Shelter: The Filmed Script Part 1/2
There was some mumbling and a name or two that escaped me but here's the filmed script for Shelter. You would think that by now it wouldn't get to me but it still does. Jonah Markowitz crafted such an awesome script. It's one of those rare stories where it would be a shame to leave anything out and ultimately you only want more. I tried to keep the commentary to a bare minimum but I slipped here and there. So good!
Feel free to use and make corrections as you please as long as you credit the talent involved. They sure deserve it.
SHELTER
Written and Directed by Jonah Markowitz
Produced by J.D. DiSalvatore
Music by Shane Mack
FEATURING:
Trevor Wright as Zach
Brad Rowe as Shaun
Tina Holmes as Jeanne
Jackson Wurth as Cody
Ross Thomas as Gabe
Katie Walder as Tori
EXT. DAY.
Zach skateboards through his working class San Pedro neighborhood seemingly unfettered. Occasionally he stops and tags a surface with his stencil based street art. At one point he paints a relief of a house with a bridge behind it. This art turns into his actual home on a corner with the Vincent Thomas suspension bridge looming in the background.
INT. HOME. DAY.
Zach enters his house. Dad is asleep in a chair. Cody is playing with a toy car and a vial of pills on the sofa.
ZACH
Codes …
CODY
Hey Zach!
ZACH
What’s up buddy?
CODY
Poppy’s sleeping.
ZACH
Yeah, I could tell.
[Takes the pills from Cody.]
Don’t play with these, OK?
CODY
OK.
ZACH
These are for grandpa.
CODY
OK!
ZACH
Dad? Wake up. Wake up. Take these.
DAD
[Groans.]
ZACH
Did you do your stretches today, dad?
DAD
Uhh …
[Jeanne enters the house.]
JEANNE
Hey Cody.
CODY
Hey mom.
JEANNE
How’re you doin’, kiddo?
[Kisses Cody.]
DAD
Did you bring the cigarettes?
JEANNE
Here.
[Tosses an open pack at Dad.]
Hey Zach, umm …
ZACH
What’s up, sis?
JEANNE
Change of plans. Can you take Cody?
ZACH
I’ve got a shift and then I was going to go see Gabe before he leaves town.
JEANNE
I’ve gotta take dad home and then Alan called and I was suppose to meet up with him later. Could leave him with dad.
ZACH
Cody. Let’s go for a ride.
JEANNE
Thank you.
CODY
Can I drive?
JEANNE
C’mon dad, I’ll give you a ride back to Callie [?].
ZACH
Sure. Go get her started.
INT. PACIFIC DINER. DAY.
Zach is working as a short order cook. He places a plate of scrambled eggs on a shelf for pick up and looks out over the diner for Cody who’s drawing quietly at a table.
ZACH
Cody?
Cody looks up and Zach gives him the You Rock! Sign with his hand. Cody smiles and returns the gesture. Zach goes back to work.
ZACH
Table five!
[To the diner owner]
I told you. I can’t close up today.
DINER OWNER
Hal’s not here yet. You’re stuck, kid.
[Zach tries to arrange the food appealingly.]
DINER OWNER
This is a diner Picasso not the Louver. C’mon! People are waiting.
[Zach goes back to work as Hal shows up.]
ZACH
Finally, man! I gotta go. Cody let’s jet!
INT. ZACH’S EARLY MODEL JIMMY.
Zach drives from his neighborhood into Gabe’s with Cody in the back seat. As the VT bridge is crossed the scenery begins to dramatically change from working class San Pedro to gated beach community with one house outdoing the last. Zach pulls into a long driveway and hops out.
ZACH
Yo, Gabe!
Gabe is performing stunts with his skateboard by his front door as Zach joins him.
ZACH
Hey-hey the Gabe-ster!
GABE
Yo!
ZACH
Still learning to skate I see.
[They hug warmly. Laugh.]
GABE
Fuck you. What up-what up?
ZACH
I’ve got Cody in the car so let’s go.
GABE
[Tosses his backpack at Zach]
Baby on board, huh?
ZACH
I’m taking you to the lot, right?
GABE
Yeah. Cool.
INT. ZACH’S CAR. GABE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.
