BOYHOOD

Written by Richard Linklater

Boyhood Inc.
1901 E. 51st Street
Austin, TX 78723
512.322.0031

EXT.

OUTSIDE SCHOOL - DAY

MASON waits outside his elementary school, laying in the

grass staring up at the clouds. In the distance, the school
door opens and Mason's MOM, Olivia, walks toward him.
MOM
Hey, love bug. You ready?
He is quickly on his feet and they are walking toward the
car.
Yeah.

MASON
Hey, guess what, Mom?
MOM

What?

MASON
I figured out where wasps come from.
Oh, yeah?

MOM
Where?

MASON
Well, I think it must be if you flick
a rock into the air just right, it'll
turn into a wasp.
Dang...
Yep.
That's cool.

MOM
MASON
MOM

INT. CAR - DAY

Driving...
MOM
So how was your day at school?
Fine.

MASON

MOM
Hey, I had a good meeting with Miss
Butler this time. I kinda liked
her.
MASON
What did she say?

2.
MOM
Well... she said that you weren't
turning in your homework assignments.
And I told her, "I know he does them,
'cause I check them every night."
She said she found a big chunk of
them crumpled up at the bottom of
your backpack.
MASON
She didn't ask for 'em.
MOM
Well, baby, she doesn't have to.
You're supposed to turn them in.
And she said you're still staring
out the window all day.
Not all day.

MASON

MOM
And she said that you destroyed her
pencil sharpener.
MASON
Not on purpose.
MOM
Wait, she said that you crammed a
bunch of rocks in it.
MASON
I thought if it could sharpen pencils,
maybe we could sharpen rocks.
MOM
(stifling laugh)
Well, what were you gonna do with a
bunch of sharpened rocks?
MASON
I was trying to make arrowheads for
my rock collection.
Hm.

MOM

She glances back at him, with an understanding sigh.

EXT. HOUSE/DITCH - DAY
Mason rides his bike across the front yard and heads down
the street. Soon he and his friend TOMMY are riding down
the embankment of a large drainage ditch.

3.
EXT. DITCH - DAY
Mason runs up, as Tommy is spray-painting a drawing on the
concrete wall of the drainage ditch.
MASON
Dude, when's my turn?
TOMMY
I don't know.
Tommy hands Mason the can of spray paint.
spray-paint a letter on the wall.

Mason begins to

SAMANTHA (O.S.)
(calling out)
...Maaason.
Samantha!
Oh!

Tommy!

Yeah.

TOMMY
SAMANTHA
Is Mason down there?
TOMMY

SAMANTHA
Well, tell him he has to come home
for dinner.
Okay.

TOMMY

(O.S.)

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Mason lays on the floor watching a cartoon.
There's a knock at the door, and Mom comes out to answer it.
It's TED.
Hey.

MOM

TED
Hey, sweetie. Why aren't you ready?
Hey, Mason.
Hey, Ted.

MASON

TED
Come on, come on, hurry up.
go.

Let's

4.
MOM
What time is it?
It's nine.

TED
Let's go, let's go.

MOM
Okay, I meant to call you, 'cause
Janice flaked out. I don't have a
sitter.
TED
Why didn't you call somebody else?
MOM
Well, I can't get a baby-sitter now,
it's nine o'clock. But you're welcome
to hang out with us.
TED
Well, no. I mean we have plans.
The guys are expecting me.
MOM
Well... you can go.
TED (O.S.)
All right. Yeah, well, I'll come
back in a couple of hours. Is that
okay?
Yeah.

Yes.

All right.
It's okay.

MOM
TED
MOM

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

The kids lie on either side of Mom, as she reads a story
aloud to them.
MOM
(Reading)
"Turn back! Turn back! I don't wanna
talk to Moaning Myrtle." "Who?"
said Harry as they backtracked
quickly. "She haunts one of the
toilets in the girls bathroom on the
first floor," said Hermione.
"She haunts a toilet?"
(MORE)

5.
MOM (CONT'D)
"Yes, it's been out of order all year
because she keeps having tantrums
and flooding the place."
"I never went in there anyway if I
could avoid it. It's awful trying
to have a pee with her wailing at
you."
INT. BEDROOM - LATER
Mason lies awake in bed listening to his mother argue with
Ted.
TED (O.S.)
Why can't you just say that?
I'm sorry.
you.

MOM (O.S.)
I don't want to go with

TED (O.S.)
You're sorry, that's bullshit!
MOM (O.S.)
That's right, I wanna stay here with
my kids. That's what I'd rather do.
TED (O.S.)
All right. Would you stop using
your kids as an excuse?!
MOM (O.S.)
I'm not using my kids as an excuse!
You don't even know-TED (O.S.)
I know you have to stay here with
your kids! You're acting-MOM (O.S.)
You have this immature life-TED (O.S.)
And why do I always-- Why-MOM (O.S.)
You have no responsibility.
TED (O.S.)
I have an immature life!
immature life?

I have an

6.
MOM (O.S.)
And I have responsibilities, okay,
you don't know what it's like to be
a parent.
TED (O.S.)
No, I don't! And why am I responsible
for your mistakes in life?
MOM
(O.S.)
If you had any idea. You don't think
I wouldn't-INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Mason peeks around the corner to watch as the argument
continues.
MOM
Don't call my kids mistakes!

Don't!

TED
I'm not responsible for your life
choic-- I didn't call your kids-MOM
You said, "Your respons-- your
mistakes in your life," pointing at
my kids.
TED
I know what I said, you know what,
and immediately you use your kids
again.
Mason peeks through the doorway.
MOM (O.S.)
This is the reality: I'm a parent!
TED (O.S.)
That's, that's hysterical.
MOM (O.S.)
That means responsibility.
TED (O.S.)
I know you're a parent.
MOM (O.S.)
I would love to have some time to
myself! I would love to just go to
a fuckin' movie! You don't think
I'd like that?
(MORE)

7.
MOM (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Go have some dinner, go to a bar! I
don't even know what that's like. I
was someone's daughter, then I was
somebody's fucking mother! Okay, I
don't know what that's like.
INT. KID'S BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING
Mason is comfortably asleep. Samantha slowly pulls the pillow
out from underneath his head and smacks him with it.
SAMANTHA
(singing)
"Oops, I did it again... I played
with your heart. Got lost in the
game. Oh baby, baby..."
Mason throws a stuffed animal at her that she deflects.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
"Oops, you think I'm in love. I'm
sent from above. I'm not that
innocent."
Another stuffed animal.

She continues to sing.

MASON (O.S.)
Stop! Quit it!
SAMANTHA
"You see my problem is this. I'm
dreaming away. Wishing that heroes
truly exist. I cry watching the day.
Can't you see I'm a fool in so many
ways..."
Quit!

Mom!

MASON

SAMANTHA
"But to lose all my senses-- that
is..."
He tries to drown out this last bit with a sustained scream.
Soon the door flies open and Mom enters, angry.
MOM
What the hell is going on in here?!
Samantha has instantaneously shifted from singing to crying.
MOM (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Do you guys know what time it is?

8.
SAMANTHA
(through tears/sobs)
He's throwing things at me...
MOM
Mason! Do not throw things at your
sister!
MASON
She's faking, she hit me first!!
MOM
Listen, both of you! I am going
back to bed. I don't wanna hear
another peep out of here for an hour.
Go to sleep.
Mom slams the door behind her.
almost cheerful.

Samantha is suddenly fine,

MASON
(to Samantha)
Faker!
MOM

Hey!

(O.S.)

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

Mason swings on a large outdoor swing, while Tommy sits
thumbing through a catalog. Immediately after, we see Mason
and Tommy looking through the lingerie section of the catalog
together.

Ohh!

(laughs)

MASON

TOMMY
(pointing, giggling)
Look what I found in the street!
Dude!

MASON

TOMMY
I know, right?
(turns page)
Look at those.
MASON
Hm, look at those!

9.
BOYS
(giggling)
Ohh!!
EXT. BACKYARD - DAY
Moments later we see Mason having an introspective moment as
he gazes upon a deceased bird's carcass in the dirt.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Mom, Samantha, and Mason eat lunch.
MOM
So listen, guys, I wanna talk to you
about something, and you might not
like this idea at first but... we're
moving to Houston.
When?

MASON

MOM
Well, soon. We should be out by the
first, so we don't have to pay two
rents next month.
SAMANTHA
No, Mother, we're not moving. Nope,
nope, sorry Mom. Nope. Nope.
Smack, smack, smack...
MOM
Samantha, I have to go back to college
so I can make us a better living.
Smack.
MOM (O.S.) (CONT'D)
With this job I can't take care of
us the way I'd like to. I can't
keep going this way. And Grandma
said she'd help us out... and it
would be nice to be near her.
SAMANTHA
Fine, Mother. You can do whatever
you want but
(shrugs)
We're not moving.
(Smacks)
Mason moves his fork around in his bowl.

10.
MASON
What about our friends?
MOM
Oh, baby, we can e-mail them or write.
We can come back to visit. And guess
what?
She reaches out to touch Samantha's arm.
MOM (CONT'D)
This place that Grandma found us,
you'll each have your own room.
Right?
Samantha shrugs.
MOM (CONT'D)
And there's a pool.
Samantha shrugs again, clearly not sold on the idea.
INT.

BEDROOM - NIGHT

Mason and Mom are lying on his bed together.

MASON
Mom, do you still love Dad?
MOM
I still love your father... but that
doesn't mean it was healthy for us
to stay together.
MASON
What if after we move he's trying to
find us and he can't?
MOM
Oh, that won't be a problem. He can
call Grandma and she'll tell him or
he can call Information. We won't
be hard to find.
She pushes back his hair lovingly.
MASON
Is he still in Alaska?
MOM
Well, that's what your uncle says.
MASON
Probably taming polar bears or
something.

11.
MOM
Yeah... well, I hope they're taming
him.
EXT. HOUSE - DAY
The moving van drives off as mom puts another item in the
pile of stuff to be left at the curb.
INT. HOUSE - DAY
Mom and Mason are getting ready to paint in the empty bedroom.
They're looking at the two lone murals, which look a little
odd without the bunk bed in front of them.
MOM
Here, wanna help me out?
Sure.

MASON

MOM
Okay. Take this paint... very
carefully... and paint any little
smudge or mark or anything on the
baseboard there, behind the door,
and all around the doorways on the
inside.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Meanwhile, Samantha is talking on the phone.
SAMANTHA
(on phone)
She says we're gonna come visit and
I'm gonna write and call you. Oh,
wait, hold on a second. I'm getting
another call.
(Pushes Flash)
Hello? Sorry, Tommy, Mason can't
come over today. We're moving. And
I'm on the other line. Bye.
(Pushes Button)
Althea? I'm gonna be sending Sailor
Scout instructions. Email, and write
back telling me how the other scouts
are doing. Well, because you're the
leader now.
During the last bit of this conversation, Mason slowly paints
over the "growth chart" lines on the bedroom door jamb.

12.
EXT. OUTSIDE FRONT DOOR - DAY
Carrying their final belongings from inside the house, they
slowly exit the front door and head over to the car.
MOM
Okay, let's go, 'cause I wanna get
there before it gets dark.
SAMANTHA
Goodbye yard, goodbye crepe myrtle,
goodbye mailbox. Goodbye box of
stuff Mommy won't let us take with
us but we don't wanna throw away.
Goodbye house, I'll never like mommy
as much for making us move.
MOM
Samantha! Why don't you say goodbye
to that little horse shit attitude?
Okay? 'Cause we're not taking that
in the car.
Just before he gets in the car, Mason is looking out at the
neighborhood.
MASON
Goodbye old lady who listens to rock
music and rides a motorcycle.
Soon the car is pulling away. As they drive off, Mason
notices out his side of the car, Tommy approaching on a bike
in the distance, gesturing toward the car. Mason watches
him out the window, but says nothing as Tommy recedes into
the distance.
INT. CAR - DAY
Mason and Samantha are restless
childish energy get the best of
and squeal at each other in the
all well-intentioned though, as
Mom tells them to quiet down.
Eeeee!

and energetic, letting their

them as they wrestle, hit,
back seat of the car. It is
the two share a laugh after

SAMANTHA
Don't!

MOM
Hey! Hey, what's happening back
there? Stop, put the barrier up.
Ahh!

Stop!

SAMANTHA
No!

13.
Mason punches the pillow barrier between himself and Samantha,
while his Mom speaks.
MOM
Hey, put the pillow between you.
Make a barrier, come on. Stop.
We're gonna play a game called The
Game of Silence. Whoever can stay
quiet for the longest period of time
wins. You guys think you can do
that? Okay, go!
The family's car moves on toward the Houston skyline just as
dusk arrives.
INT. BEDROOM - DAY
Mason appears grumpy, trying to shove what he needs for the
day into his backpack quickly.
MOM (O.S.)
The bus'll be here in ten minutes.
MOM (CONT'D)
(steps into doorway)
Put that homework in your backpack!
Go eat!

MOM (O.S.) (CONT'D)

Baby, go eat!

I am!

MASON

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Samantha places pancakes on their plates while talking to
Mason in a cryptic language, reminiscent of pig latin.
SAMANTHA
...I affatay servay yoohay.
MASON
Speak English! Shut up. Mom! She's
speaking that stupid language again!
Samantha!

MOM

SAMANTHA
I was speaking perfectly clear
English, Mother. You know, he's a
little slow in the head. He did
officially flunk first grade.

14.
MOM
Sit your butt down.
SAMANTHA
Yes sir, Mother sir!
She salutes.
MOM
All right, listen up guys. Grandma's
gonna pick you up after school.
Your dad is in town for the day so
you're gonna spend the afternoon
with him.
Hmm.

SAMANTHA

MASON
Is he moving back?
MOM
I don't know.
SAMANTHA
We haven't seen him in about eighty
years.
MOM
Like... a year and a half.
MASON
(points to Samantha)
Ha-ha.
Oh please...

SAMANTHA

MOM
Can we please eat, here? The bus is
coming. Who wants syrup?
INT.

CLASSROOM - DAY

Mason plays Oregon Trail on a classroom computer, while his

TEACHER speaks in the background.
TEACHER (O.S.)
All right, nice cursive. Okay, Mason,
when I check the mobiles, am I gonna
find yours?
No.

MASON

15.
And why not?

TEACHER

MASON
'Cause I didn't finish it.
TEACHER
Well, it's time to finish it.
MASON
Just a minute.
TEACHER
No, let's do Apple Quit.
Mason cuts a sheet of construction paper in the shape of the
state of Texas, presumably to finish his mobile. He sits
across from a female classmate, GIRL IN RED, who teases him.
GIRL IN RED
Time to finish your work, Mason.
"Apple Quit."
INT.

GRANDMA'S HOUSE - LATER

Samantha sits with her GRANDMA, Catherine, showing off her

good grades on various school reports. Mason sits in his
own chair, playing with a Gameboy.
SAMANTHA (O.S.)
So this is my history test...
Mm-hm.

GRANDMA (O.S.)
A+, very good.

SAMANTHA (O.S.)
And that's another history test.
GRANDMA (O.S.)
Mm-hm, and another A.
SAMANTHA
Yeah, well, it doesn't have a plus
but... oh well.
Oh.

GRANDMA

Grandma strokes Samantha's hair proudly.

SAMANTHA
And then um, that's my report on
lizards...

16.
GRANDMA
Oh, let me see your pictures.
SAMANTHA
And then, um... Oh yeah, these are
my pictures.
GRANDMA
What is that?
SAMANTHA
Well, that's called a dewlap.
GRANDMA
A dewlap, okay.
SAMANTHA
Oh yeah, this is a math test.
GRANDMA
Oh, "A" again.
Mason reaches into candy dish on the table.
GRANDMA (CONT'D)
Mase, that's the last candy, okay?
MASON

Okay.
Okay.
EXT.

GRANDMA (O.S.)
We need to put this stuff up.

STREET/FRONT PORCH - DAY

A Pontiac GTO pulls up outside.

That's him.

GRANDMA

(O.S.)

DAD gets out of the car and hurries to the door.

squeals, as she runs out to greet him.
SAMANTHA

Daddy!

Hi!

Oh my!

DAD
Look at you, you're so big!

He hugs them both.

DAD (CONT'D)
Hey, MJ! What's happening, buddy?
Are you guys ready to have some fun?

Samantha

17.
MASON AND SAMANTHA

Yeah!!

DAD
Yeah! Alright.
are you?
Mase.

Hey, Catherine, how

GRANDMA
I'm good.

DAD
Good to see you.
Yeah.

GRANDMA

(O.S.)

DAD
What time should I have these rascals
back?
GRANDMA (O.S.)
Oh, I don't know, around 7:30, I
guess. I gotta get 'em home by 8:00.
DAD
Aw, you know what, why don't I take
them over to their mom's?
A moment of tension passes between them.
GRANDMA
No, that's okay. She's expecting
me.
DAD
Oh no, that's alright. You guys
know where it is, don't you?
Mm.

Yeah.

SAMANTHA

DAD
All right, I'll do it.
problem.

It's no

GRANDMA
I don't think that's such a good
idea.
DAD
Look, it's no problem.
GRANDMA
(rolls her eyes)
Okay...

Alright?

18.
DAD
You guys ready to go?
MASON AND SAMANTHA

Yeah!

