Made it more contained...more explanatory...more of a synopsis of the story, really.
FADE IN:
A state of the art kitchen in chrome and brass. CASEY, a beautiful young woman in a cocktail dress, leads ADAM in. The same age as her, he’s bookish and in a suit. Party music and voices rumble from another room.
ADAM
(British)
Good God, this is bigger than my flat in Ruislip.
CASEY
That where you live?
She takes two tubs of Mac & Cheese from a cupboard, pours in water and pops them in a microwave.
ADAM
Nora and I, till we parted. Couldn't afford it on my
own. Casey, what’re you doing?
CASEY
You said you were hungry. And the food being served
out there is crap...
ADAM
But is this all right?
CASEY
Why shouldn’t it be?
ADAM
It’s not your home, it’s Lando Grissoms’ and —
CASEY
Hey, I helped that son-of-a-bitch find this house! Spent
months looking for it, all over town. Connected him
with my decorator. I was here more than I was at home.
Besides, I bought these, and I’ll be damned if I leave
anything behind. It’ll just go to waste. He — he thinks
Mac and Cheese is beneath him, now.
ADAM
...Sorry. And may I say, your Lando is a fool?
CASEY
...He’s not mine, anymore.
ADAM
Then why did we come to his party?
ADAM
(British)
Good God, this is bigger than my flat in Ruislip.
CASEY
That where you live?
She takes two tubs of Mac & Cheese from a cupboard, pours in water and pops them in a microwave.
ADAM
Nora and I, till we parted. Couldn't afford it on my
own. Casey, what’re you doing?
CASEY
You said you were hungry. And the food being served
out there is crap...
ADAM
But is this all right?
CASEY
Why shouldn’t it be?
ADAM
It’s not your home, it’s Lando Grissoms’ and —
CASEY
Hey, I helped that son-of-a-bitch find this house! Spent
months looking for it, all over town. Connected him
with my decorator. I was here more than I was at home.
Besides, I bought these, and I’ll be damned if I leave
anything behind. It’ll just go to waste. He — he thinks
Mac and Cheese is beneath him, now.
ADAM
...Sorry. And may I say, your Lando is a fool?
CASEY
...He’s not mine, anymore.
ADAM
Then why did we come to his party?
CASEY
Had to. Make everyone think I’m well and good.
That’s so fucking important in this town. Always
land on your feet. And having a man with me who
nobody knows — what better way to prove it?
ADAM
Brilliant...am I your rent boy?
CASEY
Had to. Make everyone think I’m well and good.
That’s so fucking important in this town. Always
land on your feet. And having a man with me who
nobody knows — what better way to prove it?
ADAM
Brilliant...am I your rent boy?
CASEY
Oh, stop. There's water in the fridge.
The microwave dings. She pulls the tubs out and carefully peels off the covers. Adam gets bottles of water. She pulls out silverware and hands him a tub with spoon.
CASEY
Chow down, baby.
ADAM
Thanks. Cheesy pasta...mum calls this nourishment
for heart attacks, but when in starvation mode...
He digs in. She toys with hers as she looks around.
CASEY
Lando Grissom. I’m still trying to figure out how he
and I got together. Self-absorbed brats should never
partner up.
ADAM
I don’t see you as being like that.
CASEY
You don't know me. I don’t know me. I should’ve
known him. It’s not like I hadn’t seen him around, at
parties, awards ceremonies. Different girl, every time.
But I was too focused on another actor I was dating.
Vinny. A nice guy who couldn't decide if he was gay,
straight or bi. But he did like being with me; got him
sympathy from the gossip rags.
ADAM
Don’t they like you? Why?
CASEY
Oh, on my first series, someone on the crew called me a
demanding little diva. And it’s still brought up whenever
something goes wrong. Like it did when I caught Lando
with some bitch. Who knew smearing his car with doggie-
doo would make headlines around the world?
ADAM
Did it?
CASEY
You must’ve seen the Telegraph, Daily Mail...
ADAM
I pay them no mind.
