Fade In
To the sound of low murmurs. We are in an office call center buzzing with low-key enthusiasm. Fluorescents, cubicle walls, industrial carpeting. It is depressing in its blandness. We hear
CARTER JOSS:
There was the Big Bang and then there was the Sex Pistols. It takes a true individualist to own the Sex Pistols’ original material in the 21st century. You listen to the Clash?
CUSTOMER:
Clashing is for colors and riot police.
CARTER:
The Clash is bedtime music now. Where are you with My Bloody Valentine?
CUSTOMER:
I thought it was meant to be a gift. I gave it.
CARTER:
How about Elastica? You interested in the Blur-Suede war?
CUSTOMER:
They don’t have wars like they used to.
CARTER:
They should never have wars like this again. But, hey, the people make out, right?
CUSTOMER:
I’m wondering what you have to say about Public Enemy.
CARTER:
I wonder what Public Enemy has to say about me.
CUSTOMER:
It used to be the man listened to the music. Now the music informs the man.
CARTER:
What can I do to get you into Jawbreaker? Blake is Bob Dylan without the mystery.
CUSTOMER:
I like my Dylan to have his mystery.
CARTER:
Then how about mid-period Bad Religion? Did they ever mention a succubus or would that be the Cramps?
CUSTOMER:
Okay, put that one on the list. If only because I’m a sucker for succubus.
CARTER:
You know what they say about the Talking Heads?
CUSTOMER:
I know what the talking heads on tv say.
CARTER:
Couldn’t hold a candle. “And you may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?”
CUSTOMER:
That sounds good too. Better than some bullshit about duty and sacrifice.
CARTER:
That’s six. You get eight for a penny and then I’ll give you three more worth the full price. I hope you understand it’s my job to get you to buy those three.
CUSTOMER:
Don’t they try. How did you get into selling cd’s?
CARTER:
I don’t sell cd’s, cd’s sell themselves.
CUSTOMER:
Would it be breaking the natural order if I ask for Johnny Cash?
CARTER groans.
CARTER:
The only respectable Cash is the outlaw Cash. Now that he’s mainstream-
CUSTOMER:
I like his troubadour routine?
CARTER:
He’s rather routine for a troubadour.
There is a SOFT KNOCK on CARTER’S cubicle wall. CARTER turns to find SAM, his supervisor.
CUSTOMER:
There’s something I’m hearing on the radio. It could be bluegrass, it could be southern folk. I don’t know genres, I just know what I like.
CARTER:
They’re called Nickel Creek and I’ll be sure to get that right to you. Let me give you a product code for your selections.
Int. SAM’S office Minutes later
CARTER sits staring at a large chart drawn on a dry-erase board behind SAM’S desk. CARTER’S name is second from the top. SAM is a typical bureaucrat, dressed in a bland suit, balding, cleaning his nails.
SAM:
I wanted to ask you here today to ask about your future, Carter.
(Beat)
It’s no secret that you’re the star of the sales team. You’ve got an encyclopedic knowledge of music and you have a great rapport with the customers. You have a way of, well, you make your love their love.
(Beat)
I guess I want to know where you see yourself in the company in five years, ten years.
CARTER:
…I think I’m going to kill myself.
SAM stops cleaning his nails and looks at CARTER, a puzzled look. Then he continues cleaning his nails.
Credit sequence
Ext. Small café Daytime
VERA SMALLS, a tall blonde, is stirring her tea with a thin straw. CARTER sits opposite her, keyed up and anxious.
CARTER:
I guess ever since I was a teenager I’ve been, well…I guess you could say I have panic disorders. The very act of meeting a beautiful woman, such as yourself, spending a day together in public, and-
VERA:
Well life can be like that. Do you think it had to do with your parents?
(without giving him a chance to answer)
It’s all to do with your parents, you know. I was a “yes” person raised in a “no” environment. It made me restless, unhappy.
CARTER:
I can’t say how I was raised anymore. So much happened after I was already on my own that…uh, well, you can’t always blame something or someone.
(Beat)
I really like spending time with you. I like, you know, being around you.
(He laughs nervously)
I’m nervous.
VERA:
Why are you nervous?
CARTER:
I get intimidated by pretty girls. Well, by everyone. Everyone that’s successful. I don’t, I can’t-
She withdraws her straw and sets it on a napkin.
