Drinking & Lonely

A Short Film

Screenplay by Matthew S. Haglund

DRAFT ONE

Drinking & Lonely

By Matthew S. Haglund

Scene 1 – Flower Shop

Mark is at a flower store buying a bouquet. He thanks the cashier and walks out to his car. Car starts. Shot inside car of Mark. He is looking very nervous. He looks down at flowers. He smiles.

Scene 2 – Opening Credits/Driving to Greyhound Station

Song “Crown” by Mason Jennings starts to play. Camera shot from the hood of the car facing Mark. Camera shot of car driving down road. Camera shot from passenger seat looking at Mark. Camera shot of car driving by. Camera shot from behind Mark looking at his eyes in the rearview mirror. Camera shot of Mark pulling up to the Greyhound bus station.

Scene 3 – Inside Car

Mark is driving. Mel is in passenger seat looking at the flowers Mark bought. Both are silent. Mark smiles.

Mark: I’ve missed you, ya know.

Mel: Of course I know. You told me every time we talked.

Mark: Well I wasn’t lying. You missed me too, right?

Mel: No shit.

Mark: Well tell me again.

Mel: I missed you Mark.

Mark laughs.

Mel: What’s so funny?

Mark: God…it’s just nice to have you back.

Scene 4 – Mel’s House

Mark and Mel are sitting on a couch watching TV. Both are completely silent. The freshly cut flowers are sitting on the coffee table in a vase.

Mark: What’s wrong Mel? Why aren’t you talking to me?

Mel: Nothing’s wrong.

Mark: Well why don’t we talk about something? It’s been 4 months since I’ve seen you.

Mel: Irritated. What do you want to talk about Mark?

Mark: Hey, I don’t want to fight with you right now. I missed you.

Mel: Yeah, I know.

Mark: Hey, come on.

Mel is silent.

Mark: I love you babe.

Mel: I love you too Mark. I’m sorry…it’s been a long time…I… How’s work been going?

Mark: Eh…it’s ok. Nick is still a dickhead, but it’s fine.

Mel: That’s good.

Both are silent, staring at the TV. Mark puts his arms around Mel and innocently cuddles up to her.

Mark: God I love you.

Mel: You too.

Mark: There were so many nights when I was lying there in bed thinking about you…wondering what you were doing at that exact moment…if you were thinking about me too maybe. Oh…it makes me sad just thinking about it.

Mel starts to cry.

Mark: Hey! What’s wrong with you? Why are you crying? I’m here…you’re here. What’s wrong Mel?

Mel: God…I need to tell you something Mark.

Mark: Oh my god…what? Tell me.

Mel: It’s so hard to see your face…I feel so bad…I can’t…

Mark: What the hell is wrong? Tell me!

Mel: I’m such a bad…girlfriend…

Mark: Oh my god…did you cheat on me Mel? Did you cheat on me?

Mel is sobbing, does not respond.

Mark: Oh my god you did.

Mel nods her head slowly. Mark begins to cry.

Mark: Oh fuck. Oh fuck. God...why? What the hell?

Mel: I’m so sorry Mark! I’m such a bad girlfriend...

Mark: You…oh fuck…I was faithful to you the whole time…I thought this was it…I thought we…what the hell were you thinking?

Mel: Obviously I’m sorry Mark! Look at me for god’s sake!

Mark: God damn it!

Mel: I’m sorry…I’m sorry…I don’t even know what to…

Mark: This fucking hurts so bad…I thought you loved me!

Mel: I do love you Mark!

Mark: You do? Did you the past 4 months?

Mel: Yes! I’m so sorry!

Mark: I just…I have to go.

Mel: No…no don’t.

Mark gets up to leave. Mel grabs Marks wrist.

Mark: I have to.

Mel: No!

Mark pulls away. Mel grabs at his pant leg.

Mark: Don’t…fucking touch me.

Mel: Mark…

Mark: Just…have a nice life.

Mel: Mark!

