I Smile Back Page #2

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SUSAN:

Bruce’s book.

Donny rests his chopsticks on his plate and takes a look at

the book.

DONNY:

“Life Insurance: Hedging Your Bet

Against God”, by Bruce Brooks!

That’s a great f***ing title.

SUSAN:

And he just won a big insurance

award. Right Bruce?

BRUCE (TO ELI)

Not in the house E.

ELI:

I know.

Pink (03/02/2014) 55.

Eli dribbles it one last time then hugs it with one arm,

grabs a plate.

BRUCE:

Man Of The Year. Highest producer

in the company.

Bruce’s tone is playful.

BRUCE (CONT’D)

They’re honoring me at the annual

convention. An all expenses paid

weekend in... Lake George. (a beat)

In March.

Everyone laughs.

DONNY (FOOD IN MOUTH)

So what’s the book about?

BRUCE:

The way I see it, there’s a bible

for the afterlife. I wrote the

bible for the here and now.

More laughs.

BRUCE (CONT’D)

I’m not kidding. People can say

what they want about insurance and

guys like me but you know what? At

the end of the day, having good

insurance is the most important

thing you can do while you’re

alive. And every time you up it

you’re just hedging your bet

against God. Am I right?

Laney, bored, brings her plate into the kitchen, dumps it,

grabs a lollipop.

BRUCE (CONT’D)

(mouthful of food)

What are you doing?

LANEY:

Just cleaning up, kids have school

tomorrow. I have to do laundry,

make their lunches.

BRUCE:

Sit back down Laney. Everyone here

is enjoying the food.

Pink (03/02/2014) 66.

LANEY:

The ribs are sour.

BRUCE:

You don’t eat.

DONNY:

Come on Lane. Sit back down.

Bruce’s vaguely suspicious looks returns when Donny calls her

“Lane”. Janey enters the kitchen holding BINGO, the cutest

little dog in the entire world. Janey is Laney’s clone.

Brown hair, chocolate eyes, big smile.

JANEY:

Daddy, Bingo was crying.

LANEY:

Janey where did you get that dog?

JANEY:

We rescued him from the pound!

BRUCE:

Janey, Bingo was supposed to be a

surprise for Mommy.

JANEY:

But he was crying. I think he needs

you Mommy.

Janey passes Bingo into Laney’s arms.

LANEY:

Bruce, I thought we talked about

this.

BRUCE:

Janey, go tell everyone to come see

Bingo.

Janey hesitates, then runs out of the room. Bruce turns to

Laney.

BRUCE (CONT’D)

No YOU talked about this. WE didn’t

talk about anything. Come on Lane-

this dog is gonna make you happy.

Let's just give it a try. Can you

just trust me on this?

LANEY:

F*** you Bruce.

Pink (03/02/2014) 77.

She shoves the dog into Bruce’s arms and exits leaving Bruce,

Donny and Susan in an awkward silence.

9 INT. LANEY’S BATHROOM - NIGHT - SAME 9

A naked Laney is examining herself in the bathroom mirror.

She traces her left breast with her finger. Up and around,

down. She stops, glances at herself and then lifts her right

breast. Up and around, down.

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