Long shot. Body language says it all: He is uncomfortable but making an effort. She is uninterested, bored, humoring him, riding out the clock. She speaks and he nods, stands with her. She takes a step away and he rushes to hug her. She endures it and then walks away. CARTER stares after her, a smile on his face.
Int. CARTER’S apartment Daytime
The apartment is messy, clearly a bachelor’s pad. There are music posters on the wall (Sex Pistols, Nirvana, The Misfits, Dead Kennedys). There is a large calendar on the back of the front door, a full month of days displayed. Every day is filled in with something (work, Date with Vera the 17th, Brian’s party the 26th, Belle and Sebastian the 19th, Jello Biafra at Glendale the 22nd, etc.) CARTER sits at his computer desk, staring at the phone, willing it to ring.
Ext. Brookwoods Elementary School Daytime
Children run freely across the playground, shouting, pushing, sprinting and falling. We pull back to include CARTER, crouched behind a tree, staring intently at the two teachers supervising the children. They are VERA and JESSI GURALNICK, a short brunette with an easy smile. They talk casually, happily. CARTER focuses on VERA. A child’s voice comes from behind him.
CHILD:
Who are you?
CARTER:
Who are you?
The CHILD turns and runs away. CARTER turns back to the teachers and sees that VERA is now walking toward him, unsure. Without thinking, he leaps the small fence and runs.
Int. CARTER’S cubicle Daytime
CARTER is on the phone.
CARTER:
If I could just…well it says here that the tickets are “in addition to” but I don’t know what it is in addition to. …Yes, that’s what I’m saying, in the ad it says “In addition to…” but I don’t know what. …Oh, yes I see. Would you like me to call the magazine to let them know there’s an error in the… Oh, yeah, it probably should be you guys that do that. What is your name? Shawn, hi, I’m Carter. Can I ask you, do you get free cd’s from other labels? …Really? You don’t even get them from your own label? …Oh, you don’t work in that department. Yes, well, I know just how that feels because- No, I don’t need six cd’s for a penny, that wasn’t what I was getting at. Actually, I could get you eight for a penny with the purchase of three. Normally, I do high volume sales, ten thousand, thirty thousand units… No, that’s not what I’m saying. Listen, can I give you my home number? …Well, because you may change your mind and, where are you located? Yeah, we’re in a different time zone then, so maybe if you need to call me you can use my home number to… I’m sorry. No, I didn’t mean to be inappropriate. …I’m sorry. I’m very sorry. Thank you.
CARTER hangs up the phone and turns to his computer. He takes his cell phone out of his pocket and pushes a few buttons. He sits the phone next to his computer and punches some keys. We cut to a view of the screen and see him changing the desktop wallpaper to a fairly distant picture of VERA that he took with his phone.
Int. Supermarket Daytime
CARTER is stealthily following VERA through the store, hiding at the end of aisles and tracking her progress. He carries a small basket that he occasionally puts an item in. While following VERA, CARTER runs into the CHILD from the schoolyard. The boy nearly falls over. CARTER looks at him and says:
CARTER:
You.
CHILD:
You should watch where you’re going.
The CHILD kicks him in the shin and then runs off. CARTER shrieks in pain and begins to hop in a circle, walking the pain off. The commotion catches VERA’S attention and she storms over to him.
CARTER:
Vera, hi. That kid. Did you see that kid? Oh, man, I’d love to toss him under a steamroller. Who was that kid? He should be on a leash.
VERA:
(all business)
What are you doing here?
CARTER:
I’m going to a party.
VERA:
In Ramona?
CARTER:
Yeah.
VERA:
You’re going to a party in Ramona?
CARTER:
Yeah.
VERA:
Who is the party for?
CARTER:
(clearly lying)
Ramona.
CARTER grabs a bag of marshmallows and begins reading the ingredients.
CARTER:
You can really taste the albumen, can’t you?
VERA is irate and can barely control herself.
VERA:
What the FUCK are you doing here?
CARTER:
Why didn’t you call me?
VERA:
I thought it was obvious to you. But now I find you following me in the grocery store. If I see you again, I’m going to call the police.
(Beat)
It’s creepy, Carter. What you’re doing is creepy.
She turns and walks away.
