WOMAN ON RADIO:... chronic pain,
to alleviate their sufferings, and
we already mentioned one breathing,
and people have to
reach a book to get
all the other very helpful steps.
What would you like...
anyone dealing with pain
to learn and take away...
after they read your book.
(MAN LAUGHING)
That's a great question!
I think that the lesson
that I learned over,
you know, almost 15 years of
practice and working with
thousands and thousands
of people... is...
we are our own best healers.
And, the best tool, you know,
the strongest medicine,
or the best procedure,
the greatest technology that we
have is really within ourselves.
And once we... we realize how to
utilize what's inside of us...
to make us better and to heal,
you know, what's been damaged
or broken. Once we...
we embrace that
and we take charge of the
power of our lives...
as opposed to giving all
the control away to
the doctors, and the ma...
(RADIO CUTS OUT,
HIGH PITCHED NOISE)
(RUMBLING, RATTLING)
(DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE)
- Take... can you get that end?
- Yeah.
(CLATTERING, BANGING,
INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Okay.
- You got it?
- A little light.
We're making really good time.
(FLOOR CREAKING)
You're amazing at this.
(CHUCKLES) Really fantastic.
- I've never moved...
- What have you...
I don't...(LAUGHS)
(BANGING)
- The pink... desk.
- What desk?
(CLATTERING)
Ew, this is stained.
Let's switch it.
How did that get there?
I don't know! How did it get there?
(STUFF RUSTLES IN BAG)
Hey, Jen. Have you seen
my Little Dorrit anywhere?
JEN: Your what?
Little Dorrit... ha...
Have you seen my copy
of Little Dorrit?
Yes. No. Which one?
Uh, it was on my desk.
It's not in my bag.
It's probably in one of the boxes.
Yeah...
Yeah, I guess.
JEN: Do you know where we
packed the can opener?
Um... no...
I'm not sure.
Are we cooking?
JEN: Are you kidding? India Palace!
Cool.
(PHONE RINGS)
MAN: Leave Charlie a message.
(BEEP)
Hey, Charlie. Jen
and I are going...
to Palace. If you're around
and feel like coming,
um, you could meet us
there or you can... uh...
Disregard. Cancel that.
I'll talk to you later.
- What?
- Couple time.
We just moved in. It's couple time.
You can have your play date
with Charlie tomorrow.
(SITAR PLAYING NATIVE MUSIC)
I am officially exhausted.
I feel like I'm pregnant
with a litter of Samosas.
You know they invented zero?
- Hmm?
- India. Indians.
They invented zero.
Roman numerals don't have
a separate sign for zero.
The Europeans got it
from the Indians.
It's essential to all modern
math. You can't even
do algebra without it.
But when the first...
crew from the British
East India company
heard about it, they thought
that it disproved the existence
of God. And they went
on this crazy rampage,
of rape and murder, and so...
The Captain,
of that expedition...
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
No, I'm just trying to remember.
Um, right... He...
He was the one who decided
that no one was to
ever know about it.
And so it was like, 80 years,
before it ever made it's
way back up to Europe.
80 years.
CHORTLES: Why you laughing?
No, it's an incredible story.
I didn't know it before.
(LAUGHS) I just...
That's incredible.
You are so smart.
Yeah.
How much of that one
was actually true?
- All of it.
- Mm.
Essentially. Well... More or less.
You are such a liar.
I can't believe I'm shacking
up with a dishonest man.
You know who I'm really gonna miss?
- Nancy.
- Nancy! Sadly.
It's really tearing me up inside.
Poor Paul.
Do you think that in order
to ease the transition
you could, blast Prokofiev
at 3 a.m. and...
leave your toenail clippings
all over the coffee table
for days and days?
Oh Paul, I'll even
leave my used tampons
floating in the toilet.
It'll be like she's
in the next room.
You'd do that?
I like you, Jen.
I like you too, Paul.
(SHOWER SPRINKLING, OPERA MUSIC)
For the people that
this was written for,
there was no question, like that.
Fate was, by definition,
that which could not be avoided.
And if it is... a really
shitty fate, like Oedipus',
Well, that just...
That sucks for him.
(STUDENTS LAUGH)
So, what do you guys think?
I mean, is it... fair to...
punish someone for something that
is pre-ordained for them to do?
Ah, Sophia!
What's your policy
on "incompletes?"
Wow, that is just
really encouraging.
(CLASS LAUGHS)
Um...
It's nice to hear everyone's
keeping their options open.
(CLASS LAUGHS)
Okay, my policy on
incompletes is that
I'm kind of a dick about 'em.
I'll give you one, if you have
an airtight excuse, but...
your story has to be
pretty impressive.
Okay?
Alright.
That's it, we're out of time.
See you guys on Friday.
(CHAIRS AND FEET SCUFFLE)
Paul...
I am sure I cannot
express to you how tired
I am of having this conversation.
Did you or did you not march
in here four weeks ago
and announced that you
had turned a corner?
I did.
And?
And it's fine... I'm just...
Um, it's slow going.
Evidently, you have not
taken the substance
of our conversations to heart.
Let me see if you know the words.
What do I say next?
Come on.
You come on.
What comes next?
First you disarm me by telling
me how much you admire the
work I did as an under-graduate.
