FADE IN:
EXT. GRAVESIDE - THE SWELTERING SUN & LUSH GREEN OF FLORIDA
So hot you can see the radiant heat. A handful of MOURNERS
SIT at a GRAVESITE STAGING AREA. All are in black, but as
minimally dressed as decoram allows.
A PRIEST walks around the flower draped casket. Anoints it
with holy water as he mutters in LATIN.
PULL BACK TO REVEAL:
CAS, daughter of the decedent. She is 40 something, vibrant,
beautiful in a Aniston or Bullock way. She is flanked by
her friends, JUDY, ADRIAN & MICHAEL. All are approximately
the same age.
PRIEST
And now a few words from Antonia's
daughter, Casimiera.
Cas rises & crosses to the podium.
CAS
Thank you all for coming. As some
of you may know, my mother was a
complete and total bitch, who never
had an encouraging word for her
daughter. I spent my entire life
trying to reach the unattainable
standards she set.
PULL BACK TO REVEAL: THE MOURNERS IN SHOCK
Judy tackles her.
JUMP CUT:
EXT. ON CAS IN HER SEAT -- CONTINUOUS
Judy is shaking her out of her reverie.
JUDY
(SOTTO)
Show time, girl! Say something nice *
about your mother.
Cas rises, her legs almost wobbly. Michael reaches out to
steady her. Walks to the podium.
CAS
Thank you all for coming. As many
of you know, my mother was a world
class worrier.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.
CAS (CONT'D)
Claimed it was her job.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. GRAVESIDE DAY - TRAVELLING
Most of the Mourners have left. Judy, Michael & Adrian walk
a distance allowing Cas a moment.
CAS
(To Coffin)
Guess this is goodbye, for now,
Mommala. Sweet Sleep.
(fingers it
tentatively, starts
to walk away)
Don't worry, Mom, I'll be fine.
Joins her friends & they walk to the LIMO.
CAS (CONT'D)
I'm alone! All alone in this world.
ADRIAN
Cue me! Is there where I say all the
stuff about you'll always have us?
CAS
(Shaking her head no)
Mixed. Yeah, I'd say mixed. The rest
of my life is completely, well
whatever I want to make it. I'm tied
to no one or nothing.
MICHAEL
Being tied to someone can be a lot
of fun.
CAS
I've got to stay & close up the house,
the estate but that's it. I'm free
afterwards. I can go anywhere...
Italy!
EXT. BLACK STRETCH LIMO
The ladies get in. As the door closes Michael sticks his
head in. He is approximately the same age as Cas. He's not
tall a but he's kept his tight Italian stallion body with NY
attitude.
MICHAEL
The plan: I'm going to pick up the
food & meet you back at the house.
Capish?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.
CAS
Capito.
(Michael tries for a
lip kiss but gets
her check & closes
door. Off Adrian's
look)
What?????
ADRIAN
Do I detect a little something,
something?
JUDY
Been there, done that.
CAS
Perceptive and correct.
(beat)
We were together from my 18th to 21.
Then he f'd up. But we've been
friends, mostly email & phone buds,
ever since.
ADRIAN
But he cared enough to come here, be
with you.
CAS
(Pointing to Judy)
What she said and he's too normal.
All I've ever had were varying degrees
of dysfunctional relationships.
JUDY
We all have stories to tell.
ADRIAN
Please. I've been married three times.
CAS
No seriously, EVERY relationship.
ADRIAN
For starters you worked in a business
rife with dysfuntion.
CAS
Well, maybe there were reasons I was
drawn. Alright forstarters... my
husband, Carlos...
JUDY
I thought he was the love of your
life.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.
CAS
Oh he was, but that doesn't change
its dysfunction. I'll just give you
some of the highlights - coupled
with the lowlights that always
followed.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. STUDIO LOT - FAVORING A STAR'S TRAILER -- AFTERNOON
ERIC KELSEY is lettered on door. It sits near WARDROBE &
MAKE-UP trailers. Normal CREW activity can be seen crossing
in the B.G.
CAS (V.O.)
I was dating Eric Kelsey at the time.
ADRIAN / JUDY (V.O.)
You dated Eric Kelsey?
CAS (V.O.)
Yes, for a short while.
JUDY (V.O.)
(overlapping)
Oh, we will hear about him.
Cas (mid-20s) exits Kelsey's trailer. Walks down to make-up
trailer, knocks. It's opened by CARLOS. He is roughly the
same age, could be a movie star himself. He looks at her,
deeply appraising.
CAS
The star becomes restless... are you
ready for Eric?
CARLOS
Never, ever do your eyes like that
again. It's dated.
(best)
I'd love to do you.
(Off Cas' laugh)
Your face I mean. I'm Carlos.
CAS
Well, Carlos, are you ready to do
Eric?
CARLOS
I rather do you....
CAS
I'll send him down.
She walks away. Has a smile on her face. In the B.G. Carlos
watches her go, admiring.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.
INT. SOUND STAGE -- LATER
Large CREW mills, waiting. ERIC KESLEY ENTERS. He's followed
by Carlos, who has his touch-up tools. Kelsey has charisma &
is appealing, but attractive in that intense character actor
way. Kelsey hits his mark.
Carlos moves to the side next to another CREW MEMBER. The
stage door opens again. Carlos turns to see.
REVERSE ANGLE - CARLOS' P.O.V.
CAS enters.
CARLOS
Who is she? You know?
CREW MAN
(looking)
It's Cas, I think and she's with
him.
(Indicating Kelsey)
CARLOS
For now.
