The Salton Sea Page #15

LIZ:

Quit feeling sorry for yourself, Tom.

It gets old.

DANNY/TOM

No. You know what gets old? Being

reminded what a loser you are every

time you screw up.

LIZ:

Here it comes, poor Tom.

DANNY/TOM

But that's okay, Liz, you're the one

with the steady job, you pay all the

bills. I'm just an unemployed

musician. You have every right.

LIZ:

That is so unfair.

Danny stares straight ahead, steering the car towards the house.

DANNY/TOM

My sentiments exactly.

LIZ:

Why are you doing this?

Danny doesn't answer.

LIZ (cont'd)

I never once asked you to stop

playing. I wouldn't dream of it. So

don't take your low self-esteem out

on me.

Danny continues to ignore her.

LIZ:

... Tom ... screw it. Tell me when you're

ready to apologize.

INT. RESIDENTIAL HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

DANNY lying on the bed, reliving the moment. THE IMAGE STILL PROJECTED

ON THE WALL.

DANNY:

(on the bed, whispering)

I'm sorry, Liz. I love you and I'm sorry.

But the DANNY IN THE IMAGE never answers.

INT. RESIDENTIAL HOTEL ROOM - DAY

It is raining buckets outside. Danny sleeping soundly.

The roof of Danny's room is leaking, PUDDLING UP ON THE FLOOR NEAR HIS

BED.

Danny's eyes pop open. He lays there rigidly. LISTENING TO THE WATER.

ALL OTHER SOUND FADES OUT AS THE WATER PATTERS AND PUDDLE ON THE FLOOR.

IT IS UNNATURALLY LOUD.

INT. CINDER BLOCK BAR - NIGHT

The bar is almost empty.

Danny quietly playing chords on a beat-up old upright piano in the back

of the room - the through-line of Davis' "All Blues."

COLETTE (O.S.)

This seat taken?

Danny looks up.

DANNY:

Oh. Hi.

COLETTE:

What happened to your eye?

DANNY:

Turns out I'm allergic to steel-toed boots. Go figure.

(beat)

By the way, I'm not looking for a

matching set.

(off her puzzled look)

Where's Quincey?

COLETTE:

Don't worry. He's out of town.

DANNY:

How far out of town?

COLETTE:

Trust me. We're safe.

Colette sits down on the piano bench next to Danny.

COLETTE (cont'd)

Please keep playing.

He continues. She sits there listening for a few moments.

COLETTE (cont'd)

That's nice. What is it?

DANNY:

Miles Davis. "All Blues."

COLETTE:

Never heard of him.

DANNY:

Just a f***ed-up guy who played

beautiful music.

COLETTE:

Like you?

DANNY:

Nah. I'm strictly minor league...

except for the f***ed-up part.

Danny continues to play.

DANNY:

Dude played his soul right out the

end of the horn. No false notes.

Always honest.

COLETTE:

And you admire that?

DANNY:

It's the only way to play.

Colette slides closer.

COLETTE:

Is that how you play?

DANNY:

I try.

COLETTE:

No false notes?

She pulls even closer.

COLETTE:

No deep dark secrets?

She goes to kiss him. Danny stops playing. Pulls away from her.

DANNY:

(cold and abrupt):

What are you up to?

COLETTE:

Nothing.

DANNY:

What do you want from me, Colette?

COLETTE:

I don't want anything. Why are you

so suspicious?

DANNY:

It gets me through the day.

COLETTE:

You really need to lighten up.

She puts her hand on his leg.

COLETTE (cont'd)

Just relax.

He moves his leg away.

DANNY:

Look, I can't help you with Quincey

if that's what you're after.

COLETTE:

This has nothing to do with him.

DANNY:

So you're just attracted to me, is that it?

COLETTE:

Yes. Why do you find that so hard to believe?

DANNY:

How much time do you have?

COLETTE:

What is wrong with you?

DANNY:

How much time do you have?

COLETTE:

You've got a comeback for everything,

don't you, Danny? You use 'em like

some sort of shield.

DANNY:

Who the f*** are you? Dr. Joyce Brothers?

COLETTE:

There you go again. You're nothing

but false notes.

DANNY:

You don't like the tune, find another

station.

COLETTE:

What are you hiding, Danny?

DANNY:

Therapy session is over.

He closes the keyboard cover.

COLETTE:

You think you're the only one down

here with a sad story?

DANNY:

No. But I'm the only one with my sad

story.

(beat)

And that's how it's gonna stay.

INT. CAR - DAY

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