A GOOD PERSON
Written by
Zach Braff
FINAL MOVIE SCRIPT
1 1
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - BASEMENT - DAY
THE CAMERA CRESTS an evergreen-covered mountain and DIVES
down into a picture-perfect small town. It takes a moment
for our eyes to realize it isn't a real place, but rather
an incredibly intricate MODEL TRAIN TOWN.
THE CAMERA FLOATS DOWN MAIN STREET: All of the people are
happy, frozen forever in a moment of joy and contentment.
There is order. Routine. A MIL KMAN spilling his bottles
as a DOG laps up the milk. A COP helping an old lady
across the street. A YOUNG COUPLE stealing a kiss behind
the high school. It's a perfect town in a perfect world.
DANIEL (V.O.)
In Herman Eustis' seminal work on
the joys of being a model train
hobbyist, he writes: "Many an hour
have I spent blissfully lost in a
world of my own creation.
Reveal DANIEL ADAMS (Morgan Freema n) wearing a magnified
visor. He's putting the final paint touches on the ELATED
COUPLE that have just emerged from the CHURCH.
DANIEL (V.O.)
For the model train enthusiast,
there exists a secret world of
order and symmetry. Nestled into
the corners of our basements and
attics, we lord over a world where
the hobbyist plays omnipotent
creator. There, in 1:87 scale, the
neighbors are always kind, the
lovers always end up together, and
the trains always take you to the
far off places you always swore
you'd go."
He lifts his elbows just in time to let the train cars
pass, then returns to dab one final bead of white on the
elated bride's veil. WE HEAR THE ECHOEY SOUND OF A WOMAN
singing The Velvet Underground song "After Hours"
accompanied by a PIANO.
DANIEL (V.O.)
In life, of course, nothing is
nearly as neat and tidy.
2.
2 2
INT. ALLISON AND NATHAN'S HOUSE - EVENING
The SONG continues as THE CAMERA SWIMS through the rooms
of a packed house party, past a few dozen people
drinking, smoking weed, flirting, laughing. WE land in
the living room to reveal the source of the singing.
ALLISON JOHNSON (26, Florence Pugh) sings at the piano.
ALLISON
(singing)
And if you close the door
The night could last forever
Leave the sunshine out
And say hello to never
All the people are dancing
And they're having such fun
I wish it could happen to me
Cause if you close the door
I'd never have to see the day
again
I'd never have to see the day
again,
Once more:
EVERYONE
I'd never have to see the day
again.
Allison finishes with an impressive piano flourish and
everyone drunkenly APPLAUDS and yells "Encore!" Allison
stands and takes a dramatic bo w.
ALLISON
No, no, no. There will be no
encore, I'm already way too drunk
to be playing in front of people.
FRIEND
But we love you!
ALLISON
Yes, and I want it to stay that
way! That was for my dear, sweet
fiancé, Nathan. Who loves that
song very much. Come up here,
baby. He's very shy. Get up here.
NATHAN (30, African American) waves her off from the back
of the room. Friends hoot and holler for him to j oin her.
EVERYONE
Nathan, Nathan...
3.
He weaves his way up to the front to applause. Allison
stands and kisses him. (We notice that Nathan wears a
hearing aid in his right ear.)
NATHAN
Hey, y'all. I'll just briefly say
that she played that song for me
on our very first date on a beat-
up, old piano she found in the
back of an empty bar.
MOLLY
Well, you better go, girl!
Laughter. We notice a couple snuggled-up on the couch
we'll come to kn ow as Nathan's sister, MOLLY (35, African
American), and her husband, JESSE (38, African American).
ALLISON
Always be closing.
MOLLY
Absolutely. Welcome to the family.
NATHAN
Allison, every memory I cherish in
my life has you in it. Some of
them are just tiny seconds: the
way you close one eye when you
really wanna focus on tasting
something.
ALLISON
(to everyone)
I do that. I do that.
NATHAN
I can't believe this is real?
ALLISON
This is real, baby.
NATHAN
Thank God. I love you.
They kiss. The room cheers!
NATHAN (CONT'D)
OK. Enough. Drink, smoke, be
merry. And if you choose to sleep
with Chip, make sure he wears,
like, eleven condoms.
The WOMAN on Chip's arm looks at him like WTF...
4.
CHIP
OK, I'm literally a virgin.
The room erupts with laughter. They kiss.
3 3
INT. ALLISON AND NATHAN'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - LATER
Allison lies on her stomach on the bed reading her phone
in a t-shirt and underwear. Nathan enters in boxers.
NATHAN
No. C'mon, baby. No phone. When we
get married we have to make a rule
about phones in bed.
ALLISON
Oh shut up, you're on your phone
ten times more than me, looking at
rusted old trucks.
NATHAN
(gasping)
A `67 cloth-top Bronco is a work
of art, baby, not a truck. I am
looking at art. Like this butt.
He climbs on top of her and kisses her ass cheeks.
ALLISON
You got me so high with that weed
gummy. What the fuck was that? I
still can't feel my ankles.
NATHAN
You don't need your ankles right
now.
ALLISON
Yeah, but I'd still like to be
able to feel them.
They both laugh.
NATHAN
Hey, come kiss me.
ALLISON
Ugh. This creepy doctor on my
sales list is seriously trying to
flirt with me on Instagram.
5.
NATHAN
Maybe you gave him the wrong
impression.
ALLISON
Yeah, right. I walk in there
waving my engagement ring around.
NATHAN
You always say flirting is part of
the job. Someone's bound to get
the wrong impression.
ALLISON
It's very light flirting.
NATHAN
Oh, OK.
ALLISON
It is! It's just sushi and a smile
so they'll write the fucking
prescription and I can get a fat
bonus and you and I can one day
move to t he city.
NATHAN
If we don't go to hell first.
ALLISON
Why would you say that? I'm just
pushing Humira. I'm not gonna go
to hell for "moderate to severe
psoriasis." C'mon, that would be
so unfair.
NATHAN
It's just a stepping stone, baby.
ALLISON
Is it too late to go to astronaut
school?
They both laugh.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
I could be a professional dancer.
NATHAN
Oh, word. You got the moves?
She does a silly head/arm s himmy. They crack up.
6.
ALLISON
Wait. Let me stand up. I'm way
better when I stand up.
She stands on the bed and begins to dance ridiculously.
NATHAN
What genre is this?
ALLISON
I don't know, but my body just
knows.
NATHAN
This is modern, right?
ALLISON
This is professional, so I would
appreciate if you took me
seriously right now.
NATHAN
I'm taking you very seriously.
ALLISON
And then, I'd finish with
something like this. But I'm not
going to show you anymore because
it's a work in progress.
She wrestles him until she's on top. She pulls the white
sheet over the top of them. UNDER:
ALLISON (CONT'D)
The professional is tired. And I
want to cuddle.
They kiss.
A LOUD TRUCK HONKS!
4 4
INT. ALLISON'S CAR - DAY
Allison drives on a busy freeway with the couple we saw
at the party: Nathan's sister, Molly, in the front seat
and Molly's husband, Jes se, in the back.
ALLISON
(to trucker)
Oh, calm the fuck down! I swear to
God this road has been under
construction my entire life. When
is New Jersey gonna be done?
7.
JESSE
She's a work in progress.
ALLISON
How's Ryan doing?
JESSE
Oh, you mean your future niece?
Jesse leans forward and shows Allison his lock screen: a
beautiful picture of a smiling RYAN (15) in a soccer
uniform.
ALLISON
Awww. So pretty!
JESSE
The varsity coach said she might
start next year.
MOLLY
She had 19 goals last season!
ALLISON
Wow! You guys must be so proud. I
can't believe I still haven't met
her. I'm so sorry Nathan and I
haven't made it down yet.
MOLLY
Yeah, it's far. We're trying to
come up more now that our Dad is
getting older.
ALLISON
Well, I've only met your Dad a few
times now, but that we can't blame
on distance.
Traffic has slowed to a standstill as CONSTRUCTION
VEHICLES block the road.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
This is just fucking nuts. I'm so
sorry.
MOLLY
Sooooo, tell us about these
wedding dresses w e're seeing.
JESSE
Yes, please. I couldn't sleep last
night thinking about it.
8.
They laugh.
ALLISON
You are such a good sport.
MOLLY
No, he's not. He just thinks after
seeing your dresses we're gonna do
a pub crawl, but we're actually
going to see a play.
JESSE
No, we're not. You woulda had to
get tickets already.
MOLLY
Oh, we just have to see some shit
no one else wants to see.
JESSE
Oh great, that sounds awesome.
Hey, look, it's finally opening
up.
Traffic is moving again as the CONS TRUCTION VEHICLES have
moved out of the way.
ALLISON
OK, it might be a little tight
getting you to a play, let me
check the traffic again.
Allie looks down at her phone. She opens the MAPS app:
ALLISON (CONT'D)
OK, so MAPS is saying...
A CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE backs onto the highway.
JESSE MOLLY
HOLY SHIT! ALLIE!
THEY COLLECTIVELY SCREAM IN TERROR AS ALLISON SLAMS ON
THE BRAKES!
HARD CUT TO BLACK.
5 5
INT. DANIEL'S CAR - DA Y
Daniel and RYAN (15, African American) pull up in front
of her school and park. She plays a game on her phone.
9.
DANIEL
Here we are.
RYAN
You got me here so early.
DANIEL
It's better to be a half-hour
early, than one minute late.
RYAN
Grandpa have you ever played any
video games?
DANIEL
No. You got this perfect little
brain up there, and you're just
melting it away with that crap.
His CELL PHONE rings. Ryan sees the caller ID.
RYAN
It's Uncle Nathan. Answer it.
DANIEL
Why would he be calling me?
RYAN
Pick up.
Daniel answers and puts the phone to his ear.
DANIEL
I thought you weren't talking to
me anymore.
Daniel listens. We see his face slowly drop. The color
drains from his cheeks. All we hear are the SOUNDS and
MUSIC coming from Ryan's game on her phone. His eyes
well. He looks at her.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
Uh, listen. Nathan. I've got Ryan
here. I'm just dropping her off at
school. Let me call you back in a
bit.
(he listens)
Yes, I did hear what you've said.
I'll head right there. I just
gotta drop her off.
He hangs up. He's in shock; barely able to breath.
10.
RYAN
See that wasn't so bad. Mom says
she wishes you guys could find a
way to get along.
DANIEL
I've got to go now, sweetie.
RYAN
Ugh. I look like such a dork being
here this early.
His mind races.
DANIEL
I'm gonna pick you up today
sweetie.
RYAN
Why can't Mom? She said they'd be
back from the city today, right?
DANIEL
Well, she can't.
RYAN
I'll text her. OK. Bye.
DANIEL
Tell me you love me.
RYAN
I love you, Grandp a.
She kisses him on the cheek and slams the door. The
second she's out of sight he takes a deep gasp of air as
though he'd been holding his breath the entire time.
6 6
INT. HOSPITAL ICU - DAY
DIANE (52, Allison's mother) and Nathan stand on either
side of Allison's bed in a small ICU room. Her head is
bandaged.
ALLISON
My head, Mom. I just can't explain
to you how much pain I have in my
head.
DIANE
Clic k on the morphine again.
11.
ALLISON
I clicked it. I keep clicking it.
It doesn't do anything.
DIANE
Oh, shoot, you're right. We have
to get more.
ALLISON
Nathan, why are you looking at me
like that?
NATHAN
Like what?
ALLISON
Is it bad?
DIANE
He's just upset, baby. We've been
so worried all night long.
ALLISON
This backhoe thing just reversed
into the middle of the street. I
didn't know what to do.
DIANE
I'm sure. Don't worry about that
right now. Right, Nathan?
NATHAN
Yeah.
DIANE
You just need to focus on getting
better. That's all you should be
worried about right now. Right,
Nathan?
NATHAN
Yeah.
A NURSE enters with a STATE TROOPER.
ICU NURSE
I'm sorry to interrupt, but the
police are here to collect a blood
sample.
DIANE
Now is not a good time, she's in a
lot of pain.
12.
ALLISON NATHAN
Why are the police here? You have to come back, she
just woke up.
POLICEMAN
Unfortunately, I can't. Legally
the sample has to be drawn as soon
as possible. We waited for her to
stabilize, but with an accident
like this, it's imperative we test-
ALLISON
What is he talking about? It
wasn't my fault.
NATHAN DIANE
Officer, she doesn't... It wasn't her fault.
POLICEMAN
With an accident of this magni tude
involving fatalities, we're
required...
NATHAN
She hasn't been told.
ALLISON
Fatalities?
DIANE
She hasn't been told! You fucking
asshole. She didn't know.
ALLISON
Mom? What's going on?
POLICEMAN
I'm so sorry.
ALLISON
Nathan. What's going on?
NATHAN
They're gone. They're both gone.
ALLISON
Who's gone?
The CAMERA retreats until it's outside the glass of the
room. We cannot hear what's being said, but we see that
Diane is calmly telling Allison about the death of Molly
and Jesse. A man's shoulder arrives in the foreground;
watching. We see Allison digest the words.
13.
WE CUT TO THE REVERSE ANGLE INSIDE THE ROOM. The shoulder
is Daniel's staring at them all in a stupor through the
glass. He looks grey and lost.