CREW MAN
You want to keep your job, you crazy
pendajo?
But Carlos is not listening.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. SOUND STAGE -- LATER
Set is breaking. Kelsey joins Cas. As they walk to Stage
door.
CARLOS
Excuse me, Eric. Do you mind if I
give your lady here a bit of a make-
over? I'm sure some papparazzi will
be on you both later.
ERIC KELSEY
Thanks, man. Thoughtful!
(Whispering to Cas)
Go. I'll be waiting for you.
He kisses her & leaves Cas with Carlos.
CARLOS
I believe that was wrongly played.
CAS
You have giant juevos, don't you?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.
She follows him into the Make-Up trailer.
INT. MAKE-UP TRAILER - CONTINUOUS
He indicates a seat.
CARLOS
First we have to get that mess off
your face.
CAS
You might try not insult the woman
you're trying to seduce.
CARLOS
Who says I'm trying to seduce you?
(beat)
And you'd like it.
Crosses to her. Starts to wash her face with Remover.
CAS
Owwwh. Owhhh.
CARLOS
Don't be such a baby.
She pushes him out of the way, eyes closed tries to find the
sink. He starts the cold water & grabs some towels.
CAS
My eyes! They're burning.
CARLOS
Let me.
Immediately reacts with the wet clothes to the face. This
smears the make-up even more.
CAS
You've done enough! Give me something
to use as an eyecup & point me towards
the bathroom.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. - AS BEFORE -- MOMENTS LATER
Carlos is seated in his make-up chair. Cas exits the bathroom,
makes the cross to the chair next to him.
CARLOS
Didn't quite go as planned. I'm
sorry.If you'll let me touch you
again I promise to make you more
beautiful then you already are.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.
CAS
No more flirting?
CARLOS
That I can't promise.
He begins applying a primer.
FADE OUT:
INT. BLACK STRETCH LIMO - STILL TRAVELING- CONTINUOUS
ADRIAN
Even with the highlights this is
going to be long story. And we're
almost to your mother's.
JUDY
Intermingle the two so we hear about
the actor.
CAS
Being with him was dysfunctional but
he was not significant in the scheme
of my life.
ADRIAN
It might be to us.
JUDY
Was it kinky in any way? If so, don't
leave that out.
CAS
We just buried my mother! Besides, I
don't kiss and tell.
JUDY
Oh, yes you will. We came to this
podunk town and I for one plan to be
entertained.
ADRIAN
It'll keep your mind off things. And
I'm sure in here somewhere, Mom will
make an appearance or two.
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
It's on the West Side of Los Angeles Casual chic. DINERS are
all Westside Attractive. The WOMEN, even the ones on dates,
steal glances at Eric Kelsey's table. Cas is with him. Both
are very aware of the attention, each with different
reactions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.
ERIC KELSEY
Don't let this bother you.
CAS
You seem to invite it.
ERIC KELSEY
No! What!? I hate feeling like I'm
in a fish bowl. I just want to be
with you...
CAS
You're not discouraging it.
ERIC KELSEY
And have a nice dinner..
He's picked up his knife, angles it.
CAS
(Off his actions)
I don't know which is more messed
up. You just checked yourself out
and a third of the women in the room
in your cutlery.
ERIC KELSEY
Oh, I'm just messing with you. More
wine?
He turns to attract the attention of the SERVER. His attention
diverted an ADMIRER steps to him.
CEIL
Hi, Eric.
(Touching her ample
chest)
Ceil. I just love your movies. Can I
get a picture with you.
She has stepped between Cas & Kelsey's chair. Whips out a
camera.
ERIC KELSEY
Okay sure.
CAS
Don't you dare ask me to take it.
A waiter obliges.
CEIL
And if you want a copy...
Takes his hand & writes her number on his palm. Exits slowly
& provactively. Eric wipes the smile off his face.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.
ERIC KELSEY
That was nothing.
CAS
(Handing him the napkin -
indicating to water
glass)
Wash your hand.
CUT TO:
EXT. BLACK STRETCH LIMO PARKED CURBSIDE -- AFTERNOON
The woman disembark & walk towards Cas' MOTHER'S HOUSE.
BACKGROUND NOISE of the POST FUNERAL GUESTS BLEEDS OVER:
JUDY
I'm bookmarking exactly where you
left off.
PUSH INTO: INT. MOTHER'S HOUSE - THE POST FUNERAL PARTY -
CONTINUOUS
Party is in full swing, for a bunch of elderly. These should
be a cross-section of FLORIDIANS, many ex-New Yorkers. There
are a variety of physical types; ranging from very fit to
walkers & protable oxygen tanks. ADLIB SOUND BITES: Some
examine the abundance of food. Others reminisce. AND Some
complain.
As Cas enters with the girls, one woman announces...
OXYGEN TANK LADY
Dahling, we're so sorry about your
mother. But Shmooly wants to make
more Manhattans and your out of the
cherries.
SHMOOLY holds up the empty jar.
CAS
I'm on it.
As she walks into the kitchen, calls Michael.
PUSH INTO:
EXT. MICHAEL'S RENTAL CAR - CONTINUOUS
CAS (O.S.)
We've got a marachino cherry
emergency.
MICHAEL
Anything else?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.
CAS (O.S.)
No, and only if it's not a problem.
PULL BACK TO REVEAL:
Michael's car in sight of the house.
MICHAEL
Not a problem at all. Just be a few
more minutes.
He turns the car around.
All leave en masse at 4:00; want to get home before it's
dark.