Rats in the city

EXT. POLICE STATION- LATE NIGHT
Bright light fills the empty street as the doors to a police station fly open. A man, MATT, is thrown out. He stumbles, then turns towards the police station angrily.
Matt is average height and weight and wears a leather jacket adorned with ragged patches and cold metal studs. His hair is a mass of bright red spikes that stand stoically away from his scalp.
The light from the door seeps through the spikes to highlight a fresh, cruel looking wound on the back of Matt’s head.
The doors close. Matt turns away and walks past.
MATT
Fucking swine.
The guard smiles through the small door window.
EXT. PHILADELPHIA STREET- MOMENTS LATER
The streets are silent, desolate. Matt walks alone with two full paper bags in each hand. He finishes the contents of one paper bag with a long swig. Burping, he tosses the bag against a nearby building, shattering the bottle inside. He cracks open the bottle in his other hand and raises it to his mouth.
He climbs the stoop to his apartment and draws his keys from his pocket. On the second try he manages to open the door.
INT. MATT’S APARTMENT- MOMENTS LATER
Matt tosses his jacket onto the floor of a closet under plenty of empty hangers. A pile of empty beer bottles and trash bags lie in a dirty heap in the corner next to the door.
The walls are an explosion of graffiti, posters and newspaper clippings collected over the last few years. A beaten leather sofa sits in front of a humble television set which has been left on.
Another ripped up sofa chair sits to the side between the television and a window overlooking the city.
He throws himself tiredly onto the sofa, staring at the ceiling.
An add for “songs of worship” plays on the TV.
Moments later ERIN walks down the stairs into the room. She is 24, 5”5’ and thin. Her hair is a deep shade of aqua that falls gently over the side of her face. She is wearing black pajama pants and a white t-shirt with no shoes.
ERIN
Hey.
Matt answers the ceiling, unmoving.
MATT
Hey.
ERIN
How ya doin?
MATT
Fine.

Erin quickly walks the rest of the way to the couch and sits on the back inspecting Matt’s injury.
ERIN
Holy shit. You need to get stitches for this Matt. I can see your brain!
Matt pulls away uncomfortably and sits up facing the TV.
MATT
No thanks. I have some super glue up in my room, I’ll live.
ERIN
Are you kidding me? you’re insa....
Erin stands up and reaches again to inspect the wound as Matt quickly pulls away
MATT
Could you stop poking me?
Matt turns angrily.
MATT (CONT’D)
Why would I pay someone to put more fucking holes in my head than I already have?
(beat)
Let it go.

Matt turns back to the TV.
ERIN
Matt your brain is too small to leave a hole like that, it will fall out.
MATT
Fuck off!
She stops and takes her seat again on the back of the couch.
Erin’s soft face watches Matt take a pull of his drink, staring at the TV.
MATT (CONT’D)
Thanks for bailing me out.
ERIN
You’ve done it for me.
MATT
Yeah, but not as much.
(beat)
I’ll pay you back.
ERIN
Don’t worry about it. Just don’t get quite so drunk next time. Maybe you’ll be able to at least stumble away.
MATT
If I knew he was guna club me I could’ve just crawled away and that fat pig couldn’t have caught me.
ERIN
Oh well, don’t pay me back. I’d rather hold it over your head anyway. I need a slave in my life.
Matt rolls his eyes.
MATT
Great.
Erin stands and walks toward the stairs smiling broadly as she pauses and turns back.
ERIN
We’re going to Retch’s tomorrow.
MATT
For what?
ERIN
I want to pick up a new CD
MATT
Get Ben to go with you. I’m sleeping tomorrow.
ERIN
Ben has work. You’re coming.
Erin starts running up the stairs.
ERIN (CONT’D)
You don’t really have much say anyways. You’re my slave now.
MATT
God damnit.
Matt takes a deep drink as her head disappears behind the wall. He lays down, exhausted. The infomercial still plays.
INT. MATT’S APARTMENT- 12:00 PM
The piercing beeping of an alarm cuts through the blackness. Matt slowly regains consciousness on his couch.
He tightly clutches the remnants of his drink to his chest. He wipes the drool from his mouth.
Erin stands in front of him, smiling, holding an alarm clock to his face.
ERIN
Time to get up drunky.
Matt, hits the alarm clock out of her hands and slaps it pathetically into the floor until it finally stops ringing.
He turns over onto his back and closes his eyes.
Erin walks into the kitchen.
