INT. REED'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - MORNING (PRESENT) 

               The sun is barely rising in the after. A loud meow is heard.
               A cat with black, red, and brown patched jumps on to the bed
               and rubs up against Reed, waking him. He smiles and looks to
               his left: Lydia isn't there. He pets the cat and takes a look
               at the tag around its neck.

                                   REED
                             (To the cat)
                         So. Your name is Beer. 
                             (Chuckles)
                         I clearly have time on my hands.

               "16 Days" by Whiskeytown plays.



               INT. REED'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER (PRESENT)

               Reed takes a look at his work schedule and notices he is off.
               His demeanor is noticeably different. He is radiant and
               looking very well, still wet from a shower. He opens up the
               fridge and takes out some milk. There is a bag of cat food on
               the fridge, he grabs that as he shuts the door.



               INT. REED'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER (PRESENT)

               Reed pets Beer as he fills up the bowl with cat food. Time
               lapses forward as Reed watches TV, plays video games, and
               uses his computer. After a long while he notices there are
               two rather large laundry bags near the door.

               Reed grabs his car keys and heads out, a bag on each
               shoulder.



               INT. 24 HOUR LAUNDRY MAT - NIGHT (PRESENT) 

               Reed sits on a bench reading a magazine while listening to
               music in his headphones and waiting for his clothes to finish
               drying in a rather rundown, sketchy looking laundry mat. 

               Out of the corner of his eye he spots Emily, who enters
               quietly and gives him a smile. She sets down her hamper next
               to a washer and begins loading it.

               A beeper goes off beside her signaling some of Reed's clothes
               are done drying. Reed doesn't notice. Unbeknownst to Reed,
               Emily makes her way over. When he doesn't notice her presence
               from a foot away, she takes off his headphones delicately and
               holds them for a moment.

               Whiskeytown can be heard playing quietly on them.

                                   EMILY
                         I think your clothes are done,
                         dude.

               Reed smiles at the use of the word "dude," it hitting him
               funny for an odd reason.

                                   REED
                             (Smiling)
                         Thanks, man.

                                   EMILY
                         No problem, bro.

               Emily hands Reed his headphones and goes back to loading her
               clothes.

               Now folding his shirts, Reed stands next to Emily. He shakes
               off whatever shyness is overtaking him and speaks.

                                   REED
                         How's things in the jewelry
                         department?

                                   EMILY
                             (Cheerful)
                         You recognized me.
                             (Beat)
                         Funny, I don't think we've met.

                                   REED
                         We haven't?

                                   EMILY
                         I would've remembered.

                                   REED
                         Yeah. My memory has been fuzzy
                         lately.

                                   EMILY
                         Maybe you're getting Alzheimer's.

                                   REED
                         You think?

                                   EMILY
                             (Sarcastically)
                         Well yeah. It looks like you forgot
                         to shave too.

               Reed grins and runs his hand across the stubble on his face.

                                   REED 
                         I need to get on using that
                         aluminum free anti-perspirant.

                                   EMILY
                         You know, that may be the reason
                         for your failing memory.

               Emily subtly winks at Reed.

                                   REED
                         Maybe I should seek you out next
                         time I'm at work.
                             (Beat)
                         I may even be clean shaven and know
                         who you are.

                                   EMILY
                             (Excited)
                         The possibilities are endless.

                                   REED
                         Don't cross your fingers, it's
                         happening.

               Emily pokes Reed in the shoulder.

                                   EMILY 
                         Then we can meet formally.

                                   REED
                         Yeah. Don't even tell me your name.
                         We'll wait for that.

                                   EMILY
                         My lips are sealed. Let's take
                         things slow.

                                   REED
                         Good idea. I mean, we have a long
                         future of washing clothes together.
                         Why ruin it by getting caught in
                         rushed introductions?

                                   EMILY
                         Exactly. So we'll meet every day,
                         give each other a small but
                         important piece of information
                         about each other, then go our
                         separate ways. 

                                   REED
                         Sounds like a plan.

