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RED CARPET by Tim Finkbeiner timf248@yahoo.com OPENING CREDITS Credits role over a small girl, Samantha Ashley, growing up on screen in a privileged environment: crying on a pony ride, big parties, television appearances with her famous actress mother. Home movies - A pretty young girl growing up - A lavish birthday - Disneyland - Hawaii - Joining her mother on the set of a movie - Getting a Mercedes on her 16th birthday. INT. A HUGE BATHROOM - AFTERNOON Present day - A beautiful, grown-up Samantha, 23, is now getting ready for a formal outing. Sam is in a huge, luxurious bathroom, people are rushing around her. A man does her makeup. A woman, her assistant LINDA, walks in with a beautiful dress. The others are milling about. LINDA Samantha, you decided on the Gucci, right? Samantha looks to see the dress. The makeup man is perturbed. MAKEUP MAN If you keep turning your head, you're going to look like a Michael Jackson on the most important day of the year. A handsome young man walks into the bathroom. He is Jonny Hartland, her sometime sex partner/movie premier escort. He's a model, sometime actor who looks good, but lacking a little in the brains department. JONNY Is there any water? SAMANTHA (very snotty) There is a thing in the kitchen. It's called a faucet. You turn the handle and water comes out. A simple process. She thinks "Is he really this big an idiot?" JONNY I can't drink that kind of water. I need bottled water. What about beer? SAMANTHA I have no idea. Check the refrigerator. Jonny walks out. The makeup man's eyes follow. MAKEUP MAN He's not the brightest one, dear. But he sure looks good. Linda is still standing there holding the dress. LINDA Sam… SAMANTHA I'm sorry, Lin. Yes, the Gucci. LINDA Like a glass of wine to relax? SAMANTHA I would love a Grey Goose Cosmopolitan. LINDA I'll make one for you. Linda waits for a response, maybe a thank you, but Samantha just checks her nails. EXT. AWARD SHOW - EVENING Samantha arrives via limousine to the Academy Awards. The red carpet, the paparazzi, the television hosts vying for the stars attention. The biggest night in Hollywood. Stars dressed to kill, walk up the red carpet. Pushy photographs vie for position, entertainment television hosts grab celebs for impromptu interviews. Samantha is lead from her limousine, Jonny at her side. She is as used to the attention as any woman her age could be, having grown up in the middle of it. A TV hostess beckons. TV HOSTESS Samantha....Samantha... Samantha responds and makes her way to the hostess. TV HOSTESS Samantha, you look lovely, who are you wearing? SAMANTHA I'm wearing a Gucci dress and of course Diamonds by Henry. TV HOSTESS You look simply marvelous. Who's your date? Jonny smiles and waves to the camera. SAMANTHA This is Jonny Hartland. Samantha's hoping he doesn't say much. But he has to say something to promote himself. JONNY Last seen in The Best Revenge.. He flashes a huge, perfect, practiced smile TV HOSTESS Samantha, you are up for Best Actress for your wonderful role in Lakeside Park and Jill Sanders is up for the film Who am I? Samantha smiles politely at the name of her rival. TV HOSTESS I hear from my sources that you are both up for the role of Dana, from the runaway best seller, Heights of Despair. Since you share an agent, I'll bet things around that office are a little tense. SAMANTHA Of course not. Jill and I are the best of friends I'll be happy for whoever gets the role. A huge, but expected lie. EXT. AWARD SHOW - EVENING Samantha's chief competitor, JILL SANDERS arrives with her date, an aging male star, ROLF, known for his sexual appetite as well as his six marriages. Jill makes her way up the red carpet, waving smiling sweetly to the adoring crowd. The camera moves in on Jill. JILL (smiling sweetly, lips not moving) I hate these damn things. They're all goddamn parasites. ROLF A necessary evil. They also pay for our houses and vacations. JILL I don't care, I hate them all. Samantha walks away from the TV Hostess as Jill arrives. They lock eyes for a brief moment. It's clear that they don't like each other. Briefly, Jonny and Jill eyes also lock. Shouts from the crowd. Jill, Jill… Jill walks over to the TV Hostess. TV HOSTESS Jill Sanders, how are you dear? Jill smiles sweetly, ever the actress. JILL I'm great, and you look better every year. Who are you wearing this year? The TV Hostess is charmed by this turn. TV HOSTESS Why, it's an old thing by Dior. JILL Well, it's lovely. TV HOSTESS Thank you, but it's now my turn. Who are you wearing darling? JILL Chanel, and I love it. TV HOSTESS You look beautiful. You are the odds-on favorite to win your first award here. How do you feel about your chances? JILL Oh, I don't know. Everyone was so great, Robin, Julia, Kate..I'm just honored to be mentioned in the same sentence. Samantha is obviously omitted from her accolades. TV HOSTESS Well thank you dear and good luck. JILL Thank you. INT. CROWDED AUDITORIUM - LATER The crowded auditorium is filled with Hollywood royalty. Two presenters are standing at the podium. They open an envelope. PRESENTERS And the award goes to.....Jill Sanders for Who am I.. The audience cheers and applauds politely. She may not have been their choice. The camera cuts to Samantha who is clapping but a little disappointed in losing. Jill takes her time walking to the podium where she is greeted by the two presenters and given the coveted award. JILL I'm shocked...I don't even have a speech prepared... (dramatic pause) First, I'm just honored to nominated. Being in the same category with Robin, Julia and Kate is such an honor. She omits Samantha once again. JILL (CONT'D) I want to thank my agent, Kyle Bronson, Paramount for making this wonderful picture, my director McG, of course my mom and dad and of course all my fans whom I love dearly. Thank you all. She leaves the stage to applause. INT. AGENTS OFFICE - FEW DAYS LATER Inside uber-agent KYLE BRONSON's huge office sits Samantha. Kyle and Samantha sit on comfy chairs with director GORDON WINSTON sitting on a couch. They aren't talking, checking watches, obviously waiting on someone. Jill opens the door looking like she's been up all night, clutching a cigarette and Starbucks grande in one hand and her award in the other. She makes a show of putting it in the coffee table in front of Gordon then takes a seat next to him. Kyle rises from his chair. KYLE I guess we all know why we are here. Dana. The most coveted female role since Scarlett O'Hara. We all know the book and the character. And I'm lucky enough to represent the two ladies that are up for the role. GORDON The role of Dana's sister Melissa is a smaller, supporting role, but is a demanding role, that in some ways will test the actress more that the lead. KYLE We want to test you both in both roles, then see who fits best in which role. Does that sound good? Jill is visibly upset. JILL See that award? Do you want to know what its saying? It's telling me that I don't have to audition. She blows smoke in Samantha's direction. Sam fakes a cough. SAMANTHA It tells me that you got a great script and slept with the director to get the role. An