HARD CUT TO BLACK.
TITLE CARD: A GOOD PERSON
CHYRON: ONE YEAR LATER
7 7
EXT. DIANE'S HOUSE - DAY
Cracked paint. Long grass.
8 8
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - ALLISON'S BATHROOM - DAY
INFLUENCER (O.S.)
Hey, guys. Bella here. Welcome to
my bathroom. Today we're gonna
learn to cut our own hair! So
let's jump in. OK, so grab that
first front layer just like I'm
doing and hold your scissors on a
slight angle just like this?
THE CAMERA PANS past lots of beauty products an d lands on
an iPHONE. It plays a YOUTUBE VIDEO of a TEENAGE
INFLUENCER demonstrating how to cut your own hair.
REVEAL Allison in the mirror. She looks pale and
medicated as she holds scissors to a large chunk of her
hair.
INFLUENCER (O.S.) (CONT'D)
OK, it's now or never. Hahah. Go
for it!
She hacks off a giant amount of hair. She checks the
mirror.
ALLISON
Fuck.
INFLUENCER (O.S.)
You nailed it! You're officially a
stylist just like me! Now go ahead
and grab that same layer on the
other side. And go for it!
ALLISON
Okay.
14.
Allison does the same thing to the other side.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
Fuck.
INFLUENCER (O.S.)
Does it look even?
ALLISON
Not really.
INFLUENCER
Good job. You look amazing!
ALLISON
Thank you.
We JUMP CUT through MORE ANGLES of Allison chopping
different areas of her hair.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
Wow, I love it.
9 9
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Allison, sporting a truly fucked up new haircut, paints
her toenails as she watches TV.
Di ane enters from work wearing a blue polo and matching
slacks, a uniform of some kind. She kicks lots of small
brown boxes over the threshold.
DIANE
Allie! What the hell is all of
this? You have got to stop buying
all this crap. You promised me you
were gonna...
ALLISON
Well one of them is a do-it-
yourself acrylic nail set that I'm
sure you're gonna appreciate more
than me. And the other ones are
ankl e weights, remember when we
said we were gonna get in shape?
She notices her hair.
DIANE
Oh my God. Allison! What the hell
did you do to your hair?
15.
ALLISON
It's makeover Monday.
DIANE
It's Friday.
ALLISON
Oh.
DIANE
It's so dark in here.
She opens all the curtains. Allie squints and covers her
eyes with her hand. Dust in the air.
ALLISON
No, please, don't open that.
That's so bright.
DIANE
Did you go to physical therapy?
ALLISON
Well, I tried, but I overslept.
DIANE
Allie.
ALLISON
What? I don't need PT.
DIANE
Allie, your hair.
She comes over and runs her han ds through it.
ALLISON
You don't like it?
DIANE
I just don't understand why you
would cut your own hair.
ALLISON
The girl said it was easy. It's
not.
DIANE
What girl?
ALLISON
A girl on Youtube. She's an
influencer. She influenced me.
16.
Diane picks up dirty dishes.
DIANE
It's such a pigsty in here. I'm
not happy about this.
ALLISON
Hey, mamma, can you tell me where
my pills are?
DIANE
Which ones?
ALLISON
Ha.
DIANE
We said we were gonna wean off of
those.
ALLISON
Did "we"? Well, "we" are in pain.
So "we" need more.
DIANE
They're not gonna give you
anymore.
ALLISON
They have to.
DIANE
No, they do not.
ALLISON
I need them.
Diane sits down on the ottoma n opposite Allie.
DIANE
Listen to me. You're not in any
physical pain anymore. Have you
been doing that tapping thing that
one shrink taught you? Remember,
for anxiety and stress and it
calms you down? On the eyes, then
the lips...
Diane demonstrates by tapping on her cheek bone.
DIANE (CONT'D)
Or play your piano. That always
cheered you up...
17.
ALLISON
Please don't do this right now; I
have the worst headache. Can you
call the doctors and help me
please?
DIANE
Which one, Patel? He said no more.
ALLISON
Fuck Patel. Try Goldberg or Fong.
DIANE
Allie...
ALLISON
Please, mom. Just call them. Just
help me please?
DIANE
Guess what? They've all said no
more. Patel. Goldberg. Fong.
Rosenberg.
ALLISON
I'll try Vromen. He loves me.
DIANE
He's an orthodontist.
ALLISON
Yeah, but he used to flirt with me
while his fingers were in my
mouth. Very inappropriate; he owes
me.
DIANE
Enough is enough. You got to get
out of this living room, take off
your pajamas, and go get a job.
I'm sick of this crap.
ALLISON
Like you have any right to lecture
me about medicating yourself.
DIANE
What is that supposed to mean?
ALLISON
It means, mom, you're such a
fucking hypocrite. You don't think
I clock how many Xanax you're
taking every night?
(MORE)
18.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
Or how many glasses of wine? I
know you think I'm just a zombie
who doesn't notice anything, but I
see exactly what's going on with
you. So can I have my pills
please?
DIANE
You're not listening to me.
They're all gone.
Allison gets up and charges upstairs. Diane follows.
10 10
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - ALLISON'S BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
Allison enters and starts opening drawers and cabinets.
DIANE
You get right ba ck here, you
little brat. What the hell do you
think you're doing?! Get out of
here!
Diane tries to physically stop her from riffling through
her drawers, but Allison is on a mission.
ALLISON
Get off me!
DIANE
Look at yourself! What the hell is
the matter with you?!
ALLISON
You are hurting me!
DIANE
Stop it!
She finds a canister of Oxy. Diane slams the bathroom
door to keep her from escaping.
ALLISON
Open the door.
DIANE
No.
ALLISON
Mom, open the fucking door and let
me out.
19.
DIANE
No. Enough. I'm sick and tired of
this.
ALLISON
Let me the fuck out!
DIANE
No!
Diane grabs the canister from Allie. They wrestle and
knock things all over the place. Allie's elbow SHATTERS
THE GLASS IN THE CLOSET DOOR. Diane manages to get the
canister open and pour all of the pills into the toilet
bowl. Allison SCREAMS and gets on her knees to try to
start fishing them out, but Diane flushes the toilet.
INSERT: All of the little pills swirl down the drain.
ALLISON
Why the fuck did you do that?! I'm
in pain. Your daughter is in
actual pain.
DIANE
I don't give a shit!
ALLISON
I fucking hate you so much.
DIANE
You're bleeding.
Allison runs out of the bathroom. Diane chases her.
11 11
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Allie runs down the stairs and out the front door. Her
elbow is bleeding.
D IANE
You come back here right now.
ALLISON
Leave me the fuck alone.
DIANE
I'm not going to leave you alone,
you little brat.
20.
12 12
EXT. DIANE'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Allie hops on a BMX bicycle and rides off.
DIANE
Allison!
ALLISON
Leave me alone.
DIANE
Where are you going?!
ALLISON
Leave me alone!
13 13
EXT. NEW HIGH SCHOOL - SOCCER FIELD - DAY
Ryan (now 16) appears hardened after a year of grieving
the loss of her two parents. Daniel sits in the stands.
DANIEL
Let's go Ryan!!!
Ryan dribbles down the field, weaving around lots of
other girls . She attempts to score, but she kicks it far
off to the side.
RYAN
Fuck.
GABRIELLA (16, Hispanic) jogs up alongside her.
GABRIELLA
So you're the Ryan who's been
talking to Damien?
RYAN
Get the fuck outta my face.
GABRIELLA
See, you talk to people like that,
bitch, that's why you have no
friends.
RYAN
Then why are you hitting on me.
GABRIELLA
I ain't the one named "Ryan."
That's a fucking dyke's name. You
a dyke?
21.
RYAN
Only when I fuck your mother.
GABRIELLA
At least I have a mother.
That stops Ryan dead in her tracks. She turns and gets
right in the Gabriella's face.
RYAN
What the fuck did you just say?
Gabriella SHOVES her.
DANIEL
(from sideline)
Hey!
GABRIELLA
Stay away from Damien, you fucking
whore.
Gabriella SPITS in Ryan's face.
DANIEL
Hey! What the hell are you doing?!
Ref! Break it up!
Ryan throws a huge punch to her face, but Gabriella
dodges it and lands a KNOCKOUT BLOW to Ryan's left eye.
Ryan goes down to the ground. Daniel leaps to his feet
and runs onto the field. It's chaos as the coaches and
parents try to stop other girls from fighting. WHISTLES
BLOWING.
Daniel makes it to Ryan who starts walking off the field.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
What the hell was that? What are
you doing?
RYAN
I quit. I hate this fucking game.
DANIEL
Cause you got in a fight? That's
not you, Ryan. You're tough.
You're not a quitter.
Tears start flowing down her face. She stops and turns
back to him.
RYAN
She made fun of Mom.
22.
DANIEL
What?
RYAN
She said, `At least I have a mom.'
DANIEL
Well, then fuck her.
Daniel puts his arm around Ryan as they walk off.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
And what kind of punch was that,
by the way? You threw a hard right-
hook, but then you left yourself
completely open for a jab. We're
gonna need to work on that.
14 14
EXT. PHARMACY - LATER
Allie rides her bike up to the pharmacy and drops it
outside the door.
15 15
INT. PHARMACY - MOMENTS LATER
Allie, in her robe and sweats, bites her nails waiting to
talk to the female PHARMACIST. She steps up to the
counter and puts on a big, fake smile.
ALLISON
Hi, I need to get a prescription
refilled. Last name is Johnson.
Birthday is 8/24.
PHARMACIST
OK. For which medication?
ALLISON
Uh... the Oxy. Oxycontin.
The Pharmacist types away on her keyboard.
PHARMACIST
It says here that you're ou t of
refills. I see that you've been on
them for over a year now. Your
doctor may be trying to wean you
off of them. As I'm sure you know,
they can be very addictive.
23.
ALLISON
Oh, really? I hadn't fucking heard
that.
The Pharmacist stares at her. Allie tries to buy it back.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
I'm sorry. Look, I was in a really
bad car accident and I need them
for pain.
PHARMACIST
Just now?
ALLISON
No! What?
PHARMACIST
Your elbow is bleeding.
ALLISON
It's fine.
PHARMACIST
Let me get you a bandage.
ALLISON
I don't need a fucking bandage.
It's fine.
PHARMACIST
Then take this.
She hands her a PAMPHLET on opioid addiction.
ALLISON
Yeah. This is exactly what I need.
Thank you so much.
Allison take the pamphlet and holds it on her bloody
elbow like a bandage.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
Thank you! It feels so much better
already! Bitch.
Allie storms down the aisle, stealing a package of "Hello
Kitty" barrettes on her way out.
16 16
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - ALLISON'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Allie's on a dusty Peloton bike racing as fast as she
can. Sweating.
24.
17 17
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - ALLISON'S BATHROOM - LATER
Allie rifles under the sink. She opens empty canister
after canister; tossing them on the floor. There's dozens
of them. She sits down on the floor and notices a
wrinkled picture on the cabinet shelf. She takes it out.
INSERT PHOTO: Allison and Nathan making multiple silly
faces in a black-and-white photo booth.
She looks over to see a bottle of COLD MEDICINE under the
sink. She grabs it and chugs half the bottle. She closes
her eyes and waits for it to kick in.
18 18
INT. ALLISON'S CAR - FLASHBACK
Allie, Molly and Jesse in the car at the moment of
impact. GLASS EVERYWHERE. BLOODY AIRBAGS.
19 19
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - ALLISON'S BATHROOM - LATER
Allie snaps out of her nightmare. She's drenched in
sweat; still on the bathroom floor.
20 20
EXT. STREETS - MORNING
Al lie, dressed in a business suit, rides her BMX bike
down the street.
21 21
INT. POSH RESTAURANT - MORNING
Breakfast at a white-tablecloth restaurant. Allie enters
and waves to her friend, BECKA.
BECKA
Hey!
ALLISON
Hi.
BECKA
Oh my God, I love your hair! It's
so chic. Who did it?
ALLISON
Oh... I have a new gal.
They hug and sit.
25.
BECKA
I was so happy to hear from you
cause you haven't replied to any
of my texts. I mean, of course I
wanted to give you your space, but
I've been worried.
A WAITER approaches.
WAITER
Hi, good morning. Can I get you
anything?
ALLISON
Can I please get a Jack and Coke?
WAITER
Uh... Our bar doesn't actually
open until 11.
ALLISON
Oh, uh, yeah, ok. Just black
coffee then.
BECKA
Oat milk latte, please.
ALLISON
So , how's work? You're still at
Purdue, right?
BECKA
Yup, still repping Purdue. You'd
think it woulda been a shit-show
since the bankruptcy and all the
lawsuits. But, between you and me,
my sales have actually increased.
My bonus was insane last quarter.
ALLISON
It sells itself.
BECKA
Yeah, Karl Marx was wrong. It
turns out the opiate of the
masses... is opium.
(beat)
Anyway. How are you doing? When
are yo u gonna go back to work?
ALLISON
Listen, I'm gonna cut right to it
cause you're my friend, and I know
you'll get it.
