John From Cincinnati
Episode 7

Click for the trailer

(Open at the beach as Butchie is surfing alone. We see him attempt several aerial jumps and wipe out. We also see Kai watching him from a distance. After trying several times, Butchie makes a couple of jumps, each slightly better. Kai gets up and leaves after watching this. Butchie takes a couple more waves, then walks out of the water)

(Cut to Cass’ room. She is sleeping in bed as John sits on the edge of the bed. As John talks to her, she seems to be sleeping)

John: Some day, yesterday, Cass. Yesterday was a three-ring circus. I’m going to be with my father today. My father has more big and huge for me. Without the zeros and ones, Cass, big and huge won’t mean dick. (John turns and looks at Cass, who’s eyes are still closed.)

Cass: (Touching her hand to her heart) Work here. (John gets up and leaves the room)

(Cut to Butchie’s motel room. He is exiting the bathroom wrapped in a towel. We see Dwayne standing outside the screen door, looking in at Butchie)

Butchie: Two stop bus ride, Dwayne, from lurking outside the door to fuckin’ turning into a full-blown homo.

Dwayne: Can I come in?

Butchie: No. Stay the fuck outside. (Dwayne comes in) Still brooming the spider-webs off our web site?

Dwayne: 1244 hits. 1244 hits in like, 24 hours.

Butchie: No shit! (sarcastic)

Dwayne: It’s the halo effect from Shaun.

Butchie: Far out.

Dwayne: Bottom line, I think Shaun needs his own site.

Butchie: Well he’s already on “MyTube” or whatever the fuck you call it.

Dwayne: A site, Butchie, commercial portal capacity like five years ahead of the curve I thought to put in yours, and you never fucking exploited?

Butchie: You ah, you think that’s where it all went wrong? Me not exploiting my, ah, portal capacity?

Dwayne: No, I’m not talking about you at all, Butchie. I’m just saying, if Shaun doesn’t do it, whoever sponsors him will, and he’ll end up getting used like some street whore. Does any of that sound familiar to you?

Butchie: Huh, I guess that makes sense. Well, you aughta go talk to him, and now’s a good time ‘cause Mitch is at the restoration center, or whatever the fuck he’s doing in Mexico.

Dwayne: I don’t suppose you’d like to come with me.

Butchie: Nah, I got a butt plug exploiting my portal. (pauses) What the fuck am I gonna say to him, Dwayne?

Dwayne: Yeah, OK.. In case he doesn’t understand how I talk, was all.

Butchie: Fuck, I used to work at the U.N., baby! Now I’ll have to cancel all of my many previous engagements. (They head out the door together.)

Dwayne: Yeah, I’ll have to cancel all of mine too.

Butchie: That’s right. (As they head outside, Dwayne picks up a little scooter.)

Dwayne: Where are we lookin’, I’ll meet you.

Butchie: Dwayne, Dwayne, Dwayne! Some gang-banger will hit you upside the head and I’ll have to collect you with a spoon and blotter. (He grabs Dwayne’s scooter and heads to his VW)

Dwayne: So … don’t even try to live green?

Butchie: You got it, my brother.

(Cut to the front door of an unknown house as Kai is knocking on the door. An unknown blonde woman answers the door.)

Kai: Hey, Janie. (They hug)

Janie: Good, or bad?

Kai: Good. Everything’s good.

Janie: Good enough to get his boards out of storage?

Kai: That’s why I’m here.

Janie: See that?

(Cut to a meeting room at the hotel. Linc is speaking to a group of people seated around a conference table. 6 or 8 of them)

Linc: Imperial Beach. Who’s been here before? (Silence as they all stare at Linc) A funky little beach town, a lot of history for our sport. Now … (He sees a worker preparing a buffet across the room) Oh! My friend! Spread that food around. If you, uh, see any hungry conventioneers coming through here, feed ‘em. (Back to the table) Fires, no fires.

Jake: Learning opportunities.

Linc: (sighs) Wonder-boy…E-commerce bitchfest.

Jake: Tremendous learning opportunities.

Wonder-boy: We’re rolling out those P.O.P. incentives.

Linc: Which you think is money pissed away.

Wonder-boy: A wise man once told me that core shops are Stinkweed’s soul.

Linc: Did you believe him?

Wonder-boy: We upped the incentives to 4%. Year to date, domestics nearly level, down 3/10 of a percent.

Linc: (growls)

Wonder-boy: Within the parameters of plan. International’s 14 above plan. Eastern Europe’s a minor disappointment. China’s on plan.

Jake : Stalemate on that trademark headache.

Wonder-boy: Latin America stays a pleasant surprise. The Brazilians have a boner for our shoes.

Linc: Really? (to a dark-haired woman at the table) You got a boner?

Woman: Um, let me check.

Linc: Break. (Linc heads out a side door to the outside. Jake follows him out)

(Cut to the military radio facility, we see John standing there looking at it)

(Cut back to Linc and Jake, standing in a courtyard)

Jake: They start wearing suits, or we do.

