Sex, Lies and Videotape by Steven Soderbergh. Fourth draft. 29 july 1988.
1 EXT. HIGHWAY -- DAY
GRAHAM DALTON, twenty-nine, drives his '69 Cutlass while smoking
a cigarette. One could describe his appearance as punk/arty,
but neither would do him justice. He is a man of obvious
intelligence, and his face is amiable. There is only one key
on his keyring, and it is in the ignition.
ANN
(voice over)
Garbage. I started thinking about
what happens to all the garbage.
I mean, where do we put all of
it, we have to run out of places
to put it eventually, don't we?
This happened to me before when
that barge with all the garbage
was stranded and nobody would take
it? Remember that?
2 INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE -- DAY
ANN BISHOP MILLANEY, twenty-six, sits opposite her therapist.
She is an extremely attractive woman, dressed in a mature preppy
style. There is a wedding ring on her left hand.
DOCTOR
Yes, I remember. What do you do
when these moods overtake you?
ANN
Nothing. I mean, nothing. I try
not to do anything that will
produce garbage, so obviously we're
talking about eating and basic
stuff like that. Did you know that
the average person produces three
pounds of garbage a day?
DOCTOR
No, I didn't.
ANN
Don't you think that's a lot of
garbage? I'd really like to know
where it's all going to go.
DOCTOR
Do you have any idea what triggered
this concern?
ANN
Well, this weekend John was taking
out the garbage, and he kept
spilling things out of the
container, and I started imagining
a container that grew garbage,
like it just kept filling up and
overflowing all by itself, and
how could you stop that if it
started happening?
DOCTOR
Ann, do you see a pattern here?
ANN
What do you mean?
DOCTOR
Well, last week we talked about
your obsession with the families
of airline fatalities, and now
we're talking about your concern
over the garbage problem.
ANN
Yeah, so?
DOCTOR
If you think about it, I think
you'll see that the object of your
obsession is invariably something
negative that you couldn't possibly
have any control over.
ANN
Well, do you think many people
run around thinking about how happy
they feel and how great things
are? I mean, maybe they do, but
I doubt those people are in
therapy. Besides, being happy isn't
all that great. My figure is always
at its best when I'm depressed.
The last time I was really happy
I put on twenty-five pounds. I
thought John was going to have
a stroke.
JOHN
(voice over)
It's true, I'm telling you.
3 INT. LAW OFFICE -- DAY
JOHN MILLANEY, twenty-nine, sits at his desk talking on the
telephone. He is dressed very well, sporting real suspenders
with his striped pinpoint oxford shirt and cotton suit. He
fingers the wedding ring on his left hand.
JOHN
As soon as you've got a ring on
your finger, you start getting
serious attention from the opposite
gender. Seriously, I wish I had
Super Bowl seats for every time
I had some filly just come up
and start talking to me without
the slightest provocation. That
never happened before I got
married. Shit, if I'd known that,
I'd have gone out and bought me
a ring when I was eighteen and
saved myself a lot of time and
money.
John looks at his watch.
JOHN
Shit, I gotta be someplace.
(quickly)
Look, racquetball Thursday? You're
the coolest.
John presses the intercom button while putting on his jacket.
JOHN
Uh, Janet, re-schedule Kirkland.
Tell him to come in Friday at 1:30.
DOCTOR
(voice over, to Ann)
Are you still keeping these
thoughts from John?
ANN
(voice over)
Yes.
4 INT. LAW OFFICE BATHROOM -- DAY
John brushes his teeth and combs his hair very carefully.
DOCTOR
(voice over, to Ann)
Are you afraid of his reaction?
Of his finding you silly for
thinking of such things?
ANN
(voice over)
No. I don't know. I haven't told
him about the garbage thing because
I'm pissed off at him right now.
He's letting some old college buddy
stay at our house for a couple
of days, and he didn't even ask
me about it. I mean, I would've
said yes, I just wish he would've
asked.
5 INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE-DAY
DOCTOR
What upsets you about that?
ANN
I guess I'm upset because I can't
really justify being upset, I mean,
it's his house, really, he pays
the mortgage.
DOCTOR
But he asked you to quit your job,
and you do have housework.
ANN
Yeah, I know.
DOCTOR
This unexpected visit
notwithstanding, how are things
with John?
ANN
(shrugs)
Fine, I guess. Except right now
I m going through this where I
don't want him to touch me.
6 INT. CYNTHIA BISHOP'S APARTMENT -- DAY
CYNTHIA BISHOP, Ann's SISTER, opens her door to reveal the
freshly coifed John Millaney. They kiss passionately and begin
to disrobe. Cynthia bears a slight resemblance to Ann, but
is not as overtly attractive. She does, however, have a definite
carnal appeal and air of confidence that Ann lacks.
DOCTOR
(voice over)
When did you begin having this feeling?
ANN
(voice over)
About a week ago. I don't know
what brought it on, I just started
feeling like I didn't want him
to touch me.
DOCTOR
(voice over, to Ann)
Prior to this feeling, were you
comfortable having physical contact
with him?
ANN
(voice over)
Oh, yeah.
(pause)
But see, I've never really been
into sex that much, I mean, I like
it and everything, it just does't
freak me out, I wouldn't miss it,
you know? But anyway, lately we
haven't been doing anything at
all. Like I said, it's not that
I miss it, but I m curious the
way things kind of slacked off
all of a sudden.
John and Cynthia are now having sex.
DOCTOR
(voice over)
Perhaps he senses your hesitance
at being touched.
ANN
(voice over)
But see, he stopped before I got
that feeling, that's why it seems
weird to me. I mean, I'm sure he
wishes I would initiate things
once in awhile, and I would
except it never occurs to me, I'm
always thinking about something
else and then the few times that I
have felt like starting something
I was by myself.
DOCTOR
(voice over)
Did you do anything?
A pause.
ANN
(voice over)
What do you mean?
DOCTOR
(voice over)
Did you masturbate?
7 INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE -- DAY
ANN
(taken aback)
God, no.
DOCTOR
I take it you've never masturbated?
ANN
(slightly uncomfortable)
Well, I kind of tried once. It
just seemed stupid, I kept seeing
myself lying there and it seemed
stupid, and kind of, uh, I don't
know, and then I was wondering
if my dead grandfather could see
me doing this, and it just seemed
like a dumb thing to be doing when
we don't know what to do with all
that garbage, you know?
DOCTOR
So it was recently that you tried
this.
ANN
(exhales, head down)
Well, kind of recently, I guess.
But not too recently.
There is a pause.
ANN
I'm really not up to having a guest
in the house.
8 INT. CYNTHIA BISHOP'S APARTMENT -- DAY
John and Cynthia are lying in bed, bathed in sweat.
JOHN
I've got to get back to the office.
CYNTHIA
I only get one today? Gee, how
exciting.
John rolls over and begins to put his clothes on.
JOHN
I can't let my lunch hour go on
too long. I've already skipped
one meeting.
CYNTHIA
Don't give me this
passive/aggressive bullshit. If
you want to leave, leave. My life
doesn't stop when you walk out the
door, you know what I'm saying?
John shakes his head.
JOHN
Why don't you just tell me how
you really feel?
John stands and begins putting on his clothes.
JOHN
I have a friend coming in from
out of town, I'll probably be
spending some time with him the
next couple of days.
CYNTHIA
Meaning we'll have to cool it for
awhile, right?
JOHN
Right.
A silent shrug from Cynthia. John is almost completely dressed.
JOHN
I wish you'd quit that bartending
job.
CYNTHIA
Why?
JOHN
I hate the thought of guys hitting
on you all the time.
CYNTHIA
I can handle it. Besides, the money
is good and some of the guys are
cute. And you are in no position
to be jealous.
JOHN
Who said I was jealous?
CYNTHIA
I did.
John says nothing.
CYNTHIA
You know, I'd like to try your
house sometime. The idea of doing
it in my sister's bed gives me
a perverse thrill.
John thinks about that.
CYNTHIA
I wish I could tell everybody that
Ann's a lousy lay. Beautiful,
popular, Ann Bishop Millaney.
JOHN
Could be risky.
CYNTHIA
Well, maybe I could just start
a rumor, then.
JOHN
No, I mean doing it at my house.
CYNTHIA
Afraid of getting caught?
JOHN
Maybe.
CYNTHIA
You should be. Can I meet this
friend of yours?
JOHN
Cynthia, I don't think you want
to, I mean, you should see the
way he dresses. I really think
he's in a bad way.
CYNTHIA
I'm intrigued.
JOHN
You're intrigued?
CYNTHIA
Sure. Maybe he's the man I'm
looking for. Then I won't have
to fuck worried husbands all the
time.
John looks at her for a moment before heading for the door.
JOHN
Bye.
9 EXT. JOHN AND ANN MILLANEY'S HOUSE -- DAY
Graham has parked in the Millaney's driveway. He opens the
trunk, revealing a Sony 8mm Video rig and a single black duffle
bag. He grabs the duffle bag and shuts the trunk.
Graham knocks at the door. He is stubbing out a cigarette with
his beaten tennis shoe when Ann answers the door. She is unable
to hide her suprise at his appearance.
GRAHAM
Ann?
ANN
Yes?
GRAHAM
(extends his hand)
Graham Dalton.
Ann shakes his hand.
GRAHAM
Can I use your bathroom?
Ann withdraws her hand.
ANN
Yes. Yes, come in, please.
Graham moves inside.
10 INT. JOHN AND ANN MILLANEY'S HOUSE -- DAY
Ann closes the door and motions Graham to the rear of the house.
ANN
Straight back, first door on the
left.
Graham heads for the bathroom. Ann heads for the phone. She
dials John's office.
VOICE ON PHONE
Forman, Brent, and Millaney.
ANN
John Millaney, please. This is
his wife.
Graham exits the bathroom. Ann quickly hangs up the phone.
ANN
That was quick.
GRAHAM
False alarm.
ANN
Oh. Well, please sit down.
Graham sits, his manner pleasantly animated. He gets his Gitanes
from inside his scuffed black leather jacket and looks around
for an ashtray. Ann swallows uncomfortably.
ANN
We...don't usually let people smoke
in the house. We have a patio if you --
GRAHAM
Oh, no problem. It can wait.
A moment of silence. Graham looks at Ann directly. It is not
a challenging stare, he's just trying to ascertain what kind
of person she is. Ann, to her credit, somehow meets his gaze.
Something subtle passes between them.
ANN
(looks at duffle bag)
Do you have other things?
GRAHAM
Yes.
(pause)
Oh, you mean to bring in! No. Yes,
I have some other things, no, I
don't need to bring them in. This
is all I need to stay here.
ANN
Oh.
Graham smiles. He has an unusual face, a face that fluctuates
between remarkably handsome and just plain strange.
GRAHAM
Have you ever been on television?
ANN
Televison?
GRAHAM
Yes.
ANN
No. Why?
GRAHAM
(shrugs)
Curious.
The central air-conditioning switches on. Ann smiles.
ANN
Graham is an unusual name.
GRAHAM
Yeah, I guess it is. My mother
is a complete Anglophile, anything
British makes her drool like a
baby. She probably heard the name
in some movie. She's a prisoner
of public television now.
ANN
Oh, uh-huh.
GRAHAM
Are you uncomfortable with my appearance?
ANN
(downplaying)
No, I think you look...fine.
GRAHAM
(smiles)
Oh. Well, maybe I'm uncomfortable
with my appearance. I feel a little
out of place in these surroundings.
ANN
Well...
