Stuff to do:
-Get RUG
-locations for Wes (DP)
-2 500 Watts lights key light system
-gun
-diploma type up at home and get stock
-2 purses (ebay or wherever)
-might have to follow up on desk name plate that I ordered
FADE IN:
FADE IN:
INT. DINING AREA
PSYCHOANALYST is dining with his friend PERRY. Both men are in their mid to late twenties.
Both are laughing from catching up on old times.
PERRY
So you've been doing well at your new job?
PSYCHOANALYST
Yeah, I may stick with it. There's just one thing I don't like.
PERRY
What's that?
PSYCHOANALYST
If a patient tells me he's going to kill someone, I have to report it.
PERRY
People tell you this kind of stuff?
PSYCHOANALYST
Never. No, people aren't idiots. They're not going to tell me if they plan to kill themselves or someone else.
PERRY
Well, what can you do about it?
PSYCHOANALYST
There's talk of reforming murderers instead of giving them the death penalty. Great idea?
PERRY
Yeah.
PSYCHOANALYST
Wrong. I believe murderers can be reformed before they commit a murder. Therapy. Talk through their issues. But how do you know if they're the ones that need help? You don't. Because they won't tell you.
PERRY
You've never had a patient that's killed someone. Have you?
PSYCHOANALYST
No, but I have this fear it'll happen. If I sensed someone was crazy, I'd almost think of killing them before they killed anyone. Because obviously they wouldn't tell you they were planning a murder.
PERRY
You're crazy! How could you tell they would murder if they didn't say they were going to?
PSYCHOANALYST
I'd just know.
EXT. STREET
MARESA, a blonde aspiring starlet (early 20s), is on her way to her psychoanalyst's appointment.
She walks past Perry's body in an alleyway, but doesn't notice it.
INT. PSYCHOANALYST'S OFFICE -- WAITING ROOM
Maresa is waiting for the psychoanalyst.
INT. PSYCHOANALYST’S OFFICE
Psychoanalyst commences the session with Maresa.
PSYCHOANALYST
Ah, you're Marissa Margolin.
MARESA
Maresa.
PSYCHOANALYST
Ah, Maresa, nice name.
MARESA
I'll cut right to the point. I want to be an actress. I have problems with my father.
PSYCHOANALYST
That IS right to the point. Your father’s the problem?
MARESA
Yes.
PSYCHOANALYST
Could you expound. Please?
MARESA
I can’t get from point A to point B without solving my own problems first. I’ve been acting on the stage, but it’s like, sometimes I can’t even...
PSYCHOANALYST
That IS right to the point. Your father’s the problem?
MARESA
Yes.
PSYCHOANALYST
Uh,
MARESA
Well...
PSYCHOANALYST
You're related to...
MARESA
Yes.
Maresa looks at SANFORD LURIE SMITH'S diploma.
MARESA (CONT'D)
Are you related to John Lurie?
PSYCHOANALYST
Who?
MARESA
John Lurie, the actor?
PSYCHOANALYST
No, Lurie was my mother's maiden name. I don't think we're related. I've never heard of him.
MARESA
Stupid. Isn’t there any advice you can give me? I’m desperate.
PSYCHOANALYST
Maresa, you should pursue acting if that’s what you really wanted to do.
MARESA
But I told you that I wanted to act. You reaffirmed my decision. I’m paying how much per hour? And you can’t even give me any advice?
PSYCHOANALYST
Now, listen to me. It seems like you have it easy. You have a rich father. You can perform on the stage instead of movies since that’s what you want to do.
MARESA
You moron! I’m working on the stage to try to break into film! And my father doesn’t support me. He may be a three time Academy award winning director, but how much do you think I’ve seen him much in my entire life? Do you think he even gives me rent money? No, he thinks I’ll be a stronger person if he lets me make my “own way”. Do you think I’ve gotten any breaks for being his daughter? No, in fact being related to him has even hurt me. After the hooker scandal at least. I was just starting out at the time and only had two commercials on my resume. After that, no one called me until I came up with a stage name.
PSYCHOANALYST
Which was...
MARESA
Jessica Billings.
PSYCHOANALYST
Hmm.