CASEY
Good. It’s all bullshit. Vinny’s the perfect example. His
then boyfriend saw me in Neiman's and warned me, He's
using you, so don't be surprised about me. I wasn't; I can
add two and two. That's what I told him, and he nodded
and walked away. The Inquirer turned it into a screaming
match in the middle of cosmetics, photos arranged to look
like we were about to get into a knife fight. Vinny got
outed, and I was disparaged as the other woman in a gay
man's life.
ADAM
Not really? That must have taken some rather bizarre
gymnastics in in the writing process.
CASEY
They did backflips, pommel horse, you name it. Anyway,
one day I was at a party and my limo vanished, and Lando
gave me a ride home. And we talked. And we started seeing
each other. We were tabloid fodder by the second date, but
at least this spin was positive. He was kind. Attentive. Loving,
even though I was a bigger name than him. Dozen movies
to my credit. Two series. I liked him. I wanted him with me
always, so got him onto Ilithium Four.
Adam focuses on his tub of food.
ADAM
I’d rather not remember that film.
CASEY
Oh? Oh, Adam, are you one of those preferred the book
people?
ADAM
It was a classic work of science fiction and he was not
at all correct for the character he portrayed and he — sorry,
I — I didn’t mean to — I mean, you were good in it but...
CASEY
Oh, stop. It was a piece of crap. But I enjoyed making it.
The microwave dings. She pulls the tubs out and carefully peels off the covers. Adam gets bottles of water. She pulls out silverware and hands him a tub with spoon.
CASEY
Chow down, baby.
ADAM
Thanks. Cheesy pasta...mum calls this nourishment
for heart attacks, but when in starvation mode...
He digs in. She toys with hers as she looks around.
CASEY
Lando Grissom. I’m still trying to figure out how he
and I got together. Self-absorbed brats should never
partner up.
ADAM
I don’t see you as being like that.
CASEY
You don't know me. I don’t know me. I should’ve
known him. It’s not like I hadn’t seen him around, at
parties, awards ceremonies. Different girl, every time.
But I was too focused on another actor I was dating.
Vinny. A nice guy who couldn't decide if he was gay,
straight or bi. But he did like being with me; got him
sympathy from the gossip rags.
ADAM
Don’t they like you? Why?
CASEY
Oh, on my first series, someone on the crew called me a
demanding little diva. And it’s still brought up whenever
something goes wrong. Like it did when I caught Lando
with some bitch. Who knew smearing his car with doggie-
doo would make headlines around the world?
ADAM
Did it?
CASEY
You must’ve seen the Telegraph, Daily Mail...
ADAM
I pay them no mind.
CASEY
Good. It’s all bullshit. Vinny’s the perfect example. His
then boyfriend saw me in Neiman's and warned me, He's
using you, so don't be surprised about me. I wasn't; I can
add two and two. That's what I told him, and he nodded
and walked away. The Inquirer turned it into a screaming
match in the middle of cosmetics, photos arranged to look
like we were about to get into a knife fight. Vinny got
outed, and I was disparaged as the other woman in a gay
man's life.
ADAM
Not really? That must have taken some rather bizarre
gymnastics in in the writing process.
CASEY
They did backflips, pommel horse, you name it. Anyway,
one day I was at a party and my limo vanished, and Lando
gave me a ride home. And we talked. And we started seeing
each other. We were tabloid fodder by the second date, but
at least this spin was positive. He was kind. Attentive. Loving,
even though I was a bigger name than him. Dozen movies
to my credit. Two series. I liked him. I wanted him with me
always, so got him onto Ilithium Four.
Adam focuses on his tub of food.
ADAM
I’d rather not remember that film.
CASEY
Oh? Oh, Adam, are you one of those preferred the book
people?
ADAM
It was a classic work of science fiction and he was not
at all correct for the character he portrayed and he — sorry,
I — I didn’t mean to — I mean, you were good in it but...
CASEY
Oh, stop. It was a piece of crap. But I enjoyed making it.
Enjoyed the whole shoot. Lando and me. Five romantic
months at a beach resort near Cape Town. You ever been?
ADAM
No. I dislike travel.
CASEY
But you just flew thousands of miles to here...
ADAM
Only to collect the book your grandfather’s donated to
my university.
CASEY
I think you’d like Cape Town. Lando and I, we looked all
over that city. Once we even took the last cable car up to
months at a beach resort near Cape Town. You ever been?
ADAM
No. I dislike travel.