Correct.
Then?
And then...
You remind me sternly that I...
I've been through
with my coursework
for nearly two years,
and that if I don't
- turn in some chapters soon...
- By Christmas.
By... by Christmas!
That... um. You will have
to seriously consider...
I will almost certainly.
That you... alright, that you
will almost certainly...
recommend that I, um,
be asked to withdraw
from the program.
Very good.
Apparently you were paying
closer attention than ya let on.
(DEEP BREATHING)
JEN: Paul?
What are you doing babe?
Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you.
What's the matter?
I can't sleep.
Come back to bed.
Come on.
JEN: What's the matter?
(PAUL GRUNTS)
PAUL: You have work tomorrow.
Tomorrow morning.
JEN: Don't worry about it.
JEN:
Just tell me what's the matter.
PAUL: Just... (SIGHS)
JEN: Do you want me to tell
you about the Dark Crystal?
Or Ladyhawk?
PAUL: Ladyhawk.
JEN: Okay.
Close your eyes...
In medieval France,
there once lived a
young man and a mouse.
The mouse was a thief.
He was about to be executed.
(CLATTERING)
(CHAIR SCRAPES ON WOOD FLOOR)
(WINDOWS START UP SOUND)
(MUSIC CHANGES)
Nancy! Hi, it's Paul.
Listen, sorry to bother you,
but um, I'm calling cause
I think... I prob...
pretty sure I left a
book in the apartment
of my hardcover copy
of Little Dorrit.
Charles Dickens? Um...
I probably left it
in the living room,
on the table, but it...
it might be...
on the floor in my old room.
Anyway, um, I really need it,
so if you could let me know
when would be convenient
to come by and get it
that'd be great! Um...
Give me a call. Thanks a lot.
Nancy, hey, it's Paul again.
I'm sorry to bombard you
with messages, but I...
don't know if I mentioned
the uh, Little Dorrit
the book I left, is pretty urgent.
I actually need it
for my dissertation.
So, it's not like a regular book.
Let me know, uh, when would
be a good time to come by...
(CLAMORING)
(AGGRAVATED RUSTLING)
(WOOD DOORS BANG)
(RATTLING, FALLING ITEMS)
(RATTLING)
(SQUEAKING, RATTLING)
It is incontestable,
that the fragments of a work
that have found their way
into the popular memory,
are not jewels of
realist description.
Realist description
being, of course,
what Elliot is most noted for.
But general humanist
observations such as
the much beloved
remark about what lies
on the other side of silence.
This much is no surprise,
jewels of realist description
can hardly be expected
to retain any sense outside
their supporting context.
Indeed...
The relentless
particularity of realism,
the constraint implied by
that very particularity,
is one of its most
defining characteristics.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER, PARTY MUSIC)
Bannister's looking
very elegant tonight.
- Very... delicate.
- Mmm.
Makes you want
to sprinkle butterfly kisses
all over her stomach.
Until she falls asleep.
You know, what I'd really
like to do is dribble
some champagne down her naked leg
(SCOFFS)
and drink it from between
her toes while having
a jacuzzi with her.
I want to have a contest,
to see who can kiss the softest.
So um, why aren't you
hovering over there
with the rest of the ass-kissers?
Bannister is displeased with me.
I'm way behind.
Tonight I am to be
seen, but not heard.
Hmm. I understand that.
Hey did um... Did Margaret
stop by after class today?
Yeah.
Nice. She talk about
her calves again?
- She mentioned her calves.
- That is so hot.
Why don't girls in my
class just want to sleep
with the other undergrads?
Charlie, I left Little
Dorrit at the old apartment.
W-wait, are we not talking about
Margaret's calves anymore?
No, I left my Little
Dorrit at Nancy's.
So?
It's my study copy, my hardcover,
I left it behind during the move.
So buy another one.
This wine is piss.
I can't!
It had all my notes in it.
- Important annotations...
- What do you mean?
You wrote in the book?
Yeah.
- All of your notes?
- No!
Of course not all my
notes, but... uh...
It has a lot of... I... (STAMMERS)
crucial new material.
New, important material
in there, and I decided
to re-arrange things
in a certain way that is
going to affect the entire
the whole!
So you wrote an outline?
- So do it again.
- No. It's not just an outline.
It's important.
- Call Nancy.
- I called her three times today.
- Maybe she's really busy.
- Busy?!
Doing what? Huffing Scotchguard?
Taking naps? She's the least
busy person on the planet.
You don't have to
freak out about it.
How am I freaking out,
I'm not freaking out.
- What I mean is...
- Ah! Hold on, might be her.
(SCOFFS) No. Text from Jen.
She's going to Donovan's.
Feel like getting a real drink?
Are you fucking kidding me?
(SINGING KARAOKE)
(CLAPPING)
MAN: Get a room!
(BIRDS TWEETING)
Who takes a bath in the morning?
It's unnatural.
I feel like utter dog shit.
I might barf in the tub.
At least you don't have to collate
epidemiological studies all day.
Why are you even up?
I need my book.
(LAUGHS) Paul, it's okay.
You'll get your book.
Why hasn't she called?
It's only been two days.
Try to relax.
But... I can't do anything
without the notes.
The new... argument.
The new material.
Why didn't you type them out?