GRAHAM
I used to take great pleasure in
that, being purposefully different,
rubbing people's noses in it.
Didn't you do that when you were
younger?
ANN
(thinks)
No, not really.
GRAHAM
Oh. Well, I did. I was in a band
once, and the music was always
secondary to just flat out
offending as many people as
possible.
ANN
You play an instrument?
GRAHAM
No, I was in charge of kind of
standing at the microphone and
reciting these really depressing
lyrics in a monotone. The whole
thing was really .... irrelevant.
How do you like being married?
ANN
(caught slightly off
guard)
Oh, I like it. I like it very much.
GRAHAM
What about it do you like? I'm
not being critical, I'd really
like to know.
ANN
Well.....well, the clich?about
the security of it, that's really
true. We own a house, and I really
like that, you know? And I like
that John was just made junior
partner, so he has a steady job
and he's not some...
Ann looks at Graham and stops. He smiles again.
ANN
...free-lance. You know.
GRAHAM
Yes. So you feel security,
stability. Like things are going
to last awhile.
ANN
Oh, definitely. I mean, just this
past year has gone by like phew!
I hardly even knew it passed.
GRAHAM
Did you know that if you shut
someone up in a room, and the only
clock he has reference to runs
two hours slow for every
twenty-four, that his body will
eventually adjust to that schedule?
Simply because the mind honestly
perceives that twenty-six hours
are twenty-four, the body follows.
And then there are sections of time.
Your life can be broken down into
the sections of time that formed
your personality (if you have one).
For instance, when I was twelve,
I had an eleven minute conversation
with my father that to this day
defines our relationship. Now,
I'm not saying that everything
happened in that specific section
of time, but the events of my
childhood involving my father led
up to, and then were crystallized
in, that eleven minutes.
Ann is fascinated, if a bit overwhelmed.
ANN
Oh, uh-huh.
GRAHAM
(smiles)
Anyway, I think the mind is very
flexible as far as time is
concerned.
ANN
You mean like "time flies"?
GRAHAM
Exactly. I would say the fact that
you feel the first year of your
marriage has gone by quickly means
lots of things. Or could mean lots
of things.
ANN
How long has it been since you've
seen John?
GRAHAM
Nine years.
ANN
Nine years?
GRAHAM
Yes. I was surprised that he
accepted when I asked if I could
stay here until I found a place.
ANN
Why? Didn't you know him well?
GRAHAM
I knew him very well. We were
extremely close until I dropped
out.
A pause.
ANN
Why'd you drop out?
GRAHAM
Oh, lots of reasons, most of them
boring. But, up until I dropped
out, John and I were...very much
alike.
ANN
That's hard to believe. The two
of you seem so different.
GRAHAM
I would imagine that we are, now.
I think I'm ready to use the
bathroom, finally.
Graham gets up and heads for the toilet. Ann watches him go,
a bemused smile on her face. After she hears the door close,
she can't resist the impulse to take a closer look at Graham's
bag.
IN THE BATHROOM, Graham pokes around, looking through the
medicine cabinet and sniffing towels.
JOHN
(voice over)
Call the cops.
11 INT. JOHN AND ANN MILLANEY'S HOUSE -- NIGHT
John, Ann and Graham are eating dinner.
JOHN
(to Graham)
That's the first thing that ran
through my mind when I saw you.
I thought this is not the same
man that rode the unicycle naked
through the homecoming parade.
ANN
(to Graham)
You did that?
GRAHAM
Everybody has a past.
JOHN
(smiles at Graham)
What do you think the Greeks would
make of that outfit you're wearing?
GRAHAM
A bonfire, probably.
John takes a sip of Chivas.
GRAHAM
(to Ann)
This food is excellent.
ANN
Thank you.
JOHN
Yeah, it's not bad. Usually Ann
has some serious salt action going.
I keep telling her, you can always
add more if you want, but you can't
take it out.
GRAHAM
(to Ann)
You have family here also?
ANN
(nods, chewing)
Mother, father, sister.
GRAHAM
Sister older or younger?
ANN
Younger.
John takes a large swig of Chivas.
GRAHAM
Are you close?
Graham sees Ann and John exchange looks.
GRAHAM
I'm sorry. Am I prying again?
JOHN
You were prying before?
GRAHAM
Yes, this afternoon. I was grilling
Ann about your marriage this
afternoon.
JOHN
(smiles)
Really. How'd it go?
GRAHAM
She held up very well.
Ann laughs.
GRAHAM
(to Ann)
So I was asking about your sister.
Ann's smile fades. John resumes eating.
ANN
Oh, we get along okay. She's just
very...she's an extrovert. I think
she's loud. She probably wouldn't
agree. Definitely wouldn't agree.
JOHN
(to Graham)
Are you going to see Elizabeth
while you re here?
An almost imperceptible reaction by Graham.
GRAHAM
I don't know.
ANN
(interested)
Who's Elizabeth?
JOHN
Girl Graham dated. Still lives
here, far as I know.
Graham eats in silence.
ANN
Graham and I were talking about
apartments and I told him to check
the Garden District, there are
some nice little places there,
garage apartments and stuff.
JOHN
(to Graham)
Stay away from the Garden District.
Serious crime. I don't know what
kind of place you're looking for,
but there are a lot of studio-type
apartments available elsewhere.
GRAHAM
I wish I didn't have to live
someplace.
JOHN
(laughs)
What do you mean?
Graham thinks a moment, then puts his keyring with its single
key onto the table.
GRAHAM
Well, see, right now I have this
one key, and I really like that.
Everything I own is in my car.
If I get an apartment, that's two
keys. If I get a job, maybe I
have to open and close once in
awhile, that's more keys. Or I
buy some stuff and I m worried
about getting ripped off, so I
get some locks, and that's more
keys. I just really like having
the one key. It's clean, you know?
Graham looks at the keyring before returning it to his pocket.
JOHN
Get rid of the car when you get
your apartment, then you'll still
have one key.
GRAHAM
I like having the car, the car
is important.
JOHN
Especially if you want to leave
someplace in a hurry.
GRAHAM
Or go someplace in a hurry.
Ann takes her plate into the kitchen.
JOHN
(smiles at Graham)
Do you pay taxes?
Graham also stands, empty plate in hand.
GRAHAM
Do I pay taxes? Of course I pay
taxes, only a liar doesn't pay
taxes, I'm not a liar. A liar is
the second lowest form of human
being.
ANN
(from the kitchen)
What's the first?
GRAHAM
Lawyers.
John smiles, thinking. Graham follows Ann into the kitchen.
John shouts after them.
JOHN
Hey, Ann, why don't you go with
Graham to hunt for apartments?
Show him how the city has changed.
Ann looks at Graham.
ANN
Would you mind?
GRAHAM
No.
ANN
(shouts back to John)
Okay, I will!!
John, sitting at the table and now toying with his keyring,
nods.
12 INT. JOHN AND ANN MILLANEY'S HOUSE -- NIGHT
Everyone but Ann is asleep. She gets up from her bed and sneaks
quietly into the guest bedroom where Graham is staying. She
walks cautiously up to his bed to watch him as he sleeps.
Moonlight caresses his face as he breathes peacefully. Exhaling,
he turns over slowly, his back to Ann.
She picks up his jacket from beside the bed and feels the
surface. She brings the jacket to her nose, inhaling his
presence. She then sets the jacket down.
13 INT. CYNTHIA BISHOP'S APARTMENT -- DAY
The phone rings. Cynthia answers.
CYNTHIA
Hello.
JOHN
Cynthia. John. Meet me at my house
in exactly one hour.
CYNTHIA
You are scum. I'll be there.
14 INT. VACANT APARTMENT-DAY
Graham and Ann walk around the room, their footfalls heavy on
the hardwood floors. MR. MILLER, the landlord, stands nearby.
He looks fairly interested in Ann.
MR. MILLER
Plenty of room for two people.
GRAHAM
It'll just be me.
MR. MILLER
Student?
GRAHAM
No.
(pause)
You said three-fifty?
MR. MILLER
Plus first and last month deposit.
GRAHAM
Will you lease month-to-month?
MR. MILLER
Not for three-fifty.
GRAHAM
How about for five hundred?
Mr. Miller looks at Ann, then back at Graham.
MR. MILLER
That I can do.
15 INT. JOHN AND ANN MILLANEY'S HOUSE -- DAY
Cynthia lets herself in. She looks around.
CYNTHIA
John?
JOHN
(offscreen)
In here!!
Cynthia walks to the bedroom, where John lies naked on the bed.
She smiles, kicking off her shoes.
CYNTHIA
Ain't you a picture.
Cynthia begins taking her clothes off. She places her diamond
stud earring in her jacket pocket, and then drops the jacket
on the floor. She moves onto the bed with John.
ANN
(voice over)
Maybe you'll understand this,
because you know John, but he
confuses me sometimes.
GRAHAM
(voice over)
How do you mean?
16 INT. CAF?- DAY
Graham and Ann are having lunch. Ann looks to have had a lot
of wine. Graham drinks club soda with a twist.
ANN
It's hard to explain. It's like...
John treats everybody the same,
you know? I mean, he acts just
as excited about seeing somebody
he hardly knows as he does when
he sees me. And so I feel like,
what's different about me, if I'm
treated exactly the same as some
acquaintance? If I don't like
somebody, I don't act like I do.
I guess that's why a lot of people
think I'm a bitch.
She takes a sip of wine.
GRAHAM
Yeah, I know. I mean, I'm not
saying I know people think you're
a bitch, I'm saying I know what
you mean. And I don't even know
that people think you're a bitch.
Do they?
ANN
I feel like they do.
GRAHAM
Hmm. Well, maybe you are. Really,
I wouldn't pay much attention.
Ann smiles.
GRAHAM
I know that I just don't feel a
connection with very many people,
so I don't waste time with people
I don't feel one with.
ANN
Right, right. I don't feel
connected to many people, either.
Other than John.
Graham nods.
ANN
Can I tell you something personal?
I feel like I can. It's something
I couldn't tell John. Or wouldn't,
anyway.
GRAHAM
It's up to you. But I warn you,
if you tell me something personal,
I might do the same.
ANN
Okay. I think...I think sex is
overrated. I think people place
way too much importance on it.
And I think that stuff about women
wanting it just as bad is crap.
I m not saying women don't want
it, I just don't think they want
it for the reason men think they
do.
(smiles)
I'm getting confused.
Graham smiles.
ANN
Do you understand what I'm trying
to say?
GRAHAM
I think so. I remember reading
somewhere that men learn to love
what they're attracted to, whereas
women become more and more
attracted to the person they love.
ANN
Yes! Yes! I think that's very true.
Very.
Graham watches Ann take a sip of wine.
GRAHAM
So what about kids?
ANN
Kids? What about them?
GRAHAM
Do you want them?
ANN
Yeah, actually, I do. But John
doesn't. At least not right now.
GRAHAM
Why is that?
ANN
I don't know, he just said he wants
to wait. I quit asking.
Graham nods.
ANN
So what's your personal thing?
Are you really going to tell me
something personal?
GRAHAM
Do you want me to?
ANN
As long as it's not...gross, you
know? Like some scar or something.
It has to be like mine, like
something about you.
GRAHAM
Agreed.
Graham takes a sip of club soda.
GRAHAM
I'm impotent.
Ann looks at him closely.
ANN
You're what?
GRAHAM
Impotent.
ANN
You are?
GRAHAM
Well, let me put it this way: I
cannot achieve an erection while
in the presence of another person.
So, for all practical purposes,
I am impotent.