evil glare from Jill. GORDON Julia Roberts still auditions... Jill will hear none of this. JILL I will not play a supporting role to her. I don't care if she is Hollywood royalty. I've earned this. I've lived Dana. The closest she's come to adversity and pain was when she had to drive herself to Rodeo Drive and broke a nail. (To Samantha) And I never slept with him, even though he begged. SAMANTHA I have no problem auditioning for the roles. (To Jill) And I have had to overcome adversity and pain, thank you very much. Kyle tries to intervene. KYLE Jill, just a screen test. JILL I've live the role, I don't need to test. She needs to test. She's not even a grown up. She's never had to support herself. Her mother got her into this business. She couldn't live the role of Dana, she couldn't even live the life of a regular woman. (To Samantha) Have you ever fixed yourself dinner or done your own laundry? Not really. Not at all. SAMANTHA I won't even bother to answer those idiotic questions. She hasn't done those things. JILL Because the answer is no. You haven't. I grew up taking care of two brothers while my mother worked to put food on the table. I cooked, I cleaned. Everything. SAMANTHA To play a role doesn't require a person to actually have lived that role. That's why it's called acting. It's quiet in the room. GORDON Jill, you say Samantha hasn't lived the role so she doesn't deserve it. What if she does live it? Will you audition then? Jill laughs at the suggestion. JILL If she lives it, she can have the role. SAMANTHA What would I have to do? GORDON Live as a normal twenty-something woman. That means no limousines, no expensive dinners, no laundry service. Samantha is skeptical. So is Jill SAMANTHA For how long? GORDON For two months. Jill likes this idea. JILL Four months. SAMANTHA Three months. Kyle is concerned. Can she do it? JILL I have a few conditions. Nobody can know who she is. She has to get a real job, her own apartment and actually pay the rent. No credit cards. And I want pay stubs. SAMANTHA I get a credit card for emergency purposes, and five thousand dollars to start out with. JILL A credit card with a thousand dollar limit and twenty-five hundred cash. SAMANTHA Fine. KYLE (to Samantha) Where are you going to go? JILL Somewhere nobody knows her. SAMANTHA Maybe San Diego. San Francisco. JILL She needs to be further away, someplace far away from L.A. and she can't tell anyone who she is. If anyone finds out who she is, I get the role. If she doesn't make it the full three months, I get the role. GORDON I'm fine with those conditions. Kyle? KYLE I don't know... Kyle is worried about losing one of his major stars. SAMANTHA I can do it. It will be role research. I have one condition though. Jill can't know where I'm going. The tabloids will have someone waiting for me if she knows where I'm going. JILL Fine. Like I'd need to do that to get the role. KYLE I guess we have a deal. A deal where nobody seems happy at all. INT. SAMANTHAS CLOSET Samantha is supervising the packing her suitcases by her assistant, LINDA. Samantha is wearing glasses and her hair is dyed it's natural brown. Without makeup she looks surprisingly unglamorous. Samantha is looking through her clothes. SAMANTHA I love this silk shirt. She hands it to her Linda LINDA This is hand wash only, are you sure you want to take it? Samantha is annoyed at this question. SAMANTHA I am capable of doing something as simple as washing a shirt. LINDA I'm sorry, I didn't know if it would get ruined. SAMANTHA I'm sorry Linda, I'm just a little stressed about this research. She hands Linda some pink pumps. LINDA Do you think those will be necessary in Nambia? INT. AGENTS OFFICE Samantha and Kyle are in his office. He hands her an envelope. KYLE Here is twenty-five hundred dollars and a credit card. Do you have your birth certificate, drivers license and social security card? SAMANTHA Yes, all of them. KYLE You're going to have to go the Secretary of State and change your license when you get there. Samantha looks at the documents. SAMANTHA Mary Samantha Ashley Donner. My legal name. KYLE With your brown hair and glasses, nobody will know its Samantha Ashley. SAMANTHA What will you tell everyone about where I am? KYLE That you are relaxing abroad, taking time to enjoy life. Have you ever been to Michigan? SAMANTHA Once, I think. KYLE Well you're going there now. We want you to have an Dana authentic experience. You're going to Caro, Michigan, a couple hours north of Detroit. Population about 400. Lots of farms, small businesses. Samantha isn't pleased. She was hoping for a bigger city, somewhere more anonymous. SAMANTHA What will I do there? KYLE What do normal twenty-something women do for jobs? SAMANTHA I can be a designer, or writer, you know write commercials... KYLE I don't think there will be many positions like that there. You'll probably have to waitress or be a cashier or something. She's a little disappointed. She thought she'd have an interesting position doing something fun. SAMANTHA I'll find something fun to do. KYLE As a cover story, you are going on a trip abroad for some role research and self-discovery. I'm the only one who knows where you are. He hands her an envelope. KYLE Do you have any money or credit cards besides these. She opens her wallet and takes out about 15 credit cards and hands them to Kyle. KYLE Cell phone? SAMANTHA I can't keep mine? KYLE I got you one that only I have the number for. Samantha gives him her phone and takes the other. KYLE (CONT'D) This way you won't be distracted by all the calls while you're away. SAMANTHA How will I know what's going on here? KYLE The news. If there's anything important that I think you should know about, I will call you. SAMANTHA When do I leave? KYLE In an hour. A flight to Detroit then you drive for about two hours to Caro. I made maps for you. Kyle hands her a folder. SAMANTHA Will there be a limo waiting for me there? INT. PLANE - DAY Samantha, who will now be known as Mary, sits in First class, enjoying her last taste of luxury for a while. She reaches for the last of her champagne and drains it. The flight attendant reaches for her glass, but Mary grabs it. MARY I'm not quite through, thank you. The flight attendant is taken aback by the way Mary snapped at her. FIGHT ATTENDANT I'm sorry ma'am, we will be landing soon. Mary realizes, she's not her Hollywood self anymore. She's a regular person now. MARY I'm sorry, I didn't realize that we were landing this soon. The attendant is given the glass and returns a smile to Mary. INT. DETROIT AIRPORT - DAY Mary deplanes and looks around, unsure of where to go or what to do. She looks at the signs walks toward the luggage claim. Nobody recognizes her. INT - AIRPORT LUGGAGE CLAIM - MOMENTS LATER Mary is collecting luggage...and luggage..and luggage. A porter comes to assist her. PORTER Would like some assistance? MARY Yes, I need to get these in a car and driven to Caro. PORTER Caro? Never heard of it.. Mary is frustrated and getting impatient. MARY I have a map here. The porter looks at the map. PORTER That's about a hundred miles. You'll never get a cab to take you there. MARY Cab? I need a limo. I won't take