(MORE)
26.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
I'm still in a lot of pain, and my
docs are cutting off my Oxy scrips
cause everyone is so freaked out
about addiction these days. And I
was wondering...
BECKA
Allie, please tell me you didn't
ask me to breakfast to hit me up
for pills.
ALLISON
It's just until I can get in to
see my docs. My fucking mother
flushed my last refill down the
toilet.
BECKA
No way. Are you fucking with me
right now? If you ha ve a problem,
you should get help. I can help
you find a rehab.
ALLISON
Please don't hand me a pamphlet,
I've already got one.
BECKA
(whispers)
Well, then find them on the street
if you have to. Every bar in
town's got a guy with a pharmacy
in his front pocket.
ALLISON
You know, Becka... I didn't really
want it to come to this, but there
were a handful of things that
happened at your bachelorette
party that I have a feeling you'd
like kept private.
Becka turns white.
BECKA
Allison, are you trying to
blackmail me for Oxycontin?
ALLISON
I'm just asking for your help...
as a friend.
(beat)
But you did blow that dancer.
(MORE)
27.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
ALLISON (CONT'D)
I know it was only for a second.
But you did. I saw it.
BECKA
It never went in my mouth.
ALLISON
It was in your mouth. Past the
tip.
(beat)
Past the fucking tip.
Becka stands up sending silverware CLANKING.
BECKA
You need help, Allie. Destroy my
life if you need to. But for the
love of God, get some fucking
help.
ALLISON
OK. Bye. Fuck you.
BECKA
Fuck you!
She speeds off as the waiter brings Allie her coffee.
ALLISON
I don't have any money, so...
forget it.
WAITER
It's OK. Take it.
(whispers)
I put some tequila in it.
Allie looks confused, then takes a sip.
ALLISON
That's disgusting. But thank you.
PRELAP: A SCHOOL BELL RINGS.
22 22
INT. COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - DAY
Daniel sits with his hat in his lap in a chair outside an
office door in an empty hallway. The door opens, SANDRA
KEEN (Ryan's Guidance Counselor) steps out.
28.
23 23
INT. COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL - PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - DAY
Daniel and Sandra sit with ALBERTO REYES (Principal of
the School).
SANDRA
Thank you for coming in. We met
briefly when you first registered
Ryan.
DANIEL
Yeah. You played soccer at
Rutgers.
SANDRA
Yes! Good memory.
DANIEL
Not really. I just like to root
for Jersey.
SANDRA
OK, this is our principal, Alberto
Reyes.
DANIEL
Oh. I don't think I've met a
princi pal since I was in high
school myself. I already feel like
I'm in trouble.
Albert
No, no. Mr. Adams. Not at all.
We're happy you're here. Please
have a seat.
DANIEL
OK, so what did Ryan do now?
Sandra
Ryan is very smart, Mr. Adams. And
she's an incredible athlete, as
you know. But she's having a very
hard time assimilating into any
peer groups here. She's also very
often hostile to her teachers, and
of course, there was the fight on
the field the other day.
DANIEL
Well, now that girl said some
horrible things to her about her
mother.
29.
Albert
Look, we really have been as
patient and empathetic as we
possibly can knowing the tragedy
that occurred and how she must be
grieving.
DANIEL
You know, it's a whole lot
different even from when I raised
my kids. These phones and the shit
they see on the internet... Sorry,
I'm cursing in front of the
principal.
SANDRA
Mr. Adams, we want to do
everything we can to help Ryan.
But she has to take s ome
responsibility for her behavior.
DANIEL
That child doesn't listen to a
word I say. To be honest, I was
hoping you were calling me in to
give me some advice. I need help.
ALBERT
It's just that we're a public
school. We have 2000 kids to look
after. We just don't have the
bandwidth to micromanage her in a
way she needs and deserves.
DANIEL
What are you saying?
ALBERT
I'm gonna give her an extra strike
because of the circumstances. But
if she doesn't tone down her
language with her teachers or gets
in one more fight, we're gonna
have to expel her.
This lands heavy on Daniel.
24 24
INT. DIVE BAR - DAY
Allie sits down at the sticky bar. This place is gross;
you can smell it just by seeing it. A FEW GUYS watch a
horse race on TV. A SCARY GUY plays pinball.
30.
ALLISON
Double tequila, neat.
Allie looks down the bar and sees two guys she recognizes
from high school: MARK (27) and DIEGO (28). She quickly
looks away and down at her watch, a men's Rolex.
MARK
Allison. Yo. I know you. It's
Mark.
ALLISON
Yeah. Hey.
MARK
Yeah. I haven't seen you since
high school. You remember Diego?
ALLISON
Hey.
DIEGO
Hey.
MARK
Just having a lil breakfast?
ALLISON
Oh. Yeah. Had to get outta the
house.
MARK
Yeah, I feel that.
DIEGO
Hey, I heard what happened to you.
The accident. Saw it in the Star
Ledger. Sorry.
MARK
What happened?
DIEGO
She was in that accident on the
turnpike. Two people died.
MARK
Holy shit. That was you. Bro, that
would've fucked me up.
ALLISON
It wasn't my fault.
31.
MARK
I'm sure, but still.
Allie shoots down her whole drink. The DINGS and BELLS
from the pinball machine punctuate their conversation.
ALLISON
Can I have another please?
MARK
You having a tough day?
ALLISON
Just a day. I just wish I could go
as far away from here as possible.
DIEGO
There's this app, it tells you the
exact opposite of where you are on
the globe is. That's where you
should go. I'll look it up for
you.
The BARTENDER pours her another double tequila. She downs
it. DING. BELL. Diego searches the app in his phone.
MARK
That's how I feel every fucking
day of my life. But I can't seem
to escape this town. It's like
there's a force field around it.
Some people know how to get out.
The rest of us just keep bumping
our heads against the glass.
DIEGO
It's Perth. That's the city on the
opposite o f the globe from here.
You should go to Perth.
ALLISON
I don't have any money to get to
Perth. But thank you.
DIEGO
Aren't you engaged to Nathan
Adams?
ALLISON
I was.
32.
DIEGO
He was an amazing running back in
high school. He ran every fucking
play. You remember him, Mark?
MARK
Yeah.
DIEGO
Every fucking play, they'd come
over the PA like: "Nathan Adams
the ball carrier. Nathan Adams the
ball carrier." He was the whole
fucking team. Remember that, Mark?
MARK
Yeah. I remember him.
DIEGO
Isn't he deaf?
ALLISON
Just in one ear. Since birth.
DIEGO
Wow. That's impressive. That he
co uld be, like, that good, you
know. And half deaf.
ALLISON
Yup.
DIEGO
So you're, like, single?
MARK
Dude, shut the fuck up. You think
she wants to date you? Where you
going to take her? You live with
your mom. Goddamn. I'm sorry,
Allison. My fucking friend has no
tact at all. We're not used to
having pretty girls such as
yourself coming in here, so please
excuse his lack of decor.
ALLISON
Decorum.
MARK
What?
33.
ALLISON
Decor is the Budweiser lamp above
your head. Decorum is his
behavior. Neither is currently
ideal.
BELL. DING. Horse race guys CHEER. The tequila has made
it to her blood stream.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
Can I ask you guys something? Like
between us? Old friends...
DIEGO
You weren't our friend. You were
popular. You were a bitch.
MARK
That's old shit. Right, Allison?
We're all grown up now. Those of
us stuck behi nd that force
field... We gotta stick together
these days, right?
ALLISON
Do you guys know where I could get
any Oxy?
MARK
Goddman, girl! No foreplay?
Nothing? No `how are you, how's
your family?'
DIEGO
We don't fuck with pills.
Allison
I'm not saying you do, but
something tells me one of you
knows how one could get Oxy.
Inside the "force field."
DIEGO
No judgement, I'm just saying me
personally, I don't f uck with
pills. Pills are legend-killers.
Prince, Michael Jackson, Belushi.
MARK
Elvis.
DIEGO
Legend-killers.
34.
ALLISON
I remember in high school that you
were the guys who could get
anything.
MARK
Now you're just buttering us up.
ALLISON
I don't have any money.
DIEGO
How are you gonna pay for that
tequila?
ALLISON
I hadn't gotten that far.
DIEGO
Is that Rolex real?
Allie covers the watch with her other hand.
MARK
Wait. Ms. Allie Johnson, you just
stroll in here you got no money,
and you expect us to get you Oxy
for f ree. And then you want us to
pay for your drink. Now why the
hell would we do that?
ALLISON
Nostalgia? We're old friends.
DIEGO
You thought you were such hot shit
in high school. You're no
different now.
MARK
Shut up. Sorry. No decorum.
ALLISON
He's right.
(beat)
I didn't think I was better than
you, I knew it. I looked down on
guys like you and thought you were
Jersey trash who'd never be able
to get out of town. Oops.
DIEGO
Fucking bitch.
35.
MARK
And now here you are. Sitting
right beside us; looking for a
fix.
ALLISON
A favor.
MARK
The favor is a fix. You're a
fucking junkie now.
ALLISON
No, I'm not.
MARK
You're a fucking junky.
DIEGO
Yeah, you are.
ALLISON
I'm not like you.
MARK
Allie Johnson, you're more like
who you think we are, than we
actually are. Why don't you try
saying it?
(beat)
Come on, say it. "I'm a fucking
junkie." You might like i t.
ALLISON
Fuck you. It's a pill.
MARK
It's heroin in a pretty dress.
He leans in. Menacing. BELL. DING. PINBALL MACHINE MUSIC.
MARK (CONT'D)
Say, "I'm a fucking junkie."
ALLISON
I thought you were the nice one.
MARK
You want us to take care of you?
Why don't you say it? Say "I'm a
fucking junkie" and I'll get you
whatever you want. Anything. Say
it. Just come out with it.
36.
ALLISON
I'm asking for a favor. I'll owe
you one.
MARK
You know who never has any money,
Allie Johnson?
ALLISON
Who?
MARK
Junkies. Tell me you're a fucking
junkie, and I'll get you whatever
you need.
ALLISON
I'm currently a bit reliant...
MARK
No, that's not what I fucking
said. You sneaky little bitch,
that's not what I fucking said.
(to Diego)
Is that what I said?
DIEGO
No.
MARK
That is not what I said. Say
yo u're a fucking junkie. Look at
me...
Her giant eyes fill. Mark SLAMS his hand on the bar to
get her attention.
MARK (CONT'D)
Look at me! Look me in the eyes
and say, "I'm a fucking junkie."
DIEGO
Say it.
ALLISON
I'm a fucking junkie.
MARK
Good girl.
(to bartender)
Beth, I got these tequilas. I'm
sorry for raising my voice. Were
just catching up. Allie, this is
Beth. She's divine.
37.
25 25
EXT. DIVE BAR - BACK DOOR - LATER
Mark and Diego pack a glass pipe.
ALLISON
That's not Oxy.
MARK
Same exact shit.
Mark smokes the heroin through a glass pipe off of a
piece of tinfoil and passes it to Allie. She smokes it.
HARD CUT TO BLACK.
26 26
INT. DIVE BAR - BACK STAIRS - LATER
Allie's asleep on the dirty back stairs of the bar. She
wakes up and vomits.
27 27
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Allison en ters through the back door looking nauseous in
her wrinkled business suit to find a distraught Diane.
She's on the phone and chain-smoking.
DIANE
(into phone)
She just walked in.
She hangs up and runs to hug Allison.
DIANE (CONT'D)
Oh my God. Where have you been? I
was so worried.
ALLISON
I'm so sorry. I'm sorry. I need
help.
DIANE
Oh, baby. I never should have
flushed those pills down the
toilet. I had no right. I'm so
sorry. I'm just so worried about
you.
ALLISON
Can you help me please, mamma?
38.
DIANE
I already did. Here...
She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a canister.
DIANE (CONT'D)
I got these from Linda, the gal
that runs the toy kiosk next to me
at the mall. They gave them to her
after she got punched by a shop-
lifter, but she never needed them.
She just swears by her neck brace.
Not like you, baby. You need them.
So here, these are from Linda.
She places them in Allison's hand and closes her fingers.
DIANE (CONT'D)
We'll tackle beating it later.
Let's not rush it. What's most
important is that you're home
safe.
Allie looks down at them in her hand.
28 28
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER
Allison sits on the floor in front of Diane on the couch,
high on Oxy. Diane wields scissors, cleaning up the
haircut.
DIANE
You know, I used to cut my
grandmother's hair.
ALLISON
Well, don't make me look like her.
DIANE
Oh, stop it. Granny Annie was
beautiful. Skin like a porcelain
doll until the day she died. I was
just a little girl. I couldn't
believe she was letting me cut her
hair. I felt so special.
ALLISON
She probably just wanted to be
with you.
INSERT: THE SCAR FROM THE ACCIDENT on the back of Allie's
head. Diane gently runs her fingers across it.
39.
DIANE
Yeah, you're probably right. I
liked to think it's cause I was so
good at it, but I was only seven,
so...
ALLISON
Oh my God, mom. You've been
telling me you cut hair my whole
life, you never told me you were
seven.
They both share a hearty laugh. A release.
DIANE
What can I say? I was a prodigy.
They say Mozart wrote his best
shit before puberty.
They CRACK UP.