Linc: What happened in Huntington, Jake?

Jake: I thought that’s what we’d be talking in there.

Linc: I thought we would have talked about it before we went in there.

Jake: I don’t know, the fucking traffic, you know.

Linc: Shaun Yost.

Jake: At Huntington, Shaun Yost won. He wiped out and hurt himself at the end of the heat. The doctor was wrong how bad.

Linc: I was there when they brought him out of the water. He was drowned, he broke his neck!

Jake: How is he alive? A miracle? Oh, I agreed he could be the next one. All the family downside, I agreed we go after him hard. A miracle – half our base runs the other way. Do we make that up selling at shrines?

Linc: I’m here to try to figure that out.

Jake: And I’m your hire, Linc. I’m supposed to tell you when people aren’t happy.

Linc: Eh, some people never are. Tell them to go fuck themselves.

Jake: Yeah, I thought I wouldn’t do that till after they bought us out.

Linc: Let’s go deal with these clones.

Jake: (As they walk back to the door) Can I hang a couple days? Get you to Tijuana, the kid can hear our confession. (He tries the door, it’s locked. Wonder-boy opens it from the inside)

Linc: Huh, lucky coincidence. Are we happy, wonder boy, when domestic sales are level? (Woman hands Wonder-boy a plate of food)

Wonder-boy: Level is on plan for the quarter.

Linc: Wait a second, treading water is getting ready to drown. (Linc is blocking his path as he tries to move around Linc)

Wonder-boy: The salmon makes me thirsty.

Linc: Get a drink!

Wonder-boy: Level’s on plan cause domestic’s a maturing market.

Linc: And do we suppose that domestics have matured due to E-commerce?

Wonder-boy: I don’t know how you’d measure correlation.

Linc: We don’t have an “M.C. paradigm?

Wonder-boy: No.

Linc: So what’ll you do, grab your balls and guess?

Wonder-boy: Did I do something to piss you off?

Linc: Eat your buffet.

Wonder-boy: I’d like to sit down.

Linc: Go ahead.(He moves to the table) You call that sitting down?

Wonder-boy: I want to go back to the table.

Linc: This is why I hired wonder-boy. He just comes right from his fucking gut.

Jake: What are we doing here, Linc?

Linc: I’m not 100% clear, maybe you’d like to Google it and find out.

Wonder-boy: If this is a referendum on information technology, our target demographics’ for it.

Linc: Oh, so that ship has sailed? The best we can do is hope to jump onboard? Does that summarize your position?

Wonder-boy: “If you’re treading water, you’re getting ready to drown.”

Linc: (Get’s in the guy’s face) If I’m treading water, fuckface, I am not swimming toward a ship that has set sail, and begging them to pull me in their dinghy. If I got a surfboard beside me, I’m getting on that fucker and I’m paddling out, turning around and flipping the bird to all the assholes on that ship. And maybe 3% of them weren’t sure they ever wanted to be on that boat to begin with. And some of them, they’re diving off, now them … them I give them a big fucking’ smile, I ride up to them on my board and say: “ Hey, how would you like to buy one just like it. Or my jockstrap or my boardshorts, wetsuits, ski jackets, snowboards that I always take with me when I’m surfing. I am such a tremendous boardshort-wetsuit-ski-jacket-snowboard ripper.” What I’m not is a fucking asshole with allergies trapped on a boat or jerking off to the internet like 97% of my target demographic. And the upside for me is, I like being on the water. So if you’re not too salty from your salmon, maybe I can interest you in a little ham. (Linc turns around, pulls his pants down and sticks his bare butt in the guy’s face).

Wonder-boy: Give me a fuckin’ break!

Jake: OK, we’re done!

Linc: I’ll be in Imperial Beach till further notice. (Linc heads out the side door, as he walks away he says under his breath-) I’ll tell you something else, that kid was saved by a miracle.

(Back inside, Jake is talking to Wonder-boy)

Jake: What room is she in?

Wonder-boy: 244.

(Cut to the surf shop, Cissy is by herself, talking on the phone)

Cissy: Yeah, it’s your wife, Mitch? Cissy Yost? Well if you’re not dead, just a quick message to go fuck yourself for not checking in to say you’re alright, and have loads of fun … on whatever beach or whatever astral plane you’re on. (We hear the bell on the shop door, and see Palaka coming in)

Palaka: (shivering) Hi.

Cissy: Use the café across the street.

Palaka: Excuse me?

Cissy: Our toilets are for employees. Go across the street.

Palaka: My question, or my desire, was … how long has that ink store been open? ( Palaka looks very ill, sweating and shivering)

Cissy: We don’t sell bongs. We don’t sell incense or rolling papers.

Palaka: A good reputation, that Pete, hmmm? No fatalities?

Cissy: (Starting to notice that Palaka looks bad) We’re not a walk-in clinic.

Palaka: The salamander was highly valued in certain extinct island tribes. (We heard the bell and now see the hospital lawyer walking into the shop, as Palaka falls over onto the shop floor.)