ERIN (O.S.) (CONT’D)
Nice to see you’re alive. I had to beat Ben’s ass to keep his balls out of your mouth this morning.
Matt, eyes still closed, grabs the meager remains of his 40 and takes a swig. He grimaces at the taste.
ERIN (O.S.) (CONT’D)
I don’t know why I’m so good to you...
INT. SUBWAY CAR- NOON
Matt and Erin sit on the subway with an empty seat in between them. The car is relatively empty. Erin looks around, studying the other passengers, while Matt sits quietly with his head bowed.
The train stops and a 19 year old boy listening to music sits in the seat across from Matt. The boy is very thin, has long hair covering his left eye, a skintight “Coheed and Cambria” black t-shirt, girls pants and Adidas shoes with pink shoe laces. The boy is half humming half singing along to the whiney sounds audible from his headphones.
Matt slowly lifts his head to stare at the passenger. Erin giggles,amused, as she enjoys Matt’s loathsome stare.
Across the subway, the whiney vocals grow to a crescendo.
Matt looks on open mouthed.
MATT
What happened to this city?
Erin smiles gaily at Matt while the kid continues singing to himself.
EXT. SOUTH STREET- EARLY AFTERNOON

Erin and Matt walk side by side As they enter the record store.
INT. RETCHING RECORDS- AFTERNOON
The small store is an eclectic collection of messy rows of CDs, DVDs, tapes and records from wall to wall.
An unkempt man with a bushy beard and long, greying hair stands behind the counter looking at a playboy magazine laid out on the table. This is RETCH and he owns the store.
Retch looks up and closes the magazine excitedly as the two punks enter his store.
RETCH
Heyyy! Matt, what’s goin on man? Haven’t seen you round here in weeks.
Retch quickly walks around the counter and greets Matt with a hug.
RETCH (CONT’D)
And Erin.
He grabs her hand and bows to kiss it.
RETCH (CONT’D)
A pleasure as always.
Erin pulls away and playfully slaps Frank on the arm.
ERIN
Ew, get off dick!
MATT
Jesus Retch, How many times do I have to tell you, you’re supposed to drink the whiskey, not take a fucking bath in it.
Retch scratches his groin, and readjusts himself, unabashed.
RETCH
Well I’m sorry if the colognes running a bit low.
Retch rubs both hands down his front, straightening his shirt, as he walks back behind the counter.
RETCH (CONT’D)
No need to get mean about it. Shit.
Erin walks over and leans far over the counter on the tips of her toes.
ERIN
Sooooo. Got the new Bones Brigade CD for me?
RETCH
Yeah. Right back there.
Erin frollicks away towards the back corner of the store where Retch pointed as Matt posts up against the counter.
Retch watches her go and pulls out a flask from his back pocket and takes a sip. He offers it to Matt who graciously takes a sip.
RETCH (CONT’D)
So where you been? Haven’t seen you around in a while.
Matt glances away, nonchalant.
MATT
I think it’s called the Philadelphia correctional facility, or something like that.
RETCH
Again dude? You can’t just get drunk and disorderly in a bar or your house like normal people. It has to be city hall?
MATT
Screw that man. I may have been drunk, but there was no disorder going on. Last I knew you couldn’t arrest a man for drooling on himself.
RETCH
You can if he has spiked hair. It’s in the 12th ammendment or some shit like that.
Matt smiles and reaches again for Fred’s flask.
Retch watches him.
RETCH (CONT’D)
You, my lazy friend, just need something to do. You know I can always use more help around the store. Jake left so I’m pretty much doing it myself lately.
Matt drinks from the flask. He grimaces.
MATT
Cut into my beauty sleep for your cheap ass? No thanks.
ERIN (O.S.)
Yo Matt, come here real quick.
MATT
Hold on, be right back.
Matt turns and walks away while Retch takes another swig of the flask and returns his attention to his magazine.
INT. BACK OF STORE- CONTINUOUS
Two 15 year old girls stand in the corner looking at movies. They are startled and stare as Matt walks by. Matt grimaces and looks to the side when he hears them giggling behind him.
ERIN
Look at this shit.
Erin hands Matt a CD from the shelves.
ERIN (CONT’D)
Punk goes acoustic. That’s fucking precious huh? Which of these bands is supposed to be punk?
MATT
Good God.
(beat)
I didn’t know yellow card was ever “plugged in” before.