Int. CARTER’S apartment Daytime
CARTER is making a phone call to VERA. He has made some attempts at cleaning up his apartment but is in the position that he has more possessions than storage space, leaving his apartment perpetually cluttered.
CARTER:
Vera, hi, it’s Carter. I know that maybe you were uncomfortable at the grocery store today and I just wanted to… I had a learning disability as a child. That’s maybe why I come off as… And sometimes I cry at night, when I’m all alone. People don’t realize, it’s like that Beatles song, Eleanor Rigby. You know, all the lonely people. Before I met you, I had been alone so long that I didn’t even know I was lonely and… Also I think I should tell you that I lied on our date when I said I knew karate. I just said that so you would always feel safe with me. And I’m not the top salesman at my company, I’m only number two. I think I told you that I’m an independent contractor, or maybe that was someone else, but that’s not true either. But I am team leader which means I oversee four other salesmen in my department. I just want to be honest with you so that-
There is a loud beeping noise. CARTER hangs up and sits down in his chair at the computer desk. He stands and scribbles a short note on a pad of paper. Then he selects a tie from a hanger and ties it around the sprinkler nozzle in the center of the room. He fashions a noose and sticks his head through it. He tentatively tests it and finds it fairly sturdy. He lets his knees go out from under him, instantly turning red and straining. After a brief second or two, the sprinkler nozzle pops off in an explosion of plaster dust and he falls on his back. He lets the dust settle and then stands. He moves his chair under the hole in the ceiling. He climbs the chair and begins poking his hand inside the hole. There are no pipes. The nozzle was not hooked up to a water supply.
Int. The apartment manager’s office Daytime
The apartment manager, ROSCOE GILMORE, is a barrel-chested man with dark hair. CARTER enters.
ROSCOE:
Hey, Joss. I’ll get the plunger.
CARTER:
No no, Mr. Gilmore. I’m here because…well, I accidentally pulled out the sprinkler nozzle in my apartment and-
ROSCOE:
Pulled out? How the hell do you pull something out of the ceiling?
CARTER:
Well, how doesn’t matter, exactly. I just wanted to let you know-
ROSCOE:
Those sprinkler nozzles are ordered by the fire department. If anyone finds out you don’t have one, I’d lose my leasing license. It’s the same as taking batteries out of the smoke detector, it’s illegal.
CARTER:
Yes yes, it is illegal. There were no pipes-
ROSCOE:
Well, I’ll see if I can get another crew in there this week. Can you be home between 8 and 5 for the next week?
CARTER:
No, sir, that won’t work, I have to go to work and-
ROSCOE:
Well you should have thought of that before you pulled it down. Christ, this really puts a cramp in my schedule. I was supposed to have a wall removed to get Mrs. Edibody to the hospital for her gastric bypass. You want to explain to the hospital why I can’t do that as scheduled?
CARTER is clearly starting to freak out. He just shakes his head no, mumbles apologies and a don’t worry, and then escapes the room. He turns around and sees a small vending machine across the narrow hallway. He kicks it, breaking the glass, and then tosses it sideways. He begins to exit when GILMORE’S door opens.
ROSCOE:
Joss! What the hell just happened out here?
CARTER:
(over his shoulder)
I don’t know, it wasn’t me.
ROSCOE:
Well who the hell was it?!
CARTER pushes the door and exits the building. As soon as he’s outside, he breaks into a run. He passes the swimming pool and trips over a toy wagon. He jumps up and looks around for the owner and finds, once again, the CHILD from the grocery store and the elementary school.
CARTER:
You shouldn’t leave that there, kid. Someone could get hurt. Someone did get hurt, I got hurt. So you shouldn’t leave that laying there.
Ext. Brookwoods Elementary school Daytime
CARTER stands on the sidewalk in the front turnaround, amid parents and children uniting. He is scanning the crowd for VERA. JESSI approaches him.
JESSI:
Single parent?
CARTER:
…Yeah.
JESSI:
Which one is yours?
CARTER:
Oh, you wouldn’t know him. He keeps to himself, he doesn’t have friends.
JESSI:
What a terrible thing to think. Everyone needs a friend. So which one is he? It’s a boy, right?
CARTER does not respond, merely looks for VERA.
JESSI:
Which grade is he in?
CARTER:
Uh, fifth grade.
JESSI:
I teach fifth grade! Which one is he?
