Scenes 8, 9, 10 - Official Première Script Release of "Better Left Unsaid" - A Feature Film to be Produced on Steemit!

in original-script •  7 years ago 

100% of Steem Dollars Received Will Be Used in the Making of the Film

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"Better Left Unsaid"
Story and Screenplay by @brian-rhodes
Original Music by @dan-atstarlite
Working Title by @jrcornel
Scenes 8, 9, 10

(The following script is formatted for desktop viewing only)

    EXT. PARK TORONTO - DAY

      Walking along a path Charlie sees a father and teenage son
      playing catch, having fun. Charlie sits on park bench,
      watches. A throw by the father goes errant, ends up at
      Charlie's feet, he stares at it.

      Charlie looks up. Boy's standing, waiting. Charlie picks ball
      up, smiles, tosses it to kid. Boy smiles, nods a thank you.

      Boy throws ball to father. Father smiles and waves to
      Charlie. Charlie waves back. Father and son resume play.
      Charlie's eyes well up.

                          HARRIET (O.S.)
                Charlie.

      Charlie's thought broken, sees HARRIET, 55, 5'7" dressed in
      mature business attire. Charlie's Agent of 40 years, savvy,
      straight forward, always able to keep Charlie in line.
      She approaches, they embrace.

                          HARRIET (CONT'D)
                The park's bigger than I remember.
                Sorry I'm late.

                          CHARLIE
                No problem. Please. Sit.

      They both sit.

                          CHARLIE (CONT'D)
                It's nice here.
                     (Beat)
                I was just watching them.

      He points to the father and son playing ball.

                          CHARLIE (CONT'D)
                Makes me think...
                     (Beat)
                ...that could've been me out there...
                with Boston.

      Harriet aware of burden he bears.

                          HARRIET
                     (Compassionately)
                Charlie, don't.

                          CHARLIE
                How can I not? I've carried it so
                long and still too scared to try to
                make it right.

      Charlie muses aloud.

                          CHARLIE (CONT'D)
                "Hi Boston. You don't know me but I'm
                your Dad. I'm the guy who abandoned
                you and your Mom when you were a baby
                to chase my dream of becoming a rock
                star. But, I was wondering if you'd
                forgive me so I can finally have some
                peace of mind".
                     (Beat)
                He must hate me.
                     (Beat)
                How could he not?

                          HARRIET
                We've been through this again and
                again. Why torture yourself?

                          CHARLIE
                Because time's running out.

                          HARRIET
                And if you run out of time or if he
                doesn't forgive you? What then?
                     (Beat)
                Boston's what, 22 now? A young man.
                     (Beat)
                No! Whatever you might want to say
                now is just going to cause more pain.
                Let it go.
                     (Beat)
                It's better left unsaid.

      Frustrated, Harriet shakes her head. Charlie is upset.

                          HARRIET (CONT'D)
                Sorry. I didn't mean to...

      Charlie collects himself.

                          CHARLIE (CONT'D)
                It doesn't matter. I wanted to talk
                about my comeback tour but I...

      Harriet cuts right in.

                          HARRIET
                Impossible Charlie.

      Charlie's taken aback.

                          CHARLIE
                     (Defensively)
                Why? I still have fans.

                          HARRIET
                Yes. You do. But nobody's going to
                back you.
                     (Beat)
                Look, I love you dearly, but a
                comeback tour? Just not going to
                happen.

      Charlie sours. Harriet senses she may have gone too far.

                          HARRIET (CONT'D)
                Listen. If it's about money, I'll
                drum up a gig or two. But it's been a
                while. You'll need to polish up.
                     (Beat)
                You ready for that?

                          CHARLIE
                It's not about money!
                     (Beat)
                But, it doesn't matter now anyway.

      Harriet looks puzzled.

                          CHARLIE (CONT'D)
                Untreatable Alcoholic Liver Disease
                with a little Cancer thrown in for
                good measure. 6 to 12 months. That's
                it.

      Harriet's in shock. Tearful.

                          CHARLIE (CONT'D)
                     (Forced smile)
                It trumps any comeback tour.

      Harriet struggles with it.

                          CHARLIE
                Oh. And a transplant? Not an option.
                Don't want to waste a good liver on a
                drunk.

      An awkward silence.

                          HARRIET
                Oh my God?
                     (Beat)
                How can I help?

                          CHARLIE
                     (Smiling)
                Well, for starters, walk with me.

      Charlie stands, puts out his hand. They walk down the path.
      Harriet holds tightly on to Charlie's arm.