MARESA
I was forced to change it after an actress with a similar name exploded onto the scene.
PSYCHOANALYST
Maresa is a nice name. Why don’t you just change your last name?
MARESA
Finally, you’re giving me advice. But you couldn’t even pronounce my name at first, and neither can anybody else. Also, I have an agent to let me know what to do with my career. I need you to let me know what to do with my life.
PSYCHOANALYST
Well, first of all, you definitely have issues with your dad.
MARESA
Yeah? Tell me something I don’t know.
PSYCHOANALYST
He’s successful. And rich. The least he could do is give you a break. I’m very surprised that he’s not paying for this therapy session. How can you even afford it?
MARESA
That’s it. I have enough money for this one session. I need you to help me in our short time together. I can’t tell you my whole life story over the period of several weeks. I need help now. Give me what you got.
PSYCHOANALYST
Make your father feel guilty. I get a lot of older clients with grown-up kids. They think that money and gifts and cars can make up for what they did. Obviously, it can’t, but being rich and miserable is better than being poor and miserable. Right?
MARESA
You don’t understand; my father is an unapologetic bastard. Admitting any kind of fault on his part would be a first.
PSYCHOANALYST
You could try.
MARESA
He’s basically told me I can “sink or swim”. He’s not interested in me or my welfare.
PSYCHOANALYST
What I’m curious to know is why you’re pursuing a career in film if you hate your father so much?
MARESA
I don’t hate him. Like I said, he was never around. But he could give a damn, you know? No one else in this world does.
PSYCHOANALYST
Your family is supposed to love you when no one else does. There’s a whole world out there that’s friendlier than L.A. I’m from the mid-west and the folks are more caring out there. Maybe you could try moving? Maybe an acting career isn’t what you really want.
MARESA
No, I have friends. I’ve lived here my whole life. I get along with my mother and my aunt. I’ve even kept in touch with some of my teachers. The only problem I have is my father.
PSYCHOANALYST
Just out of curiosity, do you find yourself dating older men?
MARESA
I have in the past, sure.
PSYCHOANALYST
Was it for money? Comfort? Were you trying to have that father figure in your life?
MARESA
Next you’ll be asking me whether I wanted to sleep with him.
PSYCHOANALYST
Who? The older man in your life?
MARESA
No, my father.
PSYCHOANALYST
I wouldn’t ask you that. (beat) Did you?
MARESA
(groans)
Of course not.
PSYCHOANALYST
Why do you think there’s this distance between you and your father?
MARESA
He put the distance there. He was always busy filming, attending premieres, having affairs with stars, dining with producers. They were obviously people who meant something to him. I didn’t.
PSYCHOANALYST
I think I get it.
MARESA
What?
PSYCHOANALYST
You want to be a movie star, so you can prove to your father that you were worth his attention all those years he was ignoring you. I think you either want him to embrace you or have him feel very sorry he mistreated you all those years.
MARESA
The latter, I’m afraid. I want him to feel very bad.
PSYCHOANALYST
So what is the point of this?
MARESA
The point of life?
PSYCHOANALYST
No, the point of coming to me to try to solve your problems. You don’t want a solution. In fact, none of my clients do. They just want to tell me all of their troubles.
MARESA
Yes, I do want a solution! I want my life to count for something.
PSYCHOANALYST
I think your motivations are wrong. You’re blinded by your anger toward your father. You weren’t getting call-backs, so you blamed that on your father’s so-called scandal. His movies didn’t suffer at the box-office, so there must have been another reason.
MARESA
So, you’re a fan of my father. You know his track record?
PSYCHOANALYST
Well, I mean I’ve seen all his movies. I think I’m lucky to have you as a client.
MARESA
Thanks.
PSYCHOANALYST
So basically, I think you need healing.
MARESA
I don’t have enough cash to keep coming here for that healing.
PSYCHOANALYST
You say you have friends. You say you get along with everyone else. Why don’t you ask them for advice? Why can’t you tell them what’s going on?
MARESA
It’s like, I don’t want to be a downer. And screw it, you’re right; this is L.A. They don’t give a damn about me. They’re shallow. All my friends are interested in are themselves and how they look and if I can make them look good. It’s like, we all have the same shade of blonde hair and the same designer purses. My life is empty. And my mother who I love is a drug addict. She hates my father even more than I do, hence the divorce. She’s spent her whole settlement on cocaine and rehab, and rehab and cocaine.