29 29
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - AF TERNOON
Daniel returns home carrying Chinese food.
DANIEL
Ryan?
As he walks in the house, MUSIC coming from upstairs
THUMPS louder and louder.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
Ry! I got sweet and sour chicken
and beef and broccoli. Ryan?
He walks upstairs and opens her bedroom door to reveal
Ryan and QUINN (20) making out in bed together. Ryan
wears a bra. Quinn is down to his boxers.
30 30
INT./EXT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - RYAN'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
RYAN
Daniel! Get out!!
Quinn leaps out of bed and heads for the window. Daniel
drops the Chinese food bags and pins the shirtless boy by
his neck against the wall.
QUINN
Woah, woah. Calm down, it's not
what you think.
40.
DANIEL
I'm pretty sure it's what I think.
How old are you?
RYAN
Daniel! Get off of him.
DANIEL
Shut up! I said, how old are you?
QUINN
I'm 20.
DANIEL
She's 16, and I was a cop. Looks
like you picked the wrong girl.
RYAN QUINN
You're choking him! She said she was 18 online.
DANIEL
If I ever see you anywhere near my
Granddaughter again, I'm gonna rip
your fucking dick off myself and
shove it down your throat. You
hear me?
QUINN
Yes.
DANIEL
You want that to happen?
QUINN
Get my dick ripped off? No, that
sounds horrible.
DANIEL
Now get the fuck out of here.
QUINN
I need my clothes.
DANIEL
They're in my house, so they're my
clothes now. Run away.
RYAN
Daniel, get out of my fucking
room!
41.
Quinn runs out of the room and out the front door. Daniel
pulls Quinn's DRIVERS LICENSE out of his WALLET and
examines it. Quinn runs in his boxers to his car. Daniel
screams after him.
DANIEL
Hey, look, everybody! Statutory
rapist from Williamsburg!
Some neighbors turn and stare.
QUINN
I need my keys!
Daniel grabs them out of his jeans. And throws them out.
DANIEL
Here you go! Look at him! He's
travelin g to his car! Statutory
rapist!
BELINDA (60's, neighbor) is watering her lawn. She stares
at naked Quinn.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
Belinda, I just found that boy in
bed with my Ryan.
QUINN
(to Belinda)
She said she was 18 online.
She sprays him in the groin with her hose.
BELINDA
You're a fuck boy. He's a fuck
boy. That's what the kids call
them. Get out of our neighborhood,
fuck boy! Right fucking now, wet
flaccid fuck b oy!
BACK INSIDE:
RYAN
I can't believe you just did that!
DANIEL
Give me your phone. Give me the
fucking phone right now. You are
grounded, young lady. You are
grounded until... I can't even
think of a time right now that you
won't be grounded.
42.
RYAN
You can't just lock me up, Daniel.
DANIEL
For the last fucking time, Ryan,
you call me "Grandpa!"
He slams the door shut.
RYAN
I hate you! I fucking hate you!
31 31
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Daniel crosses into the kitchen. He closes his eyes,
seething with rage. He bangs his head on a cabinet and
then opens it. He slides a blender aside to reveal a
BOTTLE OF WHISKEY. He brings it down and places it on the
counter.
He steps back and stares at it. It's a stand-off. He
crosses to it and twists off its cap and places it beside
the bottle. Then backs up to stare it again.
32 32
EXT. SUBURBAN ROADS/CHURCH - MORNING
Allison rides her bike while looking at SCRAP OF PAPER
with an address on it. She rides up to a small church and
locks her bike out front. She covertly fishes out a pill
from h er pocket and is about to take it, but she stops
herself and breaks it in half before swallowing it.
33 33
INT. CHURCH HALL - DAY
Allie sheepishly walks into an NA meeting that's about to
begin. People are mingling and getting coffee. Just as
she's about to sit, she looks up to see Daniel. They make
eye contact. She races out the door.
34 34
INT. CHURCH LOBBY - MOMENTS LATER
Allison races out. Daniel trails behind her.
DANIEL
Allison. Don't go.
ALLISON
This was a mistake.
43.
DANIEL
No, it wasn't. Trust me, I know
how hard it is to get yourself
here. It's close to impossible,
and you did it. Don't run away now
because of me.
ALLISON
There's a million of these
meetings; I'll find another one.
DANIEL
But this one has the best snacks.
ALLISON
I wanna go.
DANIEL
If you came this far, you
shouldn't.
ALLISON
I don't wanna be here.
DANIEL
No one does at first.
ALLISON
I don't wanna be any where.
DANIEL
Then you're definitely in the
right spot.
ALLISON
I thought you were sober.
DANIEL
I've been sober 10 years. I
slacked off from coming regularly
and recently I started realizing I
could really use the support.
ALLISON
Because of what happened?
DANIEL
What? No, no, no.
ALLISON
Is the accident the reason you had
to come back?
44.
DANIEL
No! It's always good to...
ALLISON
Daniel! Am I the reason you're
here?!
DANIEL
Yes! Yes! Of course! What the fuck
do you want me to say?! Yes!
He's instantly sorry. And collects himself.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
I'm sorry. Look... I've got 10
years, and lately I would really
like a drink. This works.
ALLISON
Thank you. I'm going to find
somewhere else. There are
thousands of these meetings.
DANIEL
There are. But som ehow you ended
up at this one. Now isn't that
something?
He puts out his hand. She stares at it.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
Come on.
She takes his hand, and he slowly leads her back inside.
35 35
INT. CHURCH HALL - MOMENTS LATER
They reenter the meeting. SIMONE (tough, 40's) is
starting the meeting. Under the below dialogue: Daniel
walks Allie to an open seat. She takes it. Daniel finds a
seat across the circle.
SIMONE
Go od afternoon, ladies and
gentlemen. This is the regular
meeting of the "Live and Let Live"
group of Alcoholics Anonymous. My
name is Simone and I'm an
alcoholic and your secretary. Let
us open the meeting with a moment
of silence to do with as you wish,
followed by the Serenity Prayer.
45.
A beat of silence. Allie stares at her Converse, too
afraid to look up.
GROUP
God, grant me the serenity to
accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I
can, and the wisdom to know the
difference.
Allie looks up to make eye contact with Daniel. He gives
her a friendly nod.
36 36
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - PORCH - DAY
Diane sits on a daybed with a book and a cigarette as
Allison approac hes.
DIANE
Hey, you got up awfully early this
morning.
ALLISON
I went to an NA meeting.
DIANE
Really? Oh, I'm so happy to hear
that. Look at you.
ALLISON
I'm not saying I'm gonna go again.
DIANE
Well you have to start somewhere.
And you did. So that's good.
ALLISON
I saw Daniel there.
DIANE
Daniel who?
ALLISON
Nate and Molly's dad Daniel. My
almost father-in-law.
DIANE
Oh my God. What did you say? You
didn't t alk to him did you?
ALLISON
I tried to leave. But he told me
to stay.
46.
DIANE
We've got a whole `nother year
before the statute of limitations
is up. Stay far away from him.
ALLISON
It wasn't like that. He was nice.
He's raising Ryan.
DIANE
That's what I'd heard.
ALLISON
He looked so much older. Like an
old grey statue in a park.
DIANE
I'll bet. It's like presidents.
ALLISON
What?
DIANE
Remember how young Obama looked
when he won? Like, two days later,
his hair was grey. It's like they
took him into some secret bunker
and told him just how fucked
everything is, and he came out
looking 10 years older. Well
you're on your way. Just keep on
going to those meetings. "It works
if you work it." That's one of
their sayings.
ALLISON
I don't know if I'm gonna be able
to just quit, mom. I think I need
real help. Like an inpatient kinda
thing.
DIANE
Well, neither of us has any
insurance, so how the hell are we
supposed to pay for it, Allie? You
need to get a job.
ALLISON
Who's gonna hire me like this,
mom?
47.
DIANE
You're a 26-year-old, beautiful
woman. You're smart, you're
funny...
ALLISON
You're describing the old me.
DIANE
You're still you.
ALLISON
No, I'm not. I'm something else
now... something...
Silence.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
I was thinking maybe dad was gonna
give me a wedding gift. I mean,
I'm sure he was gonna at least
come, right? Maybe instead of
whatever he was gonna give me, he
could help me pay for help.
DI ANE
Ha.
ALLISON
Would you call him for me?
DIANE
Allie, I will never speak to that
man again as long as I live. He
packed his car and left us with
nothing.
(beat)
I'm sorry that you only have me.
That isn't... that isn't what I
had planned for you. But it is
what it is, and you gotta pick
yourself up. Now.
ALLISON
Thanks, mom. I'm sorry I can't get
over this as fast as you want me
to.
She walks off.
48.
37 37
EXT. DUCK POND - DAY
Daniel sits on a bench feeding the ducks. Nathan
approaches. The ducks all scatter.
DANIEL
Well, look who it is.
NATHAN
Hi, Dad.
DANIEL
What brings you to the less-
glamourous side of the river?
NATHAN
Ryan asked me to come see her.
Turns out, she really wanted me to
talk to you. She's worried about
you.
DANIEL
She's worried about me? That girl
is crazy.
NATHAN
She says she thinks you need a
friend.
Nathan sits.
DANIEL
I don't need a friend, I need a
dog-crate the size of a teenager.
Look, I understand why you wanted
to move away after the breakup,
but I never imagined I'd be doing
this all by myself.
NATHAN
You raised two kids.
DANIEL
Yeah, but I had your mother. And
you and your sister were so well
behaved compared to Ry.
Nathan sha kes his head.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
What? Speak your mind, son.
49.
NATHAN
We were "good" because we were
terrified of you. So, I'm not
surprised you don't have any tools
in your arsenal, since you lost
the only one you had; fear.
DANIEL
Oh, c'mon, Nathan. When are you
gonna let all that go, huh? I've
apologized a hundred times to you
for the way I was. I can't go
back. I was a drunk; I've done the
work. I got 10 years, man. Your
sister found a way to give me a
secon d chance. Why can't you?
NATHAN
Cause Molly never really got the
brunt of it, did she? I protected
her.
DANIEL
I guarantee you if she was
standing here right now she'd be
begging you to let it go and help
me raise her child.
NATHAN
Well, she isn't.
DANIEL
No, she is not. So, there's no
future for us then? All we've got
are pleasantries: "Hey, how are
ya?" "Good. You?" That's all we've
got until they sho vel me into a
fucking hearse? We should be here
for each other, Nathan. We're all
we've got left.
NATHAN
I gotta catch the train.
Nathan stands and starts to leave.
DANIEL
I saw Allie.
He stops and turns back around.
NATHAN
Where?
50.
DANIEL
I'm not supposed to say.
NATHAN
AA?
DANIEL
I'm not supposed to say.
NATHAN
Why the hell does she need AA?
DANIEL
I'm not supposed...
NATHAN
...to say. I got it. Of all the
meetings, she has to go to yours?
DANIEL
She saw me and tried to run away.
I pulled her back in.
NATHAN
Why?
DANIEL
Because she's suffering, Nate.
Broken. Lost.
NATHAN
You're the one who blamed her! I
stood by her.
DANIEL
Yeah, until she le ft your ass.
(beat, that stung)
Sorry. That came out harsher than
I meant it to.
NATHAN
I have to catch the train.
DANIEL
Nate. I need help.
NATHAN
Look, Ryan asked me to come by and
say hi to you. And I did.
DANIEL
OK, well... Hi.
Nathan walks off.
51.
38 38
EXT. SOUTH ORANGE TRAIN STATION - LATER
Nathan waits for his train. He taps a VIDEO on his phone.
PHONE INSERT: The VIDEO is the moment Nathan mentioned in
his toast at the engagement party. It's Allison playing
the piano at the bar and serenading him. He holds the
camera out in selfie-mode to include himself.
NATHAN
(IN VIDEO)
Best first date ever!
Allie LAUGHS in the video. Nathan freezes it on her
smile. He thinks for a moment. His thumb hovers over the
DELETE BUTTON. He pushes it.
39 39
INT. CHURCH HALL - DAY
The group sits in a circle. Allie is there.
DANIEL
I used to drink whiskey until I
blacked out. Wake up in the
morning to find out what I'd done;
who I'd been. My father was a
drunk, and he beat me right up
until the day he died. So I
promised myself I'd never lay a
hand on my children. And I
didn't...
(beat)
when I was sober. But in the
blackness, I did. I'd always deny
it in the morning. Because the
truth is, I didn't remember.
Sometimes there'd be a bruise.
"Oh, you must have fallen. I'm
your daddy, I'd never hurt you."
August 11th, `99, I awoke on my
front porch to the sound of both
the church bells and the ice cream
truck. I knew that meant Sunday.
First thing I saw was my Captai n
standing over me; poking my rib
cage with his nightstick. An
ambulance. My son, Nathan...
sitting on the back bleeding from
his head. The medics had bought
him a popsicle. It turns out that
in the blackness I'd beat him so
badly he lost the hearing in his
right ear. Forever.
52.
Allison's eyes widen in shock. She never knew.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
To this day, every time I see him,
I beg him for his forgiveness.
It's just a little dance we do...
merely a formality. Because we
both know that some things are
just too impossible to forgive.
