Stranded in a small town Livvie learns what she wants and needs are two different things |
This is the first 25 pages of a script I have been working on for two years. FADE IN: EXT: FRONT YARD -- DAY LIVVIE TOWNSEND, bright pink hair, early 20's picks up a guitar case, goes to the passenger side back door, puts the guitar case in the back. LADY (O.S.) You are NOT leaving, young lady!!!! Passenger door slams shut. LIVVIE What? You gonna stop me? I don't think so. ABIGAIL TOWNSEND, Late 40's(looks early 30's due to lots of plastic surgery a vision of a true Southern Belle), stands in the driveway. ABIGAIL What you going to go off to California to become a famous singer? Right. More like going to California to become a famous escort. LIVVIE I wouldn't even be having this argument if Dad were here. Livvie walks to the driver's side door. ABIGAIL You father? You think you father would support you on this? LIVVIE Daddy always supported me... ABIGAIL Well let me tell you one thing honey...that's what he told you so he wouldn't hurt your feelings. He really thought you were...what's the word...terrible. Livvie storms over to where Alexis is standing and gets in her face. LIVVIE He did not! ABIGAIL Well, guess you'll never really know, since he's not here will you. Go ahead and go to California make a fool out of yourself, but know this young lady you won't be coming back here. LIVVIE Go to hell! Livvie gets into her car and speeds off, leaving Alexis in the driveway. INT: CAR -- DAY It's raining steady. The wipers squeak as they clean the windshield. Livvie picks up a flyer from the front seat. It reads Sunset Record Company Annual Showcase. June 17-19. She looks over her shoulder at the guitar case in the backseat. FLASHABACK TO: INT: LIVVIE'S BEDROOM-- DAY (7 YEARS EARLIER) Livvie plays the guitar while her DAD(late 40's, handsome) sits and listens. He is entranced by her playing. Livvie finishes. LIVVIE Daddy? DAD Yes Livvie? LIVVIE What did you think? DAD I think you're magnificent. Livvie blushes. LIVVIE Oh, Daddy... Dad moves from the chair to the window seat that Livvie is seating on. DAD You're a natural Lovebug. The music just flows from you like the sweet smell of Asiatic Lilies. LIVVIE Daddy...I'm not that good. DAD Livvie, you really must have more faith in yourself. You're smart, beautiful, and talented. You make me proud everyday. I am so lucky to have a daughter like you. LIVVIE I'm the lucky one, Daddy. Thank you for believing in me. DAD Lovebug, I'll always believe in you. Always. A loud horn blows. Livvie swerves to avoid a pick-up truck. She comes to a stop. She tries to catch her breath. LIVVIE Good going Livvie. INT: PICK-UP TRICK -- DAY BLAKE ADDAMS, mid-20's drives home in his pick-up. The rain is coming down so hard he can't see 5 feet in front of him. BLAKE What the hell was that? Blake turns to see tail lights stop in the road. Blake gets out,heads toward the car when it suddenly starts to move downward. BLAKE (CONTD) Aw hell! The embankment. Blake bolts toward the car. INT: CAR -- DAY Livvie realizes the car is moving, but it's not running. LIVVIE Oh my God! Livvie fumbles with her seatbelt. LIVVIE (CONT'D) (hysterically crying) Oh come on let go! She gets the seatbelt undone. Her car hits the water. EXT. EMBANKMENT -- DAY Blake makes it to the embankment as the car goes into the water. He tries to use his cellphone but can't get a signal. BLAKE Damn it! He heads down the embankment. The rain is pouring down, like the heavens themselves opened up. INT: CAR -- DAY Livvie tries to open the door, it won't budge. She notices the guitar in the backseat. She tries to unbuckle it, but it's stuck. Water starts coming into the car. LIVVIE Please, oh god! Let go! Come on please! A knock on the window catches Livvie attention. LIVVIE (CONT'D) Help me please! I can't get it unbuckled, please help! EXT. WATER -- DAY Blake is outside the car. BLAKE Ok, Calm down. Don't panic. Livvie nods her head in agreement. INT. CAR -- DAY The car starts to fill with water. LIVVIE (crying) There's water! I can't get the door it's stuck! EXT. WATER -- DAY Blake looks around for something to break the glass with. He can't find anything. BLAKE Look away, cover your head! INT. CAR -- DAY Livvie shields her head with her hands then turns away from the window. EXT. WATER -- DAY Blake starts hitting the window with his fist, it won't break. He won't stop, his hand starts bleeding. BLAKE Break damn it, come on break! INT. CAR -- DAY Livvie hears the beating on the window. Water is up to her waist. She turns toward the window and puts her hands on the glass, looks desperately at Blake. LIVVIE Please don't leave me! I don't want to die! EXT. WATER -- DAY Blake stops hitting the glass that is covered with his blood. BLAKE I'm not leaving you! Cover your head! INT. CAR -- DAY Livvie moves away from the window, covers her head. EXT. WATER -- DAY Blake slams into the window with everything he has. The window shatters. Water starts rushing in. BLAKE Give me your hand! Come on give me your hand! Blake pulls Livvie from the car as if she was a rag doll. Blake and Livvie swim toward shore. EXT: EMBANKMENT -- NIGHT Blake lies on the ground as the hard rain continues. Livvie lays nearly unconscious beside him. LIVVIE (half-conscious) Beau...I gotta...get...Beau...Beau... Blake, jumps up and bolts for the water, and dives for the car. He emerges and dives again. Emerges and dives again, Emerges and dives again, more panicked with each dive. BLAKE I can't find him! Blake dives once again. Livvie sets up and watches for Blake. BLAKE (CONT'D) I can't see shit!!! Who am I looking for? LIVVIE My Guitar!! Blake is stunned into silence, then it explodes like fireworks. BLAKE Your what? Oh hell no, I didn't just risk my life for a guitar. Blake makes his way out of the water. When he makes it to the shore he grabs for Livvie and yanks her to her feet. BLAKE (CONT'D) Come on! LIVVIE Where are we going? BLAKE Hospital! Blake and Livvie struggle up the embankment. Livvie turns to take one last look at her car. LIVVIE What about my guitar, my stuff? BLAKE It's gone! Get over it and get in the truck! LIVVIE But it's the only thing I have left...the only thing I have that my dad gave me. BLAKE Look I'm really sorry but I don't care if Keith Richards gave it to you! I could care less if Stevie Ray Vaughan descended from the heavens and laid his very own Number One at your feet and begged you to take it! I'm not killing myself over a guitar! Blake walks off leaving Livvie. Livvie watches as the raging river swallows her whole life. The flyer from the showcase floats to the top along with sheet music, and a few personal items. LIVVIE Mom one, Livvie zero...fuck! BLAKE (O.S.) Coming? LIVVIE Yeah. Livvie shuffles, dejected, to the truck. INT. BLAKE'S TRUCK: -- NIGHT The rain won't let up. Blake white knuckles the steering wheel with his good arm. He looks at his right arm and sees a huge knot, broken. He struggles to shift the gears. BLAKE Damnit! Livvie watches in silence, unsure what to say. BLAKE (CONT'D) Hell fire! The gears grind. LIVVIE Let me help. BLAKE No thanks. I've seen what happens when you drive. I'll pass. LIVVIE Well you're not doing such a good job. Look I can at least shift gears I know how to drive a stick. Blake tries again to shift , this time with his left hand. He veers off the road. Livvie tries not to laugh. BLAKE (winces in pain) Fine. I'll clutch, you shift. Think you can handle that? LIVVIE I think I got it. Blake clutches. BLAKE Now! Livvie pulls back on the stick. It grinds. BLAKE (CONT'D) Thought you said you knew what you were doing? LIVVIE I do! It's just kinda difficult from the passenger side! Livvie starts to slide over. BLAKE What are you doing? LIVVIE Getting a better grip. Livvie straddles the gear shift. She gets a little to close. Blake's arm accidentally rubs up against her chest. BLAKE Sorry. Livvie pulls back the gear shift. The truck moves