INT. HOUSE PARTY - LIVING ROOM (PAST)

               Holding a bottle of wine and wearing sunglasses Reed stares
               blankly at a DRUNK HIPSTER who is having issues holding his
               head up straight. Every moment or so Reed glances at his cell
               phone, oblivious to the rest of the events around him.

               Blue opens a nearby window, catching Reed's eye. Blue waves
               for Reed's presence outside the window.



               EXT. CITY APARTMENT BUILDING - FIRE ESCAPE - NIGHT (PAST)

               "Hell Is Chrome" by Wilco echoes through the window.

               Blue has several small brown bags and is lighting them on
               fire and dropping them to the ground below.
               They ever so slightly float in the air, illuminating the
               windows on the floors below.

               Reed peaks over the side of the railing and stares out to the
               city, alive with light.

                                   BLUE
                         I had an interesting thought today.

               Blue looks to Reed for interest. Reed is again staring at his
               cell phone. Blue doesn't seem bothered by Reed's lack of
               attention.

                                   BLUE (CONT'D)
                         Right now, 9/11 is like the mother
                         of all depressing subjects. But, in
                         twenty years... maybe it'll just be
                         another drinking holiday.

                                   REED
                         That's usually how we salute
                         tragedy.

                                   BLUE
                         Twenty years from now we'll be
                         barbecuing and lighting off
                         fireworks and getting hammered on
                         9/11. 
                             (Chuckles)
                         I love the natural order of
                         everything.

               Reed lights up a cigarette and for the first time looks
               directly at Blue. 

                                   REED
                         Nothing like a little bit of
                         heartache to put a damper on a
                         beautiful night.

               Blue pats Reed on the back.

                                   BLUE
                             (Smiling)
                         I'd tell you to ignore it, but I
                         know you won't.

                                   REED
                             (Nods)
                         You know me well.

               A flock of crows suddenly fly overhead and disappear in to
               the dark sky. Reed smiles as he watches their elegant exit.



               INT. BLUE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER ON (PAST)

               Everyone but Reed find themselves passed out in many
               different positions on the living room floor. Reed sits
               comfortably on the couch. He pulls out his cell phone and
               sees he has one voice mail.

               He dials up his voice mail and listens.

                                   LYDIA (V.O.)
                         Hi. This is Lydia. I'm in bed. I
                         love you and I miss you. I just
                         thought you should know that. 
                             (Beat)
                         Don't call me back.

               Reed flips the phone shut and lets out an exhausted groan.



               INT. REED'S HOUSE - MORNING (PRESENT)

               An old folk record plays quietly as Reed opens his eyes to
               notice Lydia's head resting on his chest, her blue eyes
               staring up lovingly at him.

                                   LYDIA
                         Morning, sunshine.

                                   REED
                         Mornin'.

               Reed focuses his eyes upward and away from Lydia.

                                   LYDIA
                         What are you thinking about?

                                   REED
                         You and me.

                                   LYDIA
                         That's awful vague, don't you
                         think?

                                   REED
                         When Skyler visited.

                                   LYDIA
                         Which time?

                                   REED
                         There was more than one?

                                   LYDIA
                         You think you might want to get
                         some more sleep?

                                   REED
                         Tell me.

               Lydia's mood seems to change a little, towards suspicious.

                                   LYDIA
                         We agreed that sometimes I have to
                         see him. We have a past. He's like
                         my brother.

                                   REED
                         And what am I?

                                   LYDIA
                         You're my lover, babe.
                             (Beat)
                         I couldn't ask for anyone better in
                         the world.

                                   REED
                             (Smiles weakly)
                         Thanks.

               Sits up.

                                   LYDIA
                         Well?

                                   REED
                         Well what?

                                   LYDIA
                         What am I to you?

               Reed chuckles for a moment.

                                   REED
                         A fuckin' mystery. That's why I
                         love you so god damn much.

               Lydia playfully laughs as she climbs on top of Reed and
               kisses him with desire.

                                   LYDIA
                         You know I'd never hurt you, right?

                                   REED
                         Yeah, I know.

                                   LYDIA
                         Get up, lazy bones. Take a shower
                         so we can go get some coffee.

                                   REED
                         Okay.