Shot outside. Mark is walking to his car. Mel runs out the door.

Mel: Mark! Wait! Please!

Mark gets into his car. Car starts. Mark drives off.

Scene 5 – Coffee Shop

Mark and his Erik are at a coffee shop. Mark has a cup of coffee in front of him. Mark has his head in his arms. Mark looks up.

Erik: That sucks dude. Man that sucks.

Mark is silent.

Erik: So is that it then? Is it over between you two?

Mark: I guess…it’s…how could she do that? How could this happen?

Erik: Hey, it happens. It’s happened to me. It sucks.

Mark: Ah…we were together for 3 years Erik. Three years. Can you believe that?

Erik: It’s terrible.

Mark: I can’t trust her. It’s…ah…how can I?

Erik: I know man. Wow…I’m really sorry.

Mark: I can’t even think right now. I can’t drink this.

Both sit there is silence for a little bit. Mark begins to tear up.

Erik: Hey! I’m…uh…having a party tonight. You should stop by.

Mark: I don’t think so. I can’t…

Erik: You should. Very seriously. Get your mind off of this for a few hours.

Mark: No…I…

Erik: Please Mark? Do it for yourself. Just for an hour or two.

Mark is staring off with a sad look on his face.

Erik: Hey, I’ll swing by around 7 on my way to the liquor store. Ok?

Mark: Ummmm…

Erik: Ok?

Mark: Let’s get out of here.

Erik: Ok…

Mark and Erik stand up to leave.

Mark: Who’s all gonna be there tonight…at the party?

Erik: Tom, Jesse, ummm…Tim maybe…I called Molly and Sam, so…just a small party. You just…really should do something.

Mark and Erik exit coffee shop.

Scene 6 – Mark’s House

Mark is getting ready for the party. He tries on two different shirts. He fixes his hair and brushes his teeth. When he is ready he sits on his couch with a sad look on his face. His eyes look up. Camera cuts to a close up of a photo of him and Mel. His eyes look down then back up. Camera cuts to the photo again. Mark sighs.

Scene 7 – Erik’s House

Mark, Erik, Tim, Tom, Jesse, Molly, Sarah, Sam and Shannon are sitting in a living room drinking beer and other mixed drinks. All are laughing and talking.

Tom: Oh, it was the dumbest idea in the world.

Erik: Well why the hell did you do it?

Tom: Molly told me to!

Molly: Oh come on! I wasn’t fucking serious!

Tom: So anyways, Tim get’s out of the car to push, and mind you, he’s drunk as hell…so the poor guy slips and falls about 20 times before Trevor and Jim get out and help him.

Molly: I’ve got some good pictures if you want to see it.

Erik: Wow…that’s just dumb. So did you get the car out?

Tom: Of course we got the car out.

Tim: You mean I got the car out.

Tom: Yeah, that’s what I mean you idiot.

Mark gets up and goes to the bar to make another drink. He’s obviously quite inebriated. Everyone is laughing in the background. Sarah walks up to him.

Sarah: Hey, could you pour me another one of those too?

Mark: Sure.

Sarah: Your name’s Mark, right?

Mark: Yup...and you’re Ssssss...

Sarah: Sarah. Sam’s friend.

Mark: I see. Sam’s a nice girl.

Sarah: Hesitant. So…are you going to school up here?

Mark: Yeah…I mean no, I’ve…I did, but I’ve graduated. I’m working right now.

Sarah: Cool…are you married then?

Mark: Laughingly. No.

Sarah: Girfriend?

Mark: Thinking hard. Ummmm…no…

Sarah: Really? Totally single?

Mark: Ummm…yeah…I guess.

Sarah: Wow…that weird…I mean, I’m single too, but it just seems like there’s not too many people our age that aren’t…uhh…aren’t…committed.

Mark: Oh yeah…I know what you mean.

Mark quietly looks at Sarah. Mark begins to look very sad.

Sarah: Are you ok?