forward. LIVVIE (pleased with herself) Don't worry about it. Blake, suddenly becomes aware that she's a woman, not a girl and a sexy one at that, nods. His eyes follow her hands on the stick, up her thighs, to her clinging shirt... LIVVIE (CONT'D) Look out! Blake slams on the brakes just before they plunge head first into the raging river. The bridge is out, completely washed engulfed by the river. BLAKE Damn! LIVVIE Please tell that wasn't the only way to the ... BLAKE Yeah, it was. Blake is pissed. He awkwardly uses his wrist to throw the truck in reverse. She too becomes aware. She gasps. Blake whips the truck around and heads back the way he came. LIVVIE Where are we going? BLAKE Home! Livvie shifts automatically. They both ride the rest of the way in silence. EXT. BLAKE'S HOUSE -- NIGHT The rain is steady. Not giving an inch. Blake whips the truck into the drive. It comes to an immediate stop. INT. BLAKE'S TRUCK -- NIGHT BLAKE You comin? Blake opens the door and holds it open for Livvie. Livvie slides out, grabs Blake's broken arm by accident. BLAKE (CONT'D) Oh...God! Livvie jerks her hand away as if she touched something hot. LIVVIE Oh my God, I'm sorry. Blake shakes his head, and points toward the house. Livvie runs toward the porch. Blake slams the door hard, runs to the house. INT. BLAKE'S LIVINGROOM -- NIGHT It's dark, but Livvie can still tell there's not much there. Blake flicks the light switch but nothing. BLAKE Wait right here. LIVVIE 'Kay. Blake leaves her to the darkness. Livvie folds her arms afraid to touch anything. Suddenly she is overcome with complete darkness. BLAKE Alright. I found some matches...Hey where'd ya go? Blake walks toward the door where he left Livvie. BLAKE (CONT'D) Hey...hey where you at? Blake sees her on the floor in front of the door. He bends down to check on her. BLAKE (CONT'D) You ok? He gives her a slight shake. Livvie just moans. BLAKE (CONT'D) Great. He scoops her up, almost dropping her. He adjusts with his good arm. Livvie's head falls on his shoulder. INT. BLAKE'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT It's even less furnished than the livingroom. Blake lays Livvie on the bed. INT. BLAKE'S LIVINGROOM -- NIGHT Blake grabs the matches and oil lamps from the floor. BLAKE You just had to go to town. Nope couldn't wait till it stopped raining. Now you got a girl in your bed, smooth. INT. BLAKE'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT Livvie lies still on Blake's bed. Blake walks over and puts the oil lamp on the night stand. Looks at Livvie. There hasn't been a woman in his bed in a long time. He lights the oil lamps. Livvie looks angelic in the lamp light. Blake can't take his eyes off her. Livvie shivers. Blake realizes she is still wet. BLAKE OK. Blake sits beside her on the bed. He gives her a little shake. BLAKE (CONT'D) Hey. Wake up. You're soaked. Blake shakes her harder. BLAKE (CONT'D) Come on wake up, you're gonna catch pneumonia. Nothing. Slowly he unbuttons her drenched shirt. He's almost afraid to touch her, almost like she'll break. Livvie moans, but nothing. Blake fumbles with the buttons,it's a lot harder than it should be with one broken arm, the shirt sticks to her like saran wrap. He peels it off her, throws it to the floor Blake unbuttons her shorts. He's grateful they're not jeans. They are vacuum sealed to her legs. He tugs at them, hard. Livvie wakes, shoots up in bed like a rocket. LIVVIE What are you doin? BLAKE Nothing. You're soakin' wet. You've got to get out of these wet clothes before you catch your death of cold. LIVVIE What are you doin? BLAKE I just told you... Livvie punches him with a right hook , collapses again. BLAKE (CONT'D) Oh, shit! If you weren't a girl... Blake massages his jaw, she definitely doesn't hit like a girl. He yanks the shorts off without regard for her volatility. He throws everything in a pile in the floor. He goes to his closet,takes out a flannel shirt. He pulls her up from the bed,she falls into