|
"How Much Do You Love Me?" - screenplay by Derek Paterson
This is an excerpt (first 20 pages) of a completed screenplay.
"How Much Do You Love Me?" (working title) - screenplay by Derek Paterson.
FADE IN:
EXT. DESERT ROAD - DAY
Interrupted only by a cloud of dust headed this way.
INT. KENNY'S CHEVY (MOVING) - DAY
KENNY, a ruggledly good-looking young buck in blue denim,
nods in time to hardcore Country music as he drives toward
the next town.
EXT. GAS STATION - DAY
A County Sheriff's car sits parked outside the office.
Kenny's beaten blue Chevy pulls in and stops at the pumps.
Kenny climbs out, stretches his legs, arches his back.
AMY, 20, wearing grubby mechanic's overalls tied off at the
waist, and a vest that was once white, bumps Kenny on her
way to the pump. Her baseball cap covers her face so he
doesn't get a good look.
KENNY
Morning.
Her back's to him as she lifts a pump gun, opens his gas
tank.
KENNY
Gimme twenty bucks?
She nods and sticks the gun in, starts pumping. Kenny
examines her from head to toe and back again. Her vest
strains to hold her ripe fruit.
KENNY
You get much trade out here?
No answer.
KENNY
Sure is gonna be hot today. Makes
me sweat just thinking about it.
Amy turns. Kenny reacts with shock. Her head permanently
tilts to one side, she's glassy eyed retarded, her tongue
sticking out as she concentrates.
SHERIFF QUINN, 40s, exits the office.
QUINN
You okay there Amy?
AMY
M'okay.
QUINN
Just call your daddy if you got any
problems, okay?
AMY
Okay.
Kenny sees a Men's Room sign, heads that way.
INT. GAS STATION MEN'S ROOM - DAY
Kenny stands at a urinal doing his business.
The door opens, he looks over his shoulder, it's Amy.
Her glassy eyes seem to stare at his manhood, Kenny turns so
his back's to her.
KENNY
I'll be out in a minute!
She just stands there, dumb as rocks.
KENNY
Can you give me some privacy here?
I'm taking a leak.
AMY
Okay.
She closes the door. Kenny shakes his head, unbelievable.
He puts it away, washes his hands. No towel. He shakes his
hands dry, opens the door.
EXT. OUTSIDE GAS STATION MEN'S ROOM - DAY
Quinn stands waiting. Amy's behind him, shyly peeking out
at Kenny.
QUINN
Now son, what did you have to go and
do that for? Can't you see God messed
with her head?
KENNY
Beg pardon?
QUINN
Turn around.
KENNY
What?
Kenny looks from Quinn to Amy, catching on.
KENNY
Sir, I don't know what she told you.
I was in there taking a leak, she
opened the door. I turned my back
soon as I saw it was her, and told
her to leave.
Quinn thinks about this. He looks at Amy.
Amy stares back, her empty expression gives nothing away.
QUINN
Amy doesn't usually tell tales.
KENNY
I don't mean the poor girl no insult,
but she just doesn't do it for me.
Last thing on my mind. I want you
to believe that, sir.
Quinn looks real thoughtful. He sighs, shakes his head.
QUINN
If I give you the benefit of the
doubt...
AMY
He did this.
Amy jerks her hand up and down, thumb and forefinger forming
an "OK" hole, and opens her mouth as wide as she can, her
tongue falling out.
KENNY
Jesus.
He spins Kenny around, shoves him against the wall, cuffs
him expertly.
KENNY
Man, you couldn't be more wrong.
QUINN
Save it.
Quinn searches Kenny's pockets. Stops when he finds a lump
in the left pocket.
KENNY
Car keys. And some loose change.
Quinn takes them out.
QUINN
Knife? Gun? Needles?
KENNY
Comb in my other pocket. Wallet in
my back pocket. Shades in my shirt
pocket.
Quinn takes them all. He marches Kenny to his car, opens
the back door, pushes Kenny's head down and inside, slams
the door shut on him.
Quinn opens the front passenger door and drops Kenny's stuff
into a bag. He dumps this on the seat, then enters the
garage.
INT. QUINN'S CAR - DAY
Kenny watches Amy toddle by. She doesn't look at him.
EXT. GARAGE - DAY
Amy climbs into Kenny's Chevy. She grips the wheel and makes
engine noises, pretends she's driving. She leans left and
right as she zooms around imaginary corners on two wheels.
INT. QUINN'S CAR - DAY
Kenny rolls his eyes.
Quinn backs out of the office, motioning with his hand to
whoever's in there. Calming the situation.
Quinn returns to his car, climbs in.