                                   EMILY
                         I did have a question... what was
                         it you were hearing in your ear
                         noise teleportation mugs?

                                   REED
                         Old folk songs about flashy ladies
                         who come around and complicate
                         every part of living.

                                   EMILY
                             (Suggestive)
                         Great taste there, junior.

               Reed pulls out a load of whites that contain a rather large
               amount of underwear.

                                   EMILY (CONT'D)
                         Wow.

                                   REED
                             (Shrugs)
                         It's how I keep myself smelling
                         like the snuggle bear.

                                   EMILY
                         You do exude a snuggle bear like
                         excitement towards all things
                         laundry related.

                                   REED
                             (Chuckling)
                         Thank you.



               EXT. OUTSIDE THE LAUNDRY MAT - CITY STREET (PRESENT)

               Emily has her hamper and Reed has his two large bags. They
               stand outside, letting a moment pass before they speak.

                                   REED
                         So this is goodbye.

                                   EMILY
                         Nah. This is hello. We just met.

                                   REED
                         But we didn't meet.

                                   EMILY
                         Technically, no. But we'll see each
                         other in the future.
                             (Leans in)
                         If you see me, say hello.

               Reed does his best to work up a response, taken back by
               Emily's overt personality.

                                   REED
                         Okay.

               Emily nods very cheerfully and leaves the scene. Reed is
               stuck on the word "future," as she walks away.



               INT. REED'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - LATER (PRESENT)

               Lying comfortably draped across most of his bed is Reed. Beer
               (the cat) rushes up to him and rubs against him looking for
               attention. Reed eyes the alarm clock at the side of the bed.

                                   REED
                             (To Beer)
                         You think if I stayed up all night
                         and never slept I could stay in the
                         world I liked?
                             (Beat)
                         I mean, I like the old world. I'm
                         all alone in this one.
                             (Beat)
                         At least I don't have to dodge
                         someone I know will hurt me.
                             (Beat)
                         How do I fix this?

               Reed again looks at the alarm clock.

               Reed jumps up and sets the clock to go off at 2:30 A.M.

                                   REED (CONT'D)
                         Lets try this out.

               Reed turns off the light beside his bed and closes his eyes.



               EXT. THE BRIDGE (IN-BETWEEN)

               "Pale Blue Eyes" by The Velvet Underground is heard during
               the scene.

               Reed's bedroom is now set up in the middle of the BRIDGE. The
               alarm clock is ringing incessantly. Reed sits up and attempts
               to turn the clock off. He hits it repeatedly before tossing
               it off the bridge.

               The sun is making beautiful colors of the clouds surrounding
               it. Blue is sitting on the ground and playing video games
               with a beer resting between his legs. Reed moves his hands in
               front of Blue's face, Blue doesn't notice.

               Lydia is sitting on the side of the bridge and smoking a
               cigarette. Reed takes a seat next to her, his feet dangling
               off the edge. It's thousands off feet to the valley below.

                                   REED
                         You don't smoke.

                                   LYDIA
                         Don't you remember the time we
                         smoked together?

                                   REED
                         Yeah. I came back to see you. You
                         said you wanted to hang out with
                         me. Only you neglected to mention
                         your boyfriend would be there. Your
                         new boyfriend. The one I didn't
                         know about.

                                   LYDIA
                         Yeah, sorry about that.

                                   REED
                         It's okay.

                                   LYDIA
                             (Embarrassed)
                         I never mean to do that.

                                   REED
                         Sorry I put you in that situation.

                                   LYDIA
                         Don't worry about it.
                             (Beat)
                         I'm always in love. It just never
                         lasts as long as I wish it would.

                                   REED
                         Maybe it's better that way.

                                   LYDIA 
                         How's this going to end?

                                   REED
                         I don't know.

                                   LYDIA
                         Can't I get a second chance?

               Reed thinks over the question. In the corner of his eye he
               sees Walcott standing next to a dresser, looking over several
               different medications.

                                   REED
                         Here, one second. I need to take
                         care of something.