Yeah. I do think even God knows
that.
He makes eye contact with Allie. She meets his gaze.
40 40
INT. DINER - DAY
Daniel and Allison sit awkwardly in a booth. He has a mug
of black coffee, she has a glass of water, no ice.
DANIEL
When I was a cop, I'd eat here all
the time. Free coffee refills.
She flips the pages on the TINY TABLE-SIDE JUKEBOX.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
Are you hungry?
ALLISON
No.
DANIEL
It's funny how many things you
stop caring about, huh? I used to
wanna travel. I used to flip
through National Geographic and
dog ear the exotic places I'd one
day visit once I retired. I'll
never do that now.
ALLISON
You still could.
DANIEL
I couldn't.
ALLISON
I wasn't drunk you know. Or on
anything.
DANIEL
What?
53.
ALLISON
When I saw you the other day at
the meeting, I instantly started
worrying that you thought I may
have been drinking or on drugs the
day of the accident. I was sober.
It wasn't my fault.
DANIEL
I've got every report that was
written memorized.
ALLISON
So you know it was the backhoe
guy's fault. Alvarez.
DANIEL
I don't wanna get into all that.
ALLISON
Yeah. You're right.
(beat)
Nathan told me he'd bee n deaf
since birth.
DANIEL
He never told you?
ALLISON
Maybe he wanted me to like you.
DANIEL
Oh, I doubt that.
(beat)
I thought in raising Ryan I'd have
a second chance at being a better
father than I ever was, but... I'm
in way over my head. I went and
got this audio book out of the
library about how to talk to a
teen...
He laughs. She smiles.
ALLISON
How's that working out?
DANIEL
Well, it's from the 80' s... It's
on cassettes. It recommended I
chaperone a school dance.
(a laugh)
A dance.
(MORE)
54.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
I just caught her having sex with
a boy who looked like a man. A
dance... ha. A dance would be
delightful.
ALLISON
Can I give you some advice from a
former teenage girl? She's gonna
have sex. Nothing you say is gonna
stop that. Just make sure she gets
on birth control.
DANIEL
Birth control? She's 16. We'll be
going the abstinence route.
ALLISON
Well, no offense, but there's a
knot in your logic. You're trying
to solve the problem by looking
away.
(beat)
You know... I could talk to her.
If you want.
DANIEL
Oh... No. It's very nice of you to
offer. But I don't think it's
appropriate.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
ALLISON
Of course. I understand. I No, it's OK. I just don't
don't even know why I said think...
that, it's just...
ALLISON (CONT'D)
I just felt the need... the
instinct to try and help you in
some way. It's the least I can do.
(beat)
I don't know how to do this.
DANIEL
What?
ALLISON
Start all over. How do you do
that?
DANIEL
Takes work.
ALLISON
Can I tell you a secret?
55.
DANIEL
Sure.
She leans in every so slightly.
ALLISON
(whispers)
I'm not sure I have the will.
He nods. He's been there. He throws a quarter into the
little JUKEBOX and plays a song. She notices a TATTOO on
his wrist. It says "Amor Fati".
ALLISON (CONT'D)
What does "Amor Fati" mean?
DANIEL
Certain things are private.
ALLISON
Do you think I'm fucked up?
DANIEL
Are you high right now?
ALLISON
No.
DANIEL
Look, I was a cop for 40 years and
an addict for 50; so I'm gonna ask
you again. Are you high right now?
ALLISON
I broke a pill in half. So half?
DANIEL
Then, yes. I think you're fucked
up, Allison. And not half. All
fucked up.
ALLISON
Do you think I'll ever pull out of
this? I mean, do you think I'll
ever be the type of person that
people would love to have hang out
with their Granddaughter?
DANIEL
I have no idea.
ALLISON
Yeah . Me neither.
56.
He sips his coffee. They listen to the song.
41 41
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - BASEMENT - DAY
Daniel paints a miniature figurine for his train town as
Ryan comes down the stairs and sits half-way down.
RYAN
Can I please have my phone back?
DANIEL
I'm running out of ideas on how to
handle you, Ryan.
RYAN
Everyone has sex at my age,
Grandpa. I know it was different
when you were younger, but that's
just, like, not how it is anymore.
Daniel thinks a second, then summons the courage.
DANIEL
Are you... using protection?
RYAN
Oh my God. I am so not gonna talk
about this with my grandfather.
DANIEL
Well, how the hell do you think I
feel? Look, I know you're upset.
RYAN
I'm not upset.
DANIEL
Maybe you should go see that
therapist again.
RYAN
No. I just want my phone back. I
don't have any friends at
Columbia, and I need to h ang onto
the few I still have from Long
Beach Island.
DANIEL
Why can't you make friends?
RYAN
I've been through a lot this year.
And nobody understands. They try.
(MORE)
57.
RYAN (CONT'D)
Some. But it's fake. Don't you
think most people are so fake?
DANIEL
I'd probably say duplicitous.
RYAN
What does that mean?
DANIEL
Fake.
They both smile.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
I'm on your side.
RYAN
I know.
DANIEL
You can have your phone back, if
you start taking birth control.
RYAN
Oh my God! Daniel!
DANIEL
Grandpa. Deal? I'll make the
appointment.
RYAN
Ugh. Fine. But I never want to
talk about sex with you ever
again.
DANIEL
Rea lly? Cause I love this shit.
He crosses off to get the phone.
42 42
EXT. SETON HALL CAMPUS - DAY
Allie walks with Simone through the bustling campus.
SIMONE
Have you been on campus before?
ALLISON
Not since I was a kid. I used to
come here for swim meets.
58.
SIMONE
You were a swimmer?
ALLISON
Well, I was twelve. But I was
pretty damn good. Still got all
the ribbons and trophies.
SIMONE
That's cool. What stroke?
ALLISON
Mostly freestyle.
SIMONE
Why'd you stop?
ALLISON
My father left. It was the thing
we did together. He'd cheer so
loud I could hear him underwater.
Seemed kind of pointless to do it
without him.
SIMONE
Where'd he go?
ALLISON
Ohio. He started a whole other
family in Ohio. He has ten-year-
old twins. Not sure if they swim
or not.
SIMONE
I'm always amazed by these people
who can just up and leave their
kids. I don't understand how you
could sleep at night.
ALLISON
For so many years, I thought I'd
done something wrong; like it was
my fault or I let him down
somehow. Then I just realized...
maybe some people just aren't
good.
SIMONE
It's like he just restarted a
level in a video game with a fresh
life.
59.
ALLISON
That's exactly what he did! He
just packed up the car, left his
Rolex in the attic of my dollhouse
and drove away.
SIMONE
Let's sit for a second.
They sit on a bench.
SIMONE (CONT'D)
Look, I'll sponsor you, but you
gotta start taking this seriously.
You can't keep coming to meetings
high.
ALLISON
What?! How did you know?
SIMONE
Ha. Sweetheart, I was you. And
I've helped dozens of women who
were you. Some be at it, some are
dead. But if you want my time, you
gotta commit. I've got a toddler,
I don't have time for bullshit.
ALLISON
I do. I really wanna beat it.
SIMONE
OK, well then I want you to do 90
meetings in 90 days, and we're
gonna get you started on step 1.
ALLISON
OK.
SIMONE
Also, enough hiding out. It's time
you shared with the group.
Off Allie's terrified face.
43 43
INT. CHURCH HALL - DAY
The group sits in a circle. Simone sits across from Allie
next to Daniel.
ALLISON
Hi. I'm Allison and I'm... I'm
addicted to, uh, pills.
60.
GROUP
Hi Allison.
ALLISON
Sorry. Can I start again? I've
never done this before, and I'm
nervous.
SIMONE
You got it.
ALLISON
Hi, I'm Allison, and I'm an drug
addict.
GROUP
Hi Allison.
ALLISON
Hi. I um. Hmmm. I... I was the
driver of a car that was in a bad
accident. Two people died. They
uh... it was the woman about to
become my sister-in-law.
Simone puts it all together and looks at Daniel. Daniel
meets he r gaze and then looks back to Allison.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
We were going to look at wedding
dresses. And then we weren't. It
wasn't my fault. I wasn't on drugs
or drunk at the time. But, uh...
surviving that day, was/is the
most painful thing I'll ever have
to live through. I got hurt too.
They put a hole in my head. Which
helped, because at least I had
something to blame the pain on.
But then that healed, and I was
still hurting. And I guess that's
why I never noticed how bad it
got. Because to me, I was still in
so much pain. I was prescribed
them for physical pain... and they
really did help with that... but
they also made me numb. Blissfully
numb. Without them I want to die.
Every day. I've never said that
out loud before. I haven't really
ever faced reality without them.
And I don't know if I'll b e able
to handle what I see, but I'm here
to try.
(MORE)
61.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
(beat)
OK. That's it. What happens now?
Simone smiles at her.
44 44
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - BASEMENT - DAY
Daniel and Allison stand around the model train set.
ALLISON
You made all of this?
DANIEL
I assembled and designed it all,
yeah. The buildings come in kits
you buy, so I put them together
and paint them. The schoolhouse I
built from scratch.
INSERT: TWO FIGURINES, a pair of kids innocently kissing.
ALLISON
He y, there's two kids making out
back here.
DANIEL
Yeah. That's me.
ALLISON
You were handsome. And tiny.
DANIEL
Ha. My very first kiss behind the
school. Olivia Williams. It was
fall, the tip of her nose was ice
cold, running a bit. She stood on
her tiptoes and tasted like bubble
gum.
ALLISON
Is that who you married?
DANIEL
Ha. No. She dumped me the next day
for Charlie Cook. He smoked Camels
and drove a Bu ick Riviera
Roadmaster. Way cooler than me.
ALLISON
Is this all inspired by your life?
62.
DANIEL
Kind of. It's meant to be South
Orange. I grew up here. I was a
cop in Newark, but I've always
lived here.
ALLISON
Who's the soldier?
INSERT: A FIGURINE of a young soldier in uniform smiling
ear to ear as he races towards his beaming father.
DANIEL
That's me the day I got home from
Vietnam. That's my father picking
me up from the station.
ALLISON
This is incredible. How long did
this take you?
DA NIEL
Oh... years. I started with a
single figure-eight and a two-car
train. Just an engine and a
caboose. I would just watch it go
around and around. I work on it
when I can. I've had a lot more
time since I retired and my wife
passed. When Ryan was little she'd
hang out down here with me. She
liked the whistle and the
microphone.
ALLISON
There's a microphone?
DANIEL
Oh yeah, right next to you. How
els e are you supposed to let your
passengers know the train's
coming?
She picks up the train whistle and blows it. They both
smile. She picks up the CB-style microphone.
ALLISON
(sing into mic)
Take the last train to Clarksville
And I'll meet you at the station
(MORE)
63.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
You can be here by four-thirty
'Cause I've made your reservation,
don't be slow
Oh, no, no, no
Oh, no, no, no
DANIEL
(sings)
And I don't know if I'm ever
coming home.
ALLISON
Just a little serenade for your
people from the heavens.
DANIEL
I think that's probably one of the
reasons I enjoy it so much.
ALLISON
Why? Because you get to play God?
DANIEL
So much of my life, I've been out
of control. But down here, I get
to decide if Olivia Williams
chooses me, and I get to decide if
my father shows up to meet me at
the station when I came home.
INSERT: FATHER FIGURINE'S BEAMING SMILE.
ALLISON
Did he?
DANIEL
No. He was passed out drunk in our
backyard. He'd been face down long
enough for an inch of snow to have
collected on his back. The next
morning at breakfast, he asked me
if I wanted a beer. I drank a beer
with him at breakfast and never
stopped.
(beat)
When did you last talk to Nathan?
ALLISON
(through mic)
Daniel, this is God. Allison would
like to change the conversation
now.
64.
DANIEL
Yeah, I'll bet she does. OK. Lets
get out of here.
45 45
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
They emerge from the basement steps just as Ryan comes in
the front door. Daniel is surprised. Allie goes white.
DANIEL
Oh, Ryan. Wait, it's only 1
o'clock. Why are you home?
RYAN
We had a half-day for the active
shooter drill. I told you this
morning.
DANIEL
Ryan, this is a friend of mine
from th e program.
ALLISON
Hi.
RYAN
Hi.
DANIEL
Well, you should probably get
going...
RYAN
Wait. I know you from somewhere.
DANIEL
No, you don't.
ALLISON
You do?
RYAN
How do I know you?
ALLISON
My name is Allison.
RYAN
I've seen you before.
DANIEL
I thought the active shooter
drills ended at two.
65.
RYAN
That's when the pretend shooter
fights back. Today, he shot
himself, so we got out early. Why
do I know you?
ALLISON
I'm not sure what I'm supposed to
say.
RYAN
You were Nathan's fiancé.
DANIEL
No.
RYAN
You were in the car.
DANIEL
No.
ALLISON
I was.
RYAN
Weren't you driving? Wasn't she
driving?
DANIEL
We're in the program together.
RYAN
But I thought you said it was her
fault.
ALLISON
What??
RYAN
How could you br ing her into our
house?! Get out of our fucking
house!
Ryan cannot control the tears that start to stream down
her cheeks.
