INT. DOCTOR BESHOVICH'S OFFICE - EVENING
SUPER: TWELVE YEARS EARLIER
DOCTOR BESHOVICH (a psychiatrist) is seated in a comfortable leather chair. His client, CALUM RODGERS is laying back on a comfortable but firm couch with no shoes on his feet.
DOCTOR BESHOVICH: 42, Thinning brown hair, tall, slightly overweight. The type of psychiatrist who goes through the motions and fails to connect with his clients.
CALUM RODGERS: 17, Average Height, slim, medium build, dark hair, African American, shy.
DOCTOR BESHOVICH
Tell me Calum, what is troubling you today?
CALUM RODGERS (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Well, nothing that I can...
DOCTOR BESHOVICH
Well, there must be something. It won’t go any further. You can trust me.
CALUM RODGERS (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Well there’s this girl. I kinda had a crush on her and well...
DOCTOR BESHOVICH
Well, yes, go on..
CUT TO:
EXT. AMUSEMENT PARK - EVENING
Calum stands in front of a hot dog stand dressed in a giant hot dog costume. Beside him, his friend JULIUS SPECTOR is dressed as a polar bear mascot.
JULIUS SPECTOR: 17, Taller than average, relatively long dark hair, glasses
CALUM RODGERS (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Hey Julius, Santina is here.
JULIUS SPECTOR (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Why don’t you go and talk to her?
CALUM RODGERS (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Well, eh... I can’t.. you know. Besides, Mr Vagelman wouldn’t like me vacating my spot.
JULIUS SPECTOR (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
What’s the worst that could happen? You lose your job as a hot dog mascot?
Julius gives Calum a gentle push.
Calum slowly walks towards SANTINA RAMIREZ who is waiting for someone.
SANTINA RAMIREZ: 17, female, very attractive, blue eyes, slim, smaller than average, friendly, bad taste in men.
CALUM RODGERS (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Santina
Santina looks around
CALUM RODGERS (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Santina, its me Calum
SANTINA RAMIREZ (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Oh Calum. You look different
CALUM RODGERS (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Yeah. People keep saying I look taller
Santina has a little laugh
There is a lull in the conversation.
CALUM RODGERS (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
So Santina, there is a big college game on Sunday.
SANTINA RAMIREZ (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Yeah, I know. Edgar is playing
CALUM RODGERS (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
So, would you like, maybe... want to go with me?
SANTINA RAMIREZ (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Oh, you’re sweet but I’m with Edgar now.
EDGAR RAMIREZ approaches carrying several cans of beer.
Edgar Ramirez: 17, Taller than average, strongly built, brown hair, rude, fond of drink and self centred.
EDGAR RAMIREZ (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Hey look Santina, I can knock back one can of beer in one go.
SANTINA RAMIREZ (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Cool honey
Edgar proceeds to drink an entire can of beer
SANTINA RAMIREZ (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
That’s brilliant honey
EDGAR RAMIREZ (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
So what’s this loser doing here?
SANTINA RAMIREZ (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Nothing. Calum was just keeping me company for a short while
EDGAR RAMIREZ (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Go away, before I eat you
CALUM RODGERS (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
(in a meek voice)
Sorry
Calum turns around to walk away. Suddenly Edgar jumps on him and knocks him to the ground. A small crowd gathers
AMUSEMENT PARK GOER 1
It’s just Rodgers
Edgar gets off him
EDGAR RAMIREZ (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
What’s the matter? Haven’t you seen a loser before?
Calum climbs to his feet and returns to his previous position. MR VAGELMAN charges up to him in an irate manner.
MR VAGELMAN: 50, bald, tall, slim, thick rimmed glasses.
MR VAGELMAN
Rodgers, why did you vacate your post?
Mr Vagelman doesn’t wait for an answer.
You’re supposed to promote my business not degrade it. Consider yourself fired without pay.
CUT TO:
INT. DOCTOR BESHOVICH'S OFFICE - EVENING
DOCTOR BESHOVICH
I hope you still have enough cash to pay my fee?
CALUM RODGERS (SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD)
Yes, Mr Beshovich
DOCTOR BESHOVICH
Well Calum, everyone is unlucky in love at some point but we need to heed any red lines. It’s clear that she’s not interested in you but I will need her contact details for my files.
INT. LOCAL BAR - NIGHT
SUPER: PRESENT DAY
TALIA, JASMINE and SANTINA are drinking at a table in a medium sized but busy bar.