Gabe works on firing up a joint as Cody sleeps in the back.
GABE
You should come up to SB. You know. It wouldn’t hurt you to get some pussy you didn’t get in high school.
[Zach remains quiet.]
You and Tori broke it off, right?
ZACH
Sorta. You know how it is.
GABE
Sort of?
[Gabe gets ready to smoke his joint. Zach checks the rearview mirror for Cody.]
ZACH
Dude.
GABE
What?
ZACH
He’s five.
GABE
He’s sleeping.
CODY
No, I’m not.
GABE
You are a sly one.
ZACH
Likes to pretend he’s sleeping.
GABE
Go figure.
CODY
That smells like Alan’s cigarettes.
GABE
[Whispering to Zach]
Who’s Alan?
CODY
Jeanne’s boyfriend.
GABE
Of the week.
[Back to Zach]
Dude, why don’t you try to go to Santa Barbara community college? Crash at our house until you get your own place, you know. At least get the fuck out of San Pedro.
ZACH
I don’t think the whole student thing is gonna happen right now.
GABE
Why? Because you didn’t get into that art institute place? Go somewhere else.
ZACH
Art institute place … Whatever. It’s all right. Scholarship was my ticket.
GABE
Well, you are the King of Scholarships.
ZACH
Got me into your Richie Rich private school.
GABE
On the short bus every day.
ZACH
Rich fuck.
GABE
Fuck you ghetto trash.
ZACH
You ever declare a major.
GABE
Larry said I should go for Communications.
ZACH
Communications? What does that mean?
GABE
Means I’m set, dude. Larry’s going to set me up with someone at his firm, you know, so I can go back and get some more partying out of my system, move back here, buy a couple suits, start making some real cash. You could have the same life - if you want it.
EXT. DAY. PARKING LOT.
Zach and Cody are sitting on the tailgate of the Jimmy as Gabe gathers his things to leave.
GABE
Alright, man. Come up and hang out soon, OK?
ZACH
Alright.
GABE
No, I mean it this time, dude. You’ve been up once. That shit ain’t right.
ZACH
I know.
GABE
Look, I’ll get you a plane ticket or just get in the car and drive.
ZACH
OK.
GABE
Alright.
[Bumps his fist with Cody’s]
Codeman. Keep it real, playboy.
[To Zach]
Promise?
ZACH
Yeah.
GABE
[Calling out to his friends who are waiting for him]
I’m here, bitches! Let’s roll!
INT. JEANNE AND ZACH’S HOUSE. DAY.
Zach opens the front door and Cody bursts through it. Jeanne is reclining on the sofa watching TV.
ZACH
[Laughing softly]
OK OK. Go.
CODY
[Runs through the living room]
Gotta pee! Gotta pee! Gotta pee!
JEANNE
Hey.
ZACH
Hey. Gonna go out for a session.
JEANNE
No, I thought you were staying. I went shopping. And I invited Ellen over.
ZACH
Uhh …
JEANNE
What?
[Cody comes back into the living room with a walkie-talkie.]
CODY
Jeanne.
JEANNE
You’re an eligible bachelor, right?
CODY
Jeanne.
JEANNE
That’s what I heard. Not that you would ever tell me.
CODY
[Walkie-talkie squawks]
Hey …
JEANNE
Shhh. You know if you keep breaking up with Tori like that one of these times she’s not coming back.
CODY
[Into the walkie-talkie]
Jeanne Jeanne, come in, Jeanne. Cody to Jeanne.
JEANNE
Cody I don’t want to play right now. Just watch the TV, OK?
ZACH
OK. So I’m headed out, alright? It’s breakin’ hard.
JEANNE
‘K.
EXT. BEACH. AFTERNOON.
Zach surfs in a way that makes it look like even when he’s having fun it’s in a very industrious way.
EXT. HOME. LATE AFTERNOON.
Zach is in the patio area overlooking the VT bridge at a long table with his art. It’s a great mess and yet he is capturing the colors of the sunset.
INT. MARKET. DAY.
Jeanne works unhappily as a cashier.
EXT. MARKET. DAY.
Zach and Cody are occupying a picnic table while they wait for Jeanne. The table is covered in Zach’s childhood artwork.
CODY
When did you draw this one?