I didn't need to. I
had everything down.
Besides, hand writing
has a certain...
ineffable...
Fuck, I don't know.
Oh, I need you to call CLP and uh,
switch the name on the electric
bill today, ok? Will you do that?
Yeah. (SIGHS)
(BUBBLES, SLOSHING)
(PHONE RINGING)
(RINGING)
Get it! Get it!
- Mmm.
- Ge...
(WATER SLOSHING)
Hello, Nancy? Nancy?
Shit!
Cold, cold, cold.
It was her. It was her.
- I need you to relax, ok Paul?
- Voicemail!
Hey Paul, I got your message
and yeah, the book's here.
So, I don't know,
just call me I guess.
- Whatever.
- She has the book.
Very good. Problem solved.
Nancy, hello. It's Paul.
I got your message.
Uh, thank you so much.
That is so great. I can...
come and get it, anytime
today or this evening.
Just give me a call.
Thank you. Bye.
(MUSIC FADES TO SILENCE)
(COMPUTER DRIVES BUZZING)
(MOUSEPAD CLICKS)
(RATTLING, SCRATCHING)
(ECHOES IN WALL)
(RATTLING, SCRATCHING)
(EERIE MUSIC)
(RATTLING, SCRATCHING)
(SQUEAKING)
(BANG, SCURRYING, SCRATCHING)
(BUS GRUMBLES)
(GIRL GIGGLES)
(DOORBELL RINGS)
(SCREEN DOOR SQUEAKS)
(DOOR CREAKING)
(KNOCKING)
Nancy?
(LOUD KNOCKING, DOOR SQUEAKS OPEN)
(DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE)
(SLAMS DOOR SHUT)
(SCRAPING, CHOPPING)
We've got squirrels
living in the walls.
The walls are teeming
with rabid, bloodthirsty squirrels.
You're a squirrel.
I'm not kidding.
They're nesting in the walls.
- I heard them.
- Squirrels, huh?
I called her four times today.
- I left messages. I texted.
- And?
And nothing.
So, finally... I got on the
bus and went over there.
- You went to Nancy's?
- I rang the doorbell,
I knocked, no answer. But
I'm sure I saw movement
in that house. I know she was home.
Why didn't she answer the door?
I have no idea.
To torture me, I guess.
Aw. Nobody's torturing anybody.
Nancy's kooky, but
she's not malicious.
She's worse than Hitler.
Fucking hillbilly.
(KNIFE SLIPS, CUT)
Ah!
- What?
- Ah... ow.
- What?
- I grated my finger.
Oh god.
(PAPER TOWELS RIP)
I got blood in the cheese.
Listen, how about this:
When does Nancy work
at the restaurant?
Tuesday through Friday.
And Sunday.
Sometimes Saturday.
She works every day?
Not Monday.
Jeez.
Well, why don't you just
text Nancy to bring the book
tomorrow, and I'll pick
it up on my break.
- Really?
- Sure.
But I mean, I don't...
need you to...
fight my battles for me.
I'm fighting them with you.
Good.
Problem solved.
(STREET SOUNDS)
Nancy?
Jen?
How's it going?
What are you doing here?
Bitch.
I don't understand, is she
gonna give it back or what?
I have no idea. She was being a
super vague, defensive cunt.
God it's cold.
Uh, did you impress upon her
how important this is to me?
I really don't think she cares
how important it is to you.
Well, what am I supposed
to do? She's never going
call me again. Do I
go to the restaurant?
I don't think that's a good idea.
She's already all pissed
off that I showed up.
She's just fucking
with us at this point.
Were you being really
mean to her or something?
What? Jesus Christ! No, it's
not my fault that she's
being so mean.
Don't put this on me!
Well I...
I don't know what to do.
I mean, they're just notes, right?
I mean, I'm sure
you'll be able to...
reconstruct them if you tried.
(LAUGHS LOUDLY)
That's not the point.
The point is, it's my book.
Mine!
I've been eminently reasonable
but at this point it
amounts to stealing.
She is stealing from me!
Of course it's your book,
nobody's disputing that.
But it seems as if Nancy's
gonna be as big a bitch
about this as she possibly can.
And what's right, isn't
necessarily what's best.
Wouldn't you say?
(HINGES CREAK)
(LOW BASS RIFF)
(GENERAL BUSTLING NOISE)
(MUSIC CHANGES, SWELLS)
(BAND PLAYING)
Break her thumbs.
- How long has it been?
- Seven and a half days.
- Seriously, break her thumbs.
- I'm not breaking Nancy's thumbs.
Fag.
I'm serious. What
do I do about this?
One would one reasonably
do in this situation?
Well for starters you could
stop being such a baby.
Intimidate her, man.
Just tell her you're going
to punch her in the vagina.
She's a freaking little elf woman.
Just put the pressure on her.
Won't work. Nancy is
insanely stubborn.
This one time, we'd only been
living together a few months,
I told her that if she didn't
was her dishes I was gonna
throw them all out into the street.
They'd been sitting there
for like a week, stinking,
I was mostly... joking. You know?
She gets up...
collects a bunch of plates, out
the sink that belong to her,
she walks outside, and
smashes them in the street.
One at a time. Slowly.
Then she comes back in,
and never says another
word about it.
- That's insane.