               Reed gets up and disappears out of frame as Lydia flicks her
               cigarette off the side of the bridge. Reed suddenly enters
               the frame and jumps off the bridge.



               EXT. SHALLOW RIVERBED (IN-BETWEEN)

               Reed is only slightly nicked and scratched from the fall.
               Lydia is lying down beside him. The small amount of water
               that is there to begin with seems to float around their
               bodies, leaving them dry.

                                   LYDIA
                             (Grinning)
                         Was that a yes or a no?



               INT. REED'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - MORNING (PAST)

               Reed bolts upwards from the couch and takes a quick look
               around in the before. The room is vacant.

                                   REED
                             (Bewildered)
                         Huh.



               INT. PRICEMART - HARDWARE AISLE (PAST)

               Reed and Blue both have palettes and are stocking shelves on
               opposite sides of each other.

                                   BLUE
                         So you're dropping her before you
                         guys start dating?

                                   REED
                         Yes.

                                   BLUE
                         That's stupid.

                                   REED
                         Thanks for the input.

                                   BLUE
                         Well, she's attractive. 

                                   REED
                         Yes, and crazy -

               Lydia appears beside Reed quite suddenly.

                                   LYDIA
                         Hey, how are you guys?

               Lydia isn't dressed in work attire and is holding a purse.

                                   REED
                         We're alright.

                                   LYDIA
                         You should take your break.

                                   REED
                         Oh, sorry. I already did.

                                   BLUE
                         No you -

                                   REED
                             (Interrupting)
                         I gave my phone to Tara. 

                                   BLUE
                         Oh, yeah. I remember now.

                                   LYDIA
                         Oh...

               Lydia's eyes wander for a moment, awkwardly.

                                   REED
                         Well I'll see ya around then.

               Lydia nods and leaves, insulted. Reed immediately punches
               Blue in the arm.

                                   BLUE
                             (Grimacing)
                         Okay, I deserved that.



               INT. PRICEMART - BREAK ROOM - LATER (PAST)

               As the Powerball results flash on the TV screen in the Break
               Room Reed crashes in with the same small piece of paper in
               hand from before.

               He looks down at his numbers, up at the TV. With a frustrated
               look on his face he looks down at his numbers again.

               Reed does his best to violently rip up the piece of paper and
               leaves the room with a quick slam of a door.



               INT. PET STORE - CONTINUOUS (PAST)

               Browsing the small cages filled to the brim with small
               kittens Reed appears to be in a kid-like heaven. He peruses
               about, tapping cages and doing his best to play with the
               small animals.

               A male employee who seems disinterested in the fun Reed
               appears to be having enters the scene.

                                   EMPLOYEE
                             (Tapping Reed's shoulder)
                         Sir?

               Reed turns to the Employee who wears a disappointed frown.

                                   REED
                         What's up?

               The Employee points at a small sign about the cages that says
               "No Provoking The Animals."

                                   EMPLOYEE
                             (Stern)
                         Read it.

               The Employee turns and walks away before Reed can say a word
               back.



               INT. REED'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM (PAST)

               Reed and Norm have a game of Battleship going as we join
               them. Norm is completely obliterating Reed who has only one
               ship left.

                                   REED
                         B-4. 
                             (Quickly)
                         We should get a cat.

                                   NORM
                         Miss.
                             (Quickly)
                         No. G-8.

               Reed looks over his game, sighting that the hit would take
               down his last ship.

                                   REED
                         Miss.
                             (Beat)
                         Why not?

                                   NORM
                         I'm allergic. And you can't take
                         care of a cat.

                                   REED
                         I beg to differ, my friend. There's
                         a lot you don't know about me.

                                   NORM
                         You know that's not true. I know
                         more than I want to know about you.

                                   REED
                         Really, what have I ever done
                         that's so awful?

                                   NORM
                             (Chuckling)
                         You peed in a whole block worth of
                         mailboxes in one night.

                                   REED
                             (Not very convincing)
                         That's a rumor.

                                   NORM
                         Oh, that's not a rumor. But I could
                         mention some great ones I've heard
                         about you though.

