Life as a House Page #3

George simply stares as Steven nods and leaves.

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA ATRIUM - LUNCHTIME

Sam is by himself, his eyes closed, listening to music

through headphones as Alyssa stops to stare; she visually

scans him head to foot, appearing slightly perplexed as a

friend passes.

FRIEND:

I wouldn't make a habit of it.

ALYSSA:

Okay.

The friend walks on; after a beat, Alyssa does too.

EXT. TOP OF THE WORLD PARK - EVENING

In the distance, the sun colors the sky a blinding orange as

it sets. A Range Rover with blackened windows is parked

behind a Porsche. 'TINTED WINDOWS,' an up-tempo tune with a

hand clapping by the Pansy Division, begins: 'A bed would be

a treat/But all we've got is this backseat/Tinted windows are

a beautiful thing.'

Through the front windshield, we can see Marek sitting in the

passenger's seat with his eyes closed.

ANOTHER VIEW:

Josh, Marek's friend, is sitting on a bench in the park

behind the cars. 'A dark secluded spot/In a deserted parking

lot/Tinted windows are a wonderful thing.'

Suddenly, the passenger door on the Rover opens and Marek

climbs out, brushing his hair with his hands before casually

checking his zipper. He closes the door and the car speeds

away. Josh walks to Marek and wordlessly they climb into the

Porsche and drive off.

EXT. GEORGE NELSON'S BEACH SHACK - DAY

George is shirtless in his front yard, hand hewing a twenty

foot beam. One strong, long pull and a thin shaving flutters

to the ground; Guster nabs it and starts to chew.

GEORGE:

You'll crap real logs if you keep eating

wood.

Guster appears unconcerned as he awaits a new shaving.

ALYSSA (O.S.)

Hi, Mr. Nelson.

George glances up, wipes the sweat from his forehead as

Alyssa walks toward him in white shorts and a tee shirt.

ALYSSA (CONT'D)

Sorry I got you into trouble.

GEORGE:

I'll survive.

George goes back to works and Guster taste tests shavings as

Alyssa searches for something else to say.

ALYSSA:

Does Sam have any friends?

George stops and looks up; he has no idea how to answer.

GEORGE:

He must.

ALYSSA:

He seems lonely.

GEORGE:

Are you his friend?

ALYSSA:

No.

GEORGE:

Why?

ALYSSA:

Marilyn Manson...and I guess he's into

guys. I hate nose rings. And the blue

eye shadow thing really isn't working.

George is totally confused, unsure most of the answer, but

before he can question her, a police car pulls to a stop;

OFFICER KURT WALKER steps out.

KURT:

Thought I'd run over the list.

Officer Walker removes a pad from his pocket and flips

through to find his place.

ALYSSA:

This is such a street of whiners.

KURT:

From Tuesday to yesterday, not including

Monday or today. Okay...Mrs. Dokos is

repeatedly running over her lawn. The

Corliss' have attributed the increase in

rat population in their environs to the

state of your...structure.

ALYSSA:

IPO's caused the rat population on this

street.

Officer Walker focuses on Alyssa.

KURT:

And of course the Beck's, with the...

ALYSSA:

It could have been a squirt gun.

KURT:

(to George)

You've been good this week.

GEORGE:

You forgot David Dokos and Tom and

Barbara.

Kurt stuffs his pad back into his pocket.

KURT:

Mr. Dokos calls animal control for Guster

and I was out here on the other.

(pointing to the plane)

Do you mind?

George hands him the plane and Kurt begins to work the wood.

ALYSSA:

Are you guys' friends?

KURT:

We've known each other since grade

school.

ALYSSA:

I mean, but did you both go camping on

weekends? Listen to music? Masturbate

together? Talk on the phone?

George doesn't answer and Kurt keeps working.

KURT:

Hunted rabbit in the hills.

Alyssa stares at George, disappointed.

GEORGE:

I aimed high.

KURT:

We just weren't very much alike, I guess.

I don't know.

(casually; to George)

I liked your dad more than I liked you.

ALYSSA:

I wouldn't want you as a friend.

KURT:

George just never really...aimed that

high. Even with not hitting a rabbit. I

knew you were doing that, by the way.

That's why I stopped doing it with you.

You were no fun. It was always like you

were frightened. Quiet and boring.

Kurt is beginning to perspire as he shaves food off the beam

for Guster.

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