The Break Up
by McCutcheonINT. Bedroom. Day.
JOHNNY is lying on his bed reading a magazine. The PHONE rings and he goes to pick it up.
JOHNNY
Hello? Hi Nat.….Nothing….What’s wrong?…I don’t know you just sound weird…OK…Are you sure nothing’s wrong?.. .OK.
JOHNNY hangs up the PHONE. He puts on his Adidas and walks down stairs.
INT. Living room. Day.
JOHNNY’S roommate BRIAN is on the couch watching TV with his girlfriend CLAIRE. BRIAN is in deep petting, licking CLAIRE’S neck while his HAND explores down her shirt and fondles her BREASTS. CLAIRE looks slightly irritated, she has the REMOTE in her hand and is flicking through the channels looking for an interesting talk show to relieve her boredom. JOHNNY stops and LOOKS at THEM. CLAIRE flips her HEAD back and licks her LIPS.
CLAIRE
Oh, I feel it now. Oh Brian you’re right very sensual.
CLAIRE clicks the TELIVISION off with the TV REMOTE and picks up the STEREO REMOTE. She hits the play button. HAPPY MONDAYS BOB’S YER UNCLE 12" Version booms out of the speakers. CLAIRE hugs BRIAN tight.
JOHNNY
You guys took the ecstasy didn’t you?
BRIAN and CLAIRE turn to face JOHNNY with guilty SMILES on their faces.
BRIAN
Hey Johnny.
CLAIRE
Yes.
JOHNNY
I thought we were saving it for the weekend?
BRIAN
No time like the present.
JOHNNY
What about the party?
BRIAN
I don’t like taking it at raves. I always have to go to the bathroom and there is always a line. Besides we can always get more.
CLAIRE
You get much more feeling in isolated one on one experiences. You want to join us?
BRIAN
Yeah man. We got five.
JOHNNY
Natalie just called. I’m meeting her at the caf.
CLAIRE
Bring her back here, she’s super cute. An afternoon of ecstasy, toe sucking and back rubs.
BRIAN
Yeah!
JOHNNY
OK. I’ll go right now. It’ll just take a few minutes. I don’t have my keys, you’ll be here?
CLAIRE
Johnny we’re not going anywhere.
JOHNNY
OK.
BRIAN
Pick up some cigarettes and orange juice.
JOHNNY rushes out the door.
EXT. Street. Day.
JOHNNY is rushing down the street. He gets to a ‘don’t walk’ sign. He pats his hands on his thighs in expectation of coming hours lost in chemical happiness. A young COPUPLE are holding hands waiting for the light to change. They seem very much in love. JOHNNY looks at THEM and smiles.
JOHNNY
It’s a great day isn’t it?
GIRL
Yeah it is.
JOHNNY
Love?
GUY
Yeah man, love.
The LIGHT changes, JOHNNY blows the COUPLE a KISS as he runs across the street.
EXT. University Ave. Day.
JOHNNY walks past Multilingual Books and sees the RAVERBOOKS-ECSTASY FOR THE MIND sign. He pauses to look in the window.
JOHNNY
What a cool idea. The new ‘Beats’.
JOHNNY does a little dance to imaginary house music and hurries down the street.
EXT. Caf. Day.
JOHNNY enters the caf.
INT. Caf. Day.
JOHNNY walks past a few tables and sees NATALIE sitting in the back corner by herself. JOHNNY walks up to the table but doesn’t sit down. He’s in a good mood and still grooving to the music in his head.
JOHNNY
Hey Nat we have to go back to my place. I have a surprise for you, but it’s urgent so come on come on.
NATALIE
Calm down. We have to talk.
JOHNNY
No we have to go go go. Tell me on the way. We have to stop and get some orange juice and cigarettes.
NATALIE
I want to break up.
JOHNNY
What?
JOHNNY slumps down in the chair. He is deflated by defeat and no music plays. A queer look of satisfaction spreads across NATALIE’S face.
NATALIE
I don’t want to go out with you anymore. I don’t want to be your girlfriend
NATALIE represses a smile of revenge.
JOHNNY
But I love the way you smile.
NATALIE
Sorry.
JOHNNY
But I never cheated on you.
NATALIE
That’s not the only reason people break-up.
JOHNNY
I love you.
NATALIE
You’re fucked up. You have a lot of problems you have to deal with.
JOHNNY
What?
NATALIE
You do way too many drugs. John you’re living in a chemical world.
JOHNNY
And it would be too painful for you to go through that with me? To help me?
NATALIE
No. I just don’t want to. I don’t want to be your drug slut.
JOHNNY
Thanks. You know I’m in pain.
NATALIE
I know you don’t do anything about it. At least I’m taking Prozac.
JOHNNY
My hearts breaking and you’re better than well.
NATALIE
I’m sorry.
JOHNNY
When I think about you everything goes warm. You make me feel so real. Don’t do this.
NATALIE
I’m basically a good girl. I explored that wild side with you but it’s just not me. It was fun but the entertainment is over. And I’m not bisexual when I'm not on E..The fact that your thin, have a huge cock and great hair just doesn't do it for me anymore.
JOHNNY
I'm not just a play thing. I have feelings and it’s not me either.
NATALIE
Yes it is. More than you can deal with. And now you’re living with Brian and Claire. You’re going in the wrong direction.
JOHNNY
Please!
NATALIE
No. What was the surprise?
JOHNNY
Nothing… I thought we were having great sex lately?
NATALIE
You thought that?
JOHNNY
Yeah, when I rubbed you really hard and you were squirming around making all that noise.
NATALIE (angry loud voice)
I was in pain you asshole. I’m as kinky as the next girl, but fuck John you almost took my nipple off.
NATALIE looks around the caf.
NATALIE (Cont.)
I’m gonna go.
NATALIE stands up.
JOHNNY
Can I see you this weekend? You know I’m Djing, don’t you want to carry my records?
NATALIE
No we broke up. Carry your own stupid records.
JOHNNY
Can I call you?
NATALIE
No. John breaking up means no more seeing each other, no phone calls.
JOHNNY
That’s so sad.
NATALIE
It’s hard for me too.
JOHNNY
Is it? Is it really?
NATALIE
No, I just said that so I wouldn’t hurt your feelings… Listen I wrote you this note. Just don’t come over or call.
NATALIE takes a folded piece of PAPER out of her purse and lays it on the TABLE.
JOHNNY (Desperate)
What about closure? I need closure.
NATALIE
Just read the note.
NATALIE walks away. JOHNNY picks up the NOTE and unfolds it. He looks at it and starts to read out loud.
JOHNNY
Dear John….