- Yes.
Nancy's insane. She
actually did that?
More or less.
I mean, to be fair, wasn't
that cut and dry, but...
Fuck that! No. Fuckin' bluffing
paper-tiger diva bullshit!
- You still have the keys to her place?
- No.
Alright, we're gonna go
get this fuckin' thing.
What?
We're gonna go get this
fuckin' book right now.
This is stupid, come on.
No, what if she isn't home?
Then we have a relaxing drive
around sunny New Haven.
Come on!
It's a little late to go...
Better remorse, than
regret, my friend.
You're ok to drive, right?
(SNORTS, LAUGHS)
(SIGHS)
Takes money to make money.
I'm gonna roll by.
(MUSIC FROM CAR RADIO)
She's home! She's home!
Wh... Pull over!
- Turn off the lights?
- What?
- Why?
- So she can't see us.
- We want her to see us.
- Just for a second!
Why are you whispering?
(CLICK, CAR ENGINE TURNS OFF)
(STILL WHISPERING) I'm not.
(CRICKETS)
I see her, look! Oh...
I'm gonna call her.
(PHONE RINGING)
She's never gonna answer.
- Hello?
- Hey!
- Who is this?
- It's Paul.
- Oh.
- Hey...
Listen, I'm sorry to bother you,
but I'm right in the neighborhood,
could I stop by real
quick and get my book?
- It's 11:22.
- I know...
- I'm uh...
- P.M!
Yes, I understand what time it is.
But like I said I'm just
right nearby so if I cou...
I'm not really at home right now.
What do you mean that
you're not really at home?
It means I'm not available!
Really?
That's strange, because it
looks like your lights are on.
- What?!
- Listen,
Hey, no... Why don't you
just grab the book,
and I'm coming to the
door in about 30 seconds.
You're looking in my
windows?! Oh my God,
- you fucking freak!
- Uh, I'm not looking
in your windows. I'm parked
at the curb. This is...
This is the last time you
fucking spy on me, man.
I'm gonna get a fucking
restraining order, your fucki...
Hey, Nancy.. n...
Go... (STAMMERS) Damnit!
What the fuck?
She's freaking out man!
(DOGS BARKING)
PAUL: Shit!
- What the fuck?
- Ahhh!
Agh!
(PHONE RINGING)
Right, this isn't good.
Nah! She's not going to answer.
She's not ans...
(EXASPERATED NOISE)
Nancy! Nanc...
(DOOR SLAMS)
Nancy, just give me my book.
Throw it out the window!
- I just want...
- Give him his fucking book!
Nancy! Be reasonable!
Just give me my book!
FRIEND: Just go bang on the fucking
door, man. Don't take this shit!
(DOG BARKS IN DISTANCE)
FRIEND:
Why are you just standing there?!
JEN:
I heard the squirrels last night.
PAUL: Told you.
It's pretty annoying.
Will you call the landlord?
No... but you can.
And you can also call
CLP today and get the
electric bill switched, okay?
(SMOOCH)
Jen?
Uh...
Last night...
um, Charlie and I...
dropped by Nancy's place.
When?
11:22 p.m.
- And?
- Uh, didn't really...
You know, we drove over,
and saw that she was home
and I called and asked
if I could get the book, and...
Well...
In a nutshell she freaked out
and called me a psycho and...
hung up.
Huh.
Wow.
That was ...kinda stupid.
Well I guess that's it then.
I'm really sorry.
Right?
I have to blow my nose.
Right?!
Right what?
(SNIFFLES, BLOWS NOSE)
That's it, right?
I mean, you shouldn't
have done that.
In retrospect it was
a bad idea, but,
that has nothing to do with
anything, it's still my book.
She's probably tearing it
into little pieces right now.
I'm sorry but you have to
let this go, it's done!
Dropping by on someone
unannounced is impolite,
I guess, but it's not
on a par with stealing.
Jesus Christ, if you
and Charlie showed up
on my doorstep drunk in the middle
of the night, I'd be pissed off too!
That has nothing to do
with the fact that she
still has my property!
If she doesn't cooperate
- then I'm gonna go and talk to the cops.
- Paul this has gone too far.
I can't support this anymore.
I withdraw my support.
Fine. Um...
You won't hear another
word about it.
(WATER TRICKLING, CLASSICAL MUSIC)
(MUSIC DROPS ABRUPTLY,
TAPPING, PATTING)
(SCUTTLING, SCRATCHING)
(PITTER PATTER, CHAIR SQUEAKING)
(SCUTTLES, CREAKS)
(SCRATCHING, TAPPING)
(SCRATCHING, SCUTTLING)
(DOOR CLICKS OPEN)
(SQUEAKING HINGES)
(RUSTLING)
(KNOCKING, CHITTERING,
RUSTLING AND SCRATCHING)
(JOSTLING)
Un, deux, trois...
(WHIRRING, SPLINTERING,
SQUIRRELS CHITTER AND SCURRY)
(WHISPERING) What the fuck...?
(BUSTLING, PHONES RINGING)
(DOOR CREAKING)
MAN: Paul!
- Hey!
- How ya doing?
MAN: Jim Pehosky.
Paul Brawley. Pleased to meet you.
Please have a seat.
So you go to school with my nephew?
