Craig's List People: Editors

[mccutcheon]

Backgammon



EXT. Day. Tompkins Sq. Park.

ROBERT is sitting on a bench. He is taking backgammon board out of his backpack. DIMITRI walks up with two hot teas. He has earphones on.



DIM
(too loudly)
Here you go. Be careful it is hot.

ROBERT
Thanks.


EXT. Day. Tompkins Sq. Park.

DIMITRI turns off his I pod and takes a seat on the bench. ROBERT puts the backgammon on bench.

DIM
Can't we ever play chess? So what's the matter with Margo this time? I didn't listen to your whole message.

ROBERT
I left the seat up again.

DIM
That's not really a big deal.

ROB
She hates it when I leave the seat up. I try to remember but by the time I'm doing my fly I'm usually out the door. I just forget.

DIM
It doesn't sound so tragic. A terrorist could strike at anytime.

ROB
I know, I know. I tell her to look at the big picture. But this morning I got up before she did. Margo went in half-asleep and just sat down. She fell in and her ass got wet.

DIM
She fell in?

Rob
Yes.

DIM
And her ass fell in and got all wet?�

ROB
Yes, I had taken a dump and forgot to flush.

DIM
Her ass fell in after you had taken a dump and forgot to flush?

ROB
Yes, she says she felt it.

DIM
Felt what?

ROB
You know, like a log.

DIM
Her ass fell in and she sat in your shit?

ROB
Yes!

DIM
Wait. If you took a dump wouldn't the seat be down?

ROB
Yes, but after the dump I stood up to flush. Then I had a little left.

DIM
A little left?

ROB
Yes, I still had to pee. I was hung over, you know. I had to squirt a little more out. So I lifted the seat and had a tinkle.

DIM
Tinkle?

ROB
Yes. Then she lost it. She started yelling at me for everything. She said I drink too much.

DIM
You do drink too much.

ROB
And that I never do the dishes.

DIM
Do you do the dishes?

ROB
Not really. I mean I want to but after I eat I'm too tired. I tell her I'll do them in the morning but she is worried about cockroaches.

DIM
Uh-huh.

ROB
That I never put my albums away.

DIM
You always leave your albums out.

ROB
I spend all my money in the first two days after I get paid and live off her until the next check.

DIM
That's not cool.
ROB
I know. And.

DIMITRI
And what?

ROB
She says she hates it when I take the condoms off and just throw them on the floor. Margo said she wants me to tie the open end so it doesn't leak and then put them in the wastepaper basket, and then cover it with Kleenex so it isn't visible. When we get out of bed she wants me to take the trash out in case you come over?

DIM
Me?

ROB (shrugs)
She said your name. I told her taking the garbage out when it isn't full just because it has a used condom in it is a waste. She said sleeping with me was a waste. Not a general snide remark but a personal attack on one of the few pleasure I can afford in this world.

DIM
That does sound bad.

ROB
She said I no longer try. I told her after two years together it's not always going to be the fuck of the century. Sometimes I'm tired and don't want to ‘make-love' I just want to cum.

DIM
You told her that?

ROB
Yes, my big mistake. She really started screaming. Saying I just fuck her but I don't love her. If I loved her I would respect her. The screaming turned to sobs.

DIM
I hate when they cry.

ROB
Tell me about it. I'm watching her cry and feeling like the biggest piece of low life on the planet. I'm looking at this beautiful girl I love and she has snot running out her nose. I say sorry and try to hug her but she gives me the cold shoulder. I plead but she looks back at me with disdain.

DIM
That is tough.

ROB
And then it happened.

Dim
What happened?

ROB
I have never wanted her more. I wanted to fuck her brains out.

DIM
The fuck of the century.

ROB
Yeah.

DIM
And did you?

ROB
No. She wouldn't let me. I ended up jacking off in the shower.

DIM
That is pathetic.

ROB
I know.

Dim
Listen Robert, I got to be honest with you.

ROB
What?

DIM
The only time I see you alone is when you fight with Margo.

ROB
Yeah.

DIM
Yeah. I mean you know I love you both. You are my favorite people. But when we go out you guys are always fighting and it is no longer fun.

ROB
I know. I'm sorry.

DIM
You gotta see what has happened to you both. You have both changed. And not for the better. You need a new perspective.

ROB
Perspective?
DIM
Yes. I mean I hate to say this but when it is over it is over. You have to break clean.

ROB
You mean break up?

DIM
I know it sounds awful but it will be for the better in the long run. And I will be there for you man. You know how many great looking girls there are in New York fucking City. And there are like five girls to every guy. We will have some wild nights. Get you back in the game.

ROB
You think?

DIM
I know it.

ROB
That seems so sad. So permanent.

DIM
It's your decision. But it's the only life you got to live. A terrorist could blow up the city any day. You need to live life to the fullest.

ROB
I guess so. I guess I have to break up with Margo.

EXT. Day. Park.

DIMITRI takes out his wallet and gives a twenty-dollar bill to ROBERT.

DIM
Hey man. Go get some beer and then we will play backgammon. I'll set up the pieces.

ROB
Thanks man. Dimitri you are a true friend.

Ext. Day. Park.

DIMITRI puts a few of the backgammon pieces on the board and then looks up in ROBERTS' direction. DIMITRI waits until ROBERT is out of earshot and then takes out his cell phone. DIMITRI dials.

DIMITRI
Margo? Yes, I'm with him. He is drinking beer already if you can believe that. I told him not to. I even bought him tea.

(PAUSE)
Say, can you get away again this week? You know I love you.

[bfj]

Mc, what format did you shoot it on?

[Maverick]

I bet he doesn't know...

[bfj]

I'm going to assume miniDV canon or sony i can handle and post in FCP but maybe he shot it on 24P.

[Maverick]

from the description he gave me it sounded like standard miniDV...probably not 24p

[mccutcheon]

Mav and Burnt Face and anyone who wants to give advice. I'm down to cruch time and I have to decide on the music. I have great stuff picked out but will it hurt the film's chances if I use songs without the right license? Do I have to use 'generic' stuff I find on the web?

[Maverick]

What do you plan to do with the film? If you are going to put it in festivals, you have to have the rights to any music you use. I suggest putting an ad on the NY Craigslist for unknown musicians or bands that would be willing to let you use something of theirs taht you like for the exposure, or looking for a composer who will compose something for you. It's not easy, and you're right, the right music will make it 100x better than it already is, and the wrong music or no music will make it forgettable. I bet there's lots of unknowns out there who would let you use something of theirs...assuming you can find someone who has a sound you like.

[mccutcheon]

I'm gonna use Sloth's brothers band. Plus my editor found some stuff on the web that we can use.