Human Nature Page #24

Gabrielle looks up at him. Her expression is noncommittal

and pouty, but she grabs his arm and pulls him down on top

of her.

CUT TO:

INT. STRIP CLUB - NIGHT

Puff, dressed a bit like he's a Victorian dandy, sits in the

front row and watches a naked woman on stage dancing. A

topless cocktail waitress comes by with a fresh drink for

him. She takes away his empty glass. He is horribly drunk

and holding himself with exaggerated rigidity -- an amateur

drinker's attempt to look sober.

CUT TO:

INT. LILA AND NATHAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Nathan enters. Lila sits on the couch still reading. She

looks up.

NATHAN:

Hey.

Nathan kisses her on the forehead.

LILA:

You were gone a long time.

NATHAN:

(sits down next to

her)

Yeah. Puff and I got into a big,

philosophical discussion. He's really

quite well read, considering he's

only been literate for a month now.

He's going to make us famous, Lila.

LILA:

So he's doing okay?

NATHAN:

Seemed fine. Quiet evening enjoying

his new digs.

LILA:

That's funny because, you know, I

just went and picked him up at some

flophouse on the lower eastside. He

called here when he ran out of his

"mad" money after spending an entire

evening drinking, watching strippers,

and f***ing a whore!

(then casually)

Oh, and what did you do tonight,

honey?

NATHAN:

Sh*t.

LILA:

And what did you do tonight, honey?

NATHAN:

I've fallen in love with somebody

else, Lila.

LILA:

(pointedly)

And what did you do tonight, honey?

NATHAN:

I f***ed her! Okay? I f***ed her.

I'm sorry. But that's what the hell

I did.

LILA:

(standing)

Do you know what I gave up to be

with you?

NATHAN:

Yes.

LILA:

I gave up my soul, my beliefs. I

gave up my body hair!

NATHAN:

Yeah, well, I'm sorry. The human

heart is a strange thing.

LILA:

How the hell would you know anything

about the human heart?

NATHAN:

(moving to her)

Lila...

Lila turns around and slugs him, square on the jaw, hard,

knocking him to the floor.

LILA:

How's that for ladylike, Nathan.

Lila opens up the hall closet and pulls out a suitcase.

CUT TO:

INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT

Lila looks pale and shaken. She smokes.

LILA:

For two weeks I holed myself up in a

motel room. I didn't even know who I

was. My world had crumbled. There is

nothing that makes you feel dirtier

than finally deciding to sell your

soul and finding no buyers.

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY

Lila lies in bed watching TV. She is a mess. The room is a

mess. The wig is off. There's hair sprouting on her face.

The curtains are drawn. There is a knock at the door.

LILA:

No maid service! For God's sake,

can't you read the f***ing "do not

disturb" sign on the f***ing doorknob?

ROSE (O.S.)

Lila, it's Rosie.

LILA:

(beat)

Go the f*** away, Rosie.

ROSE (O.S.)

Please, honey, let me in.

LILA:

Rose, please go away.

ROSE (O.S.)

Lila, I want to help you.

Lila gets up, drags herself to the door, and opens it. Rose

stands there trying not to let it show how lousy Lila looks.

LILA:

How'd you know where I was?

ROSE:

Nathan told my brother.

LILA:

Your brother should have his license

revoked.

ROSE:

Yeah, although I'm not going to turn

him in. I like hearing the dirt.

LILA:

(suddenly crying)

Why didn't your brother tell you

that Nathan was having an affair?

Rose holds Lila, who hangs on her as she weeps.

ROSE:

I don't know, honey. I don't know.

Maybe he just didn't want to get

involved.

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