PSYCHOANALYST
I’m interested why you haven’t turned to drugs.
MARESA
No, I haven’t. I see what it’s done to my mother. (beat) You know what? You’re right. I’m angry.
PSYCHOANALYST
Why?
MARESA
People assume that I’ve had it easy.
PSYCHOANALYST
So you care what people think?
MARESA
It’s just frustrating to be misunderstood.
PSYCHOANALYST
(beat) I am so stupid.
MARESA
What?
PSYCHOANALYST
You’re right. I don’t know anything. I didn’t see it right away. THAT’S what you want.
MARESA
What? Sex?
PSYCHOANALYST
No, you don’t want healing. You don’t want to talk. You want a prescription!
MARESA
What!? Do I look like I need a prescription? I already told you I don’t do drugs.
PSYCHOANALYST
These drugs are legal. I’ll give you a healthy dose. You’ll be fine and dandy in no time.
MARESA
No thanks. I already told you, drugs messed up my mother’s life. That’s how she got started: abusing prescribed medications. Then it got way out of control when she started doing the harder stuff.
PSYCHOANALYST
We all have addictions of some sort.
MARESA
I don’t need an addiction.
PSYCHOANALYST
With your mother it’s drugs. With your father it’s sex.
MARESA
I’m glad my family’s all over the tabloids. There’s so much I don’t have to explain to you.
PSYCHOANALYST
With you...? I sense that you’re very empty.
MARESA
What?
PSYCHOANALYST
Don’t be so defensive. You crave your father’s attention.
MARESA
That’s not an addiction.
PSYCHOANALYST
It’s more like an obsession. You won’t stop until you get what you want.
MARESA
I may never get it.
PSYCHOANALYST
Maresa, have you ever thought of suicide?
MARESA
No!
PSYCHOANALYST
I mean, come on. Dysfunctional family, struggling in your career, empty and shallow life... Have you ever thought of pulling the plug?
MARESA
No!
PSYCHOANALYST
I mean, maybe you’d never actually do it. But have you thought about it?
MARESA
Well, sure, hasn’t everyone? But not seriously. I mean my dad’s crazy girlfriend tried to kill herself, but that was only for attention. I mean, I’ll make it in the business. I have to! That’s why I’m here on this earth, I think.
PSYCHOANALYST
Not everyone makes it. Wouldn’t it be easier to receive instant fame? To live on forever?
MARESA
I’m not sure where you’re going with this, however I realize that even if I do make it, I’m only getting fifteen minutes of fame. There are too many people vying to be actors. Even if I hit it big, it won’t last. In fact, I may only be in one big film. Or two. Life is short.
The psychoanalyst takes out a gun.
PSYCHOANALYST
Well, I’ve thought about suicide. People tell me their troubles. They’re the same, empty people. They don’t change. They continue in their misery, and they wonder why.
MARESA
First you ask me if I’ve slept with my father...
PSYCHOANALYST
No, you thought I was asking...
MARESA
Then you’re convinced I came here for drugs. You ask me if I think of suicide. Then you pull out a gun! I’ll pay for the whole hour, but I’m afraid I’ll have to leave now.
Maresa turns to leave, but the psychoanalyst stands to shoot her in the back. Maresa falls.
PSYCHOANALYST
She’ll be on the front page tomorrow morning. It’ll take a few years off her father’s life. He’ll wonder why he never did anything for her. She’ll be immortalized in a Hollywood tragedy. I always like to think I’m helping my clients.
Maresa’s cell phone starts to ring. Even though she is dead, he reaches into her purse and pulls it out and answers.
PSYCHOANALYST (CONT’D)
Hello?
PATRICIA
Hello, Maresa?
PSYCHOANALYST
This is Jerzy, her boyfriend.
PATRICIA
Could I talk to Maresa? She was supposed to meet up with me to go shopping? Is she canceling?
PSYCHOANALYST
Oh, she’s out of the room right now. But yeah, we were planning on meeting you, later.
PATRICIA
That’s strange, I didn’t know she had a boyfriend.