ZACH
A long time ago. My mom use to work here just like yours. So sometimes I would just wait out here and I’d draw. Here. I’ll show you how.
[Draws on the table with a black sharpie]
Go around there. Like that. OK now, you just fill it in. Want the silver?
CODY
Who was waiting with you?
ZACH
When?
CODY
When you drew these?
ZACH
No one.
CODY
What about Poppy?
ZACH
Well, he was very hurt from when he fell and hurt his back at work.
CODY
He’s your dad.
ZACH
Yes.
CODY
And you’re my dad.
ZACH
No, Cody. I’m your uncle. Your mommy is my sister. That makes me your uncle. Roy’s your daddy.
CODY
Nope. You’re my daddy. You’re my daddy. You’re my daddy. You’re my daddy. You’re my daddy.
ZACH
Hey … Keep drawing.
INT. HOME. NIGHT.
Jeanne and her friend Ellen are sitting at the kitchen table smoking and drinking shots before a night out. Zach enters the kitchen.
ELLEN
Hey Zach.
ZACH
What’s up?
JEANNE
Hey Zach, you’re staying in tonight, right? Alan’s playing at the Landmine and he put us on the guest list.
ELLEN
Looks like you’re the babysitter tonight, little brother.
ZACH
Guess so.
INT. HOME. ZACH’S ROOM. NIGHT.
Zach is drawing in his sketchbook when he decides to call Tori.
TORI
Hello?
ZACH
Hey, Monkey.
TORI
Hey, what are you doin’?
ZACH
Ohh, guess.
TORI
Babysitting.
ZACH
Bingo!
TORI
Hey listen, can I give you a call back?
ZACH
Where are you?
TORI
Are you there? Zach? I can’t hear anything.
ZACH
Uhh, yeah.
TORI
Hey, I’m losing you.
ZACH
Yeah, I’m here.
TORI
Can you hear me? Hel - [giggles]
ZACH
Tori, I was just thinkin’ …
TORI
[Indistinct talk. Giggles.]
ZACH
Hello?
The line goes dead. Zach tosses his phone to the foot of his bed and momentarily goes back to his drawing. He notices that Cody has gone to sleep on the bed opposite him and gets up to carefully remove Cody’s worn out shoes and cover him up. Just as he does there is the sound of Jeanne’s laughter and loud thudding noises.
INT. KITCHEN. NIGHT.
Jeanne and her boyfriend Alan kiss and push each other around the kitchen, laughing and making a lot of noise.
JEANNE
Geez! Christ! You fucking idiot. [Laughs] Oh, my god. I think they’re over there. [Laughs]
[Zach enters the kitchen.]
ZACH
Jeanne, what the fuck?
JEANNE
Shit. That’s bad.
ZACH
I just put him to bed.
JEANNE
Oh, c’mon. He can sleep through anything.
ZACH
Just keep it down alright?
ALAN
Did you get cigarettes?
JEANNE
Yeah. C’mere.
ALAN
Come where? Come here?
[Jeanne laughs]
EXT. BEACH HOUSE. DAY.
Zach drives across the bridge to Gabe’s house and enters the back patio from the side. This is obviously a common occurrence. He waxes his surfboard with the kind of industry that most people use to put out fires. Shaun, eating a bowl of cereal, joins him.
SHAUN
I thought your ghetto-ass would be done breaking and entering by now.
ZACH
Then change the code, bitch.
SHAUN
Whata you gonna tag the garage next?
ZACH
That may not go over. You know, with the Pacific Bluff home owners agreement I wouldn’t wanna set your dad in trouble with the board.
SHAUN
Step-dad.
ZACH
I left my long board here.
SHAUN
That’s cool. How’re you doin’, man?
ZACH
Good. Good. You know.
SHAUN
Haven’t seen you since like after graduation. Whata you been up to?
ZACH
Nothing. Working, you know. How about you?
SHAUN
Oh, I’m just down for a few weeks. House is empty. I can enjoy it. Clear my head a little bit.
ZACH
Thought you hated it down here.
SHAUN
Miss the ocean.
ZACH
Dude. You live in LA.
SHAUN
I don’t paddle out there.
ZACH
You wanna go?
SHAUN
Surfin’?