ERIN
I would rather listne to a dog farting than this trash.
A DVD clatters on the floor behind them as they turn around. The two young girls quickly pick up the case and spin around to face the rack of movies, giggling.
Matt and Erin also turn back to the CDs.
The girls can be seen staring and whispering over Matt’s shoulder.
MATT
God that’s annoying. Do we look like fucking circus people?
ERIN
You do.
MATT
Fuck you.
(beat)
They still Staring?
Erin turns. The two girls quickly drop their heads to the movies they forgot they were holding.
.ERIN
Yeah they are.
Erin looks up at Matt, smiling mischievously.
ERIN
You should do it.
MATT
No.
ERIN
Come on, do it.
MATT
No, I don’t feel like it.
ERIN
Please...For me?
Erin turns and gives matt a look of feigned sadness. Still looking down at the CD in his hands, A wicked smile slowly forms on Matt’s face.
Abruptly, Matt turns towards the still staring girls and runs towards them snarling and barking like a rabid dog.
The girls, terrified, drop what they are holding and run screaming from the store knocking into racks of CDs as they flee.
MATT
Happy now?
Erin is bent over laughing too hard to answer.
MATT (CONT’D)
I think the redhead might have crapped her pants.
INT. FRONT OF STORE- MOMENTS LATER
Matt and Erin walk up to the counter where Frank waits looking upset.
RETCH
Hey assholes, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t scare away my customers.
MATT
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
ERIN
He had a tic. What do you want him to do?
Retch rings up two CDs for Erin.
RETCH
Keep your fuckin tics to yourself.
(beat)
$24.98.
Erin Pays. Matt hands Retch one CD and pulls out his wallet. There is $7 in it.
RETCH (CONT’D)
Especially when they are cute too.
ERIN
What are you, father Retch? you fucking creep.
RETCH
$12.00
Matt pauses and hands Retch his credit card.
Retch swipes the card multiple times and hands it back to Matt.
RETCH (CONT’D)
I don’t know what’s up it’s not taking it.
MATT
Shit.
Matt sees Erin reach for her wallet.
MATT (CONT’D)
What? No, no way, I don’t need it i’ll just put it back.
ERIN
Really, it’s ok, I like the Dwarves, I’ll just get it for myself.
MATT
Fuck that, you’ve already given me enough money.
RETCH
Hey, look it’s cool, just give me what you got. It’s fine, I know you’re good for it.
MATT
Umm...ok yeah, here.
Matt hands the money to Retch and quickly walks towards the door.
MATT (CONT’D)
Thanks alot man.
RETCH
Hey!
Matt stops and turns.
RETCH (CONT’D)
I want to get backstage when the Adicts come!
Matt smiles back at Retch and stalks out the door. Erin follows behind waving goodbye to Retch.
EXT. SOUTH STREET- MOMENTS LATER
Erin jogs briefly to catch up to Matt who is walking quickly away from the store. She the girls from the store who are crouched down next to a building. The redhead is crying and being consoled by the other.
ERIN
Are you ok?
MATT
Yeah, I’m fine.
ERIN
you’ve been walking around like a little emo bitch since you got home. What’s wrong?
MATT
Nothing.
They walk silently for a few moments.
Erin looks concerned.
MATT (CONT’D)
What are you doing tomorrow?
ERIN
Don’t know. Probably sleeping and then working at the bar at 7. Why?
MATT
Aren’t you getting tired of sleeping all day and going to the same two bars every night?
ERIN
Yeah, I am tired...that’s why I sleep alot.
MATT
You know what I mean.
ERIN
Not really.
MATT
You’re not sick of doing the same pointless shit every single day? I fucking am.
ERIN
Where the hell is this coming from?
MATT
What is the last productive thing I’ve done?
ERIN
you did a 62 second keg stand the other night! Scratch was so pissed when I...
MATT
Perfect! Fucking perfect! That’ll be the first thing I put on my resume.
ERIN
Bouncers don’t need resumes.
MATT
Fuck being a bouncer! I’m done with this shit. What the fuck is left for me here?
(beat)
My shitty apartment? My shitty job? This piece of shit city? Fuck that.

Matt’s cheeks are flushed and he is breathing hard.
Erin looks up at him, concern and hurt in her eyes.
ERIN
You have friends.
MATT
Ha. Like who? Retch? He’s too drunk to even recognize who I am half the time.
ERIN
You have me.
Matt looks up, surprised.
