THE FILM

The idea for the film struck me in the back of a taxi. I thought of calling someone but thought better.

*

My roommate was sleeping. It was three in the afternoon. I was at my laptop. The idea was becoming a script.

Yawn. "Morning," my roommate said.

"It's not the morning."

*

Sony Classics bought the script. They gave it to Scott, a friend of mine.

Scott: "I like the story."


Me: "There is no story."

"That's what I like."

"They want me to make the picture. And I want to make it."

"That's great."

*

We had a meeting with the on-set exec, Rubin. Scott convinced him that I was the writer/director of an uncredited short film that had mysteriously appeared in Hollywood circles about a year prior to much praise and reverence. Rubin said that if I could bring the energy of that film to this one, then I ought to be there. I nodded and fought the urge to thank him.

*

INT DAY

KARA is sprawled on her bed, smoking a cigarette. She's on the phone to DAVE, who we see in splitscreen.

KARA

Sarah cried on Tuesday.

DAVE

I wasn't there.

KARA

I know, that's why I'm telling you.

DAVE

Right.

KARA

Karen yelled at her 'cause she wasn't answering the phone right. She was just saying "Hello?" Not her name, not the name of the business, nothing. Just, "Hello?" I mean, that's not how to answer the phone. Karen was right. But then she started crying, you know? It ruined my whole day.

DAVE

I don't like Sarah. She needs to lose weight.

KARA

She's taking speed for that.

*

Lucy, who was Kara, was smoking.

Me (to Scott, about Lucy): "She needs to talk slower. She goes fast when she's acting. It's weird. I like her normal voice."

Scott: "If I tell her she won't listen."

"Tell Rubin."

"She won't listen to Rubin."

"Why does it have to be her?"

"I want her. She's pretty."

"She's not a good actress. Everything she says is affected. I hate it. I don't want her."

"I do."

I sighed.

*

INT NIGHT

Techno music blares. A sweaty, disheveled JENNIFER dances with a crowd in the club.

CUT TO:

EXT NIGHT

JENNIFER and a guy, JOE, sit on the hood of JENNIFER'S car. We can half-hear the techno.

JENNIFER

I haven't seen you in forever. You look totally different. You got the beard going on now.

JOE

Yeah, yeah.

JENNIFER

You should come with us. We're going back to Katie's place.

JOE

Katie is here?

JENNIFER

Yeah... I don't know where she's gone...

JOE

...

JENNIFER

So, what? Are you coming?


*

Me: "Who's playing Jennifer? What's her name?"

Scott: "Debbie."

"I like her."

"She's not thin enough."

"I like her weight."

"She looks big on camera."

"It suits her."

"The audience won't believe that she's getting that much sex."

"I believe it. I'd fuck her."

"She's not as fuckable as Lucy."

"I'd rather fuck Debbie."

"That's because you know Lucy. The audience doesn't."

I sighed.

*

On set, Debbie smiled at me. We'd hardly said two words to each other. She was shy. It was weird. I smiled back. It might have come across as mocking. I don't know.

*

INT DAY

In the office, KARA plays solitaire. DAVE appears.

DAVE

You done?

KARA

I guess so. I didn't know it was home time.

DAVE

I'm going to Tom's. He's a stoner. Do you smoke?

KARA

Not... often.

DAVE

You should.

KARA

I don't know...

DAVE

What, why?

KARA

It's just... uh... I don't know. I really don't want to.

DAVE

Alright. Are you sure?

*

Lucy: "I don't like this line."

Scott: "It's fine. When you see the movie, it'll make sense. Trust me."

"I don't like it. I want to change it."

"Please. Trust me when I say it'll makes sense."

"Rubin will let me change it."

"Don't get Rubin involved. Rubin only wants to make money. He doesn't care about your career. I do. Trust me when I say this. Your performance will be worse if we change the line."

*

Debbie: "I like your script."

Me: "Yeah?"

"It's real, you know?"

"Hmm."

"..."

"..."

"Scott doesn't listen to you. That pisses me off. It's your script, after all."

"He's a good filmmaker. He'll make it work."

"You're a better filmmaker."

"I didn't do that short. That was a lie."

"Huh."

"..."

"You know, I wrote a script. Can I show it to you?"

"Alright."

We went to her trailer. She gave me the script. We fucked.

*

INT DAY

JENNIFER's apartment. JENNIFER climbs out of bed. JOE's asleep on the opposite side. JENNIFER writes a note:

CU, v/o:

Joe -

Gone to work.
Last night was fun.
Call me some time.
555-1298.
Lock the door when you go.

- Love,
Jennifer


*

Rubin left. For good. He had another film to do. He was replaced by a different exec who wouldn't let Lucy smoke. She wore the patches.

*

At dinner.

Scott: "You know, Lucy and I are fucking."

Me: "Oh."

*

INT DAY

JENNIFER's bedroom. KARA jerks off her top. Her breasts jiggle.

JENNIFER

Do it again. Slower.

KARA puts the top back on. KARA pulls it off, slowly. KARA's breasts jiggle. JENNIFER reaches out and caresses KARA's nipple. KARA throws her top aside, then leans gently back onto the bed. JENNIFER climbs forward, back arched, like a cougar. JENNIFER sucks on KARA's nipple. KARA moans and writhes slightly. KARA and JENNIFER make eye contact. KARA and JENNIFER kiss awkwardly. JENNIFER rubs KARA's cunt through the panties. KARA and JENNIFER kiss pasionately. KARA moans. KARA and JENNIFER's movements are erratic and spontaneous. KARA pulls JENNIFER's panties down.

KARA and JENNIFER roll over. KARA eats JENNIFER out. KARA moans.

CUT TO:

The two lay nude on the bed. JENNIFER caresses KARA's midriff.

KARA

I love you.