CARTER:
I meant fourth. He’s in fourth grade.
CARTER begins to walk away. JESSI pursues him.
JESSI:
You don’t have a child here, do you?
CARTER:
I was lying. You’re right, I’m a liar. This is why she won’t return my calls or see me, I blew it all by being myself.
JESSI:
What’s wrong with being yourself?
CARTER:
I’m not the type of guy that people want to be around.
JESSI:
A select circle of friends may mean they’re of higher quality. I don’t see why you’d have trouble. You’re articulate, quick on your feet, smell nice.
(Beat)
I’m Jessi, Jessi Guralnick. What’s your name?
CARTER loosens his tie, uncomfortable now. She sees the strangulation marks from his suicide attempt.
JESSI:
My word, what happened to your neck?
CARTER:
Carter.
JESSI:
It’s nice to meet you, Carter.
(Beat)
Did you want the nurse to take a look at that?
CARTER:
No, I should go.
JESSI:
If I was to- Can I- I’d like to give you my number and you can call me when you’re feeling like you have no friends. Would that be okay with you?
CARTER:
I don’t know if…well…
JESSI:
I don’t know, is this stupid? I just…I don’t want you to feel lonely. I’m a good listener and if you wanted to take me out to dinner, I would like that.
CARTER:
Dinner?
JESSI:
Yes, it’s a meal you eat toward the end of the day. You’re aware of the concept?
CARTER:
Why would you-
JESSI:
Got to make your own fun, don’t you think?
CARTER:
Make your own fun?
JESSI:
If you don’t make it yourself, it’s just entertainment, right?
CARTER:
But why would you pick me?
She places a comforting hand on his shoulder.
JESSI:
Because you look like you need someone, Carter.
She hands him a scrap of paper and gives him a smile.
Int. JESSI’S apartment Nighttime
JESSI is just walking in the door when the phone rings. Her apartment is full of newspaper clippings, hundreds of them lining the walls. She rushes for the phone, muttering “Hang on, hang on, hang on” over and over. She finally reaches the phone and answers.
CARTER:
Jessi?
JESSI:
Speaking.
CARTER:
Hey, it’s Carter.
She tries to place the name.
CARTER:
You gave me your number at the school. I hope I’m not-
JESSI:
Carter, of course. Just give me a second to catch my breath. I feel like I just carried sixteen tons.
CARTER:
Oh, I didn’t mean to bother you. I was…well…
JESSI:
Let me get my shoes off, that’s when the true me blooms in full.
She slips off her shoes and lets out a great sigh as she sinks back into the sofa cushions.
JESSI:
Well, Mr. Carter, you are certainly not liked by one Miss Vera of the sixth grade.
CARTER:
She talked to you? What did she say?
JESSI:
If I wanted to believe everything she said about you, I wouldn’t use my time talking to you right now. I’ll just say that she has very strong opinions, none of which I agree with at the moment.
CARTER:
Listen, can I call you back or-
JESSI:
I’ll hold.
CARTER:
Thanks.
Int. Carter’s apartment Same time
CARTER, clad in flannel pajamas, lays the phone down and walks into the kitchen. He begins to punch the refrigerator, denting it and making a very loud racket. He falls on his knees and holds his head in his hands, about to burst into tears. After a couple seconds, he stands and puts a bag of popcorn in the microwave. He sets the timer and walks back to the phone, composing himself instantly.
CARTER:
You would do that?
JESSI:
Do what?
CARTER:
Just ignore everything she said?
JESSI:
Why would I take the information second-hand when I’ve got you to give me the real deal?
(Beat)
Did you really stalk her at the grocery store?
CARTER:
That was a misunderstanding.
JESSI:
She doesn’t think so. It doesn’t bother me. You know what it was?
CARTER:
What’s that?
JESSI:
It’s easier to just give a kiss on the cheek and say “We’ll do this again” than it is to say that you’re not interested. Girls do it all the time. It’s unfair. It hurts people like you. And she gets to go dancing along on her merry way and you’re the one that’s supposed to have done something wrong. Am I totally off-base here?
CARTER:
Well, I guess I should say that everything she’s said is a lie. I never had a learning disability. And I do know karate. And I don’t cry late at night. Can you excuse me again?