Ann takes a large sip of wine. Graham lights a cigarette.
ANN
Does it bother you?
GRAHAM
(exhales)
Not usually. I mean, honestly,
I haven't known many guys that
could think straight with an
erection, so I feel I'm way ahead
of the game as far as being
clear-headed goes.
ANN
Well...are you self-conscious about
it?
GRAHAM
I am self-conscious, but not in
the same way that you are. You
have got to be the most attractive
self-conscious person I've ever
seen.
ANN
Why do you say I'm self-conscious?
GRAHAM
Well, I've been watching you. I've
watched you eat, I've watched you
speak, I've watched the way you
move, and I see somebody who is
extremely conscious of being looked
at. I think you really believe
that people are looking at you
all the time. And you know what?
ANN
What?
GRAHAM
They are looking at you. Ann, you
are truly breathtaking. I don't
know if you understand how your
appearance can affect people. Men
want to possess you, women wish
they looked like you. And those
that don't or can't resent you.
And the fact that you're a nice
person just makes it worse.
ANN
(thinks)
My therapist said that--
GRAHAM
You're in therapy?
ANN
Aren't you?
GRAHAM
Hah! No, I'm not. Actually, I used
to be, but the therapist I had
was really ineffectual in helping
me deal with my problems. Of
course, I lied to him constantly,
so I guess I can't hold him totally
responsible...
ANN
So you don't believe in therapy?
GRAHAM
I believe in it for some people.
I mean, for me it was silly, I
was confused going in. So I just
formed my own personal theory that
you should never take advice from
someone of the opposite sex that
doesn't know you intimately.
ANN
Well, my therapist knows me
intimately.
GRAHAM
(surprised)
You had sex with you therapist?
ANN
Of course not.
GRAHAM
Oh, see, I meant someone you've
had sex with. That's part of the
theory.
ANN
Excuse me for asking, but how would
you know?
GRAHAM
(smiles)
Well, I wasn't always impotent.
Ann takes another sip of wine and thinks for a moment.
ANN
Now, you said never take advice
from someone that you don't know
intimately, right?
GRAHAM
Basically, yes.
17 INT. JOHN AND ANN MILLANEY'S HOUSE -- DAY
Cynthia is leaving the house. She gives John a big kiss.
ANN
(voice over)
So since I've never had sex with
you, by your own advice I shouldn't
accept your advice.
GRAHAM
(voice over)
That's correct.
(pause)
Bit of a dilemma, isn't it?
Cynthia is not wearing her diamond stud earring.
18 INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE -- DAY
ANN
Well, I don't know. The week
started off okay, but then I was
outside watering the plants, and
I started feeling dizzy from the
heat and that got me thinking about
the Greenhouse Effect, so I went
inside and turned on the
air-conditioner full blast, and
that made me feel a little better
until I started thinking about
radon leakage coming up through
the floor, and--
DOCTOR
Radon leakage?
ANN
Yes, it's this radioactive gas
in the ground, and houses kind
of act like magnets to pull it
up, and--you've never heard of
this?
DOCTOR
No, I haven't.
ANN
Well, the cumulative effect is
not good, let me tell you.
(pause)
I knew I shouldn't have watered
those plants.
DOCTOR
Did you confront John about the
visitor?
ANN
What visitor?
DOCTOR
The friend of John's that was
staying at your house.
ANN
Oh, Graham. No, I didn't talk to
him about that. Actually, that
turned out to be pretty
interesting. I expected Graham
to be this...well, like John, you
know? I mean, he said they had
gone to school together, so I was
expecting lots of stories about
getting drunk and secret handshakes
and stuff. But he turned out to
be this...this kind of character,
I mean, he's kind of arty but okay,
you know?
DOCTOR
Is he still at your house?
ANN
No, he left last week.
DOCTOR
Did you find him attractive?
ANN
What do you mean, like physically?
DOCTOR
Let me rephrase. Were you attracted
to him?
ANN
(thinks)
I guess, but not because of the
way he looked or anything. He's
just so different, somebody new
to have a conversation with. I'm
just tired of talking to other
couples about whether or not
they're going to buy the station
wagon, you know? It's just boring.
I don't know, he was just
different. And he's really on about
truth a lot, being honest, and
I like that, I felt comfortable
around him.
(pause)
After he left I had a dream that
he signed a lease to rent our guest
room.
CYNTHIA
(voice over)
So where's he from?
19 INT. CYNTHIA BISHOP'S APARTMENT -- DAY
Ann stands watching Cynthia get dressed for work.
ANN
I don't know. He went to school
here, then he was in New York for
awhile, then Philadelphia, and
then just kind of travelling
around.
CYNTHIA
Must be nice. So, what's he like,
is he like John?
ANN
No, not at all. Actually, I don't
think John likes him much anymore.
He said he thought Graham had
gotten strange.
A pause.
CYNTHIA
Is he? Strange, I mean?
ANN
Not really. Maybe if I just saw
him on the street I'd have said
that, but after talking to
him...he's just kind of...I don't
know, unusual.
CYNTHIA
Uh-huh. So what's he look like?
ANN
Why?
CYNTHIA
I just want to know what he looks
like, is all.
ANN
Why, so you can go after him?
CYNTHIA
Jesus, Ann, get a life. I just
asked what he looked like.
Ann says nothing.
CYNTHIA
Besides, even if I decided to fuck
his brains out, what business is
that of yours?
ANN
Do you have to say that?
CYNTHIA
What?
ANN
You know what. You say it just
to irritate me.
CYNTHIA
I say it because it's descriptive.
ANN
Well, he doesn't strike me as the
kind of person that would go in
for that sort of thing, anyway.
CYNTHIA
Ann, you always underestimate me.
ANN
Well, I wonder why.
CYNTHIA
I think you're afraid to put the
two of us in the same room
together. I think you're afraid
he'll be undeniably drawn to me.
ANN
Oh, for God's sake. Really,
Cynthia, really, I don't think
he's your type.
CYNTHIA
"My type"? What is this bullshit?
How would you know what "my type"
is?
ANN
I have a pretty good idea.
CYNTHIA
Ann, you don't have a clue. Look,
I don't even know why we're
discussing this, I'll just call
him myself.
ANN
He doesn't have a phone.
CYNTHIA
Well, I'll call him when he does.
ANN
But he won't.
CYNTHIA
What are you talking about?
ANN
He's not getting a phone, he
doesn't like talking on the phone.
CYNTHIA
Oh, please. Okay,' so give me the
Zen master's address, I'll think
of a reason to stop by.
ANN
Let me talk to him first.
CYNTHIA
Why? Just give me the address,
you won't even have to be involved.
ANN
I don't feel right just giving
you the address so that you can
go over there and...
CYNTHIA
And what?
ANN
And...do whatever it is you do.
Cynthia laughs loudly. Ann, not happy, watches her dig through
the jewelry box.
ANN
Lose something?
CYNTHIA
That goddam diamond stud earring
that cost me a fucking fortune.
ANN
Are you getting Mom something for
her birthday?
CYNTHIA
I don't know, I'll get her a card
or something.
ANN
A card? For her fiftieth birthday?
CYNTHIA
What's wrong with that?
ANN
Don't you think she deserves a
little more than a card? I mean,
the woman gave birth to you. It s
her fiftieth birthday--
CYNTHIA
Will you stop? Jesus.
ANN
I just thought it might--
CYNTHIA
Okay, Ann, okay. How about this:
you buy her something nice, and
I'll pay for half. All right?
ANN
Fine.
CYNTHIA
Good. Now, if you'll pardon me,
I have to go to work.
20 INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE -- DAY
ANN
I was thinking maybe I shouldn't
be in therapy anymore.
DOCTOR
What brought this on?
ANN
I've been thinking about it for
awhile, and then I was talking
to somebody who kind of put things
in perspective for me.
DOCTOR
(smiles)
I thought that's what I did. Who
was it that you talked to?
ANN
That guy Graham I told you about.
He said taking advice from someone
you don't know intimately
was...well, he said a lot of stuff.
The Doctor exhales, thinking for a moment.
DOCTOR
Ann, in life one has to be aware
of hidden agendas.
(pause)
Did it occur to you that Graham
may have his own reasons for not
wanting you to be in therapy?
ANN
What do you mean? I don't
understand.
DOCTOR
It's possible that Graham has
hidden motives for disliking
therapy and/or therapists. Perhaps
he has problems of his own that
he is unwilling to deal with, and
he would like to see other people,
you for instance, wallow in their
situation just as he does. Do you
think that's possible?
ANN
I guess.
DOCTOR
You understand that you are free
to leave therapy at any time?
ANN
Yes.
DOCTOR
That you are under no obligation
to me?
ANN
Yes.
DOCTOR
Do you want to leave therapy?
ANN
Not really.
DOCTOR
Do you feel there is more progress
to be made?
ANN
Yes.
DOCTOR
I'm glad you feel that way, because
I feel that way, too.
ANN
But you don't have hidden motives
for feeling that way, right?
The Doctor laughs. Ann does not laugh with him.
21 INT. GRAHAM'S APARTMENT -- DAY
On a television monitor we see images originating from an 8mm
Video deck. Graham sits naked in a sheet-covered chair facing
the screen. He watches the tape, which is footage of himself
interviewing a girl about her sexual preferences. The
photography on the tape is handheld, relentless. As the
questions get more detailed, Graham becomes more aroused.
There is a knock on Graham's door. He calmly shuts off the
videotape player and stands, wrapping the sheet around himself.
GRAHAM
It's open.
Graham walks into the bedroom to put on some clothes. Ann opens
the door and walks into the apartment.
ANN
Hi!
GRAHAM
(off)
Ann. Hello.
ANN
Are you in the middle of something?
GRAHAM
(off)
Nothing I can't finish later.
ANN
(looks)
I just wanted to see how the place
looked furnished.
GRAHAM
(Off)
Not much to see, I'm afraid. I'm
sort of cultivating a minimalist
vibe.
ANN
Somehow I imagined books. I thought
you would have like a whole lot
of books and be reading all the
time.
Graham enters.
GRAHAM
I do read a lot. But I check
everything out of the library.
Graham picks up an Anais Nin diary and opens it to show Ann
the library sleeve inside.
GRAHAM
Cheaper that way. And cuts down
on the clutter.
Ann walks to the table where the video gear is set up. Graham
watches her closely. She looks into a large box of 8mm
videotapes. On the side of each tape is a label. The labels
look like this:
DONNA / 11 DEC 86 / 1:07:36
And so on. There are thirty or forty tapes, total.
ANN
What are these?
GRAHAM
Videotapes.
ANN
(smiles)
I can see that. What are they?
Graham exhales.
GRAHAM
It's a personal project I'm working
on.
ANN
What kind of personal project?
GRAHAM
Oh, just a personal project like
anyone else's personal project.
Mine's just a little more personal.
ANN
Who's Donna?
GRAHAM
Donna?
ANN
Donna. On this tape it says
"Donna".
GRAHAM
(thinking)
Donna was a girl I knew in Florida.
ANN
You went out with her?
GRAHAM
Not really.
Ann looks in the box again.
ANN
How come all these are girl's
names?
Graham thinks for a moment.
GRAHAM
Because I enjoy interviewing women
more than men.
ANN
All of these are interviews?
GRAHAM
Yes.
ANN
Can we look at one?
GRAHAM
No.
ANN
Why not?
GRAHAM
Because I promised each subject
that no one would look at the tape
except me.
Ann looks at Graham for a long moment, then back at the tapes.
ANN
What...what are these interviews
about?