ZACH
Uh, yeah.
SHAUN
I suppose there are still a few things I could teach you.
ZACH
Ohhh …
SHAUN
You will soon learn butterfly.
ZACH
Perhaps Master underestimates Student. Bring it on, city boy.
EXT. BEACH. DAY.
Montage. Zach and Shaun fall into an old rhythm. Surfing reestablishes their friendship
EXT. BEACH. DAY.
Zach and Shaun sit on the beach after surfing.
ZACH
Picked a good time to come out.
SHAUN
Yeah, tides comin’ in.
ZACH
Yeah.
SHAUN
Hey, where your living now?
ZACH
With Jeanie in San Pedro. It’s just for now. You know. Trying to save up to get my own place. But, you know, it’s close to my dad and work and stuff.
SHAUN
Well, you guys are welcome to come out here anytime you want.
ZACH
Just like old times, huh?
SHAUN
Minus Gabe.
ZACH
Right. Hey, you see him much?
SHAUN
A bit. He came down last year with some of his friends. Those guys like to party.
ZACH
Yeah. You can say that again.
SHAUN
How is Jeanne doing?
ZACH
You know. The same, I guess. Try to help out as much as I can.
SHAUN
I cannot see her as a mom. Cody must be getting big, huh?
ZACH
Yeah. He’s five already.
SHAUN
Wow.
ZACH
It’s crazy. Time just flies.
SHAUN
Yeah. Trust me, it only gets faster.
ZACH
I’ll bet.
EXT. BEACH PARKING LOT. DAY.
Zach is loading a surfboard into the back of his car when Tori joins him.
TORI
Hey, Monkey!
ZACH
Hey Monkey.
[They kiss hello]
What’s up? What are you doing down here?
TORI
The only place for a dogs and a fire on the beach. Come down and grab a beer.
ZACH
Cool. I’ll be down in a sec.
TORI
Alright.
[Tori leaves and Shaun joins Zach.]
ZACH
So you wanna go grab a beer or do you wanna just take off or what?
SHAUN
Yeah, I’ll grab a beer. Sounds good.
ZACH
Cool.
EXT. DOWN BY THE WATER. DAY.
Shaun is throwing a Frisbee for a dog while Zach and Tori talk.
ZACH
So, who’d you come down with?
TORI
Billy. Who is that?
ZACH
It’s Shaun.
TORI
Gabe’s brother?
ZACH
Yeah. He doesn’t come back much. He’s been pretty MIA.
TORI
It’s nice to see you.
ZACH
[Catches the Frisbee that Shaun throws at him]
It’s good to see you, too.
[To Shaun]
Go long!
SHAUN
You gonna play? You gonna play or are you just gonna sit here and talk shit about me?
ZACH
Go long!
[Zach runs off with the Frisbee.]
TORI
Nice throw. I’m Tori.
SHAUN
I remember you. You were 13 and you had crimped hair but I remember you. I bought you guys wine coolers. I think you puked on my parents deck.
TORI
Wow …
SHAUN
You still putting up with this guys shit?
TORI
Well, we’re both still here.
SHAUN
Right on.
[Zach and Shaun continue to play with the Frisbee as the sun sets.]
EXT. BEACH. NIGHT.
Several people including Zach, Shaun and Tori are sitting around a campfire drinking beer and telling stories.
BILLY
That’s why you never tell a woman how to cook a chicken.
[Everyone laughs.]
SHARI
I can’t believe you got shot by a chick.
BILLY
[To Shaun}
Shaun, right? Aren’t you Gabe’s bro?
SHAUN
Yeah.
BILLY
Heard you went all Hollywood writing movies or something.
SHAUN
Yeah, or something.
BILLY
[To Zach]
What’s the deal? You still with Tori then?
[Zach shrugs noncommittal.]
BILLY
What are you, a fag? I mean she’s hot.
[Shaun leaves]
So it’s cool if I move in on that then?
[Zach leaves and joins Shaun.]
ZACH
Swell’s coming in.
SHAUN
Yeah, it looks that way. Trip seeing Tori.
ZACH
Yeah, I bet.
SHAUN
You guys have been together for years.