Before receiving an answer, he lays the phone down and walks to the window. He opens it, freeing the window unit air conditioner. He lifts this carelessly and then tosses it out the window with a great shout. The air conditioner falls to the ground and shatters, missing by a dozen feet a short man walking his dog.
CARTER:
(Out the window)
I’m sorry about that, Mr. Girabaldi. I was adjusting it and-
There is a ringing sound from the microwave oven in the kitchen.
CARTER:
(still out the window)
An alarm is going off in here. My popcorn is ready. I’m sorry again.
CARTER shuts the window and walks into the kitchen. He returns to the phone with a bowl of popcorn.
JESSI:
What was all that noise?
CARTER:
I’m watching a war movie.
JESSI:
Do you have popcorn?
CARTER:
Yes.
JESSI:
I love that. I love the taste of popcorn with that butter from the movies, with lots of salt.
CARTER:
That’s not actually butter, it’s a butter flavoring. It’s mostly an oil, usually soy or coconut. Sometimes peanut oil, but that causes high cholesterol, so I always ask before I put any on.
JESSI:
What about that seasoned salt? The yellowish kind?
CARTER:
I try to avoid salt now. I had this thing, I played golf with some people and I got, have you ever gotten dry?
Shots keep changing during the following.
We follow CARTER as he maneuvers through his apartment.
CARTER:
And my dad told me, “Either you shape up and stop drawing and focus on your schoolwork or I’ll ship you off to the orphanage.” And mom, mom just stood there.
JESSI defrosting her icebox.
JESSI:
…which I guess means that astrology has a pre-Copernican bent to it. But wouldn’t it make sense that the moment of conception is more important than the date of birth? Especially in the world of C-sections and…
CARTER riding an exercise bike.
CARTER:
…and it’s that I can sometimes see the good and bad in everything, to the point that nothing is inherently good or bad anymore, it’s all just a moral relativism in a sense…
The alarm begins beeping again from the kitchen.
CARTER:
I don’t even know what that one is.
JESSI boiling noodles.
JESSI:
…of course, I made the mistake of pulling the tissue from my bra when I sneezed, revealing my secret to everyone and guaranteeing that I would be the butt of jokes for the next five years of school…
CARTER organizes his cd collection.
CARTER:
…It’s a job. That’s it. It’s just a job, something I do, something I have to go sit at a desk for eight hours a day to make money to enjoy when not doing that. And the hours don’t even out when you factor in sleeping and eating and…
JESSI clipping coupons.
JESSI:
…And I like that so few things in the world are black and white. What I wish is that others would understand the gray areas so we can at least agree on the things that are good and evil…
CARTER cleaning the kitchen, emptying take out trash from the counters.
CARTER:
…which is why, I guess, every time I hear a phys ed whistle, I just want to hide under the bed…
Close-up on JESSI, in her sleeping attire, wearing a nighttime mask.
JESSI:
Did you want to meet? There’s this Starbucks that is 24 hours and-
CARTER:
Meet? Yeah, yeah, why would I want to do that?
JESSI:
Well it’s just, like I said, you know, you can’t spend your whole life on the phone with other people. Sometimes you have to move into their midst, actually be a part of a group setting.
CARTER:
Yeah, that sounds, I don’t want to do that.
JESSI:
If I give you my address, will you come over here?
(Beat, a small laugh)
I mean, I look terrible. My hair’s a mess and I’m in my pajamas, I’ve got a facial mask on, but…I’d like to see you while I hear your voice.
(There is silence)
Don’t you want to see me?
CARTER:
I’ve got…I’m imagining you. What if what I’m thinking isn’t as good as-
JESSI:
The truth is always better than the fantasy because it’s something you can hold onto. We could take a picture. We could have a picture of this night and always keep it. Then we’d know where we’ve been and where we could go. Just come over.
Ext. The Brandy Station Apartments Nighttime
CARTER pulls up to the building in his little hatchback. The apartments are little bungalows arranged in a horseshoe pattern. CARTER enters the gate and begins scanning the doors. He walks all the way around the complex before finding the right one, almost directly across from where he started. He begins to knock and then takes a step back. He turns away and paces a bit. The outdoor light comes on next to the door and, without thinking, CARTER begins running away. After a few yards, he realizes what he is doing and stops and turns back around. He marches up to the door and knocks. The door immediately opens and JESSI pulls him close and kisses him. Music swells.