a cab. The porter looks at her like she's crazy. PORTER Sorry miss, we don't have them waiting outside. You'll have to call and see if they will come. Mary thinks about it. She can't afford a limo anyway. MARY What will a cab cost? INT. STUFFED CAB - LATER Mary is sitting in the back seat, surrounded by suitcases. The cabdriver is looking at the map, shaking his head. CAB DRIVER I can't take you all the way there. That's too damn far. MARY Well, what am I suppose to? CAB DRIVER Can you drive? MARY Yes. CAB DRIVER Then I suggest you rent a car. EXT. CAB - DAY Mary and all of her belongings are sitting on the sidewalk. The cab driver looks at her like she's crazy and speeds off looking for a fare. INT. HERTZ RENTAL COUNTER - MOMENTS LATER Mary is standing at the counter explaining her dilemma. MARY You don't have a long term rate for renting one of these? RENTAL AGENT Ma'am, we have weekly rates. At the weekly rate, $168, times thirteen weeks comes to $2184, plus tax and mileage. Mary thinks about it. Can't spend that much money. EXT. USED CAR LOT - DAY An typical urban used car lot, full of not just used, but used-up cars. Mary and her luggage are dumped in the middle of a used car lot. INT. USED CAR LOT OFFICE -DAY The 50ish, overweight salesman/owner, NED KELLY, is sitting at his desk looking outside at Mary. Ever the typical used car salesman, he smiles, knowing he's got a guaranteed sale. A good one at that. EXT. USED CAR LOT - MOMENTS LATER Ned is walking out to meet Mary. He sees the expensive luggage. NED Hi, looks like you can use a car. Mary is tired. It's been a long, stressful day already, especially for a woman who's not used to doing anything. MARY Yes, I do. NED What type are you looking for? Car? Truck? Van? She starts optimistically. MARY Something sporty and foreign. Has to be in good condition. NED Well let's start with price. How much do you want to spend? MARY I don't know, maybe a thousand, twelve hundred if it's really nice. She obviously has no concept of car prices. Ned rolls his eyes. He points to a dented, green Lumina NED See that one. That is what you can get for twelve hundred dollars. Or that minivan. He points to a rusted Chrysler van. Mary is very disappointed. MARY Ewwww. What about that one? She points to an Accord NED That's a little more, six thousand. Too much. Mary walks over to the blue Lumina and opens the door. She sits in the drives seat. An odor hits her nose. She almost gags. MARY What's that smell? NED I think the previous owner was a smoker, I'll knock a couple hundred off it for you. One thousand even. I'll even include an air freshener. She looks around the lot. She doesn't have much of a choice. MARY I'll guess I'll take it. INT. EVENING - GAS STATION On a road north of the city, Mary pulls into the gas station. She waits. And waits. People pull in and get gas and leave. She is all alone. Finally after about 10 minutes, the cashier comes out and over to her window. CASHIER Is there something wrong? MARY Well, I have been waiting for a long time for someone to put gas in this thing. CASHIER This is self serve. It means you have to put the gas in yourself. This is a surprise to her. MARY Oh. Okay. He turns and walks away. Mary gets out of the car, unsure of what to do. She walks to the pump and reads it. She can apparently follow directions because she lifts the nozzle out and goes in search of the gas tank. She finds it on the other side of the car. She pulls the hose to the other side where the hose won't reach. She tries pulling it, only to have it slip out of her hands and bounce across the roof. The cashier inside can't help but to laugh at her. The intercom crackles to life. INTERCOM If you pull your car around to the other side it will be much easier. She stops and thinks about it. He's right. She gets in and pulls it around. Finally she gets the nozzle in the gas tank. She waits and waits. Satisfied there is sufficient fuel she goes inside to pay. The cashier is waiting for her, unsure if this is really happening. CASHIER You have to squeeze the handle in order to get the gas to go into the tank. MARY Oh really? INT. LUMINA - EVENING It's getting dark and Mary is driving through cornfields. She's trying to find a radio station. The windows are open, she keeps spraying perfume to cover up the odor. A little up the road there is a run-down, no-frills motel. She pulls in. INT. MOTEL - NIGHT She opens the car door. It's dark. Darker than shes ever seen. The clear midwest sky is full of stars. Then she hears the crickets and frogs calling loudly. She walks in the door. A sleepy clerk greets her. CLERK Hello MARY Is it always this noisy at night? CLERK Is what always this noisy ma'am. MARY That noise, outside. CLERK Oh, the crickets, yea, they can make quite a racket on hot July nights. I guess you get use to them after a while. What can I do for you? MARY I need a room for the night. CLERK Got a single room for thirty five dollars. MARY Okay. Is room service still available? The clerk stares blankly into her eyes. CLERK (deadpan) I'm afraid our chef has gone home for the evening. Mary seems to believe this. She reaches in her purse to pay him. MARY Okay, is there a place around here that I can get something to eat? The clerk thinks. CLERK There's a Seven-Eleven about a mile up the road. They are open all night. He hands her the room key. CLERK Room seven, fourth on the right. They have a good hot dog and Slurpy deal going right now. Mary grimaces.. MARY Aren't there any places with sushi or fresh salads near here? CLERK Well, there is a new Walmart in Caro, about forty miles north. I hear they have a nice big salad bar and they are open all night. Not real sure about the sushi though. INT. HOTEL ROOM - LATER Mary is in the room, choking down an ugly hot dog and drinking the first of many Smirnoff Ice beverages. She switches channels on the TV. Nothing on. She keeps clicking. MARY Shit. INT. LUMINA - MORNING Mary looks a little rough, driving the rest of the way to her new home. She's drinking bitter gas station coffee and hates it. MARY I would pay one thousand dollars for a Starbucks non-fat Latte right now. She passes: corn fields...more corn fields....sugar beet fields...soy fields...finally a sign: Welcome to Caro It's a small town. One main street with a brand new Walmart. She pulls out her cell. Dials a number. MARY Kyle, I'm here......No, bought a car.....I think I'll be okay....I mean what can happen in this little town?........Get a job and a place to live. The piece of shit car cost me almost half of my cash......Kyle, how do I get a job? MONTAGE Mary in an office. A woman shaking her head. Mary in another office. A man shaking his head. Mary in a clothing store. Nothing here either. EXT. CARO MAIN STREET - DAY Mary's holding a newspaper and walking down the street looking for a store. She finds it. Emery's Market. She opens the old door and steps onto the ageless wooden floors. Except for the type of merchandise, they store could have come straight out of the 40's. She walks around looking, almost stumbling on an old lady tending the lower shelves. MARY I'm sorry, I didn't see you MYNA Excuse me, dear. Mary is taken aback by her. MYNA