Erin glances at him, eyes moist. She turns her head straight.
They continue walking away down the street in silence.
INT. SUBWAY- MINUTES LATER
Matt and Erin sit next to each other in the subway car surrounded by empty seats. Matt sits with his elbows on his thighs looking down at the ground in silence. Erin is sitting up looking around somberly. Her gaze turns towards Matt’s down turned head and lingers momentarily.
She rests the side of her head against the window to watch the graffiti fly past in flashes of blue and white.
INT. MATT’S JOB- NIGHT
A man with a foot long green mohawk maniacally screams into a vintage silver microphone as 200 young punks run, spit, swear and punch at the surrounding air in front of the stage.
Matt sits tearing tickets near the front door with the screaming fans behind him. Retch walks in.
RETCH
Yo, Matt what’s goin on?
Matt shakes Retch’s hand while Retch hands him the money for the tickets.
MATT
Not much, good show tonight.
Matt looks down at the money in Retch’s hand.
MATT (CONT’D)
Nah, don’t worry about it just go ahead, thanks for the CD.
RETCH
Oh shit, thanks man.
Retch returns the $10 to his pocket.
RETCH (CONT’D)
Hey, you know that band remains of humanity?
MATT
Yeah, they come here all the time. Why?
RETCH
I was talking to the bassist earlier. They’re touring Europe in a month and their roadie just got thrown into rehab.
MATT
who Sully? Big surprise.
Retch grins slyly.
RETCH
I might have told them to give you a call, if you’re lookin for something to do of course.
MATT
Are you serious?
RETCH
Yeah, is that ok?
MATT
Ummm, yeah sure, they are sick.
RETCH
Alright good. Well the guitarist, James said he would let me know if they couldn’t find anyone.
MATT
Ok. Well let me know then.
The band, from a slight lull, breaks into a breakneck song and the crowd surges powerfully behind the two men talking.
RETCH
I love this song. I’ll talk to you later though, I gotta give these little pussies a taste of ‘77.
Retch pushes his way through the kids towards the mosh pit.
Matt tries to hold back a smile as he takes the ticket from the next kid.
INT. MATT’S APARTMENT- 1:00 AM
Matt walks tiredly into his apartment. He throws his jacket on the closet floor and sits on the opposite side of the couch from Erin, who is watching TV in a bathrobe and freshly washed hair.
Ben sits in the armchair by the window looking at a Penthouse. Ben’s tattooed arms contrast sharply with his brown buzz-cut and sloppily undone shirt and tie.
ERIN
Hey.
Ben looks up and stands.
BEN
Alright guys goodnight. I got work early tomorrow.
MATT
OK sellout.
BEN
Fuck you.
ERIN
I made him stay up and keep me company until you got home. He’s been very anxious to go upstairs.
Erin looks coily at Matt as she pumps a fist vulgarly up and down. Matt smiles and yells after Ben.
MATT
Tell Debby and Dallas I said good night too.
Erin laughs. Matt plops down on the opposite side of the couch. The cool light of the TV dances of their faces. A snobby British narrator is heard from behind on the TV.
NARRATOR
But just how rich is Jennifer Lopez? Well why don’t you just ask her diamond studded bumble bee. Jenny from the block indeed.
Erin is looking candidly over at Matt who is slouched back with his hands on his lap.
MATT
What are you watching?
ERIN
Theres nothing else on.
Erin gets up and changes the channel on the TV. She walks back over to the couch and sits on the middle cushion. He sits up abruptly when Erin lays down, placing her head across Matt’s thighs.
Matt’s brows knit together in confusion as he looks down at Erin, his hands held awkwardly in the air above her head like he is about to fly away. He looks around and finally decides to lean back and place his arms across the top of the couch.
ERIN’S FACE,
eyes half closed, looks contented as she rubs her head against Matt’s leg to find a more comfortable position.
ERIN (CONT’D)
Will you rub my head?
Matt’s eyes squint in suspicious confusion.
MATT
(voice cracking)
What?
ERIN SMILES.
ERIN
Please? I have a headache.
MATT
Take some Tylenol!
ERIN
I don’t have any. Pleeeease?
Matt reluctantly picks up his right arm and slowly lowers it towards Erin’s head. He runs his fingers through her soft aqua hair. She purrs quietly in appreciation.
MATT
How much do you make at the bar?
ERIN
Enough. Why?
Matt pulls a strand of hair gently behind Erin’s ear.