Cissy: God damn it! (She rushes over to Palaka as the lawyer stands back and looks on)

Lewinsky: My name is Mark Lewinsky, I’m an attorney.

Cissy: Is this some “slip-and-fall” bullshit?

Lewinsky: Hardly madam.

Palaka: (Getting to his knees) Am I pointing at my neck? Is it painfully swollen and inflamed? We see that he has a grossly infected tattoo on the side of his neck)

Cissy: I-it’s red.

Palaka: Tattoo … a tribute to my employer … possibly … fatal.

Lewinsky: I am a counsel for Mercy Hospital. The place that saved your grandson’s life, and I just need one signature to close Shaun’s file. (He’s handing her a document)

Cissy: (taking the paper) All right, give me a pen.

Lewinsky: Certainly. Merest of formalities. Departure against medical advice. (we see Palaka panting and shivering as Cissy starts to look at Lewinsky with suspicion)

Palaka: Here I go. Here I go.

Cissy: (To Lewinsky) Take off.

Lewinsky: You won’t have to ask me twice.

Cissy: Get out. You’re giving me a bad fuckin’ feeling.

Lewinsky: Can’t we at least accomplish our little bit of wrist business here?

Cissy: Get out of my store, you’re gonna get kicked in the balls.

Lewinsky: Fine, fine. (he reaches to take back the document, Cissy grabs it away from him)

Palaka: Ma, is that you?

Cissy: (to Palaka) Shut up. (Lewinsky turns to leave)

Palaka: They sent me home, ma. Principal sent me home.

Lewinsky: (At the door) Strange way to show your appreciation, Mrs Yost, to the hospital that saved your grandson.

Cissy: Bill’s bird saved my grandson. And I’m showing this form to Meyer Dickstein.

Lewinsky: Oh yeah, the Errol Flynn look-alike on the back cover of the yellow pages.

Cissy: Oh, you sure you wanna go there, Frankenstein? (He leaves)

Palaka: (on the floor, struggling) Oh…

Cissy: You got anybody I could call?

Palaka: No I can boil my own … toast.

(Cut to Tina in her hotel room, checking herself in the mirror as there’s a knock on the door.)

Tina: Yeah? (We see it’s Jake at the door outside)

Jake: I’m a friend of Linc Stark’s. (She hesitates then opens the door to him)

Tina: And?

Jake: And I work for him. I’m vice president of his company. Jake Barris. (Long pause, then she lets him in)

Tina: What do you want from me?

Jake: Ya, Linc’s having some sort of midlife crisis.

Tina: And you’re here to help him through it?

(Cut to the street outside the surf shop as Butchie and Dwayne are trying to get in. The door’s locked, so Butchie heads around the side of the building.)

Butchie: 10:30 in the morning, no wonder they’re going broke. (He approaches a bike rental stand next door and talks to the guy inside) Hey, where is everyone?

Bike guy: She opened up, then she split with some little guy in her car. (he grabs some keys from the wall and tosses them to Butchie. They walk around to the back of the shop to find Shaun sitting on the ground smoking a joint)

Butchie: What’s going on, Shaunie?

Shaun: Nothin, the shop’s locked up.

Butchie: Put the joint out. You know Dwayne?

Shaun: How’s it going?

Dwayne: How’s it going Shaun?

Butchie: Yeah Dwayne wants to talk to you about some, uh, informational superhighway shit.

Shaun: Could we do it another time?

Butchie: Uh give us second, Dwayne.

Dwayne: We can do it another time.

Butchie: Stand by the bicycles. (Butchie kneels down next to Shaun)

Butchie: Hey, what’s the matter with talking to him now?

Shaun: I don’t feel l like it.

Butchie: Don’t give me that smart look when you’re sitting here smoking and someone wants to help you.

Shaun: That guy from Stinkweed wanted to help. You wouldn’t let me sign with him.

Butchie: The fuck if I wouldn’t. Who told you that? I haven’t seen Linc Stark since you got hurt, Shaun. It’s been a busy coupla days.

Shaun: So are you saying I can sign with him?

Butchie: Little weed on your brain, you get a real smartass tone of voice going.

Shaun: Looking over at Dwayne) That guy looks like a tool. (Butchie slaps Shaun on the back of the head.

Butchie: That’s just great Shaun, hurt a person’s feelings comes looking to help you?

Shaun: I didn’t say it so he could hear. Why don’t you just leave me alone.

Butchie: Yeah, great, fine .. OK If I see Linc Stark I’ll tell him to come sign you.

Shaun: Oh yeah, I forgot, you signed me over to Gram and Gramps. Tell him to go talk to them.

Butchie: Yeah good, let me get away. (starts to leave, then turns back) Me being a fuck-up doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try to give you good advice.

Shaun: Is my mom staying in I.B.?

Butchie: I don’t know.

Shaun: Maybe you could give her some good advice and ask her to stay. (Butchie walks away, shaking his head., He tosses the shop keys back to the bicycle guy)

Bicycle Guy: He’ll be all right.