Yeah, Charlie and I, we're
in the same program
- at Yale over there.
- Right.
How's that treatin' ya?
Oh, fine. Um... Charlie's
a really bright guy.
- He does great work.
- So...
I hear you're having some
trouble with your roommate.
Former roommate,
that's right. Um...
What happened is, uh...
I moved out a couple of weeks ago,
and I left something behind
in the old apartment.
What'd you forget?
- Um, a book.
- A rare book?
No. The book itself is
easily replaceable,
but I had some notes written in it.
- Personal stuff?
- No, for my dissertation.
Um, called, uh...
"No Innocent Men:
Structures and Theories
of Penology and Government
in Charle's Dickens'
'Little Dorrit.'"
(SGT. SMACKS)
And... you don't need
to know that, but...
- I guess uh...
- Notes, huh?
They're pretty critical.
Why won't your
roommate give it back?
Does, does he need
it for something?
She, no. She could not
possibly need it for anything.
She's... I think she's just
keeping it out of spite.
What's she got to
be spiteful about?
I've no idea... um...
She's just a...
preacher of hate, I think.
This is an ex-girlfriend of yours?
Not at all. Just a roommate.
Well, to be honest...
There's nothing much I can do here.
You just have to try
to reason with her.
But she won't allow that.
She won't talk to me. I'm...
Isn't this stealing?
Isn't this illegal?
Did she say she wouldn't
give you the book back?
- No she said I could have it.
- Well, then...
- But you have to understand.
- Paul! The only question here
under the law is, "What can
you prove?" and at this point
all that you can prove is that
she's dickin' you around.
- That's not illegal!
- No, but...
But it's like she's
holding me hostage.
I need this book to
finish my thesis.
(STAMMERS)
She is singlehandedly destroying
my academic career! That's wrong!
What she's doing is wrong!
Isn't it?
Sure.
It's wrong.
Does that make you fell better?
(WATER RUNNING, THUDS)
(MUTTERING; INDISTINCT)
the result of choices...
piece of shit!
You're stupid.
(WATER RUNNING)
(MUTTERING)
You will... you will die alone.
(AIR WHOOSHES, HUMS)
(CLINKING, TAPPING RAPIDLY)
What?
What?
- What are you doing?
- I'm eating.
Did you call CLP and get the
electric bill switched?
No.
So what did you do today?
- Nothing.
- Nothing?
Nothing.
So how long is this
nothing gonna go on for?
I don't know.
- Paul we had a deal.
- What?
I'm not working in the hospital
every day because I like it.
- I'm just trying to eat my dinner.
- Your funding runs out in seven months!
- Seven and a half.
- Paul, you can't just stop!
- I know that.
- You gonna work tomorrow?
(LOW BASS THUMPING)
Difficult to say.
(BALL FWAPS, BOUNCES)
(CHILDREN PLAYING,
BUSTLING STREET NOISE)
(MUSIC FADES OUT)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)
Hey.
I said hey, Nancy.
(KEYS JINGLING)
What do you think I'm going
to do? I just want the book.
(SCREEN GRATES)
Why don't you just go away?
Listen, I'm sorry about
the other night.
- I didn't mean to scare you.
- You didn't scare me.
- I just need my book, okay?
- I told you to go away.
I'll wait on the steps, I'll wait
across the street if you want
me to, just go inside,
get the book,
throw it out the window, and
you'll never see me again!
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
Why are you dragging
this out like this?
Why don't you just end it?
Why are you dragging
it out like this?
Why don't you just end it?!
I... What ar...?!
Look, come on. Um...
Here, I'm gonna stand...
right here while you go in,
and get the book.
How do you know I
haven't thrown it away?
Have you?
(DOOR THUDS)
Nancy!
I want you to know
that I despise you.
I disliked you the first
time I met you, because
your hair is stringy,
and you smell weird.
But the more I got to know you,
the more I came to understand
that there is something
willfully hostile about the way
that you interact with people.
And that all the things
that make you unattractive,
and grating, are the result
of deliberate choices,
and that you make those
choices because you
are a worthless, despicable shit!
(HINGES CREAK, THUD)
You're stupid and obnoxious!
You're gonna die alone.
Somebody put a dead bird
in my mailbox yesterday.
What?
A dead sparrow.
Pink ribbon around its neck.
In my mailbox.
- Why?
- Fucked if I know.
Stupid asshole neighborhood kids
hopped up on Meth. Fuckers!
Everything's coming apart.
I'm all out of ideas.
- Nancy isn't gon...
- Shh. Stop.
(STAMMERS)
You... ok. Just listen to me.
You've been going about
this whole thing
totally the wrong way.
Nancy's a fuckin' fruit cake!
You can't approach her
like she's a reasonable
human being. You have to understand
you can reason with somebody,
who is un... reasonable.
You can be as rational,
as reasonable,
as right as you wanna be,
none of that counts for shit
against crazy. You could be
a fuckin' supreme master
of logic and rhetoric,
but crazy bitches...
They don't give a fuck!
Yeah?
I mean, what are you...
What are you saying?
I'm saying it's time
to make a choice.
CHOICE ONE:
Accept the book is gone,
smooth things over with Jen,
move on with your life.
And choice two?
Stop dicking around.
Take your book back.
What do you think I've
been trying to do?