Mark: Yeah. I…uh…let’s go get in on this game.

Everyone is playing Fuck the Dealer. As the turns go by, Mark and Sarah keep looking up from the table to each other.

Later that night. The room is pretty dark. Mark and Sarah are sitting in the corner talking. Soft music is playing in the background. People are talking in the background.

Sarah: It’s not that I’m not looking for someone. Since I broke up with my last boyfriend 3 months ago…well…I just haven’t found anyone. We were together for about a year, and after the breakup…I just haven’t had the strength to go looking.

Mark: Yeah, that musta been tough.

Sarah: Man…you just get so comfortable and then one day it all goes to shit.

Mark sits in silence thinking about what was just said.

Sarah: So what’s your story?

Mark: I…

Molly and Tom walk up as a couple.

Molly: Hey Mark, I think we’re gonna get going.

Mark: Already?

Tom: Yeah, I’ve gotta work tomorrow morning.

Mark: Ok. Well have a nice night guys. Nice to see you.

Tom: Yeah, you too.

Mark: Drive safe.

Molly: It was nice to meet you Sarah.

Sarah: Yeah! I’ll probably see you guys around.

Molly: See ya guys.

Mark: Bye bye.

Molly and Tom leave. Erik walks up.

Erik: Hey you two, it looks like everyone’s heading out so I think I’m gonna head upstairs to bed.

Mark: Oh, ok.

Mark and Sarah start to get up.

Erik: No, no! You guys don’t have to go. Just make sure that the door’s locked when you leave.

Mark: Oh no, that’s ok. We can go.

Erik: No, no! I insist. Just try to keep it down. Winks.

Sarah: Well thank you Erik.

Erik: I’ll see you guys later. G’night.

Mark: Night.

Sarah: Goodnight.

Erik walks upstairs.

Sarah: So what was I saying?

Scene changes to Mel’s house. She sits down on the couch and takes a shot of something. She has been crying. Her eyes look up. Camera cuts to a picture of Mark. Camera cuts back. She takes another shot and lies down. She starts to cry hysterically.

Scene changes back to Erik’s house. Mark and Sarah are laughing hysterically and still drinking. Their speech is slurred.

Mark: Are you serious?

Sarah: Yes I’m serious.

Mark: That’s a long time.

Sarah: Well things weren’t too good toward the end.

Mark: It sounds like it.

Sarah: How long’s it been for you?

Mark contemplates his answer.

Mark: 4 months about…I think.

Sarah: What the fuck! You’re just as bad as me.

They both start to laugh. Sarah changes spots to be right next to Mark. Puts her arm around him and continues to drink.

Sarah: You’re a really nice guy Mark.

Mark: And you’re a…really nice girl.

Sarah: I’m happy I decided to come tonight. Otherwise I wouldn’t have met you.

Mark smiles. They both stare at each other. They get closer and closer. Sarah touches his cheek. They kiss. The kissing gets more intense. Soon they are on top of each other. Marks hands are touching her body.

Scene changes to Mel’s house. She is sobbing softly in bed. Her eyes look up at another picture of Mark. She is clearly wondering what he is doing at the moment. After a few seconds, she turns off the light.

Scene 8 – Erik’s House

The next morning. The sun is out. Camera pans in across a heap of clothes on the ground. Mark and Sarah are in a bed together at Erik’s house. Mark wakes up and looks over at Sarah. He looks at his watch.

Mark: Damn it.

Mark gets up. Sarah rolls over.

Scene 9 – Mark’s House

Mark comes in the door of his apartment, still wearing the clothes of night before. He looks completely exhausted. He throws his keys on the table and collapses on the living room couch. He starts looking at the picture of Mel. His face becomes very sad.

The scene cuts quickly to Mark sleeping on the couch. It is later in the day, as the room is darker. Mark cell phone begins to ring and he wakes up.

Mark: Tiredly. Hello?

Mel: Mark? Hi, it’s me.

Mark: Mel…hi…how are you?