DAD
Let's do it, go!
GRANDMA (O.S.)
Whoa. Wait a minute, you gotta get
your stuff.
SAMANTHA

Oh yeah.

GRANDMA
You got backpacks, your purse.
Homework. Go to the bathroom.
DAD
Can't believe how big they are.
Yeah.

GRANDMA
Time is goin' by.

DAD
Mm. Must be nice for you, having
'em here in Houston.
GRANDMA
I love it, yeah. I'm volunteering
at their school.
Oh yeah?

DAD
What you doin' over there?

GRANDMA
I'm in the library.
to the little ones.
Huh.

Great.

You know, reading

DAD

GRANDMA
So -- Alaska, huh?
Yeah.

DAD

GRANDMA
Are you back?
We'll see.

DAD
How's Liv?

19.
GRANDMA
She's a busy girl. Yeah. She's
back in school. But she's working,
and single parenting... a lot to
juggle.
DAD
You guys got everything, huh?
MASON AND SAMANTHA

Yeah.

DAD
Alright, say goodbye to your
grandmother.
MASON (O.S.)

Bye!
Bye grandma!

SAMANTHA

(O.S.)

DAD
Alright, let's roll. Now wait a
second. You're not the type of kids
who like presents, are ya?
SAMANTHA

Yes!

DAD
Naw, you don't -MASON

Yeah!

SAMANTHA
'Course we are!
Really?
Yeah!

DAD
Let's do it!

Yay!

MASON AND SAMANTHA

MASON
I call front seat!
SAMANTHA
I wanted the front seat, though.
DAD
Alright. Well, Mason gets it on the
way there and Samantha gets it on
the way back, huh? Hop in there.

20.
Seat belts!
Seat belts.

GRANDMA

(O.S.)

DAD
Alright.

He motions to Grandma that he's got it covered.

DAD (CONT'D)
Seat belts. Not like this car has
any seat belts.
INT.

BOWLING ALLEY - LATER

Samantha is bowling, her pink ball hurdling down the lane

toward the pins.
Nice...

DAD (O.S.)
Nice... Nice...

Strike!
SAMANTHA

Yay!

DAD
Alright!

Yeah!

Dad is clearly impressed and excited for Samantha, as he

stands to embrace her.
DAD (CONT'D)
Come here, come here, yes! That was
awesome! Get up there Mason, get up
there!
Daddy!

SAMANTHA

DAD
(to Samantha)
It was so good!
(to Mason)
Come on. Let 'em know who you are,
buddy. Let 'em know who you are.
Dad kisses Samantha.
Yes!

Yes!

Mason throws his bowling ball.

DAD (CONT'D)
Yes! Alright, alright...

Gutter ball.
DAD (CONT'D)
Don't worry about it.

21.
MASON
Wish we could use the bumpers.
DAD
Bumpers are for kids. You know,
what're you, two years old? You
don't want the bumpers. Life doesn't
give you bumpers.
Mason tosses the ball again.
DAD (CONT'D)
There we, there we go, there we go!
We got something there! We got
something! We got something! Ooooh!
Another gutter ball.
MASON
Last time I went bowling we had
bumpers and it was a lot more fun!
Dad gets up to bowl.
DAD
You don't want the bumpers, alright?
You bowl a strike with the bumpers
and it doesn't mean anything. Trust
me. Just lay it out on the lane.
One, two, three and...
Samantha mimes smoking, points to Dad, as if to say that he
smells of cigarettes. It's Dad's turn to bowl.
DAD (CONT'D)
Ka-blam! Let's hear it for the
father! Whoo!
(To Samantha)
Get up there, get in there...
Yay!

SAMANTHA
Great job!

DAD
Get out there, girl, get out there!
Score-keeping screen flashes an animated alligator that reads:
STRIKE
EXT. Street as car burns (on TV screen)
TV NEWSMAN (V.O.)
Four Blackwater operatives have been
viciously attacked in their cars in
(MORE)

22.
TV NEWSMAN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Fallujah. The bodies and cars were
set on fire, after insurgents started
shooting, killing American citizens.
DAD (O.S.)
Look at this. It's a disaster.
TV NEWSMAN (V.O.)
But the ambush didnt end there.
The bodies of the four men were
savagely ripped apart...
INT. BOWLING ALLEY CAFE - EVENING
The family sits around a table enjoying their snacks, while
Dad smokes a cigarette.
DAD (O.S.)
Alright, let me tell you what's
happening in Iraq, alright? Exactly
what every thinking person in the
world knew was gonna happen before
they got started. Bush and his little
numb-nut fanatics he's got around
him, they don't give a rat's ass.
SAMANTHA
That's a quarter.
DAD
What's a quarter?
SAMANTHA
You said a-s-s.
Oh, sorry.

DAD
My bad.

SAMANTHA
And my teacher says it's a good war,
because it's better to be safe than
sorry.
DAD
That's what they're teaching you in
school? Alright, listen to me.
Listen to your father, okay? That
is the lie. That's the big lie.
Iraq had nothing to do with what
happened at the World Trade Center.
You know that, right?
I guess.

SAMANTHA

23.
DAD
Alright. Who are you gonna vote for
next fall, MJ?
MASON
I don't know.
SAMANTHA
He can't vote. He's not eighteen.
DAD
Yeah, oh -- alright, who would you
vote for?
Kerry?

MASON

DAD
Anybody but Bush!

Okay?

SAMANTHA
Are you gonna move back?
DAD
Uh... I'm plannin' on it.
I gotta find a job.

You know,

MASON
Are you and mom gonna get back
together?
DAD
I don't know. That's not, uh...
entirely up to me, you know?
SAMANTHA
I remember when I was six, you and
mom were fighting like mad. You
were yelling so loud and she was
crying.
DAD
That's what you remember, huh?
Yep.

SAMANTHA

DAD
You don't remember the trips to
Galveston, camping in Big Bend, all
the fun we had?
Nope.

SAMANTHA

24.
DAD
You ever get mad at your mother?
SAMANTHA

Yeah.

DAD (O.S.)
You ever get mad at your brother?
SAMANTHA

Yeah.
Yeah.

DAD
You ever yell at him?

Oh yeah.

SAMANTHA

DAD
Yeah. Doesn't mean you don't love
him, right?
Mmm...

SAMANTHA

DAD
Look, the same thing happens when
you're grown up, alright? You...
You know, you get mad at people.
You know, it's not a big deal.
MASON
What'd you do in Alaska?
DAD
I worked on a boat for a while.
I tried to write some music.

Um,

MASON
Did you see any polar bears?
DAD (O.S.)
No, but I saw a Kodiak bear.
fuckin' huge.

It was

SAMAMTHA (O.S.)
Dad! That's fifty cents for the Fword!
Dad reaches into his wallet.
DAD
I'm sorry. Here, take a dollar,
alright? Keep the change.
(MORE)

25.
DAD (CONT'D)
You guys are gonna be seein' a lot
more of me. Okay? I missed you two
real bad, while I was gone. Okay, I
want you to know that. I just needed
to take some time. You know, to...
Just... Your mom and me, okay...
Well, your mother, okay, is a piece
of work. Alright, I think, I think
you know that by now. Alright? And
I'm just, I'm so happy to be with the
two of you. Okay. And I'm sorry
about that bumper business. Alright.
I'm gonna get better at stuff like
that, okay?
As a token of reconciliation, Dad high fives them both,
smiling.
INT.

MASON'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Mason shows Dad his collection of arrowheads and a long

feather, all laid out on top of a skateboard. Mason describes
each of the pieces to his Dad.
MASON
I got that one at Dripping Springs...
Mmhmm.

DAD

(O.S.)

MASON
And um, my friend Rodney gave me
that one.
DAD

Yeah?

(O.S.)

MASON
And I bought that one.
DAD
You bought this one?
MASON

Yeah.

DAD
You found this at Dripping Springs?
Uh-huh!
Wow!

MASON

DAD
What else do you got?

26.
MASON
Well, um, these are snake vertebrae.
DAD
Snake vertebrae? That's disgusting.
Huh? Mason, I don't want you
collecting snake vertebrae anymore.
They both share a laugh.
DAD (CONT'D)
Is this the feather I sent you?
Yeah!

MASON
Yeah, yeah, yeah, it is.

Samantha enters the room carrying photos and a stuffed animal.

She sits down next to Dad, interrupting Mason.
SAMAMTHA
Oh, Dad! Um, I forgot to show you
these, um, these basketball pictures.
DAD
You're on a basketball team?
SAMAMTHA

Yeah!
Wow!

DAD
Check you out!

MASON
Yeah, and these are-- these are beaver
claws.
DAD
Beaver claws?
I know.

SAMANTHA
That's me.

(O.S.)

DAD (O.S.)
What, you hunting beaver, huh?

No.

(laughs)

MASON (O.S.)

SAMANTHA
You see, that's McKinney, that's
Meg, and that Gem. They're all my
friends --

27.
MASON
...And this is dried Canadian grass...
Uh-huh.

DAD
What position do you play?

Um, guard.

SAMANTHA

MASON
This is dried Canadian grass... And,
and uh...
Uh-huh.

DAD
Wait, you scoring any points?

SAMANTHA
Well, about eight or ten a game.
DAD
Eight or ten a game?
Yeah!

That is awesome!

SAMANTHA

MASON
Once she didn't score any and she
cried!
You cried?

DAD

SAMANTHA
Well, only a little bit.
Awww.

DAD

Dad kisses Samantha's forehead.

INT.

FRONT ENTRY - MOMENTS LATER

Hello!

MOM

SAMANTHA
Oh, Mason, Mom's home!
Mom's home!

MASON

Dad quickly shifts from playful to nervous.

DAD
Hey, Mom's home.

28.
Mom, hi!
Hey.

SAMANTHA
MOM

SAMANTHA
Oh, look at this owl Daddy gave me!
Isn't it cool? See, its head spins!
And look at this bracelet! It was
made by Indians in Alaska.
MASON
And Mom, Daddy made this cool hand
carved grizzly bear and this tiki.
MOM
It's a totem. Wow.
SAMANTHA
And guess what else? We went bowling
and I made four strikes!
MASON
Yeah, and we got to ride around in
Dad's car!
Wow.
Hey, Liv.
Hey.

MOM

(O.S.)

DAD
MOM

DAD
I know you wanted me to drop them
off at your mom's. I just thought
it'd be easier if I brought 'em over
here.
MOM
Well, it really screwed up my plans.
MASON
Well, we just wanted to show him our
rooms.
Yeah.

SAMANTHA

MOM
Did you guys eat anything?

29.
SAMANTHA
Well, we had some french fries at
the bowling alley.
MOM
Did you do your homework or...
No.
Not yet.

MASON
SAMANTHA

MOM
Okay. Can I talk to you outside for
a second?
DAD
Yeah. Sure.
(as he exits)
They had more than french fries.
The children scramble to find a suitable spot for
eavesdropping but their parents are inaudible.
INT.

UPSTAIRS BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Samantha and Mason look out the window, down at their parents
having an argument below.
MASON
Do you think he's gonna spend the
night?
SAMANTHA (O.S.)
Doesn't look like it.
Mom walks away from Dad. He stands there for a beat, then
saunters off. The kids are visibly disappointed.
EXT.

COLLEGE - DAY

Mason and Mom walk across the campus lawn.

INT. COLLEGE CLASSROOM - DAY
A professor, BILL, lectures to the class.
seated in the classroom audience.

Mason and Mom are

BILL (V.O.)
Okay. An unconditioned stimulus,
something that produces an unlearned,
involuntary, unconditioned response.
(MORE)

30.
BILL (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Now in Pavlov's experiment, what was
the stimulus, that he used? Come on
now, people! Tough weekend? What's
the deal, here? Meat. Right? Meat.
Meat powder, actually. Whatever
meat powder is, it worked on this
dog. Okay. He put the meat powder
in there and it produced an
unconditioned response in the dog,
which was? Salivation. Alright.
Now, who can give me another example
of an unconditioned stimulus-response
pair that happens to you everyday.
It's probably happening to some of
you right now.
(pause)
How about sex? Sure, you know. You
see an attractive member of the
opposite gender, you have an automatic
response. You don't have to think
about it. Mick Jagger wrote a song
about... Oh, when they call your
name, I salivate like a Pavlov dog.
Class laughs.
BILL (CONT'D)
Thank you very much. Class dismissed.
Students leave, as Mason and Mom approach the professor.
MOM (O.S.)
Doctor Welbrock, this is my son Mason.
Ohh.

BILL

MOM
Mason, this is Dr. Welbrock.
BILL
Your son. Now see, I thought this
was a boy genius who was taking my
college course.
Mason laughs.

He and Bill shake hands.

MOM
He wasn't feeling well today, so I
thought I'd bring him with me.
Bill touches Mason's forehead.

31.
BILL
Ah! No fever. It's a con job. I
can tell because I have a nine year
old son, he pulls this all the time.
Same kind of deal. Hey, you play
soccer?
Mm, no.

MASON

BILL
Neither does my boy. He hates soccer.
He likes computers. My 11-year-old
daughter, loves soccer. Who can
figure? Hey, maybe we can get all
you guys together sometime, huh?
Maybe, yeah.
Yeah.

MOM
Well, you ready to go?
MASON

BILL
Nice to meet you, Mason.
MASON
Nice to meet you, too.
BILL
And thanks for coming to my class.
Mason walks ahead of them as Olivia and Bill speak a little
more intimately. It's clear that they have more than just a
professor-student relationship. Mason notices a bit of this
and looks on, confused.
Olivia.
Hm?
Nice kid.
Thanks.

BILL (CONT'D)
MOM
BILL
MOM

BILL
So you think, uh, Grandma might be
available for a little baby-sitting?

32.
MOM
(giggles)
Maybe.
Really?
EXT.

(O.S.)

BILL
Well, great.

BACKYARD - DAY

Mason and Samantha play an outdoor trampoline game with Randy

and Mindy, their new stepbrother and stepsister. They are
in the big backyard of their new home, where Dr. Welbrock
and his children have lived.
GRANDMA
Hey kids, they're here!
KIDS
Oh, they're home, they're home!
Hurry!

GRANDMA
Hurry!

They all scramble inside and quickly assemble for a big

welcome home ceremony in the front entryway. A sign reads,
"Welcome Home Honeymooners, We Love You Mom & Dad". Olivia
and Bill open the door to enter the house.
MOM

Hey!
Mom!
Oh!

Daddy!

KIDS

BILL
We're here!

Hey, we've returned!

Hugs all around. The family talks over one another.

notices the "Welcome Home" sign the kids made.
Hi Dad!

SAMANTHA AND MASON

BILL
Samantha, Mason, look -- Thank you.
That's very nice.
MOM
(to Randy and Mindy)
Hey guys!
The group all speaks at once.

Bill

33.
BILL
(To Grandma)
Hi, Mom. How are you?
SAMANTHA (O.S.)
Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom! Look at the
sign we made!
BILL
(To Grandma)
They give you any trouble?
MINDY
Samantha and I made it all ourselves.
BILL (O.S.)
I know the boys helped you with that
a lot.
MINDY
No, not at all!
The group continues to speak at once.
BILL
That's good... Oh, pass out the
goodies.
Mom passes out a bag of presents to each of the kids.
MOM
This is for the girls, this is for
the girls...
BILL
(to Grandma)
Don't worry, we got you some absinthe
or something.
GRANDMA
Oh, let's pour it.
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
The family sits around the table, swapping fun stories and
pictures from their time apart.
MOM
You take this big elevator up, and
when we got to the top, we flew a
paper airplane off.
RANDY (O.S.)
And what happened?

34.
It flew!

MOM

(O.S.)

BILL (O.S.)
It flew away. It went for miles.
Went onto the Arctic Trail.
They laugh.
SAMANTHA
Oh, did you guys kiss under the Bridge
of Sighs?
MOM

Yes.
Yes, we did.

BILL

Bill leans in to kiss Olivia.

MINDY
Hey, Mom, can we see your wedding
ring?
Oh, sure.

MOM

(O.S.)

Mom hands over her wedding ring. The boys look at a 20

Questions game.

Wow.

MINDY (O.S.)
(Eyeing the ring)

SAMANTHA (O.S.)
(Holding the ring)
Technically that's a fancy step cut
surrounded by miniature brilliant.
MASON
I wish we could've gone to Europe.
Yeah.

RANDY

BILL
Yeah, we'll go as a family next time.
But you didn't miss much, really.
We just stayed in the hotel room the
whole time playing video games.
Mom laughs.

35.
Really?

MASON

BILL
And the hotels are really small and
really old. Squeaky.
The WAITER comes over.
WAITER
Can I get you anything else? Would
you like to see a dessert menu?
BILL
(To Randy)
Listen, I told you to put that away.
(To Mom)
Would you put that in your purse,
please? Computer games at the table.
(To Waiter)
Yes, uh, please, another bottle of
wine.
MASON
(to Waiter)
Um, Coke.
MOM
Um, you know what? Mason, you're
okay with water. No more Cokes.
(to Waiter)
Thank you.
BILL (O.S.)
(To Randy)
Now how 'bout you? Did you finish
your science project?
RANDY
Not quite yet.
BILL
Well, did you work on it? I mean,
did you build anything, or plan
anything, or..?
A little.

RANDY

BILL
(to Mindy)
Did he work on it at all, Mindy?
No.