GRAHAM
The...interviews are about sex,
Ann.
ANN
About sex?
GRAHAM
Yes.
ANN
What about sex?
GRAHAM
Everything about sex.
ANN
Like what?
GRAHAM
Like what they've done, what they
do, what they don't do, what they
want to do but are afraid to ask
for, what they won't do even if
asked. Anything I can think of.
ANN
You just ask them questions?
GRAHAM
Yes.
ANN
And they just answer them?
GRAHAM
Mostly. Sometimes they do things.
ANN
To you?
GRAHAM
No, not to me, for me, for the
camera.
ANN
(stunned)
I don't ...why...why do you do
this?
GRAHAM
I'm sorry this came up.
ANN
This is just...so...
GRAHAM
Maybe you want to go.
ANN
Yes, I do.
Ann nods and absently heads for the door. She gives Graham a
puzzled look before leaving.
22 INT. JOHN AND ANN MILLANEY'S HOUSE -- DAY
Ann is talking to Cynthia on the telephone.
ANN
(still shaken)
I don't...he doesn't want you to
come over.
CYNTHIA
What do you mean he doesn't want
me to come over? Did you tell him
about me?
ANN
No, I didn't.
CYNTHIA
Why not?
ANN
Because I never got around to it.
CYNTHIA
Well, why?
ANN
Because. Cynthia, look, John was
right. Graham is strange. Very
strange. You don't want to get
involved with him.
CYNTHIA
What the hell happened over there?
Did he make a pass at you?
ANN
No!
CYNTHIA
Then what's the story, what's this
"strange" bullshit all of a sudden?
Is he drowning puppies, or what?
ANN
No, it's nothing like that.
CYNTHIA
Well, what? Is he dangerous?
ANN
No, he's not dangerous. Not
physically.
CYNTHIA
Well, what, then?
ANN
I don't want to talk about it.
CYNTHIA
Then why'd you call me?
ANN
I don't know.
Ann hangs up.
23 INT. CYNTHIA BISHOP'S APARTMENT -- DAY
Cynthia gets out of the shower. The phone rings. She wraps
herself in a towel and lifts the receiver.
CYNTHIA
Hello.
JOHN
Cynthia. John.
CYNTHIA
Not today. I've got other plans.
JOHN
Oh.
(pause)
Well, when, then?
CYNTHIA
How about inviting me over to
dinner?
JOHN
You know what I mean.
CYNTHIA
Yeah, I know what you mean.
Cynthia hangs up the phone.
24 INT. GRAHAM'S APARTMENT -- DAY
Graham sits smoking a cigarette. There is a knock at his door.
GRAHAM
It's open.
Cynthia enters. Graham looks up at her.
GRAHAM
Who are you?
CYNTHIA
I'm Cynthia Bishop.
GRAHAM
Do I know you?
CYNTHIA
I'm Ann Millaney's sister.
GRAHAM
The extrovert.
CYNTHIA
(smiles)
She must have been in a good mood
when she said that. She usually
calls me loud.
GRAHAM
She called you that, too. May I
ask why you re here?
CYNTHIA
You want me to leave?
GRAHAM
I just want to know why you're
here.
CYNTHIA
Well, like I said, Ann is my
sister. Sisters talk. You can
imagine the rest.
GRAHAM
No, I really can't. I find it
healthy never to characterize
people I don't know or
conversations I haven't heard.
I don't know what you and your
sister discussed about me or
anything else. Last time I saw
Ann she left here very...confused,
I would say. And upset.
CYNTHIA
She still is.
GRAHAM
And are you here to berate me for
making her that way?
CYNTHIA
Nope.
GRAHAM
She didn't tell you why she was
upset?
CYNTHIA
Nope.
GRAHAM
She didn't give you my address?
CYNTHIA
Nope.
GRAHAM
How did you find me?
CYNTHIA
I, uh, know a guy at the power
company.
GRAHAM
I don't understand. Why did you
want to come here? I mean, I can't
imagine Ann painted a very
flattering portrait of me.
CYNTHIA
Well, I don't really listen to
her when it comes to men. I mean,
look at John, for crissake. Oh,
you went to school with him didn't
you? You're probably friends or
something.
GRAHAM
Nope. I think the man is a liar.
CYNTHIA
(smiles)
I think you're right. So come on,
I came all the way over here to
find out what got Ann so spooked,
tell me what happened.
GRAHAM
(smiles)
Spooked.
He motions to the box of videotapes.
GRAHAM
That box of tapes is what got Ann
so "spooked".
Cynthia goes over to the box and looks inside for a long moment,
studying the labels.
CYNTHIA
Oh, okay. I think I get it.
GRAHAM
What do you get?
CYNTHIA
Well, they must be something
sexual, because Ann gets freaked
out by that shit. Are these tapes
of you having sex with these girls
or something?
GRAHAM
Not exactly.
CYNTHIA
Well, either you are or you aren't.
Which is it?
GRAHAM
Why don't you let me tape you?
CYNTHIA
Doing what?
GRAHAM
Talking.
CYNTHIA
About what?
GRAHAM
Sex. Your sexual history, your
sexual preferences.
CYNTHIA
What makes you think I'd discuss
that with you?
GRAHAM
Nothing.
CYNTHIA
You just want to ask me questions?
GRAHAM
I just want to ask you questions.
CYNTHIA
And that's all?
GRAHAM
That's all.
CYNTHIA
(a crooked smile)
Is this how you get off or
something? Taping women talking
about their sexual experiences?
GRAHAM
Yes.
CYNTHIA
Would anybody else see the tape?
GRAHAM
Absolutely not. They are for my
private use only.
CYNTHIA
How do we start?
GRAHAM
I turn on the camera. You start
talking.
CYNTHIA
And you ask questions, right?
GRAHAM
Yes.
CYNTHIA
How long will it take?
GRAHAM
That depends on you. One woman
only used three minutes. Another
filled up three two hour tapes.
CYNTHIA
Can I see some of the other tapes
to get an idea of what--
GRAHAM
No.
CYNTHIA
(thinks)
Do I sit or stand?
GRAHAM
Whichever you prefer.
CYNTHIA
I'd rather sit. Are you ready?
GRAHAM
Just a moment.
Graham grabs his 8mm Video camera, puts in a new tape, and turns
it on.
GRAHAM
I am now recording. Tell me your
name.
CYNTHIA
Cynthia Patrice Bishop.
GRAHAM
Describe for me your first sexual
experience.
CYNTHIA
My first sexual experience or the
first time I had intercourse?
GRAHAM
Your first sexual experience.
CYNTHIA
(thinks)
I was...eight years old. Michael
Green, who was also eight, asked
if he could watch me take a pee.
I said he could if I could watch
him take one, too. He said okay,
and then we went into the woods
behind our house. I got this
feeling he was chickening out
because he kept saying, "Ladies
first!" So I pulled down my
underpants and urinated, and he
ran away before I even finished.
GRAHAM
Was it ever a topic of conversation
between the two of you afterward?
CYNTHIA
No. He kind of avoided me for the
rest of the summer, and then his
family moved away. To Cleveland,
actually.
GRAHAM
How unfortunate. So when did you
finally get to see a penis?
CYNTHIA
When I was fourteen.
GRAHAM
Live, or in a photograph or film
of some sort?
CYNTHIA
Very much live.
GRAHAM
What did you think? Did it look
like you expected?
CYNTHIA
Not really. I didn't picture it
with veins or ridges or anything,
I thought it would be smooth, like
a test tube.
GRAHAM
Were you disappointed?
CYNTHIA
No. If anything, after I looked
at it awhile, it got more
interesting. It had character,
you know?
GRAHAM
What about when you touched it?
What did you expect it to feel
like, and then what did it really
feel like?
CYNTHIA
It was warmer than I thought it
would be, and the skin was softer
than it looked. It's weird.
Thinking about it now, the organ
itself seemed like a separate
thing, a separate entity to me.
I mean, after he pulled it out
and I could look at it and touch
it, I completely forgot that there
was a guy attached to it. I
remember literally being startled
when the guy spoke to me.
GRAHAM
What did he say?
CYNTHIA
He said that my hand felt good.
GRAHAM
Then what happened?
CYNTHIA
Then I started moving my hand,
and then he stopped talking.
25 INT. GRAHAM'S APARTMENT -- DAY
Cynthia, adjusting her clothes, opens the door to leave. She
looks very aroused. She and Graham do not speak or touch.
26 INT. LAW OFFICES -- DAY
John Millaney picks up a telephone and presses a blinking
button.
JOHN
John Millaney.
CYNTHIA
I want to see you.
JOHN
When?
CYNTHIA
Right now.
JOHN
Jesus, I don't know if I can get
away. I've got a client waiting.
I'd have to do some heavy duty
juggling.
CYNTHIA
Then get those balls in the air
and get your butt over here.
She hangs up. John thinks a moment, then hits his intercom
button.
JOHN
Janet, re-schedule Kirkland, see
if he can come in Friday. Smooth
things out, tell him an emergency
came up. I'll slip out the back.
27 INT. GRAHAM'S APARTMENT -- DAY
Graham watches Cynthia's tape, becoming excited.
CYNTHIA
(voice on tape)
Would you like me to take my pants
off?
GRAHAM
(voice on tape)
If you wish.
(pause)
You're not wearing any underwear.
CYNTHIA
(voice on tape)
Do you like the way I look?
GRAHAM
(voice on tape)
Yes.
CYNTHIA
(voice On tape)
Do you think I'm pretty?
GRAHAM
(voice on tape)
Yes.
CYNTHIA
(voice on tape)
Prettier than Ann?
GRAHAM
(voice on tape)
Different.
28 INT. CYNTHIA BISHOP'S APARTMENT -- DAY
Cynthia and John are having sex.
CYNTHIA
(to Graham, voice on
tape)
John doesn't have sex with Ann
anymore.
GRAHAM
(voice On tape)
Is that what he tells you?
CYNTHIA
(voice on tape)
He doesn't have to tell me.
Cynthia has an intense orgasm. She rolls off of John, sweating.
JOHN
Jesus Christ. You are on fire
today.
Cynthia smiles.
CYNTHIA
Yes. You can go now.
DOCTOR
(voice over)
If you won't talk to me, I can't
help you.
A moment of silence. John is starting to put his clothes on.
Cynthia lies in bed, her eyes closed, her face serene.
ANN
(voice over)
I hate my sister.
29 INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE -- DAY
DOCTOR
Why?
ANN
(rambling)
Because all she thinks about are
these guys she's after and I just
hate her she's such a little slut
I thought that in high school and
I think that now. Why do people
have to be so obsessed with sex all
what's the big damn deal? I mean,
it's okay and everything, but I
don't understand when people let
it control them, control their
lives, why do they do that?
30 INT. JOHN AND ANN MILLANEY'S HOUSE -- NIGHT
Ann lies awake in bed beside John, who is sound asleep.
DOCTOR
(voice over)
There are many things that can
exert control over one's life,
good and bad. Religion, greed,
philanthropy, drugs.
ANN
(voice over)
I know, but this...I just feel
like everybody I know right now
is obsessed with sex.
Ann looks over at John. She slowly reaches under the covers
and grasps his penis. Without waking, he rolls over and turns
his back to her. She returns to looking at the ceiling.
ANN
(voice over)
Except John, I guess.
31 INT. JOHN AND ANN MILLANEY'S HOUSE -- DAY
Ann is talking to Cynthia on the phone. Ann looks very morose.
CYNTHIA
He just asked me questions.
ANN
What kinds of questions?