Mel: Were you asleep? It’s almost 4 o’clock.

Mark: What? No, I wasn’t sleeping…my voice is just…hoarse…

Mel: Hey Mark, I just wanted to call and tell you how sorry I am. I feel so terrible…God, I just wish you could know how terrible I feel right now.

Mark: Oh, yeah. Hey listen…I’m really sorry too for the way I acted yesterday.

Mel: No Mark, I totally understand what happened. I know I’m a horrible person for what I did to you.

Mark: No, really. It’s ok Mel. I love you.

Mel: Wow…thank you so much Mark. You are such a great boyfriend…I can’t believe this…are you actually going to for…

While Mel says the previous line, Mark is clearly worked up. He’s contemplating what to say next and cuts Mel off.

Mark: Hey, do you think I could maybe…see you tonight?

Mel: Of course! Were you thinking like later? Or right now?

Mark: Ummm…anytime really…I mean, anytime really works for me.

Mel: Great. Well, is it ok if I run to Fiesta quick to pick up some stuff? I ran out of milk this morning.

Mark: Irritated. Yeah, that’s fine.

Mel: Ok, I’ll call you as soon as I’m ready. It will probably be around 6, 6:30. Does that work?

Mark: Yeah. That sounds…fine.

Mel: Alright. I just want to say one more time how sorry I am Mark. Thanks for…being willing to see me.

Mark: Yeah. See ya tonight Mel.

Mel: Bye Mark.

Scene cuts to Mark in the bathroom getting the shower started to get ready to see Mel. He is again seen picking out a shirt and fixing his hair.

The scene cuts to him in the kitchen eating a snack. Mark’s cell phone rings. He looks down at the caller ID but there is not name, just a number. Mark answers.

Mark: Hello?

Sarah: Mark! Hi! How are you?

Mark: Ummm…I’m doing alright.

Sarah: What are you doing tonight?

Mark: I’m sorry…who is this?

Sarah: This is Sarah! We didn’t really get to say goodbye this morning. How you feeling? You had an awful lot to drink.

Mark: How did you get this number?

Sarah: I asked Sam for it.

Mark: I see.

Sarah: Was I not supposed to?

Mark: No, no. I was just wondering.

Sarah: Listen Mark, I’m not gonna lie. I had a really good time with you last night and I was wondering if maybe you wanted to stop by my place for a little bit. Maybe go grab some dinner or coffee or something and talk.

Mark: Ummmm…well…I…ummmm…

Mark is clearly uncomfortable with the whole situation. He rubs his face with his free hand and starts to sweat a little.

Sarah: Hey, if you have plans or are busy, we can get together tomorrow sometime instead. I just thought it would be nice.

Mark: Yeah, I…I’m just thinking…can you hold on just a sec so I can look at my calendar?

Sarah: Of course.

Mark puts his fingers over the receiver of the phone and starts to look around. His eyes end up eventually on the picture of Mel. He takes and deep breath, calms down, and brings the phone back up to his mouth.

Mark: Hey Sarah, listen, I have to be honest with you.

Sarah: What do you mean?

Mark: Sarah, I’m really sorry, but I’m getting back together with my…girlfriend.

Sarah: What?! You have a girlfriend? You told me you were single!

Mark: Well technically I was last night.

Sarah: You told me that you were totally single! You lied to me and then you took advantage of me! You fucking asshole! You bastard! You used me just as a sick fucking one night rebound!

Mark: Sarah, please! It’s not like that! Can I explain?

Sarah: Shut the fuck up you asshole! Crying. Shut up…all you fucking boys are the same.

Mark: Sarah, please don’t hate me. Can I call you later so we can talk about this? Hello? Sarah? Hello?

Mark looks down at his phone. Closes it.

Mark: God damn it.

Scene 10 – Mel’s House

Mark’s car pulls up outside. It is evening and dark outside. He is greeted at the door by Mel. They hug each other and walk inside.