               INT. COFFEE HOUSE - AFTERNOON (PRESENT)

               Reed stares over a coffee and straight at Lydia as she
               speaks. He appears to take none of this information in but
               rather pays attention to subtle movements. 

               The way she tests out the temperature of her coffee. The
               child-like lack of eye contact, easily distracted by the
               movements of others in the coffeehouse. 

               Lydia gracefully moves the hair from her eyes and smirks
               towards Reed.

                                   LYDIA
                         You awake yet?

                                   REED
                         Yeah. I just missed this.

                                   LYDIA
                         Missed what?

                                   REED
                         I don't know. I feel like we
                         haven't been happy in a while.

                                   LYDIA
                         We've had our moments. We've had
                         fun. It's been interesting.

                                   REED
                         How did we come through?

                                   LYDIA
                         In some weird way it was meant to
                         be.

                                   REED
                         When did you know?

               Lydia takes a sip of her coffee and considers the question.

                                   LYDIA
                         When you gave me my space. 

                                   REED
                         How do you mean?

                                   LYDIA
                         I don't know, Reed. You've stuck it
                         out with me. And I with you.
                             (Beat)
                         You should never have to forgive
                         someone for being who they are. You
                         accepted me.

                                   REED
                         Did I demote your dream girl
                         status?

                                   LYDIA
                         Maybe, wouldn't you know better?
                             (Beat)
                         You always thought a little higher
                         of me than I did.

               Reed leans forward and gives Lydia a kiss.

                                   REED
                         How long do you think we can make
                         this last?

                                   LYDIA
                         Anything is possible. Right?

               Lydia kisses Reed.



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

               Lydia lies asleep with a book on her chest and Reed's
               headphones on her head. Reed stands in the doorway looking
               her over. He turns off the light.



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

               With the TV muted Reed looks through old vinyl. He finds an
               old picture book complete with love letters and personal
               pictures. 

               Reed sees his relationship has gone far. A sneaking doubt to
               the legitimacy of the relationship seems to haunt him as he
               does this.



               INT. OUTSIDE EMILY'S TOWNHOUSE - LATER (PRESENT) 

               On the steps leading up to Emily's townhouse sits Reed, black
               circles sinking in to his eyes. He seems cloudy on why he is
               where he is at the moment, but comfortable in the choice.

               Suddenly the front door opens and out walks Emily with a pack
               of cigarettes in hand. She is perplexed by Reed's presence.
               She looks back at the door just as she is about to close it.
               She finally notices who Reed is.

                                   EMILY
                         Don't I work with you?

                                   REED
                             (Chuckles)
                         Yeah, Emily, right?

               Emily is overly happy about Reed knowing her name, not off
               putted at all. She happily takes a seat next to him.

                                   EMILY
                         You remembered my name!

                                   REED
                             (Smiling)
                         I'm good with names.

               Emily lights a cigarette.

                                   EMILY
                         So now the question becomes... why
                         are you sitting outside my
                         building.

               Reed shrugs.

                                   REED
                         Not sure at this moment. Right
                         place at the time I took a seat.
                             (Beat)
                         Should I leave?

                                   EMILY
                         Nah. You sound like you're thinking
                         some important things over. Better
                         my steps be the first step in your
                         personal journey towards happiness
                         and well-being.
                             (Beat)
                         It's practically metaphorical.

               Reed is shocked at Emily's outgoing nature to a near
               stranger.

                                   REED
                         That's very nice of you.

                                   EMILY
                         I try.

                                   REED
                         How does a person stay nice in this
                         world, Emily?

               Emily re-positions herself in a way Reed notices the odd cute
               nature of. He stores it away and laughs to himself.

                                   EMILY
                         You see...

               Emily draws a blank on Reed's name.

                                   REED
                         Reed.

                                   EMILY
                         Yes, Reed.
                             (Beat)
                         Sorry.

                                   REED
                         Not a problem.

                                   EMILY
                         You see, Reed. I had a pleasant
                         enough childhood. I mean, we were
                         poor and my parents divorced and
                         I'm not on particularly good terms
                         with anyone in my family but...

               Emily sort of trails off, not knowing where to go next.

                                   REED
                         Moving on...