him. Blake flinches. BLAKE (CONT'D) Just get her dressed. Blake quickly puts his shirt on her and lays her down, he finishes dressing her. Then covers with an old quilt. She signs softly, contently. BLAKE (CONT'D) An angel with a right hook from hell. Blake massages his jaw and looks at her one more time. She's beautiful. He shuts the door behind him. Livvie sleeps peacefully. INT. BLAKE'S BEDROOM -- DAY Livvie wakes to the sound of chirping birds. The sunlight beams through the window. LIVVIE Hello? Anybody there? She gets out of bed and notices she not dressed in what she came in. Laying on the end of the bed is her shorts, she can't find her shirt. EXT. BLAKE'S BACKYARD -- DAY Livvie has changed into her shorts, tied the shirt around her to make it fit. LIVVIE Are you here? Hello... It looks like a tornado hit, tools, debris scattered throughout the back yard. Livvie notices the barn and walks toward it. INT. BARN -- DAY She slowly opens the barn door, on guard, waiting for anything, anybody to jump out. It's full of tools, junk, boxes stacked everywhere. LIVVIE Are you in here? Hello...anybody? She creeps her way inside looking, touching, she notices in the back corner almost hidden...a guitar. She digs it out. It's dusty, old, the stings are broken, half hanging. LIVVIE (CONT'D) Let's see if I can fix you . Livvie starts diggin through boxes, looking for string, oil, clothes, anything to fix the guitar. She finds the strings and repairs each string, carefully. She digs around for oil, boxes are everywhere. Finally in an old tool box she finds what she's looking for. She oils each and every crook, curve, neck, body. Slowly, gently, caressing each and every inch of the guitar, as if it were a lover. EXT. BLAKE'S BACKYARD -- DAY Blake comes out the kitchen door. BLAKE Where'd you go? Blake hears music, soft sweet music. But from where? Blake follows the music to the barn, he looks inside. Livvie's playing with her back to the door, singing softly. She's playing a ballad, singing so softly she' almost not heard. Blake watches, listens. INT. BARN -- DAY Livvie plays and sings, as if noone is around, just her, the music, and the wind. The barn door creaks, Livvie turns to see Blake standing there. She jumps as if she just got caught stealing. LIVVIE You weren't here when I woke up. I went looking for you and I couldn't find you. When I went outside You weren't anywhere. Livvie walks toward Blake with guitar in her hand. LIVVIE (CONT'D) I saw the barn and thought maybe you were in there but you weren't. I started looking around and I found it. I fixed it and cleaned it up. Hope you don't mind. It sounds real good, considering. Livvie hands Blake the guitar. LIVVIE (CONT'D) Sorry, I'm gonna go inside. Livvie heads for the house. Blake watches her as she walks away, puts the guitar back in the barn and walks toward the house. INT. BLAKE'S TRUCK -- DAY Livvie sits quietly. Blake drives quietly, he shifts gears. Livvie notices the cast. LIVVIE Sorry about your arm. BLAKE Don't worry about it. Livvie notices his jaw. LIVVIE What happened to your face? BLAKE Don't worry about it. LIVVIE "Kay. They drive in silence for awhile. LIVVIE (CONT'D) Where we going? BLAKE Town. LIVVIE Why? BLAKE Your car. LIVVIE They found it. It runs? Where did they find it? BLAKE Up river. EXT. GARAGE -- DAY TOBY looks over a car that looks like it was pulled from a tar pit. Blake's truck pulls up. Blake gets out and walks toward Toby. They exchange words. Blake motions to Livvie to come there. Livvie joins them. BLAKE It's her's. LIVVIE Hello. I was told my car's here. I'd like to get it and be on my way. Toby looks at Blake and burst out in laughter, points to the car. TOBY Lady, that's your car. Livvie's car is covered in mud, branches, and other slimy river muck. LIVVIE That's my car? You said it was running. BLAKE No I didn't. LIVVIE Yes, you did! BLAKE No. I just said they found it. I gotta go. Later Toby. Blake leaves Livvie to her car. LIVVIE