MINDY

36.
BILL
(to Mindy)
Did he sit around playing video games
with Mason the whole time?
(laughs)
Yeah.

MINDY

BILL
Mm. You were supposed to finish
that by the time I got back.
Remember? Hey.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - DAY
Our gang of kids, plus two more (NEIGHBORHOOD BOY and
NEIGHBORHOOD GIRL) walk home from school together. The boys
walk in a pack slightly in front of the girls.
NEIGHBORHOOD BOY
Grievous is the best, man.
Yoda!

MASON
Yoda, man.

No, Yoda is!

RANDY
MASON AND RANDY

Yoda!

NEIGHBORHOOD BOY
He has four arms.
Yoda!

MASON
Represent.

MINDY
I hate Ms. Billingsly. Everybody's
been saying she's lesbian.
She is.

NEIGHBORHOOD GIRL
She hit on Stacy.

MINDY
Man, that's gross.
SAMANTHA
Think it's true?
NEIGHBORHOOD GIRL
She's always walking in the locker
room.

37.
RANDY
I think I still have a couple of
those-PAUL, overly large/mentally impaired neighborhood teen they
seem familiar with, walks by awkwardly bouncing a basketball.
Hey, Paul.

NEIGHBORHOOD BOY (O.S.)

Tell us a joke.

Damn.

PAUL
Go to hell.

Fuck.

Ass.

The kids look at him quizzically and keep walking.

INT. BEDROOM - LATER
Mason and Randy are playing a video game.
Uh!

MASON
Blew you up.

RANDY
Aw heck, man. That was not fair.
MASON
No, actually it was. That's like
the fairest thing ever.
RANDY

Ugh.

MASON
Oh, once again I take you down.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - DAY
Samantha and Mindy sit with Mom on the sofa, laughing, while
Mason and Randy sit opposite them. Bill is up first, as the
whole family plays charades.
MASON
Three Musketeers?
First word.
Chicken?

RANDY (O.S.)

MASON AND RANDY

Bird?

Mom and the girls laugh.

Second word.

BOYS

38.
RANDY

Um... hood?

MASON
Uh. Robin Hood!

Big hair?

Ah!

BILL
(tapping his nose)

Mom applauds.
BILL (CONT'D)
Brilliant child!
Samantha stands to take her turn.
Second word.

MOM AND MINDY

MINDY

Blanket?

(O.S.)

(O.S.)

MASON
Hey, you can't use props!
Samantha turns to smack mason with the blanket.
BILL
Hey, hey, hey, hey. Cut it out.
Hey, uh-- Judges speak: No props.
No props. Can't use props. You can
do it without that. Think, think,
think.
Um, bunch!
Folding?

MOM (O.S.)

MINDY (O.S.)
Is it like...

MOM
The gathered? Folded.
Uh...

MINDY

The boys laugh.

MINDY (CONT'D)
Messing around with a blanket...
Wrinkling it, uh...

39.
MOM
Wrinkling clothes... A Wrinkle In
Time!
Mom and Mindy clap and cheer at their victory.
INT. BOOK RELEASE PARTY - NIGHT
Sign reads: "7-15: Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince.
Magical Midnight Release Party 9PM." The kids are all present,
dressed in Harry Potter costumes. They participate in a
variety of Harry Potter festivities, beginning with a trivia
contest.
BOOK TRIVIA JUDGE
What are the guards at Azkaban?
Samantha rings the bell first, as Mason fumbles for the
correct answer.
SAMANTHA

Dementors!
Samantha got it right.

EMCEE
(into a microphone)
Front of the line, are you ready?
All four kids cheer.
EMCEE (CONT'D)
Count down with me, ladies and
gentleman!
The rest of the crowd joins in.
EMCEE AND GROUP
Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six!
Five! Four! Three! Two! One!
Let's go!

EMCEE
Whoo!!

The kids each pass through the long line, all smiles as they
receive their books.
Thank you.
Next.
Thanks.

MINDY
MAN
SAMANTHA

40.
EXT. GOLF COURSE - DAY
Mason, Randy, and Bill are practicing at a golf course.
Bill is advising the boys on their stances and golf swings.
BILL
(to Randy)
Oh no, no, no, no. Back up and take
a practice swing first, remember?
Nice and easy. Sweep the floor.
Sweep the floor. That's good. Don't
swing too hard, Randy.
(to Mason)
He always swings too hard.
Randy takes a swing.
BILL (CONT'D)
Hey, alright! Very good.
It's Mason's turn to take a swing.
BILL (CONT'D)
(to Mason)
Back your feet up a little bit.
Yeah, like that. Now you're gonna
hit it straighter. Okay. Alright,
go up and hit it. That's good.
Nice slow swing is going to be better
for you.
Mason swings.
Alright!

BILL (CONT'D)

Later, Randy putts the ball and misses.

BILL (CONT'D)
(to Randy)
I don't know man, you must've been...
See, your feet are too open, Randy.
Mason sets up to take his putt.
BILL (CONT'D)
(to Mason)
Nice and natural.
Mason hits the ball into the hole.

Bill high fives him.

BILL (CONT'D)
Yes! Go! Alright! Give me five.
Good putt, son, good putt.
(MORE)

41.
BILL (CONT'D)
Did you see that, Randy? That's the
way to do it!
(to self)
Alright, birdie putt.
Bill misses the easy putt.
BILL (CONT'D)
Goddamn it. Son of a bitch.
(to Mason and Randy)
Get my clubs, would you? Get the
ball.
EXT. LIQUOR STORE - DAY
Bill and the boys drive up to the local liquor store.
BILL
This is just in case we have guests
this weekend.
Bill gets out of the car.
RANDY
He always says that.
have guests.

But we never

The boys are chewing green bubble gum. Randy blows a big
bubble and Mason pops it with his hand.
INT. LAUNDRY ROOM - DAY
Bill pours a generous amount of vodka into a large, opaque
cup. He then hides the vodka bottle behind some detergent
in the laundry cupboard.
INT.

KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER

Samantha and Mindy are busy loading the dishwasher.

enters the room, drink in hand.
BILL
Samantha, I think I heard your dad
pull up.
Oh, alright.

SAMANTHA

BILL
You guys finish your chores?
Not quite.

MINDY

Bill

42.
Just about.

SAMANTHA

BILL
How 'bout the dusting, Sam?
SAMANTHA
I haven't done that yet.
BILL
Well, I saw you working on your art
project. You mean you had time to
finish your little art project but
you didn't have time to finish your
chores? I thought we talked about
that.
MINDY
Dad, it's fine. I can finish the
dusting. I have all day here.
BILL
No, it's not fine,
your own chores to
hers to do. Huh?
Poor choice there,

Mindy. You have

do and Sam has
It's simple!
Sam. Hurry up.

EXT. BACKYARD - DAY

Mason is pulling weeds, while Randy rakes the lawn.
BILL
(yelling from the
porch)
Mason! Your dad's here...
As the boys approach...
BILL (CONT'D)
You guys aren't settin' any speed
records, are you? What'd you do,
get about half done? Hey, hey, hey,
hey, hey. So did you finish?
No.

MASON

BILL
Is the job complete?
Mason shakes his head "No".
BILL (CONT'D)
So, what are you going to be doing
tomorrow? Same thing, right?

43.
MASON AND RANDY

Yeah.
Okay.

Go.

BILL

INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER

Mom is doing work at the kitchen table, as Samantha and Mason
kiss her goodbye.
Bye, Mom.

MASON

MOM
(to Mason)
Bye, baby. I love you.
Bye, Mama.

SAMANTHA

MOM
(to Samantha)
Bye, honey. Have fun with your dad.
BILL (O.S.)
Just a minute, Mason.
(to Mom)
The boys didn't finish raking the
leaves. Samantha did not finish
dusting. So tomorrow, when they
come home, instead of swimming and
all the other little stuff that they
want to do, they're gonna do their
chores. Right?
MOM
Right! Okay, guys, you had this
conversation, you understand?
The boys nod.
Tomorrow?

MOM (CONT'D)

The girls nod.

Okay.

MOM (CONT'D)

BILL
Thank you. I just wanted you to
back me up on that so I'm not the
only one yelling at them all the
time.

44.
MOM
Okay, I back you up.
that?

You guys got

Mason nods.
MOM (CONT'D)
We all agree, everybody agrees, right?
Tomorrow, chores?
Samantha nods.
BILL
Well, they don't hear it, you know.
It goes in one ear and out the other.
SAMANTHA
But Dad, I mean, dusting is pointless.
BILL
It's not pointless, you just don't
like to do it.
SAMANTHA
But I mean, who dusts anymore?
BILL
You do when we ask you to! And don't -Olivia, don't let her back-talk me
in front of the other kids, please.
Thank you.
MOM
Samantha, please...
Whatever!

SAMANTHA

Samantha turns to walk away from the conversation.

BILL (O.S.)
Bye-bye, have a wonderful weekend.
Mm.

Okay.

MOM (O.S.)
Bye, guys. Love you.

The other kids follow Samantha as she exits.

at the table with Mom.
BILL
I'm sorry, but I thought we talked
about it. You have to draw a line,
you have to back it up.

Bill sits down

45.
MOM
Okay. It's just... you have so many
lines Bill. Everything's a line.
EXT. HOUSE - DAY
Dad is parked in the drive way.
greet the kids.

He gets out of the car to

DAD

Hey, Randy!

RANDY

Hey!

SAMANTHA AND MASON

Bye.

RANDY AND MINDY

Bye.

DAD
Hey, you two. How you doin'?

Oh.

MASON

Shotgun.

DAD
Here, let me get this bag here.
doin' okay, darlin'?
SAMANTHA

Yeah.
Yeah?

Ah.

DAD
What about you, cowboy?

Pretty good.

MASON

Dad throws the kids' bags in the trunk.

Yeah?

DAD
Alright.

Let's roll!

EXT. CITY STREET - DAY

They drive down the street in Dad's car.
DAD
You guys ready for the big game?
Yeah.

You

SAMANTHA

46.
DAD
Sam, who are the Astros playing
tonight?
SAMANTHA
I don't know.
DAD
Milwaukee Brewers. Alright, get to
know 'em, get to hate 'em. Mase!
How you been, huh? How was your
week?
Pretty good.
Yeah?

MASON

DAD
What you been up to?

Not much.

MASON

DAD (O.S.)
No? You still hangin' with that kid
Joe?
Yeah.

MASON

DAD
Yeah, he's still your best friend?
MASON
Yeah, I guess.
DAD
Okay.
(To Samantha)
How 'bout you? How was your week?
Fine.

SAMANTHA

DAD (O.S.)
What you been up to?
SAMANTHA
Nothin' really.
DAD
You um, you still working on that
sculpture project?
Yeah.

SAMANTHA (O.S.)

47.
Yeah?

DAD

(O.S.)

SAMANTHA
Almost finished.
DAD
What's it of?
Nothing.

(O.S.)

SAMANTHA

Dad pulls the car over and parks.

DAD
Alright, no-no-no-no-no. Nope, that
is not how we're going to talk to
one another. Alright? Now, I will
not be that guy. You can not put me
in that category, alright? The
biological father who I spend every
other week with and I make polite
conversation, you know, while he
drives me places and buys me shit.
No! Talk to me.
He turns to Samantha in the passenger seat.
DAD (CONT'D)
Samantha, how was your week? Uh, I
don't know Dad, it was kind of tough.
Billy and Ellen broke up, and Ellen's
kind of mad at me because she saw me
talking to Billy in the cafeteria.
And you remember that sculpture I
was working on? Well, it was a
unicorn and the horn broke off. So,
now it's zebra. Okay? But I still
think I'm going to get an 'A'.
Alright?
Dad turns around to address Mason in the back seat.
DAD (CONT'D)
Mason, uh, how was your week? Well
Dad, you know it was kind of tough.
Joe, he's kind of a jerk, actually.
He stole some cigarettes from his
mom and he wanted me to smoke 'em.
But I said no, cause I knew what a
hard time you had quittin' smokin',
Dad. How 'bout that? Is that so
hard?

48.
SAMANTHA
Dad, these questions are kind of
hard to answer.
DAD
What is so hard to answer about what
sculpture are you making?
SAMANTHA
It's abstract.
DAD
Okay. Okay, that's good. See,
that's, I didn't know that. I didn't
know you were even interested in
abstract art.
I'm not.

SAMANTHA
They make us do it.

MASON
But Dad, I mean why is it all on us
though? You know, what about you?
How was your week? You know, who do
hang out with? Do you have a
girlfriend? What have you been up
to?
DAD
I see your point.
Mason smiles.
DAD (CONT'D)
So we should just let it happen more
natural, right? That's what you're
sayin', right?
Mason nods.
Okay.
now.

DAD (CONT'D)
That's what we'll do.

Starting

EXT. BUTTERFLY MUSEUM - DAY

Dad, Samantha, and Mason are pointing out different
butterflies they find, using a nature chart. A butterfly
lands on Mason's shoulder.
MASON
Hey, check this out.

49.
SAMANTHA
That would be a... That would be a
Magnificent Owl. Caligo Atreus.
DAD
What's that one?

Look at this.

Dad opens his hands and shows them a butterfly in his palms.
SAMANTHA (O.S.)

Whoa.

DAD
What kind is that?
SAMANTHA
That looks like a Zebra Longwing.
Alright.
Cool.

DAD
SAMANTHA

DAD
This one's incredible.
owl one, right?
Yeah.

That's the

SAMANTHA
Magnificent Owl.

DAD
I think he went pee-pee on you, bud.
Dad laughs.
EXT. SCULPTURE GARDEN - DAY
Dad, Samantha, and Mason play tag around a large outdoor
sculpture.
MASON
One, two, three, four, five...
Soon they are running in circles around it.
DAD
Ahaa! Ahh! Get away from me! Get
away from me! Get your sister -Ahh!
EXT. PARK - DAY
Dad is tossing a football with Mason and Samantha.

50.
DAD
Yo, Mase, look at me here. Make a
diamond with your hands, alright?
Fingers and thumbs. Keep your hands
soft. Hey, Sam.
Samantha throws the football to Dad.
DAD (CONT'D)
Very nice. That's how you want to
catch it, just like that. Even when
you're runnin', that's what you're
thinkin' about, that diamond. That
diamond, and soft hands.
Dad throws the ball to Mason.
There it is.

DAD (CONT'D)

Mason throws the ball back to Samantha.

EXT. PARK - MOMENTS LATER
Dad, Samantha, and Mason crouch down into starting line
positions.
Down!

Set!

DAD
Hut!

Ahhhh!

Dad releases the ball down the hill and the three of them
chase after it.
DAD (CONT'D)
No no no no no!
The ball kicks up and into Samantha's hands.
chasing after her.
Yes!

They are now

SAMANTHA

DAD
Don't let her get -- No no no no no!
INT.

BASEBALL STADIUM - NIGHT

Dad, Samantha, and Mason watch a live baseball game.

DAD (O.S.)
Let's go, Roger!
The crowd reacts to the game.

51.
DAD (CONT'D)
Guy's incredible. He's unhittable
this year! Now just so you know,
what we're watching here, is history.
Now you see this guy out here? This
dude is like forty-three years old
and he's strikin' out guys half his
age. This guy's ERA is 1.47, alright,
can you believe that? Now if the
Astros could just get a few runs
maybe we'd win a game.
MASON
Dad, do you have a job?
Ha!

DAD
Why would you ask me that?

MASON
I don't know. Mom wanted to know
and I didn't know what the answer
was.
DAD
Mom wanted to know. Alright. Well,
you can tell mom that I just happen
to have passed my second actuarial
exam, alright? So... you tell her
that. How's she doing?
Great.

SAMANTHA

DAD
She finishing school?
SAMANTHA
Yep, all 'A's.
DAD
All 'A's huh? Like mother, like
daughter, right?
The kids leave to get hot dogs, etc.
his.

Mason puts mustard on

They return to the game. A clutch Astros home run and the
crowd is cheering. Our guys celebrate with high fives, etc.
DAD (O.S.) (CONT'D)
You got this! That's outta here!
That's out-- Oh! Oh!
Fireworks go off.

The crowd stands to their feet.

52.
Yeah!!
INT.

DAD (CONT'D)
Fuckin' A!

DAD'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

The TV is playing the horror film HOSTEL. JIMMY sits on the

couch watching the movie, as Dad and the kids enter.
Hi, Jimmy.

SAMANTHA

JIMMY
Hey, Samantha!
MASON
Hey, what's up, Jimmy?
JIMMY
What's goin' on, Mason, man?
Mason and Jimmy fist bump.
Astros won.

MASON

JIMMY
You went to the game?
Dad enters the room.
DAD
What, I'm the only one with any arms
around here? Nobody else can carry
anything, huh? Help their old man
out?
MASON
What you watching?
Jimmy gestures for silence.
DAD
Aw, come on Jimmy, man! You knew
the kids were comin' this weekend.
Dad clears dirty dishes and paraphernalia from the table.
DAD (CONT'D)
Can't you just help me out a little
bit, just -JIMMY
I'm sorry, muffin.

53.
DAD
Yeah, don't "muffin" me, alright?
Don't put me in that position.
Alright, I'm not your fuckin' Tony
Randall.
SAMANTHA
Dad, it's always a mess.
DAD
It was not a mess this morning.
Okay?
JIMMY
I mowed the lawn.
DAD
Oh yeah, great.
Dad stretches out beside Samantha on the couch.
DAD (CONT'D)
Oh, come on man! Turn this shit
off. Come on, give me that thing.
Dad takes the remote control away from Jimmy.
DAD (CONT'D)
Did you watch the game?