CASEY
But you just flew thousands of miles to here...
ADAM
Only to collect the book your grandfather’s donated to
my university.
CASEY
I think you’d like Cape Town. Lando and I, we looked all
over that city. Once we even took the last cable car up to
Table Mountain. God, that ride. Clear sky filled with red.
City lights glistening in the evening's shadows. Millions
of them. Each one representing a person whose life was as
distinct and meaningful as ours. The beauty of it...such
overwhelming beauty...as we whispered up and up — I
started to weep. So Lando slipped to behind me. Wrapped
his arms around my waist. Put his chin in the crook of my
neck. Soft. Tender. And he whispered, That’s real cool.
Adam covers a laugh with a cough and bite of the Mac & Cheese.
CASEY
Yeah, Shakespeare reborn. But I didn't care. I was in
love. The tabloids got a lot of niceness to fill their pages,
for the next three years. Did wonders for my reputation
as well as his career. Till two weeks ago. And now look
at me; in his kitchen, comfort-eating and spilling my guts
to a man I all but blackmailed to be here. Perfect. And
cut. Print. That’s a wrap.
ADAM
I know I didn’t want to come, but I’m not sorry I did.
CASEY
City lights glistening in the evening's shadows. Millions
of them. Each one representing a person whose life was as
distinct and meaningful as ours. The beauty of it...such
overwhelming beauty...as we whispered up and up — I
started to weep. So Lando slipped to behind me. Wrapped
his arms around my waist. Put his chin in the crook of my
neck. Soft. Tender. And he whispered, That’s real cool.
Adam covers a laugh with a cough and bite of the Mac & Cheese.
CASEY
Yeah, Shakespeare reborn. But I didn't care. I was in
love. The tabloids got a lot of niceness to fill their pages,
for the next three years. Did wonders for my reputation
as well as his career. Till two weeks ago. And now look
at me; in his kitchen, comfort-eating and spilling my guts
to a man I all but blackmailed to be here. Perfect. And
cut. Print. That’s a wrap.
ADAM
I know I didn’t want to come, but I’m not sorry I did.
CASEY
You’re sweet. Definitely not what I thought you'd be.
ADAM
Nor are you what I expected, really.
CASEY
Adam, let’s be real — you hadn't even heard of me
before you came here, had you? I mean, you watched
Ilithium Four on the flight over. You said so.
ADAM
Well...my brothers and sister would know of you. They
watch the telly. Follow social media, whatever. But the
truth is, for me — books are my life. If it's not a volume
that goes onto a shelf, nothing else matters. The only reason
you and I even met is because my university insisted I make
the journey instead of a colleague.
CASEY
Insisted? They made you to come all this way to pick up
my grandfather’s silly book? We couldn’t just FedEx it?
ADAM
Oh, God, no! No! It’s an Alice ’65 — an 1865 edition of
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland! Only 25 are known to
exist. The risk of sending it via UPS or FedEx — God only
knows what could have happened. I was chosen because
it’s in my area of expertise...and I’m also the best cataloguer
they have. In fact, I’m the department joke, the way I lose
myself in research...to where I forget meals and meet-ups
and anniversaries and such. Nora was often aggrieved.
CASEY
C'mon, baby, you really that bad?
ADAM
She wanted me tested for autism. Said I'm too easily
distracted by minutia. Then one day we met for tea and
— and she told me to get on with my life. Such a simple
phrase, that...yet totally without meaning.
He notices a slip of paper on the refrigerator.
ADAM
Nor are you what I expected, really.
CASEY
Adam, let’s be real — you hadn't even heard of me
before you came here, had you? I mean, you watched
Ilithium Four on the flight over. You said so.
ADAM
Well...my brothers and sister would know of you. They
watch the telly. Follow social media, whatever. But the
truth is, for me — books are my life. If it's not a volume
that goes onto a shelf, nothing else matters. The only reason
you and I even met is because my university insisted I make
the journey instead of a colleague.
CASEY
Insisted? They made you to come all this way to pick up
my grandfather’s silly book? We couldn’t just FedEx it?