               Reed slams his game shut and gets up to walk away.

                                   REED
                             (Exasperated)
                         You won.

               As Reed visits the nearby bathroom Norm yells in his
               direction.

                                   NORM
                         Let's order some pizza!



               INT. WALCOTT'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT (PAST)

               Scattered about a rather minimally decorated room are boxes
               of Chinese food and beer cans. Reed is climbing through a
               nearby window, keeping as quiet as possible.

               Footsteps. Walcott. Reed falls to the ground as Walcott looks
               on. Reed knocks off random bits of debris from his shirt and
               nods at Walcott.

                                   REED
                         You look like you need a
                         housekeeper.

                                   WALCOTT
                             (Concerned)
                         You need a place to stay?

                                   REED
                         Yes.

                                   WALCOTT
                             (Bewildered)
                         You could've knocked.



               INT. WALCOTT'S HOUSE - BEDROOM (PAST)

               Walcott hands Reed a box of Chinese food as they both sit on
               a futon and watch television. Reed shoots Walcott a concerned
               glare every moment or so, not able to make words.

                                   WALCOTT
                         You okay, son?

                                   REED
                             (Smiles)
                         You know, you haven't called me
                         that in a while.

                                   WALCOTT
                             (Shrugs)
                         It fits.

                                   REED
                         How exactly?

               Walcott does not respond.

                                   REED (CONT'D)
                         I mean, I've heard things in my
                         mother's doped up rants, but I
                         never knew what to believe.

                                   WALCOTT
                             (Sighs)
                         You don't want me as a father. 
                             (Beat)
                         I can barely manage myself. 

                                   REED
                         I don't need managing.

                                   WALCOTT
                             (Chuckling)
                         I thought this ran in the family.
                         Hey, maybe you can break the trend.

                                   REED
                         Burn outs?

               Walcott takes Reed's words with a sense of dread and
               disappointment in himself.

               Walcott stands up as Reed looks on with guilt.

                                   WALCOTT
                         I'll let you get some sleep.

                                   REED
                         I didn't mean to -

                                   WALCOTT
                         It's fine.

               Walcott pats Reed on the shoulder.

                                   REED
                         I'm hitting a wall, here. I need
                         you around.

                                   WALCOTT
                         I'll only shelter such a crisis.
                         I'm no good at guidance.

               Walcott leaves the room. As the door is shut Reed's face is
               overcome with dread, pale as if he's seen a ghost.



               INT. REED'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - MORNING (PRESENT)

               A loud exhale is heard as Reed puts both his arms behind his
               head as a cushion and smiles. Beer (the cat) jumps up on to
               the bed.

               Reed begins to sniff the air with a revolted look on his
               face.

                                   REED
                             (To Beer)
                         What did you do?

               Loud footsteps can be heard. Reed jumps out of bed and grabs
               a baseball bat resting against the wall. In walks Blue, a
               bowl of cereal in his hands. He takes a bite and looks at
               Reed as if Reed is a complete moron.

                                   BLUE
                         I let myself in.

               Reed is relieved but suspicious at the same time as he looks
               Blue over.

                                   REED
                         Is that my shirt?

                                   BLUE
                         Oh, yeah, something weird happened
                         when I was in the kitchen.



               INT. REED'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - EARLIER (PRESENT)

               Blue is entering the kitchen. As he gets close to the
               refrigerator he slips and falls violently.



               INT. REED'S HOUSE - BEDROOM (PRESENT)

               Blue has turned around and his trying to peer over his
               shoulders and at his back.

                                   REED
                             (Amused)
                         You slipped on cat shit after you
                         broke in to my house.

                                   BLUE
                         I didn't break in, the door was
                         unlocked.

                                   REED
                         I have a hard time believing that,
                         Blue.

                                   BLUE
                         Fine.
                             (Beat)
                         We close tonight.

                                   REED
                         Wait, you work at Pricemart?

                                   BLUE
                             (Overly dramatic)
                         For the last two years. Thanks for
                         reminding me!