DANIEL
Oh, baby. I'm so sorry. This is my
fault. I thought you were at
school. Allie, you really gotta
go.
66.
RYAN
You ruined my life!
ALLISON
I know. I know that. I'm really
sorry.
RYAN
You shouldn't be here! My Mom grew
up in this house! I sleep in her
bedroom. I use her sheets!
DANIEL
OK, OK, she's going, she's going.
Allison opens the front door. She turns back.
ALLISON
Just in case this is the only time
I ever get to talk to you. Please
know I wish it was me. Okay? I do.
(beat)
I'm gonna go.
She starts to lea ve.
RYAN
I never got to say goodbye.
ALLISON
I know.
RYAN
They were going to see a play.
ALLISON
I know.
RYAN
She wanted to see a musical
because she loved all the fancy
costumes.
ALLISON
I didn't know that.
RYAN
She said you made Nate happy. That
you were the best thing that ever
happened to him.
ALLISON
He made me happy too. We were a
good team. I'm gonna go.
67.
She starts to cry again. Daniel goes to comfort her.
After a beat, Allison starts to exit the front door.
DANIEL
Allison...
ALLISON
Yes.
DANIEL
Would you like to stay for dinner?
RYAN
What?!
Off Allie's unsure face...
46 46
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - LATER
The three of them sit around the table finishing pizza.
RYAN
So you're an alcoholic, too?
DANIEL
Ryan.
ALLISON
Alcohol's not really my problem.
RYAN
What is ? Meth?
DANIEL ALLISON
Ryan. Ha. No. Not meth.
Prescription pain killers.
RYAN
Oxy.
DANIEL
How do you know about Oxy?
RYAN
Kids in my school snort it.
DANIEL
It's heroin.
RYAN
No, it's not. I could get it
quicker than I could get a beer!
(MORE)
68.
RYAN (CONT'D)
They sell it at RiteAid! So why
did you dump Uncle Nate?
DANIEL
Ryan.
ALLISON RYAN
I just... He said you ghosted him.
DANIEL
That's none of your damn business.
RYAN
I just don't understand how if he
was gonna stay with you, even
after all that happened, why you'd
break up with him?
ALLISON
I was upset, so I ran.
DANIEL
Sounds like you quitting soccer.
RYAN
Shut up.
DANIEL
Don't you say shut up to me ever
again.
ALLISON
Why did you quit soccer?
RYAN DANIEL
Because I hate every girl She got into a fight.
on the team.
ALLISON
Your parents were bragging to me
about how amazing you were.
RYAN
They did?
ALLISON
Oh yeah. Your Dad said you were
definitely gonna get a
scholarship.
RYAN
I wanna go to Stanford.
69.
DANIEL
Ha.
RYAN
Why are you laughing?
DANIEL
You quit the team! You're mouthing
off in school. You're not doing
your homework. You think you're
gonna get into Stanford?
RYAN
I didn't say I quit the team
permanently. I said I wanted to
take a break. And I had a 4.0 down
the shore, I could get it back in
a second if I cared.
ALLISON
Why don't you care?
RYAN
Why do you think?
They stare each other down. Silence.
DANIEL
Why don't we call it a night, huh?
ALLISON
Yeah. I should get going. Hey...
She takes out her journal and jots down her number.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
Just in case you ever want to
talk, need to talk - this is me.
And it's up to you, but I'm here.
OK.
Daniel clocks the exchange with concern. Ryan takes the
paper. Daniel walks Allie to the foyer. They speak in
hushed tones.
DANIEL
I'm sorry about all that. You s ee
what I'm dealing with.
ALLISON
It's fine.
70.
DANIEL
Allie. Look, she's a very fragile
kid. I'd appreciate it if you
didn't make contact with her.
ALLISON
Oh. OK. I just wanted her to know
that I'm available to her if she
ver wants to talk.
DANIEL
I'm asking you to please just let
her be.
She holds up her hand with the Vulcan salute.
ALLISON
OK. Scout's honor.
DANIEL
You're doing Spock's "Live long
and prosper." We scouts do this.
He holds up his two f ingers.
ALLISON
I think I prefer Spock. Live long
and prosper, Daniel.
She exits the front door.
47 47
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - ALLISON'S BEDROOM - MORNING
Allie tries to write a song on her keyboard. She notices
the canister of pills in front of her and turns the label
facing away.
She plays a few more chords before frustratedly resting
her head on the keys making a CLANG.
She sits up, grabs her phone and op ens up Instagram. She
hesitates a beat. Then types in Nathan's handle. Her
thumb floats above his profile in the menu. Just as she's
about to push it, she gets a text:
Ryan: Hey, it's Ryan. Coffee?
48 48
INT. COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL - CAFETERIA - INTERCUT
Ryan sits alone at an empty table in a packed cafeteria.
We INTERCUT between both locations as they text.
71.
Allie: Daniel asked me to give you some space.
Ryan: I wanna know more about that day.
Allie stares at her phone. After a beat...
Allie: Go back to the soccer team. Tell Daniel I
convinced you.
Allie: I'll come to your game. I wanna see you in action.
Ryan stares at her phone. Allie waits for a reply.
Ryan: ...Fine.
Allie: Wait? Really?!!
Ryan: Yeah. I'm not gonna let those bitches keep me from
Stanford. See ya Saturday.
Allie smiles faintly. A tiny win.
49 49
EXT. SOCCER FIELD - DAY
Daniel and Allison, sitting on opposite ends of the
bleachers, cheer as Ryan SCORES A GOAL!
DANIEL
That a girl!
Ryan looks over at them and makes a goofy face. Daniel
looks over to see Allie. She looks back at him.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
(mouthing from afar)
Thank you.
She smiles. Th ey turn back to the game.
50 50
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - ALLISON'S ROOM - NIGHT
Allie tosses and turns in bed. She's covered in sweat and
shaking from withdrawal. JUMP CUTS OF INSOMNIA. She tries
tapping different parts of her face and chest.
51 51
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - ALLISON'S ROOM - MORNING
Allie lies awake in bed. No sleep. HER PHONE DINGS.
Daniel: Allie, this is Daniel. Maybe it would help for
Ryan to talk to you. Coffee with her after school?
72.
Allie thinks...
52 52
EXT. HIP COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Allie pulls up on her bike and locks it.
53 53
INT. HIP COFFEE SHOP - MOMENTS LATER
Allie sits at a table across from Ryan. She looks white
from withdrawal.
RYAN
Why do you ride a bike everywhere?
ALLISON
I haven't been in a car since the
accident.
RYAN
Cause you feel guilty?
ALLISON
No. Because I feel scared.
RYAN
Daniel says you were on your
phone.
Allison looks back at Daniel sitting at a table out of
earshot.
ALLISON
I was using MAPS. Everyone uses
MAPS.
RYAN
He has all the reports. He's
memorized them. He stares at them
at night. It's weird.
ALLISON
Well... I was there. Whoever wrote
those reports wasn't there.
RYAN
Tell me why you ended it with
Nate? My mom would want you guys
to be together still.
ALLISON
Well... I don't even know what to
say to that.
73.
RYAN
My mom used to really look out for
him, you know? And I was thinking
like... maybe I'm supposed to now.
Cause she can't...
ALLISON
I bet that would make your mom
proud.
RYAN
Don't you miss him? I can tell you
about what's happening in his
life, if you want.
Allie's lungs tighten.
ALLISON
That's OK. Thank you, though. I've
been really trying to avoid...
RYAN
He moved to Tribeca.
ALLISON
Wow, OK.
RYAN
He h as a dog.
ALLISON
A dog?
RYAN
Yeah, it's a French Bulldog named
Jasper.
ALLISON
Wow. He never really struck me as
the Frenchie type.
RYAN
Well, it's his girlfriend's.
ALLISON
Oh. I don't need to hear this.
RYAN
Are you OK?
ALLISON
Yeah, I'm fine. It's just... How
long have they been going out?
74.
RYAN
Like four months, I think?
ALLISON
Wow.
RYAN
Yeah, she's a paralegal? I don't
even know what that is. Is that
like a good thing to be?
ALLISON
Yes. Wow.
RYAN
You just keep saying, "Wow."
ALLISON
It's just a lot to take in. I'm so
happy for him. He deserves to be
happy.
RYAN
I shouldn't have told you.
ALLISON
No. It's fine.
RYAN
But you look so upset now.
ALLISON
He and I went through so much
together. I only want good things
for him.
RYAN
I'm sorry I upset you. I really
meant for this to be friendly.
ALLISON
I'm fine. I'm just gonna go use
the bathroom.
She darts for the bathroom. Daniel watches, concerned.
54 54
INT. HIP COFFEE SHOP - BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Allie closes the door to the stall, pulls out her phone
and goes as fast as possible to Nathan's Instagram page.
She proceeds to look at every picture h e has posted.
75.
WE SEE FULLSCREEN FLASHES: the French Bulldog, Nathan
laughing, Nathan on a Beach with his girlfriend, the two
of them kissing under mistletoe at Christmas, etc. Tears
stream down her face as she silently cries at the life
that might have been hers.
55 55
INT. HIP COFFEE SHOP - MOMENTS LATER
Allie reemerges with red eyes passing Daniel's table.
DANIEL
Is something wrong?
ALLISON
Yeah, I just... I forgot I have a
job interview. So, I gotta go.
DANIEL
You sick?
ALLISON
Yeah.
DANIEL
Withdrawal?
ALLISON
Trying.
DANIEL
Don't stop.
ALLISON
OK.
DANIEL
Don't use.
ALLISON
OK.
DANIEL
Don't stay home tonight. Go do
something.
ALLISON
OK.
DANIEL
Do you need a hug?
76.
ALLISON
If you hug me, I'm going to sob,
so no.
DANIEL
I can handle that.
ALLISON
I better not. In front of Ryan.
DANIEL
OK.
(beat)
I'm hugging you with my eyes.
ALLISON
Thank you.
DANIEL
Be careful.
ALLISON
OK.
She nods and exits the coffee shop, passing Ryan's table,
unable to look at her.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
(in passing)
I have to go, so I'll see you
another time.
RYAN
Bye.
DANIEL
Let's go; these assholes charged
me six dollars for a cup of
coffee.
56 56
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - ALLISON'S BEDROOM - LATER
Allie smashes pills with a stapler on her desk and leans
down to snort them into her nose. She paces.
MONTAGE: Allie tripping higher than she's ever been on
Oxy. Imagery from her life FLASHES and RAMPS SPEEDS as
she rides out the tremendous high.
77.
57 57
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - ALLISON'S BATHROOM - EVENING
TIGHT INSERT: the bathtub faucet as it slowly drools from
its mouth onto Allison's face. She startles awake as a
drop lands in the crease of her eye.
58 58
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - ALLISON'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Allison plays the piano. High.
59 59
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - ALLISON'S ROOM - LATER
She's lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling fan. The
blades are co vered in dust. High and alone.
A KNOCK AT THE DOOR.
INTERCUT WITH DIANE IN THE HALLWAY:
DIANE
Allie? Allie? Allie? Did you job-
hunt today?
ALLISON
Please leave me alone.
DIANE
Listen, I've been looking on Etsy.
I was thinking we could find a
craft we both like and sell them.
Maybe we could make some extra
money that way. Whaddya think?
Allie shakes her head. She's trapped and very fucking
depressed. Her phone chimes. Someone!
Ryan: I'm so sorry.
Allison: Don't be! I'm fine!
Ryan: Wanna do something?
DIANE (CONT'D)
Something fun. Like baby bibs. Or
invent our own salad dressing?
Allie, we could be on Shark Tank!
Can you imagine? And I know you're
like, "Shut up, mom, you're drunk
again," but listen...
78.
60 60
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - INTERCUT
Ryan sits on the couch painting her nails.
Allison: I can't. I'm writing a song.
Ryan: This super hot guy I know is going to see a band
play in the city. Please come! I HAVE NO FRIENDS! LOL!
Allison: Don't think Daniel would be cool with us going
to the city.
DIANE (O.S.)
I just thought of the best idea.
We could do paper mache!
Ryan: OK. Well I'm taking the 8:10pm train from South
Orange station. If I get kidnapped, it's your fault!
BACK AT ALLISON'S:
Allie throws her phone and shakes her head. She looks up
at herself in the makeup mirror.
DIANE (CONT'D)
"Hey, Sharks, I'm Diane and this
is my associate. Allison. And this
is our... you know, whatever..."
ALLISON
(to herself in
mirror)
You weak piece of shit. Couldn't
go two days. I fucking hate you. I
hate you so much.
DIANE
Allie, do you remember when you
were in the fourth grade and you
built that giant mitochondrion?
Someone would buy that, I promise
you! "Hey, Sharks, you know how
everyone loves paper mache?"
Allie leaps up and opens her bedroom door.
61 61
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Allie comes out and steps over her mom.
DIANE
I knew you'd like that idea!
79.
She walks to the bathroom holding a canister of pills and
slams the door.
62 62
INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - ALLISON'S BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
She stares in the mirror, grabs the canister, opens it up
without pausing and dumps the entire vial of pills in her
mouth. A lethal dose. She keeps them in her mouth. She's
about to swallow.
