"The Awful Truth"
ACT ONE
INT. LILY AND RICK'S HOUSE --DINING AREA --DAY
Where Judy carefully lays FIVE VARIATIONS OF A LOGO FOR
"BOKKLOVERS" out on the table as Grace, Jessie, and Zoe--
each with bowls of ice cream --look on. Grace points to
one of the designs.
JUDY
So I think it's between this one,
and--
(points)
--this one.
GRACE
That one. Definitely.
JUDY
Careful of your ice cream!
WE HEAR THE FRONT DOOR OPEN, as...
JUDY (CONT'D)
(calls out, eager)
Lil--?
Eli appears from the front entrance, throws down his stuff.
ELI
Nope.
ZOE
I don't like that one.
JESSIE
I do.
ZOE
I sort of do.
JUDY
I sort of do too, only --damn, I
need Lily.
Judy once again studies the logos, Eli approaches...
ELI
(re: ice cream)
Gimme a taste of that.
Jessie immediately scoops a spoonful of ice cream, starts
to hold it out to Eli, only to see Eli grab Grace's spoon--
CONTINUED:
GRACE
Hey!
Jessie watches, stung, as Eli helps himself to a generous
spoonful of Grace's ice cream.
GRACE (CONT'D)
Stop! Get your own!
ELI
(mischievous)
I don't want my own. I want yours.
Eli sticks the spoon back into her ice cream. A split second
of --something-- passes between them. Then Eli looks up,
catches Jessie watching him.
ELI (CONT'D)
What?
JESSIE
Nothing.
ZOE
It should be this one. Definitely.
Unless...wait.
Zoe ponders. From the kitchen, we hear the outside door
open.
JUDY
Oh, thank God--
And Judy rushes into.
INT. LILY AND RICK'S KITCHEN --CONTINUOUS
JUDY
Lil--?
Only to find: Tiffany.
TIFFANY
Oh, no, it's me. Sorry.
JUDY
(un-thrilled)
Oh. Hi.
TIFFANY
She's not here?
JUDY
No.
TIFFANY
I just came by to pick up --oh,
here it is --
She picks up a book.
JUDY
"What Shall We Name The Baby?" She's
giving you this?
TIFFANY
(leafing through)
Look how many names there are!
JUDY
I gave her that book.
Tiffany looks up ...stricken. The two women regard each other.
JUDY (CONT'D)
Not that you shouldn't --I just
meant--
JUDY'S INTERVIEW
JUDY
Get your own big sister!
BACK TO THE KITCHEN
TIFFANY
You know what I just remembered?
Jake wants to buy me a name the baby
book!
(beat)
I can't believe I forgot about that,
I'm so --pregnant!
Tiffany puts the book down, changes the subject.
TIFFANY (CONT'D)
So how's that cute guy? Will
something?
JUDY
Gluck. I have no idea, actually.
TIFFANY
(embarrassed again)
Oh, I thought --
JUDY
No. I mean --after we saw each
other at the wedding, I assumed he'd
called. But he didn't.
TIFFANY
You should call him.
JUDY
I've been kind of busy.
TIFFANY
Oh right, Lily told me! They're
turning Booklover's into a chain?
(Judy nods)
Wow. So you're this huge success!
JUDY
Well.
TIFFANY
And you're expanding the store --?
JUDY
If I ever find the right space.
TIFFANY
Too bad it's not the Booklover's
Cafe; I know a restaurant you could
get real cheap!
(beat)
And you could hire Jake to run it
for you!
Silence. Judy stares at her.
TIFFANY (CONT'D)
But it's not a cafe, so--
(get me outta here)
So where's Lily?
INT. SOME BUSINESS OFFICE --WAITING AREA --DAY
Where we find our Lily, a little unnerved to be waiting with
FOUR OTHER APPLICANTS, all of whom are easily fifteen years
younger than her, and emit confidence like radon.
A door opens, Lily looks up as yet another beaming, yound
HOPEFUL sweeps past the seated ones. Lily watches her go,
feeling her own hopes go with her. The YOUNG CORPORATE GUY
who's running things glances at the next resume --
CORPORATE GUY
Ms... Sammler?