Int. JESSI’S bedroom Daybreak
JESSI lays in CARTER’S arms. They haven’t had any sleep.
JESSI:
It’s not always this way.
CARTER:
You do this a lot?
JESSI:
No, I.
(Small laugh)
I’ve never done this. I’m a fifth date girl. What I meant was that it’s usually difficult to sleep, actually sleep, with someone the first time out.
CARTER:
You mean the sleeping itself?
JESSI:
Yes, that’s all I meant.
CARTER:
How many men have you slept with?
(Right on top of it)
No. Don’t tell me. I’ve only been with four. Well, the second one I was with a bunch of times because-
JESSI:
(laughing)
I don’t want to hear about it.
CARTER:
Right. And I lied again. It was only three.
JESSI:
Was I number three?
CARTER:
Yeah. But I didn’t lie about the second. We had sex a bunch of times, more than-
JESSI:
(laughing again)
Would you cut it out?
CARTER is silent for several moments.
CARTER:
Tell me.
JESSI:
Well-
CARTER:
No. Yes. No. Just tell me about the last one.
JESSI:
Technically, you were the last one.
There is a pause. CARTER rubs his fingers up her arm.
CARTER:
I did lie, though. I don’t know karate. And I had a learning disability. One time, they gave me a blot test, you know the test with the ink blots?
JESSI:
A Rorshach?
CARTER:
Yeah, that blot test. I said I saw a man kicking a puppy and they said they were going to put me in a home for my own protection and I said if they did that, my dad would kill them.
JESSI:
Oh, how awful.
CARTER:
I know, my dad couldn’t kill anyone. He was a pharmacist.
JESSI:
You speak very simply, don’t you?
CARTER becomes self-conscious.
JESSI:
Carter, can I ask you something?
CARTER:
…Yeah…
JESSI:
Did you want to sleep with Vera?
CARTER:
…Did I want to…?
JESSI:
Or did you? I guess that’s what I want to know. Did you?
CARTER:
Yeah, I don’t want to answer that.
(Beat)
What did she say?
JESSI:
She said you didn’t.
CARTER:
Well I don’t want to answer. I don’t want to say something and have her say something else and then you not believing me. I don’t want to get started on if I did or didn’t. I mean, I don’t think it matters but if she said we didn’t-
JESSI:
Well what do you say? I’ll believe what you say, I don’t care what she said. She said you didn’t.
CARTER:
Yeah, she might be lying about that. I can’t say. Could I use your bathroom?
Int. JESSI’S bathroom Moments later
CARTER enters the bathroom and shuts the door. He immediately lifts the slab of porcelain that covers the water tank and smashes it on the floor. Then he collapses to his knees and begins to cry.
JESSI:
(o.s.)
Carter? Are you alright? What happened?
CARTER:
(recovering himself)
I slipped. I think I broke your toilet.
JESSI:
Well…where am I going to go to the bathroom?
CARTER:
I believe I saw a gas station down the street.
JESSI:
Carter, open the door.
CARTER:
There’s broken glass in here. Do you have any bread?
JESSI:
Carter, honey, open the door. Let me in.
CARTER:
What about tuna fish? Could you make me a sandwich? Or a salad?
Reverse shot, outside the door. Carter opens it, his eyes are red from wiping them.
JESSI:
Have you been crying?
CARTER:
No, I wasn’t crying. And I didn’t sleep with Vera. But I have an important business meeting today. I have to go.
JESSI:
Go? It’s only 7 AM.
CARTER:
It’s in Baker.
JESSI:
Baker is over five hours away.
CARTER:
It’s not that long.
JESSI:
What’s wrong? Why were you crying?
CARTER:
Do you have a cat? I’m probably allergic to the-
A cat leaps onto a bookcase near the bathroom door. CARTER visibly recoils and gives it a wide berth as he makes his way out.
CARTER:
I’ll pay for the toilet. You shouldn’t have to pay for that. I’ll take a rain check on that tuna salad.
The cat looks at CARTER and he practically scrambles away from it.
JESSI:
Will you call me?
CARTER:
I have an important business meeting. I’ll try. I’ll really try.
He scrambles out of the bedroom.
Ext. JESSI’S front window Moments later
JESSI looks out as we see, in the reflection, CARTER’S car speeding away.