No.

(laughs)

JIMMY

DAD (O.S.)
Lane won it with a three-run homer.
It was beautiful, wasn't it?
Samantha shrugs.
DAD (CONT'D)
Sam lost her mind! She's a huge
Astros fan.
Sure.

SAMANTHA

INT. MUSIC ROOM - LATER

Dad plays the piano and sings, while Jimmy plays guitar.
The kids sit at the kitchen table, listening intently.

54.
DAD
"Well Saturday night was a lunar
eclipse, I sang 'em a song, went
somethin' like this: Well go to sleep,
my weary babies, Let the sounds roll
on by, Tonight we're safe here in
Houston, With this, your daddy's
lullaby. Your mother's got a new
husband now, He seems alright, I
wonder if he's readin' them stories,
And kissin' them goodnight? Well
babysitters say they miss me, I know
I shouldn't hope it's true, The
teacher says my son paints pictures
of a family all in blue, She says
she caught him whispering to the
window, Will Daddy please come home?
I know I could call him up, but what
if his mother answers the phone?
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Samantha is lying in her bed, listening to her iPod.
DAD
You brush your teeth?
She removes her ear buds.
What?

SAMANTHA

DAD (O.S.)
Did you brush your teeth?
Oh.

Yeah.

SAMANTHA
Yeah.

DAD
You gonna fall asleep with those
things in your head?
Maybe.

SAMANTHA

DAD
Yeah well, try not to, alright?
Okay.

SAMANTHA (O.S.)

DAD
You want me to turn off the light?

55.
Sure.

SAMANTHA

DAD
Okay, goodnight Sam.
'Night, dad.

SAMANTHA

JIMMY
(leaning in doorway)
Goodnight, Sam.
SAMANTHA
Goodnight, Jimmy.
DAD
Hey... that was a fun day, right?
Yeah it was.
Why?

SAMANTHA
Sorry.
DAD

SAMANTHA
That Mason had to be there, you know.
(laughs)
Goodnight.

DAD

INT. LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Mason is lying on the couch in the dark, trying to sleep.
Dad is lying on the other couch, reading a book.
MASON
Dad? There's no like... real magic
in the world, right?
DAD
What do you mean?
MASON
You know, like elves and stuff.
People just made that up.
DAD
Well, I don't know. I mean what makes
you thinks that, that elves are any
more magical than something like...
like a whale?
(MORE)

56.
DAD (CONT'D)
You know, I mean, what if I told you
a story about how underneath the
ocean, there was this giant sea mammal
that used sonar, and sang songs, and
it was so big that its heart was the
size of a car? And you could crawl
through the arteries? I mean, you'd
think that's pretty magical, right?
MASON
Yeah. But like... right this second,
there's like no... elves in the world,
right?
No.
EXT.

DAD
Technically no elves.

NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - DAY

Dad, Samantha, and Mason pull up in the GTO.

Mom's driveway, saying their goodbyes.

They sit in

DAD
Love you guys.
MASON
See you, Dad.
DAD
Alright. Be well. Okay. Have a
great week. Sam, I'll see you next
weekend?
Alright.

SAMANTHA
Oh yeah, that's right.
DAD

What?

SAMANTHA
Susie has a birthday party next
Saturday.
A sleepover?
Yeah.
Alright.
it.

DAD
SAMANTHA

DAD
I'll talk to your mom about

57.
Bye, dad.

SAMANTHA

DAD
Don't worry about it, okay?
great week.

Have a

SAMANTHA
Had a great time.
Okay.

DAD

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Mason, Randy, and the Neighborhood Boy sit around a computer
screen. They appear to be looking at something illicit.
NEIGHBORHOOD BOY
Aw, man. How do you guys not know
how to do this? I'll make you some
bookmarks. Just a second. Shit,
guys.
A knock on the door interrupts them. They close the laptop
immediately and turn around, trying not to look guilty.
MINDY
Randy, and Mason, Dad wants you guys
downstairs.
Why?

RANDY

MINDY
You're getting haircuts.
The boys stand to exit.
INT. BARBER SHOP - DAY
Mason sits for his haircut, while Randy and Bill wait to the
side. Mason is clearly distressed as the barber glides an
electric razor over his head.
BILL
This is gonna look so much better.
You're gonna look like a man instead
of like a little girl. You're takin'
the eyebrows off next, right, Byron?
Bill nudges Randy, and laughs.

Mason does not find it funny.

58.
INT.

UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - MORNING

The kids wander down the hallway, filing into Mason's bedroom.
INT.

BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Randy, Samantha, and Mindy enter one at a time, to let Mason

know they are leaving for school.
RANDY
Mason, we're leavin'.
SAMANTHA
You're not sick.
Mindy is the last to leave the room, shaking her head in
disbelief.
INT.

FRONT ENTRY - CONTINUOUS

The kids file down the stairs.

Bye, guys.
Bye, mom.

Mom is getting ready to go.

MOM
KIDS

MOM
Where is Mason?
RANDY
He doesn't feel too good. I don't
think he's going to school.
SAMANTHA
He's totally faking it.
Bye.
INT.

MOM

BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Mom knocks on Mason's door, then enters the room.

MOM
Mason, what's goin' on?
MASON
I don't feel good.
MOM
Yeah? Well your head feels fine.
get your ass out of bed.
(MORE)

So

59.
MOM (CONT'D)
I'm gonna drive you to school, you
got five minutes and don't make me
late.
EXT.

SCHOOL - DAY

Mom is dropping Mason off at school.

MASON
I mean, he didn't even ask! He just
cut it. I mean, it's my hair!
MOM
Well, no wonder you were angry.
be angry too.

I'd

MASON
I look like a martian now.
MOM
Honey, you know what? I'm gonna
talk to him about it later, okay?
MASON
Yeah, I tried to call you but you
didn't answer your phone.
MOM
I'm so sorry. I've been so busy
with school... Hey.
She touches his hair, lovingly.
MOM (CONT'D)
For what it's worth, it's hair and
it will grow back. Now I can see
your pretty eyes and your foxy face.
MASON
Why'd you even marry him?
a jerk.

He's such

MOM
Well, Bill has his good qualities.
You know, nobody's perfect. And now
we have a family.
MASON
We already had a family.
With this, Mason turns and exits the car.

60.
INT.

SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

Mason walks down the hall, towards his classroom door.

INT.

CLASSROOM - DAY

Mason enters the classroom, just as his class begins reciting

the Pledge of Allegiance.
STUDENTS
I pledge allegiance to the flag of
the United States of America, and to
the Republic for which it stands,
one nation, under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
Students snicker at Mason's new haircut.
TEACHER (O.S.)
Please join me in the Texas pledge.
STUDENTS
Honor the Texas flag, I pledge
allegiance to thee, Texas, one and
indivisible.
Thank you.

TEACHER (O.S.)
You may be seated.

The students continue laughing at Mason.

TEACHER (CONT'D)
Alright! Alright class, as you know,
we've been working on our mythology
projects. And we're going to be
writing papers about gods and
goddesses. We've listed those gods
and goddesses here on the board. We
added a couple of monsters, for some
of you who might be interested in
that. And you're going to write
your essay about your god or goddess,
and to make sure that you cover
everything, let's make sure that we
do all of these things right here...
Mason is handed a note from across the room.
TEACHER (CONT'D)
First of all, we need to name your
god or goddess, and you need to
include who, what, when, where, why,
and how...
The note reads: Mason, I think your hair looks kewl! - Nicole

61.
TEACHER (CONT'D)
So make sure that you cover all those
things when writing your essay.
EXT.

NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - DAY

Mason and Randy ride their bikes, while the Neighborhood Boy
skateboards alongside them.
NEIGHBORHOOD BOY
There's a bump right there.
Neighborhood Boy skates off in a different direction.
NEIGHBORHOOD BOY (CONT'D)
Alright, I'll see y'all later, guys.
Yeah.
INT.

RANDY

GARAGE - DAY

Mason and Randy pull up to a half open garage and drop their
bikes outside. Mom can be seen laying on the floor of the
garage, crying.
MASON
Mom, are you okay?
RANDY
What happened?
MOM
No -- Go in the house! Go! Go in
the house! Go in the house!
BILL
Your mother had a little accident.
Now she's being dramatic.
Mom is still crying as the boys exit.
with a drink in his hand.

Bill enters the garage

BILL (CONT'D)
Get off the fucking floor Olivia,
for Christ's sake!
Mom continues to cry.
INT.

DINING AREA - MOMENTS LATER

Bill walks in angrily, carrying a bottle. He loudly bangs

things on the table, and pours himself a drink.

62.
BILL
I'm having a drink with my dinner.
Anybody else have a problem with
that? Hm? Samantha?
The family is seated at the dinner table, practically frozen.
SAMANTHA

No.

BILL

Mindy?

MINDY

No.

BILL
I didn't think so.
He drinks the entire glass, and slowly zeros in on Mason.
BILL (CONT'D)
You don't like me much, do you Mason?
That's okay, I don't like me either.
Think that's funny, huh? You think
that's fuckin' funny?
Bill throws his empty glass at Mason's plate, shattering it.
MOM

Oh!

BILL (O.S.)
(to Randy)
What's the matter, you feeling a
little left out?
Bill throws the empty whiskey bottle past Randy.
on the floor.
MOM

Oh!

BILL
Clean it up, goddamnit!
up!
Bill!

It shatters

Bill!

Clean it

MOM

BILL
Clean it up, goddamnit!
squash!

I hate

Bill walks away, leaving the shocked family at the table.

63.
INT.

BEDROOM - NIGHT

Mason watches THE LANDLORD web video on his laptop. The

other kids lounge about the room, listening to the audio.
SAMANTHA
How many times can you watch that,
Mason?
It's funny.

MASON

A moment passes as Mason watches his video.

MASON (CONT'D)
Has he ever gotten this bad before?
RANDY
No, but he's yelled a lot.
MINDY
Yeah, but he hasn't thrown and broken
stuff.
INT.

LIVING ROOM - DAY

Bill sits on the coffee table, facing all four kids in a row
on the sofa.
BILL
Give me your cell phones.
talked to her, huh?
The girls shake their heads no.
call histories.
Mason?
No.
Mindy?
No.

Bill is checking their phone

BILL (CONT'D)
MASON
BILL
MINDY

BILL
I'll believe you...
No.

So nobody

Samantha?

SAMANTHA

Bill holds her phone screen out, as if to prove her wrong.

64.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
I didn't talk to her. She left a
message.
BILL
What'd she say?
SAMANTHA
Nothing much.
BILL
What did she say?
SAMANTHA
She said she'd be back later.
BILL
And that's all? "I'll be back later,"
click?
SAMANTHA
She said, "Stay in your rooms.
be back later."

I'll

BILL (O.S.)
I'll be back later, stay in your
rooms. And that's all? Hm?
Yeah.

SAMANTHA

BILL
Where is she?
SAMANTHA
I don't know.
BILL
Where is she?
SAMANTHA
She didn't say!
BILL
Alright, everybody get in the car.
Hurry up! Get in the car!
EXT.

LIQUOR STORE PARKING LOT - DAY

Mindy stands at the ATM. The screen first reads: PLEASE

TAKE YOUR RECEIPT. Then: INSUFFICIENT FUNDS. She walks
over to Bill's car window.
MINDY
It's still not working.

65.
BILL
Ohh, bullshit. She took it all.
INT.

DRIVER'S SEAT - CONTINUOUS

Bill sloppily writes out a check.

been drinking.

It's obvious that he has

BILL
Alright, Randy, go cash this. Uh...
Tell him I'm not feeling well or
something. I don't know. Mason, go
with him. Here. Here's my ID.
Mindy gets back into the car, as Mason and Randy exit.
INT.

LIQUOR STORE - CONTINUOUS

Mason and Randy enter the liquor store.

CLERK
Hi, good afternoon, fellas.
can I do for you today?

What

Randy lays the check and driver's license down on the counter,
for the Clerk to examine.
CLERK (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Now what's this? Can't read this.
Hey! This isn't you, who is this?
RANDY
(pointing outside)
It's our... dad.
Bill waves from the car.
RANDY (CONT'D)
He's not feeling well.
CLERK
Oh! Hey! Yeah, I know him. Okay,
here we go. Five hundred bucks.
One, two, three, four... Five hundred
bucks. Alright? Don't forget your
dad's ID.
The boys leave the store, while the Clerk calls after them.
CLERK (CONT'D)
Alright, take care of your dad now,
son. You've only got the one.

66.
INT. CAR - DAY
Bill is impatiently stuck behind a slow-moving car.
Damnit.
Christ.

BILL
Get outta the way!
God!

Jesus

The children SCREAM as Bill weaves in and out of traffic

trying to pass the car.
Calm down!

BILL

(CONT'D)

MASON
What the hell?!
INT.

HOUSE - DAY

Mom walks into the front entry, but stops there.

friend, CAROL, waiting behind her.
MOM
(shouting)
Samantha! Mason!

She has a

Samantha!

Samantha is a the top of the stairs observing the scene.

Bill approaches the front entry.
BILL
Where the hell have you been?
MOM
I'm leaving you, Bill.
out.

We're moving

BILL
I doubt that.
MOM
Samantha and Mason!

Come down!

BILL
No, mm-mm, don't think so.
this?

Oh, who's

CAROL
I'm not here for you!
BILL
Oh, really? Oh, I know, you're here
to protect my wife from me. Well,
thank you so much, you two.
He reaches towards her.

67.
MOM
Okay, stay back!

Now behave!

BILL
Why don't you come inside here, huh?
Come inside here.
(To Samantha and Mason)
Where the hell are you goin'? Get
your ass upstairs, you're not goin'
anywhere.
MOM
Stop!
(to Samantha and Mason)
Come on!
BILL
Where the hell do you think you're
going?
Bill notices Randy and Mindy listening.
BILL (CONT'D)
Get upstairs! What the hell-Hey!

MOM

BILL
Nobody's going anywhere, goddamnit.
Stop it!

MOM

BILL
No, goddamnit!
Bill moves to block them from leaving the house with his
arm.
MOM
Don't touch my kids!
BILL
Alright, take 'em.

Go on, go on.

MOM
Don't touch them!
Take 'em!
Come on.
okay.

BILL
CAROL
It's okay, it's okay, it's

68.
BILL
Well take 'em then, just take 'em!
Go!
Bill turns back to Mindy and Randy.
BILL (CONT'D)
(to Randy and Mindy)
Get upstairs!
(calling down the
street)
Olivia!
Seat belts!

MOM
Put your seat belts on.

The car backs out of the driveway and leaves.

INT.

VAN - CONTINUOUS
SAMANTHA
Where are we going?
MOM
We're going to stay with Carol and
her family for a while.

Samantha and Mason look around.

MOM (CONT'D)
Don't look back.
CAROL (O.S.)
It's gonna be okay.
INT.

CAROL'S HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER

Mason and Carol's son, LEE, play a boxing game on Nintendo

Wii, while her daughter, ABBY, sings in the background. Mom
brings the boys a snack.
MOM
Hey, Lee and Mason.
Here's a snack.
Abby continues to sing.

Take a break.

The room is tense.

CAROL
Hey, Abby, why don't you come help
me with this, huh?
SAMANTHA
Why couldn't Randy and Mindy come
with us?

69.
MOM
I'm not their legal guardian, honey.
That would be kidnapping. I can't
just...
SAMANTHA
Well, what's gonna happen to them?
What happens when their legal guardian
is dangerous and abusive?
MOM
You know, I don't know honey. I
called their mom. I called the Child
Protective Services. You know, I
have you and your brother. We were
in a dangerous situation. You're my
responsibility.
SAMANTHA
Are we ever gonna see them again?
MOM
I don't know. And I hope so.
SAMANTHA
How much longer are we gonna be here?
Mom fights back tears.
MOM
Not long. We're...
(starts crying)
Oh, I don't -- I don't know. I don't
have the answer to everything.
CAROL
Hey, listen. We are happy to have
you here as long as you want. As
long as you need. This is fun for
us, isn't it?
Mm-hmm.

ABBY

CAROL
Yeah, it's like having a big sister?
Like having a brother.
MOM
We're gonna help out, right? You're
not even gonna know we're here.
Okay.

CAROL

70.
EXT.

SCHOOL - DAY

Mom pulls up to drop Samantha off at the front doors of her

new Junior High School.
SAMANTHA
Mom, this is awful. You're dumping
me in some parking lot of this school
where I don't even know anyone! I'm
leaving all my friends and I didn't
even get to say goodbye! I don't
know where to go!
MOM
Okay, Samantha. You go right through
that door. The office is right there.
They're expecting you, they're gonna
give you your schedule. Here's your
lunch money. I will pick you up
right here at 3:30.
SAMANTHA
I'm wearing dirty clothes! Because
you wouldn't even let us get our
stuff! We don't even have a place
to live! This sucks!
Samantha gets out of the car, slamming the door behind her.
Mom screams out of the window as she walks away.
MOM
Samantha... I'm doing the best I
can! And you're right, it sucks!
But it doesn't suck half as much as
having a drunk fool slam your head
against a wall! So cut your horseshit
attitude.
Mom turns to Mason in the back as he climbs toward the front
seat.
MOM (CONT'D)
Put your seat belt on!
INT.

SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

Mom is walking Mason to his class.

MOM
You know if you need anything I'm in
room 112, right?
Mason nods.

71.
MOM (CONT'D)
Okay. This is Mrs. Darby's room.
Oh, honey, it's gonna be okay. Okay?
Mom leans in to kiss him.
Mom...

MASON

Mason walks away, embarrassed at her public affection.

INT.

SCHOOL CLASSROOM - CONTINUOUS

The students all make small talk as they wait for class to
begin. Mason enters and looks to MRS. DARBY for instruction.
Hi!

MRS. DARBY
Are you Mason?

Yeah.

MASON

MRS. DARBY
Hi. I'm Mrs. Darby. I'm glad to
meet you. Why don't you sit here?
(to Kenny)
Kenny! Off!
Kenny climbs down from on top of his desk and takes his seat.
Yes ma'am.

KENNY

MRS. DARBY
Kenny. This is Mason and I want you
to show him around today, okay?
Got it.
Okay.
Hey dude.

KENNY
MRS. DARBY
KENNY
Welcome to the suck.

The boys trade a casual low five and exchange a smile.

MRS. DARBY (O.S.)
Everybody, listen up. We have a new
student joining us today. His name
is Mason, he's sitting in the back
row.
(MORE)

72.
MRS. DARBY (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Kenny's gonna be his buddy, but I
want each one of you to take the time
today, to introduce yourselves, and
welcome him to school. Okay?
Alright? Let's get started.
EXT.

NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - DAY

Mason pushes an Obama/Biden campaign sign into the ground,

before he and Samantha walk across the street. Samantha
waits in the street with more signs, while Mason knocks on
the RESIDENT's front door.
What?

RESIDENT

(O.S.)

The white-haired Resident is standing to Mason's right,

beneath his carport.
MASON
Oh, hi. Can I put an Obama sign in
your yard?
RESIDENT
Do I look like a Barack Hussein Obama
supporter?
Mason shrugs.
No.

RESIDENT (CONT'D)

Mason turns to leave.

RESIDENT (CONT'D)
This is private property. Get off.
I could shoot you!
He rejoins Samantha at the street.
What a dick.

MASON

SAMANTHA
He had a Confederate flag on his
house.
EXT.

NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - MOMENTS LATER

Samantha is now talking to a young, BLONDE HOUSEWIFE.

I love it!

BLONDE HOUSEWIFE
(MORE)

73.
BLONDE HOUSEWIFE (CONT'D)
Young Obama supporters out on the
trail. This is great! Are you doing
this through your school?
Um.

SAMANTHA
Our dad's a big supporter.

BLONDE HOUSEWIFE
Oh, that's great. I mean, we've
just got to pull together to get
this win, right?
Yeah.

SAMANTHA

BLONDE HOUSEWIFE
Oh, I just love him so much. I mean
I have these dreams where I'm just
kissing him because I just love him
so much! He's so cute, isn't he?
(laughs)
Yeah.

SAMANTHA

BLONDE HOUSEWIFE
Do you know, I made these t-shirts
for my kids. "My Momma's for Obama!"
Do you like it? It's good, right?
Yeah.
Samantha turns to walk towards the street.
BLONDE HOUSEWIFE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Thanks for the sign!
No problem.

SAMANTHA (O.S.)

Dad pulls up in his car, arriving to pick them up.

DAD
Hey, alright! Looks good! How many
you got left, two? Alright, alright,
we're done. Let's get out of here.
Come on, Sam.
Dad spots a McCain sign in the front yard across the street.
DAD (CONT'D)
(to Mason)
Go get that McCain sign, would you?

74.
MASON
(hesitating)
What?
DAD
Get the McCain sign! Go rip it up,
come on! Get it, get it, get it...
Go! Go! Go!
Mason runs across the street to grab the sign.
DAD (CONT'D)
Good job, buddy. Yeah. Proud of
you, son.
Dad closes the stolen sign into the trunk of his car, before
the three of them drive off down the street.
SAMANTHA
You guys are gonna get us arrested.
DAD
Hey, look. I'm a patriot, alright?
Sometimes in this life, you gotta
fight.
INT.

BOWLING ALLEY CAFE - EVENING

They sit around a table talking.

DAD (O.S.)
And what is it that you do at these
parties?
SAMANTHA
I don't know... talk, dance, listen
to music.
DAD
Uh-huh. And that's more fun to you
than going camping with your brother
and your father who love you?
SAMANTHA

Yes.

Sorry.

Wow.

DAD
Is there gonna be alcohol there?

SAMANTHA
Probably not. Maybe some of the
seniors.

75.
DAD
Mm-hmm. I know what this party is.
The parents are out of town, right?
Somebody's uh, scored a keg, right...
You guys are gonna have a good time,
trash the whole house... Right? Am
I right?
SAMANTHA

No.
No?

DAD

No?

SAMANTHA
Amy's really responsible.

No, Dad.
Mm-hmm.

(O.S.)

DAD
Who's gonna be there?

SAMANTHA
Marie, Christine, Amy... Everyone.
DAD
Is uh, is that guy on your Facebook
page, is he gonna be there? Hm?
Who?

SAMANTHA

DAD
Come on, the guy that has got his
arm wrapped around you with his hair
over his eyes and -Garrett?

SAMANTHA

DAD
Garrett, is that his name?
is Garrett gonna be there?
Probably?

Alright,

SAMANTHA

DAD
Probably.
(to Mason)
Uh-huh, you see? I learn more about
her from her Facebook page than I do
from our scintillating conversation.
(to Samantha)
Is he your boyfriend?

76.
Kind of.

SAMANTHA

Dad turns to Mason for further information.

DAD
Have you met him?
the house?
Sometimes.
Sometime-zz?

Has he been around

MASON
DAD
Zzz?

Dad turns his attention back to Samantha.

DAD (CONT'D)
You have a boyfriend... Wow.
you heard of Sarah Palin?
Yes.

Have

SAMANTHA

DAD
What's the one thing that you know
about Sarah Palin's seventeen year
old daughter?
SAMANTHA
She's pregnant?
DAD
That's right. And what is the one
thing that you are not going to be
in a couple of years when you turn
seventeen?
Pregnant?

SAMANTHA

DAD
That's right! Alright, now what are
the, the two ways that you can achieve
that goal? The first is... not have
any sex. Okay? That's the first
way. Okay? Just not engage in that.
That did not work out very well for
your mother and me. And what's the
second way?
Mason stands to leave the table.
DAD (CONT'D)
Where are you going?

77.
MASON

Bathroom.

DAD
You don't have to go to the bathroom.
Sit down, Mason. Just... Just sit
down. What's the second way?
Alright? Has your mother talked to
you guys about this stuff?
Oh, Dad.

SAMANTHA
Dad.

DAD
No, come on. Has she talked to you
about... contraception?
The kids are visibly uncomfortable with the conversation.
DAD (CONT'D)
Huh? What has she -- condoms?
she talked about that?
Oh, Dad.
What?

Has

SAMANTHA (O.S.)
Please!

What?

DAD

SAMANTHA
That's enough.
Well.
Ohh!

DAD
Does Garret have a condom?
God!

SAMANTHA
Dad!

DAD
What? What, come on Sam. We have
to be able to talk about this.
Alright? Come on, we do. We can do
it. We can do it. Just stay with
me here. Alright? It's as hard for
me as it is for you. But, seriously
though, alright, I read an article
in the paper the other day... that
said that although U.S. teenagers
are not the most sexually active, we
have the highest rate of teenage
pregnancy. Okay?
A woman, TAMMY, walks up to the table, interrupting their
conversation.

78.
Hey.

TAMMY
What's goin' on?

Oh, hey.

DAD
Hey, Tammy.

How you doin'?

Dad stands to greet Tammy.

TAMMY
Nice to see you.
DAD
Wow, yeah, good to see you. Um,
Tammy, this is my daughter Samantha.
TAMMY

Hey.

DAD
And this is Mason Junior right here.
Tammy.
TAMMY
Mason Junior.
DAD

Say hi.

(O.S.)

(O.S.)

MASON

Hi.

TAMMY
Hi, Mason. Nice to meet you.
a lot about you guys.
Yeah, yeah.
You uh...

Heard

DAD
What're you doin' here?

TAMMY
Oh, I'm just here with some friends.
DAD
Oh, well, uh....
Yeah.

TAMMY
What are you guys up to?

Dad sits back down at the table.

DAD
Um, we're going camping. Well no,
this one is not going camping. This
one is going to a party.

79.
TAMMY
(to Samantha)
Ohh... Fun.
DAD
We, the men, are going camping.
TAMMY
Boys are going camping. Alright,
very nice. Well uh, we still on for
tomorrow or...?
Yeah -Yeah?

DAD

(O.S.)

TAMMY

DAD
Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, I'll drop him
off at seven and then I'll just call
you, alright?
TAMMY
Okay. Great. It was really nice
meeting you both. Take care.
DAD
I'll see you.
TAMMY
Talk to you soon. Bye.
Tammy walks away. Mason smirks at his dad.
DAD
Don't -- don't, don't look at me
like that, alright? I just -- look,
just to finish the point -- okay? I
was twenty-three when your mom had
you, alright? So was she, alright?
And we didn't put ourselves in the
best position to be great parents,
and I wish that -- I wish I were a
better parent to you guys. Alright?
And I, I hope that you can learn
from my mistakes. Okay? So, wear a
condom. Or get Garrett to -- I don't
know. Whatever.
Samantha cringes, as Dad laughs. Mason can't help but smile.

80.
INT. MOVING CAR - DAY
Dad and Mason are driving along the open road, listening to
a song by Wilco.
DAD
Now... listen to this song, alright?
Sings along:
DAD (CONT'D)
"I try to stay busy" It's just
straight up, the lyrics... it's a
straight up old school country song.
SONG
"I do the dishes, I mow the lawn..."
DAD
Listen to the production of this.
Production's like uh, like "Abbey
Road" or something.
SONG
"I try to keep myself occupied"
Dad sings along.
DAD
"Even though I know you're not comin'
home." You know, his old woman's
gone... straight up. Nothin' fancy.
DAD AND SONG
"I try to keep the house nice and
neat. Make my bed. I change the
sheets."
EXT. RIVERBED - DAY
Mason and Dad walk along the rocks, mid-conversation. They
sit down near the water and begin taking off socks and shoes.
MASON
Yeah, I think she's about to get her
master's degree.
DAD
Well, then she's gonna start applying
for teaching jobs?
MASON
I think she already has.

81.
Really?

DAD
Where?

(shrugs)
All over.

MASON

DAD
All over Texas?
Yeah.

MASON

DAD
Well, if you gotta move, you gotta
move, you know? It's no big deal.
We can handle that. I'll still come
get you every other weekend. I mean,
unless she moves 500 miles away or
something, it'll just be a little
more car time. No big deal.
MASON
I'm just kinda sick of moving.
DAD
Well, I bet you are. But you know,
you never know. I mean, I might
have to move, right? I'm working
for this insurance company now.
These places get bought and sold all
the time. You know? We'll just
roll with it.
They take off pants, walk up to the water in boxer shorts.
MASON
I thought you were a musician?
DAD
I am but... life is expensive, you
know. Guy's got to be responsible.
What do you think?
Mason pushes his Dad into the water, then dives in himself.
DAD (CONT'D)
Hey, hey, you bast -- Oh you, punk
kid! You got no respect!
Dad splashes his son and they both begin to swim.
CUT TO:

82.
EXT. FOREST - DAY
Mason and Dad are now hiking through the woods.
MASON
You know that redhead at the bowling
alley?
Sure.

DAD
What about her?

MASON
Do you know her well?
DAD
Ahhh, you know, we've hung out a
little bit.
MASON
Is she your girlfriend?
DAD
How do you mean?
MASON
Like... have you kissed her?
DAD
Um... Yeah. Yeah. I've kissed her.
What about you? You got a girlfriend?
MASON

Sort of.
Really.
her?

DAD
Have you uh, have you kissed

Not really.
Yeah.

MASON

DAD
Well, what have you done?

MASON
Well, we talked on the phone.
Oh yeah?

DAD
How'd that go?

MASON
Pretty terrible.
Oh yeah?

DAD
(MORE)

83.

Why?

(Laughs)

DAD (CONT'D)

MASON
Well, when we're at school, we got
plenty to talk about, but when we're
alone or on the phone, it's like we
have nothing in common.
Nothing?

DAD

MASON
Uh, she's not interested in music or
video games or... the three best
movies this summer...
All right.

DAD
What?

MASON
Tropic Thunder, Dark Knight and
Pineapple Express.
DAD
Yeah, what about 'em?
MASON
She said they all sucked.
DAD
Okay, well what's she interested in?
MASON
I don't know. Goin' to the mall
with her stupid friends.
DAD
Alright. Well, is she cute?
your step there.
Yeah.

Watch

MASON

DAD
Yeah? Alright. Well, here's what
you do. Alright. First off, you
gotta ask her a lot of questions.
Then you have to listen to the
answers, alright, actually be
interested in her. Alright, if you
can do those things, you're gonna be
light years ahead of all the other
guys.

84.
EXT.

CAMPSITE - NIGHT

Dad and Mason sit around the campfire, making s'mores.

DAD
Okay, this is the best s'more I ever
made in my life, alright.
Dad...

MASON

DAD
This is absolute peak.

Look at this.

MASON
Ah, that's just perfect.
DAD
Honey brown, no burn... look at that,
huh?
Mason laughs.
DAD (CONT'D)
Sell that in the store. Mmm.
MASON
That's like advertisement worthy.
Mm-hm.
Yeah.

DAD
Advertisement quality.
MASON

Dad laughs.
DAD
You think they ever will make another
"Star Wars"?
MASON
I don't know. I mean, I think if
they were to make another one that
the period where the game is set is
where it would have to be, 'cause
there's nothin' after, really. At
the end -DAD
Yeah, no, "Return of the Jedi" it's
over. There's nothin' --

85.
MASON
Yeah, there's nothing else to do
there. But -DAD
You know, you can turn Han Solo into
a Sith lord. I mean -MASON
Yeah, what are you gonna do?
They share a laugh.
EXT. CAMPSITE - LATER
Dad is singing and playing guitar -- "L.A. Freeway." -- from
inside the tent.
EXT.

CAMPSITE - DAY

Dad is standing over the campfire, peeing on it.

out of the tent.
DAD
Good mornin'.
Mornin'.

MASON

DAD
You gotta pee?
Sure.

MASON

DAD
Ah. Hit the campfire. Ancient, uh,
Native American custom. You're gonna
give back to the Earth what you take
from it and you don't burn the forest
down.
Mason pees onto the fire.
EXT.

SCHOOL - DAY

Mom pulls up to drop the kids off at school.

MOM
Okay guys, you have a good day.
Mason, don't forget, I have to teach
late today. Sam's gonna pick you
up. Right, Sam?

Mason steps

86.
SAMANTHA

Yeah.
Alright.
Okay.

MASON

MOM
Bye, guys.
MASON

See ya.

Mason exits the car and walks toward the school building.
INT. SCHOOL - DAY
Mason walks down the hall with his classmate TONY.
TONY
Hey. That's who I was talking to
you about.
Yeah.

MASON
Good luck with that.

TONY
See you, man.
Mason stops to get new books out of his locker.
INT.

REST ROOM - DAY

Mason fixes his hair in the mirror. Two BULLIES are

vandalizing the walls. Bully #1 turns and wanders over to
Mason, suddenly bumping into him.
BULLY #1
Don't bump into me! Little bitch!
I didn't!

MASON

BULLY #1
You callin' me a liar?
No.

MASON

BULLY #1
Don't act like you're tough shit,
motherfucker.
Bully #2 walks over to join the altercation.

87.
BULLY #2
I don't think pretty boy's hair's
good enough.
Bully #2 tries to mess with Mason's hair. Mason blocks his
hand.
Hey!

BULLY #2 (CONT'D)
Don't touch me, faggot!

Another student enters. The two bullies start to walk away.

Bully #1 shoves Mason and flips him off, as they exit.
BULLY #1
You're a fuckin' asshole.
EXT. SCHOOL - AFTERNOON
Mason leans against the wall of the school, waiting for
Samantha to pick him up. When he realizes she isn't coming,
he starts to walk away.
EXT. DOWNTOWN SAN MARCOS - MOMENTS LATER
Mason is now passing through an alley with JILL, who walks
her bike alongside him.
Hey, Mason!
Hi Jill.

JILL

(O.S.)

MASON

JILL
So, where are you going?
MASON
Over to the college.
JILL
What's going on there?
MASON
My mom's a teacher.
Oh, cool!

JILL
What does she teach?

MASON
Psychology... I think.
up to?

What are you

JILL
Oh, my mom owns Needleworks.
(MORE)

88.
JILL (CONT'D)
The arts and crafts store over there?
So I'm just kind of hanging out.
But I'm supposed to be going to the
hospital soon.
How come?

