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Cavanaugh doesn’t like her logic.

CAVANAUGH:

Let’s say I’m not an idiot...

FERRIS:

And I’m not saying you are.

CAVANAUGH:

Then what?

FERRIS:

We’ve got to think like he does.

We’ve got to think ahead.

41.

Int. liz’s CAR ON a mountain ROAD - night

Willie Nelson on the CD player. Liz holds an Icee in one hand

while Cris feeds her Kettle Chips.

CRIS:

But lately I’ve been traveling all

around Oregon. It’s really peaceful

up there.

LIZ:

All right, I’m starting getting the

picture. - Basically, you’re a no-

good, worthless ramblin’ man who’s

never held a job in life.

CRIS:

(smiles)

Exactly.

She’s charmed, in spite of herself.

liz

At least you’re honest about it.

Ext. Liz’s car - Outskirts of tahoe - nIGHT

Cris and Liz sing along with Patsy Cline on the radio. The

song ends as they hit the city limits.

LIZ:

This is where I turn into town.

She pulls over.

CRIS:

Well, thanks for the ride.

LIZ:

Thanks for the card.

CRIS:

You’re welcome.

They’re both reluctant to part.

cRIS

I don’t suppose you’d have time for

a drink.

LIZ:

No, no, I’ve gotta teach tomorrow.

42.

CRIS:

I understand...Well, see ya.

LIZ:

So long.

He steps out and starts to close the door.

LIZ:

Well, maybe just a quick one.

Int. The silver spur - night

Cowboy dive. Crowded for a week night. Liz leads Cris to the

bar where the BARTENDER is washing some glasses.

LIZ:

Hey, George.

Bartender

Hey, Liz.

LIZ:

I’ll take the usual and he’ll have

a...

CRIS:

Sierra Pale.

The Bartender and Liz exchange a look.

Bartender

Two Sierras.

As he draws two pints, the Bartender leans toward Liz.

BartENDER

Randy’s been hanging around.

LIZ:

He’s not here now, is he?

Bartender nods toward the pool tables, where RANDY, her ex,

plays 8-ball with a pal.

LIZ:

Thanks.

She turns to Cris.

LIZ:

We gotta split. My ex is here.

43.

Cris lays some money on the bar, and they head for the door.

But before they get there, Randy sees Liz and bounds after

her, holding a pool cue. He’s much bigger and taller than

Cris.

Randy

I gotta talk to you, baby.

LIZ:

Sure, Randy. I’ll call you

tomorrow.

She tries to slide by him. Randy blocks the way.

Randy

Bullshit. I’ve left a dozen

messages on your phone.

Cris steps between them.

Cris

Excuse me. We were just leaving.

Randy

And who the hell are you?

Cris stands his ground. Locks eyes.

Liz

Don’t mess with him, Cris. He used

to play hockey.

CRIS:

Just a friend.

Randy

Then don’t get between me and my

woman.

LIZ:

I’m not yours anymore, a**hole!

Randy

Baby, I’ve made a terrible mistake,

and I just want to undo all the...

Randy holds Liz by the shoulders.

liz

Let go!

44.

RANDY:

You still care for me, I know it.

Liz resists. Cris grips Randy’s arm.

CRIS:

Easy, man.

Randy hauls off to slug Cris. Cris easily ducks the blow and

answers with a solid punch to the belly.

Randy recovers and realizes he’s up against a skilled

opponent. He takes a stance, ready to get serious. He sticks

a few jabs at Cris, who easily slips from each one, like he

saw them coming a mile away. Randy goes for a hook. Cris

feints and lands an uppercut to Randy’s chin. Most men would

go down, but Randy is so big, he stays up to take more

punishment.

Cris delivers an elegant beating that humiliates the big guy

and makes him look like an oaf. Cris puts an end to it by

breaking Randy’s nose. The big guy falls to his knees,

bleeding.

Liz rushes to Randy’s side, holding her ex and glowering up

at Cris like he’s a sadistic brute.

LIZ:

Get out of here! Get out!

Cris realizes he’s blown it.

SNAPBACK TO:

MOMENTS BEFORE:

RANDY:

You still care for me, I know it.

Liz resists. Cris grips Randy’s arm.

CRIS:

Easy, man.

Randy hauls off to slug Cris, who this time makes no effort

to duck. WHAM! Cris takes a sledgehammer in the mouth. Randy

follows up mercilessly, punching Cris in the gut, then

holding him up while he punches him again.

Liz grabs Randy’s arm.

45.

LIZ:

Stop it, Randy! Stop it!

Randy flings her aside and finishes up with a solid right to

Cris’ jaw, that puts him on the floor. Randy pulls back his

leg for a pointy-booted cowboy kick to the ribs, when Liz

rushes to Cris’ side and glowers up at Randy like he’s a

sadistic brute.

LIZ:

Get out of here! Get out!

Randy realizes he’s blown it -- and lets himself be pulled

out of the bar by a couple of buddies.

Liz examines Cris with concern.

LIZ:

Oh God, I’ll take you to the

emergency room.

CRIS:

No ho’pital. I don’ nee’ ho’pital.

LIZ:

God, I hate that bastard...Will

somebody get some ice!

She strokes Cris’ hair.

Ext. Liz’s cottage - night

In the foothills. Liz’s car pulls up. Cris gets out, holding

a dish towel full of ice to his jaw.

CRIS:

I’m sorry I’m causing you all this

trouble.

LIZ:

Are you kidding? You stood up for

me.

CRIS:

Actually, I wasn’t standing for

that long.

Liz unlocks the front door. Turns on the lights.

LIZ:

Sorry it’s so cold in here. The

heater’s broken.

46.

Int. Liz’s cottage - night

Cris looks around, sore but pleased that he has managed to

stay in Liz’s company. The place is cozy, ranch-like.

LIZ:

I really should’ve left him a long

time ago. God knows he deserved it.

CRIS:

Why didn’t you?

LIZ:

Cause I don’t leave. I never have.

My boyfriends always left me.

She wets a washcloth with hot water.

LIZ:

I get attached to people, and then

I’ll put up with anything.

CRIS:

What a terrible quality. You’re too

loyal.

She returns with a wet washcloth.

LIZ:

Sit in the light.

He lowers himself onto the sofa next to the table lamp. She

comes close and gingerly wipes the blood from his nose and

lips.

LIZ:

I never minded that I was the more

devoted one. Somebody’s gotta be

more this or more that.

He looks in her eyes.

LIZ:

But they never appreciate it, that

you’re there for them.

She tries to stay on task but gets drawn in by his gaze.

LIZ:

They just try and get away with

more and more, and figure you’ll

just...

47.

He leans forward. Their lips touch.

LIZ:

Salty.

It gets more intense.

Then abruptly, she shies away, freaked.

LIZ:

Christ, I don’t even know you. I

have no idea who you are.

SNAPBACK TO:

ON THE SOFA:

She wipes the blood from his nose and lips. He looks in her

eyes. She tries to stay on task, but she gets drawn in by his

gaze. He leans forward. Their lips almost touch. But this

time, Cris pulls back.

Liz is embarrassed.

LIZ:

Sorry to get you caught up in my

soap opera.

CRIS:

Once you start watching, it’s hard

not to get involved.

She goes back to tending his wounds.

LIZ:

You ever been married?

CRIS:

Almost.

LIZ:

What happened?

CRIS:

She wanted kids.

LIZ:

And you didn’t?

CRIs

No, I did, too.

48.

She looks at him, curious.

CRIS:

It’s just that...I can’t.

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