Butchie: Yeah, looks like he’s doing great. (He and Dwayne walk back out to the street)

Butchie: That little piss pot.

Dwayne: So, what should we do now?

Butchie: Well Dwayne, I guess you’re get your dipshit scooter out of my van.

Dwayne: Yeah we can work this out later.

Butchie: And I’m gonna get good and fuckin’ high. (Starts dialing his cell phone) Where are you Kai? The shop’s locked. Shaunie’s out back smoking weed. Find a fuckin shorter jingle.  (Butchie drives off as Wayne rides his scooter away. )

(Cut to Linc in his hotel room as he’s checking him self in the mirror, there’s a knock on the door. He opens the door to see Tina)

Linc: Room service?

Tina: A really good friend of yours wants to pay me to ruin your life. (Linc motions her in and closes the door)

(Cut back to the military radio facility, we see John is still stand there looking at it)

(Cut to Cass in her room, staring at the computer screen. She’s looking at the video footage, seems frustrated, leans back and sighs and stares at the wall. She mumbles: “Doesn’t work … doesn’t work either”. She throws a pencil and goes back to working)

(Cut to Palaka in bed in his motel room, Cissy is standing over him as he is shivering.)

Palaka: Is it chilly in here ma?

Cissy: He’s burning up…(We see Freddy as he walks over to the bed and stands behind Cissy) Maybe from your hot garlic breath.

Freddy: Why don’t you get out of the line of fire?

Cissy: Well twist my fucking arm!

Palaka: B-Boss, purple salamander, honoring a certain someone.

Freddy: If yours hadn’t have come out green, I’d be having mine burned off , as to not get us took for the Bobsey Twins.

Palaka: I was poisoned and mis-colored? (Dr Smith enters the room, Barry is close behind and has his hand on Smith’s back)

Barry: Right up here.

Smith: Excuse me. (to Barry) OK, we have docked.

Palaka: Is that the torturing murderer who casted my wrist?

Smith: (Leaning over Palaka) It’s me, Palaka.

Palaka: I am fucked, doc, up to a fare-thee-well. Hey, thank god me and you became friend, huh?

Barry: What does he need, I’ll run to the pharmacy.

Smith: Let’s get him examined first. (He walks around the bed and looks at Palaka’s festering neck) When did you get that tattoo, Palaka?

Palaka: Uh, today, yeah.

Smith: (to Freddy) When did he get this?

Freddy: He told you – today.

Smith: Yeah, I’m asking when.

Cissy: He came in my store, like, an hour ago, said he just got inked.

Smith: (to Palaka) We’re gonna need to get some antibiotics into you Palaka.

Palaka: Won’t be the first time, doc. I’ve been batting clean-up since little league.

Smith: We’re gonna need more room. (Smith starts to move Palaka, Freddy jumps in to help)

Freddy: Here, come here, come on.

Barry: This wall does need to come out. (Freddy picks up Palaka and carries him to his room)

Freddy: Come on. Get out of the way. Put him in my room. (Lays Palaka on his bed)

Barry: I have an account around the corner.

Smith: CVS?

Barry: (As Smith is writing a prescription). I’m happy to get that filled.

Smith: (pauses) No, he needs an I.V. and a few other things. I want to see what they have stocked.

Freddy: You think of going anytime soon?

Smith: I understand you’re concerned. (Starts out the door)

Freddy: I’m not concerned. I’ll tell you when I’m fucking concerned!

Cissy: (To Freddy on her way out the door) Nice working with you.

Freddy: Tommy turtle’s a blur compared to that fuckhead.

Palaka: Wily Coyote’s a blur, Road Runner’s a fuckin’ blur.

Freddy: Just shut your mouth, OK? (Barry is fussing over Palaka, covering him)

Barry: You’re going to be fine.

Palaka: Thanks, m-ma.

(Cut to Bill Jacks’ living room as he is answering the door.)

Bill: Hello! Hello. Come in. (Shaun walks in) Just missed feeding time. (Shaun throws his stuff down with his back to Bill) Birdseed. Can I offer you a soda? Twinkies?

Shaun: No thanks. (Walks over to look at Zippy)

Bill: I see. Birds are good.

Shaun: (looking tearful) I wish Zippy wouldn’t have kissed me. (Shaun puts his face in his hands and sobs. Bill walks over and hugs him)

Bill: OK. Hey, OK. OK, goodness sakes. (Shaun rests his head on Bill’s shoulder. Bill gazes up the stairs)

(Cut to the diner, we see Cissy sitting at a table with Jerri the waitress. Jerri is looking over the document from the hospital)

Jerri: Oh, I can’t see. And I wouldn’t understand it anyway. What’d Mitch think?

Cissy: Mitch is maintaining radio silence.

Jerri: Fucking Dickstein will know what to do.

Cissy: Probably in some ashram in the downward dog position. (Dickstein walks in)

Dickstein: Hello. How are you? (Cissy hands him the document)

Cissy: Why would they want me to sign that? (Dickstein looks over at Jerri)

Jerri: She’s already showed it to me, fuckin’ douchebag. (Dickstein turns to get a chair to sit in)

Cissy: (to Jerri) Butchie’s fuckin’ Kai’s brains out.