SANTINA: 29, long dark hair, blue eyes, slim, attractive.
TALIA: 28, slim, attractive, short dark hair, brown eyes
JASMINE: 29, overweight, long red hair, blue eyes, average height.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I really thought Scruffy was the one.
JASMINE
Any guy who calls himself Scruffy is bound to be barking down the wrong alley.
TALIA
Or chasing his tail
SANTINA RAMIREZ
But he was nicer than the others. He even remembered my birthday. He bought me a present.
JASMINE
It was a ten dollar necklace
SANTINA RAMIREZ
That necklace was one of the nicest things anyone ever got me.
JASMINE
He was just sucking up to you.
TALIA
Santina, you have to do something about your taste in men. There was Jackson.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
He was a cordon bleu chef
JASMINE
Yes, but did he do any actual cooking? You’ve got to read the warning signs. He couldn’t tell one end of a frying pan from the other
TALIA
Then there was Frederico
SANTINA RAMIREZ
He wasn’t so bad
JASMINE
What about the two gallons of fake tan he put on every morning.
TALIA
He’ll never be out of a job. He could guide aeroplanes at night.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
What about Caulfield?
JASMINE
He spent more time polishing his muscles that he spent talking to you.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
But he was fit
TALIA
He had the emotional depth of a crocodile
JASMINE
And there was what’s his name, the gambler.
TALIA
Nick
JASMINE
He was more interested in the 3:20 at Chepstow than he was in your body.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
So, you’re saying that I need to seek your approval every time I fall for a guy?
JASMINE
All we’re saying is that you have a track record honey. Maybe you should ask more relevant questions. That’s all.
INT. RAMIREZ HOUSEHOLD - EVENING
Santina is despondent on the couch while Francesca and Bertie approach her. Francesca tosses a ball at her but Santina doesn’t move.
BERTIE RAMIREZ: 8, smaller than average for his age, brown hair, blue eyes.
FRANCESCA RAMIREZ: 7, long brown hair, average height for age, brown eyes.
BERTIE
Mom you used to be such fun.
FRANCESCA
Yeah, we used to have pillow fights
SANTINA RAMIREZ
When you’re older you will understand. Nobody can be fun all the time.
BERTIE
Next time, let us choose him.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Why does everyone want to have a say in my boyfriend?
BERTIE
Well, you’re not getting any better at it.
FRANCESCA
Yeah, can’t you pick someone nice?
SANTINA RAMIREZ
You’ll see. If I found someone like your father I would be on top of the world again.
BERTIE
I think you can do better than Edgar.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I just want to be loved, Bertie. Is that so wrong?
FRANCESCA
So, we can only have pillow fights after you find someone?
Santina hits Francesca with a pillow.
INT. ST FINIANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (CORRIDOR) - DAY
A janitor (CALUM RODGERS) is working in the corridor, mopping up some vomit when Francesca approaches.
CALUM RODGERS: 29, Average height, slim, dark hair, African American.
FRANCESCA
Please sir, can you help my brother?
CALUM RODGERS
Oh, lets see then.
The janitor leans his mop against the wall and follows the girl outside the school building.
EXT. ST FINIANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (PLAYGROUND) - CONTINUOUS
An eight year old boy is sitting on the ground with a wounded knee and bruising on his face. He is in pain but tries to persevere.
CALUM RODGERS
Who did this to you?
BERTIE
I fell
INT. ST FINIANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (EMPTY CLASSROOM) - DAY
Bertie sits on a desk as the janitor doctors the wound on Bertie’s knee.
BERTIE
I wish you were my Father
CALUM RODGERS
Be careful what you wish for Bertie. Not everything is as it seems.
BERTIE
What’s that supposed to mean?
CALUM RODGERS
Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to talk to strangers?
BERTIE
You’re no stranger.
CALUM RODGERS
When you’re older, you will understand. Don’t be so trusting.
EXT. QUIET STREET IN THE CITY - DAY
Francesca and Bertie follow the janitor home from a distance. They see him entering a small apartment building.
INT. RAMIREZ HOUSEHOLD - EVENING
Bertie and Francesca arrive home.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
And where have you two been? I have enough on my plate without worrying about you two.
BERTIE
We were fishing.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
What would your Father say about you and your tall tales
BERTIE
He’s gone and he’s not coming back
SANTINA RAMIREZ
He will. You’ll see.
FRANCESCA
Why do you like him mammy?
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Your Father was a real catch.
BERTIE
Why didn’t you just throw him back into the sea?
