Life as a House Page #12

Guster inches forward on his belly, which makes Sam smile.

SAM (CONT'D)

Are you afraid of heights, Guster?

Sam drops to his belly and stretches out to pet Guster.

SAM (CONT'D)

The fall probably wouldn't kill me,

anyway.

Guster inches closer and licks Sam's face. George walks out

with a tray filled with spaghetti, garlic bread and a Coke.

GEORGE:

Thinking of jumping?

George sets the tray on the ground beside Sam.

SAM:

Pushing.

George walks to the edge of the cliff.

GEORGE:

Only jump after you hear the wave crash

against the rock. The water will take

you out. Let it. Swim a little North

and you'll see the sand.

Sam sits up and faces his father with a trace of alarm.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

First time I did it, younger than you, I

thought I'd break my neck and just sort

of float to Catalina.

(beat)

You don't always get what you wish for,

Sam.

George suddenly leaps forward and disappears into the sea as

a wave crashes against the rocks below.

SAM:

Oh, sh*t!

Sam scurries to his feet and scans the ocean for his father;

the only thing visible is darkness.

SAM (CONT'D)

Hello?

Guster is lapping up the dinner, bread and all as Sam calls

out again. In a bit of a panic, Sam runs from the cliff.

EXT. PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY - EVENING

The traffic is heavy as Sam runs against it. Without a

sidewalk and with parked cars blocking a reasonable path,

this is a dangerous trek North.

EXT. ALISO CREEK BEACH - EVENING

Sam runs to the edge of the water and anxiously waits for his

father to emerge from the sea. A jogger startles Sam - he

steps into a wave that soaks his shoes. George floats on a

wave into view and stands in waist high water, only to be

knocked way back down. He rises and falls and rises before

making his way to the sand and Sam.

SAM:

Are you totally insane?!

GEORGE:

I almost saw Catalina.

George coughs and drops onto the sand exhausted. Sam storms

off, angry that he cared enough to get angry.

EXT. GEORGE'S SHACK - EVENING

Sam is winded as he walks off the street to the middle of the

yard. He glances around for Guster.

SAM:

Guster!

Guster bounces out of the garage with spaghetti sauce

covering his muzzle.

SAM (CONT'D)

You're so busted, dude.

Sam sits down on the grass and plays with Guster, who yaps

with joy as he breaks away and closes the distance with the

abandon of a puppy.

SAM (CONT'D)

Where's my dinner, huh?

Sam manages to pin Guster on his back. He looms over the dog

as he kisses him on the nose.

SAM (CONT'D)

I'm hungry! Where's my dinner? Who ate

my dinner? Huh? Who's in trouble now?

ALYSSA (O.S.)

Hi.

Sam rolls over Guster and stands, nearly stumbling in the

process - way uncool.

SAM:

Hey.

ALYSSA:

What are you doing here?

Guster bumps against Alyssa for her attention; she kneels

down to pet him.

SAM:

They're trying to make me spend the

summer here. I'm leaving in the morning.

ALYSSA:

Where to?

SAM:

I'm supposed to be in Tahoe.

ALYSSA:

Your dad's really gonna build his house?

SAM:

I don't know.

ALYSSA:

Well, if you don't go, I guess I'll see

you.

Alyssa stands. Sam is clearly shy around her.

ALYSSA (CONT'D)

You should stay.

SAM:

I don't know.

ALYSSA:

Where's your dad?

SAM:

He jumped into the ocean.

ALYSSA:

Tell him I said "hi".

Alyssa pets Guster again before walking away. Sam is

smitten.

INT. GEORGE'S GARAGE - NIGHT

Sam's curled up in a tattered lazy-boy near the toilet,

watching television as George sits on the bed, brushing his

teeth. Suddenly, Sam turns to face his dad.

SAM:

I'm not taking a dump with you in here.

George nods as he continues brushing.

SAM (CONT'D)

My brothers say it's the worst smell

they've ever smelled.

George nods again, which appears only to irritate Sam.

SAM (CONT'D)

I think you have to have a door between

where you cook and where you crap. Like

even in the bush, tribal people and like

that have a place for both. It's like a

law.

George walks around Sam to the sink and spits, rinses and

wipes his mouth with a towel. He faces Sam.

GEORGE:

Which side of the bed do you want?

Sam's jaw drops as he glances at the double-bed.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Just kidding. The sofa's a pullout.

George smiles and pats Sam on the shoulder before walking to

the sofa and pulling it out to make a bed.

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