Jerri: Good.

Cissy: Not that anyone ever comes in, she’s never at fucking work. Shaunie could use spending time with her.

Jerri: His buddies still teasing him after the accident?

Dickstein: (reading the document) This is, uh, boilerplate for you. The doctor’s the sacrificial lamb. Typically, the halo effect in these documents bathes the physician in the hospital’s light. This absolves the hospital, but your right of action against the doctor is not impaired.

Jerri: The hairlip’s going on and on about what he’s talking about.

Dickstein: What hairlip?

Jerri: I’ve warned him off talking about miracles until the alter boys are safe.

Dickstein: What hairlip??

Jerri: That sits there every day, Dickstein, pretending to make a life out of maintaining Butchie’s website. And he’s so excited about how Shaunie’s accident’s affected his “halo effect” or whatever the fuck he’s on about! I’m afraid to let him out on the street on that stupid scooter he fuckin’ drives.

Dickstein: The number of hits on Butchie’s site --- the halo effect.

Jerri: What the fuck was I just saying?

(A woman comes from the back of the diner, walking past Jerri and Cissy and points to each)

Doris: 43 days in arrears … 82 days in arrears for you.

Jerri: I got an arrears for you right here, Doris!

Cissy: (to Dickstein) Don’t let anything happen to that doctor.

Dickstein: That may not be in our hands.

(Cut back to the motel, as Freddy is going through Palaka’s room.)

Freddy: How do you live in here?

Palaka: Uh, thank you!

Barry: Soup to nuts renovation in the offing.

Freddy: Well you aughta off it pretty fucking soon. (looking at a roll-away bed) I’ll use this roll-away in case what you got is transferable.

Barry: I’ll bring in fresh sheets.

Freddy: Stop answering if I’m talking to him! (Barry leaves. Freddy sits down by Palaka next to the bed) Don’t you fuckin’ die.

(Cut to a hotel room, Tina is talking to Jake)

Jake: You tell me your name, where you live, and your marital status.

Tina: Tina Blake, Van Nuys, single.

Jake: Van Nuys, California.

Tina: Right.

Jake: Do you have any children, Tina?

Tina: One, Shaun Yost. I gave him away the day he was born.

Jake: And do you know who Shaun’s father was?

Tina: Yeah, I fucking know who his father is … Butchie Yost. I left Shaun with Butchie’s parents. (We see that Jake is holding up a recorder for Tina to talk into)

Jake: And what do you do for a living?

Tina: Adult film actress.

Jake: Do you know Linc Stark?

Tina: Yes.

Jake: How did you meet him?

Tina: He picked me up.

Jake: And do you have a contractual arrangement with Linc Stark involving your son, Shaun Yost?

Tina: He’s offered me a contractual arrangement.

Jake: What are the terms?

Tina: $4000 a month while Shaun’s under contract.

Jake: To Stinkweed.

Tina: Yeah.

Jake: Have you had sexual relations with Linc Stark.

Tina: I’m not gonna talk about that.

Jake: Have you ever been arrested?

Tina: Yes.

Jake: What was the charge?

Tina: Accessory to extortion.

Jake: And did that involve blackmail?

Tina: I was acquitted.

Jake: I bet that had to be a big relief.

Tina: Are we done?

Jake: Can be. (Turns off the recorder and puts it in his bag. He takes out a check and hands it to Tina) You ever do drugs with Linc?

Tina: Are you asking me to fib?

Jake: Are you asking me to write you another check?

(Cut back to Freddy’s motel room. Smith is setting up an I.V. for Palaka. )

Palaka: Al’s car is, oh, red. (Smith takes a thermometer from Palaka’s mouth and looks at it)

Freddy: I mean if he was really sick, you’d take him to the hospital, right?

Smith: I’m trying to remember how I practiced before I met you.

Freddy: Was it without a fractured skull? (Barry walks in with 2 large buckets of ice)

Barry: Some of the ice is yellow with rust from the machine.

Smith: It’s alright.

Barry: We don’t have to use it. Uh, the yellow is segregated in the silver pail.

Smith: Just dump it all in the tub. (Barry heads to the bathroom. Smith is ready to insert the I.V needle) Now… a little pin stick.

Freddy: Oh Christ. (He can’t watch and gets up)

(Cut to the military radio facility, John is still standing there in the same spot. )

(Cut to Cass’ room, she is still working on the video. Still doesn’t seem to be having any luck with it, drumming her fingers on the table, etc.)

(Cut to Freddy’s room again, as Smith is stepping out the door. As he starts to light a cigarette, Barry approaches with a large tray of small cups of orange juice)

Barry: How’s our patient?

Smith: It’s a holding action. We have to let the antibiotics kick in.

Barry: Was that all overdone about cigarettes?

Smith: No.