EMERY stands about 4'11 and is 78 years old. MARY I'm terribly sorry, I wasn't watching. Do you work here? MYNA For the past 54 years I have. I'm Myna. She offers a hand then a surprisingly strong handshake. MARY That's a coincidence, I'm looking for a Myna. I'm Mary and I'm here for the position. MYNA Wonderful, after that new place opened, we have had a hard time keeping people. MARY Walmart? Myna puts her finger to her mouth. MYNA Please don't say that. George's blood pressure rises each time he hears that name. MARY Who's George? MYNA The store owner and my husband of fifty-seven years. Mary is shocked and impressed. Most marriages in Hollywood don't last fifty-seven weeks. MARY Wow, that must be some sort of record. MYNA Naaa, not even in my own family. My parents were together sixty-six years. Let's get you an application. They walk to the counter. Myna pulls out a one page application. GEORGE EMERY, 81 walks slowly from the back room. MYNA (to Mary) Just put your name and social security number on it. I don't need the rest of that stuff. (to George) George, this is Mary. She's here for the job. GEORGE Mary's a good name. I'm pleased to meet you. Don't like those names like Brittany or Tiffany. Just can't trust 'em. As George walks away, Mary fills out the application and hands it to Myna. Myna examines the application. MYNA Okay Mary, have you ever worked a cash register? MARY No, but I'm a quick learner. MYNA Have you ever stocked shelves? MARY No, but I can empty them pretty fast. Myna smiles at her. MYNA Are you trustworthy? Have you ever stolen anything? Ashamed, Mary confesses. MARY Yes, when I was twelve, I stole a bracelet from a store. A $500 bracelet from Tiffanys. MYNA Did you get caught? MARY Not by the store, worse. My mom. MYNA What did she do? MARY She made me take it back and apologize to the store owner. MYNA Well your mother did the right thing. You're hired. Mary smiles at Myna. MARY When do I start? MYNA Tomorrow morning. But I have to tell you, we are trying to sell the business so I can't promise you a job if we are successful in finding a new owner. MARY That's okay, I can't promise you I will be here long anyway. INT. CHEAP MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT Mary tosses and turns on the bed, unable to sleep on the cheap mattress. She turns on the TV. One of her movies is on TV. She starts to cry. INT. EMERYS MARKET - NEXT DAY Mary knocks on the glass door. George walks slowly to the door and unlocks it. GEORGE Good morning Mary. MARY Good morning. She yawns, tired from lack of sleep. He leads her back of the store. INT. EMERYS MARKET OFFICE Myna sits doing paperwork. Myna looks up at her. MYNA Good morning. MARY Good morning. GEORGE Would you like some coffee? A fresh pot of coffee sits in the coffee maker. MARY I would love one. I looked for a Starbucks on the way here. MYNA What's Starbucks? MARY It's a place that sells coffee. GEORGE That's all they sell? MARY Well, they sell Cappuccino, Espresso, Caffè Latte, Caffè Mocha, Macchiato... GEORGE I thought they sold coffee? MARY Those are coffees. Just different types. GEORGE If coffee is all they sell, they must sell it cheap. MARY It is pretty cheap. Under five dollars a cup. This bombshell freezes Myna and George. MYNA And people actually pay that much for coffee? George shakes his head. GEORGE Coffee, a beverage that is just hot water poured through ground up beans? (to Myna) Honey, we are in the wrong business. Myna pours a hot cup of her coffee and hands it to Mary. MYNA Here, dear. It's free. Mary takes a sip. It's not as good as she is use to, but with enough sugar, it will do. INT. EMERYS MARKET - CASH REGISTER Mary learning to use the cash register. It's an old push button one. No bar codes here. She rings up a soda and a can of soup. $126 dollars. Myna shakes her head no. She rings up a soda and a can of soup. 12 cents. Myna shakes her head no. She rings up a soda and a can of soup. $1.26. Myna shakes her head yes. Finally. Mary ringing up customers Patient people smiling sweetly. INT. EMERYS MARKET - DAY Mary is stocking shelves. She uses a knife to cut open a box. She cuts the top of the box off then reaches in to pull out a box of cereal. She tips the box of cereal a little and cereal falls out on the floor. INT. EMERYS MARKET - DAY Mary eating cereal while ringing customers up. INT. EMERYS MARKET - DAY Using the price gun to put prices on the merchandise. Missing all but four of them. INT. EMERYS MARKET - DAY Mary is leaning on the counter drinking a Red Bull. Myna approaches her. MYNA Are you tired, dear? MARY Yes, a little.. MYNA Well, go home dear, get some sleep. MARY I have to find someplace to live. The motel bed is terrible. I saw this ad for a room to rent. She shows Myna the ad. MYNA You don't want to live there. MARY Why not? MYNA I hear that the landlords aren't very nice. Myna walks toward the door and locks it. MARY You know them? MYNA Honey, I know everyone. I know a place for you to live. It's about two miles from here and cheap. They walk into the office. INT. EMERYS OFFICE Mary and Myna are in the office. MARY How cheap? MYNA How about $200 a month? MARY That's cheap, I think. Where is it? MYNA It's above our garage. The farm hands use to live there. It's nice and roomy. MARY That would be perfect MYNA Now let's get out of here and I'll show you your new apartment. EXT. EMERY HOUSE - EVENING The couple pulls up in their old, but pristine Buick to a farmhouse that is older than the store. It is in good shape, but needs a little TLC. Mary pulls in behind them and looks at the house and the surrounding farmland. MARY I haven't seen anything like this outside of the movies. GEORGE You should have seen it in the fifties. We had over five hundred acres, growing the best crops in the county. They walk toward the door. MYNA George's vegetables were winners every year at the Tuscola County Fair. GEORGE You won a few years yourself, with your animals and your peach pies. They enter the house, which could double as a museum. Everything is nice, but at least 30 years old with the exception of the avocado range and refrigerator, and a microwave. INT. EMERYS KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER George sits at the table. Myna starts dinner. MYNA Breakfast is included and served at seven. GEORGE Hope you like a big breakfast, Mary. MARY Well, usually I just have a coffee. MYNA That's why you're so skinny, honey. You need some breakfast to get you going and to get those boobies to grow. Come on out, I'll show you your room. An embarrassed Mary looks at her chest and follows Myna outside. INT. MARYS APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER The apartment is larger, and dirtier than Mary expected. It could use some work, but is liveable. The carpet is red. Very red. There is a bathroom, but the bed is out in the main living area along with a couch. Mary walks over to the closet and opens the door. Some old flannel shirts hang in the closet. MYNA I need to start dinner now. George is on a schedule. Do you need help with your things? MARY No, that's okay, I'll get them. MYNA Okay dear, dinner will be ready in an hour, if you're hungry. Myna leaves