ZACH
Yeah, we’re just taking a little break right now. Yeah, she’s my best friend - other than Gabe. It’s all good. You dating anyone?
SHAUN
Nah, I just broke up.
ZACH
Really? That why you’re really down here?
SHAUN
Nah, no no … Yeah, actually it is. I moved out of our place and my new lease doesn’t start until the end of the month.
ZACH
That’s cool.
[Zach’s phone buzzes.]
ZACH
I’m sorry.
SHAUN
Mmmhuh.
ZACH
Hello. I thought we weren’t going to leave him over there? No, don’t drive Jeanie. I’ll go get him. Yeah.
[To Shaun]
I gotta go.
SHAUN
Alright.
ZACH
Tori said she needs a ride, so …
SHAUN
Oh, that’s cool. I’ll catch a ride from someone. It was great riding today. Alright, man.
ZACH
It was good seeing you, man. It was fun.
SHAUN
Cool.
INT. HOME. LATE EVENING.
Zach and Tori are watching a horror film on TV, eating popcorn and sitting close. Tori begins to kiss Zach but Zach seems more interested in the movie.
TORI
I’m gonna leave.
ZACH
Wait. C’mere.
TORI
I’m tired. Late.
[Tori leaves]
INT. BEACH HOUSE. BEDROOM. LATE EVENING.
Shaun is laying on a bed and going through his laptop of something he’s written.
SHAUN
Did I write this shit? Oh my god.
[Closes laptop]
[Begins looking through an odd pile of discs and junk when he finds a homemade video called SKATE THIS! with ZACH & GABE and a walkie-talkie. He sits on his bed and begins to watch the video while he absently fiddles with the walkie-talkie. In the video a high school age Zach and Gabe are skating and clowning around for the camera which, presumably, Shaun was working.]
INT. HOME. ZACH’S BEDROOM. LATE EVENING.
Zach is on his bed drawing on his wall with a black marker. Cody’s walkie-talkie barks out some static while Zach looks for it.
SHAUN
Hello-hello? Is anyone out there?
[Zach finds the walkie-talkie and recognizes Shaun’s voice.]
SHAUN
Is anyone out there?
ZACH
[Deep and gravely.]
Helloooo. Shaaaaun.
SHAUN
Who the fuck is this?
ZACH
Master does not know his own Student. Student is ashamed. Master gets ooolder. Where’d you find these?
SHAUN
Ah dude, they were just laying around the house.
ZACH
Man, Gabe and I use to stay up for hours on these.
SHAUN
I can’t believe that these go all the way to your house.
ZACH
All the way to the ghetto. Yeah they were the latest technology back then. I think your dad bought them for Gabe in an airport when he missed a Christmas one year.
SHAUN
Step-dad. Yeah, I remember that year. I think he got me a talking dartboard.
ZACH
That sucks.
SHAUN
Oh hey, I uh, I saw some of your tags today. They’re sweet.
ZACH
Yeah?
SHAUN
Yeah, you got that crane thing going on. It looks cool. Glad to see someone’s doing their artwork.
ZACH
Yeah. Sometimes.
SHAUN
It was ah … It was nice riding out there today.
ZACH
Yeah.
[Shaun’s walkie-talkie makes an odd buzzing sound]
SHAUN
Ah, what’s that?
ZACH
Your battery’s probably going to run out. It probably hasn’t been replaced in 10 years.
[Zach hears the music from the video.]
ZACH
What’re you listening to?
SHAUN
Uhh. Nothing.
[The walkie-talkie buzzes again and ends the conversation. Shaun continues to watch the video and Zach goes back to drawing on the walls - this time with a red marker.]
INT. BEACH HOUSE. MORNING.
Shaun is in a bathrobe talking himself through a plotline in a story he’s writing.
SHAUN
[Mumbling]
He’s a fighter. He’s totally a fighter. He’s gonna kick his ass. But he wants to look good kicking his ass. He’s wearing a sweet suit and he’s gonna kick his ass.
[Sits down to start writing it out when the doorbell rings.]
[Sighs.]
[Zach is at the door. Swinging his arms, animated and loose when Shaun answers the door in his bathrobe, a scarf and a pipe he blows bubbles with.]
ZACH
[Laughs]
Dude it’s breaking overhead. Lets go on over to the Bu.