KENNY
Sir, that girl is a lunatic. She
made it all up! You ask me, her
daddy's doing things to her. Maybe
it's him you should be talking to.
Quinn looks in the rearview, studies Kenny through the wire
mesh barrier. He starts the engine.
QUINN
Amy's my niece.
Kenny stares out the window. Shit...
EXT. GAS STATION - DAY
Quinn's car drives away. The siren WHOOPS briefly.
Amy waves goodbye. Her dumb expression never changes.
INT. POLICE STATION OFFICE - DAY
DEPUTY TRAVIS, 30s, writes slowly and methodically, filling
out a form.
Quinn pushes Kenny up against the counter. Travis puts down
his pencil and stares aggressively at Kenny.
TRAVIS
What'd he do?
QUINN
Exposed himself to Amy.
TRAVIS
God damn.
KENNY
I was taking a leak. She opened the
door.
TRAVIS
God damn.
KENNY
I have no idea why I'm here.
TRAVIS
You better shut up right now mister.
Travis opens a drawer, takes out a key, slaps it into Quinn's
hand. He stares in disgust as Quinn leads Kenny away.
INT. JAIL CELL - DAY
CLANG! Quinn closes the gate on Kenny.
QUINN
Now you just sit there, and keep
quiet, and contemplate the error of
your ways.
Kenny spreads his hands helplessly. Quinn exits along the
corridor. An outer door SLAMS.
Kenny slowly turns around, sizing up the cell. A low cot, a
stained toilet bowl and hand basin.
KENNY
Jesus.
Travis appears in the corridor, he looks around cautiously
then leans close and whispers...
TRAVIS
Christ we all had Amy, she's hot to
trot. Slip a bag over her ugly head,
you'd think you were riding a fifty-
dollar whore.
KENNY
I didn't touch her!
TRAVIS
And that big tongue of hers, man
it's like a whip on your balls. She
sucks you dry and wants more. Leaves
you limping for days.
KENNY
What the hell do you want from me?
TRAVIS
I'm telling you to roll with it.
Sheriff despises perverts, but he
fucking hates liars. Just confess
you did it, go before the judge, pay
the fine and leave. Dig your heels
in and you're in for a mighty
unpleasant time, believe me. So
take my advice. Roll with it.
KENNY
I'm gonna tell the judge you're all
crazy motherfuckers. How does that
sound?
Travis shrugs and exits. Kenny sits on the cot and puts his
head in his hands.
EXT. SKY SHOT - DAY
The dazzling sun blazes in a cloudless sky.
INT. JAIL CELL - DAY
Kenny lies on the cot, an arm over his eyes. Approaching
footsteps make him sit up.
Quinn unlocks the gate door. Travis leans back against the
corridor wall, his arms folded.
QUINN
Stand up.
Kenny gets up, uncertain.
QUINN
You're free to go.
KENNY
Come again?
QUINN
Car isn't stolen. No outstanding
warrants. You're free to go.
KENNY
You mean it's a retard's word against
mine, and she's no virgin.
Quinn drives his nightstick deep into Kenny's guts. Kenny
collapses on the floor, gasping. Travis inspects his
fingernails.
QUINN
Talk like that about Amy again, I'll
not be responsible for what follows.
Kenny gets his breath back, pushes himself up.
KENNY
All right, I'm sorry. That was
uncalled for. I don't know anything
about her. I shouldn't have said
these things. I'm just a little
angry, I guess.
Quinn slides the stick back into its holster.
QUINN
Now get the hell out of here, I
haven't got all day to waste on the
likes of you.
Kenny exits the cell, Travis escorts him out.
INT. POLICE STATION OFFICE - DAY
Travis lays Kenny's wallet, comb and loose change on the
counter.
KENNY
All that talk about going before the
judge and confessing. You didn't
have a damn shred of evidence.
TRAVIS
Keep that up, maybe we'll find some
lying around in a drawer. You know
what I'm saying?
Kenny opens his wallet, counts the bills.
KENNY
I had 77 dollars in my wallet when I
came in here. Now I've only got 7
dollars.
TRAVIS
Bail was set at 70.
KENNY
Who said anything about bail? I
thought I was being released.
Travis picks up a blank form, slides it toward Kenny.
TRAVIS
You got any complaints, you write
them down on this, and sign it.
KENNY
My car still at the gas station?
TRAVIS
Unless it grew wings and flew here
by itself.
KENNY
I don't want to go back out there
alone, have that girl accusing me
all over again. Not to mention, the
little matter of a shotgun.
TRAVIS
Now you're talking sense.