      INT. DR. LOGAN'S OFFICE TORONTO - DAY

      A small examination room and office, Charlie sitting on
      examining table, putting on his shirt. The doctor, at a work
      station, tapping on computer keyboard.

                          CHARLIE
                So, no more drinking and only low
                dose opioids?!

                          DR. LOGAN
                Unfortunately, yes. Both exacerbate
                your condition.

      Doctor pauses, finishes on keyboard, then lays it out.

                          DR. LOGAN (CONT'D)
                Look, you aren't going to beat this
                Charlie. So, sometimes you do
                what you have to do.
                     (Beat)
                Although I can't prescribe it, Marijuana is
                an option.

      Charlie struggles to keep emotions in check.

                          CHARLIE
                And a holiday? Is that an option?

                          DR. LOGAN
                A couple of weeks maybe. Not to far.
                     (Beat)
                Look. You know what to do
                day to day to keep things under
                control. And if you can't, head to
                the nearest hospital emergency.
                     (Beat)
                But, be careful. Leaving familiar
                surroundings can increase stress. And
                stress is something you need to
                avoid!

      Charlie sighs and looks away.

                          DR. LOGAN (CONT'D)
                The nurse will bring your
                prescriptions.

      The Doctor exits. Charlie doing up his shirt, stares
      aimlessly at floor.

      INT. STOKERS' BACK ROOM - LATE

      Music equipment set up on stage, guitar in stand, laptop sits
      on edge of stage. On one side of laptop sits Curtis, other
      side Boston. Taking a break.

                          CURTIS
                The second one sounded better.

      Boston nods tentatively.

                          CURTIS (CONT'D)
                     (Making fun)
                But hey! A lots riding on this.

      Curtis pauses.

                          CURTIS (CONT'D)
                You blow it... she won't.

      Joke upsets Boston.

                          BOSTON
                Piss off!

      Boston tries to bolster confidence.

                          BOSTON (CONT'D)
                I'm not going to mess this up!

                          CURTIS
                Oh, come on! You and women always end
                messed up!

                          BOSTON
                Not always!

      Curtis, a questioning look.

                          BOSTON (CONT'D)
                OK! Sometimes.
                     (beat)
                So, I lose interest. Get turned off
                by... food stuck in her teeth,
                whatever. But that happens to lots of
                guys.

      Boston perks up.

                          BOSTON (CONT'D)
                But Allie's different.

                          CURTIS
                Why?

      Boston's caught of guard, no answer.

                          BOSTON
                Screw off!
                     (beat)
                I don't know why! I just feel it!

      Curtis doesn't buy it.

                          BOSTON (CONT'D)
                Look who's talking. When's the last
                time you brought someone back to the
                apartment?

                          CURTIS
                     (Pretentiously)
                Hey, I fuck them, I'm gone. No
                breakfast shit for me.
                     (Cocky)
                Hard to do if you're in your own bed!

                          BOSTON
                You're so full of shit! Probably
                still a virgin!

      Curtis ignores him. Boston let's it go, thinks deeply.

                          BOSTON
                So you feel 'Wonder's' the one?

      Boston waits for response.

                          CURTIS
                     (confidently)
                It has Allie written all over it!
                     (beat)
                So... run it a couple more times.

      Boston nods approval.

                          CURTIS
                Then back to the apartment. Scored
                some wicked hash today.

      Boston smiles, eyes close, feigns a body high.

                          BOSTON
                     (erotically)
                That's chill.....

      Boston picks up guitar. Curtis lays back on stage, knees up,
      zones out through tuning check.

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I wanted to check in; I'm a screenwriter that's also trying to raise money through steem for projects.
Just wondering how much you're aiming to raise and how far you are from your goal?

Hi... sorry I'm late replying. Been prepping for a shoot in Montreal. It's not a question of budget at this point. The objective is to get the screenplay onto the blockchain first and foremost. We are getting right now about what we were expecting. The platform is still in it's infancy! What we want to do is build the SteemFilm reputation. However, the model we've laid out is a good one we believe. Take 50% for yourself, 50% for your film and blog everything you can from the beginning to the film festivals. Use text, videos of auditions, production behind the scenes and of Film Festival events. Also, you can do personal videos discussing the the event yourself. Don't expect to make sizeable money on your blogs at this time. Once Steem value rises and we get 'effortless on-boarding" and mobile deployed, things should get pretty lively. You're starting art thee right time. Good luck!

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