SHAUN
I’m working.
ZACH
Really? That’s too bad. [Wee voice] Alright … I’ll see you later then.
SHAUN
Alright, wait a minute. Hold on. I’ll come.
ZACH
You might wanna change first. C’mon dude lets go!
INT. ZACH’S CAR. DAY.
Zach and Shaun are driving along the Pacific Coast Highway when they come to a stop and observe several surfers jockeying for waves.
SHAUN
Oh, it’s a fucking circus out there.
ZACH
I’ll protect you from the big burley.
SHAUN
I got a better spot. Better spot.
ZACH
Pussy.
[They drive further on down the highway admiring the breakers along the way.]
ZACH
Oh, those are nice.
SHAUN
Yeah, it’s a great little piece of surf. I just gotta figure out where the little inlet is. Ahh … Oh! Right there. Right there. Careful.
ZACH
You should have told me sooner.
SHAUN
Sorry. Sorry. Go.
[They pull into a vacant area and park and admire the waves.]
ZACH
That’s wrecked!
SHAUN
Sorry I never told you and Gabe about this place, man. I just, uh, didn’t want it to turn into the remnants of your keggers every Sunday morning. It’s my place I use to come to get away, think.
ZACH
And surf?
SHAUN
And surf.
ZACH
Let’s go.
SHAUN
Let’s go.
EXT. BEACH TRAIL. DAY.
Zach and Shaun are walking along a beach trail.
SHAUN
So you still thinking about applying to art school?
ZACH
Ahh, I do street art now. It’s cool though, you know. What are you working on?
SHAUN
A book.
ZACH
Oh, it’s been like, ahh, 3 years since the last one, huh? Is it really long or something?
SHAUN
Fuck off.
ZACH
You sure didn’t leave much out of the last one.
SHAUN
You read it?
ZACH
Who knew there would be so much drama inside the gates of Pacific Bluffs? I never knew.
SHAUN
You never really know what’s happening inside.
ZACH
Yeah, that’s what I liked about it.
SHAUN
I did embellish a little bit. It is fiction.
ZACH
Changed a couple of names?
SHAUN
When did you read it?
ZACH
When it came out.
SHAUN
Huh. Funny, Gabe never mentioned anything.
ZACH
I never told him. Why would he tell you?
SHAUN
I just never knew that you knew about me.
ZACH
What’s the new one about?
SHAUN
Uhh, still trying to figure that one out. Don’t really have a subject yet. But, I’ll get it back.
ZACH
I hope so. You’re good.
SHAUN
You really liked it?
ZACH
Yeah. You hungry?
SHAUN
Yeah, you wanna go to the Shack or something?
ZACH
Yeah, definitely.
INT. THE SHACK. DAY.
Zach and Shaun continue to spend the day together at a restaurant.
ZACH
So. How long are you staying around?
SHAUN
I’m gonna be here for a while. I was suppose to go to Barcelona to meet a friend next month but, ah, I’m kinda broke.
ZACH
You should ask Larry for the cash.
SHAUN
Oh, no no. That’s not my style. Have you ever been to Europe?
ZACH
Uhhh, I’ve been to Florida once and that time your parents took me to Mexico.
SHAUN
Ahh yes, that’s right that’s right.
ZACH
That’s about it. I don’t travel much.
SHAUN
You should go, man.
ZACH
I’d like to someday.
SHAUN
I mean just for the art.
ZACH
Yeah.
[Zach’s phone buzzes. He glances at the screen.]
Uhhh …
SHAUN
Go ahead. Take it.
ZACH
Nah. It’s cool.
SHAUN
What? You guys are like in limbo or something?
ZACH
Yeah. Yeah.
SHAUN
I’m not good at that.
ZACH
Takes a little practice.
[They both laugh.]
EXT. BEACH HOUSE. BACK PATIO. NIGHT.
Zach and Shaun are drinking beer while sitting on a double wide patio chaise.
SHAUN
And he drives right through the stop sign and out into some field. Totally passed out.
ZACH
He must have been wasted, man.
SHAUN
He was totally hammered. He’s a fuckin’ idiot. But he’s my brother and I love him.
ZACH
And my best friend. Cheers.
