The Fault in Our Stars Page #28

MALE VOICE:

What a load of sh*t, eh kid?

Hazel recognizes that voice. But it doesn't make sense. She

turns around and, sure enough, it's Peter Van Houten.

106.

MINISTER:

Let us pray.

Everyone clasps their hands, closes their eyes. Hazel keeps

staring at Van Houten, too shocked to do a thing.

VAN HOUTEN:

We need to fake pray now.

Van Houten bows his head. Hazel, still stunned, slowly turns

back to the Minister, trying to make sense of this unexpected

appearance.

MINISTER:

Now I call on Augustus's close

friend Isaac to say a few words.

Isaac stands, walks up to the podium with someone's help.

Hazel sneaks one more look at Van Houten. Yup, it's really

him. That makes no sense to her. Isaac starts to speak.

ISAAC:

Of all the things I've lost in my

life, this hurts the most.

And Isaac stops talking. It's unclear if that was the end or

if he just can't go on. He returns to his seat. The Minister

walks back up.

MINISTER:

And now we'll hear from Gus's...

special friend Hazel Lancaster.

Hazel stands, walks up to the podium. A few titters in the

room at the words "special friend."

HAZEL:

I was his girlfriend.

Some laughter from the crowd. She takes out her notes.

HAZEL:

There's a beautiful quote in Gus's

home that reads "if you want the

rainbow, you gotta deal with the

rain."

Hazel continues to speak but we over it, WE HEAR instead:

HAZEL (V.O.)

I didn't believe a word, of course.

But that was ok. Funerals, I'd

decided, aren't for the dead.

They're for the living.

Gus's Parents, arm in arm, nod along with every word. CUT TO:

107.

EXT CEMETARY - DAY

Everyone is watching Gus's body be lowered into the ground.

Everyone but Hazel. She looks off into the distance.

Off to the side, we see Van Houten, also not watching the

burial. He's watching Hazel. CUT TO:

LATER. Ceremony over, we see Hazel with her parents.

HAZEL:

I'll be fine.

FRANNIE:

Are you sure? We can drive you --

HAZEL:

No, I'd... I'd like to be alone for

a while.

Hazel hugs Mom and Dad, walks alone towards the parking lot.

As she gets to the car, Van Houten approaches.

VAN HOUTEN:

Could I hitch a ride?

Hazel doesn't want to help this man.

VAN HOUTEN:

Just to the bottom of the hill.

Hazel exhales. Fine. Once they're both in the car:

HAZEL:

How did you even --

VAN HOUTEN:

The internet.

HAZEL:

And you just... bought a ticket?

VAN HOUTEN:

The drinks are free drinks in First

Class.

Van Houten removes a FLASK from his coat pocket. Takes a

swig. Hazel shakes her head in disgust. Starts driving.

VAN HOUTEN:

Omnis Cellula e cellula.

Hazel ignores him.

VAN HOUTEN:

Your boy Waters and I corresponded

quite a bit in his last --

HAZEL:

You read your fan mail now?

108.

VAN HOUTEN:

I would hardly call him a fan. He

despised me. But he was quite

insistent I attend his funeral and

tell you what became of Anna and

her mother. So here I am and that's

your answer:
omnis cellula e

cellula.

HAZEL:

I'm so not in the mood --

VAN HOUTEN:

"Life comes from life."

HAZEL:

Goodbye Mr. Van Houten.

VAN HOUTEN:

You don't want an explanation?

HAZEL:

Nope. Thanks though. Have a great

life.

VAN HOUTEN:

You remind me of her.

HAZEL:

(BEAT)

I remind a lot of people of a lot

of people.

VAN HOUTEN:

She was eight, my daughter. She

suffered... beautifully. For so

long.

Hazel starts to understand Van Houten - and softens.

HAZEL:

She had leukemia? Like Anna?

VAN HOUTEN:

Just like her, yes.

HAZEL:

Were you married then?

VAN HOUTEN:

Not when she died, no. I was

insufferable long before Anna, my

dear. Grief doesn't change you,

Hazel, it reveals you.

Hazel takes that in.

HAZEL:

Well I'm sorry for your loss.

109.

VAN HOUTEN:

And I'm sorry for yours. I'm sorry

for everything, for being so rude

to you two, for ruining your trip --

HAZEL:

You didn't ruin our trip, you

a**hole. We had an awesome trip.

VAN HOUTEN:

Hazel, I'm trying. I'm trying! You

asked me to tell you what happens

and I wish I could do that. I wish

that I could. But I can't. No one

can. No one knows, Hazel. They

don't talk to us. Unless...

Van Houten takes out a typed piece of paper. He hands it to

Hazel who grabs it - and immediately crumples it into a ball.

HAZEL:

You think I care about that? I

don't give a sh*t, Van Houten.

Hazel throws the piece of paper at Van Houten.

HAZEL:

You're a drunk and a jerk and a

failure. And I'd like you to get

out of my car right now so I can go

home and grieve.

VAN HOUTEN:

(STUNNED)

BUT --

HAZEL:

Get out of the car!

Van Houten knows he's too late. He does as he's told,

stepping out of the car onto the side of the road. He stands

there as Hazel peels out.

In the rearview mirror, she sees him raise the FLASK, as if

toasting her. She blinks away some tears and drives. CUT TO:

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