                                   EMILY
                         Yes. You can either embrace your
                         past failures and plan on doing
                         better the next go around or you
                         can forget they ever happened.
                         Something always ails you.
                         Isn't it about time, as the human
                         race, we all get used to our
                         psychology and quit trying to
                         medicate our problems?

                                   REED
                         Solid point.

               Emily puts out her cigarette and puts her hair behind her
               ears.

                                   EMILY
                         Thanks, Reed.

               Reed stands up. Emily does the same. Reed puts out his hand
               for a shake. Emily wholeheartedly shakes and smiles.

                                   REED
                         It's been informative, Emily of
                         Pricemart.

                                   EMILY
                         Glad I could help.

                                   REED
                         You think we'll meet again?

                                   EMILY
                         Sure. 

               Emily leans forward as if to tell Reed a secret.

                                   EMILY (CONT'D)
                             (Whispering)
                         Come find me when your master plan
                         comes to fruition, we'll drink wine
                         and celebrate.

               Reed leans back and tilts his head in amazement.

                                   EMILY (CONT'D)
                         Get that head straight there,
                         partner.

               Emily walks back to the front door and leaves Reed standing
               and adoring her every move.



               EXT. OUTSIDE WALCOTT'S HOUSE - DAY (PAST)

               There is an immediate pounding on Walcott's door. Reed is not
               holding back until the door is open. There is a loud slam
               inside the house. Reed stops for a moment and listens.

                                   WALCOTT (O.S.)
                             (From inside the house)
                         I can't baby-sit you anymore, Reed.

                                   REED
                             (Angry)
                         Just open the door!

               The sound of a dead-bolt being locked can be hears. Footsteps
               are heard in the creaking of the hard-wood floors. Reed looks
               to the side of the house.

               Walcott goes from window to window, locking up and closing
               blinds.



               INT. VIBES DANCECLUB - BAR - NIGHT (PAST)

               Reed enters the stage of his last bout of shenanigans with a
               sketchy look on his face, looking around to see if anyone
               recognizes him.

               At the bar sits Lydia next to SKYLER (James Marsden), a frat
               boy from head to toe with popped polo collar and cargo
               shorts. Lydia jumps from her stool and embraces Reed with
               excitement.

                                   LYDIA
                         I'm so glad you came!

               Skyler looks half angered at this but none too worried. Lydia
               lets go of Reed who looks at Skyler. Skyler stands up as Reed
               puts out his hand for a shake. Skyler attempts to make
               something of a secret handshake attempt and fails miserably.

                                   SKYLER
                         I've heard a lot about you, dude.

                                   REED
                             (Worried)
                         Oh, cool. 

                                   SKYLER
                         Lydia tells me you're the brother
                         she never had.

               Reed nods at this statement with sarcasm and glances at Lydia
               with the evil eye.

                                   REED
                         I guess you could say we know each
                         other fairly well.

               Skyler puts his arm around Reed with a hint of intimidation
               and walks him to the bar.

                                   SKYLER
                         Let's chug.

                                   REED
                             (Puts his hands on his
                              stomach)
                         I just ate some Mexican food, so...

                                   SKYLER
                             (To Lydia)
                         Tell your friend to quit being a
                         fag.

               Reed leaves Skyler's grasp with a bit of aggression and looks
               towards the bartender.

                                   REED
                         I'll take a pint. Keep 'em coming.

               Reed and Skyler clank their pints together and proceed to
               chug. Skyler holds the advantage the entire time and finishes
               much sooner than Reed.

                                   SKYLER
                         Fuck yeah!

               Skyler puts his arm around Lydia and kisses her on the neck.
               Lydia ever so gently pushes him away.

                                   REED
                         Guess you're the king of drinking
                         beer fast.

                                   SKYLER
                         Damn straight.

               Skyler blatantly slaps Lydia on the ass. 

                                   LYDIA
                             (Frisky)
                         Knock it off!

               Skyler laughs loudly and starts drinking another beer.

               Reed turns his back to Lydia who attempts to make eye contact
               with him.

                                   REED
                             (To the bartender)
                         Got anything more stiff?



               INT. VIBES DANCECLUB - DANCEFLOOR - LATER ON (PAST)

               Lydia and Skyler now ridiculously bump and grind against each
               other to the tune of rather bad generic hip hop music. They
               have the dancing style of sex deprived bunnies. Reed is
               looking on from the bar area with a half-drunk disgust.