Lily: Blank. The blankness stretches too long. Finally --
LILY
Oh that's me!
She instantly cringes: Great start. As she stands --
LILY (CONT'D)
It's not that I don't know my own
name, I'm just not used to it. Yet.
I just got remarried, so ...
HER POV: THE OTHER APPLICANTS STARE UP AT HER. She gives
up, meekly follows the corporate guy --
TRANSISTION TO:
INT. OFFICE-- ANOTHER DAY
Lily, mid-job interview.
LILY
So by the end I was involved in
virtually every aspect of production.
I mean-- it was a great opportunity.
In that sense.
REVERSE: ANOTHER PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER. Not the corporate
guy, we've jumped time, and it's a woman, about thirty. Who
studies Lily's resume. Then looks up.
PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER
Look. I'm gonna be honest with you.
LILY
(oh no)
Oh.
PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER
I think you're great. And I know we
would click.
LILY
Is it the age thing, or the dot com
thing.
PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER
It's the you didn't finish college
thing.
LILY
Oh. That thing.
PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER
And my boss? See, if you hadn't
told me, I could just --not tell
him, but since you told me...
LILY
It's so ridiculous, I only needed
like ten more credits.
PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER
Truthfully? In the future? You
just say you graduated.
LILY
What? Oh --Oh, no.
PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER
You should. Everyone does.
LILY: REALLY?
INT. COFFEE SHOP --LATER THAT DAY
JUDY
Okay, why are you telling the truth
in a job interview, what were you
under oath?
LILY
I can't lie, I'm a terrible liar.
JUDY
You're only twelve credits short!
LILY
Sixteen.
JUDY
You told me twelve.
(Lily shrugs: Sue me)
Let me see your resume.
She takes it out, Judy takes it from her, reads ...
JUDY (CONT'D)
Elizabeth Sammler.
LILY
I know. I'm not used to it either.
JUDY
Some people keep their names.
LILY
"Oh, Rick? I'm keeping Jake's name."
JUDY
Not Jake's name, your name. Your
real name. And speaking of Jake--
LILY
Wait, what's my real name?
JUDY
Lily Brooks, you--twit! So I ran
into Tiffany the other day, and she
said something, and at first--
LILY
So what's Lily Sammler, my unreal
name?
(Judy's miffed)
I'm sorry, what did Tiffany say.
JUDY
Just--something stupid.
(stands)
I have to go.
LILY
No, really, I'm listening.
JUDY
That's great, but I'm late.
LILY
To meet who? Will Gluck?
JUDY
Goodbye!
LILY
Judy, don't--
(calls after her)
You didn't even show me the logos--!
JUDY
(tossed over her
shoulder)
Oh, like I can't make a decision
without you!
And she's gone.
INT. CREATIVE WRITING CLASSROOM --DAY
Where STUDENTS, including Grace, stare up at their creative
writing teacher. MR. DIMITRI, late thirties, a little too
free-thinking to be stuck teaching public school. The small,
slightly embittered chip on his shoulder doesn't keep him
from being a remarkable teacher, and it gives him a
restlessness that's weirdly charismatic.
MR. DIMITRI
Well. I got through your journals.
Grace yawns, notices him notice, tried too late to cover.
MR. DIMITRI (CONT'D)
For the most part.
He picks up a journal. Moves toward Grace's desk, as...
MR. DIMITRI (CONT'D)
But --enought about me. How did you
feel? About the experience.
He pauses. Stares down at her. Finally --
GRACE
Me?
(he just waits)
Well, I've kept journals before, so --
MR. DIMITRI
(polite interest)
Oh, you have?
GRACE
Yes, on and off.
MR. DIMITRI
So-- what d'ya think, what's that
like?
He's fixing her with a penetrating gaze.
GRACE
It's --fine. It's nice.
Silence. Finally --
MR. DIMITRI
I'm sorry, I thought you said "nice."
GRACE
I did say nice.
MR. DIMITRI
I don't want to misquote you, or --
GRACE
(cold)
I said nice.
MR. DIMITRI
Nice.