Mary's apartment. MARY Not the red carpet I want to be walking down. EXT. MARYS CAR - MOMENTS LATER Mary is pulling a heavy suitcase from the trunk. Mary lugging it up the stairs. Mary finally getting the last of them in the new apartment. A tired Mary falling down on the bed, fast asleep. INT. EMERYS DINING ROOM - MORNING Myna is cooking a big breakfast, eggs, bacon, hash browns. George is reading the paper, drinking a cup of coffee. A scene that has been repeating itself for decades. They hear the door open. A refreshed Mary walks in to the dining room. MARY Good morning. MYNA You must be starving this morning. You didn't join us for dinner. GEORGE You missed a mighty good pepper steak. MYNA I went to see if you wanted dinner but you didn't answer the knocking. MARY I was so tired, I fell asleep in my clothes. Myna is filling a plate with scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast. She sets it in front of Mary. It smells like nothing else she's ever smelled. She closes her eyes and inhales the wonderful odors. George notices her. GEORGE You have to use the fork, Mary. It won't get there any other way. Mary opens her eyes and smiles at him. INT. EMERYS MARKET - DAY Mary is ringing up a customer. She is doing better now. MARY Thanks, have a good day. The customer walks away. Before the customer exits. Two young ladies enter. They are KAREN FOSTER, 22, and DEANNA SHOLTER also 22. They are the best looking girls this small town has to offer and they know it. They would be merely average, maybe even below average by Hollywood standards. They walk past some out-of-date fashions and laugh. Karen picks out an old studded tee-shirt. KAREN Who in their right mind would wear this? They look at it laugh. DEANNA I can't believe you actually worked here. They laugh and wander over to the counter. Karen looks over at Mary. Something is familiar, but she can't put her finger on it. KAREN I can't believe it either. How stupid was I? They both laugh. DEANNA Why did we come here anyway? KAREN I didn't feel like standing in those long lines just for tampons. I make enough, I can afford it. Deanna plays along with her friends bragging. DEANNA How much does the head cashier at Walmart make anyway? Karen is pleased to tell her. Again. KAREN Eight twenty an hour, plus benefits. Mary made about three million for her last picture. Karen would have to work 40 hour weeks for 175 years to come close. MARY Wow. Eight twenty an hour. The girls turn and look at this girl. Who is she? KAREN Plus benefits. Karen smile smugly and puts her tampons on the counter. Mary wants to say something so bad. She wants to tell her that she pays assistant twenty five dollars an hour. Plus benefits. KAREN Did you go to Owendale? MARY What's an Owendale? The girls laugh at her. Again. KAREN It's a school and a town about twenty miles from here. MARY Sorry, I'm not from around here, I'm not sure where that is. Mary rings up the tampons. KAREN So why did you come to this shitty town? Mary didn't think about an answer to this question. She leans in to the girls. They also lean in. MARY (softly) The government put me here. Witness protection. The girls gasp. This may be the most exciting thing that's happen to this town in... well they don't know of anything exciting that's happened. DEANNA What did you see? What did you do? Mary looks around. She leans in once again. MARY I saw a mob guy kill another mob guy. Both girls stare with open mouths. KAREN (Trying not to look impressed) So what happened? Mary has no idea. She has to make something up. MARY I was a waitress in an Italian place. I was getting ready to serve some guy his ravioli and then, BAM, his buddy shoots him in the head. She watched the Godfather. MARY (CONT'D) I dropped his food on the floor. DEANNA Holy shit!! What did you do? Karen looks on skeptically. MARY Nothing, I wanted to run, but I couldn't KAREN So why didn't he shoot you? MARY I don't know, they have a code about that sort of thing. Deanna nods. DEANNA I heard about that... Karen glares at Deanna. KAREN When have you heard about anything about the mob? DEANNA I've heard things... KAREN So the government put you here to hide? MARY Just until the trial, then I'll go back to testify. DEANNA Aren't you scared? MARY Sure, a little. But they say I'm safe here as long as I don't tell anyone. You guys can keep a secret cant you? They can. But they won't. The whole town will know by dinner time. KAREN Sure, we can keep it to ourselves. MARY Thanks. I appreciate that. Did you want to pay cash or charge these? She motions to the tampons. EXT. REAR OF EMERYS MARKET - EVENING Mary exits the building through the rear door. Myna and George are there to lock the door behind her. MYNA Should we expect you for dinner, dear? MARY I think I'll go for a drive, eat something while I'm out. MYNA Okay, drive carefully. MARY Thanks Mary watches the elderly couple slowly enter their car and drive away. She opens her car door and slides into her seat and turns the key. It cranks and cranks and cranks. Tries again. Same thing. MARY Shit. INT. RESTAURANT - MOMENTS LATER At a phone in a nearby restaurant, Mary thumbs through a yellow pages. She finds an auto repair place. She dials the number. ANDY (O.S.) P&A Service, Andy speaking. MARY Hi, my car won't start. ANDY (O.S.) I'm sorry, we closed about ten minutes ago. Can I come and look at it in the morning? Mary isn't use to waiting for anything. This is such an inconvenience. MARY Well I had plans tonight... She's hoping this works. INT. B&A SERVICE - EVENING ANDY MACAULAY, 25, is a clean-cut, handsome young man who looks extremely out of place in a garage. His work uniform is neat and clean. ANDY What kind of car is it? MARY (O.S.) It's a blue one. Andy has to laugh. ANDY What kind of blue car is it? MARY (O.S.) Lummix...Lima....Luna.. ANDY Lumina? MARY (O.S.) Yes! That's it. Lumina. Andy is a little charmed by her naivety. ANDY What's it doing? MARY (O.S.) It's not doing anything. It won't start. ANDY Does the engine try and start? MARY (O.S.) Yes, it tries and tries. ANDY Does it smell like gas in the car? MARY (O.S.) No, I don't think so. ANDY Okay. Where are you? INT. RESTAURANT - MOMENTS LATER Mary is on the phone. MARY I'm at the Clock restaurant. ANDY (O.S.) I'll be there in about ten minutes. If it's what I think it is, it will only take a few minutes to fix. MARY You will? Thank you. I really appreciate it. EXT. RESTAURANT - LATER Mary is waiting outside. A tow truck pulls in and slowly drives around the parking lot. Mary realizes that he's looking for a blue Lumina. She walks over to the truck. Andy rolls down the window. ANDY Blue Lumina? Mary is a little embarrassed. MARY I should have told you where the car was, right? EXT. EMERYS MARKET REAR PARKING LOT - MOMENTS LATER The hood of her car is up and Andy is under there working on it. Mary sits behind the wheel. MARY Is this going to cost very much? I work here and don't have much money. She winces at this. ANDY You work here? I think half the people in this town have worked here at one time or another. If it's what I think it is, it will cost you about four dollars plus labor. MARY And what will labor cost? He