Act I, Scene IV

Ok I’m going to actually post a section of my screenplay now, since I do like this piece. The rest feels like garbage so far 8) No worries! As Anne Lammott says, Shitty First Drafts are super important and no one needs to see them! This can use some tweaks and be longer, but the general feel is spot on for what I want to portray. Here goes.

INT. PARENTS’ APARTMENT – DAY

MOTHER (60) cracks the door open.

MOTHER
This is unexpected.

DYLAN
Thought I’d drop in.

MOTHER
Well come in.

DYLAN
Thanks ma.

DYLAN pecks MOTHER on the cheek and walks in. FATHER (65) sits in a recliner, fixing a watch. He looks up at DYLAN briefly then looks back down.

FATHER
Shouldn’t you be at work?

DYLAN
Hi papa. Do you need help?

FATHER
No, thank you.

MOTHER (O.S.)
I’m bringing in some tea.

DYLAN
No thanks, ma – I’m just here for a minute.

FATHER
So what’s wrong?

DYLAN
Did I say something was wrong?

FATHER looks up.

DYLAN
Uhh, well I decided to look for another job.

FATHER
What’s wrong with the cafe?

DYLAN
Nothing, I just feel like I could do better.

FATHER
Well don’t quit before you find something stable.

FATHER continues working on the watch.

DYLAN
Yeah… I, uh, kinda got laid off.

MOTHER (O.S.)
What?!

DYLAN
Don’t freak out, ma.

MOTHER walks in.

MOTHER
What do you mean you got laid off? Why?

DYLAN
I was sorta late this morning, so Sylvia replaced me.

MOTHER
Rochel-eh!

DYLAN
Don’t call me that.

MOTHER
How many times do I have to tell you to get your head out of the clouds? You’re a mother! You can’t just play around like you want!

DYLAN
I know, ma! It wasn’t my fault. I’ll-

MOTHER
Of course it’s your fault, you were late! Why were you late?

DYLAN
It doesn’t matter!

MOTHER
What do you mean it doesn’t matter?!

DYLAN
Ma!

FATHER
Enough!
(beat)
So she lost her job. So she’ll find another. Do you need money?

DYLAN
No, we’re fine.

FATHER
Are you sure? Do you need to come stay with us a while?

DYLAN
No, papa.

FATHER
Well. If you change your mind…

DYLAN
Yeah.

MOTHER stomps into the kitchen.

DYLAN
We’d kill each other if I lived here, you know.

FATHER
We’d kill each other?

DYLAN gestures in the direction of her mother. FATHER lowers his eyes. DYLAN waits for a reply, then starts to walk out the door. MOTHER walks up to her and grabs DYLAN’S hand as she places it on the doorknob.

MOTHER
Rochel-eh, why is everything so crazy with you?

DYLAN
Nothing’s crazy with me. I just live differently than you.

MOTHER
But why can’t you just do things simply? Go to work, take care of your child. Why do you always make things confusing? When you were a little girl I stayed home and did everything for you.

DYLAN
Ugh, ma. Enough with the guilt. And you were never a single mom.

MOTHER
Well whose fault is that? I keep telling you you should-

DYLAN
NO. I’m going.

MOTHER
At least give your mother a hug.

DYLAN hugs MOTHER tensely and shuts the door behind her.

DYLAN
Why the fuck do I even bother?

DYLAN runs down the stairs.