MASON

JILL
You know Courtney? Girl with the
dyed black hair and the nose ring?
Wears Hot Topic every day?
MASON
I... think so.
JILL
We used to be best friends growing
up, but we've kinda grown apart.
She sorta got all emo. She thinks
I'm a prep. But, I still consider
her a friend! Anyway, she cut one
of her wrists. I don't know how
bad, but I think I should go visit.
Jill glances down at the book in Mason's hand.
JILL (CONT'D)
So what are you reading?
MASON
Oh, it's uh, "Breakfast of Champions".
Kurt Vonnegut.
JILL
I think my older brother likes him.
I'm reading "To Kill a Mockingbird"
for the third time. My friends make
fun of me. I think I'm the only
girl in the whole school who doesn't
like the "Twilight" books. Have you
read them?
MASON
Sure haven't.
JILL
I tried... but it was so cheesy!
how do you like San Marcos?

So

MASON
I like it alright. It's a lot smaller
than Houston, but it seems pretty
cool. Have you always lived here?

89.
JILL
Yeah. If you want the big city around
here, you have to drive to San Antonio
or Austin. Have you been there yet?
MASON
I went to San Antonio for a day,
but... I haven't been to Austin yet.
JILL
That's where all the high school
kids go, on weekends, for shows and
stuff.
MASON
That's what I've heard.
JILL
So are you going to Shauna's party
next weekend?
MASON
Um... I think I heard about it.
not really sure, though.

I'm

JILL
Well you should!
Why's that?

MASON

JILL
Well -- LeeAnn has a big crush on
you and I know she was hoping you
would go. You don't have a
girlfriend, do you?
MASON
Not currently.
JILL
Well then, you should come. I'll
tell Chase to make sure you're there.
Okay.

MASON

JILL
But don't tell LeeAnn I told you
that. She'd kill me.
I won't.

MASON

90.
JILL
Well, I better get going.
later.
Bye.

See you

MASON

INT. COLLEGE CLASSROOM - DAY

Mason walks into his mother's classroom. He takes a seat to
observe from the back, while she lectures.
MOM (O.S.)
His cognitive series, his interviews
with orphans, Ethology theorists'
work... And then he in turn was
supported strongly by Harry Harlow's
rhesus monkey study. Now you guys,
you gotta think, this is the 1950's,
this was radical! This flew in the
face of traditional learning theory,
of B.F. Skinner's classical and
instrumental conditioning. Now,
Bowlby is going to argue that human
survival depends on us falling in
love. It depends on me falling in
love with my mother, and my mother
falling in love with me. And if
that doesn't happen, we're pretty
much doomed. Now think about it. A
tiger chases our tribe out of a cave.
Now an ideal mother goes, "Huh! My
baby! I love you! I'll protect
you!" Or... "Well you, why am I
going to pick you up? You're going
to slow me down. You... are... tiger
kibble!"
The class laughs.
MOM (CONT'D)
So next week we are gonna get into
Bowlby's four stages of attachment -oh oh, uh, Professor Douglas and I -some of you might have classes with
Elena -- she and I are hosting a
little pre-Thanksgiving get-together
at my place, so if anyone wants to
come, please stop by.
(pause)
I'm not the greatest cook...
The class laughs again.

91.
INT. APARTMENT - DAY
Mason opens the door as he and his mother enter the house.
Thanks.

MOM

Mom drops her purse on the table and then walks down the
hallway to Samantha's bedroom. She knocks on the door before
walking inside.
Samantha!

MOM (CONT'D)

Samantha is sitting on her bed, listening to music with a

friend, GABY.
Okay!

SAMANTHA
Mom...

MOM
Why in the hell didn't you pick up
your brother like you said you would?
SAMANTHA
Mom, I know what you're gonna say.
She was running late and we couldn't
turn around.
MOM
No, no! No excuses! The bottom
line is you didn't do what you said
you were gonna do. You stranded
your brother!
SAMANTHA
It's embarrassing to ask my friend
to turn around and go get some kid
at the middle school.
MOM
What do you mean "some kid"? He's
your brother! And you know what?
We've helped Janie out before. I
mean, she lives right around the
corner. It's no big deal.
Sorry.

SAMANTHA

MOM
You know what, Samantha? You need
to start thinking long and hard about
who you want to be.
(MORE)

92.
MOM (CONT'D)
Do you want to be a cooperative
person, who is compassionate and
helps people out? Or do you want to
be a self-centered narcissist?
SAMANTHA
You know what? You're right. I am
this horrible person... But honestly,
he's not a baby anymore. You don't
have to treat him like one. He's in
eighth grade and he can find his way
home if he wants to.
MOM
You know what? When Gaby leaves,
you and me are gonna have a chat.
Mom leaves the room.
SAMANTHA
(to Gaby)
Awkward...
Gaby and Samantha laugh together.
GABY
Dude, that sucks.
EXT.

APARTMENT - DAY

CHASE approaches Mason's front door and knocks.

the door.
Hey man.

MASON
What's up?

CHASE
Hey, we're going camping tonight.
You in?
MASON
Uh, who's goin'?
CHASE
My brother, one of his friends, and
Tony... Maybe.
MASON
Yeah, let me check with my mom.
INT.

MOM'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Mom is sitting on her bed grading papers.

Mason answers

93.
MASON
Hey, Mom. Can I go camping with
Chase tonight?
Camping?

MOM
Where?

MASON
Uh, at that house that his family's
building. It's pretty much finished.
MOM
Well, will any adults be there?
MASON
(shrugs)
His brother's a senior.
MOM
You have your cell phone?
Yeah.

MASON

MOM
Is it charged?
Mm-hmm.

(O.S.)

MASON

MOM
Okay, do me a favor. Leave his
parents' number and the address on
the counter.
Okay.
INT.

MASON

CAMPING HOUSE - NIGHT

Mason, Chase, and Tony are now with two older guys, CHARLIE
(Chase's older brother) and his friend (SENIOR GUY). The
boys are drinking beer and breaking wooden boards with their
feet.
Yeah!

SENIOR GUY
That's what I'm talkin' about!

The boys murmur indistinctly.

SENIOR GUY (CONT'D)
You ready? Check this shit out.
That was alright, but this is gonna
be badass.

94.
CHARLIE
Alright, let me see, let me see what
you can do.
SENIOR GUY
Alright. This -- is your face. I'm
about to break his face, right here...
Senior Guy kicks through the wooden board.
BOYS
Ohh shit, alright.

Nice.

CHARLIE
Alright, alright.
CHASE
Alright, alright. Now check this
out. You might want to move.
Chase picks up a circular saw blade and throws it into a
large piece of sheet-rock with the outline of a body on it.
CHASE (CONT'D)
Oww, that'd be painful. That's like
the liver, stomach, something -TONY
That's like the belly button -MASON
Check this out, man.
Mason also heaves the blade into the human outline.
Whoa!

TONY
Pancreas!

MASON
That shit's lethal.
CHASE
Yeah, that would be painful.
CHARLIE
(To Mason)
Man, have a beer, man.
awesome. Here.

That was

Mason takes the beer and opens it, winning the boys' approval.
SENIOR GUY
It's beer-30, children.

95.
CHASE

Nice.

Chase offers a beer to Tony.

TONY
Aw, no thanks.
CHASE
Come on, man.
CHARLIE
What, are you a pussy?
TONY
No, I just don't feel like drinking
a beer right now.
CHARLIE
Man, if you're too chicken shit to
even have a beer, I know for a fact
that you have never gotten any pussy.
TONY
Like you guys have.
CHASE

Sure have.

TONY

When?
Last summer.
With who?

CHASE
MASON

CHARLIE
It was awesome. Chase went down
easy street and fucked this whore
Nancy. At least that's what he said.
I did.

CHASE
Would I lie?

Bullshit.

SENIOR GUY
Quick, where were you?

CHASE
At Tobler's house. And, she fucked
a couple other guys, too.

96.
CHARLIE
Oh man, his first piece of ass was
sloppy seconds.
The boys all laugh.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
What about you, Mason? You ever got
any?
SENIOR GUY
Yeah, you ever made her, uh, howl
into the night?
A few times.

MASON

TONY
(skeptical)
Really?
Yeah, right.
Lucky?

SENIOR GUY
What was her name,

MASON
Nooo. Jennifer. She doesn't live
here, though. She's back in Houston.
CHARLIE
You're fucking lying.
MASON
I don't care if you assholes believe
me or not.
SENIOR GUY
Let me guess -- you were pulling all
kinds of ass back home, but once you
got down here... lefty.
Senior Guy motions with his left hand.
MASON
Hey, fuck you. I would, but none of
the girls here want to.
CHARLIE
Dude, it's not what they want, man.
It's what you want.
True dat.

SENIOR GUY

Senior Guy toasts, as Mason rolls his eyes.

97.
CHARLIE
You know what you should do? Join a
band. That's all it takes, man.
Oh yeah?

MASON

CHARLIE
Fuck yeah, dude. You don't even
have to play that well. I mean, you
start playing your instrument, and
they line up to give you blow jobs.
(Points to Tony)
Except for you. It doesn't impress
the ladies so much when you play
flute for the marching band.
TONY
I'm not in the fucking marching band.
SENIOR GUY
Ah dude, you sure? I heard you play
the skin flute.
TONY
Alright, I got a question for you
guys. If you think you're so cool,
why are you hanging out with a bunch
of eighth graders on a Friday night?
SENIOR GUY
Hey, fuck you, you little penis
wrinkle. You know, you're lucky to
even be here. This is our camp out.
The only reason you little cum gums
are here is because fucking Charlie's
mom made him bring his little asshole
brother, and then he drags along you
little dice danglers. Fucking fuzz
nut, talking shit!
Senior Guy throws a beer just past Tony.
CHARLIE
It's all good, man. These little
fuzz nuts are going to get their
chance soon enough. We got some
whores coming by later.
Yeah?
Hell yeah!

CHASE
SENIOR GUY

98.
CHARLIE
Now, I know Chase will fuck anything.
I mean, I've seen this kid mount
boulders before. But what about you
guys? You in?
Whatever.
Alright.

MASON
CHARLIE

SENIOR GUY
Alright, good man. What about you,
Peter Puffer?
TONY
I don't know. Maybe.
SENIOR GUY
Dude, it's okay to be gay. We
understand. Just, you know, sleep
over there.
I'm not gay.

TONY

CHARLIE
Give it some time, man.
realize.
Fuck y'all.

You'll

TONY

CHARLIE
See, that's exactly my point, man.
Nah, but we don't have whores coming
over, we were just fucking with you
to see what you'd say.
SENIOR GUY
Yeah, and you just earned your Vag
Badge.
CHARLIE
Put it next to your bitch card.
SENIOR GUY
Yeah, 'cause you know, you're a bitch.
Now hold this, like the bitch you
are, bitch.
The boys return to breaking boards.

99.
SENIOR GUY (CONT'D)
Alright, this shit is called the
Death Punch.
Senior Guy breaks the board in half with one direct punch.
Ohh!
INT.

Jesus!

BOYS

MOM'S HOUSE - DAY

Mom is hosting a pre-Thanksgiving get-together with 10-15

people all drinking wine and talking
MOM
(to Mason and Samantha)
Hey, you guys made it! Good.
Mom places a cheese plate on the living room table.
MOM (CONT'D)
Oh, there you are.
PROFESSOR DOUGLAS hands Olivia a glass of wine.
PROFESSOR DOUGLAS
And here you go, hostess.
MOM
Oh, thank you. Hey, can I get you a
bite?
INT.

MASON'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Mason sits on his bed, chatting with a COLLEGE GIRL, who

looks around his room. There is a large graffiti mural on
the wall behind him.
COLLEGE GIRL
(points to the mural)
Oh, that's cool.
Thanks.

MASON

COLLEGE GIRL
You did that?
Yeah.

MASON

COLLEGE GIRL
Wow. How long have you been doing
that for?

100.
MASON
Not very long. Um, I went to this
camp thing just this past summer.
COLLEGE GIRL
They have a camp for graffiti?
MASON
Well, they call it "urban art".
COLLEGE GIRL

Oh.

MASON
So it sounds, you know, less illegal,
but... it was really just a way to
get free spray paint.
COLLEGE GIRL
Cool. So is this your tag?
do they still call it...?

Is that --

MASON
Yeah, but you know, it's just letters
that I'm good at writing.
Oh.

K...

MASON

E.
E.

COLLEGE GIRL

Z.

J.

COLLEGE GIRL
O. Kezjo. That's cool.

MASON
It doesn't really mean anything,
though.
The College Girl notices a picture of Mason and his Dad
leaning against the GTO.
COLLEGE GIRL
Is that your dad?
Yeah.

MASON

COLLEGE GIRL
Where's he live?
In Houston.

MASON

101.
COLLEGE GIRL
Get to see him much?
Yeah, yeah.
the summer.
Cool.

MASON
Some weekends, and over
COLLEGE GIRL

MASON
So you're a student of my mom's,
right?
COLLEGE GIRL
Mm-hm. Yeah, she's uh, I got one
class with her. Yeah, she's cool.
MASON
How's she doing? You know, is she -is she a good teacher and everything?
COLLEGE GIRL
Yeah! She's great. She's super
smart and she cares, you know, she
makes it interesting. She's probably
even my favorite teacher.
Mason nods.
INT. DINING AREA - MOMENTS LATER
One of Mom's students, JIM, tells a story while the group
sits around the table eating.
JIM
...So anyway, we figured out a way
to rig up our iPods to the external
speakers on the ASV. So every time
we come rolling into town, you knew
the 456 was there, 'cause we were
bumping House of Pain. It was like,
"Jump around, Jump around." And the
whole family's coming outside, and
you got the kids and the mom and the
dad, and they're all bouncing up and
down. We're throwing out candies
for the kids, and soccer balls, and
Beanie Babies, and Frisbees... Um,
like, smokes for the adults. And
they loved, they absolutely loved,
Gatorade. But for some reason, you
know, they hated the lemon-lime
flavor. I don't know what it was.
Yeah. Couldn't give it away.

102.
The group laughs.
MOM
How long were you over there?
JIM
Uhh... I did two tours in Iraq and
one in Bosnia.
Wow.

MOM

MASON
Did you enlist?
JIM
Mm-hmm. Yeah. I was, um, Army
National Guard. And, uh, you know
coming straight out of high school.
Needed money for college. Seemed
like a decent paying job. And, uh,
did my tour. And whenever I got
done, I told them if there's, you
know, a world-changing event, I'll
come back. And, uh, 3 months later
9/11 happened. And I was back 9/12.
And I'm proud to say the 456, the
whole time we were there, we never
lost a guy. Not one casualty.
MOM
But is that odd?

Is that unusual?

JIM
Yeah. Almost impossible. Like the
guys that came along after us and
replaced us, they didn't listen to
any of our advice. They, you know,
did basically the polar opposite of
what we did, and they lost seven
guys in the first month.
MOM
Wow. What did you guys do
differently?
JIM
Well, I'd like to think it's just a
matter of mutual respect, you know.
I mean, all the time we spent over
there building trust, I mean these
guys basically destroyed it in three
days.

103.
PROFESSOR DOUGLAS
So, what did the locals think about
why we were there?
JIM
Plain and simple.

Oil.
INT.

LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

The College Girl is now playing guitar and singing "Wish You
Were Here" along with others in the living room. At some
point, Mason notices Mom talking with Jim outside on the
porch.
EXT. CAR - NIGHT
A station wagon pulls up in front of Mason's house. The
teenagers inside are listening to music, about to drop Mason
off at home.
INT.

CAR - NIGHT

Mason is in the far back of the station wagon, making out

with a BLONDE GIRL.
CHASE
Hey, Mason.
(hands Mason a joint)
One last hit.
Mason takes a hit of the joint.
CHARLIE
(in the driver's seat)
Hey! Mickey Mouse Club. Get the
fuck out of my car. Just crawl out
the back window or something, man.
Mason climbs out the back window of the station wagon.
BLONDE GIRL
I'm gonna miss you.
MASON
I'll see you on Sunday night.
Alright.
Mm.

BLONDE GIRL
You better text me.

MASON
Do you have any gum?

BLONDE GIRL
Um... yeah, I do, actually.
you go.

Here

104.
Thanks.

MASON
See ya.

Mason kisses her good-night.

INT.

JIM'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Mom is hosting a small get-together, and is currently talking

with Professor Douglas.
MOM
...And they're buying this party
line that they're supposed to feel
bad and trade off their own pension,
as if that's what's corrupting this
nation.
PROFESSOR DOUGLAS
Yeah, because those who hear Fox, in
my opinion, are being lied to.
MOM
Yeah, thank God for Wisconsin. I
mean, we have to follow that example.
PROFESSOR DOUGLAS
You're right.
Mason enters the front door.
Hey, Mason.

JIM
What time is it?

MASON
Uh, like 12:15.
JIM
Happy birthday.
Mason smiles.
Huh!

MOM
Happy birthday!

Mom kisses Mason. Professor Douglas walks over to join them,

taking an interest.
PROFESSOR DOUGLAS
Mason, it's your birthday?
MASON
Uh, just now, I guess.
PROFESSOR DOUGLAS
Yeah, how old are you?

105.
MASON

Fifteen.
Fifteen!

PROFESSOR DOUGLAS
Give me a hug.

Professor Douglas hugs Mason.

PROFESSOR DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
Happy birthday. Oh my goodness!
Professor Douglas rejoins the party.
MOM
(to Mason)
Have you been drinking?
Have you?

MASON

MOM
Yeah, a little.

Have you?