comes up from under the hood. ANDY Try it now. Mary turns the key. The engine cranks a couple times then roars to life. Mary is relieved. MARY You are a lifesaver. ANDY Hope you can still make your plans. Mary forgot the lie she told. MARY I already cancelled them. I didn't think I'd be able to make it. Andy closes the hood and walks to her window. ANDY I'll be right back with the bill. Mary waits in her car, dreading the bill. Andy walks back and hands her the bill. She looks at the bill and then back at him. MARY Ten dollars? She can't believe it. ANDY Too much? MARY No, I guess I was expecting more. Andy is genuine and honest. ANDY The filter was four dollars and labor was six dollars. I was only here ten minutes. She still can't believe it. ANDY (CONT'D) If you don't have it, you can drop it off tomorrow. The address is on the bill. MARY Can I at least buy you a beer? Andy looks away shyly. ANDY I don't think my girlfriend would appreciate that, but thanks. Wow, a guy who doesn't want to pick her up. MARY Well than I'll buy you one and drink it myself. Where's the best place to go? Andy thinks. ANDY Wiltses is about the best if you don't like country places. They actually have music that wasn't recorded in the 50's. I think they have a band tonight. MARY I'll have to check it out. You're sure it will be okay to pay you tomorrow? ANDY Yes, I'm sure. MARY Your boss won't mind? ANDY No, he won't mind at all. Andy laughs a little laugh. She notices the patches on his shirt. One says B&A Service. The other says Andy. MARY You're the "A" in B&A. ANDY The "B" is Bob. My dad. MARY So I'm getting the "Know the Owner" discount? ANDY I guess you're getting the "Meet the Owner" discount. I'm Andy Macaulay. Mary reaches to shake his hand. MARY I'm S.. Shit. She can't use that name but quickly fakes a cough. MARY (CONT'D) Nice to meet you. Mary Donner. ANDY Well Mary, I have to go close up the shop. If you're going to be in town for a while, I'm sure we will run into each other. MARY Tomorrow. ANDY What's tomorrow? MARY I'm coming by to pay my debt. I always pay when I owe. ANDY Well I guess I'll see you then. Enjoy that beer for me. MARY I will. Thanks. Andy slowly walks to his tow truck. Mary watches his ass in her side view mirror. MARY (softly to herself) Nice buns. INT. MARYS APARTMENT BATHROOM - EVENING Mary is fixing her makeup in the cramped bathroom. The light isn't very good. Mary looking through her closet for something appropriate for going out to the bar. Mary is wearing jeans that cost more than a week's wages in these parts, a silk shirt and $600 high heels. Way too dressed up for this town. EXT. WILTSES BAR -EVENING From the outside the bar appears to be nothing special. The vehicles parked in the gravel parking lot outside are mainly trucks. She looks around the parking lot and the neon signs advertising various beers. MARY (psyching herself up) Fit in. You can do it. She looks down at her outfit. She's going to stand out. She walks toward the door, stumbling in her high heels on the gravel. INT. WILTSES - MOMENTS LATER The front door opens and Mary walks in. Surveying the bar, it looks the same as she thought it would look. An old wooden bar, covered with thousands of cigarette burns, sits on the far wall. The bar is about half full. The men mostly wear hats, Levis and tee shirts advertising their favorite beer, sports team or anatomy part. Some women wear tight jeans and belly shirts. Even the ones who shouldn't. Mary walks over to an empty seat at the bar. She sits down. The bartender, Rod, walks over. He's a pleasant looking man of 50, a little overweight. ROD Hi, what can I get you? MARY I'll have a Grey Goose Cosmopolitan. ROD A what? MARY A Grey Goose Cosmopolitan. ROD What's in one? MARY I just know it's Grey Goose and some red stuff. Maybe cranberry. ROD Sorry, we don't have Grey Goose. We have Smirnoff and Popov vodkas. MARY I guess I'll just have a glass of Merlot. ROD Not much of a wine list I'm afraid. Just red or white wine. MARY I'll have a glass of red. The Rod goes to get her a glass. Mary turns to look around the bar. Half of the bar is looking at her. Some turn away when she sees them. Rod returns with her wine. ROD That will be two seventy five. Mary hands him a twenty. He leaves to get her the change. She has a sip and about chokes on it. It tastes like a $2.75 glass of wine should taste. Rod returns with her change. ROD How is it? No need to insult the bartender the first time here. MARY It's okay. Guess I'm not really in a wine mood tonight. ROD Might be a little old. How about a nice cold Budweiser? MARY Sure. He leaves to get her Bud. INT. WILTSES FRONT DOOR The front door opens and Karen and Deanna walk in the door. Men and women greet them by name as they walk through the bar. They walk to a table on the other side of the bar from Mary, near where the band will be playing. INT. WILTSES BAR Rod comes back to Mary. ROD Grey Goose Citron, Cointreau, Cranberry, and Lime Juice. MARY What's that? ROD A Grey Goose Cosmopolitan. I looked it up and we don't have any of it. I'll try and make something close if you want. MARY No, that's okay. The beer is tasting pretty good tonight. ROD You'll fit in better drinking the beer. Not many locals drinking Cosmopolitans or wine. MARY I look more local with a beer? ROD Yes, but those clothes still give you away. She looks around at the girls in the bar. He's right. MARY Where would I go shopping for clothes? ROD There is a mall in Bay City. It's about 30 miles west of here. She needs to go shopping for clothes. No need bringing unneeded attention to herself. MARY Thank you very much. ROD No problem. How long until the trial anyway? She laughs. Word gets around fast. MARY Not sure when. I'm glad they could keep a secret. ROD Small town. Word travels fast. Mary. He knows her name. MARY I see. Can you keep a secret...? She's waiting for his name. ROD Rod. Rod moves close. ROD (CONT'D) Is this new secret that you were bullshitting them? MARY Yes. Rod. They both smile. ROD That was pretty good, they bought it all. You should be an actress. With that, he walks away to pour more beers. INT. WILTSES BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER Karen and Deanna enter the bathroom. They are adjusting their makeup. KAREN Did I tell you? I might go to the new store in Bay City? I'll get out of here, finally. DEANNA What about Andy? KAREN You think I'm going to marry him? I need a man with ambition. He left his in New York. DEANNA He's got a good job. His own business. What's wrong with that? KAREN Nothing if you want to stay here and spend every week doing the same thing. DEANNA You make it sound bad here. KAREN It is bad. It's boring and monotonous. It's Friday night and here we are, in this shitty bar drinking beer in bottles. DEANNA I like beer and this bar. KAREN Wouldn't you like to be in a classy place drinking classy drinks with good looking men who have good jobs. This does have some appeal to Deanna. DEANNA I guess. But she's still not convinced. DEANNA Did you tell anyone about that girl today at Emerys? KAREN No. Did you? A lie DEANNA No, me either. Another lie. They finish and leave the bathroom. As soon as the door