SHAUN
Cheers. Oh, man …
ZACH
I’m gonna get another? You?
SHAUN
Mmm-huh.
ZACH
Alright.
[After Zach leaves Shaun notices Zach’s sketch book and begins to look through it.]
[Zach comes back.]
ZACH
Here you go.
SHAUN
Thanks brother. Wow …
ZACH
Oooh! What’re you doing?
SHAUN
Easy dude, it’s OK. I wanna look at it.
ZACH
No one ever looks at that.
[Shaun takes the book back and continues to look through it.]
SHAUN
Wow, is that Cody?
ZACH
Yeah.
SHAUN
Sad Cody.
ZACH
You could tell?
SHAUN
Yeah, in how you darkened it around his head. This is incredible. And there’s no toys in his room. Wow. It’s awesome.
ZACH
Yeah, he had just gotten scolded and he was trying to understand why so he came into my room. He hasn’t left yet. It’s the only place he can sleep. OK enough.
[Shaun makes Zach yank the book out of his hands. They nudge and swat each other and then enter into a brief tussling match. The tension is broken.]
SHAUN
Ow! Oh-ho! Ow. Adams apple.
ZACH
I’m trashed.
SHAUN
Cops are definitely coming.
[They quiet down. Shaun’s hand falls back against Zach’s chest as Zach watches him intently. Shaun’s hand grasps at Zach’s shirt almost absently as he makes a decision. Shaun cautiously raises up on an elbow over Zach and cups his neck. When that move is met without rebuke he leans down and bestows a series of kisses that Zach returns. Shaun falls back to his side of the chaise. They are both profoundly affected.]
EXT. BEACH HOUSE. BACK PATIO. MORNING.
Zach wakes up on the chaise with Shaun sleeping beside him.
ZACH
Shit!
[Zach leaves without waking Shaun.]
INT. ZACH’S CAR. MORNING.
Zach, thrown by the kiss, sits in traffic until someone honks at him to go. He rushes home.
INT. HOME. MORNING.
Jeanne sits at the kitchen table smoking, impatient and agitated. Zach bursts through the door.
ZACH
What? You’ll make it.
JEANNE
Cody, let’s go! Where were you?
ZACH
Surfing.
JEANNE
All night?
ZACH
Yeah, what the fuck?
JEANNE
I’m just asking.
ZACH
Want a ride or not?
JEANNE
Go. Cody let’s go!
INT. ZACH’S CAR. MORNING.
Zach drives Jeanne to work with Cody in the back seat.
ZACH
Maybe I should re-apply to CalArts.
CODY
What’s CalArts?
ZACH
It’s a school, buddy.
CODY
I get to go to school next year.
ZACH
Yup.
JEANNE
They already turned you down. What made you think of that?
ZACH
It’s just a thought.
JEANNE
Don’t get your hopes up. I mean we’re having a hard time, Zach, I don’t need you getting all down.
ZACH
Yeah.
JEANNE
Alan paints houses. Maybe I can see if he can hook you up with a job.
EXT. MARKET PARKING LOT. MORNING.
ZACH
[Lifting Cody out of the car.]
Oooph. Heavy. C’mon.
[See’s Tori.]
I’ll be right in.
JEANNE
Alright.
[To Cody]
Hurry up.
[Jeanne and Cody leave. Zach approaches Tori by her car.]
TORI
Hey Monkey.
ZACH
Hey.
[Tries to kiss her but she squirms out of it.]
TORI
I’m late.
EXT. BEACH PARKING LOT. AFTERNOON INTO EARLY EVENING.
Lots of surfers are about. Zach parks and begins to put on his wet suit next to another surfer who is changing out of his. They exchange a brief nod but Zach continues to look for a beat too long and gets caught at it. He looks away. He begins to surf, apparently trying to recapture some of the relief it brought when he surfed on his own before. It seems to only give him a place to think about things he doesn’t want to think about.
INT. HOME. BATHROOM. EARLY EVENING.
Zach is taking a shower when Jeanne enters the doorway.
JEANNE
Hey.
ZACH
Oh, hey.
JEANNE
I hear you been hanging out with Shaun.
ZACH
Surfing.
JEANNE
Well, you know about him, right?