Barry: In any case, I now have some sense how the great Astaire felt the day he put on tap shoes. (We hear and see Butchie’s van roaring into the lot. )

Smith: Well they’re always looking for candy stripers.

(Butchie jumps out of the van. Ramon is looking over the shuffleboard diggings as Butchie walks by. Butchie pretends to be getting a phone call to avoid Ramon and rushes past to his room. We follow Butchie into his room, he takes a bag of heroin from his pocket and tosses it onto the dining table, then sits down on the sofa. Back in the lot, Ramon is walking over to Smith and Barry)

Ramon: Could I get one of those thimblefuls?

Barry: Yes, Ramon. (offering it to Smith) Orange juice?

Smith: No, thanks. (Barry looks crushed) Or, well, yes, thank you. Excuse me. (He goes back into the room)

Barry: Please, Ramon, have another. And know that I do not rise to your taunt about my cups, because I am all nurse. (Kai is driving into the lot in her Jeep, they turn to look at her. She nods at them, then walks past the shuffleboard workmen to Butchie’s room)

Ramon: Butchie’s about to get caught wrong.

Barry: Isn’t he alone in there?

(Cut to Butchie’s room as Kai knocks. Butchie checks the peephole then opens the door to her.)

Kai: Got your message – shortened my jingle. Couldn’t find Shaunie. (Butchie nods over to the table, Kai looks over)

Butchie: I copped. I didn’t use. I didn’t want to use. I think it’s off me. (They look at each other, Butchie has tears in his eyes.) Aw, give me a break. (He reaches out to her, and she takes his hand)

(Cut to Freddy’s bathroom, Palaka is laying in a tub of ice water as Smith watches over him)

Smith: Is it sound judgment, Palaka, treating you here, or fear of humiliation? (We see Freddy in the next room on the bed, listening in) Resigning my position to shield that boy. Grand self-sacrificial gesture that was one thing…

Palaka: I go weeks without selling a sherbet.

Smith: Not much grandeur for me, steering you into the E.R. like some defrocked storefront operator, waiting hat in hand for a resident to decide to admit you. I pray to god that’s not what holds me back.

Palaka: Now, now, ma.

(Out in the lot, Ramon is finishing off a thimbleful of juice as Cissy drives in. )

Ramon: Let me avoid this lady’s tone of voice. (He starts to walk off, trying to look preoccupied)

Cissy: Have you seen Meyer Dickstein?

Ramon: No ma’am. He hasn’t arrived yet.

Cissy: (Pointing to Butchie’s room) Are they fucking in there?

Ramon: Hard to say.

Barry: (Approaching Cissy with the tray of juice) What an hour has wrought. Water, sand and mud when you delivered our patient, now about to become concrete. (We see the workmen about to pour the concrete for the shuffleboard court)

Cissy: How is that guy?

Barry: Well, we are waiting for the antibiotics to kick in.

Cissy: Are they fucking in there?

Barry: The merest beginning of our renovation.

Cissy: I’m looking for Meyer Dickstein.

Barry: Yes, well, I haven’t seen him.

(Cut to Butchie’s room)

Kai: I saw you out on the water this morning.

Butchie: Yeah?

Kai: I got your boards outside. (Butchie looks at her for a minute, perplexed. His phone starts ringing)

(Cut to Bill’s house as he is calling Butchie, Shaun is there)

Bill: Every call I make, afterwards I gotta use a cuticle scissors. (We hear Butchie’s voice mail) Butchie? Message from Bill Jacks. Shaunie’s over hear with me. So you may wanna call, or just, you know, get over here. (To Shaun) Voice mail, not there. (Bill picks up a book from a table and walks over to Shaun on the sofa) Now … Here’s a book that deals with anniversaries of people who are dead. See? It has various chapters…helping the bereaved be at ease. Now what in god’s name this has to do with you … 13 years old.

Shaun: 14.

Bill: 14 years of age. And thank god you’ve lost no one to feel grief over the anniversary of. Now… I’d like to say this: People are sad for various reasons, and sometimes an outside source is required, even to help them know they feel sad. Or, if they know, then offer helpful hints, suggestions, ways to deal with the problem. Which is why I showed you the book. Can I be frank with you?

Shaun: Sure, Bill.

Bill: You reek of marijuana smoke.

Shaun: I smoked a joint today.

Bill: And you tell me that without shyness or remorse.

(Cut back to the Snug Harbor lot, Cissy and Barry)

Cissy: That doctor’s about to get an ass-fucking from his hospital. (Kai comes out of Butchie’s room, Cissy heads over to her)

Kai: Hey Cissy.

Cissy: Yeah, good to see ya! I remember when we used to meet at work. (Kai walks past her to her Jeep and starts to uncover Butchie’s boards. Cissy starts back for Barry’s station, then Butchie comes out of his room, so Cissy starts back over towards him) I feel like a duck at a shootin’ gallery.