CYNTHIA
Questions about sex.
ANN
Well, like what did he ask,
exactly?
A pause.
CYNTHIA
Well, like, I don't want to tell
you, exactly.
ANN
Oh, so you'll let a total stranger
record your sexual life on tape,
but you won't tell your own sister?
CYNTHIA
Apparently.
ANN
Did he ask you to take your clothes
off?
CYTNHIA
Did he ask me to take my clothes
off? No, he didn't.
ANN
Did you take your clothes off?
CYNTHIA
Yes, I did.
ANN
(floored)
Cynthia!
CYNTHIA
What!?
ANN
Why did you do that?
CYNTHIA
Because I wanted to.
ANN
But why did you want to?
CYNTHIA
I wanted him to see me.
ANN
Cynthia, who knows where that tape
may end up? He could be...bouncing
it off some satellite or something.
Some horny old men in South America
or something could be watching
it.
CYNTHIA
He wouldn't do that.
ANN
You don't know that for sure.
CYNTHIA
Well, it's too late now, isn't
it?
ANN
Did he touch you?
CYNTHIA
No, but I did.
ANN
You touched him?
CYTNHIA
No, I touched me.
ANN
Wait a minute. Do you mean...don't
tell me you...in front of him.
CYNTHIA
In front of him, Ann, yes.
ANN
(serious)
You are in trouble.
CYNTHIA
(laughs)
Listen to you!! You sound like
Mom. What are you talking about?
ANN
(outraged)
I can t believe you did that!!
CYNTHIA
Why?
ANN
I mean, I couldn't do that in front
of John, even.
CYNTHIA
You couldn't do it, period.
ANN
You know what I mean, you don't
even know him!
CYNTHIA
I feel like I do.
ANN
That doesn't mean you do. You can't
possibly trust him,
he's...perverted.
CYNTHIA
He's harmless. He just sits around
and looks at these tapes. What's
the big deal?
ANN
So he's got this catalogue of women
touching themselves? That doesn't
make you feel weird?
CYNTHIA
No. I don't think they all did
what I did.
ANN
You are in serious trouble.
CYNTHIA
Ann, I don't understand why this
freaks you out so much. You didn't
do it, I did, and if it doesn't
bother me, why should it bother
you?
ANN
I don't want to discuss it.
CYNTHIA
Then why do you keep asking about
it?
32 INT. LOUNGE -- DAY
A sparse daytime crowd. Cynthia serves a beer to some DUDE.
He puts the money down on the bar and looks at her.
DUDE
(as Marlon Brando)
Are you an assassin?
CYTNHIA
Excuse me?
DUDE
(still Brando)
You're an errand boy...sent by
grocery clerks...to collect a bill.
Ann enters the lounge, carrying a package.
DUDE
(to Cynthia)
Brando, it's Brando, come on.
CYNTHIA
It's great. Pardon me.
Cynthia moves down the bar to meet Ann.
ANN
I wish you'd get an answering
machine.
CYTNHIA
There's a phone here.
ANN
It was busy.
Ann opens the package, revealing a lovely sun dress.
ANN
Here it is.
CYNTHIA
What is it?
ANN
It's a sun dress.
CYNTHIA
It looks like a tablecloth.
ANN
It does not.
CYTNHIA
Well, why would she want a sun
dress? She's got spots on her
shoulders and varicose veins.
ANN
So will you, someday.
CYNTHIA
Yeah, and when I do, I won't be
wearing sun dresses.
The lounge phone rings.
ANN
I was just trying to--
CYNTHIA
Hold on.
Cynthia walks to the other end of the bar to answer the phone.
The Dude watches her pass. Then he turns to Ann and gives her
the once-over. He spots the present.
DUDE
Nice dress.
Ann says nothing.
DUDE
Wanna hear my Walter Matthau?
You'll love this.
(as Matthau)
"Feeelix, what are you, craaazee?"
(back to normal)
Pretty good, huh?
Cynthia picks up the phone.
CYNTHIA
Hello.
JOHN
Cynthia. John.
CYNTHIA
Well, this is timely. Your wife
is here, would you like to speak
to her?
JOHN
She's there? What's she doing
there?
CYTNHIA
She came by to show me a present
that she and I are buying for your
mother-in-law.
JOHN
Oh. When can I see you?
CYNTHIA
I don't know. I'm not sure I can
duplicate the level of intensity
I had the other day.
JOHN
Nothing wrong with trying.
CYNTHIA
I don't think my sister would
agree.
A pause.
JOHN
Do you want me to stop calling?
CYNTHIA
Look, I'll call you, okay?
Cynthia hangs up and walks back to Ann.
CYNTHIA
So what's my share of the dress?
ANN
Thirty-two dollars.
Cynthia pulls thirty-five bucks out of her jeans. She watches
Ann put the money away.
CYNTHIA
Look, don't worry about the dress,
I'm sure she'll love it.
DUDE
(to Ann and Cynthia)
Hey!! How about Tom Brokaw? Nobody
does Brokaw.
(as Tom Brokaw)
"In Iran today..."
33 SCENE DELETED
34 INT. GRAHAM'S APARTMENT -- DAY
Graham sits reading a book. There is a knock at his door.
GRAHAM
It s open.
Cynthia enters the room, looking very intent on something.
GRAHAM
Hello.
CYNTHIA
Hi.
Graham sets his book down. He looks at her for a moment, then
drags on his cigarette.
CYNTHIA
Look, I'm just going to come right
out and tell you why I'm here,
okay?
GRAHAM
Okay.
CYNTHIA
I'd like to make another tape.
Graham thinks for a moment.
GRAHAM
No.
CYNTHIA
No? Not even one more?
GRAHAM
I never do more than one. I'm
sorry.
CYNTHIA
I can't talk you into it?
GRAHAM
No. You'll have to get somebody
else.
CYNTHIA
Now who the hell is going to do
that for me?
GRAHAM
I'm sure a substantial number of
men in this town would volunteer.
CYNTHIA
But I want you to do it, I want
somebody who will ask the right
questions and everything, somebody
I can play to and feel safe because
you can't do anything.
GRAHAM
Ouch. Okay, I deserved that.
Cynthia, don't you understand?
After the first time it's just
not spontaneous. There's no edge
anymore. Look at the tapes, there
is only one date on each label.
I have never taped anyone twice.
CYNTHIA
So make an exception.
GRAHAM
No.
CYNTHIA
How about if you record over the
one we already made? You could
have the same date and not use
another tape. Who would know?
GRAHAM
I would.
CYNTHIA
Well, what the hell am I supposed
to do?
GRAHAM
Cynthia, I don't know.
CYNTHIA
I can't believe you're doing this
after I let you tape me.
GRAHAM
I'm sorry. I can't do it.
CYNTHIA
Goddamit, give me my tape, then.
GRAHAM
No.
Cynthia heads for the tape box. Graham leaps up to stop her.
CYNTHIA
(digging through the
box)
It's my fucking tape, you asshole--
Graham grabs her wrists momentarily.
GRAHAM
(heated)
No!! I told you what the parameters
were and you agreed. It's my tape.
I look at it, I touch it, nobody
else.
Cynthia and Graham look at each other for a long moment.
GRAHAM
Please go, I'd like you to go now.
Cynthia looks at him.
CYNTHIA
Sure, okay.
She leaves.
35 INT. JOHN AND ANN MILLANEY'S HOUSE -- NIGHT
John and Ann lie in bed. The lights are out. Ann is wide awake,
while John is on the verge of sleep. He rolls over and puts his
arm around her. She gets up and sits in a chair opposite the
bed.
ANN
John?
JOHN
Mmmmm...
ANN
I called you Tuesday at 3:30 and
they said you weren't in. Do you
remember where you were?
CUT TO:
36 INT. CYNTHIA BISHOP'S APARTMENT -- DAY
John and Cynthia are in Cynthia's bed, kissing. On the floor,
John's watch reads 3:11 pm.
CUT BACK TO:
37 INT. JOHN AND ANN MILLANEY'S HOUSE -- NIGHT
JOHN
Tuesday. I had a late lunch.
ANN
Did you see a message to call me
when you got back in?
CUT TO:
38 EXT. CYNTHIA BISHOP'S APARTMENT -- DAY
John leaves Cynthia's house and drives straight home, greeting
Ann as he steps through the front door.
CUT BACK TO:
39 INT. JOHN AND ANN MILLANEY'S HOUSE -- NIGHT
JOHN
Yes. I just got busy.
ANN
That's interesting, because I
didn't leave a message.
John is waking up a little.
JOHN
Then maybe I saw an old message.
There are a lot of them on my desk,
you know.
ANN
Who'd you have lunch with?
JOHN
I ate by myself.
A pause.
JOHN
Something wrong?
ANN
Are you having an affair?
JOHN
Jesus Christ, where'd that come
from? I have a late lunch by
myself and now I'm fucking
somebody?
ANN
Well, are you?
JOHN
No, I'm not. Frankly, I'm offended
at the accusation.
ANN
If I'm right, I want to know.
I don't want you to lie. I'd be
very upset, but not as upset as
if I'd found out you'd been lying.
JOHN
There's nothing to know, Ann.
ANN
I can't tell you how upset I would
be if you were lying.
JOHN
Ann, you are completely paranoid.
Not ten minutes ago I wanted to
make love for the first time in
weeks, and you act like I'm dipped
in shit. You know, I think there
are a lot of women that would be
glad to have a young, straight
male making a pretty good living
beside them in bed with a hard
on.
ANN
My sister, for one. Is that who
it is?
JOHN
For God's sake, Ann, I am not
fucking your sister. I don't find
her that attractive, for one.
ANN
Is that supposed to comfort me?
JOHN
I was just saying, you know? I
didn't get paranoid when you didn't
want to make love. I could have
easily assumed that you didn't
want to because you were having
an affair.
ANN
But I'm not.
JOHN
I'm not either!!
ANN
Why don't I believe you?
JOHN
Look, this conversation is utterly
ridiculous. Maybe when you have
some evidence, we should talk,
but don't give me conjecture and
intuition.
ANN
Always the lawyer.
JOHN
Goddam right. I mean, can you
imagine: "Your honor, I'm positive
this man is guilty. I can't place
him at the scene or establish a
motive, but I have this really
strong feeling."
ANN
You've made your point.
JOHN
I'm sorry. It's just...I'm under
a lot of pressure with this
Kirkland thing, it's my first big
case as junior partner, and I work
all day, I come home, I look
forward to seeing you, and...it
hurts that you accuse me like that.
A pause. Ann exhales.
ANN
I'm sorry, too. I...I get these
ideas in my head, you know, and
I have nothing to do all day but
sit around and concoct these
intricate scenarios. And then
I want to believe it so I don't
think I've wasted the whole day.
Last week I was convinced you were
having an affair with Cynthia,
I don't know why.
JOHN
I don't, either. I mean, Cynthia,
of all people. She's so...
ANN
Loud.
JOHN
Yeah. Jeez, give me some credit.
ANN
I didn't say it was rational, I
just said I was convinced.
JOHN
Isn't therapy helping at all?
ANN
I don't know. Sometimes I feel
stupid babbling about my little
problems while children are
starving in the world.
JOHN
Quitting your therapy won't feed
the children of Ethiopia.
ANN
I know.
A pause.
ANN
You never used to say "fucking".
40 SCENE DELETED
41 INT. CYNTHIA BISHOP'S APARTMENT -- DAY
John sits on the edge of Cynthia's bed, slowly undressing.
JOHN
It's just so blatantly stupid,
I have a hard time believing you
did it.