("nice" voice)
Let's see. Whatever shall I do. I
know: I shall write in my boring
old journal, that will be ever so
nice.
Class laughs.
MR. DIMITRI (CONT'D)
Nice is for shrimp salads, and wimps.
I'm not interested in nice.
INT. KAREN'S OFFICE --DAY
Karen, at her desk, shocked delight --
KAREN
Oh no! You shouldn't have!
HER POV: A HUGE GIFT BASKET, coming toward her. Under it:
Judy. She manages to manuever it onto Karen's desk...
JUDY
I know. Next time just let me pay
you.
KAREN
I read one contract; I know next to
nothing about licensing.
Judy clunks the gift basket down on Karen's desk.
JUDY
Have you proclaimed your unworthiness
enough, can we open this thing?
Karen smiles.
TRANSISTION TO:
INT. KAREN'S OFFICE --LATER
The basket's been opened, crackers, cheese, the wine bottle
half depleted. Both women are somewhat drunk.
JUDY
So my ex-brother-in-law's restaurant,
where the guy shot himself?
KAREN
(somewhat drunk)
We had lunch there.
JUDY
Right. The bank is about to foreclose
on it. I'm thinking about buying
it. Turning it into the Booklover's
Cafe.
KAREN
That's a wonderful idea.
JUDY
No it isn't, I know nothing about
running a restaurant.
KAREN
You'll hire someone who does, like
your ex-brother-in-law.
JUDY
Hire Jake?
KAREN
Yeah, that way--
JUDY
I don't like him.
KAREN
So? This is business.
JUDY
(a revelation)
Oh.
KAREN
You said he was doing a great job
with the place, before --
JUDY
So-- So you think--
(realizes)
Sorry to interrupt.
KAREN
That's okay.
JUDY
So you don't think it's laughable?
KAREN
It's a great idea.
JUDY
You're not just saying that 'cause
you're drunk?
Karen leans in closer, looks Judy right in the eyes.
KAREN
I'm completely sober when I'm drunk.
Judy grins. Karen grins. Holds up her glass. They clink.
INT. RICK'S AND LILY'S LIVING ROOM --NIGHT
Eli, Jessie, Zoe, and Grace on the couch, watching WHATEVER
MOVIE WE CAN AFFORD, on television.
Eli's on one end of the couch, Grace on the other. Jessie
and Zoe are between them. Grace and Eli stare straight ahead
at the screen as they converse, talk as though Zoe and Jessie
weren't present.
GRACE
I hate my creative writing teacher.
ELI
Oh yeah?
GRACE
He publicly humiliates me.
ELI
I do that, you don't hate me.
GRACE
Yeah I do.
Jessie impatiently grabs the clicker, turns up the VOLUME.
GRACE (CONT'D)
Plus his name is August, which --
ELI
That's not even a name, that's a month!
GRACE
Exactly! And he acts like he's the
only person in the whole world who
knows anything.
ELI
That's how you act.
GRACE
Shut up!
She attacks him, he fends her off, SQUEALS AND AD-LIBS from
Grace -- Jessie closes her eyes at this display. Finally
she can endure no more, abruptly stands --
JESSIE
(authoritative, to
Zoe)
Okay, let's go.
ZOE
(into the movie)
What?
JESSIE
They obviously want to be alone!
Grace and Eli freeze.
ELI
Whaat?!
GRACE
No we don't!
ZOE
No they don't!
Jessie exits. Zoe hesitates, torn, then hurries after her;
Grace and Eli call after them --
ELI
Hey, Jess --we don't--
GRACE
We don't want to be alone!
Except now they are alone. They look at each other.
GRACE (CONT'D)
I have to --
ELI
Yeah --
GRACE
-- write in my journal, and--
ELI
Me too. I mean--
GRACE
No, I know.
And they get out of there. Fast.
INT. LILY AND RICK'S KITCHEN --NIGHT
Rick's finishing the dishes, Lily's keeping him company,
leafing through the baby name book.
RICK
(re: book)
"What Shall We Name The Baby?" Trying
to tell me something?
LILY
(putting book down)
No. No!
RICK
Good.
LILY
I'm gonna redo my resume.