closes Mary opens a stall door. She heard everything they said. INT. WILTSES BAR - MOMENTS LATER Walking back to her seat she sees Andy sitting with Karen. Dressed in regular clothes he looks pretty good to her. He waves to her. Karen sees him wave and gives him a dirty look. She sits and finishes her beer. Rod appears. ROD Another beer, Mary? MARY Yes, I would. Rod goes turns around to get one from the cooler and returns in an instant. ROD It's on the house. Ohio customer discount. Mary is impressed. MARY This town treats it's visitors very well. ROD You know Andy? MARY A little. He fixed my car today. ROD He's a good guy. Know his girlfriend? MARY She's one of the one's I lied to. ROD Figures. She's got the biggest mouth in the town. She looks over at her and Andy who is sitting there bored while Karen flirts with another guy. MARY What does he see in her? He seems like a nice guy. ROD He is. That's the problem. INT. SMALL APARTMENT - NIGHT Jonny is sitting in his barren apartment, looking under couch cushions, counting out change so he can go out. He is broke. Magazines sit cluttered on a table. An idea pops into his nearly empty head. He flips through one of the tabloids then picks up the phone to dial. JONNY Do you pay cash for pictures? He smiles at the answer. INT. WILTSES BAR - LATER The band is playing bad 70's rock tunes and the place is rocking. Mary is still there drinking beer. She's watching the band and swaying to the music. A tap on her shoulder from behind. She turns and it's Andy. MARY Hey, my hero. Going to let me buy you that beer now? He holds up a full beer. ANDY Not now, maybe later. MARY You have something against a woman buying you a beer? He does. ANDY No, but I have a full one right now. MARY You're girlfriend know you're over here.? He looks over at Karen who is busy talking with the guys in the band. ANDY I doubt if she knows I've left the table. MARY What do you see in her? I know she's beautiful, but… Andy won't speak badly of her out of respect. ANDY We've been together on and off since high school. She's a nice girl once you get to know her. MARY I had a feeling you were going to say that. Andy shrugs. ANDY So you didn't tell me you are hiding here in our little town. Mary fakes surprise. MARY Who said I'm hiding? ANDY Word travels fast. Especially since you told the biggest gossips in town. Mary smiles at him. MARY And they still believe it? ANDY I don't think so. Too many people have made fun of them for believing it. They are kinda pissed about it. MARY What do you think? ANDY I think it's kind of funny. I can imagine what she said in Emery's today. If she wasn't my girlfriend, I'd say she probably deserved it. MARY So you're not mad? ANDY At what? MARY My being a smartass. Making her look foolish. ANDY Not really, but... Andy is interrupted by a tap on the shoulder. It's Karen. She's not happy. ANDY Hi Karen. You've met Mary, right? Karen coldly stares at Mary, looking over her outfit. KAREN Well, if it isn't the mafia princess. Seen any good murders lately? Mary laughs at this. MARY I'm sorry. An overactive imagination, I guess. Karen hates her. Silence. Karen has to say something to save face. Anything... KAREN Speaking of overactive imagination, where did you get those ugly shoes? Payless? And that shirt. I'm sure I saw it on the discount rack at Walmart. Mary looks down at her $720 Casadei shoes, $480 Fendi Jeans, and her $430 Moschino Patchwork T-Shirt. Should she tell her? Yep. MARY These are Casadei shoes. Karen looks at her. So? Like that name means anything to her. KAREN Like that's a real designer. She's never heard of Casadei. ANDY Please excuse me ladies. Andy walks off to the bathroom. KAREN So what were you two talking about? MARY Nothing much. My job. Caro. KAREN There's not much to talk about. The town sucks and the Emery's are fossils. I think they founded it. Karen turn and leans on the bar looking at the towns people having fun. MARY The Emery's are sweet. And I like this town. It's comfortable. KAREN Yea, comfortable like an old slipper. Please. This place is so damn boring. If you like it here, you obviously haven't been many places. Not many except Paris, Rome, Cannes... KAREN (CONT'D) I need to get back to my table. My friends are waiting. Before Mary can say a thing, Karen has left. MARY Good-bye Sweetie. She smiles sweetly. ROD Casadei shoes. You aren't from Ohio. Rod know his shoes and may have a few secrets of his own. INT. LAUNDRY MAT - NIGHT Mary walks into a laundromat carrying two paper grocery bags of dirty laundry. She looks around, unsure if what to do. The attendant, an older man, merely looks up from watching a baseball game and nods. She walks over to an empty machine and reads the directions on the lid. She puts her quarters in the slots and starts the washer. An older woman sitting near smiles at her. Mary dumps one bag of clothes in the washer and closes the lid. OLDER WOMAN Aren't you going to use soap, dear? You need soap. Mary forgot soap. MARY I can't believe I forgot it. OLDER WOMAN They have some over there in the dispenser. Mary walks to the dispenser and inserts more quarters. Out pops a small bag of detergent that is good for four loads of clothing. Mary goes over to the washer and dumps the entire opened bag into the washer. The old woman shakes her head in disgust. Mary sits in a chair and picks up a magazine. Slowly bubbles start to emerge from the washing machine. Mary still reading. The old woman looking at the washing machine, eyes wide open. Back to the washer, more bubbles emerging. Mary reading. Old woman. Still watching. Washer, where bubbles are now overflowing on the ground. The older woman slowly gets up and starts walking over to tell Mary. The camera focuses on her feet, treading slowly on the soapy wet floor. Then it happens. She loses her footing and crashes to the floor in a painful thud. EXT. LAUNDRY MAT - LATER Two EMT's are loading the old woman in the back of an ambulance. Mary is crying while the attendant is attempting to comfort her. He puts his arm around her. ATTENDANT Don't worry, lots of women her age break their hips every day. With this Mary cries even harder. INT. EMERYS MARKET - DAY Mary is working the register. Myna is stocking the shelves. George comes out of the office. GEORGE Mom, I'm not feeling well right now. Think you can take me home? Myna comes to him. MYNA Do you need to see Dr. Wolcott? GEORGE No, I just want to go home and rest. MYNA (to George) You're going to see Dr. Wolcott. (to Mary) Will you be okay here? MARY Yes, I'll be fine GEORGE We hardly have customers anymore, of course she'll be fine. He gives her a wink. MYNA Okay, Dad, come on, let's go. GEORGE Old age is hard, Mary. I wouldn't recommend it. MARY What's the alternative? She smiles at him. INT. JILLS HOLLYWOOD HOME - EVENING In a beautifully furnished living room, Jill is in a robe reading a tabloid. She gets an idea. She picks up a cell phone and dials a number. JILL Hello? I have a story that I think you would like... Just then, she looks up. Samantha's (Mary's) boyfriend Jonny, also in a robe comes into the living room. JONNY Do you have any bottled water? She shushes him and returns to her