CYNTHIA
What's so stupid about it?
JOHN
That you...you don't even know
the guy.
CYNTHIA
Well, you know him, he's a friend
of yours, do you think he can be
trusted?
JOHN
Shit, after what you've told me,
I don't know. I should've known,
when he showed up dressed like
some arty brat.
CYNTHIA
I like the way he dresses.
JOHN
What if this tape gets into the
wrong hands?
CYNTHIA
"The wrong hands"? We're not
talking about military secrets,
John. They're just tapes that he
makes so he can sit around and
get off.
JOHN
Jesus Christ. And he doesn't have
sex with any of them? They just
talk?
CYNTHIA
Right.
JOHN
Jesus. I could almost understand
it if he was screwing these people,
almost. Why doesn't he just buy
some magazines or porno movies
or something?
CYNTHIA
Doesn't work. He has to know the
people, he has to be able to
interact with them.
JOHN
Interact, fine, but did you have
to masturbate in front of him,
for God's sake? I mean...
A pause.
CYNTHIA
I felt like it, so what? Goddam,
you and Ann make such a big deal
out of it.
JOHN
You told Ann about this?
CYNTHIA
Of course. She is my sister. I
tell her almost everything.
JOHN
I wish you hadn't done that.
CYNTHIA
Why not?
JOHN
It's just something I'd prefer
she didn't know about.
CYNTHIA
She's a grown-up, she can handle
it.
JOHN
I just...Ann is very...
CYNTHIA
Hung up.
JOHN
It just wasn't a smart thing to
do. Did you sign any sort of
paper, or did he have any contract
with you saying he wouldn't
broadcast these tapes?
CYNTHIA
No.
JOHN
You realize you have no recourse
legally? This stuff could show
up anywhere.
CYNTHIA
It won't. I trust him.
JOHN
(disbelieving)
You trust him.
CYNTHIA
Yeah, I do. A helluva lot more
than I trust you.
JOHN
What do you mean?
CYNTHIA
Exactly what I said. I'd trust
him before I'd trust you. How much
clearer can I be?
JOHN
It hurts that you would say that
to me.
CYNTHIA
(laughs)
Oh, please. Come on, John. You're
fucking your wife's sister and
you hardly been married a year.
You're a liar. But at least I know
you're a liar. It's the people that
don't know, like Ann, that have to
watch out.
JOHN
By definition you're lying to Ann,
too.
CYNTHIA
That's right. But I never took
a vow in front of God and everybody
to be "faithful" to my sister.
JOHN
Look, are we going to do it or
not?
CYNTHIA
Actually, no, I've changed my mind.
I shouldn't have called.
JOHN
(ingratiating)
Well, I'm here now. I'd like to
do something...
CYNTHIA
How about straightening up the
living room?
John doesn't smile.
CYNTHIA
Come on, John. You should be happy,
we've gone this far without Ann
finding out, I'm making it real
easy on you. Just walk out of here
and I'll see you at your house
for a family dinner sometime.
JOHN
Did he put you up to this?
CYNTHIA
Who?
JOHN
Graham.
CYNTHIA
No, he didn't put me up to this.
Jesus, I don't need people to tell
me what I should do. I've just
been thinking about things, that's
all.
JOHN
I can't believe I let him stay
in my house. Right under my nose.
That deviant fucker was right under
my nose and I didn't see him.
CYNTHIA
If he had been under your prick
you'd have spotted him for sure.
JOHN
(looks at her)
God, you...you're mean.
CYNTHIA
I know. Will you please leave now?
JOHN
Maybe I don't want to leave. Maybe
I want to talk.
CYNTHIA
John, we have nothing to talk
about.
JOHN
I knew it, I knew it. Things are
getting complicated.
CYNTHIA
No, John, things are getting real
simple.
42 INT. JOHN AND ANN MILLANEY'S HOUSE -- DAY
Ann, dressed in some of John's work clothes (old cotton shirt,
khaki pants) is cleaning the house. Not cleaning like a normal
person, but like an obsessive/compulsive person. Scrubbing spots
that are already clean, vacuuming the same area of rug over
and over, etc. Suddenly, an object lodges itself in the snout
of the vacuum cleaner, making a loud noise. Shutting the machine
off, Ann turns it over and sees that Cynthia's diamond stud
earring has gotten hooked in the take-up roller.
Ann stares at Cynthia's earring for a long moment.
CUT TO:
Cynthia picking up her jacket from beside the bed after having
sex with John. The earring slips out of the pocket and bounces
under the edge of the bed.
CUT BACK TO:
Ann as she sets the earring onto the floor and begins to pound
it with the bottom of a water glass, trying to smash it to
pieces. She soon realizes the futility of trying to break a
diamond.
Ann looks down at herself. Suddenly realizing that she is
dressed in John's clothing, she frantically rips the shirt and
pants from her body as though the material were burning her
skin. Popped buttons skid across the floor.
Clothed only in her bra and underwear, Ann sits in the middle
of the bedroom floor, arms around herself.
43 EXT. JOHN AND ANN MILLANEY'S HOUSE -- DAY
Ann, now in jeans and t-shirt, stumbles to her car. Once inside,
she jams the key into the ignition and rests her head against
the steering wheel.
44 EXT. GRAHAM'S APARTMENT -- DAY
Ann lifts her head from the steering wheel and looks up. She
looks almost surprised to find that she has driven to Graham's.
Slowly, she gets out of the car.
45 INT. GRAHAM'S APARTMENT -- DAY
Graham sits reading.
There is a weak knock at the door. Graham listens, not sure he
heard anything. There is a second weak knock.
GRAHAM
It's open!
Nothing happens. Graham gets up and opens the door himself.
Ann stands against the wall of the hallway, her head down, her
breathing deliberate. Concerned, Graham slowly begins to lead
her inside. Impulsively, she hugs him tightly.
Unaccustomed to physical contact, Graham's hands hang awkwardly
at his side. Ann slowly pulls back from the embrace and sits
down. Graham goes to the kitchen area and gets her a glass of
water. He gives it to her and sits in the chair opposite. Ann
holds the glass in her hand, staring at it.
GRAHAM
It's bottled, not tap.
A weak smile from Ann. She drinks, swallowing with difficulty.
ANN
I'm not sure why I came here. I
had kind of decided not to talk
to you after...you know.
GRAHAM
I know.
A pause.
ANN
That son of a bitch.
Ann looks at Graham.
ANN
(sarcastic)
John and Cynthia have been...
"fucking".
GRAHAM
I know.
ANN
(stunned)
You know?
GRAHAM
Yes.
ANN
How did you know?
GRAHAM
She said it on her tape.
ANN
(angry)
Why didn't you tell me?
GRAHAM
Ann, when would I have told you?
We were not speaking, if you
recall.
Ann says nothing.
GRAHAM
But even if we had been speaking,
I wouldn't have told you.
ANN
Why not?
GRAHAM
It's not my place to tell you these
things, Ann. You have to find out
by yourself or from John directly.
You have to trust me on this.
Ann shakes her head.
ANN
My life is...shit. It's all shit.
It's like somebody saying, "Okay,
chairs are not chairs, they're
actually swimming pools" I mean,
nothing is what I thought it was.
What happened to me? Have I been
asleep? I vaguely remember the
wedding, but a lot of it is just
a blur...like I was watching
from a distance. I can't believe
him. Why didn't I trust my
intuition?
Graham says nothing.
ANN
And I'm vacuuming his goddam rug.
His rug, that he paid to have put
in his house. Nothing in that place
belongs to me. I wanted to put
some of my grandmother's furniture
in it, but he wouldn't let me.
So I m vacuuming his rug. That
bastard.
Ann looks at Graham.
ANN
I want to make a tape.
A pause.
GRAHAM
Do you think that's such a good
idea?
ANN
Don't you want to make one?
GRAHAM
Yes. But I sense the element of
revenge here.
ANN
What difference does it make why
I do it?
GRAHAM
I want you to be aware of what
you're doing and why, because I
know that this is not the sort
of thing you would do in a normal
frame of mind.
ANN
What would you know about a normal
frame of mind?
GRAHAM
(impressed)
That's a good question.
ANN
What do you have to do to get
ready?
GRAHAM
Load a new tape, turn the camera
on.
ANN
Then do it.
Graham opens a new box of videotapes.
ANN
How do you pay for all this? I
mean, rent, and tapes and this
equipment.
GRAHAM
I have money.
ANN
What will you do when the money
runs out?
GRAHAM
It won't. Are you ready?
ANN
Yes.
Graham turns the camera on.
GRAHAM
Tell me your name.
ANN
Ann Bishop Millaney.
CUT TO BLACK:
THEN CUT TO:
46 EXT. GRAHAM'S APARTMENT -- DUSK
Street lights are illuminated. Night is imminent.
47 INT. GRAHAM'S APARTMENT -- DUSK
Graham stops the video recorder. The record meter is stopped at
46:02.
Ann sits beside Graham on the couch. She looks into his eyes,
stroking his hair.
After a moment, she gets up to leave.
48 INT. JOHN AND ANN MILLANEY'S HOUSE -- NIGHT
John is talking on the phone as Ann walks through the door.
He mumbles an apology into the receiver and hangs up as Ann
moves to the couch, her expression calm.
JOHN
(worried)
Jesus Christ! What the hell
happened? I came home and
your car was gone, the door
was open, I thought for sure
you'd been abducted by some mad
fucker, I was literally just
calling the cops when you walked
in. What happened?
ANN
I want out of this marriage.
JOHN
(genuinely shocked)
What?
ANN
(looks at him)
I want out of this marriage.
JOHN
Why?
ANN
We'll call it uncontested or
whatever. I just want out.
John moves to sit beside her on the couch. Ann does not look
at him.
JOHN
(conciliatory)
Ann, honey, please, tell me what's
wrong. Don't just say you want
out and leave me wondering. You
can't just go without telling me
why.
Ann turns to look at him for a moment, then turns away.
ANN
Fuck you. I can do what I want.
John's mouth literally hangs open in shock. He is dumbstruck.
ANN
I'll stay at my mother's.
John gets up from the couch and begins pacing.
JOHN
Where did you go when you left
here?
ANN
I drove around. Then I went to
talk with Graham.
John smacks his hand on his leg.
JOHN
Goddammit, goddammit!! That son
of a bitch!!
(thinking)
Well, at least I know you didn't
fuck him.
ANN
No, but I wanted to. I really
wanted to, partially just to piss
you off.
John is seething.
JOHN
You're leaving me for him, aren't
you? Well, that makes a sad sort
of sense. He can't, and you won't.
ANN
I'm not going to discuss this with
you anymore. You're making no
sense.
John walks over to Ann.
JOHN
Did you make one of those goddam
tapes?
Ann says nothing.
JOHN
Answer me, godammit!! Did you make
one of those tapes?
ANN
Yes!
John explodes, hitting the wall all around Ann. She cowers
beneath the storm.
John bolts from the house.
ANN
DON'T YOU TOUCH HIM!!!
49 INT. GRAHAM'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Graham stands in the middle of the room with a cigarette in
his mouth, trying to teach himself to moonwalk.
50 EXT. GRAHAM'S APARTMENT -- NIGHT
John screeches to a halt, parking haphazardly. He gets out of
the car and runs to Graham's apartment.
51 INT. GRAHAM'S APARTMENT -- NIGHT
John bursts through the door without bothering to knock. Graham
looks up, startled. Before he can even react, John has him by
the lapels.
GRAHAM
Hi, John.