KENNY
So what's the chances of someone
giving me a ride?
TRAVIS
No can do. Phone has to be manned
at all times.
KENNY
Maybe someone else?
Quinn arrives, he's heard.
QUINN
I'll make a call, tell Mason to keep
Amy inside and leave you alone. But
you get in that car of yours and
drive, you hear me?
KENNY
Yessir. There is the little problem
of how I get there.
QUINN
There's a bus due in a couple hours.
You can afford a bus, can't you?
TRAVIS
Got 7 dollars in his wallet.
QUINN
Good enough. Otherwise I'd have
arrested you for vagrancy.
Kenny looks from Quinn to Travis. Quinn's carved from stone,
Travis tries to hide his smile.
KENNY
Thanks for your hospitality.
Kenny exits outside.
TRAVIS
Think you were a little hard on him?
Could have been a mistake.
QUINN
Mistake my ass. You know how gentle
that girl is.
TRAVIS
Yes sir I do. It's a crying shame.
QUINN
Smart mouth punk. I should have put
my stick up his ass.
TRAVIS
Wish I'd been there to see that.
EXT. ROADSIDE BUS STOP - DAY
Kenny looks up and down the road in both directions. Nothing
there but dust.
He squints up at the blazing sun, reaches to his shirt pocket
for his shades. Realizes they're missing.
He stamps his foot and spins completely around, mad as hell.
Still nothing coming along the empty road.
He looks again.
There's a vehicle, coming his way. He cranes his neck, trying
to see.
INT. JESSICA'S CAR (MOVING) - DAY
JESSICA, a refined beauty in a crisp white blouse and flower
skirt. Maybe 30s, it's hard to tell with the headscarf and
sunglasses. She cranes her neck and looks ahead.
EXT. ROADSIDE BUS STOP - DAY
Kenny holds his thumb up.
The approaching car slows, pulls in, stops beside him.
They look each other up and down.
JESSICA
How long you been waiting here?
KENNY
A while.
JESSICA
Last bus came through a couple hours
ago. Next one's not due till evening.
I'm afraid you've got to wait a little
longer.
Kenny realizes what she's saying.
KENNY
Well... thanks for letting me know.
JESSICA
I don't like giving rides to
strangers. It's too dangerous.
KENNY
Ma'am, I'm not dangerous, I'm just
hot and tired.
She watches him for a moment... then leans over and opens
the passenger door.
JESSICA
Just don't call me "ma'am" again
like I'm your mother.
Kenny grins and climbs in.
KENNY
I promise. And you're nothing like
my mother, believe me.
A little smile says Jessica likes the flattery.
INT. JESSICA'S CAR (MOVING) - DAY
JESSICA
Where are you headed?
KENNY
There's a gas station somewheres up
ahead. You know the one I mean?
JESSICA
I think I do.
KENNY
I left my car there.
JESSICA
It broke down?
KENNY
Not exactly.
JESSICA
"Not exactly." Now you've got me
curious. Do I have to guess?
Kenny's reluctant to say. She glances at him.
JESSICA
You don't have to tell me if you
don't want to.
KENNY
I don't mean to be rude or anything.
JESSICA
It's okay.
KENNY
I got arrested. It was a mistake, I
swear. They let me go when they
realized.
JESSICA
What were you doing, holding the
place up?
KENNY
Nothing like that. I stopped for
gas. Next thing I know I'm in the
back of the county sheriff's car.
JESSICA
"I'm innocent, Your Honor."
KENNY
I know it's hard to believe. I think
they were ripping me off. They let
me go after they took my money.
JESSICA
How much?
KENNY
70 dollars.
JESSICA
Did they tell you it was bail money?
Kenny looks at her, surprised and suspicious.
KENNY
I guess you know the local police.
JESSICA
I've had an occasional brush with
the law myself. I know how these
things work.
KENNY
Then you know more than me.
Jessica points to a pack of smokes and a gold lighter. Kenny
opens the pack, sticks one in her lips, lights it for her.
JESSICA
Where are you from?
KENNY
Nowhere special. Hicksville.
JESSICA
Wow, what are the chances? You and
me both.
KENNY
I'm Kenny.
JESSICA
I'm pleased to meet you, Kenny.
KENNY
You got a name?
JESSICA
What kind of crazy question is that?
Everybody's got a name.
He waits. She doesn't tell him. He smiles.
KENNY
I hope I'm not taking you out of
your way.
JESSICA
No, you're not. So where were you
heading? Before the law caught up
with you, I mean.
KENNY
I wasn't on the run or anything.
JESSICA
Kidding.
He smiles again. Likes the way she presses his buttons.