               INT. VIBES DANCECLUB - BAR (PAST)

               Reed pounds down the last drink of a Jack and coke and puts
               his head in his hands. Kirstin sits next to Reed, looking on
               at his morose nature. She rubs his back and smiles.

                                   KIRSTIN
                         He'll be gone in 24 hours.

                                   REED
                             (Sits up)
                         Oh, no -
                             (Beat)
                         I don't hate him.

                                   KIRSTIN
                         Are you sure?

               Reed motions about an inch with his fingers.

                                   REED
                         Maybe about that much.

                                   KIRSTIN
                             (Sighs)
                         He hits on me too. I just had an
                         insane amount of trouble falling in
                         love with...

               Kirstin looks towards the dancefloor at Skyler dry humping
               Lydia.

                                   REED
                         That.

                                   KIRSTIN
                         Yes, that. 



               INT. VIBES DANCECLUB - BATHROOM ENTRANCE (PAST) 

               Reed exits the bathroom and is greeted by Lydia tucking him
               away from sight.
               Reed opens his mouth to speak and Lydia begins to open mouth
               kiss him, though maul would be a more appropriate term. 

               Reed pushes Lydia away to catch his breath.

                                   REED
                         What is this?

                                   LYDIA
                         What?

                                   REED
                         You told him I was your friend.

                                   LYDIA
                             (Laughing nervously)
                         I didn't want him to kill you,
                         Reed.

                                   REED
                         Seriously?

                                   LYDIA
                         No, no.

               A silence passes in which Lydia does a horrible job admitting
               what she said was true.

                                   REED
                         Have I stuck around long enough,
                         can I go?

                                   LYDIA
                         What do you mean?

                                   REED
                         Do I need to be here as your
                         brother?
                             (Beat)
                         I'd rather just go home, pop one
                         out, and forget you ever existed at
                         this point.

               Lydia becomes almost instantly emotional.

                                   LYDIA
                         I'm sorry, Reed. I'm drunk.

                                   REED
                         No you aren't, Lydia. You just like
                         the attention.

                                   LYDIA
                         Why are you being so mean to me?

               Lydia begins to hint she may shed a tear. Reed forcefully
               turns her against the wall and kisses her.

                                   REED
                         Let's leave, right now. 

                                   LYDIA
                         Why?

                                   REED
                         Because if you don't leave with me
                         right now, you'll never see me
                         again.

               Lydia kisses Reed.

                                   LYDIA
                         He has nowhere to stay.

                                   REED
                         He'll pass out in about an hour.

                                   LYDIA
                         Okay.



               INT. KIRSTEN'S CAR (PAST) 

               Kirsten drives while Lydia sits in the front. Reed is stuck
               in the back seat with a belligerent Skyler. Reed sighs in
               annoyance as Skyler puts his head out the window and begins
               howling.

                                   SKYLER
                             (Screaming out the window)
                         Hey! You! Suck my cock!

               Kirstin begins to roll up the window, trapping Skyler's head
               in it as she does so. He screams helplessly.

                                   KIRSTIN
                         Are you done?

                                   SKYLER
                         Yes! Yes!

               Kirstin rolls down the window and Skyler falls back in to the
               car.

                                   LYDIA
                             (To Skyler)
                         Just calm down, Skyler. Rest.

                                   SKYLER
                             (Laughing)
                         I can't calm down, I'm a soldier!

               Skyler positions himself an inch away from Reed's face.

                                   SKYLER (CONT'D)
                         Right, buddy? Huh?

                                   REED
                             (Bland)
                         Yeah, you're a soldier.

               Skyler sits down in his own seat nodding his head.

                                   SKYLER
                         Damn straight.



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

               As Reed and Lydia sit together on the couch Skyler stumbles
               to the DVD player with a copy of "The Fast & The Furious" in
               hand. As he figures out how to put the DVD in the drive,
               Lydia and Reed watch in amusement.

                                   REED
                             (Whispering)
                         Was he any better at finding the
                         clitoris than he is at finding the
                         play button?

               Lydia laughs uncontrollably.

                                   SKYLER
                             (Yelling)
                         I got it!

                                   LYDIA
                             (Whispering)
                         No one does that quite as good as
                         you, babe.