No, no. Take... your book back.
You've been asking
for it... I'm saying:
you show up on Nancy's doorstep,
with a fuckin' crowbar.
- Are you kidding me?
- Listen to me.
Do you want your book back?
Or do you want Nancy to win?
I want my book back.
Then it's time to graduate
to Nancy's level.
Degenerate to Nancy's level.
Semantics.
(CRICKETS, BUSTLING)
(WATER RUNNING)
(ITEMS CLATTER ON COUNTER)
(KEYS JINGLE)
(JINGLING)
(WHISPERING) I found the key.
CHARLIE: What?
I found a key to Nancy's.
CHARLIE: Why are you whispering?
Because I don't want to
wake up Jen. Listen,
I found a key to Nancy's.
I gave one to Jen
a million years ago
but she never used it
because Nancy would always freak
out, but she's still got it!
CHARLIE: Fan-fucking-tastic,
man. Problem solved.
Let yourself in.
Should I? I... I...
(STAMMERS) I mean...
CHARLIE:
What are you talking about?
Of course you should.
But it, it'd still kind of
be breaking and entering.
CHARLIE: It's not breaking and entering.
You're not breaking anything.
What about trespassing?
CHARLIE:
For fuck's sake, you have a key!
You lived there for three years!
Go there, get your shit,
and stop whining about it.
- Yeah. I should?
- CHARLIE: Yes! Do it.
(WHISPERING)
Alright. I'm gonna do it.
Just two minutes. In and out.
(LAUGHS)
CHARLIE: I'm proud of you buddy.
(WATER RUNNING)
I'm meeting Charlie
for a drink later.
Sounds pretty incredible.
(WATER SPLASHES, CLINKING)
Can I take the car?
Sure.
(DISHES CLATTER)
Try to stay out of
trouble, alright?
(PEOPLE CHATTING QUIETLY;
INDISTINCT MUSIC)
(THUNDER CRASHES)
(RAIN PATTERS, THUNDER)
(DOORBELL RINGS)
(RAIN PATTERS, SPLASHING)
(HINGES SCREECH)
(LOCK CLICKS, SOUND OF RAIN FADES)
(LIGHT CLICKS)
(TENSE MUSIC)
(THUNDER CRASHES
QUIETLY IN DISTANCE)
(RAIN PATTERS)
(FEET SHUFFLING, STAIRS CREAK)
(CLICK)
(STAIRS CREAK)
(ZIP)
(RAINFALL)
(SOFT SHUFFLING)
(PICTURES SHUFFLE, ZIP)
(PHOTOS SLAP ON TABLE)
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
(LOW RUMBLE)
(THWACK, GRUNTS)
(THUD, GROANING IN PAIN)
(SCREAMING)
(CRYING, STUTTERS)
Stop! No! No!
(LOUD THWACK)
NANCY: Hello?
Hello? I need your help please.
There's an intruder in my house.
(SNIFFLING, HEAVY BREATHING)
NANCY: There's an intruder
in my house!
I need the police.
I need the police now!
He's in my house right fucking now!
(GRUNTS, SPITS)
I don't know!
I don't know!
Get a cop here now!
(PANTING, INTENSE MUSIC)
(KEYS JINGLING)
(DOOR OPENS, CLICK, SLAM)
(ENGINE REVS)
(MUSIC CHANGES, SOFT PIANO)
(HUM OF CARS)
(SQUEAK)
(THUD, CLICK)
(T.V. SPEAKER; INDISTINCT)
(T.V. PLAYING, CHATTERING)
(SOUNDS FADE OUT)
So how's Jen handling it?
She's expressing her support
via icy silence and
frequent door-slamming.
How's your class?
Sick leave last week. "Sick..."
(GROANS) I start again tomorrow.
So wh-what have you been doing?
Writing my thesis.
What have you really been doing?
Daydreaming about mutilating Nancy.
(LAUGHS)
Like what?
There was one where she
was sitting in a chair
staring at a circular saw...
The saw is on a high speed,
and she's hypnotized
by the blade. Her face
is just inches from it.
And I walk up to her, all casual...
And nudge the back of her head,
almost like an accident.
Her face bounces off the
blade and she falls
onto the floor with a
giant gash. Pukes up blood
all over the place.
Just rivers of it.
And she's not screaming,
cause she can't.
Because of course, she's
choking on the blood
but she would be, if she could.
JEN: Wake up.
Paul, wake up!
(RUSTLING, GRUNTS)
What?
I made some good.
You should eat something.
I'm not hungry.
You have to eat.
What time is it?
4:30 p.m.
I missed my class.
Did she know it was you?
What?
You said that she knew it
was you in her apartment.
How do you know?
I know.
Did she say your name?
Did you identify yourself?
She knows what I look like.
You said she called the cops.
- She did.
- Then why aren't they here?
If she knew it was
you, they'd be here.
(SIGHS)
Eat some food. It's just soup.
(FLOOR CREAKING, FOOTSTEPS)
(MUSIC FROM T.V.)
(WATER TRICKLING, TAPPING,
HUMMING, MUMBLING)
(KNOCK)
I'm in the tub.
(LOUD KNOCKING)
Come in.
(DOOR CREAKS OPEN)
(SPLASHING)
Woah, oh!
