Safelight Page #3

---

How did he die?

Vietnam.

Sh*t, that's awful.

He was a hero,

even won a medal.

Wow.

It's really cool

that you're doing

this lighthouse trip with me.

I think it's really cool, too.

How's the project

going with Vicki?

Okay, I guess.

I got some good shots. Yeah?

Vicki's been helping out a lot.

Eh, Charles, you ask me,

I think she likes you.

She just feels bad for me.

Ah, come on, Charles.

I see how she is with you.

She likes being around you.

I don't know.

Sure.

What grade is she in, anyway?

She didn't tell you?

No. We just talked about

cars and motorcycles.

She works at the truck stop.

What do you mean, "She

works at the truck stop"?

She "works" at the truck stop.

Are you okay with that?

Are you okay with that?

I think so.

I like her.

I like her, too, Charles.

Stay away from him, Charles.

Whoo! Whoo!

It's the gimp.

What's in the bag?

Not your treasured camera?

Oh, no.

Oh, where you going, huh?

Huh?

Who the f*** are you?

Who the f*** are you?

Heh. I'm your worst nightmare.

Heh.

I don't think you know

me very well, do you?

Let's go, Charles. Come on.

Excuse me, girlie.

We ain't done talking to our

friend, Charles, just yet.

Right, boys?

Now why don't you run along

before you get hurt?

Charles is coming with me.

Don't f*** with him again.

I may not be the best shot,

but I usually hit something.

Even if it's small.

That was great.

That would have made

the perfect photo.

You should have done your

project on high school pussies.

Where'd you get the gun?

From Skid.

Heh. Wait. How'd you

get my dad's car?

I asked.

Hey, grab the wheel.

What? Why?

Grab the wheel.

You can't drive a convertible

and not stand and feel

the wind in your hair!

Whoo!

Wow.

Okay, it's your turn.

Me?

Yeah. Come on.

Stand up.

- You can do it.

- All right.

Yeah!

- Raise your arms.

- I can't.

Yeah, you can.

Ahh!

Whoo!

Whoo-hoo!

How long have you lived here?

Like six months now.

Skid set me up here.

Mm, he likes to know

where he can find me.

Who are they?

Those are my little sisters.

Cute.

Yeah.

Whoa.

I'm... I'm so sorry.

I didn't... I don't know

what I'm doing anymore.

Community college is

a great place to start.

I could take photography?

Sure. Your photography

work, it holds promise.

You think you could help me

with an admission application?

Absolutely.

You know, Charles,

I am so thrilled that you are

starting to believe in yourself.

It's just great.

Thanks.

You and Vicki are spending a

lot of time together, huh?

Yeah.

Maybe we should talk

about relationships,

you know, boyfriend,

girlfriend stuff.

Not now, Dad.

Come on. Help me look

through these photos.

Charles, we still

have to talk about

what's gonna happen

when I'm gone.

Wait. What do you think

of these two?

I think they're great.

Yeah?

Yeah, these two are winners.

Hey, sweetie.

We were just talking about you.

Were those pretty little

ears of yours burning?

What were you saying?

Go on.

What?

Well, uh, we were

all gonna go dancing

tomorrow night

at the Cowboy Palace,

Me, Charles, and the girls.

Jack here can't make it.

But, um, we all were wondering

if you'd like to come along.

It is so much fun.

Dancing?

Mm-hmm, tomorrow night.

Okay, yeah. Sounds like fun.

Really? That's great, huh?

That'll be fun.

You are a breath of fresh air.

You know that?

No, thank you.

This dress is adorable.

You look so sweet, sugar.

Thank you.

Doesn't she look

beautiful, Charles?

- Yeah.

- Girls,

have you ever seen

such a pretty little thing?

Never in my lifetime. Never.

Vicki, angel, if I looked

like you 35 years ago,

I would have found myself

a real man.

Oh, you would have had

the pick of the bunch.

It would still be

the best of a bad lot.

I'd rather have that than the

slime buckets we ended up with.

Uh-oh.

Girls, do you hear that?

Time to slow dance.

Who do you guys dance with?

Each other. We've

always wanted men

who were as caring and

understanding as us,

so half of us just

pretend to be those men.

All right, who's wearing

the pants tonight?

Me. I did it last week.

Oh, my.

For what?

To dance.

Me?

Yes!

Uh...

Come on. Come with me.

- Oh...

- What?

I'll knock if you don't.

Wait. Wait!

I'm not ready for this.

Vicki, come on!

We're right here!

No, no!

No, please.

Hi, Lois.

Vicki, is it really you?

Hi, kid. How's it going?

Charles, these are

my little sisters.

This is Sharon,

and this is Kate.

Hi. Hi.

Hi.

So what are you doing out here?

Um, I've been

helping Charles out

with his photography project.

We were just in the area.

- Are you really a pr...

- Kate.

So where are you living?

Out in the desert.

Are you coming home?

How's school been?

Fine.

Yeah, it's okay.

Well, it's...

it's really good

to see you, Vicki.

Do you mean that?

Of course I mean that.

Isn't it, girls?

Yeah.

Yeah.

It's been...

Well, let's see.

We've known each other

for a few years now, right?

Mm-hmm.

Ever since I brought in

my broken-down car into Sears.

Good old Eric

fixed me up just fine.

And then I met Charles,

and, well,

he just completely

stole my heart.

- Well, what about me?

- Eh, you wish.

Nope, Charles is, has been,

and always will be

the only man for me.

Peg got me the job

at the truck stop.

Oh, really? That's cool.

Yep. Vicki, you know,

um, Charles showed me

a few pictures

that he took of you,

and I'm telling you,

you could be a model.

Me?

Yeah.

You, you are

the prettiest little thing.

You do photograph very well.

Your eyes are beautiful.

Yeah.

I think you guys are talking

about somebody else.

No.

Hey, what about your parents?

Are you close?

Um...

no.

My mom used to tell me that I

was a whole lot of trouble

and that she didn't know how

to handle it, you know.

I have two great

little sisters, though.

It's... It's really great

to see you guys together.

Yeah, I seriously

wouldn't have been able

to do this project without you.

Vicki, can I ask you something?

Yeah.

Dad, I still really don't think

this is such a good idea.

Charles, this cowboy

is riding again.

Yes!

Just don't go too fast, Vicki.

Okay. I'll keep it under 100.

Will you be careful, please?

All right. Okay, hold on,

and get ready for the

ride of your life!

Kick it!

Yeah!

Hey, Truck Stop!

Come here.

Come here. Sit down. Sit down.

We'll... We'll have

a little talk.

We'll get to know each other

a little bit better.

I gotta get to work.

Work? Sh*t. F*** work.

They'll run your ass

right in the f***in' ground.

You know that?

Come on!

Sit down.

You know I'm not

gonna hurt you, right?

Just come on, and sit down.

Hell, you might actually

take a f***in' swing at me

with that bat of yours.

Smoke?

No.

Good.

They'll f***in' kill you.

Where you live, Truck Stop?

Uh, just up the road a bit.

Damn.

That's a long way to walk with

that twitch of yours, isn't it?

I don't mind. I like walking.

Can't drive?

Nah.

Rate this script:3.0 / 1 vote