ADAM
Oh, God, no! No! It’s an Alice ’65 — an 1865 edition of
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland! Only 25 are known to
exist. The risk of sending it via UPS or FedEx — God only
knows what could have happened. I was chosen because
it’s in my area of expertise...and I’m also the best cataloguer
they have. In fact, I’m the department joke, the way I lose
myself in research...to where I forget meals and meet-ups
and anniversaries and such. Nora was often aggrieved.
CASEY
C'mon, baby, you really that bad?
ADAM
She wanted me tested for autism. Said I'm too easily
distracted by minutia. Then one day we met for tea and
— and she told me to get on with my life. Such a simple
phrase, that...yet totally without meaning.
He notices a slip of paper on the refrigerator.
ADAM
Meat-flies; water-vaYter; come-comb; house-wees?
Is Lando trying to learn German?
CASEY
Huh? I dunno. He was in Berlin doing publicity, a few
days ago. And Paris. And Sydney. And Tokyo. You
name it they loves their Lando Grissom.
He looks at her.
ADAM
Don't they love their Casey Blanchard, as well?
CASEY
...Not like they used to.
He hesitates...turns back to the list. Writes on it.
ADAM
Well...pronunciation's off on these. So here we go,
meat should be flysh. And water is vasser. If you plan
to do it, do it right. That’s why there are so few Alice
65s; the illustrator hated how the first print turned out
and insisted the book be completely redone. So it was.
(looks at her)
As for the pasta, it was lovely, but now I think a nice
chicken curry with saffron rice, sag aloo, raita, samosas
in plum sauce, and big bottles of Taj Mahal would be a
perfect capper. No tabloids allowed. No explanations.
No sorrows. Just some quiet time away from it all. Our
own little redo of the evening. Are you open?
She smiles at him, for the first time.
CASEY
Sounds lovely.
ADAM
Brilliant. Now I’ve never snuck out on a Hollywood
party, before, but I doubt it’s difficult. So...shall we
put it to the test?
He dumps his empty tub in the trash. Casey finally does the same. They exit.
FADE OUT.
Meat-flies; water-vaYter; come-comb; house-wees?
Is Lando trying to learn German?
CASEY
Huh? I dunno. He was in Berlin doing publicity, a few
days ago. And Paris. And Sydney. And Tokyo. You
name it they loves their Lando Grissom.
He looks at her.
ADAM
Don't they love their Casey Blanchard, as well?
CASEY
...Not like they used to.
He hesitates...turns back to the list. Writes on it.
ADAM
Well...pronunciation's off on these. So here we go,
meat should be flysh. And water is vasser. If you plan
to do it, do it right. That’s why there are so few Alice
65s; the illustrator hated how the first print turned out
and insisted the book be completely redone. So it was.
(looks at her)
As for the pasta, it was lovely, but now I think a nice
chicken curry with saffron rice, sag aloo, raita, samosas
in plum sauce, and big bottles of Taj Mahal would be a
perfect capper. No tabloids allowed. No explanations.
No sorrows. Just some quiet time away from it all. Our
own little redo of the evening. Are you open?
She smiles at him, for the first time.
CASEY
Sounds lovely.
ADAM
Brilliant. Now I’ve never snuck out on a Hollywood
party, before, but I doubt it’s difficult. So...shall we
put it to the test?
He dumps his empty tub in the trash. Casey finally does the same. They exit.
FADE OUT.
3 comments:
CASEY
… And the food out there is crap...
——
ADAM
It’s Lando Grissoms’ home and —
——
CASEY
Lando Grissom…how we got together. …
——
CASEY
…But he did like being with me, and that got him sympathy from the gossip rags.
——
CASEY
…I told him I wasn't; I can add two and two. And he nodded and walked away. …
——
CASEY
…one of those preferred-the-book people?
——
ADAM
It‘s classic science fiction...
CASEY
Oh, stop. It‘s a piece of crap…
——
CASEY
...as we whispered up and up … So Lando slipped behind me… And he whispered, That’s real cool.
——
CASEY
…before you flew here, had you?…
——
ADAM
…But truth is, books are my life…
——
ADAM
… best cataloguer they have. The department joke, me, the way I lose myself … Nora is oft aggrieved.
——
ADAM
…too easily distracted by minutiae…
Some small changes to the dialogue for your consideration
Thanks, FJ. This helped...
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