MASON
A little bit.
MOM
Have you been...?
Mom mimes smoking reefer.
MASON
A little bit.
Oh... okay.

MOM

MASON
I'm gonna go to sleep.
MOM
Talk in the morning, huh?
EXT. JIM'S FRONT YARD - DAY
Dad and Jim stand around in front of the house. ANNIE opens
the doors to the new mini-van, so the kids can load their
overnight bags.
Hey, Dad!
Hey!

SAMANTHA

DAD
How you doing?

106.
Dad kisses Samantha on the cheek.
Good!

SAMANTHA
Whose car is that?

DAD
That's our car.

Hey!

Hop on in there.

SAMANTHA
(to Annie)

ANNIE
Hey, sweetie.
Annie give Samantha a hug. Samantha peeks in the side door
of the mini-van, finding baby COOPER in a car seat.
SAMANTHA
Hey Cooper! Hey, how's it goin'?
Hello little brother!
(to Annie)
He's so cute.
EXT. JIM'S SIDE YARD - CONTINUOUS
Mom talks with two workers about an exposed pipe in the yard.
MOM
Can we just replace that part of the
pipe?
WORKER
No, no it's no good.
no good.

Everything is

MOM
(attempting Spanish)
Todo... Total?
WORKER
Everything, yes... Mira.
He shows the broken pipe with his shovel. He asks the other
worker to demonstrate the strength of the replacement pipe
by standing on it.
WORKER (CONT'D)
See this one is...
MOM
Gusto... it's stronger?
Yes.

WORKER
It's better.

Yes, yes, yes.

107.
EXT. JIM'S FRONT YARD - CONTINUOUS
DAD
(to Jim)
Hey listen, uh, thanks for that camera
you got Mason.
Oh,

JIM
yeah... Mason's --

DAD
He's loving that thing.
JIM
He's all into the photography thing
right now.
DAD
Yeah, I know.
JIM
He's actually talking about turning
his, uh, his closet into a dark room.
The red light and developing, the
whole nine...
Yeah?

DAD
You alright with that?

JIM
I probably won't see him for a week...
DAD
Yeah... Right... Well...
JIM
But, you know. He's having a good
time.
DAD
At least he's focusing on something.
Yeah, yeah.
You know?

JIM
DAD
That's what I like.

JIM
Yeah, he's all about it.

108.
EXT.

JIM'S SIDE YARD - CONTINUOUS

MOM
(pointing to the pipe)
Okay... Let's go grande.
WORKER

It's good?

MOM

It's good.
It's good.

WORKER
It's better.

Yes.

He instructs the other worker on how to get started. Mom

turns to join the others in front yard.
MOM
Hey, you know, you're smart.
should be in school.

You

WORKER
I like school, I need school, but
it's hard. I work all day...
MOM
Go to night school. At community
college. It's -- It's pretty
affordable.
EXT. JIM'S FRONT YARD - CONTINUOUS
DAD
You're doing a nice job with the
house though, it's looking great...
really great.
JIM
Thanks. Yeah, you know, some fixits here and there, you know. We
got a good deal on the foreclosure...
So, now I'm finding out why. You
know?
DAD
(laughs)
Yeah. Right?
Mason walks outside, carrying a duffel bag.
Hey bud!

DAD (CONT'D)
Hey, Happy Birthday!

The mini-van catches Mason's attention.

109.
What's that?
What's that?
Get in it.
Dad gives Mason a hug.

MASON
DAD
That's our new car!
Jim shakes Mason's hand.

JIM
Alright, have a good weekend.
Mom arrives at the front yard and greets Dad with a hug.
Hi.

MOM

DAD
Hey, how you doing?
you.

Good to see

MOM
You too.
(to Annie)
Hey!
ANNIE
Hey, how are you?
Mom gives Annie a hug.
MOM
You look great.
Oh, thanks.

ANNIE

MOM
Aww, look at him!
Mason's nose.

Ooh.

He's got

SAMANTHA
Yeah, isn't he cute?
Yeah.

MOM

Dad gets into the van, as the family closes all the doors.
Alright!

DAD

MASON
Love you guys.

110.
DAD
We got a big drive ahead of us.
MOM

Bye, Sam.

JIM
You guys drive safe.
Alright.
night.

DAD
Well, we'll be back tomorrow

Bye, honey.
born!

MOM
I'm so glad you were

Dad, Annie, and the kids drive off for Houston. Mom and Jim
are left standing in the front yard, as they watch the van
drive away.
INT.

MINI-VAN - DAY
MASON
So, this is like Annie's car and...
and you drive the GTO? I guess you
can't really put a baby seat in that
thing.
Yeah, no...
anyway.
You what?

DAD
But I had to sell that
MASON

DAD
Yeah, I had to sell that.
MASON
So... so it's gone?
DAD
Yeah, some sucker collector from
California paid twenty-two grand for
it, which is great 'cause I basically
got to pay for this in cash. I only
paid eighty-five hundred for that
thing way back when. I mean, you
know, cars are generally a terrible
investment. You know? Soon as you
drive them off the lot you got a used
car on your hands, and the value's
only dropping from there.
(MORE)

111.
DAD (CONT'D)
But... if you take care of it, you
know, and you get lucky and it's a
classic, you know, the value starts
going up again. I mean shit, you got
guys paying hundreds of thousands of
dollars for some Shelby Cobra.
After a long silence, Dad notices Mason is unusually quiet.
What?

DAD (CONT'D)

MASON
You don't remember?
DAD
Remember what?
MASON
Really? You said that was going to
be my car when I turned sixteen.
DAD
(laughs)
What? No, I didn't.
that.

I never said

MASON
I remember. I was in third grade
and you were taking me over to Anthony
Nagar's house for his birthday...
and we were there early, so we gave
him a ride around the block. And he
was talking about how much he loved
your car and so you were all like
"Oh. This is going to be Mason's
when he turns 16."
DAD
What are you..? Alright, first off,
I have no memory of that, alright?
Second of all, I would never say
that. Never.
Yeah.

MASON
You did though.

DAD
What? Mason. Come on, what about
your sister? I'm just gonna forget
about her? Come on, how's that fair?
Huh? Anthony Nagar, what the?
(MORE)

112.
DAD (CONT'D)
(laughs)
Are you...? Oh, come on! I mean,
you're not... Ughh.
Look, you can sit there like there's
a death in the family, alright, but
bottom line is that was my car.
Alright? I paid for it, I took care
of it, and I can do whatever I want
with it. Alright? I'm sorry if you
had other ideas about it but when
you get older you can save up and
buy a car of your own. And be cool
like I used to be. Or... you can
get a mini-van.
Annie and Samantha watch a Lady Gaga music video on Samantha's
cell phone in the back seat.
ANNIE
Does your mom actually let you watch
this?
Yeah.

SAMANTHA
She likes it too.

ANNIE
(laughing)
Oh, my god... Okay, well.
Yeah.

SAMANTHA

ANNIE
Have you ever seen her in concert?
SAMANTHA
No. But she's coming to Houston in
April.
ANNIE
She's coming to Houston?
Mm-hmm.

SAMANTHA

ANNIE
Oh you know, your dad and I could
get you tickets, and you could stay
with us.
SAMANTHA
That'd be great.

113.
Yeah.

ANNIE

DAD
Hey, hey, Annie? Will you get me
the, the little birthday present for
Mason?
Yeah, babe.

ANNIE

Annie hands a small wrapped present to Dad.

the gift to reveal a CD set.

Mason unwraps

DAD
Alright. This one, this one needs a
little explanation, okay? Open it
up. I call that "The Beatles' Black
Album". Alright, what it is, is the
best of John, Paul, George, and Ringo
solo, post-break up.
Thanks.

MASON

DAD
Yeah, basically, I put the band back
together for you.
Annie Laughs.
DAD (CONT'D)
You know, whenever you listen to too
much of the solo stuff, it kind of
becomes a drag, you know? But you
put 'em next to each other, alright,
and they start to elevate each
other... and then you can hear it.
Huh! It's The Beatles. You know?
MASON
I don't know. I think I always just
liked Paul the best.
DAD
It doesn't matter, you know, you're
missing the point. There is no
favorite Beatle! That's what I'm
saying. It's in the balance. That's
what made them the greatest fucking
rock band in the world. Okay? You
know, and there's this decade of
music out there that's been scattered.
Alright?
(MORE)

114.
DAD (CONT'D)
And now it has been carefully found,
arranged, and ordered for you, by
your loving father.
ANNIE
Very arranged and very organized,
over and over again by your loving
father.
DAD
Yes, yes, yes. So, I mean, look at
that-- look at that, uh, top of Volume
II, first four tracks... You've got
"Band on the Run" into "My Sweet
Lord", into "Jealous Guy", into
"Photograph". I mean, come on.
It's like the perfect segue. You
got Paul, who takes you to the party,
George who talks to you about God,
John who says no, it's about love
and pain, and then Ringo who just
says hey, can't we enjoy what we
have while we have it? It's a good
record. I shit you not.
MASON

Cool.
EXT. RANCH HOUSE - DAY

The mini-van drives along a dirt road lined with trees and
parks outside of a small ranch home. GRANDPA CLIFF and NANA
come outside to greet their guests.
DAD
Hey there, Cliff.
GRANDPA CLIFF
Hey, how you doin'?
Oh, good.

DAD
How you doin'?

NANA
(to Mason)
Oh, hi, birthday boy!
see you.
Good.

It's good to

GRANDPA CLIFF
Good to see you.

DAD
Ah, it's great to see you.

115.
GRANDPA CLIFF
You made it alright, huh?
DAD
Yeah, we sure did.

We sure did.

GRANDPA CLIFF
(to Annie)
How are you, darling?
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Annie and Nana quietly light the candles on Mason's birthday
cake.
DAD
Alright, we ready?
ANNIE
Yeah, yeah, get started -NANA
Wait, wait, wait...
INT.

LIVING ROOM - DAY

Hey, Sam.

DAD

He subtly indicates for her to get off her laptop and join
the family. They take their seats in the living room.
DAD (CONT'D)
Hey, still sleeping here?
GRANDPA CLIFF
Oh, yeah, sawin' logs.
You ready?

DAD

The family sings happy birthday to Mason. Nana brings in

the birthday cake, complete with lit candles.
ALL
(singing)
Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday
to you. Happy birthday, dear Mason...
Happy birthday to you!
DAD
Make a wish, make a wish.
Mason blows out the candles. The family cheers.

116.
NANA
Real good! Presents!
wait. Here, sweetie.

Wait, wait,

Nana hands Mason a wrapped gift.

DAD
Hey Sam, would you get us a knife so
we can cut this up? Hey? Alright.
Sam walks into the kitchen to grab a knife.
NANA
I hope you like it. I heard you
didn't have one, so.
He unwraps the gift.
NANA (CONT'D)
It's a Bible. Is this your first
Bible? Look, there's your name...
Wow.

MASON

NANA
...In gold. And wait-wait-wait-wait.
Look at this. It's a Red Letter
edition, and that means that
everything Jesus said is in red.
Thank you.
Like it?
sweetie.

MASON
NANA
Alright. I love you,
Happy Birthday.

ANNIE
And this one's from us.
Annie hands Mason a large gift box.
DAD
It's not going to make all your dreams
come true, here, you know. Just
keep your expectations low. No, no,
no, no, you need it. It's...
Dad pulls a blue dress shirt, blazer, and tie out of the
box.
DAD (CONT'D)
It's -- hey! Come, on right? You
gotta have it. You need this.

117.
Wow!

NANA

DAD
You've got life ahead of you.
know --

You

ANNIE
And the shirt is blue, and I know
you like blue.
DAD
You've got dances -NANA
It's beautiful!
DAD
-- And job interviews. Here, I'm
going to get it all wrinkled here.
Grandpa comes out of the kitchen with a covered gun.
Mason?

GRANDPA CLIFF

DAD
(whispers)
The Black Album was from me.
Uh-oh.

NANA

GRANDPA CLIFF
Come here, son. Pull that off.
Mason walks over and pulls the case off to reveal a shotgun.
GRANDPA CLIFF (CONT'D)
There's a 20 gauge shotgun.
Wow.

MASON

GRANDPA CLIFF
Yeah. My dad gave it to me when I
was a little younger than you, and
his dad gave it to him, and well,
you're fifteen and I'd like for you
to have it. Alright? Here, you
hold it. Yeah.
MASON
(taking the gun)
Thank you.

118.
GRANDPA CLIFF
Congratulations, son. I'll teach
you how to clean it, teach you how
to fire it. I'll teach you a little
bit of safety.
The family laughs, as Mason holds the gun pointing
precariously across the room.
EXT. RANCH HOUSE - DAY
Samantha holds a pistol, ready to shoot. Dad is helping her
aim. There are bottles and cans lined up as targets.
DAD
Now cock it. Alright, there you go.
Now, what you want to do is line up
the front sight with the back sight,
here, you see this little V right
here -Mm-hm.

SAMANTHA

DAD
Now which one you aiming at?
SAMANTHA
Ah, the middle can.
DAD
The middle can? Alright, alright.
Now fire at will, alright?
Okay.

SAMANTHA

Samantha shoots the can.

Ho.

Whoa!

DAD

Dad claps as Samantha lowers the pistol.

Yeah!
Howdy!

SAMANTHA
GRANDPA CLIFF

DAD
Alright, watch out, watch out.
Be careful. Alright.

Whoa.

119.
Mason holds the shotgun, taking aim.
Grandpa Cliff throws a chunk of wood up into the air as a
target.
Ready?

GRANDPA CLIFF
Pull!

Mason misses the fist shot.

GRANDPA CLIFF (CONT'D)
You uh, you uh, hit a little low.
Wait until it gets up high and then
shoot. Alright? Cause then it's a
better aim coming down. Remember,
second trigger.
Mm-hm.
Ready?
Mm-hm.
Pull!

MASON
GRANDPA CLIFF
MASON
GRANDPA CLIFF

Grandpa Cliff throws another piece of wood into the air.

This time, Mason hits it.
GRANDPA CLIFF (CONT'D)
Hah! Hah! Look what you did! Well,
you nailed it, didn't you? How's
that feel?
Felt good.

MASON

GRANDPA CLIFF
Yeah, it felt good. Good.
EXT. RANCH HOUSE - NIGHT
The family sits out on the porch in a circle.
guitar as the family sings along.
DAD
(singing)
Well, I want for us to be together
forever.
ANNIE
(singing)
But to wander wherever I may.

Dad plays

120.
DAD
(singing)
I want you to be easy and casual.
ANNIE
(singing)
But still demand I stay.
SAMANTHA
(singing)
I want for you to know me completely,
but still remain mysterious.
MASON
(singing)
Consider everything deeply, but still
remain fearless.
DAD AND ANNIE
(singing)
Climb to the top, look over the ledge.
Dance barefoot on a razor's edge.
Reach for the stars, grab the tiger
by the tail.
MASON
(singing)
If I don't try, I'll never fail.
Good!

DAD

DAD AND ANNIE

(singing)
If you go home, you're rolling the
dice. Can't step in the same river
twice. If you love too much it'll
turn to hate. If you never leave
home you'll never be late. If you
eat too much, you're gonna get fat.
If you buy a dog, you'll piss off
your cat.
Grandpa Cliff and Nana both laugh.
DAD AND ANNIE (CONT'D)
Take a deep breath, and enjoy the
ride. Cause arrivals and departures
run side by side...
Annie's parents cheer as the song concludes.

121.
DAD (O.S.)
Alright, you're our first audience,
you know? Mason demanded we work on
it the whole drive.
GRANDPA CLIFF
It was really wonderful. That's
sweet. Sweet.
NANA
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Impressive.

GRANDPA CLIFF

DAD
It's a work in progress.
EXT. CHURCH - DAY
A small country church.
PREACHER (O.S.)
A week later -- we don't know why
Thomas wasn't there the first time -but a week later, Thomas comes back
and joins the other disciples. They
say, "Hey, the Lord's alive, we saw
him!"
INT. CHURCH - DAY
The preacher stands at the front of the church holding an
open bible. The family sits among the congregation. Mason
is wearing his new suit.
PREACHER
"I won't believe it until I put my
finger into his side and I'm gonna
see those nail prints in his hands."
Poof! About that time, here comes
Jesus, standing right next to him.
Okay? And he turns to Thomas. Don't
you know Thomas felt some shame?
And he turns to Thomas and says,
"Thomas, here, stick your finger in
my side. Look at these nail prints.
It's me." And Thomas says, "My Lord,
and my God, I believe."
Annie's parents nod in agreement.
PREACHER (CONT'D)
And Jesus said, "Well, that's good.
(MORE)

122.
PREACHER (CONT'D)
But blessed are those who can believe
without seeing." It's a lot easier
when you can see, and feel, and touch.
But like us, we haven't seen him in
the flesh. We haven't felt him in
the flesh. But we have experienced
him in the spirit. At least I have,
and I hope y'all have too.
EXT. WOODS - DAY
The family walks through the woods. Annie holds Cooper to
her chest in a cloth carrier. Mason has his camera in hand.
Dad chews on a piece of straw.
ANNIE
The pond's right up here.
low.
Yeah.

Ooh, it's

DAD

ANNIE
You know, my dad could take you
fishing next time you're here if you
want.
Nice.

MASON

ANNIE
(to Cooper)
Hi, baby. What's goin' on?
Mason and Samantha walk down to the pond.
picnic bench with Cooper.