               Lydia and Reed now notice Skyler has passed out at the TV.
               They quietly make their way off the couch and disappear down
               the hallway to Lydia's room.



               INT. LYDIA'S APARTMENT - LYDIA'S BEDROOM (PAST)

               Lydia is fast asleep with her arms around Reed. He is not
               close to nodding off but appears spent nonetheless. He runs
               his hands through her hair and closes his eyes.



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

               A cell phone vibrates on the table next to Reed's bed.
               Without fully committing to waking up he retrieves it and
               flips it open. A voice faintly speaking. Reed finally puts it
               against his ear.

                                   REED
                         Yeah?

               There is a muffled voice speaking at the other end, Reed
               nods.

                                   REED (CONT'D)
                         I'll be there in an hour.

               Reed flips the phone shut and looks to his right. Lydia is
               fast asleep. He kisses her on the forehead and gets out of
               bed.



               EXT. APARTMENT COMPLEX - PARKING LOT - NOON (PRESENT)

               Norm hands Reed a box of random things. Reed nods and loads
               the box in to his car. Norm checks out the car with a
               suspicious eye.

                                   NORM
                         New car?

                                   REED
                             (Chuckling)
                         I really don't know where it came
                         from.

                                   NORM
                             (Confused)
                         Huh.

               Reed takes out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

                                   REED
                         Sorry I didn't come sooner.

                                   NORM
                         It's fine.

                                   REED
                         Why is that?

               Reed lights up his cigarette, Norm doesn't get his meaning.

                                   NORM
                         We go back.

                                   REED
                         Far, I know.

                                   NORM
                         I can deal with you being an
                         asshole. You're like the brother I
                         never wanted to have.

               Norm lightly chuckles as he pats Reed on the shoulder.

                                   REED
                         Thanks.

                                   NORM
                         I love you, buddy.

                                   REED
                         Will you answer me a question then?

                                   NORM
                         Sure, anything.
                             (Beat)
                         As long as it isn't about my
                         masturbation regimen again.

                                   REED
                         Which you claim not to have...

                                   NORM
                         I don't. 
                             (Beat)
                         Go on.

                                   REED
                         How do you make it work, you and
                         Alissa. You guys have a 2 year
                         thing going. Without sex. You guys
                         are really taking it for the man
                         upstairs, aren't you?

                                   NORM
                             (Indifferent)
                         Yeah, maybe we are.

                                   REED
                         That didn't sound like I imagined
                         it would sound.

                                   NORM
                         It's not about that.

                                   REED
                         What is it about?

                                   NORM
                         Well. How long did it take for us
                         to get to know each other to the
                         point of brotherhood.

               Reed takes a drag and considers.

                                   REED
                         Senior year, high school. 

                                   NORM
                         Yep.

                                   REED
                         How long was that?

                                   NORM
                         8 years.

                                   REED
                         So you're going to wait 8 years to
                         have sex?

                                   NORM
                         No, Reed. But it's an intimate act.
                         I've done enough fooling around. I
                         want to keep this one around.

                                   REED
                         Is that it? No sex?

                                   NORM
                         No. We're honest with each other. I
                         don't suspect anything in the arena
                         of wrongdoing on her part. It may
                         be wishful thinking, but after two
                         years, I just trust her.

                                   REED
                         Is that what it's about?

                                   NORM
                         Trust, I guess.

                                   REED
                         I see.

                                   NORM
                         Do you trust her yet?

                                   REED
                         Lydia? 
                             (Beat)
                         I don't think I do.

                                   NORM
                         Maybe that's for your better
                         interest. She's hurt you one too
                         many times.

                                   REED
                         Has she?

                                   NORM
                         You know she has.

               Reed puts out his cigarette.

                                   NORM  (CONT'D)
                         You'll know it when the one comes
                         around. It's just different.

                                   REED
                             (Smirking)
                         Thanks for the heads up.

               Norm punches Reed on the shoulder. Reed pushes Norm away.

                                   NORM
                         Have a solid... life?

                                   REED
                             (Reassuringly)
                         I'll catch up to you somewhere down
                         the line.

               Reed and Norm spare no time for clumsy manliness. They hug
               like brothers quick and to the point. Norm exits the scene.
               Reed enters his car, turns it over, and drives away.