RICK
And by "redo", you mean...?
LILY
Pad. So-- how was your day? I
mean, are things starting to pick
up? At all?
RICK
(not looking at her)
Yeah. Yeah, I think they are.
LILY
Good.
She doesn't believe him. He doesn't believe him.
LILY (CONT'D)
The other day, at one of these
interviews, somebody called out
"Elizabeth Sammler," and I thought--
who's that?
(he looks at her)
But just for a minute.
RICK
Yeah, Elizabeth is kind of a weird
name.
He grabs her around the waist, plants one on her --exits.
She turns to the dishes, suddenly HEARS SOMEONE AT THE DOOR,
GASPS, whirls -- IT'S JUDY, letting herself in --
LILY
You scared me...
JUDY
(defensive, tipsy)
Tiffany lets herself in without
knocking. Don't leave your door
unlocked if you don't want people to--
look, I should have called, but I'm
drunk, and I've got very exciting
news.
LILY
(too loud)
Oh my God, you're getting married to
Will Gluck!
Silence.
JUDY
No.
(beat)
I'm saving Phil's.
LILY
What? What do you mean?
JUDY
I have money now. I'm gonna pay off
the bank. And turn it into the
Booklover's Cafe.
LILY
Oh, that's a great idea! How did
you think of such a great idea?
JUDY
I --that's not the point, the point
is --you need a job. I need a
partner.
LILY
Oh, Jude.
RICK (O.S)
Hey, Lil--? You alright?
LILY
(calls out)
I'm fine--
JUDY
Will you do it with me?
(beat)
Come on --
LILY
Judy, we had problems working
together!
JUDY
What problems?
(picks up the name
book)
I gave you this you know.
LILY
What problems?
JUDY
So? Everyone has problems, that's
no reason no to --Lil, do you
realize how proud Dad would be--?
LILY
Oh, Judy...
JUDY
Don't you watch VH1? I mean, if the
GoGo's can get back together--
LILY
The GoGo's are back together?
JUDY
And they look so good.
LILY
That's a miracle, they had a terrible
breakup, they hated each other --
JUDY
You should see how happy they look.
(beat, soft)
Lil, I can't do this without you.
Lily's stunned. Equal parts flattered and frightened.
LILY
What?! But-- how can that be true!
JUDY
It just is. It is true.
They embrace. Rick walks in. Both sisters turn to him.
LILY
Guess what?
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
INT. LILY AND RICK'S BATHROOM -- DAY
Rick and Lily, in morning mode. Lily puts her face on, as ...
LILY
Well you must have some opinion about
it.
RICK
(finishes shaving)
I must?
LILY
She's talking about hiring Jake!
ELI
So?
LILY
Jake and I working together? That
wouldn't be a problem for you?
RICK
(utterly sincere)
Hey, it's your sister, it's your ex-
husband, it's your life --
LILY
But it's your last name.
RICK
(grins)
Exactly.
LILY'S INTERVIEW
Reading from the baby name book.
LILY
Rick. Powerful ruler. See Richard.
She looks up at RICK, WHO ENTERS FRAME -- pulls her into an
embrace.
INT. LILY AND RICK'S KITCHEN --DAY
Grace, Eli, Zoe, and Jessie grab breakfast. Zoe's immersed
in the baby name book. Rick enters, helos himself to
something.
GRACE
I hate it when melon's not ripe.
RICK'S CELL PHONE RINGS.
ELI
I know.
RICK
(into phone)
Hello?
ZOE
Oh, wow.
RICK
Sure, just a second --
ZOE
Zoe means "Life."
RICK
(holds out phone)
Jess? Mom.
Jessie takes the phone, moves away into THE DOORWAY TO THE
DINING ROOM, for privacy, speaks very low.
JESSIE
Hello?
INT. KAREN'S OFFICE --DAY
She shrugs off her jacket, looks through her mail, as --
KAREN
Hey, you know, that Musakteer movie
opens this weekend!
INTERCUT WITH JESSIE AT LILY AND RICK'S HOUSE
JESSIE
Oh, right.
KARENY
You said you were dying to see it!