Butchie: Hey, ma. (He walks past Cissy over to the Jeep and looks at the boards) Hid ‘em before I could sell ‘em. (Dickstein has arrived, he walks over towards the Jeep. Cissy is looking in the back of the Jeep too, noticing what’s in there. Butchie’s phone is beeping, he checks it and we hear Bill’s message.) It’s Bill. Shaun’s there. I may take a ride over there. (He and Kai get into the Jeep, Cissy is dumbstruck over Butchie having his boards back)

(Cut to Freddy’s room as he awakes on the bed. He starts and gets up to rush to Palaka, who’s still in the tub.)

(In the lot, Dickstein and Cissy)

Dickstein: Did you tell the doctor?

Cissy: No. Go ahead. (She leaves as Barry walks over)

Barry: About the ass-fucking?

(Next we see Dr Smith outside Freddy’s room on a smoke break, as Freddy exits the room with Palaka in his arms. Palaka is in nothing but his briefs)

Smith: Whoa whoa whoa…

Freddy: Don’t do nothin’ stupid, doc.

Smith: No, he needs to be in that ice bath.

Freddy: If that’s what you think he needs, then the regular doctors will ice him at the fuckin’ hospital. (Freddy is trying to get Palaka to his car, Smith is grabbing at Palaka trying to stop him)

Smith: I am a regular doctor. And these are just the several hours that your friend shouldn’t be subjected to the disruptions involved in being admitted to the hospital to resume treatment he’s already getting!

Freddy: Fuck you, open the fuckin’ door! (Smith reaches over Palaka and slaps Freddy across the face)

Palaka: (As Freddy and Smith continue to struggle over him) Ah, another county heard from.

Freddy: You’re fuckin’ lucky I got my hands full! (Freddy and Smith now each have ½ of Palaka, each holding him by an arm and a leg)

Smith: Take him back inside!

Palaka: Ah… Thanksgiving .. make a wish!

Freddy: All your smart-ass fuckin’ talk. It was me that broke his wrist.

Smith: It was a dirty needle got your friend sick, not a broken wrist. Stop trying to force an outcome cause you’re upset for your friend! (Barry rushes in with a blanket to cover Palaka)

(Cut to Bill’s house, he and Shaun are still on the sofa)

Bill: Quick review – how to put people at their ease?

Shaun: I’m good. (Knocking on the door, Bill turns and whispers to Shaun-)

Bill: Upstairs, talk amongst yourselves. Twinkies, soda and the like. (Bill walks up the stairs as Shaun answers the door)

Shaun: Hey dad.

Butchie: Hey, Shaunie. Where’s Bill?

Shaun: He went upstairs.

Butchie: Oh, right on.

Shaun: You can go sit down dad. (They sit on the sofa)

Butchie: Pretty pissed? (Shaun shakes head no) Hit me, buddy, come on.

Shaun: I want to go back to normal.

Butchie: I’m with you, brother. What’s fucked up about it is, as much as it pisses you off, the hand that you were dealt ain’t goin’ anywhere. Mine, your gram’s, gramps …

Shaun: My mom’s…

Butchie: Or your mom’s, or any-fucking-body else’s. So fighting it only gets your ass kicked. So if you can learn that now instead of 20 years from now … fuck! You know, just smack me in the back of the head. (Shaun reaches over and gently pats the back of Butchie’s head. We see Bill sitting on the top stair and watching them)

Butchie: I’ve been thinking about getting in the water.

Shaun: You’ve been going out.

Butchie: Getting in the way I used to.

Shaun: Competing?

Butchie: I don’t know. I guess, maybe. You wanna run by Gram’s and grab your stuff, trade a few, see who busts bigger?

Shaun: If you can handle being dusted.

Butchie: That’s not going to be an issue, grom. (Looking up the stairs) And thanks for the room, Bill. (We see Bill up there with his ears and eyes covered.) Shaun and I are gonna go get wet.

Bill: Fine. Good.

Shaun: Thanks Bill.

Bill: Fine.

(Cut to the pier. Jake and Linc are talking)

Jake: Stinkweed’s in great shape. You’re the fucking mess. Linc, the money wants you out. I’m your friend. You made the company, I’d like to see you go with your pockets full, but …you are going, Linc. Buy you out, throw you out, blow you out …They’ll play it the way it fuckin’ lays. (He whips out his little recorder, and we hear Tina’s voice - ) “Yeah, I fucking know who his father is – Butchie Yost. I left Shaunie with Butchie’s parents. Jake: What do you do for a living? Tina: Adult film actress. Jake: Do you know Linc Stark? Tina: Yes. Jake: How did you meet him? Tina: He picked me up. Jake: And do you have a contractual arrangement with Linc Stark involving Shaun Yost? Tina: He’s offered me a contractual arrangement. (Jake clicks it off)

Linc: She’s his mother. The company wants him.

Jake: I don’t want to have to play the rest of the tape for you, Linc.

Linc: Go ahead.

Jake: No, I’ve been your friend too long.

Linc: Maybe it’s what I need to hear. Do what you gotta do.

Jake: No Linc. I want you to leave the company so I can give you the tape. You can do whatever the fuck you want with it, and you can walk away rich.