ZACH
What about him?
JEANNE
He’s gay.
ZACH
It’s alright, Jeannie. We’ve been surfing together since I was 8.
JEANNE
Yeah, well, is that all?
ZACH
Yeah. What’re you saying?
JEANNE
Nothin’.
ZACH
Good.
JEANNE
Zach, I just, I don’t think that he’s the best guy to be hanging out with all day half naked, if you know what I mean. I don’t want Cody around that.
ZACH
What?! Why? I’m late. Get out.
JEANNE
Alright …
ZACH
Oh, god …
[Jeanne leaves and then comes back.]
JEANNE
Zach, you’re not a fag, right?
ZACH
Jeannie …
JEANNE
Wait. You never tell me anything. How am I suppose to know?
ZACH
What do think?
JEANNE
I wouldn’t want to deal with that.
[She leaves again. Zach is left to look at himself in the mirror.]
EXT. BEACH. DAY.
Cody and Tori are together while Zach is changing by the tailgate of his car. Cody is building a sand castle. Shaun joins Zach.
SHAUN
[Knocks on the Jimmy]
Hey dude. Tried calling you.
ZACH
Yeah.
SHAUN
I just wanted to a -
ZACH
I’ve been really busy, man.
SHAUN
Yeah, that’s cool.
ZACH
Yeah. I know.
SHAUN
Listen man -
ZACH
Just drop it, dude.
SHAUN
OK.
[Shaun leaves.]
[Shaun jogs past Tori and Cody when Tori notices him.]
TORI
Hey, Shaun!
SHAUN
Hey. What’s up?
CODY
I need help.
TORI
Shaun, this is Cody.
SHAUN
Cody, how are you, man. I’m Shaun.
CODY
I need help.
SHAUN
You need help. Uhhh, alright. But, ah, dude you got it all wrong. See, you gotta fortify the corners of the mote first.
CODY
Forty-fi?
[Zach joins them.]
ZACH
Codes. Let’s go.
CODY
I’m not done. I have to forty-fi.
TORI
Shaun, do mind looking after Cody for a second?
SHAUN
We’re cool.
TORI
[To Zach.]
Let’s go for a walk.
ZACH
Nah, I don’t think I should leave Cody.
TORI
C’mon. Shaun can watch him.
SHAUN
You guys, go. It’s fine.
ZACH
Alright.
SHAUN
[To Cody]
Here we go. That’s going to be a sweet walking bridge. Oh, look at that!
[Zach and Tori sit on the railings of lifeguard shack.]
TORI
Shaun’s great with Cody.
ZACH
Listen, I’m sorry about the other day. Was stupid.
TORI
Just make up your mind, Zach. If you don’t want to be together then just don’t pull that shit on me.
ZACH
OK.
TORI
If it’s what you want then I’m going to move on.
ZACH
Alright.
TORI
You know what that means, right?
ZACH
Yeah Tori, I know what that means. Ssst. Go OK.
[Zach and Tori join Shaun and Cody.]
ZACH
C’mon Cody. Time to go.
CODY
Five more minutes. Shaun rocks!
ZACH
No, Cody, let’s go!
CODY
Shaun rocks. Can I jump on the sand castle?
ZACH
No, we gotta go. C’mon.
SHAUN
Hey the tides gonna get it anyway. You might as well let him have at it.
ZACH
Go ahead.
[Shaun and Cody whoop and laugh as they jump on the sand castle.]
SHAUN
Yee-ha! Alright man. Great job.
TORI
C’mon, little man.
SHAUN
Syanara!
[Catches Zach’s arm as he’s about to leave.]
Hey. I just wanted to talk to you about the other night.
ZACH
Why?
SHAUN
I think you’re really talented. And I don’t think you should throw it away. I think you should do something with it.
ZACH
That it?
SHAUN
Yeah.
ZACH
Late.
[Zach leaves.]
EXT. SHOT OF ZACH’S CAR. DAY.
Zach pulls up to Tori’s house. She gets out without a word.
ZACH
Tor, I’ll call -
[Tori exits the car. Zach guns the motor and then peels away.]
EXT. BEACH. AFTERNOON.
Zach is back at the beach by himself. Cold and unhappy.
Part 2 ===>