT. APARTMENT BUILDING - LOBBY - MOMENTS LATER

Jake and Amanda make their way in.

JAKE

Give me a sec.

Jake places the grocery bag on the ground. He makes his way

towards the mailboxes.

He takes out the envelope and slides it in the slit directly

above Jenny’s nameplate. Amanda watches this closely.

AMANDA

You do know you should be putting

it in the slit below the

corresponding nameplate, right?

Jake’s mouth drops. He can’t believe it.

25.

JAKE

So you mean to tell me I’ve been

writing letters to a...(looks at

nameplate) Mrs. Bloomfield these

past six months?

AMANDA

Aww! She’s such a sweetheart. She

lost her husband of 65 years last

year. You’ve probably made this

process a whole lot easier for her.

A beat. Jake shakes his head in disbelief. Finally-

JAKE

(accepting his fate)

I guess it’s for the best.

They share a laugh.

INT. AMANDA’S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - LATER

Jake and Amanda unpacking the groceries.

AMANDA

That’s everything. Thanks again for

your help.

JAKE

No problem. Here’s hoping our next

run-in doesn’t come under such a

awkward pretense for once.

AMANDA

Doubtful. (laughs) Seeya, Jake.

Jake turns to leave, but stops. A beat.

JAKE

It’s not stupid, you know.

AMANDA

Excuse me.

JAKE

Your bucket list. Or whatever it

is. It’s not stupid.

Amanda isn’t too thrilled that the subject is brought up.

26.

AMANDA

Look, Jake. I appreciate your

concern, but I don’t-

JAKE

We’re always told to live like

we’re dying, right? And you, you

actually are! But instead of

curling up into the fetal position

and crying over the crap hand you

were dealt, you’re attempting to

make the best out of the situation.

And that’s more than most people

can say--myself included.

Amanda is silent. She’s a sponge. Soaking it all in.

JAKE

I just think it’s admirable, that’s

all. And I respect you for it.

And...I don’t think it’s stupid.

Jake exhales. Everything is off his chest.

He nods towards Amanda and turns to leave.

AMANDA

Jake...wait.

Amanda digs into her pocket and picks out a folded piece of

paper. She hesitates, then tosses it to Jake.

JAKE

(opening paper)

This it?

AMANDA

In all of its glory.

She looks on nervously. Vulnerably. Completely exposed.

Jake glances over the list. Examining every entry. Finally-

JAKE

So where should we start?

Amanda is stumped. She’s torn. Does she dare let him in?

A beat.

AMANDA

You got a suit?