Beginners Page #7

OLIVER V.O.

Oh, I was just- I was gonna take a

break, actually.

She pulls out a writing pad, oblivious. Oliver can tell she’s

not going to give it up.

OLIVER:

(back in accent)

Well, I guess we should start with

your mother.

The woman writes on her notepad and shows it to Oliver:

“Never had one.”

OLIVER:

Well then your father.

She mimes shooting herself in the head and dying.

OLIVER:

I don’t understand. You can’t

talk? Is it a mental problem? Do

you need analysis?

She writes on her pad: “I have laryngitis”

OLIVER:

That’s a physical problem.

She smiles at him, looks at him a little too long, Oliver is

more and more pulled in by her playfulness - she writes:

“Why are you at a party if you’re sad?”

CU on Oliver, surprised and impressed by her observation.

(CONTINUED)

10/29/07 17.

CONTINUED:

OLIVER:

I was doing such a good job of

hiding it. How could you tell?

Ethel holds up her notebook. She has drawn TWO EYES.

Oliver’s taken by her.

OLIVER:

Clearly, I’m gonna need a drink.

You?

She smiles and nods.

OLIVER:

You, stay here, yeah?

Oliver moves to-

INT KITCHEN:

Elliot and Shauna are deeply engaged in conversation with

someone dressed as a pickle and someone dressed as much less

colorful chicken.

ELLIOTT:

No, its just not a natural color

for a chicken.

SHAUNA:

No.

ELLIOTT:

(motioning to Shauna’s

costume)

And look, you see what happens when

you free yourself from the cage,

walk away from the factory.

SHAUNA:

You just have no real color.

You’re like-

Oliver slips past, hands Arthur to Elliot. He scoops ice

from the bucket and starts filling two cups.

ELLIOTT:

Hey, hey.

SHAUNA:

(counting cups)

Uh-oh, one. Uh-oh, two.

ELLIOTT:

Two drinks.

SHAUNA:

What does that me--, one, two.

(CONTINUED)

10/29/07 18.

CONTINUED:

ELLIOTT:

Well that’s two, two people.

SHAUNA:

Two people. A girl and a guy?

ELLIOTT:

Hopefully.

SHAUNA:

Yeah, wow, making moves.

Oliver leaves Arthur in Elliott’s arms.

OLIVER:

Watch him OK?

Oliver begins to leave his drinks. We see his POV of the

woman dressed as Julius Rosenberg waiting on the couch.

Oliver slips into one of his memories...

CUT TO PAST:

INT. OLIVER'S BEDROOM/INT. HAL'S BEDROOM - LATE NIGHT

INTERCUT:
The phone RINGS, wakes up Oliver, he turns on the

light, answers the phone. PRE-CANCER Hal talks excitedly.

OLIVER:

Hello?

HAL:

Oliver?

OLIVER:

Yeah.

HAL:

I’m not sorry I woke you!

I went to Akbar tonight.

OLIVER:

You did?

INT. AKBAR - NIGHT

Hal and his friends, BRIAN and ROBERT, make their way through

a crowded gay club. Hal is by far the oldest, and most

excited, man there.

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