A QUICK FLASH OF NATHAN LOOKING INTO THE LENS.
She spits them all out and watches th em slide down the
sink drain. She sits on the side of the tub. Terrified.
63 63
EXT. SOUTH ORANGE TRAIN STATION - NIGHT
Ryan waits alone on a bench in a provocative outfit. A
TRAIN RUMBLES by to reveal Allison standing on the
opposite platform. Ryan stands and celebrates.
RYAN
Yes!
ALLISON
You're on the wrong side.
RYAN
What? No, I'm not.
Allison points to a sign that says "Trains to Manhattan."
RYAN (CONT'D)
Oh. Well, good thing you came!
Allie shakes her head.
64 64
INT./EXT. DIANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Diane stands in the kitchen texting.
Diane: Where r u???!!!
A KNOCK on the front door. She looks up in fear and runs
to the door. She opens it to reveal Daniel with his hat
in his hand.
DANIEL
Hello, Diane. I'm very sorry to
call on you this late, but I
didn't have your number.
80.
She stares at him in shock.
DIANE
Oh, hey.
DANIEL
It's Daniel, Nathan's father.
Diane covers her mouth with her hand. She's frozen.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
Don't you remember me?
DIANE
Yes, of course. I'm sorry, it's
been a long time.
DANIEL
There's no need to be afraid of
me. I'm just trying to find Ryan.
DIANE
I'm not afraid of you. To be
honest, I thought it might be the
police. A bit of PTSD I suppose.
DANIEL
Yes, well... I don't know how much
Allie's told you, but we've been
going to the same program.
DIANE
Yes. I know. She said.
DANIEL
Yeah. So, my granddaughter,
Ryan's, taken quite an interest in
Allie, and now I can't find her,
so I thought I'd stop by and see
if they might be here. I tried
texting Allie, but all my texts
are turning green. Do you know
what that means?
DIANE
I have no idea. I hate it when
they go green, and you don't know
if it's sent. It drives me crazy.
You'll have to let me know if you
figure that out. I'm not a techie.
They stand there nodding with their phones.
81.
DIANE (CONT'D)
I've actually been trying to find
Allie as well. Do you think
they're together?
DANIEL
They're both missing at the same
time, so it does feel a bit
curious.
DIANE
No matter how old they get, you
never stop worrying, but they
always seem to turn up.
DANIEL
Well... not always.
Diane is taken aback by his bluntness.
DIANE
Yes. Well... please let me know if
you find them.
DANIEL
I will.
Daniel begins to wal k away as Diane starts to close the
door. She summons the courage and calls to him.
DIANE
Thank you.
DANIEL
What's that?
DIANE
I just wanted to say thank you
for... being kind to Allie. She
told me you were... very warm to
her. And you know... some people
wouldn't be like that.
DANIEL
We're all just trying to move on,
I suppose.
DIANE
I don't think Allie and I are
doing a very good job of that,
Daniel.
DANI EL
Well, you know what they say.
82.
DIANE
What?
DANIEL
"Comparison is the thief of joy."
DIANE
I didn't know they said that.
DANIEL
Well, somebody did.
(beat)
I best be going.
DIANE
Yes, of course.
DANIEL
Goodnight.
65 65
INT. ROCK CLUB - NIGHT
CARY BROTHERS and his BAND play on stage. Quinn, the guy
from Ryan's bedroom, is in the audience. We waves to Ryan
from afar.
RYAN
Oh my God, there he is. Look how
hot he is.
ALLISON
Is that a face tattoo?
RYAN
Ye ah!
THOMAS (22, guitarist in the band) appears to be staring
at Allie.
RYAN (CONT'D)
I love this song. Quinn sent it to
me in a playlist. He knows so much
about music.
ALLISON
I haven't seen live music in so
long. Thank you. For getting me to
come.
RYAN
The guitarist, that's Thomas. He's
staring right at you.
83.
ALLISON
Not interested.
RYAN
I know, you can do so much better.
But he is fucking hot. OK, I'll be
right back. I gotta go get someone
in.
ALLISON
Should I come with you?
RYAN
No! I'll be right back.
Ryan rushes off. Allison continues to get into the music.
She closes her eyes. She sways her head with her eyes
closed and a tiny smile crawls across her lips.
SLOW MOTION: She's having a moment of genuine hap piness.
The moving stage lights dance around her face.
She opens her eyes to see Nathan, staring right into the
lens. Is this A DREAM??? Reveal JOELLE, his new
girlfriend.
RYAN (CONT'D)
Surprise!
Allie is in shock. So is Nathan. They have to speak
loudly over the MUSIC.
ALLISON
Nathan?
NATHAN
Hi.
ALLISON
Hey.
NATHAN
Ryan.
RYAN
What?
JOELLE
Hi.
Allison is stuck in shock. She can barely breath.
84.
NATHAN
Uhhhh, sorry. Allie, this is my
girlfriend, Joelle.
ALLISON
Hi. Sorry. So nice to meet you.
JOELLE
I've heard so much about you.
ALLISON
Oh. OK...
NATHAN
I think we're the victims of a
teenage girl's good intentions.
ALLISON
What?
NATHAN
I said, I think she meant well;
Ryan.
ALLISON
OK. Um, I have to go.
NATHAN
Are you good?
ALLISON
Yeah. Yup. Everything's good.
Yeah. But, I have to go.
Allison races away. Th ey watch her go.
NATHAN
What the fuck did you do that for?
RYAN
(to Joelle)
You weren't supposed to come. No
offense. I know that being a
paralegal is a good job. But he's
supposed to be with Allie. I'm
sorry.
NATHAN
Ryan, what the fuck did you do?
RYAN
I'm fixing it. For mom.
85.
NATHAN
Go find her. And then I'm taking
you home.
She runs off. Nathan shakes his head. Fuck.
NATHAN (CONT'D)
(to Joelle)
I am so sorry.
JOELLE
It's fine.
NATHAN
Yeah? You're good?
JOELLE
I'm fine. I need a drink, but I'm
fine.
66 66
INT. ROCK CLUB - BACK BAR - MOMENTS LATER
Allie grabs someone's drink that's been left on the bar
and downs it. Ryan arrives.
ALLISON
Why the fuck did you do that?!
RYAN
I thought it would make y ou happy.
ALLISON
You thought it would make me
happy?! Are you insane?
(to bartender)
Can I have a triple tequila neat
please? I can't breathe.
RYAN
Calm down. I'm sorry.
ALLISON
You did this on purpose; to hurt
me. You set me up.
RYAN
No, I didn't!
Thomas and Quinn come rushing over.
THOMAS
Yesssssss!
86.
RYAN
Hi, I'm Quinn's friend, Ryan. You
guys sounded so good. You're gonna
be so famous.
THOMAS
I know. I really have to savor my
anonymity.
QUINN
We're going to this party over in
Williamsburg. You guys wanna come?
ALLISON
Yes. I need to get out of here.
She downs the tequila that's just arrived and they all
leave excitedly. Nathan watches from afar wondering what
the fuck is happening.
67 67
INT. SIMONE'S APART MENT - NIGHT
Simone and her boyfriend, MAX, eat takeout while watching
TV. Their toddler, ELVIS, is on her lap. Her phone RINGS.
SIMONE
Hey Danny. Everything OK?
68 68
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - INTERCUT BACK AND FORTH
Daniel paces.
DANIEL
I can't find Ryan, and I've tried
everything. Anyway, my mind
couldn't help but wonder if you'd
heard from Allie or not.
SIMONE
No, I haven't. I can text her, if
you want.
DAN IEL
Well, I keep trying them both, but
neither one is replying.
MAX
What's wrong?
SIMONE
Daniel can't find his
granddaughter.
87.
MAX
If he pays for her phone, he can
login to her account and use "Find
My Phone".
SIMONE
Daniel, do you know what "Find My
Phone" is?
DANIEL
No, what the hell is that?
69 69
INT. WILLIAMSBURG LOFT - NIGHT
A group of WILLIAMSBURG TYPES smoke and drink. Ryan and
Quinn wear VR HEADSETS drunkenly playing some game.
RYAN
Woah, this is amazing.
Allison stands in the kitchen and stares at her phone as
a BARRAGE OF MISSED TEXTS start streaming in.
Mom: WHERE ARE YOU!
Simone: Daniel's looking for Ryan. Any idea where she is?
Daniel: Allie, are you with Ryan?
Mom: Call or text me plz!
Simone: Why aren't you texting me back???
Thomas brings JARVIS over to Allie.
THOMAS
Allie, this is Jarvis. He brought
the thing you asked for.
JARVIS
I don't have any 30's. Just dope.
ALLISON
I'll just take whatever you have.
(to Thomas)
Can you spot me? I promise I'll
pay you back.
THOMAS
Uh OK.
Thomas pays him and hands Allie the tiny bag of heroin.
88.
ALLISON
You want some?
THOMAS
Nooo. I don't fuck with that shit.
ALLISON
Oh, I don't either, but I don't
have any of the medicine I take,
so I'm just gonna do a tiny bit.
She turns her back from the party and snorts some.
THOMAS
I mean, don't get me wrong; I
wanna be Kurt Cobain, but I don't
wanna be Kurt Cobain. Know what I
mean?
(beat)
Did you like the show?
ALLISON
What?
THOMAS
Our set. Did you like it?
ALLIS ON
Oh, yeah. Yeah. You were great.
THOMAS
I play with Cary when he's on
tour, but wait until you hear my
stuff.
ALLISON
Great.
THOMAS
Do you think I'm gonna be famous?
ALLISON
What?
THOMAS
I said, do you think I'm gonna be
famous?
ALLISON
Oh, I don't know.
89.
THOMAS
One day, when I'm super famous,
you can tell people I bought you
heroin once.
ALLISON
Yeah... for sure.
Behind her we see Ryan being led into a bedroom by Quinn.
70 70
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Daniel sits using "Find My Phone" at his kitchen table
while Simone talks him through it on his own phone.
DANIEL
OK, it's coming up. I think it's
working...
SIMONE (O.S.)
What's it say?
On the scre en we see the map come alive and show a dot on
the loft in Williamsburg.
71 71
INT. WILLIAMSBURG LOFT - BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Ryan is wasted, she and Quinn are making out on the bed.
RYAN
The whole room is spinning.
Her PHONE PINGS on the bed.
RYAN (CONT'D)
That's my phone.
QUINN
Don't worry about it.
RYAN
Wait, just stop for a second.
Where's my phone?
WE PUSH in on the phone on the bed. WE CAN SEE IT SAYS
"FIND MY PHON E ALERT."
72 72
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We see the apartment pinpointed on Daniel's computer.
90.
DANIEL
What the fuck?!
73 73
INT. SIMONE'S APARTMENT - INTERCUT BACK AND FORTH
SIMONE
What?
DANIEL
She's in the fucking city! She's
in motherfucking Williamsburg!
SIMONE
Daniel. Wait. I'll pick you up.
You don't wanna do something
you'll regret.
DANIEL
I'm gonna fucking kill him.
SIMONE
Exactly. That's what I'm worried
about. I'm on my way.
BACK AT DANIEL'S:
DANIEL
FUCK!!!
He slams his phone down. His anger grows. H e turns his
head to stare at the high cabinet where he keeps his
WHISKEY. He crosses to the pantry and uses the step-stool
to reach the high cabinet. He pulls down the BOTTLE OF
WHISKEY again.
He pulls open a drawer revealing a small gun safe. He
taps in his code and it pops open revealing his REVOLVER.
74 74
INT. WILLIAMSBURG LOFT - NIGHT
AN HOUR OR SO LATER. The party is even more packed. Allie
straddles Thomas on the couch. She tries to get up, but
falls over onto other people on the couch.
THOMAS
OK. Easy does it. You're wasted.
ALLISON
No, I'm not. I gotta find her.
91.
Allie stumbles sideways through the party. HER POV: the
hallway comes IN AND OUT OF FOCUS as we travel on a
diagonal towards the door. LASER LIGHTS from a PARTY
GLOBE splash her face as she weaves through the people.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
Ryan!
75 75
EXT. WILLIAMSBURG LOFT - MOMENTS LATER
Simone's CAR SCREECHES to a stop in front of the
apartment. As Daniel hops out of the passenger side, the
NOW-EMPTY WHISKEY BOTTLE falls out of his coat pocket and
SHATTERS on the ground. SIMONE clocks it.
76 76
INT. WILLIAMSBURG LOFT - STAIRCASE - CONTINUOUS
Daniel climbs the stairs and pulls out his gun.
77 77
INT. WILLIAMSBURG LOFT - MOMENTS LATER
Allison has made her way to a locked bedroom door and
starts to knock.
ALLISON
Ryan! Ryan, are you in there?
QUINN (O.S.)
She's fine. Go the fuck away!
Daniel and Simone burst in and weave the ir way through
the party. We can see the drunken RAGE in Daniel's eyes.
They find Allie knocking on the door.
ALLISON
Ryan!!! Can you open the door
please?!
DANIEL
Allison!
ALLISON
What are you guys doing here?
DANIEL
(slurring)
Where's Ryan?!
ALLISON
She won't open the door.
92.
DANIEL
Ryan?! Ry! It's grandpa. Open the
door?