(WATER SLOSHING, GRUMBLES)
What are you doing here?
I was in the neighborhood.
Where's Jen?
I don't keep track of Jen.
Want a cigarette?
Sure.
(LIGHTER FLICKS)
What's in the bag?
I ran into a couple of
little girls playing
in the street on my way over.
Collected their kidneys.
Kidneys?
I'm gonna eat them later.
Oh.
Are you ready?
Can I finish my cigarette first?
I'm afraid not.
Okay.
(WATER SLOSHES)
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
So did anybody read The Aeneid?
Anybody got anything
to say about Virgil?
Russ?
What happened to your face?
That's okay Russ.
I don't have anything to
say about Virgil either.
Class dismissed.
Class dismissed!
That means "go home."
I'll see you Friday.
(SCUFFLING, CHAIRS CREAK)
(FOOTSTEPS)
Hey I'm gonna go out with
Rachel for a little bit.
I'm gonna take the car,
unless you need it?
No.
(T.V. SPEAKER)
Okay, I'll be back later.
(GAS HISSING)
(JANGLE)
(PANTING, THUDDING STAIRS)
(LOW, TENSE MUSIC)
(RESTLESS SHIFTING)
I got you, you bastard.
(RAIN PATTERING, THUNDER)
(CAGE RATTLES, RUSTLING)
(CLICK)
(WATER RUSHING)
(SQUIRREL RATTLING CAGE)
(ANIMAL CRYING)
(DOOR CLOSES)
JEN: I'm back!
Shit!
(FAUCET SQUEAKS)
(GRUNTING)
(CAGE RATTLING, GRUNTS,
MURMURING TO HIMSELF)
(SLAM)
JEN: What in God's name
are you doing now?
What? I'm in the bathroom.
I think I might have
eaten something...
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
Hey.
JEN: Hey.
Got you something.
What's this?
(PAPER RUSTLES)
- What's this?
- Open it.
(RIPPING PAPER)
(RUSTLING)
(PAPER RUSTLING)
(SHARP EXHALE)
Kind of expected there
to be more notes.
How did you get this?
Doesn't matter.
How did you get this?
I went to Nancy's,
and I let myself in.
You went to Nancy's?
You went in to her house?
God, Jen...
That was so...
Stupid!
- Paul.
- What if she had been there?
She wasn't there.
And I got your book
and now you have it.
She could have been.
You didn't know.
She is capable of anything.
I called the restaurant.
She was at work.
I don't know why you
didn't do the same thing.
I...
(SHUFFLING)
I...
- Where are you going?
- Running.
Paul...
Sit down.
I can...
understand why you're angry.
But you can't continue like this.
Yes Nancy hurt you.
But you did break
into her apartment.
- I didn't break in.
- But it's over now.
You have your book.
You have to let this go.
But what about Nancy?
What about Nancy?!
Forget about Nancy.
Nancy's done. There is nothing
you or I could do
to even the score.
It's over! So now you
can stop being insane!
There was only one thing to be
done, and I did it. Problem solved!
You think that this is about the book?
We are so far beyond that now.
I'm sorry, did you just actually
say that we're so far beyond that?
- You're missing the point!
- What is the point?
I got you your fucking book,
what more do you want?!
I want you to be on my side.
I am on your side.
No...
No you're not.
(FLOOR CREAKS)
I wanna help you.
How can I do that?
I don't want your help.
I don't want you to fix me.
- I want you to see my position.
- I can see your position.
- But...
- No "buts."
- Say "I understand."
- I do understand.
- But...
- 30 seconds!
30 seconds of unqualified
empathy is all I want.
If I give you 30 seconds, will
you stop all this nonsense?
I'll give you an hour.
Shit, I'll give you a day.
- Does that make you feel better?
- All I want is 30 seconds.
Can you do it?
Fine.
Okay.
Go.
(WHISPERING)
Five, six, seven, ei...
Jesus Christ, this is ridiculous.
I'm not gonna do this anymore.
(HEELS STOMPING FLOOR)
(DOOR SLAMS)
God... You look just awful.
What's going on?
Mmm, I don't know.
I haven't been sleeping well.
Well, do you have anything for me?
It's not...
organized properly.
Paul, what is happening to you?
I've been having...
complications.
Well, I just need a
little bit more time.
It happens.
I mean it happens to everyone.
If you do not have your
completed chapters,
go home and gather
what you do have.
Your notes, your drafts,
whatever you've got...
and then come back this
afternoon and we will...
figure out a way to dig
you out of this hole.
But what do you mean?
Go get your materials,
bring them back to me,
and we will figure a way forward.
- I am here to help you.
- Um...
Like I said, I'm...
They're, I... I don't...
They're not properly organized.
So... I don't...
Paul.
What have you been doing
these last two years?
(CLOCK TICK TOCKING)
Working.
Okay...
That's it. I have... done my best.
I will take this up
with the committee.
I had high hopes for you, Paul.
But you're a waste of my time.
(RATTLING, CLANKING)
Are you working?
Uh, I was, but... Um, you know.
I can take a break for a minute.
Do you want, um,
want something to drink?
I've got, um...
water, and um...
and I've got... water.
Do you want water?
No, I'm just gonna stay a minute.
Sure. Um...