KENNY
I'm heading to L.A. See if I can't
get me a part in some movie.
JESSICA
You're an actor?
KENNY
Not yet.
JESSICA
I think you've got the looks.
KENNY
I hope so. I mean, I'm not one of
those guys, stands in front of a
mirror all day.
JESSICA
I didn't think you were.
KENNY
Well thank God for that.
JESSICA
What you have to do is sign up to an
agency. They take a fee, but they
can get you steady work.
KENNY
People just turn up at additions,
don't they? I thought I'd try that.
JESSICA
They have open auditions sometimes,
yes. But the queue starts the day
before.
Kenny thinks about this.
KENNY
How come you know so much?
JESSICA
I don't, really. I just read
magazines.
KENNY
You've never thought of becoming an
actress yourself? With your looks?
JESSICA
Once, long ago. But you know how it
is. Life comes along and shits on
you.
KENNY
That's real philosophical.
JESSICA
Don't listen to me. You're doing
the right thing. Get out there and
grab it with both hands, like I wish
I'd done.
KENNY
Yes Ma'am.
JESSICA
I said not to call me that.
KENNY
You never told me your name.
JESSICA
Here we are.
EXT. GAS STATION - DAY
Jessica pulls in and stops.
INT. JESSICA'S CAR - DAY
Kenny cranes his neck, looks for his car. It's not there.
KENNY
They must've moved it.
He opens his door.
KENNY
Thanks for the ride.
JESSICA
My pleasure.
A moment's lingering eye contact... then Kenny climbs out.
EXT. GAS STATION - DAY
Kenny stays as far from the office as he can as he circles
round the gas station, looking for his car.
There's no sign of it anywhere.
He looks at Jessica, she's still there, watching him.
INT. JESSICA'S CAR - DAY
Kenny approaches and leans down to Jessica's window.
KENNY
I need to ask you to do something
for me.
JESSICA
Ask. I won't bite.
KENNY
Go inside... and ask whoever's in
there where the hell my car is.
JESSICA
It's been stolen?
KENNY
It's a long story.
JESSICA
I got plenty of time.
KENNY
There's this girl. The lights are
on but nobody's home, if you know
what I mean.
JESSICA
Has this anything to do with the
police?
KENNY
The girl accused me. I didn't do a
thing, I swear to God I didn't. But
that damn Sheriff took her word over
mine.
JESSICA
You think she took your car?
KENNY
Her daddy owns the gas station.
He's inside. I think maybe he's the
Sheriff's brother.
JESSICA
Uh-huh.
KENNY
I just want to avoid any trouble,
that's all. I don't want to see the
girl, I don't want to talk to her
daddy, maybe get into a fight, end
up in jail again. I just want my
damn car.
Jessica grabs her purse and gets out. She walks to the office
and goes inside.
EXT. GAS STATION - DAY
Kenny looks up and down the empty road. Looks at the office.
Looks up and down the road. Wonders what's happening inside.
Jessica exits and walks back to her car.
KENNY
Well? What did the asshole say?
JESSICA
Cigarette.
Kenny reaches into the car, grabs the pack and lighter. She
sticks one in her lips and lights it.
JESSICA
Okay. The girl's dear pappy?
She makes a gun with thumb and forefinger and points at the
back of her own head.
JESSICA
They made him go down on his knees
and put one right here.
Kenny stares at the office. Is she kidding?
JESSICA
The girl, she's in the back room.
She's too ugly to fuck but they fucked
her anyway, then gave her some of
what pappy got.
Kenny starts toward the office but Jessica grabs his arm.
JESSICA
I'm talking wall to wall brains. No
reason why both of us should have
nightmares, huh?
She throws down her cigarette, grinds it under her shoe.
JESSICA
Phone's out. They cut the line.
Come on. We're getting out of here.
She opens her door, slides into her seat. Kenny grabs her
shoulder through the open window.
KENNY
Tell me you're kidding.
JESSICA
The place got knocked over, sweetie.
Whoever did it took your car. You
might want to take a moment to figure
what that means.
She starts the engine.
KENNY
I have to find the cops. Tell them
I didn't do this.
JESSICA
What we need to do is find you an
alibi before they pin this on you.
And they are going to pin this on
you, believe me. Get in.
He gets in. Jessica floors the gas and zooms up the highway.
INT. JESSICA'S CAR (MOVING) - DAY
KENNY
This is none of your business.
JESSICA
You mean that in a nice way, don't
you?
KENNY
I can't let you do this... whatever
you're doing.
JESSICA
How are you planning to stop me?
Grab the wheel out my hands?