JOHN
Where are the tapes, Graham?
GRAHAM
What tapes?
JOHN
You know which tapes! Where are
they?
GRAHAM
John, as a lawyer, you should know
that those tapes are private
property.
JOHN
So is my wife, asshole!!
GRAHAM
She's not property, John, she's a
person. Were you just going to
keep right on lying to her?
JOHN
What the hell do you think? I
love Ann. You think I'm going to
tell her about Cynthia and hurt
her feelings like that?
GRAHAM
God, you need help.
JOHN
I need help? Whose sitting by
himself in a room choking his
chauncey to a bunch of videotapes,
Graham? Not me, buddy. You're the
fucking nut. Now show me those
tapes.
GRAHAM
No.
JOHN
I'm not kidding, Graham, you'd
better do what I say. Give me those
tapes.
GRAHAM
No.
John punches Graham in the jaw, knocking him to the floor.
Graham feels his mouth for blood as John picks him up by the
shirt.
JOHN
Graham, I swear to Christ I'll
kill your scrawny ass. Now give
me those tapes.
GRAHAM
No.
John roughly pushes Graham into one of the director's chairs,
which topples over and throws Graham to the floor once again.
John looks around. He sees the boxes of tapes and begins to
go through the contents. Graham gets up and runs over to stop
him.
GRAHAM
Get away from those!! They belong
to me!!
Graham and John struggle. John hits Graham in the stomach and
pushes him to the floor.
JOHN
Give me your keys.
GRAHAM
My keys?
John bends over and starts going through Graham's pockets.
JOHN
Your keys, asshole!! Your two
fucking keys!! Give them to me!!
GRAHAM
I'm not going to give you my keys.
John beats Graham until Graham can offer no resistance. He then
drags Graham into the hallway and leaves him there.
John then locks himself inside Graham's apartment.
John walks over to the boxes of videotapes and begins to search
through them spastically. He finds both Cynthia and Ann's tapes.
After a brief deliberation, he decides to watch Ann's. He turns
on the player and the monitor. After pulling a chair up to the
screen, John presses the button marked "play".
In the hallway, Graham drags himself to the door of his
apartment. Putting his ear to the inlet, he strains to hear
what is going on inside.
John watches the monitor come to life.
The image is Ann, sitting in a chair.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
Tell me your name.
ANN
(on tape)
Ann Bishop Millaney.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
You are married, correct?
JOHN
Goddam right.
ANN
(on tape)
Yes.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
Who usually initiates sex?
John's jaw tightens.
JOHN
Bastard...
ANN
(on tape)
He does.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
Do you talk to him?
ANN
(on tape)
When we're making love?
GRAHAM
(on tape)
Yes.
ANN
(on tape)
Sometimes. Afterward.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
Does he go down on you?
JOHN
(shouting at Graham)
You son of a bitch!!
ANN
(on tape)
Not very often.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
I would.
John is literally so mad he can't speak. He watches the screen
in mute anger, his hands wrapped tightly around the arms of
the chair. Graham still listens from the hallway.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
Have you ever wanted to make love
to someone other than your husband?
JOHN
Goddamit...
Ann hesitates.
JOHN
(to Ann's image)
Answer him, goddammit!!
GRAHAM
(on tape)
You're hesitating. I think that
means you have.
JOHN
(to Graham on tape)
Shut up!!!
ANN
(on tape)
You don't know what I'm thinking.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
It's a simple question. Have you
ever thought of having--making
love with someone other than your
husband?
John leans forward.
ANN
(on tape)
Is he going to see this?
GRAHAM
(on tape)
Absolutely not.
A sarcastic chuckle from John. In the hallway, Graham furrows
his brow.
ANN
(on tape)
I have thought about it, yes.
JOHN
(to Ann's image)
You bitch. I knew it.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
Did you have sex before you were
married?
ANN
(on tape)
Yes.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
Did the person you made love with
satisfy you more than your husband?
JOHN
(to Graham)
God damn you!!
ANN
(on tape)
Yes.
John stands and throws his chair against the door. Graham, still
listening at the door, is startled.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
And you have thought about...making
love to that person again since
you ve been married?
John watches the monitor, his eyes beginning to water.
ANN
(on tape)
I don't see what difference it
makes, I mean, I can think what
I want.
(pause)
I don't know if I want to do this
anymore, I'm afraid...I don't mind
answering the questions so much,
but if somebody were to see this...
GRAHAM
(on tape)
At some level, I don't understand
your nervousness. Have you decided
to leave John?
Ann thinks. John watches.
ANN
(on tape)
Yes, I have. I will.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
Then as far as this taping goes,
you have nothing to worry about.
ANN
(on tape)
I guess not.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
Do you want me to stop?
John, absorbed in the image, absently shakes his head.
ANN
(on tape)
No.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
Are there people other than your
previous lover that you have
fantasized about?
A pause.
ANN
(on tape)
Yes. Whenever...all right, look.
Whenever I see a man that I think
is attractive, I wonder what it
would be like with him, I mean,
I'm just curious, I don't act on
it, but I hate that I think that!!
I wish I could just forget about
that stuff!!
GRAHAM
(on tape)
Why?
ANN
(on tape)
Because that's how Cynthia thinks!!
All she does is think about that
stuff, and I hate that, I don't
want to be like her, I don't want
to be like her!!
GRAHAM
(on tape)
You're not like your sister. You
couldn't be like her if you wanted
to.
ANN
(on tape)
I know. Deep down, I know that.
It just bothers me, when I have
feelings or impulses that she has.
John picks up the chair he threw and sets it upright. He sits
down and watches the screen impassively. Graham still listens
from outside.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
So you do fantasize?
ANN
(on tape)
Yes.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
About who?
ANN
(on tape)
I fantasized about you.
GRAHAM
(on tape)
About me?
ANN
(on tape)
Yes.
A pause.
ANN
(on tape)
Have you fantasized about me?
GRAHAM
(on tape)
I thought I made that clear before,
when I said I would go down on
you.
ANN
(on tape)
I remember. You could do that,
couldn't you? Go down on me?
GRAHAM
(on tape)
Yes.
ANN
(on tape)
If I asked you to, would you? Not
on tape, I mean?
GRAHAM
(on tape)
No.
ANN
(on tape)
On tape?
GRAHAM
(on tape)
No.
ANN
(on tape)
Why not?
GRAHAM
(on tape)
If I can't do it all, I don't want
to do anything. And I can't do
it all.
ANN
(on tape)
Can't or won't?
A pause. John is still watching the tape, his face betraying
no emotion. Graham still listens from outside.
CUT TO:
The previous afternoon. We are no longer looking at Ann on the
monitor, but watching her and Graham AS THEY MADE THE TAPE. For
instance, we can now see Graham from Ann's point of view, or the
two of them at the same time, etc.
GRAHAM
Can't.
ANN
You said you weren't always
impotent.
GRAHAM
That's correct.
ANN
So you have had sex.
GRAHAM
Yes.
ANN
Who was the last person you had
sex with?
GRAHAM
Her name was Elizabeth.
ANN
So what happened? Was it so bad
that it turned you off?
GRAHAM
No, it was wonderful. That wasn't
the problem.
ANN
What was the problem?
GRAHAM
The problem was me. I was...I was
a pathological liar. Or am, I
should say. Lying is like
alcoholism, one is always
"recovering".
ANN
So you lied to her?
GRAHAM
Yes. I did. Willfully and
repeatedly.
ANN
How come?
GRAHAM
I loved her for how good she made
me feel, and I hated her for how
good she made me feel. And at that
time, I tended to express my
feelings non-verbally. I couldn't
handle anyone having that much
control over my emotions.
ANN
And now you can?
GRAHAM
Now I make sure that no one has
the opportunity to test me.
ANN
Don't you get lonely?
GRAHAM
How could I, with all these nice
people stopping by? The fact is
that I've lived by myself for so
long, I can't imagine living with
another person. It's amazing what
you can get used to if enough time
goes by. And anyway, I'm asking
the questions. Are you happy?
ANN
I don't know anymore. I thought
I was, but obviously I was wrong.
GRAHAM
Did you confront John with the
fact that you knew about him?
ANN
Not yet. I'm not sure I will. I
just want out.
GRAHAM
If you do get out of your marriage,
will you continue to be inhibited?
ANN
I don't know. It all gets back
to that Cynthia thing. I don't
like her...eagerness. There's
nothing left to imagine, there's
no...
GRAHAM
Subtlety?
ANN
Subtlety, yes. No subtlety. Plus,
I've never really felt able to
open up with anyone. I mean, that
other person I told you about,
I enjoyed making love with him
a lot, but I still wasn't able
to really let go. I always feel
like I'm being watched and I
shouldn't embarrass myself.
GRAHAM
And you feel the same way with
John?
ANN
Kind of. I mean, John's like this
kind of...craftsman. Like he's
a carpenter, and he makes really
good tables. But that's all he
can make, and I don't need anymore
tables.
GRAHAM
Interesting analogy.
ANN
I'm babbling.
GRAHAM
No, you're not.
ANN
(thinking)
God, I m so mad at him!!
GRAHAM
You should be. He lied to you.
So did Cynthia.
ANN
Yeah, I know, but somehow I expect
that from her, I mean, she'll do
it with almost anybody, I don't
know, I shouldn't stick up for
her I guess, but him. He lied
so...deeply!! Ooo, I want to watch
him die!!
Ann sits quietly for a moment. Graham watches her silently.
The camera continues to roll.
ANN
(looks up at Graham)
You're really never going to make
love again?
GRAHAM
I'm not planning on it.
A pause.
ANN
If you were in love with me, would
you?
GRAHAM
I'm not in love with you.
ANN
But if you were?
GRAHAM
I...I can't answer that precisely.
ANN
But I feel like maybe I could be
really comfortable with you.
GRAHAM
That's very flattering.
ANN
So why won't you make love with
me? Why wouldn't you, I mean?
GRAHAM
Ann. Are you asking me
hypothetically, or are you asking
me for real, right now?
ANN
I'm asking for real. I want you
to turn that camera off and make
love with me. Will you?
A pause.
GRAHAM
I can't.
ANN
Why not?
GRAHAM
I've told you.
ANN
But I don't understand--
GRAHAM
Ann, it could happen to me all
over again, don't you see? I could
start to--
ANN
But how do you know for sure, you
have to try to find a way to fig--
GRAHAM
I couldn't face her if I had slept
with somebody else.
A pause.
ANN
Who? Elizabeth?
GRAHAM
(uncomfortable)
Yes.
ANN
You mean you're still in contact
with her?
GRAHAM
No.
ANN
But you're planning to be?
GRAHAM
I don't know. Possibly.
ANN
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
What's going on here? Did you come
back here just to see her again?
GRAHAM
Not entirely.
ANN
But that was part of it?
GRAHAM
Yes.
ANN
Like maybe a big part?
GRAHAM
Possibly.
ANN
Graham, I mean, what do you think
her reaction is going to be if
you contact her?
GRAHAM
I don't know.
ANN
Look at you, look at what's
happened to you, look how you've
changed! Don't you think she will
have changed?
GRAHAM
I don't know. I really would rather
not talk about it.
ANN
(has to laugh)
Whoa!! I'm so glad we got that
on tape!! You won't answer a
question about Elizabeth, but I
have to answer all these intimate
questions about my sex life!!
Graham, what do you think she's
going to make of all these
videotapes? Are you going to tell
her about them? I can't imagine
her being too understanding about
that. But since you don't lie
anymore, you'll have to say
something.