No answer.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
Open the door, baby.
QUINN (O.S.)
Fuck off!
The cop in Daniel steps back and KICKS OPEN THE DOOR.
78 78
INT. WILLIAMSBURG LOFT - BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
He bursts through to see Ryan being groped on the bed.
QUINN
What the fuck?!
Daniel raises his gun and points it at Quinn.
DANIEL
You again. Get the fuck up.
Allison and Simone come rushing in. Quinn ju mps up with
his hands in the air.
SIMONE
Danny! No, no, no, don't do that.
QUINN
Nothing happened.
DANIEL
She's passed out! Tell me why I
shouldn't kill you?
QUINN
We were just making out.
DANIEL
You hurt my baby. Now it's time
for me to hurt you.
He cocks the revolver's hammer back.
NATHAN (O.S.)
Dad, stop.
REVEAL Nathan has appeared behind him in the doorway.
93.
DANIEL
What the hell are you doing here,
Nate? This is family business.
NATHAN
Please don't do this.
DANIEL
Go on back to your new life.
QUINN
Put the gun down. Please! Please!
NATHAN
He's not worth it.
DANIEL
I have nothing left to lose.
NATHAN
You have me. You have Ryan. We
need you. If you do this, it's
over. We get no more time.
SIMONE
Danny, put the gun down.
Nathan steps in front of his father, so the gun is now
pointed at him. Daniel with all of his rage stares his
son down. Nathan, with newfound bravery, slowly takes the
gun out of his father's hand.
Nathan turns to Quinn.
NATHAN
That's my niece. She's 16 years
old.
He PUNCHES Quinn hard in the face. Quinn goes down.
QUINN
Agh! My fucking nose!
Nathan goes to the bed and helps Simone stand Ryan up.
She stirs enough to lean on Simone and Nathan as they
walk out.
SIMONE
We go tta get outta here.
SLOW MOTION: Danny walks through the party with Allison
by the arm, like the criminals he used to arrest. Simone
and Nathan follow carrying Ryan.
94.
Everyone jumps out of their way; terrified. The LASER
LIGHTS dance across their faces.
79 79
EXT. WILLIAMSBURG LOFT - NIGHT
Simone and Nathan handle Ryan as Daniel holds Allie by
the arm. He pushes her away from him on the sidewalk.
DANIEL
What the fuck is the matter with
you?
ALLISON
I was trying to protect her.
DANIEL
Protect her? I told you to stay
away from her! Protect her? Who
the fuck are you to try a nd
protect anyone? You're a mess.
NATHAN
Dad.
ALLISON
I was trying to help you with her.
To make things right.
DANIEL
Well, let me tell you something,
Allison. You could never, ever fix
what you have done to me. You hear
me?! I want my fucking life back!
You hear me?! I want my child
back. My baby girl. My Molly. You
took my baby away from me!
Tears well in his eyes. From rage. From grief.
NATHAN
Dad. En ough.
ALLISON
Let him say it.
DANIEL
I wanted to hate you, but I
stopped myself. And when you
walked into that meeting, I said
to myself "This is God testing me.
This is proof there's a higher
power! He's testing me in this
church right now.
(MORE)
95.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
DANIEL (CONT'D)
He's seeing if he can break me.
But I'm gonna show him... I'm
gonna show him that I am
unbreakable, and I am gonna offer
my hand to this sorry, little,
fucking pill-junkie."
All I asked was that you stay away
from this child. Now look at her.
Allie looks over. Simone cradles her on the steps.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
She's got no mother, no father...
And how many years could I have
left? What a fucking waste you
are. What a waste of a soul. What
a waste of a chance.
He walks away a beat to calm down.
SIMONE
OK, Danny. You've said your piece.
Enough.
DANIEL
This wasn't how it was supposed to
go. I'm a good person. I'm not
saying God has to be f air, but I
never thought... I just never
thought he could be this cruel.
He exhales. Nods his head. He's done.
DANIEL (CONT'D)
Taxi!
SIMONE
Danny, let me take you home.
DANIEL
No.
NATHAN
I'll go with them.
A cab pulls over. Danny opens the door and places Ryan
inside. He comes back to Allie; inches from her face. She
can smell his breath.
ALLISON
You drank.
96.
DANIEL
You reopened the MAPS app at 17:36
and 22 seconds. The impact was at
17:36 and 24. Tire skids show you
lost 30 feet before you swerved.
You didn't have time to stop
because you were looking at your
fucking phone. Stop blaming
Alvarez. They're dead because of
you.
He walks away and gets in the cab. Nathan makes eye-
contact with Allie briefly and joins his father. They
drive off. Allie stands in the middle of the street.
Decimated.
FADE TO BLACK.
80 80
INT. SIMONES APARTMENT - MORNING
Allie wakes up on the couch to see Simone's toddler,
Elvis, playing. HER ROLEX sits on the coffee table in
front of her. She stares at it as she sits up.
ELVIS
Good morning.
ALLISON
Good morning.
ELVIS
I made a house. Do you have a
headache?
ALLISON
Yeah.
81 81
INT. PAWN SHOP - DAY
Allie walks to the counter and hands the wa tch to the
Pawn Shop Owner. She sweats and shakes.
ALLISON
Hey, can I sell this please?
He inspects the watch.
PAWN SHOP OWNER
I'll give you twelve-five.
ALLISON
Yeah. OK. Thank you.
97.
PAWN SHOP OWNER
It's a beauty.
He passes her the cash.
82 82
INT. INPATIENT REHAB - DAY
MONTAGE: Allie's 28-Day Program.
82A: Allie is searched in her dorm room by a STAFF MEMBER
checking all of her pockets for contraband. She finds the
leftover bag of heroin.
82B: Allie walks nervously into her first meeting. She
looks haggard and frail as she joins the circle.
82C: Allie is given a pill in a paper cup as s he leaves a
group meeting and heads down a hallway. She looks through
the window in a door to notice a tiny music room with a
piano. She lifts open the cover. She stares at it a beat
and then sits down to play the original song we have
heard her writing in her room at home.
82D: Ryan scores the winning goal on the soccer field.
Daniel and Nathan cheer.
82E: Allie dives into a lap pool and swims.
82F : Allie is back at the piano playing and singing.
82G: Daniel sits reading a WOMEN'S FITNESS MAGAZINE in
the waiting room of a GYNECOLOGIST'S OFFICE. Ryan exits
from the doctor's office with a PACKAGE OF BIRTH CONTROL
PILLS in her hand. Daniel gives her a thumbs-up. She
rolls her eyes.
82H: Allie, in her room, writing her mom a handwritten
letter.
82I: Diane lies in her bed on the side porch reading
Allie's letter. She smiles.
82J: Ryan laughing with a CUTE BOY her age in the high
school hallway.
82K: Allie in a group counseling session.
82L: Ryan sits in the basement, chatting away to Daniel.
He paints a new structure: A MODEL OF HIS OWN HOUSE.
82M: Allie singing the song she wrote at the piano.
98.
82N: Allie walks down a hallway. She enters a Visitor's
Room and is clearly anxious about who's she's looking at.
82O: Allie surfaces from underwater in the pool and takes
a huge breath.
83 83
INT. INPATIENT REHAB - VISITOR'S ROOM - DAY
REVEAL Allie's visitor is Nathan.
ALLISON
Hey.
NATHAN
Hi.
They sit down opposite one another at a table.
ALLISON
Thank you so much for coming.
NATHAN
You look great.
ALLISON
Ha. I w as about to put make-up on
and then laughed at myself. Do you
like my clips?
NATHAN
Wow. Yeah.
ALLISON
Thanks. I stole them from a
pharmacy. Not recently, like
awhile back.
He smiles.
NATHAN
I don't know where to start.
ALLISON
I'll just start. Nate, I didn't
have the faintest idea how to
handle my own grief. I didn't even
know if I was allowed to grieve.
NATHAN
We were all flailing.
99.
ALLISON
But I abandoned you. That was so
selfish. I ran as fast as I could
away from you.
NATHAN
I still wanted you to be my wife.
ALLISON
I know. The truth is...
She takes a deep breath. Exhales.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
The truth is, Nathan... I was so
sure that I was gonna...
NATHAN
I know...
ALLISON
And I... you know... I tried...
but I couldn't. Because I didn't
ever want to hurt you again.
NATHAN
It wasn't your fault.
A LLISON
It was, Nate.
(beat)
Your dad's right. If I hadn't been
checking my phone, I could have
stopped in time.
(beat)
You deserve an apology that has
never come. I'm so sorry.
He digests this. Nods.
NATHAN
I've been spending a little more
time with him lately. It's a work
in progress.
ALLISON
Good. He kept me alive.
(beat)
I know about your ear.
She puts her hand to his right ear.
100.
ALLISON (CONT'D)
I want you to be clear on one
thing... Look at me. I loved you
so much. Along with everything
else, I will forever grieve for
the life we might have had.
NATHAN
Me too. We were a good team.
(silence...then)
It would be nice if we could one
day find a way to be in each
other's lives. Maybe that's
unrealistic...
ALLISON
Maybe.
NATHAN
Maybe.
He reaches his hands across the table to hers. She grabs
th em and holds them. She puts them on her face, and they
smile at one another.
84 84
INT. INPATIENT REHAB - NIGHT
Allie's last night at the recovery center. Supportive
families are there in attendance. We see Diane holding
flowers. Allie stands at the podium mid-speech. She
speaks passionately and ends with a laugh.
ALLISON
Momma, I'm so grateful for you.
Thank you for everything you've
done for me, and I love you.
Allie crosses to Diane, and they hug. She looks up to see
Daniel standing in the doorway.
Her face drops as she mouths "Hi." Daniel smiles warmly
and nods. She wants to go to him, but she's inundated
with well-wishers around her.
When she looks up again, he's gone.
WE FADE TO BLACK on Allie's face searching for Daniel.
85 85
INT. HUMBLE APARTMENT - EVENING
Allison eats alone at her kitchen table . She checks her
watch, A CHEAP CASIO.
101.
86 86
INT. MUSIC BAR - STAGE - NIGHT
A tiny music bar in downtown Newark. Allie is on stage at
the piano playing an original song. She finishes.
ALLISON
Thank you. I'm selling my first EP
over at the coat check, cause I'm
also the coat-check girl. So come
buy an album... or I won't give
you your coats back.
They LAUGH. She smiles.
87 87
INT. MUSIC BAR - COAT CHECK - MOMENTS LATER
Back in her booth, Allie's pho ne rings: it's Nathan.
ALLISON
I know you're calling about one
year clean, but guess what I just
did?
Her face drops.
88 88
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Allie and Nathan set out food for mourners dressed in
black. Diane and Ryan play with Elvis and Simone. As
Allie clears a bunch of empty plates back to the kitchen,
she walks by the basement door. She stops and stares at
the door.
89 89
INT. DANIEL'S H OUSE - BASEMENT - MOMENTS LATER
Allie flips on the lights and descends the stairs into
Daniel's sacred lair. She gingerly approaches his train
town and flips the switch. His MINIATURE WORLD lights up.
She smiles and notices an envelope leaning against the
MODEL OF HIS HOUSE. It says: Allison. A TINY FIGURINE
sits on top that he has made of Allison on her bicycle.
She opens the letter; it appears a s though it was typed
on an old typewriter. She begins to read. We'll recognize
the writing as Daniel's VOICEOVER that opened the film.
102.
DANIEL (V.O.)
Dear Allison, down here, in 1:87
scale, the lovers always kiss, the
neighbors are always kind and the
trains always take you to the far
off places you always swore you'd
go. In life, of course, nothing is
as nearly as neat and tidy.
90 90
EXT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - FLASHBACK
Sitting on his porch, Daniel, looking older, pecks out
the note Allison is reading on an OLD TYPEWRITER. Na than
and Ryan sit on the porch swing talking.
DANIEL (V.O.)
Everything I own has been left to
Nathan and Ryan. Nathan has agreed
to move home and be her guardian
until she's off to college. He'll
need help.
91 91
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - BASEMENT - CONTINUOUS
Allison continues reading.
DANIEL (V.O.)
Please help him, Allie. Molly
always said Nathan was the best
version of himself when he was
with you. Who know s, maybe you can
even get her into Stanford. Haha.
(beat)
When we first met in that diner,
you asked what my tattoo meant.
"Amor-Fati" is Latin. It means "to
love one's fate." Neither of us
chose this fate, Allie. But
perhaps we can find a way to love
it. Fate has given me one final
year with my son. He looks at me
differently these days. Once in
awhile, I even catching him
smiling at me with a look that
might just even be love. Amor
Fati, Allison. Until we meet
again, Daniel
Allison is frozen.
RYAN (O.S.)
Allie?
103.
Allie whips her head around to see Ryan on the steps.
RYAN (CONT'D)
What are you doing? Come on
outside.
ALLISON
OK.
She climbs the stairs.
92 92
EXT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - MOMENTS LATER
Allie joins Ryan on the front stoop. Nathan stares off at
the trees.
Allie looks shell-shocked. Frightened. And then, the
softest of smiles tiptoes across her lips. Amor Fati.
HARD CUT TO BLACK.
| A Good Person
Writers : Zach Braff
Genres : Drama
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