She lets go of the wheel. Kenny stares at the wheel, looks
at the road ahead.
Jessica presses harder on the gas pedal.
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
Jessica's car accelerates... to racing speed.
INT. JESSICA'S CAR (MOVING) - DAY
KENNY
You've made your point.
Jessica closes her eyes, folds her hands on her lap.
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
The car starts to drift.
INT. JESSICA'S CAR (MOVING) - DAY
Kenny grabs the wheel.
KENNY
Jesus!
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
The car drifts further... straightens up... overcompensates
and drifts across the road... straightens up...
INT. JESSICA'S CAR (MOVING) - DAY
KENNY
I said you've made your point!
Jessica opens her eyes, eases off the gas, takes hold of the
wheel. Driving straight and safe.
KENNY
What is wrong with you?
JESSICA
Nothing's wrong with me. I just
want to help.
KENNY
How, by killing me?
JESSICA
You don't look dead.
She puts her hand on his thigh.
JESSICA
Don't feel dead either.
He sucks in a deep breath. She laughs and puts both hands
on the wheel.
KENNY
Where are we going?
JESSICA
I need you trust me. Just for a
little while.
KENNY
Why the hell should I?
JESSICA
I trusted you, didn't I? I trusted
you with my life, right there.
Kenny shakes his head, not understanding.
JESSICA
Call it a test. You passed.
KENNY
And what happens... if I trust you?
JESSICA
Good things.
KENNY
You promise?
JESSICA
I promise.
EXT. MOTEL - DAY
Jessica's car sits parked outside the office.
INT. MOTEL OFFICE - DAY
Kenny and Jessica wait at the empty desk.
Kenny goes to ring the bell -- she stops him.
A clock on the wall shows quarter to three. Jessica opens
the hinged face and turns time back to 45 minutes earlier,
to two o'clock.
She rings the bell. Nothing happens. She rings it again,
faster and louder. The MANAGER, 60s and crabby, arrives.
MANAGER
Heard you the first time.
Jessica grabs Kenny's hand and draws him close. He's a little
bewildered.
JESSICA
We need a room, real urgent, if you
know what I mean.
She drops crumpled bills onto the counter.
JESSICA
Just give us the key, we'll settle
ourselves in. Oh, and make sure we
get a wake-up call at 4 o'clock.
She squeezes Kenny and laughs.
JESSICA
Two hours should just about do it.
The Manager scoops up the cash and slides a key across.
MANAGER
Number 9 at the end. Make as much
noise as you like.
Jessica shows him a 20-dollar bill as if it's a prize.
JESSICA
Exactly 4 o'clock, got it?
The Manager nods.
MANAGER
Four it is.
Jessica leads Kenny to the door. The Manager winks at Kenny,
who's still bewildered as Jessica pulls him outside.
INT. MOTEL ROOM - DAY
Jessica unlocks the door, they enter.
She sits on the bed, bounces up and down.
JESSICA
Not bad. I'll be back in a minute.
She goes into the bathroom and closes the door.
Kenny peeks out the window, checking outside.
Running water sounds from the bathroom.
Kenny turns on the TV, sits down on the bed with the remote
in his hand. The screen brightens showing ads. He turns
the sound down and thumbs a switch, changing channels.
Sports. Soap opera. Ads. News.
A REPORTER talks urgently into his mike, reporting the latest
exciting crime.
Behind him, the unmistakable sight of the gas station, with
a County Sheriff's car parked out front.
Quinn stands with his back to the news camera, talking into
his car's radio mike. Somehow he senses he's being watched,
and turns to stare directly into the news camera with cold,
unblinking eyes.
INT. MOTEL ROOM - DAY
Kenny switches off the TV and sucks in huge, deep breaths.
The sound of running water stops.
Moments later the bathroom door opens.
Jessica stands in her underwear, black lace bra and panties.
It's the first time we've seen her without her head scarf
and sunglasses. She's a modern day Marilyn Monroe, an
unsettling mix of beauty and tragedy.
If Kenny had problems breathing before, he has even more
problems now.
The remote slips from his hand, drops on the floor.
Jessica comes to stand over him. She runs her fingers through
his hair. Tilts his head back, leans down and kisses him.
JESSICA
I thought...
KENNY
Yeah?
A more passionate kiss--
JESSICA
...if anyone happened to look in the
window...
KENNY
Yeah?
Pushing him back onto the bed and climbing on him--
JESSICA
It would look better...
A deep kiss that lasts forever--
KENNY
Feels better...
She unbuttons his shirt, all but rips it off.
JESSICA
...if we were, you know...
end excerpt
Back to Script Samples
Back to my Home Page
|