GRAHAM
As I said, I haven't decided what
to do, exactly. Perhaps I won't
do anything.
ANN
Oh, you just moved here to think
about it, right?
Graham says nothing. Ann looks at him.
ANN
Oh, God, Graham, this is
so...pathetic. You're not even
what you pretend to be, you're
a lie, you're a bigger lie than
you ever were.
Graham sets the camera down, though it continues to record.
He is visibly upset.
GRAHAM
All right, you want to talk about
lies, let's talk about lies, Ann.
Let's talk about lying to yourself.
You haven't been able to sleep
with your husband because you're
no longer in love with him, and
maybe you never were. You haven't
been honest with yourself in longer
than you can remember.
ANN
(heated)
Yeah, you're right. But I never
claimed to know everything like
you, and have all these little
theories. I'm still learning, I
know that. But I don't feel like
I've wasted time. If I had to go
through my marriage to get to where
I am right now, fine.
Ann moves in closer, burrowing, her eyes on fire.
ANN
But you. You have wasted nine
years. I mean, that has to be
some sort of weird record or
something, nine years. How does
that feel?
Graham says nothing. Ann picks up the camera and points it at
him.
GRAHAM
Don't do that.
ANN
Why not?
GRAHAM
Because.
ANN
"Because"? That's not good enough.
I asked you a question, Graham.
I asked you "how does it feel"?
How does it feel, Mr. I Want To
Go Down On You But I Can't? Do
you know how many people you've
sucked into your weird little
world? Including me? Come on,
how does it feel?
GRAHAM
I can't tell you like this.
ANN
I'm just going to keep asking until
you answer. I'm sure there's plenty
of tape.
GRAHAM
I don't find this "turning the
tables" thing very interesting--
ANN
I don't care.
Graham reaches up for the camera. Ann knocks his hand away.
ANN
Not until I get some answers. Tell
what you feel. Not what you think,
I've heard plenty of that. What
you feel.
Graham is on the verge of completely falling apart.
ANN
Come on!!
GRAHAM
All right!! All right!! You want
to know? You want to know how
I feel? I feel ashamed. Is that
what you wanted to hear?
A pause. Graham regains his composure somewhat.
ANN
Why are you ashamed?
GRAHAM
Jesus Christ, Ann. Why is anybody
anything? I think you have this
idea that people are either all
good or all bad, and you don't
allow for any gray areas, and
that's what most of us consist
of.
ANN
You're not answering me.
GRAHAM
(heated)
Well, what kind of answer are you
looking for, Ann? What is it
exactly that you want to know?
ANN
I want to know why you are the
way you are!
GRAHAM
And I'm telling you it's not any
one thing that I can point to and
say "That's why!" It doesn't work
that way with people who have
problems, Ann, it's not that neat,
it's not that tidy! It's not a
series of little boxes that you
can line up and count. Things
just don't happen that way.
ANN
But why can't you just put it all
behind you? Can't you just forget
it? All that stuff you did?
GRAHAM
No, Ann, I can't. I can't forget
it. It's not something I can fix.
It's difficult. There s something
in my mind...the way my brain
works...
[frustrated)
God, Ann, when you're with another
person, and you re...inside
them, you're so vulnerable, you're
revealing so much...there's no
protection. And...somebody could
say, or do something to you while
you re in this...state
of...nakedness. And they could
hurt you without even knowing it.
In a way that you couldn't even
see.
(looks at Ann)
And you would withdraw. To make
sure it didn't happen again.
Ann looks at him for a long moment and then sets the camera
down.
She moves in front of Graham and kneels.
ANN
I want to touch you.
Graham shakes his head.
ANN
I want to touch you.
GRAHAM
No.
Ann reaches out, and Graham instinctively begins to move away.
ANN
Graham.
Something in her voice makes him stop. Their eyes lock. Graham
slowly moves back toward her.
Ann's hand eases out to him, her eyes still burning into his.
Graham closes his eyes, accepting Ann's touch.
She caresses him.
Slowly.
Delicately.
She touches his arms, his face, his hair.
Closing her eyes, she takes his hand and puts it against her
face.
She begins to lie him back on the couch. When he offers light
resistance, she gently persists.
ANN
Keep your eyes closed.
Graham lies back, silently obeying.
Ann touches his face.
Gradually, her hand slips to his neck and she begins to
unbutton his shirt. She watches his face, hoping that he will
remain calm. He does.
She rubs her hand on his chest.
Once again she brings Graham's hand to her face. She moves his
hand to her neck and throat, painting her skin with his fingers.
Soon each hand is exploring the other. Fingers search for and
find hidden areas.
Ann stands.
Their hands remain together, and Graham's eyes remain closed.
Ann moves onto the couch with Graham.
She gently lowers herself into a sitting position on his waist.
She slowly moves both of her hands onto Graham's chest. They
move forward and back, like a lazy tide.
She looks at Graham. His face is tranquil.
Ann quietly begins to move her face toward his.
Soon she is hovering inches above him, her long hair touching
his features.
She lowers her lips to his forehead and kisses him. She waits
for a negative reaction. Getting none, she moves lower and
kisses his eyes. Still receiving no discouragement, she moves
to his nose.
A subtle movement from Graham. Ann waits for a moment.
She then moves to his lips, her luxuriant tresses enveloping
his face.
She kisses him lightly.
She kisses him again.
Graham tilts his head back and she softly kisses his neck.
Graham's hands make their way up Ann's back until they have
reached her neck. He slowly pulls his face to hers.
He kisses her.
Graham is flooded with warmth and excitement.
He caresses her, intoxicating himself with physical contact.
The kisses become more meaningful, and the touching becomes
more passionate.
For a moment, Graham seems about to evaporate in a state of
ecstasy, his eyes filled with relief and happiness.
But his gaze happens to fall on the video camera, which
continues to record.
Graham seizes up and abruptly backs away from Ann's embrace.
Reality slowly envelopes him.
ANN
Graham...
GRAHAM
I'm okay. It's okay.
Ann reaches for his hand. He allows her to take it.
GRAHAM
(almost dazed)
It's okay.
Graham looks at Ann for a long moment. She sees the acceptance
and gratitude in his eyes. She smiles lightly.
Graham moves forward and shuts off the camera.
CUT BACK TO:
John watching the tape. There is video snow on the monitor now.
The tape timer reads 46:02. John gets up slowly, ejects the tape
from the player, and heads for the door.
Graham, hearing the footsteps approach, backs away from the
inlet. His eye is swollen, and he holds one of his hands in
a curious position.
John opens the door. He looks at Graham for a moment before
reaching into his pocket for Graham's keys. He dangles them
in his hand as he stands over Graham.
JOHN
I never told you this, because
I thought it would crush you, but
now I could give a shit.
(pause)
I fucked Elizabeth. Before you
broke up. Before you were having
trouble, even. So you can stop
making her into a saint. She was
good in bed and she could keep
a secret. And that's about all
I can say about her.
John drops Graham's keys to the floor and leaves. Graham stands,
fighting back tears, and walks into his apartment.
He pulls Ann's tape from the videotape player.
He reaches inside the cassette cartridge and pulls the videotape
itself out, ruining it forever. He does the same to every other
tape in both the boxes. Calmly. Deliberately. Methodically.
He walks over to the camera/recorder, trailing a mound of
videotape behind him. He breaks the lens off the camera body,
and smashes the inner workings against the edge of the table.
He then drops the damaged unit into the pile of destroyed tape,
where it disappears.
CUT TO BLACK:
THEN CUT TO:
52 INT. LAW OFFICES -- DAY
John Millaney talks to his colleague.
JOHN
Man, not having to answer to
anybody... I feel like this huge
weight has been lifted from my
shoulders. I mean, come on, if
I decide that I'd rather live
alone, what's so bad about that?
It's not like I've decided to live
a life of crime, right?
It's just how I feel, you can't
help the way you feel, you just
have to be honest about it.
John dials a number on his telephone.
VOICE ON PHONE
IBM.
JOHN
(to phone)
Brian Kirkland, please.
VOICE ON PHONE
May I ask who's calling?
JOHN
John Millaney.
VOICE ON PHONE
One moment.
JOHN
(to his colleague)
Anyway, I've always said, the work
is the thing. I can be happy
without a marriage, but take away
my work, that's different. And
if Ann can't handle that, that's
her problem, like we re all alone
in this world, you know what I'm
saying? I mean, fuck.
(looks at phone)
Jesus, what's takin' this guy?
The intercom clicks to life.
SECRETARY
(on speaker)
Mr. Millaney?
JOHN
Yeah.
SECRETARY
(on speaker)
Mr. Forman would like to see you
in his office.
JOHN
Okay, in a minute, I'm on with
a client.
SECRETARY
(on speaker)
He said immediately.
JOHN
All right, jesus.
The intercom clicks off.
VOICE ON PHONE
Mr. Millaney?
JOHN
Yes?
VOICE ON PHONE
Mr. Kirkland has asked me to inform
you that he has obtained legal
representation elsewhere, and that
if you have a message for him to
leave it with me.
John swallows.
JOHN
Thank you. I...there is no message.
Thank you.
John hangs up. He thinks for a moment, rubbing his forehead.
The intercom clicks to life.
SECRETARY
(on speaker)
Mr. Millaney, Mr. Forman is
waiting.
DUDE
(voice over)
Come on, I'm not asking too much,
am I? Just one little question.
53 INT. LOUNGE -- DAY
Cynthia is tending bar. The Dude from earlier is still there,
puffing On a big cigar.
DUDE
Just tell me what time you get
off. Work, I mean. What's the
harm in that? Whaddaya say?
Ann enters the lounge. Cynthia watches with apprehensive
surprise as Ann approaches with a potted plant.
CYNTHIA
(to Dude)
Excuse me.
Cynthia moves to meet Ann at the end of the bar. Ann sets the
plant down on the counter. Her manner is diffident, but not
hostile.
ANN
I know it's your birthday, and
I know you like plants. So I got
you this.
Cynthia is very moved, though she struggles valiantly to conceal
her emotions.
CYNTHIA
Thank you.
ANN
Well. I can't stay.
Ann begins to leave.
CYNTHIA
Can I call you?
Ann turns back to face her. They look at each other for a
moment.
ANN
Do you have my work number?
CYNTHIA
No.
Ann writes the number down on a napkin.
ANN
I get real busy between two and
four.
CYNTHIA
Okay.
Ann looks at Cynthia again before leaving.
ANN
Bye.
CYNTHIA
Bye.
Ann leaves. Cynthia continues to look at the door long after
Ann has left.
DUDE
Nice plant.
Cynthia turns to him.
CYNTHIA
Do me a favor. Don't come in here
anymore.
54 SCENE DELETED
55 INT. GRAHAM'S APARTMENT -- DAY
Graham sits reading. There is now some furniture in the
apartment. Bookshelves, plants, etc. There are periodicals on
the table where the video gear used to be. There are no
cigarettes.
There is a knock at Graham's door, which now has a deadbolt
lock.
GRAHAM
Who is it?
A knock again. Graham sets his book down and goes to the door.
He unlocks the deadbolt and opens it.
Ann stands in the hallway.
Graham is obviously flushed with feeling at seeing her. She
wordlessly moves into the room, her movements like a slow
breeze, her expression calm.
Graham watches her go by.
She stops in the middle of the room, her back to him.
Graham moves toward her slowly. Sensing him behind her, her
breathing becomes deep.
Graham slowly enfolds her in his arms, his face against her
hair.
She closes her eyes as their fingers entwine.
CUT TO BLACK
THE END
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