PSYCHOANALYST
Oh, I bet she never mentioned me. I asked her not to mention me to her friends, because I was married. But now with the divorce coming through...
PATRICIA
Alright, when will you be here?
PSYCHOANALYST
Where again now?
PATRICIA
This clothes shop off Wilshire. You know...
PSYCHOANALYST
No, I don’t.
PATRICIA
Maresa knows. She’ll tell you.
PSYCHOANALYST
No, she’s uh, not driving. I want to know where I’m going.
PATRICIA
Well it’s off ... Wilshire and 8th.
PSYCHOANALYST
In Santa Monica??
PATRICIA
Yes.
PSYCHOANALYST
Well, give us time to get there. Half hour?
PATRICIA
Great.
PSYCHOANALYST
Nice talking with you, uh...
PATRICIA
Patricia. And you were...
PSYCHOANALYST
Jerzy.
PATRICIA
Jerzy? Interesting name. I’ll see you in a few.
EXT. WILSHIRE STREET
The psychoanalyst is parked and he sees a young woman who is PATRICIA right by the alley. He sneaks up and pushes her into the alley and pulls out his gun.
She is nervous.
PATRICIA
Here, you can take my money. I have a bunch. Just don’t hurt me!
PSYCHOANALYST
I don’t want your money!
PATRICIA
Jerzy? No, you must have stolen Maresa’s phone. Who are you? She doesn’t have a boyfriend?
She struggles away from Jerzy and tries to grab control of the gun. It goes off and she screams. Psychoanalyst retains control of the gun and points it at Patricia again.
PSYCHOANALYST
Shut up!
PATRICIA
What happened to Maresa?
PSYCHOANALYST
I killed her.
PATRICIA
No you didn’t.
PSYCHOANALYST
She was living in a meaningless existence. I’ve seen so many people like her. They never make it.
PATRICIA
What are you talking about?
PSYCHOANALYST
And I’m asking, would you like to be killed too? Are you as messed up as her?
PATRICIA
She wasn’t messed up. You couldn’t have killed her. She had a therapy appointment and then...
PSYCHOANALYST
I was her therapist.
PATRICIA
No you weren’t!
PSYCHOANALYST
Yes, I was. It was obvious none of her problems could be solved.
PATRICIA
She had no problems!
PSYCHOANALYST
Yes, she did. She probably didn’t admit them to anyone. I am a licensed therapist. You can tell me all your problems. Let’s start from when you were a kid. Did you have a happy childhood?
PATRICIA
Yes!
PSYCHOANALYST
A Mom and Dad, and harmonious siblings?
PATRICIA
Yes. And a wonderful nanny who took care of me.
PSYCHOANALYST
You mean to say your parents abandoned you? And gave complete control to a nanny? You weren’t her own. She probably didn’t care about you. You probably hate your parents!
PATRICIA
No, I don’t. I love them.
PSYCHOANALYST
How about your boyfriends? Do they mistreat you?
PATRICIA
What are you talking about? You are the only man who has ever put a gun in my face.
PSYCHOANALYST
I don’t mean violence per se. Has any boyfriend forgotten your birthday? Have you ever wanted to kill someone?
PATRICIA
You are a very sick and twisted man.
PSYCHOANALYST
That’s what they say. I just call ‘em like I see ‘em.
PATRICIA
What about you? Who was the one who hurt you?
PSYCHOANALYST
Maresa.
PATRICIA
What?
PSYCHOANALYST
Today. Yes, that’s right.
PATRICIA
How?
PSYCHOANALYST
Hugh Margolin is my favorite director. And she comes in today, saying how hard she’s had it. And all she wants is her fifteen minutes of fame. I handed it to her on a silver platter and I bet I’ll be in jail the rest of my life for it.
PATRICIA
I hope so!
PSYCHOANALYST
How dare you! All I want is a little peace of mind. I get these rich girls who have had it easy and all she wants to do is become an actress. You’re another one of those girls... It drives me so insane. I only want to eliminate one or two of you before I go to jail for the rest of my life.
Patricia grabs control of the gun and she aims it at him. He pulls another gun out and they are at a standstill.
FADE OUT
THE END