The scene cuts to the bedroom. Mel and Mark are in bed with each other. They just made love. Mel has her arm over Marks chest. They both seem exhausted, yet awake.

Mel: Whispering. I love you Mark.

Mark: I love you too Mel.

Mel: You know, I’ll never forget the time you first kissed me. Dancing with you out at the club…face to face. You were so close to me; our little noses were squished together…our foreheads touching. You hands god knows where. I wanted to kiss you so bad…then suddenly it was happening. Oh…it was so amazing.

Mark: Then you went berserk for about 3 days.

Mel: I was confused, ok? Give a girl a break. At least I made the right choice in the end.

Mark: Thank god.

Mel: Hesitantly. It felt like that first time again tonight Mark. It’s been so long and I wanted you so badly. That first time we kissed the butterflies in my stomach just exploded. I haven’t had a feeling like that again until tonight.

Mark: Well I think that’s a good thing.

Mel: Starts to cry. Mark, I’m sorry for what I did to you.

Mark: Hey now, don’t cry! I told you everything was ok.

Mel: I feel like such a disappointment to you. You’ll probably never trust me again, will you?

Mark: That’s not true at all, come on, stop crying.

Mel: I loved you and I was so stupid. So stupid.

Mark: We’re all stupid sometimes.

Mel: Not like that! I don’t deserve you.

Mark: Yes you do.

Mel: How can you say that? I cheated on you! I’m a terrible girlfriend.

Mark is comforting her. He starts to tear up.

Mark: Mel, I need to tell you something. I cheated on you too.

Mel: What? Oh my god…really? With who?

Mark: Ummmm…a girl I met at a party.

Mel: At a party? You said before that you were totally faithful while I was gone. You said that and lied just to make me feel worse!

Mark: No, I wasn’t lying to you Mel.

Mel: How could you not have been? You said you were faithful and now you’re telling me you cheated too?

Mark: This happened…last night Mel.

Mel is in total shock. She is silent, thought seems to be getting angrier by the moment.

Mark: I’m sorry Mel…I was upset and I…

Mel explodes.

Mel: You fucking piece of shit! Get the fuck out of my house! Get the fuck out of here you stupid fuck!

Mark: Mel! Come on!

Mel: How the hell could you do this to me Mark? I cannot believe this! I want you out of here right now!

Mark: Mel!

Mel: I am serious! I am dead fucking serious! Get the fuck out of here!

Mark: But Mel!

Mel: Fuck this relationship! Get the hell out of here!

Mark: Fuck this relationship? How the hell can you…

Mel: God damn it anyways!

Mel starts to throw things at Mark. Mark gets up and tried to clothe himself as fast as possible and starts to run being chased by Mel. Mel is still screaming all the way. On the way out she grabs the flowers Mark bought from the vase. Mark is getting into his car and starts the engine. Mel runs outside and throws the flowers at the hood of his car. Mark drives off.

Scene 11 – Mark’s House/Mel’s House

Song “Fourteen Pictures” by Mason Jennings begins to play and continues to the end of the film. Mark gets out of his car and pulls off one of the flowers stuck to the windshield wiper. Mark walks through his apartment door. He sits down on the couch. He looks at the flower and then tosses it across the room.

Mel is still in bed. She is crying. She throws the picture of Mark across the room.

Mark is outside sitting on the ground, smoking a cigarette. He is staring off strait ahead. He picks up his cell phone, looks as though he is about to call, then hangs up.

Mel comes out of the bathroom. She picks up the picture of Mark from the floor and places it next to her bed. She pulls her cell phone out of her purse.

Mark lies down in bed and looks at the picture of Mel. He looks at his phone.

Mel is looking at the picture of Mark. She looks at her cell phone which is sitting right next to the picture. She turns off the light.

Mark is looking at the picture of Mel. He looks at his cell phone and then sets in on the nightstand. He turns off his lamp.

A cell phone rings in the darkness.

THE END

CREDITS