call. JILL I have information about Samantha Ashley... INT. MARYS APARTMENT - EVENING She's trying to iron some clothes. Entertainment Tonight is running a story on her. The television plays. ON TV We see clips of Samantha in various movie parts, at premiers, etc. HOST (V.O.) Samantha is rumored to be staying in an undisclosed drug rehab center. Calls to her representatives have not been returned. MARY Dammit! She doesn't notice that the iron is too hot. She lifts it with the clothing stuck to the iron. Shit. That's a $300 shirt ruined. She hears the Emery's car pull into the driveway. She runs down to see them. EXT. EMERYS DRIVEWAY - MOMENTS LATER Mary goes to the passenger door to help with George. MARY (to Myna) Is he okay? (to George) Are you okay? MYNA He's comfortable now. We have more tests in Saginaw. They are now out of the car and walking to the house. GEORGE I'll be fine. I just need some rest. They get him in his easy chair in the living room. He is in obviously in some pain. MARY Can I do anything to help? MYNA No, dear. We are okay now. He feels better here at home. MARY He should be in the hospital if he's in that much pain. GEORGE Nonsense, I'll be fine in a few days. INT. MARYS APARTMENT - NIGHT Mary is in bed, tossing and turning. She can't sleep. She looks at the clock. It's 1:00 am. EXT. MARYS APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER Mary walks out of her apartment into the darkness. The sounds of a country night greet her. Crickets chirp. Frogs serenade. A moon so bright it creates shadows. Mary starts walking down the road. EXT. MAIN STREET OF CARO - MOMENTS LATER Mary is walking down the empty main street of Caro. She looks in the windows of the stores. The clean streets. A light breeze blows a newspaper toward her. Instinctively, she reaches down to pick up the offending paper and throws it in a garbage can. INT. EMERYS MARKET - DAY A delivery man is unpacking and stocking the magazine shelves as Mary stocks some shelves. The delivery man finishes and brings her the bill to sign. DELIVERY MAN Here, you go. Just sign on the bottom line please. Mary signs. DELIVERY MAN Thanks. Have a great day. The delivery man leaves and Mary goes to the register. Two older ladies enter the store for a little shopping. They stop at the magazines and pick a few out, chatting along the way. They smile as they they pass Mary, but never stop chatting. Mary can hear a little their conversation. OLDER WOMAN #1 and it's such a shame that they have all the fame and money, and they still aren't happy. OLDER WOMAN #2 They are just spoiled. That's all. They don't appreciate anything. As they set their items on the counter Mary sees it. The camera focuses in on the new National Enquirer featuring a drunken Samantha Ashley on the cover with the caption reading "Young Star in Rehab." Mary is in shock. EXT. EMERYS MARKET REAR PARKING LOT Mary is pacing in the parking lot talking to her agent, tabloid in her hand. MARY I can't believe it. This is such bullshit. Can I sue? KYLE (O.S.) Yes, but what good is that going to do? They covered all their bases. That's why they pay millions a year for a crack legal team. MARY Where would they get that story from? I don't even use drugs. INT. AGENTS OFFICE - DAY Kyle is sitting at his huge desk, thumbing through the new National Enquirer. KYLE You didn't see the other picture? MARY (O.S.) No... She's now worried that they may have found out that where she is and she will lose the role. KYLE Turn to page fifty-nine. EXT. EMERYS MARKET REAR PARKING LOT - DAY Mary flips to page fifty-nine. She sees the picture. It's a picture of Jonny and Jill together in bed. Mary pissed. MARY I want her cell number. KYLE (O.S.) Whose? MARY You know whose number I want. The bitch who fed them that story. KYLE (O.S.) You don't want to do that. Just let it be. We don't even know it's her. MARY Yes, we do know. KYLE (O.S.) You didn't get it from me. 555 1276. The rear door opens. Myna looks out. MARY (To Kyle) I'll call you soon. She hangs up the phone. MYNA Are you alright, dear? Mary wipes a tear away. MARY I'll be okay. MYNA You can tell us. We are family now. Whatever it is. Mary is touched by her kindness. She looks up with a crooked smile. INT. WILTSES BAR - EVENING Mary is sitting at the bar finishing a beer. Make that her fourth beer. She's pretty drunk. Rod comes over. MARY I want another beer. Rod looks at her, then behind her. Andy comes up to the bar and sits next to her. He smiles at her. MARY Well, it's my hero again. ANDY I think I'll take that beer now. If the offer still stands. Mary smiles back at him. INT. WILTSES BAR - EVENING Andy and Mary are at a table now talking, both with a beers. MARY So the Emery's have known you your whole life? ANDY They've known everyone here their whole lives. They've always been here. Like the water tower. MARY They told me they use to have a big farm. ANDY Yea, I heard it was pretty good size back in the 40's and 50's. Just about everyone here worked for them one time or another. MARY At the store? ANDY At the store, at the farm. Times get tough, they would hire people even if they didn't need the help just so the people could pay the mortgage and put food on the table. Mary is amazed at their generosity. ANDY (CONT'D) Up until a few years ago, they would leave the store unlocked all night, so if someone needed something, they could get it. MARY And no one stole anything? ANDY Don't know. If they did, the Emery's never said anything. MARY Where are their children? ANDY They never had any. Don't know why. They always loved having kids around. Think it was probably some medical reason. Can't imagine people like that not wanting children to love. Mary wants to cry. These wonderful people, full of love, couldn't have children. ANDY (CONT'D) They gave their love to the town. Sounds kind of silly. You'll never find better people. Anywhere. MARY I found that out. ANDY It's a shame that they are losing so much business to that big place. MARY Where your girlfriend works? Andy smiles. ANDY Yea, that place. MARY Can't even say the name of it? ANDY I can, I choose not to. I hate to see capitalism encroaching on a place like this. I know that the company has its duty to share holders, but at what cost. For a community like this to survive, the profits have to stay here. It will ruin it. Mary is amazed at his grasp of the economy in small towns. He is no ordinary mechanic. MARY I'm not sure what you said, but I'd have to say I agree with you. INT. MARYS APARTMENT - NIGHT A drunk Mary is making a call on her cell phone. INT. TRENDY CLUB IN LA - MOMENTS LATER Jill is holding court with her posse and various hangers-on and Jonny. Her phone rings. They all become silent, the queen is about to use her phone. Jill answers. JILL Who's calling? MARY (O.S.) Hazleton Rehab. A place I know you are familiar with. Jill laughs and covers the phone mouthpiece. JILL (to everyone around her) Please, I need to take this alone. They all leave as ordered. JILL (CONT'D) So, how's the hard life? INT. MARYS APARTMENT - EVENING Mary looks around at her apartment. MARY It's great, I'm learning everything I'm going to need for the role. Ouch! A sore spot. JIL |