Well the offer stands.
(RADIO PLAYING)
Do you uh...
(RADIO DIAL CLICKS)
Do you want to sit down?
Uhhhh, yeah. Alright.
So what's going on?
I think Jen is gonna leave me.
What makes you think that?
Um...
Things have been
pretty bad. And uh...
I'm wondering if I haven't
made a mistake...
Did she say something,
or something?
Well not exactly, but we've...
I dunno.
Bannister is dropping me.
Did I tell you that? I might
get kicked out of the program.
Wait... What? Bannister's
dropping you?
What do you mean
she's dropping you?
Well she said that I'm
a waste of her time.
That she's not working
with me anymore.
That's not good Paul.
That's really, really,
really not good.
- I know that.
- Jesus Christ.
But you know what this means?
Nancy wins again.
Destroys my relationship,
my career, with total impunity.
Jesus Christ. Paul, I... I can't...
I can't sit here and listen
to another monologue
about Nancy right now.
Okay? I've got...
I've got a deadline in
two days, and I've got
my own advisor to worry about.
How could somebody so
stupid, be so brilliant?
- I can't understand it.
- For fuck's sake!
Paul, Nancy is not some
kind of evil super genius!
The only reason she's winning is
because you won't take responsibility!
Sack up man! Take some
fucking responsibility!
I'm, I... (STAMMERS) I can't
listen to this anymore!
I've... You've got a Nancy problem,
you've gotta deal with it.
I've got enough shit to do.
I've got work to do, bro.
Work! I can't listen to
this over and over again.
You're gonna have to deal
with this on your own.
What?
I'm sorry I had to yell at you.
Just...
Relax for a while. Go,
tak... take some time.
Let things assimilate.
Relax.
Go home.
(SIGHS, DOOR CREAKS)
- Talk later?
- What? Yes.
- Okay.
- Goodnight.
(DOOR SHUTS)
(FUMBLES, LOCK CLICKS)
(PHONE RINGING)
MAN: Marco Polo.
Hi, is Nancy Hobby working today?
(SCRUBBING)
(BUSTLING, CARS WHIR)
Your server will be
with you in a moment.
Thank you.
- Hey Nancy.
- What do you want?
I was thinking about
a cheeseburger.
Oh, don't you usually take
the beverage order first?
What are you doing here Paul?
- I want to talk to you.
- What about?
- I want to talk to you.
- So you keep saying.
Two minutes. That's all I ask.
We don't have anything
to talk about, Paul.
- Oh fuck you.
- Alright.
- I'm getting the manager now.
- No, wait, wait, wait.
- What?
- I...
wanted to give you...
One hundred dollars for
two minutes of your time.
Then you'll never see me again.
Okay.
- Give me the money.
- No.
We have to talk first.
- Half up front.
- Fine.
(SHUFFLING)
Let's go outside.
(CHAIR RATTLES)
(WIND, FOOTSTEPS)
Can I have my money now, please?
Jen and I are splitting up
I think. Did you know that?
And I'm getting
kicked out of school.
That sucks.
Yes, it does.
Okay. Well, if that's it, can I
have my other 50 now please?
You've destroyed everything, Nancy.
Everything. Are you happy?
- I don't know what you're talking about.
- My life is shit!
Is that what you wanted?
It's not my fault that your
girlfriend broke up with you,
- and that you lost your job.
- Yes! Yes it is!
Why didn't you give
me my book back?
Your girlfriend broke up with you
because you didn't have a book?!
I can't, I... (STAMMERS)
What you did was wrong!
Fuck you!
You think your life got
all fucked up because
I didn't give you some
book?! I'm busy, man!
I'm working 60 hours a
week, at this shithole
and you know full well my
mom's still in the hospital.
You think I like spending
all my money on fucking
medical bills for that bitch?!
I do not...
So look, I feel real terrible
that your copy of fucking.
Little Dorrit wasn't my
number one priority.
You beat me with a baseball bat!
Nancy, don't you think that
was a little excessive?
Okay...
Your two minutes are up.
Give me the other $50.
Admit it. Admit your guilt.
Tell me you were wrong.
I'll admit it for another $100.
(SMACK)
Ow! Jesus!
(GRUNTING)
Ah!
(NANCY SCREAMS)
I'm not gonna take any
shit from you, or anybody!
You think I'm stupid?
Somebody attacks me,
I'm gonna defend myself.
Somebody breaks into my house,
I'm gonna defend myself!
I'm sick of you Paul!
Give me the other $50.
(MUSIC FADES)
This was way longer
than two minutes.
I deserve more. Give
me your jacket.
What?
Your jacket. Give it to me.
- Why?
- Because I want it.
(WIND WHOOSHING, FOOTSTEPS)
Nancy! Wait!
Nancy!
All I wanted was my book back.
How can you not be to blame?
It doesn't make sense.
Admit it.
You're the one who's wrong.
Please.
Tell me you were wrong.
Okay Paul.
I was wrong.
I shouldn't have done what I did.
Does that make you feel better?
(SHOES BEAT GRAVEL, SKID)
(WIND HISSES SOFTLY)
(LIGHTER FLICKS)
(FLICKS)
(WIND)
(ORCHESTRAL MUSIC SLOWLY BUILDS)
(MUSIC FADES)