Fight Club Page #14

Jack looks exasperated, turns TO LOOK INTO THE CAMERA.

JACK (V.O.)

Picture yourself watching Marla

Singer throw herself around her

crummy apartment.

MARLA:

This isn't a for-real suicide thing.

This is probably one of those cry-for-

help things.

JACK (V.O.)

This could go on for hours.

JACK:

So you're staying in tonight?

MARLA:

Do you want to wait to hear me

describe death?

Jack puts the handset on top of the phone, still off the

hook, walks out the back door.

MARLA'S VOICE

Do you want to listen and see if my

spirit can use the telephone?

Thru the archway: Tyler leans to look in, curious.

INT. BEDROOM - LATE NIGHT

GRUNTS of PLEASURE and EXERTION. Glimpses of TORSOS, ASSES,

LEGS, ARMS, BREASTS, and FEMALE HAIR, all DRENCHED in SWEAT.

Sheets RIP. Bodies hit the FLOOR. Insane GRUNTING and

LAUGHING. A flash of MARLA'S FACE.

CUT TO:

INT. JACK'S BEDROOM - SUNRISE

Jack sits up in bed, looks around the room.

INT. 2ND FLOOR LANDING

Jack steps out of his room. The neighboring door is closed.

JACK (V.O.)

Tyler's door was closed. I'd been

living here two months, and Tyler's

door was never closed.

INT. BATHROOM - SAME

Jack stares into the TOILER, looking at SIX USED CONDOMS.

INT. KITCHEN - MORNING

Jack sits at the table, sips coffee, read Reader's Digest.

He hears FOOTSTEPS approaching.

JACK:

You're not going to believe what I

dreamt last night.

Marla walks in, straightening her dress, looks like she's

been raped by a hurricane. Jack's jaw drops.

MARLA:

I can hardly believe anything about

last night.

Marla goes to pour coffee. She takes a swig, GARGLES and

SPITS it in the sink. She gives Jack a lascivious smile.

JACK:

What are you doing here?

MARLA:

What... ?

JACK:

What the hell are you doing here?

Marla stares at him a beat, then drops the cup in the sink.

MARLA:

F*** you.

Marla shoves open the door to the backyard and walks out.

Jack gets up, watches her stomp away.

Jack turns and -- Tyler is at his shoulder, staring after

Marla. He's in his usual sweatpants. He grins at Jack,

then moves away, pours himself coffee. Jack, smoldering,

slumps at the table and picks up Reader's Digest. Tyler

puts his foot on a countertop, does stretching exercises.

TYLER:

She's a piece of work. Get this --

I come in here last night, the

phone's off the hook...

Jack pretends to read, quickly glances at Tyler. TYLER'S

VOICE FADES...

JACK (V.O.)

I already knew the story before he

told it to me.

INT. KITCHEN - LATE AFTERNOON (FLASHBACK)

Tyler enters, gently lifts the handset and listens.

MARLA'S VOICE

(from handset)

I'll tell you when I'm floating out

of my body.

Tyler smiles.

JACK (V.O.)

How could Tyler, off all people, think

it was a bad thing that Marla Singer

was about to die?

INT. MARLA'S - 8TH FLOOR LANDING - LATE AFTERNOON (FLASHBACK)

Tyler, a wry smile on his face, ambles up the stiars,

looking at the rotting walls. He reaches the top of the

stairs and heads for Marla's room. Before he can knock,

Marla's hand shoots out and grabs him...

INT. MARLA'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS (FLASHBACK)

Marla pulls Tyler inside and shuts the door. Her drugged

eyes look him over.

MARLA:

You got here fast.

She staggers and sits on the bed. She slides off, along

with the blanket and sheets, to the floor.

MARLA:

The mattresses are all sealed in

slippery plastic.

She tries to focus her eyes on Tyler.

MARLA:

Did I call you?

Tyler studies her with cynical curiosity, looks at a DILDO

lying atop a dresser. Marla follows his gaze.

MARLA:

Don't worry. It's not a threat to you.

SIRENS and vehicles SCREECHING outside can be HEARD; doors

opening and SLAMMING; running FOOTFALLS.

MARLA:

Oh, no! Somebody called the cops...

She gets to her feet, grabs Tyler, pulls him out the door.

INT. HALLWAY (FLASHBACK)

Marla LOCKS her door, then pulls Tyler toward the STAIRCASE.

COPS and PARAMEDICS charge up with oxygen and medical kits.

Marla and Tyler flatten against the wall to let them pass.

COP:

8-G! Where's 8-G?

MARLA:

(pointing)

End of the hall.

The rescuers keep running.

MARLA:

(calling after)

The girl who lives there used to be

a charming, lovely girl, but she's

lost faith in herself...

COP:

Miss Singer, let us help you! You

have every reason to live!

Marla yanks Tyler's arm, heading down the stairs.

MARLA:

She's a monster! Infectious human

waste! Good luck trying to save her!

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

Tyler makes coffee. Marla slouches against the refrigerator.

MARLA:

If I fall asleep, I'm done for.

You're gonna have to keep me up all

night.

INT. KITCHEN - MORNING (RESUMING)

Tyler chuckles, shakes his head.

TYLER:

Unbelievable, huh?

JACK (V.O.)

He was obviously able to handle it.

Tyler stands across from Jack, gets a cigarette from a pack.

TYLER:

I mean, this girl... uh, you're not

into her or anything... ?

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