Hey, what about my car? Blake stops and looks at, rubs his bruised jaw. BLAKE Not my problem. Blake drives off. Livvie turns back to Toby. LIVVIE So, when can I get my car? TOBY Well, looks like 2 weeks at the latest. Gotta clean it out first just to see what I can do. LIVVIE Two weeks? What the hell am I gonna do for two weeks? TOBY Look you can pay for this right? LIVVIE Absolutely, not a problem. I've got plenty of money. Toby walks to Livvie's car and opens the door. Water and dead fish gush out of the car. Livvie shakes her head than walks across the street. EXT. DINNER -- DAY Livvie digs into her pants pocket,pulls out a small handful of cash, shoves it back into her pockets and heads inside. She notices a HELP WANTED sign as she heads in. LIVVIE Yeah, I've got plenty of money. INT: DINER -- DAY Checkered tablecloths, fresh flowers on the tables. Newspaper clippings about the town hang from the wall, along with pictures of the townsfolk dating back generations. The diner is full and very busy. ANNIE, early 50ís, is overwhelmed by all the customers. LIVVIE Excuse me? ANNIE Just grab a seat honey, I'll be with you when I can. Livvie heads to the counter. A table of four men is getting upset because they have been waiting too long. MAN #1 Annie... ANNIE Give me a sec. I'm a little short handed today. Livvie sees an extra pad lying on the counter; she grabs it, and makes her way to the table. LIVVIE How hard can it be?... How can I help you, gentlemen? INT: DINER-DAY Livvieís arms are full of plates. She makes her way back to the table of men. LIVVIE Ok, cheeseburger and fries. Two specials and a chef salad with ranch on the side. Can I get you guys anything else? MAN #1 No. Iím good. MAN #2 Could I get some crackers? MAN #3 No, thanks. MAN #4 Steak sauce, please. LIVVIE Be right back. INT: DINER-DAY Lunch is winding down. Livvie hasnít stopped since she started, she looks as though she worked 24 straight. The four men are walking out the door, Livvie sees them leave. LIVVIE Thanks. You guys have a good day. The four men stop, wave, smile. They walk out of the diner. Livvie walks over to the table, starts to clean it off. She notices all the men have left a ten dollar bill each with their ticket. Livvie is speechless. She finishes cleaning off the table. Annie walks up as Livvie finishes with last table. ANNIE Thanks for your help. LIVVIE Thatís ok. You looked a little swamped. ANNIE Sure was. Our day shift waitress quit this morning, you want her job? LIVVIE Iíd love the job. ANNIE Youíre hired. By the way, Iím Annie and this (raises her hands to wave around the diner) is Meme's Kitchen. LIVVIE Iím Livvie, and I do believe half of this is yours. Livvie hands her a hand full of money. ANNIE No thanks, you worked for it. You keep it. Annie walks to the window and removes the HELP WANTED sign. EXT: DINER -- NIGHT The day is over. Annie and Annie's husband JAKE, late 50's, are locking up the diner. Livvie's exhausted. ANNIE So how was your first day? LIVVIE This was a lot harder than I thought, but I made pretty good tips. ANNIE So when did you move here? LIVVIE How did you know I just got here? ANNIE You kinda stand out a bit, dear. Livvie becomes aware of her pink hair. She's had it so long she's forgotten about it. LIVVIE Guess I kinda do. Where can I get a place to stay? ANNIE You don't have a place to stay, yet? Livvie stops in front of the auto body shop. LIVVIE Well, Toby is working on my car, so I'm kinda stranded until then. ANNIE Well than you can just stay at our house. We have plenty of room. LIVVIE I couldnít. Annie and Jake look at each other. JAKE Thereís no sense in arguing with her. Youíll never win. Trust me, in 30 years, I have yet to win. LIVVIE Are you sure? Youíve already done so much. ANNIE Absolutely. I insist. Annie puts her arm around Livvie, they walk down the sidewalk. INT. SPARE ROOM -- NIGHT The room is small. Bed, dresser, nightstand, and a small table and chair near the window. A homemade quilt