Valley of Love Page #2

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where you're to wait for me,

because I will return.

Only briefly, but I'll be there.

And I'll see you both.

I know you won't be there

because you think I'm crazy,

or to honor my memory.

No, deep down inside you,

you'll find another reason

to do me this favor.

Because it's really for yourselves

that you'll be doing it.

I died March 24th at 4PM.

My boyfriend went out.

I killed myself as planned.

The week of November 12th,

I promise we'll meet again.

I'll be in one of the seven

Death Valley landmarks.

Wait for me there.

Mom, I'll see you soon.

Your son, Michael,

who'll stay your son,

now and forever.

What's "the contract"?

I won't repeat myself,

you know what I think.

I read that letter dozens of times.

I had people read it to me.

I copied it by hand.

I gave it to 3 graphologists.

It's authentic.

His handwriting.

All we know is Michael's dead,

and we're both here.

Both of us.

To put it behind us.

- Put it behind us?

- Yes.

- Can I read your letter?

- If you want to.

Are we having dinner together?

Of course we are.

I'll shower and meet you at the bar.

I spoke to Claude earlier.

Did you reach anyone?

No.

What's your husband do again?

He's a lawyer.

A lawyer?

Must be a nice change.

A change from what?

Not you, just the relationship.

What relationship?

I don't understand.

People change partners,

but stay themselves.

Only the relationship changes.

How many drinks have you had?

I'm not drunk. Watch this.

If it wasn't for my gut...

It's stupid to think people change.

We're born and die

with the same basic parts.

No, I think we can become

completely different people.

That's an old wives' tale.

You've practiced that trick drunk.

You've known how to do it for years.

Am I capable of that?

Yes.

How about some BBQ?

There's a place next door.

I'm vegetarian.

No more meat at all?

What do you eat, veggies, grains?

- What about eggs?

- Look, go eat, I can stay by myself.

Let me introduce...

What's going on?

Where are you going?

- To bed.

- You're not gonna eat?

No, I'm not hungry.

Goodnight.

Last night I saw a documentary on Gould.

Ever see the chair he played on?

He was a musician?

Glenn Gould, the pianist, not the actor.

He played on an old folding chair.

He performed on it for years.

Was he broke?

He had Asperger's syndrome.

A form of autism.

So?

Nothing. That's it.

What's all this?

Nothing, just some stuff

I picked up at the store.

Throw it in back.

Get in.

It's our second day, any thoughts?

What?

About Michael.

What am I supposed to say?

I don't know.

If somethings on your mind,

spit it out for chrissakes.

Michael...

What?

Finish your thought.

What about Michael?

Did he have AIDS?

Did he have AIDS?

Where'd you get that idea?

I'm just asking if he had AIDS.

No.

He didn't have AIDS.

Where the hell did you get that idea?

I was just wondering,

because I don't get it.

What don't you get?

His suicide.

There's nothing to get.

He died without any explanation.

We have to live with that.

His letters. He knows we're here.

Sure, sweetheart.

- Your coffee.

- Thanks.

I think he'd been living like that

for years.

No table, no books, nothing.

Just clothes and a ratty old armchair.

Nothing.

Still, he liked nice things as a kid.

- I dunno what he liked.

- Did you visit him often?

Once or twice, just in passing.

I don't remember,

it was years ago.

He was single then.

My daughter's studying in Berlin.

We talk on Skype.

But I don't know much about her.

We don't know much

about our own kids.

They never tell us

about the big decisions.

Where'd you get that shirt?

Nounours must've bought it for me.

- Who's "Nounours"?

- My secretary.

You don't like it?

They're pineapples.

You think it's tacky, huh?

A little.

I dreamt of Michael last night.

He was waiting,

we were in your car.

I don't want to hear about it.

It's a dream. It's harmless.

We're in your car. In Rome.

I hate that city.

It's a dream!

We're in your car.

We're meeting Michael somewhere,

and you find parking near the Coliseum.

When we get out of the car,

there are people all over the place.

And you disappear.

Hundreds of people brush against me.

I call you,

but you're nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly, I turn around...

Someone taps my shoulder,

I turn around, and it's you...

And Michael. You're both facing me.

I look at you.

And your eyes are so black...

So black...

Is that all?

Yeah.

Pretty lousy.

Stupid dream.

- It's a dream!

- Yeah, but it's a stupid one.

Black eyes!

I know what your problem is,

always have.

Even when we were together.

Oh yeah?

You're borderline.

Are you calling me borderline?

So that's my problem?

I'm borderline!

I'm borderline,

because of your stupid dream?

What is borderline?

It's a personality disorder.

That f***ing takes the cake!

We can walk up, if you like.

There's a path.

Want your sandwich?

No.

I saw a lizard earlier.

I gave it some bread.

You're not supposed

to feed the animals.

It was a lizard.

It alters the ecosystem.

This is so annoying!

You getting service?

I didn't bring my phone.

Stop it!

- What?

- The bread, stop it!

Imagine what it adds up to

each week, each year.

There's a balance to respect.

Didn't you read

the rule book at the hotel?

Are you gonna hassle me

over a few crumbs?

If you take offense,

that's your problem.

You're an adult,

do what you like.

I slapped you once, remember?

Must've been someone else.

I don't think so.

Chris?

Hello?

Screw it!

Chuck that piece of sh*t

right over the edge.

F*** off.

The keys.

Sit down.

The keys!

Sit down,

I have something to tell you.

I tried to tell you yesterday.

I have cancer.

Bladder cancer.

They want to remove it all:

bladder, prostate, erectile nerve.

It's smoker's cancer.

How long have you known?

A month.

I'm going to see

some bigshot oncologist.

It took 2 weeks

to get an appointment.

It's Thursday.

Thursday?

The other guy wants to operate,

but I feel fine.

No signs of fatigue,

I sleep and eat normally.

I pissed blood once and...

I should've kept my mouth shut.

I'm so sorry.

Maybe this other guy

won't be so alarmist.

Bladders are easy to replace.

It's just a bag of piss.

I know someone

who only had half removed.

And you're right, he's fine now.

He still smokes.

I should probably cool it fora while.

Your friend have chemo?

I don't think so.

Losing your hair is one thing,

it's the eyebrows that kill me.

Not having eyebrows

is f***ing ridiculous.

Did they mention chemotherapy?

The first one did.

His name's Kuskaz,

ever heard of him? Dr. Kuskaz?

No, but get several opinions.

I'm not letting a Hungarian castrate me,

that's for sure.

I'm really sorry.

It's 2104.

He's not coming.

Cheers.

What is it?

Your feet look awful.

I should've bought flip-flops.

They look like ground meat.

Again.

No, I was talking to the waiter.

To the waiter!

It's a beer.

It's a beer!

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