Linc: (Linc whips out his own recorder, which Tina must have been using) Tina: Are you asking me to fib? Jake: Are you asking me to write you another check? Cause I will if you will. (Linc clicks it off) Isn’t that a felony in this state? Offering someone money to lie? What’s their number to buy me out?

Jake: (long pause, clears his throat) 35 million.

Linc: 65…

Jake: With a five-year “no-compete”… and you give me that tape.

Linc: OK. Money want the “yes” on tape?

Jake: I hope you’re not saying they don’t trust me.

Linc: Watch your back with wonder-boy. (He hands the recorder to Jake, who drops it in the water. As Linc is walking away, he meets Tina.) Pretty lady feeding the birds.

Tina: How did that go?

Linc: Turned the tables on that cocksucker, thanks to your wily ways. Then I agreed to get bought out, which is what they sent him to do. $65 million. Bonus is, I get to be scared to death.

Tina: Is that a change?

Linc: Maybe not. Maybe not. For a million, can I hold your hand? (She takes his hand)

Tina: When I strike, it’s gonna be for the big money.

(Cut to John, still at the radio facility. Now we see he has “changed” into a wetsuit. He looks down at the suit, surprised. )

(Cut to Cass’ room, as she is still staring at the computer. She looks as though she has noticed something, then turns on the sound. We hear the sound of the “drum circle”. )

(Cut to Cissy, washing dishes in her kitchen. She looks out the window to see John)

John: Cissy Yost!

Cissy: Hey! Captain Kirk. You were right about being more miserable.

John: Getting dusted won’t be an issue.

Cissy: Don’t get hit by a bus!

(Cut to Bill’s house. He is alone, reading to Zippy from the book on grieving.)

Bill: “I know I am getting better and stronger when I can be alone at home even though the person that died is no longer there.” Where else am I gonna be? “Memories of the person who died make me smile, not cry.” Well that one’s easier said than done. (Suddenly we see that John has silently appeared behind Bill.) “I laugh at my friend’s stupid jokes.” I don’t have any friends. “I make stupid jokes.” Well, I try to amuse the kid. I mean, I’m not a comedian.

(Cut to the Snug Harbor as they are all signing their initials into the fresh concrete)

Dickstein: “M.D.” … it’s not like I’m a doctor or anything.

Ramon: Dale’, veni, dale’. (Freddy is watching from a distance. Next we see Dickstein drawing the little “Monad symbol” into the concrete.)

Ramon: What’s that?

Dickstein: I don’t know.

Ramon: OK, this is for free… for nothing. (Ramon has a bugle, and he blows it badly for a bar or two. We see John behind him, and John is imitating Ramon.)

Freddy: ( Freddy seems to be able to see John, and he leans back into the room to say to Palaka - ) “Shape changer.”

Palaka: (Who seems much improved) Oh yeah? (He’s reading some popular magazine and comments - ) If they weren’t looking to embarrass the poor girl, they’d blur out where her dress came up.

Ramon: (He’s finished his little tune) Gracias, gracias. (He starts speaking Spanish to the others, maybe to the workmen who are likely his cousins. We see Smith looking over that way, perplexed, then smiling)

(Cut to Cass’ room. She appears to have reached some sort of epiphany over the video. She puts her hands to her mouth, she’s tearful. Suddenly she gets up and steps back. John has appeared behind her, and she bumps into him, turns around and looks at him. We see that John is soaking wet. Cass gives him a big hug. John looks up, then says - )

John: Shaun will soon be gone.

(Cut to the pier, Linc and Tina are looking over the beach, where Butchie and Shaun are heading to the water with their boards. )

Linc: How much is that worth? (We see those 2 walking to the water, then John “appears” from under the pier and walks over to them.) Cause the big money’s staying in escrow, for whoever can tell me what the fuck is going on.

(We see those 3 strapping their boards on, framed against the sunset. Dwayne is standing on the beach, watching them. As they walk into the water, fade to black)

Click for the music from the credits.
"Watching the Wheels", by John Lennon, performed by Matisyahu

Directed by: Jeremy Podeswa
Written by: Nichole Beattie

Mitch Yost:  Bruce Greenwood Cissy Yost: Rebecca De Mornay Bill Jacks: Ed O'Neill Barry Cunningham: Matt Winston Linc Stark: Luke Perry Kai: Keala Kennelley Dr Michael Smith:  Garret Dillahunt Palaka: Paul Ben Victor Tina Blake: Chandra West Daphne: Jennifer Grey Jake Ferris:  Mark-Paul Gosselaar	Butchie Yost: Brian Van Holt John Monad: Austin Nichols Ramon Gaviota: Luis Guzman Shaun Yost: Greyson Fletcher Meyer Dickstein: Willie Garson Vietnam Joe: Jim Beaver Cass:  Emily Rose Steady Freddy Lopez:  Dayton Callie Jerri: Paula Malcomson Dwayne: Matt Maher
Transcript last updated on 07/30/2007
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