               Blue storms out of the room. Reed shakes his head and
               chuckles, noticing Blue's obvious attempt to change the
               subject and leave.



               INT. PRICEMART - JEWELRY DEPARTMENT (PRESENT)

               Emily is leaning against the case looking bored, playing with
               the bubble-gum in her mouth. Reed's feet move quicker than
               ever as he makes his way to her.

                                   EMILY
                             (Refreshed)
                         Well.

               Emily reaches her hand across the case.

                                   REED
                         My name is Reed. Efram Reed. People
                         call me Reed.

                                   EMILY
                         Because your first name sucks?

                                   REED
                         I wouldn't say my first name sucks.

                                   EMILY
                         I wasn't either, I mean... I just
                         hear these things. Did it strike a
                         chord?

                                   REED
                         From what I hear Efram is easily in
                         the top eighty as far as most
                         popular first names.
                             (Beat)
                         I doubt your name even cracks the
                         top one hundred.

               Reed shakes hands with Emily.

                                   EMILY 
                         I'm Emily.

               Reed gains a sense of comfort through Emily's interest.

                                   REED
                         I've got a party to hit tonight.

                                   EMILY
                         That sounds like fun.

                                   REED
                         You have any plans?

                                   EMILY
                             (Thinking)
                         Uh...
                             (Beat)
                         Oh! I do need to hit up the thrift
                         stores and find some white blazers.

                                   REED
                             (Perplexed)
                         Well, we could always do that
                         before. I was going to go pick up
                         some music.

                                   EMILY
                             (Excited)
                         Great!



               EXT. CITY STREET - DOWNTOWN - DAY (PRESENT)

               Reed stands at the corner of a main street, his eyes
               wandering in search of a certain someone.

               Emily is suddenly standing behind Reed. She taps him on the
               shoulder. Reed turns and smirks.

                                   EMILY
                         Wonderful day, don't you think?

                                   REED
                         Yes.
                             (Beat)
                         What were we going to a thrift shop
                         for?

                                   EMILY
                         I need some costumes for a play a
                         few friends are doing in the
                         square.

                                   REED
                             (Interested)
                         Oh, sounds awesome. What's it
                         about?

                                   EMILY
                             (Cocksure)
                         It's an adaptation.

                                   REED
                         Of what?

                                   EMILY
                         Twins.

                                   REED
                         The uh... Arnold Schwarzenegger
                         movie?

                                   EMILY
                             (Excited)
                         Yes! Except they turned it in to a
                         musical.

               Reed puts out his arm and waits for Emily to interlock hers
               with his.

                                   REED
                             (Amazed)
                         Sign me up.



               INT. THRIFT STORE - LATER (PRESENT)

               Surrounded by the most random of crowds of shoppers Reed and
               Emily look over a rack of blazers.

               Reed notices a denim jacket and takes it off the rack. He
               chuckles to himself as he raises it to his chest and looks at
               Emily for approval.

                                   EMILY
                         If you were a gutter punk who owned
                         several patches, maybe.

               Reed shrugs and puts it back on the rack. A HIPSTER with a
               very well groomed beard and whatever ironic shirt that he
               found in his closet this morning glares at Reed as he takes
               the denim jacket off the rack.

                                   REED
                             (To the man, quietly)
                         I think it's awesome.

                                   EMILY
                             (Loudly)
                         Yes!

               Emily is holding two white blazers and smiling with child
               like anticipation.

                                   REED
                         One of those is definitely smaller
                         than the -
                             (Beat)
                         Oh, got it.

                                   EMILY
                         I know a guy who looks exactly like
                         Danny DeVito.

                                   REED
                         Who's playing Arnold?

                                   EMILY
                         The backup center at the college.
                             (Beat)
                         I don't know much about basketball,
                         he answered the ad on Craig's
                         List... is he going to be tall?

                                   REED
                         Does he play basketball?

                                   EMILY
                         Yes.

                                   REED
                         I imagine he will be much taller
                         than you or I.

                                   EMILY
                         Awesome.