I/E. MRS RODGERS HOME - DAY
Bertie and Francesca turn up on MRS RODGERS doorstep
MRS RODGERS: 67, female, grey hair, pleasant looking, friendly, African American.
MRS RODGERS
And who might you be.
BERTIE
We’re friends with Mr Rodgers. Is he related to you?
MRS RODGERS
Why you are most peculiar? What are you doing?
FRANCESCA
It’s a surprise.
BERTIE
We’re sort of undercover.
FRANCESCA
Like James Bond.
MRS RODGERS
Oh well, come in.
They sit down in the sitting room. Francesca takes out a small notebook.
BERTIE
Is Mr Rodgers as nice as he seems?
MRS RODGERS
Why?
FRANCESCA
Well. Our three fathers were not so nice and we’re afraid that mummy will.. well you know.
MRS RODGERS
Don’t you think, you’re mother should have some say in this?
BERTIE
Well, she’s not exactly an expert.
FRANCESCA
We think she needs help.
MRS RODGERS
Well, my boy isn’t the prettiest or the tidiest or the most well groomed.
Francesca proceeds to take notes.
MRS RODGERS
Well, your mother may want a man who can look after himself in every sense of the word.
BERTIE
Was he always a janitor?
INT. ST FINIANS ELEMENTERARY SCHOOL (CORRIDOR)
Calum is cleaning up, when Bertie approaches him.
BERTIE
Please sir, can you help me?
CALUM RODGERS
With what?
BERTIE
There’s this bully, see, and he is quite bold. His name is Chester.
CALUM RODGERS
I can’t intervene Bertie. He’s probably only ten years old.
BERTIE
But he won’t leave me alone. Can’t you help.
CALUM RODGERS
I can’t. I earn little enough money. If I lost my job... Well, I’d be out on the street. You wouldn’t want that now would you?
INT. LOCAL CAFE - DAY
A journalist (JULIUS SPECTOR) sits down at a table and a waitress serves him coffee. He takes out a book and opens it. Bertie and Francesca sit down opposite him with two small milkshakes.
JULIUS SPECTOR: 29, Taller than average, relatively long dark hair, glasses
JULIUS SPECTOR
What are you two up to then?
BERTIE
We’d like to talk to you about Mr Rodgers.
JULIUS SPECTOR
I’m supposed to be the one who asks questions. Aren’t you a little young for those milkshakes?
FRANCESCA
It’s for our mother
JULIUS SPECTOR
Oh I see. What do you want to know?
BERTIE
What’s he like?
JULIUS SPECTOR
Well he has bad breath most of the time. He picks his nose. He’s untidy. And he’s not exactly marriage material, but he’s a friend.
FRANCESCA
Do you talk about all your friends like that?
JULIUS SPECTOR
Journalism does that to you kid.
BERTIE
He must have some good points. He seems so...
JULIUS SPECTOR
Look kid, when you grow up you’ll find that women don’t go for nice. Nice is boring. Women don’t like boring.
FRANCESCA
That’s not true.
BERTIE
Our grandfather was really boring. He spent most of his day sleeping, eating and doing crosswords and my grandmother loved him to bits.
EXT. STREET IN HOUSING ESTATE - DAY
Calum Rodgers walks down a residential street where he sees, Mr HAMES, a powerfully built man working in his front garden.
MR HAMES: 39, Male, tall, strong, intimidating, macho.
CALUM RODGERS
I’m sorry for disturbing you, but are you, Mr Hames?
MR HAMES
That’s right. Who are you?
CALUM RODGERS
It’s about your son.
MR HAMES
What’s he done now.
CALUM RODGERS
He’s bullying another kid at the school.
MR HAMES
At least he’s no wimp. He’s a chip off the old block is my Chester.
CALUM RODGERS
Can’t you have a word with him? You don’t want him to turn out like... well eh...
MR HAMES
Like what?
EXT. ST FINIANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (PLAYGROUND) - DAY
Calum is sporting a black eye, when Bertie approaches him.
BERTIE
What happened to you Mr Rodgers?
CALUM RODGERS
I ran into a door.
BERTIE
It looks really bad
CALUM RODGERS
Well it was a really big door with sharp edges.
BERTIE
Would you like to meet my mum?
CALUM RODGERS
Bertie, when you get older you’ll realise that you can’t push two people together. Trust me. Your mum would not like me.
BERTIE
I don’t think you’re boring Mr Rodgers.
CALUM RODGERS
There are a lot of things Bertie, that you wouldn’t understand.