JESSIE
I know, but --
JESSIE'S POV: ELI AND GRACE, COMPANIONABLY EATING MELON.
JESSIE (CONT'D)
(very low)
I sort of promised Eli... that I'd
go with him.
KAREN
(thrown)
Oh.
JESSIE
Yeah, just -- him and me. So--
KAREN
Well, that's fine, we'll just --
Jessie glances again over to...
ELI: He looks up.
KAREN (CONT'D)
We'll find something else to see
together. Okay? And I'll see you
Sunday!
(beat)
Love you honey. Bye bye.
Karen hangs up. EXHALES. Closes her eyes.
INT. LILY AND RICK'S KITCHEN --DAY
Where Eli joins her in the doorway. Concerned.
ELI
What's the matter?
JESSIE
Nothing. Mom stuff.
(low)
Eli, would you take me to that
Musketeer movie this weekend?
ELI
Uh, sure.
JESSIE
Really?
ELI
Yeah, why not?
JESSIE
You're the best!
She throws her arms around him, he squirms out of the embrace,
ruffles her hair affectionately, then calls out --
ELI
Hey, you --
JESSIE
Wait, Eli--!
Eli. oblivious, moves back into
THE KITCHEN, and over to Grace ... Jessie follows...
ELI
Wanna see that Muskateer movie with
us this weekend?
GRACE
Maybe.
ELI
Oh, not pretentious enough for you?
GRACE
No, I'll go.
As they exit together...
GRACE (CONT'D)
Actually I heard it was pretty good.
Jessie stands there: As crushed as Karen just was.
INT./EXT. WILL GLUCK'S TRUCK/STREET --DAY
Will Gluck is loading tools back into his truck, when HIS
CELL PHONE RINGS, he answers it with some urgency.
WILL
Yes, I'm here--
INT. JUDY'S APARTMENT --BEDROOM --SAME TIME
Judy, seated on her bed, rises abruptly, a little nervous.
JUDY
Will, hi, it's Judy Brooks.
INTERCUT BETWEEN WILL'S TRUCK AND JUDY'S APARTMENT
WILL
(taken aback)
Oh. Sorry, I was --
JUDY
(nervous)
How are you?
WILL
I'm --fine, I thought you were
someone else.
JUDY
Oh. Well, I'm not!
(hesitates, then...)
So I'm calling for a specific reason,
which is --
WILL
How are you?
JUDY
Fine. Which is that I'm expanding
the bookstore into a cafe, and I was
wondering--
WILL
That's great. That's --
JUDY
Yeah, so I was wondering if you might
be available to discuss --to discuss
it.
(pauses to breathe)
WILL
Yeah, I'm available.
(beat)
Are you?
JUDY
(softly)
Yeah.
INT. PHIL'S RESTAURANT --DAY
The place is in the middle of being packed up. Tiffany
enters. She holds a small shopping bag. Jake's winding up
a phone call.
JAKE
(into the phone)
Well, congratulations.
Tiffany draws closer, interest piqued.
JAKE (CONT'D)
I don't sound anything. How do you
expect me to sound?
(beat)
Look, I have to --drive Tiffany to
the drugstore so --okay. Bye.
He hangs up.
TIFFANY
That's so pyschic, I do need something
at the drugstore.
Jake stares, his face grim. completely without hope. Finally --
JAKE
I hate my life.
TIFFANY
Don't say stuff like that in front
of the baby. Even in jest.
JAKE
That was Judy. Insecure, attention
deficit disordered Judy. Who just
happens to be buying this place.
TIFFANY: Stunned.
JAKE (CONT'D)
She's gonna call it the Booklover's
Cafe.
TIFFANY
(in absolute shock)
No way.
JAKE
(bitterly)
I'll give her this: It's a good
idea.
TIFFANY
It is?
JAKE
Well, anyone can get one good idea.
TIFFANY
(quietly)
Yeah.
JAKE
And then, talk about twisting the
knife-- you know what she just asked
me?
TIFFANY
To run the cafe.
JAKE
If I'd work for her! If I'd run the
cafe! Over my dead body.
(she stares at him)
I mean it, I'll dig ditches first!
