Backgammon. Shooting film this fall.

[mccutcheon]

Backgammon. Shooting Short Film this fall in NYC
Hey this is for Burnt Face Jake and Mav Man and really anyone else who wants to get involved. Me and some movie guys are gonna shoot a short film based on one of my stories. I'd love it if you guys could come out and be a part of it. Also we need actors. Anyone in NYC who wants to be a part of it can. Below is the short story. I've also done the script but when I tried to post that it didn't hold its format. But the story reads like a film script anyway. It's a very simple, play-like, black comedy on the paradoxical natures of truth, honesty, goodness, and leaving the toliet seat down.


Backgammon
by McCutcheon


Robert is sitting in Tompkins Sq Park on a bright fall day. The sky is clear and the sun shines on the changing foliage. It is an early weekday and there are not too many people out. A few bums are still asleep on the inner benches but the place no longer has the presence of danger and drugs to it. The seventies junkies have died or moved on. The younger ones score somewhere else. Well-groomed kids even goof off with their young mothers or nannies or Au Pairs in the playground diagonally across from where Robert sits.

Robert is unpacking the backgammon board when Dimitri arrives with two steaming green teas from a café on Avenue A. Robert would have preferred a beer from a deli but Dimitri isn't a morning drinker.

“Here you go,� says Dimitri too loudly handing over the tea. He still has his I pod earpieces in. “Be careful, it is hot.�

“Thanks.�

Dimitri turns off his I Pod and takes the mini headphones out of his ears.

“So what is the problem with Margo this time?� Dimitri asks. “I didn't listen to your whole message.�

“I left the seat up again.�

“That's not really a big deal.�

“She hates it when I do that. I try to remember but by the time I'm doing my fly I'm usually out the door. I just forget.�

“Living in post 9/11 it doesn't sound so tragic. A terrorist could strike at anytime.�

“I know, I know. But last night I must have left it up. Margo got up this morning half- asleep and just sat down. She fell in and got her ass wet.�

“She fell in?�

“Yes.�

“And her ass fell in and got wet?�

“Yes, but like an hour before that I had gotten up to take a dump and forgot to flush.�

“Her ass fell in that?�

“Yeah, she says she felt it.�

“Felt what?�

“You know, like a log.�

“Her ass fell in and she sat in your shit?�

“Yes.�

“Robert,� said Dimitri shaking his head. “I mean that is one of your best.�

“You mean worst?�

“Yeah, worst.�

“Then she lost it,� said Robert. “She started yelling at me that I drink too much.�

“You do drink too much.�

“And that I never do the dishes.�

“Do you do the dishes?�

“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.

“Uh-huh.�

“That I never put my albums away.�

“You always leave your albums out.�

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

“That's not cool.�

“I know. And.�

“And what?�

“She said 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 to the curb in case anyone comes over, even though Kleenex covers it. 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 pleasures I can afford in this world.�

“That does sound bad.�

“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 I don't want to ‘make love' I just want to cum.�

“You told her that?�

“Well, yeah, my mistake. She really started screaming. Saying I just fuck her but don't love her. If I loved her I would respect her wishes. And the screaming turned to sobs.�

“I hate when they cry.�

“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 tears all streaked down her face. I say sorry and try to hug her but she gives me the cold shoulder. I plead but she looks back at me with such disdain.�

“That is tough.�

“And then it happened?�

“What happened?�

“I have never wanted her more. I wanted to fuck her brains out.�

“The fuck of the century.�

“Yeah.�

“And? Did you?�

“Nah, she wouldn't let me. I ended up jacking off in the shower.�

“That's pathetic.�

“I know.�

“Listen Robert, I got to be honest with you.�

“What?�

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

“Yeah?�

“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.�

“I know. Sorry.�

“You gotta see what has happened to you both. You have both changed. And buddy, it hasn't been for the better. You need another perspective.�

“Perspective?�

“Yeah. I mean I hate to say this but when it is over it is over. You gotta break clean.�

“You mean break up?�

“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 good 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.�

“You think?�

“I know it.�

“That seems so sad. So permanent.�

“It's your decision. But it's the only life you got to live, and we are under terrorist alerts every damn day. You need to live life to the fullest.�

“I guess so.� Robert shrugged. “I guess I should break up with Margo.�

“Hey man,� Dimitri said handing Robert a twenty. “Go get some beer and then we will play some backgammon. I'll set up the pieces.�

“Okay, thanks. You are a true friend Dimitri.�

When Robert was out of earshot Dimitri took out his cell phone.

“Margo? Yeah, I'm with him. Yeah, he's already drinking again if you can believe it. I know it's ten am. I told him not to. I even got him tea. Say, can you get away this week? You know I love you.�

[Maverick]

Hey, I remember that one...This is a new version, but weren't we going to shoot that like 3 years ago? I always thought you and me should be the actors...although reading it here, it strikes me as if the parts should be played by guys in their early 20's. Shoot it between christmas and new years, and maybe I can be there! I'd love to help. Lets talk about it.

[mccutcheon]

This is the one to reply to.

[bfj]

I'm in! Can I play Dimitri, i mean I'll help with the filming and all that but I'd think I'd be a good dimitri.

[Guest]

Jack- Thanks for the offer but I'm gonna play Robert and since you are 10 years younger than me I don't think it is gonna work. Plus it probably wouldn't be woreth your time to come only for a day, and what if you couldn't make it. Last night I decided there has been too much talk involving some of my latest projects and then nothing gets done as I sit around and drink and wait for the money to come to me, so I am dropping the bottle and taking charge. We are gonna shoot it all in one day. The film guys like my writing and they are gonna shoot, help me edit and make me copies of it on DVD all for free. I'm told this is a good format that is cheap and is now being widely considered in all short film fests and contests.

Besides, buddy I want Dimitri to be a generation removed from Eastern/Southern Europeantrash with black hair. He even wears a scarf of Blue and White of the Euro '04 championships. His parents worked hard as when they came to the states and opened a restaurant in the East Village. And he isn't such a bad guy. He just wants to fuck his best friends girl.

[myke]

well, i'm certainly close to your age and certainly not black haired but unfortunately, my accent is way way way wrong.

[Maverick]

well, i guess I can't play Dimitri either, not havinblack hair or an accent. I didn't gettaht he had to actually be Russian, I just thought that was his name.

This one is short enough that you can easily do it all in one day. One location, 2 actors, minimal setup time. Hope it comes out well.

[bfj]

last film i shot starring mccutcheon and myself dissoved into tit sucking and drinking.

[marky]

You sucked each other's tits?

[Maverick]

HA! Marks in top form too!

[borgy]

i've got black hair but i cant play dmitri but i'll make a good bystander.

[Tom]

Did someone mention tits again?

[bgirl1]

Best of luck with the film. Shooting in black and white? Might be cool. But having worked in film, it's all about the lighting....no matter how endearing the writing.

Piece.
bgirl


Cassandracain1@yahoo.com

[mccutcheon]

How did you know I was gonna shoot in B&W?

[Maverick]

I'd suggest shooting it in color. If you want to make it B& W after the fact, that's easy to do in editing. Gives you more options.
Just my 2 cents.