A BEAD OF WATER
drips slowly from her still damp hair down her cheekline.
MATT
What would you do if me or Ben ever had to leave?
ERIN
It doesn’t matter.
Erin rises slightly, propping her elbows on Matt’s legs so that her face is only inches from his.
ERIN (CONT’D)
You could never leave me.
She looks straight into his eyes as her face lingers in front of his for a moment. She smiles playfully and lays back down and closes her eyes. Matt slowly exhales a deep breath.
ERIN (CONT’D)
Don’t stop slave.
Matt resumes as Erin smiles and closes her eyes.
INT. MATT’S BEDROOM- 10:00 AM
Matt lies asleep in bed as the phone rings loudly on his dresser. He opens his eyes, pausing for two rings before he finally snatches the phone.
MATT
What?
(beat)
What the fuck, I don’t want whatever new cd you have, I’m going back to sleep.
(beat)
Oh shit...Ok, yea thanks I’ll be there.
Matt hangs up phone and lays back down but his eyes don’t close as he gazes blankly ahead.
INT. MATT’S BEDROOM- 3:00 PM
Matt sits up, rubs the sleep from his eyes, and walks past.
INT. MATT’S BATHROOM- 3:20 PM
Matt stands in front of the bathroom mirror. The previously white walls and floor are tan with unwashed dirt. He proceeds to brush his teeth, shave a week old beard, and comb his hair back with his fingers before walking out of the room.
INT. MATT’S BEDROOM- 3:00 PM
Sitting on the end of his bed, Matt pulls on tattered jeans. He tightens the laces on his boots And throws his leather jacket over his shoulder.
EXT. CITY STREET- 3:15 PM
Matt walks down the street alone and turns into a bar.
INT. BAR- MOMENTS LATER
Matt sits at the bar talking to a man with a long blue mohawk, sleeveless black t-shirt and tight blue jeans.
They shake hands and the man walks out the door leaving Matt to finish his PBR. Retch walks over from another table.
Retch pats hi firmly on the back
MATT
Hey, what are you doing away from the store?
RETCH
I got thirsty. How’d it go?
MATT
Fine.
RETCH
Fine? What does that mean?
Matt sips his beer and shrugs

RETCH (CONT’D)
Man, I’d love to go to europe.
MATT
6 months is a long time.
RETCH
What the fuck else you got planned? Sit around and wank yourself raw?
Matt looks down at his full beer.
MATT
Erin and Ben will have to find a new room mate.
RETCH
So what? They’ll find someone.
Retch looks off focusing on something unseen in the distance.
RETCH (CONT’D)
Never been to England myself. Lucky bastard.
Matt drinks his beer and stares at the counter.
INT. MATT’S APARTMENT- 1:00 AM
Erin sits on the couch watching TV. Matt walks in and throws his jacket in the usual spot. He see Erin on the couch and pauses momentarily. He walks past the couch toward the stairs.
ERIN
Hey. Where you been?
MATT
The bar. I think I’m goin to bed though, I don’t feel that great.
ERIN
Aww too many cranberry vodkas? It’s only like one you pussy. Come watch TV with me, I’m bored.
MATT
OK for a bit.
He turns and sits in the armchair at the opposite end of the room and stares out the window. Erin looks over curiously.
ERIN
What is so great out there?
She gets up and walks over to the chair. She perches on the armrest and looks out the window.
The lights of street lamps and distant bars can be seen over the broken down brick walls of the neighboring apartments.
ERIN (CONT’D)
Hmmm boring.
Matt continues looking out the window.
ERIN (CONT’D)
So, what’s wrong?
MATT
Nothing really, just thinkin about stuff.
ERIN
Oh yea? Like what stuff? Maybe I Can help.
MATT
I doubt it.
She pauses looking down on him from the armrest thoughtfully licking her top lip.
ERIN
Well does this help?
Erin leans over slowly and kisses Matt softly on the lips. Matt looks surprised but does not pull away. She pulls back slightly. He stares at her.
MATT
Wow...not one bit.
Erin smiles wickedly.
ERIN
I guess I’ll take wow.
She slides off the armrest onto his lap and leans in again for another, longer, kiss. She smiles and bites her lip, looking up into Matt’s eyes.
Erin slumps down, laying her head on his chest and pulling his arm over her shoulder. She lays there comfortably watching TV in Matt’s arms.
Matt slowly studies her resting on his chest, then looks back up to the window.