(she just stares)
No. Absolutely not.
TIFFANY
She needs you. You're in the power
position here.
JAKE
(but listening)
Yeah, right.
TIFFANY
It's true, there's a hexagram in the
I Ching just like this. Where you
think you're being totally humiliated
but -- you're not.
(beat)
I forget what it's called but it's a
really good hexagram.
He takes this in. Then notices her shopping bag --
JAKE
What's that--?
She takes out a newly purchased "What Shall We Name The Baby
Book."
TIFFANY
I bought myself a name the baby book.
He takes it from her. Looks at her, then at the book.
JAKE'S INTERVIEW
JAKE
(reads from book)
Jake. A form of Jacob. The
supplanter, or substitute.
He looks up from the book, at us.
BACK AT PHIL'S
Tiffany gently takes the book out of his hands, replaces it
with a phone.
INT. CREATIVE WRITING CLASSROOM --DAY
Mr. Dimitri is at his desk, immersed in paperwork. WHISTLES
TO HIMSELF. Grace appears in the doorway. Approaches
hesitantly. He looks up. STILL WHISTLING.
GRACE
Can I just say something?
HE STOPS WHISTLING.
GRACE (CONT'D)
Because --just because somebody's
life doesn't seem interesting to you
personally--
MR. DIMITRI
You don't think you're interesting?
GRACE
No, I'm saying --you obviously don't
think I'm being-- honest enough, or
something, and I'm just --
MR. DIMITRI
Wait, honest enough? What's enough?
GRACE
You don't --I just can't believe --
She hesitates.
MR. DIMITRI
(really wants to know)
What, what can't you believe?
GRACE
That I'm the only person in this
class who isn't being --
MR. DIMITRI
Being what?
GRACE
Completely honest!
She breaks off, under his laser stare.
GRACE (CONT'D)
I mean... do you know what I mean?
MR. DIMITRI
(after a beat)
Who calls you Gracie?
GRACE
(thrown)
What?
(beat)
My mother, sometimes, but --
MR. DIMITRI
Why are you letting her come to class?
Why are you letting her write your
journal?
GRACE
My mother?!
MR. DIMITRI
Gracie! I want to hear from Grace.
(beat)
Anugey Meyers plays keyboards on the
new Dylan album and he is amazing
but I'm August.
GRACE
(floundering)
I --I just don't think it's fair to--
MR. DIMITRI
It isn't. It isn't fair-- Who you
love --who you hate --who changes
your life -- none of it's fair! Why
don't you write about it?
(beat)
What would happen if you said
what you were most afraid to say. To
the person you're most afraid to say
it to.
She looks at him. She's been rendered defenseless. His
question grabs, and won't let go.
MR. DIMITRI (CONT'D)
Only don't clean it up. Don't make
it presentable. Don't be Gracie.
Be in a state of Grace.
(MORE)
MR. DIMITRI (CONT'D)
Because that's what Grace means;
Grace is about what's sacred, and
that's the truth.
She can't speak.
MR. DIMITRI (CONT'D)
Honest enough?
INT. PHIL'S RESTAURANT --DAY
Emptier than we last saw it. Jake and Lily and Judy: A
confab.
JUDY
So that's the basic idea. Same
bookstore. Same opportunities for
singles to hook up. The only
difference is --
LILY
-- we serve food. So, in terms of
the menu --
JAKE
Okay. Here's the problem, as I see
it. First of all --
JUDY
Look, could I just finish --?
JAKE
--Unless you're talking about a
very limited menu...
LILY
We are.
(to Judy)
Aren't we?
(before Judy can answer)
We are talking about a limited menu.
JAKE
What?! Why do you want to limit
your menu?!
JUDY
Look, here's what I was going to --
LILY'S CELL PHONE RINGS; she answers --
LILY
Hello?
Jake turns to Judy --
JAKE
Look. Can I just explain? How I
think we should proceed?
LILY
(low, turning away
slightly)
Oh... hi!
JAKE
I mean is that-- okay? I don't
want to --
JUDY
(tight)
No, please. Explain.
JAKE
Okay, this whole area here --
As Jake walks Judy through his thought process --
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY STREET --SAME TIME
Tiffany, on her cell...