on the bed, a lot of love and care went into the room. Livvie makes her way to the bed. She lies down and is asleep before her head hits the pillow. INT. SPARE ROOM -- NIGHT Annie peaks into the room to check on Livvie. She takes the extra blanket at the end of the bed and covers her with it, then leaves. INT. SAUNDERS' KITCHEN -- NIGHT Jake is sitting at the kitchen table. Looking over the mail. ANNIE WALKS IN. JAKE How is she? ANNIE Sleeping. Annie sits and picks up a stack of mail from the table and looks through it. INT: SAUNDERS KITCHEN -- DAY Livvie and Annie are sitting at the kitchen table. Annie is drinking a cup of coffee, while Livvie finishes off her homemade pie. ANNIE So, how's your car coming? LIVVIE Toby said he's still just trying to clean it out. ANNIE Cleaning it out? LIVVIE Yeah, they pulled it out of the river a few days ago, after that big rain. ANNIE You were caught in that? How'd you.. LIVVIE Actually I was quite lucky some guy was driving on the same road as I was and he just happened to be there at the right place at the right time. Annie Refills her coffee and brings Livvie a fresh cup. ANNIE Where were you? LIVVIE I think it was off 424? ANNIE 424? LIVVIE I think that's right. think is not sure who the guy is. Not much of a talker. Got a temper though. ANNIE You don't know anything about him? LIVVIE Well, he drove a red pickup and the name on the mailbox was Addams. Besides that not really. I tried to look around, but I couldn't find anything. I think I was out for a day or two. When I was well enough he brought me to town and dropped me off at Toby's. ANNIE He just dropped you off and left you? LIVVIE Yeah. I wonder if Toby would tell me who he was? ANNIE Iím not sure thatís such a good idea, dear. Annie picks up Livvieís plate, puts it in the sink. LIVVIE What do you mean? ANNIE Maybe you should just be grateful and leave it at that. Livvie gives her a confused look. Annie leaves her to herself. INT. DINNER -- DAY Livvie is taking care of one of the few customers. Annie and Jake are behind the counter. JAKE You're sure it was him? ANNIE Who else could it be? That boy better had not just dropped her off like that. JAKE Annie... ANNIE Don't Annie me, Jake. That boy knows better. JAKE At least he didn't throw her out that night. Annie hits Jake with the towel in her hand. ANNIE That's not funny. JAKE I'm just saying. It more than he's done in awhile, beside you can give him an earful when he calls on Sunday. ANNIE You better believe he'll get an earful, just dropping that poor girl off like that. Livvie comes to the counter to join them. LIVVIE When does it pick up again? ANNIE Dinner, sweetie. Rest while you can. INT. KITCHEN -- NIGHT Annie is on the phone pacing the floor. ANNIE Yes, she's staying here...She's working at the dinner too. Seems SOMEBODY just dropped her off at Toby's and left her there. INT. HALLWAY -- NIGHT Livvie comes down the stairs, turns to head into the kitchen when she hears Annie on the phone. The conversations is a tense one, she turns to go, but stops when she hears her name. ANNIE (O.S.) Her name is Livvie. LIVVIE What the??? INT. KITCHEN -- NIGHT Annie's still pacing. ANNIE I couldn't just turn her out. Blake you know better...I don't care...That's not an excuse...She's fine...If you came to town you could find out for yourself. INT. HALLWAY -- NIGHT Livvie leans in closer to hear better. LIVVIE Blake. How does Annie know him? INT. KITCHEN -- NIGHT ANNIE I know...You take of yourself...You, too. Ok, I talk to you next Sunday. Bye. Annie hangs up the phone and walks to the doorway where Livvie is. INT. HALLWAY -- NIGHT Livvie runs quietly back up the stairs and turns as if she's just came down stairs. LIVVIE Oh, hey Annie. Annie is startled by Livvie. ANNIE Oh, hey Livvie. Did see you. LIVVIE Just coming down to raid your fridge, I'm starving. ANNIE Sure. I just put some turkey in the crisper help yourself. Don't stay up too late. Night dear. LIVVIE Good Night Annie. |