TIFFANY
I just wanted to explain. About the
baby book.
INTERCUT WITH LILY IN RESTAURANT
LILY'S POV: Jake, holding forth; Judy cowed, listening.
LILY
Oh, Zoe told me, someone sent you
one.
TIFFANY
It was so sweet of you though. To
offer.
(beat)
So are you still looking for a job?
IN THE RESTAURANT:
Where Lily continues to observe JAKE AND JUDY.
LILY
(low, into phone)
Well, I sort of promised --
TIFFANY
'Cause I was talking to my friend at
the radio station I used to work at?
And they may need someone. But you'd
have to get over there like --now.
LILY'S POV: JUDY AND JAKE.
JAKE
I'm not trying to tell you how to do
this, I'm just --
JUDY
No, please, I --want your input.
Lily turns away from them, speaks even lower...
LILY
So, where do I --?
(beat)
Yeah, I know where that is. Thanks.
She hangs up. Both of them are looking at her.
LILY (CONT'D)
So are we --umm--
JUDY
Why, you have to be somewhere?
LILY
Yeah. I have to dash, actually.
JUDY
You have to "dash?" Since when do
you say "dash?"
LILY
I've said dash!
JUDY
(genuine concern)
You have never said dash, what's the
matter?
LILY
Nothing!
JAKE
Well, I don't have to dash. And
there's a couple more things I think
we need to --get clear.
JUDY
Oh. Sure --
Lily, mid-exit, hesitates --moves protectively back to Judy,
takes her aside, whispers so that Jake can't hear --
LILY
Look, don't let him--
JUDY
I'm fine! I know what I'm doing!
LILY
I know you do, I just--
JUDY
I thought you were dashing --dash!
And Lily, hurt, and a bit reluctantly, dashes.
INT. RADIO STATION --RECEPTION AREA --DAY
Smallish but bustling: Talk radio in the morning, rock at
night. WE DISCOVER LILY, peering fascinated at a STANDEE
THAT WE SEE ONLY FROM THE BACK --
LILY
This is Dr. Bonnie? That's not how
I pictured her at all.
THE YOUNG FEMALE PERSONNEL DIRECTOR comes INTO VIEW...
PERSONNEL DIRECTOR
I know, that's what everyone says...
So. It's Lily, right?
LILY
Right. Oh, here's my resume.
PERSONNEL DIRECTOR
(taking it)
Super. And Tiffany said you could
start right away ...
LILY
I could, yes.
PERSONNEL DIRECTOR
Well, basically you'd be assisting
our program manager, Les Cresswell.
LILY
Didn't he used to be on the air?
Lily follows her PAST OTHER BUSY EMPLOYEES down a hallway --
PERSONNEL DIRECTOR
News man for twenty five years.
LILY
I used to listen to him!
PERSONNEL DIRECTOR
It's an -- interesting position.
Challenging!
LILY
Challenging's good.
They reach an office, the door's open ...
PERSONNEL DIRECTOR
He seems to have stepped out.
She ushers Lily into
INT. LES CRESSWELL'S OFFICE --CONTINUOUS
Standard issue. No frills.
PERSONNEL DIRECTOR
Wait here. I'll round him up.
Lily sits expectantly. Looks at STUFF ON THE WALLS. All at
once LES CRESSWELL enters. He studies Lily's resume.
Sixties, gruff. She sits up straighter. Les sits at his
desk, continues to read. A very, very long beat. Then he
looks up.
LES
Okay.
LILY
(hesitates, then...)
Excuse me? Then...
LES
Okay, you got the job. You can start
tomorrow.
He grabs some papers on his desk, starts reading them ...
LILY
You mean --?
LES
Tomorrow.
(looks up again)
Twenty four hours from now.
LILY
So, you don't want to --talk to me,
or anything?
LES
We'll talk tomorrow.
LILY
I'm just --surprised.
LES
Of course you're surprised. I made
a decision. Most people can't make
decisions. I do it all day long.
LILY
I just --expected an interview.
LES
I've had it with interviews. Waste
of time.
LILY
But-- how do you know if I'm even
right for the job?
LES
I don't. Guess we'll find out
tomorrow.
(beat)
You can go.
LILY
Okay, I'll see you tomorrow then...
Lily, thrown, starts to go, hestitates ...
LILY (CONT'D)
If I could just ask one question --
PHONE RINGS.
LES
Hold on a second.
(picks up the phone)
What. No you can't! No I'm not!
Because this station doesn't need a
BMX three-thirty console, that's
why! Forget consoles, you can't
even keep the phone lines open--
Dr. Bonnie had to give HERSELF advice
for twenty minutes! If anyone even
heard her! Through the damned static!
He slams down the phone. He looks up at her.
LES (CONT'D)
What's your question?
LILY
You know something, I'm going to
have to think this over.
(hesitates, then...)
See, my sister is --she wants me to
go into business with her, but in
the past, when we've worked together?
Things have gotten a little--
LES
Listen, Leile --
LILY
Lily.
LES
I don't want to hear about sisters.
LILY
Oh. Okay.
LES
People might --have sisters, but--
I don't want to know.
LILY
I see. I'm just --not sure. I
have to sleep on it.
LES
Fine. Sleep on it. But not in here.
He pointedly goes back to work. She feels things ended oddly.
LILY
So --we'll be in touch, then.
(she turns to go,
hesitates)
I used to listen to you. When I was
young.
(he looks up)
You had a very -- comforting voice.
Before he can responf, (if indeed he was going to) she leaves.
INT. LILY AND RICK'S HOUSE --FRONT ENTRANCE --DAY
Late in the day. Lily lets herself in.
LILY
(calls out)
Anybody --?
JUDY (O.S)
In here!
INT. LILY AND RICK'S KITCHEN --SECONDS LATER
As Lily enters, a little taken aback --to find Judy, her
logo samples laid out on the table. Eli's there as well,
building a snack of momentous proportions.
ELI
Hey!
LILY
Oh, hi --
JUDY
Where have you been, I've been
waiting.
LILY
I was just --
JUDY
I do need your opinion. About the
logos?
LILY
(thrown, but--)
Oh, well --let's see--
ELI
Later!
Eli exits with his repast. Judy watches him go as Lily,
oblivious, studies the logos.
LILY
The one on the left. No, wait.
JUDY
(low)
Lily, did you see all that food?
LILY
Well, teenage boys-- eat a lot.
JUDY
Especially when they're high.
LILY
Judy!
JUDY
But did you see, how much --
LILY
We're just --used to girls. I mean,
you would not believe the adjustment--
of having a boy around!
JUDY
Really?
LILY
(hesitates, then...)
The other day, I ran into him--
wearing a towel.
JUDY
Ooo, was he wet?
LILY
Not him! I was in the towel!
JUDY
Oh. Oh my God!
Judy laughs.
LILY
Shut up, it was embarrassing!
JUDY
Bath towel? Hand towel? Tea towel?
LILY
Shut up!
JUDY
(a beat, then)
Look, this is not a criticism, okay?
LILY
(carefully)
Okay.
JUDY
This morning, with Jake? You
interrupted me constantly.
LILY
What? You mean you honestly think--
JUDY
I'm just-- calling it to your
attention, that's all.
LILY
Judy! You interrupt me all the time!
JUDY
Not like you do.
LILY
Yes! You did it just now!
JUDY
Look. I don't want to fight.
LILY
I don't want to fight either!
JUDY
Lily, I have to be able to tell you,
when something bothers me. That's
where we went wrong last time, we
didn't tell each other, when --
LILY
Okay! I won't interrupt you.
JUDY
You just did!
LILY
I did? Really?
JUDY
Yes!
LILY
Okay, well I won't. From now on.
Judy studies the chosen logo. Lily --thinks her own
thoughts.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
INT. COFFEE SHOP --DAY
Early. Judy, with twp lattes, stares as
HER POV: KAREN, crossing to her, limping slightly.
JUDY
What's the matter--?
KAREN
Nothing, I'm fine.
Karen winches a little as she takes off her jacket, sits ...
JUDY
You look like you're in pain!
KAREN
I just