Annie sits on a

ANNIE (CONT'D)
You know, I think we're just gonna
hang out here for a minute.
DAD
Want me to stay with you?
ANNIE
No, it's okay.
You sure?

DAD

ANNIE
Yeah, thanks.

123.
Samantha pushes a stick into the mud.
pond.

Mason photographs

SAMANTHA
Mason, why are you such a stick-inthe-mud?
MASON
What are you even talking about?
DAD
Hey, you guys don't mind coming back
here on the 20th, do you, for Cooper's
baptism?
MASON
No, it's fine.
Sam?
Okay.

DAD
SAMANTHA

DAD
I appreciate it. It means a lot to
Annie and her folks, you know.
MASON
Were we baptized?
They share a look and laugh.
DAD
I wasn't the least bit concerned
with the state of your soul. We can
do it now, though, if you want.
MASON
No, nah, I think I'm alright.
DAD
You and Cooper together, you know.
Dunk your heads.
SAMANTHA
You're not becoming one of those God
people, are you, Dad?
DAD
And what's that supposed to mean,
hm?
ANNIE
I can hear you!

124.
DAD
Well, I think that shotgun should
live at my house, huh. I don't think
your mom would love that.
Dad picks up a rock.
DAD (CONT'D)
Hey, look out, Sam. Let me show you
how it's done.
Dad skips the rock across the pond.
Nice, Dad.

Mason photographs it.

SAMANTHA

She laughs.
DAD
Still got the goods, hmm?
INT. DARKROOM - DAY
Mason is developing a picture in the darkroom.
MR. TURLINGTON, wanders in.
TURLINGTON
How long you been in here, Mason?
MASON
I'm not sure.
TURLINGTON
I'm sure. All class. Did you
complete your image diary?
Not yet.

MASON

TURLINGTON
Completed your, uh, digital contact
sheet?
MASON
Not quite, but... I mean, it's not
gonna take me long.
TURLINGTON
Not yet. Not quite. Darkroom time
is extra-curricular. I mean
technically, you don't ever have to
be in here these days, and certainly
not until you've completed your
assignments. That's the deal.

His teacher,

125.
Sorry.

MASON

TURLINGTON
I'm worried about you, Mason.
Why is that?

MASON

TURLINGTON
I'll tell you why. The images you're
turning in, they're cool. You're
looking at things in a really unique
way. Got a lot of natural talent.
Thanks.

MASON

TURLINGTON
Yeah, but, that and fifty cents will
just get you a cup of coffee in this
old world. I've met a lot of talented
people over the years. How many of
them made it professionally without
discipline, commitment, and a really
good work ethic?
Mason shrugs and shakes his head, unsure.
TURLINGTON (CONT'D)
I can tell you. I can count it on
two fingers. Zero. It's not gonna
happen for you, Mason. The world is
too competitive. There are too many
talented people who are willing to
work hard. And a butt-load of morons
who are untalented, who are more
than willing to surpass you. As a
matter of fact, a lot of them are
sitting in that classroom out there
right now. Hm? You know what they're
doing? They're doing their
assignments, which is what you're
supposed to be doing, but you're
not. You're in here. Why is that?
Are you special, Mason?
MASON
No, but I mean the things you're
talking about, like work ethic or
whatever, I feel like I do work pretty
hard. I spend the whole weekend
taking pictures a lot of times.

126.
TURLINGTON
You like football, Mason?
Not really.

MASON

TURLINGTON
Yeah, I know you don't. That's why
I've just assigned you to shoot the
football game tonight. Okay? It
starts at 7:30. I want you to get
there early. I want you to shoot a
full card, three hundred images, and
I want 'em downloaded, I want 'em
sorted, and I want to see them very
first thing Monday. Okay? You want
to know why I'm doing this?
I guess.

MASON

TURLINGTON
Who do you want to be, Mason?
do you want to do?
MASON
I want to take pictures.

What

Make art.

TURLINGTON
Any dip-shit can take pictures, Mason.
Art, that's special. What can you
bring to it that nobody else can?
MASON
That's what I'm trying to find out.
TURLINGTON
Try harder. Hey, maybe in twenty
years you can call old Mr. Turlington
and you can say, "Thank you, sir,
for that terrific dark room chat we
had that day."
(walking away)
Get back to class and do your work.
INT. CLASSROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Mason walks back to his computer.
neighboring computer.
Hey man.
funny.

NICK sits at the

NICK
You're walkin' a little

127.
Fuck you.

MASON

NICK
I'm just saying, you guys were in
there for a long time. Just hope he
bought you dinner first.
Mason playfully jabs Nick in the arm.
INT. JIM'S HOUSE - DAY
Jim sits at the kitchen table, opening a beer. Mom and
Samantha prepare dinner in the kitchen. Mom walks over to
the stairs to call up to Mason.
Mason!

MOM
Honey, come down for dinner.

On her way back to the kitchen, Mom notices the screen on an

open laptop.
MOM (CONT'D)
Samantha! You didn't post these
pictures and their descriptions?
Come on, this auction is going to
end on Sunday, honey. You've got to
get those posted.
SAMANTHA
Why are we even doing this? It's
like an online junk shop. I thought
you had a good job?
MOM
I do. We're what you call house
poor. Everyone's got to do their
part. Your brother took the pictures.
You have to help.
SAMANTHA
Who even buys this shit?
JIM
Hey, Sam, watch your mouth, alright?
Don't disrespect your mother. You
like a roof over your head, don't
you?
MOM
Yeah, and you like having electricity
so that you can charge your cell
phone?

128.
SAMANTHA
I'm not even gonna be here next year.
I'm a senior. I should be having
fun.
Mason enters. He sits down at the table.
polish on his fingernails.
Nice nails.

He has blue nail

JIM

MASON
Yeah, some girl did that in sixth
period.
JIM
You planning on keeping them?
MASON
Until it comes off, I guess.
JIM
Last summer it was the earrings, and
now the nails. You got a, uh, you
got a purse to go with all that?
SAMANTHA
A lot of guys do that.
trying to be cool.

He's just

JIM
When I was in high school, having a
job, being responsible, being able
to afford a car, that was cool.
MOM
Mason, honey, why don't you get you
and your sister some water.
Mason gets up to help set the table.
EXT. FOOTBALL GAME - NIGHT
An announcer comments on the game over the loud speaker.
The crowd cheers and the band plays. Mason is on the
sidelines, photographing details he finds interesting. He
scrolls through the images on his camera.
NICK
Hey man, Turlington says to cut the
artsy crap and shoot the game. So
take your lens and point it that
way.

129.
MASON
Jesus Christ.
NICK
Also, we got a ride tonight.
CHASE
McCormick gonna take us to the party.
We're gonna head out after the game.
You're goin', okay?
MASON

Okay.

NICK
Shoot the game.
A player catches the ball and is tackled.
EXT. PARTY - NIGHT
"She's Long Gone" by the Black Keys plays over the party.
Mason fills a cup at the keg. Samantha takes a shot with a
boy. Kids play beer bong.
BEER PONG GUY

Kobe...

It goes in - guests react.

GABY
Oh! First one. What was that?
What was that? What is up?
Nick plays drums with teen band.
He nudges her shoulder.

Mason approaches SHEENA.

SHEENA
Hey, what's up?
Hey.

MASON
How's it goin'?

Pretty good.
here?

SHEENA
How long have you been

MASON
I don't know. Awhile, I guess.
Awhile?

SHEENA
Yeah.

130.
EXT. QUIET SPOT - MOMENTS LATER
Mason and Sheena sit and talk.
MASON
I just feel like there are so many
things that I could be doing and
probably want to be doing that I'm
just not.
SHEENA
Why aren't you?
MASON
I mean, I guess it's... just being
afraid of what people would think.
You know, judgment.
SHEENA
Yeah. I guess it's really easy to
say, like, I don't care what anyone
else thinks, but, everyone does, you
know? Deep down.
MASON
Exactly. I find myself so furious
at all these people that I'm in
contact with just for controlling me
or whatever, but you know, they're
not even aware they're doing it.
SHEENA
Yeah. So... in this perfect world
where no one's controlling you, what's
different? What changes?
MASON
Everything. I mean, I just
able to do anything I want,
it makes me feel alive. As
to giving me the appearance
normality.

wanna be
because
opposed
of

SHEENA
Whatever that means.
MASON
I don't think it means much.
SHEENA
You're kinda weird, you know that?
Yeah?

MASON
(MORE)

131.
MASON (CONT'D)
(Laughing)
Is that a compliment?
SHEENA
I don't know. Do you wanna be weird?
MASON
I mean, I don't want to like... scare
kids at the park, or anything like
that.
Sheena laughs.
MASON (CONT'D)
I really like talking with you. I
don't usually even try to like
vocalize my thoughts or feelings or
anything. Just, I don't know, it
just never sounds right. Words are
stupid.
SHEENA
So, why're you trying with me?
MASON
I don't know. I guess I feel
comfortable.
I'm glad.

SHEENA

EXT. JIM'S HOUSE - LATER

Mason comes home late. Jim sits outside on a chair surrounded
by empty beer cans and one in hand.
Hey, Jim.

MASON
I'm sorry I'm so late.

JIM
What time were you supposed to be
home?
MASON
I don't know. Awhile ago.
JIM
Awhile ago like, thirty minutes ago,
an hour ago? Cause, truthfully,
nobody even knew where you were until
your sister told us. She's been
home for awhile.

132.
I'm sorry.

MASON

JIM
Yeah, been hearin' a lot of that
lately. See, but you don't actually
care. You just kinda... kinda come
and go as you please and you don't
care if your mom's upset or what
time you gotta be home... Is that
what's up?
MASON
I don't know what to tell you.
JIM
Stop mumbling! You know, speak up!
I can't understand a word comin'
outta your mouth. It's just like,
"uh uhh nuhh" and I ask you questions
and you just-MASON
Man, can I just have one day where
everyone isn't all over my ass!?
Jim gets up abruptly and advances on Mason.
JIM
I'm up your ass? This is my house.
Now, if you wanna live in my house
then you get home when you say you're
gonna be home.
MASON
You know, Jim, you're not my dad.
JIM
No, I'm not your dad! You know how
I know that? Cause I'm actually
here. I'm the guy with the job,
paying the bills, taking care of
you, your mom, your sister... Huh?!
Huh?!
Mason goes inside.
JIM (CONT'D)
I'm that guy...
Jim sits down.

133.
INT. MOM'S HOUSE - DAY
Mom sits at the kitchen table surrounded by bills and papers.
Mason comes down the stairs.
Morning.

MASON

MOM
Morning. Hey, which one of you guys
used the downstairs bathroom last
night?
MASON
I don't know. I didn't.
MOM
That tall guy, what's his name?
Phillip?

MASON

MOM
Yeah, Phillip. He did it. Can
Phillip read? I mean, there's a big
sign on the door, it says, "Do not
use this bathroom, it's broken." I
mean, how difficult is that?
MASON
I don't know. I'm sorry.
Mason prepares cereal.
MOM
I think I'm gonna put the house on
the market.
Why?

MASON

MOM
This house is too big for us. I
mean, you're going to school
eventually... It's too expensive.
I'm done.
MASON
Well why did you even buy it in the
first place, then?
MOM
Because I really enjoy making poor
life decisions, keeping us on the
(MORE)

134.
MOM (CONT'D)
brink of poverty. I mean, I've spent
the first half of my life acquiring
all this crap and now I'm gonna spend
the second half of my life getting
rid of all this stuff.
Really?

MASON
Like what?

MOM
Like - Well, I got rid of a couple
husbands, now I'm gonna get rid of a
mortgage, some maintenance, the
tchotchkes, the, the homeowner's
insurance, the property tax, the
plumbing... Ahhh. You know what?
From now on I am gonna be Mommy Monk.
Simple. Celibate.
MASON
Don't be gross, Mom.
MOM
Fine. I'll be a poor whore with a
big house.
(Laughs)
Is that better?
Okay.

MASON

Mason starts to walk away.

MOM
Mason -- Mason, please, don't leave
me that dirty dish to wash.
MASON
I do dishes all day.
MOM
Well, great honey, then you're a
professional. Come on, you could do
one or two more for you poor old
mom.
Mason walks over to the sink.
Okay.
Thank you.

MASON
MOM

135.
EXT. MOM'S HOUSE
Mason gets in truck, drives away.
INT. RESTAURANT KITCHEN
Music plays in the background. Mason is in uniform, he
carries in a bus tub of dirty dishes, one with uneaten
battered shrimp on it. He sticks one in his mouth and flirts
with APRIL, a waitress.
MASON
You want one?
Ugh. God --

APRIL

MASON
(Laughing)
She didn't even touch them, seriously.
I watched her the whole time.
April takes one.
APRIL
Yeah, I bet you did watch her, you
little pervert.
(Laughing)
It's like we're on a date. Cheers.
They clink battered shrimp.
MASON
It's a night of romance.
APRIL
Yeah, except I'm not gonna kiss you.
She heads back out to the restaurant floor.
APRIL (CONT'D)
I will blow you, though.
Mason brings the dishes over to the industrial washers.
boss, MR. WOOD, storms in.
Mason!

MR. WOOD
We are in the weeds out here!

MASON
I'm goin' as fast as I can.
Oh!

MR. WOOD
(MORE)

His

136.
MR. WOOD (CONT'D)
Then I must be confused then, cause
I just saw you chattin it up with
April when I gotta salad bar that
needs a refill, I gotta six top, two
four tops I can't use, because they
haven't been bused.
MASON
Enrique is not here.

I'm tryin'.

MR. WOOD
Well, while you're tryin', we're
dyin'! What am I supposed to tell
my customers? "Oh, I'm sorry that
your table's got dirty plates on it,
but Mason's tryin'. Least that's
what he told me, after he was flirtin'
with April and eatin' your leftover
shrimp." Now it is a challenge out
there today, I know, but I wanna
share somethin' with you, I got you
pegged for fry cook this summer, now
that's a lot more responsibility.
It's also more money. How's that
sound?
Good.

MASON

MR. WOOD
I know you can handle that money...
but can you take the responsibility?
I think you can, because I believe
in you. But I need you on the floor.
Now leave the dishes. Giddyup.
Right, come on, don't let me down!
Mason exits.
INT. MOM'S HOUSE - DAY
Mason sits on the stairs video chatting with Dad on his phone.
DAD
Well, so it's -- it's runnin' okay?
That alternator's not messin' up
anymore?
MASON
(Holding Phone)
No , it's fine. It's up for the
trip.

137.
DAD
(Laughing)
Well, you gonna see your sister when
you guys are in Austin?
MASON
Yeah, she said I can stay at her
dorm, which is cool, and I guess her
roommate's out of town so it's no
big deal.
DAD
Alright, well, did you apply there
yet? Did you get that application
in to UT?
MASON
Not yet, but Sheena's pretty much
in, though.
DAD
Yeah, right. Well, if you know that's
where you wanna go, you should
probably do that early acceptance
thing. You know? I mean seriously,
let 'em know you're a man who knows
what he wants.
Yeah.

MASON

DAD
A bit of decisiveness goes a long
way in this life, alright?
Yeah.

MASON

DAD
Great. And uh, what about work?
How's that goin'?
MASON
Uh, I don't know. It's, it's alright.
Today kind of sucked, this guy didn't
show up. But it's definitely an
interesting perspective on the world.
People are slobs.
DAD
(Laughing)
Well, when people ask me about you I
say, "Oh, Mason, he's doing great.
He's got a job, he's really cleanin'
up."

138.
Mason laughs.
DAD (CONT'D)
(From Phone)
Alright, hey, hey, say hi to Annie
and Cooper, will you?
Dad pans the phone to Annie and baby.
ANNIE
Say hi to your big brother.
big brother.
Hey, Annie.

Hey,

MASON
Hey, kiddo.

ANNIE
Can you say bye-bye?
Bye-buh!

BABY

ANNIE
(Laughs)
We'll see you soon.
DAD
(From phone)
Alright, alright, well, be careful
when you're driving, alright? Don't
be texting, don't be doing any of
that. Alright? Just, you're Obi
Wan. You're centered, patient, right?
You watch three cars ahead, two
behind. It takes two bad drivers to
have an accident okay?
Okay.

MASON

DAD
(From phone)
Right, and listen, tell your sister
to pick up her phone or call me back
or something.
Mom comes down the stairs and drops a bag at Mason's feet.
Okay.

MASON

DAD
Alright, buddy!
one.

You have a good

139.
Bye, Dad.

MASON

MOM
(Motioning to the bag)
Hey, honey, take this to your sister.
Throw it in the truck, okay?
MASON
Okay, I will.
MOM
So where is Sheena staying?
MASON
At her friend Emily's.
MOM
Is Emily a real person?
MASON
(Laughing)
Yeah. Yeah, she's a sophomore.
has an apartment.

She

MOM
(Holding out money)
Okay, this is in case of emergency.
Don't spend it. I want it back.
Okay.

MASON
Thanks.

MOM
Did you do your homework?
MASON
Most of it, but... I can finish
tomorrow night.
MOM
Honey! Eleventh grade is really
important for college. Don't blow
it.
MASON
I know! I know. I mean, we're going
to UT and everything.
MOM
I know, and don't you want me to
come? Come on, Sheena, road trip
with Mom! I'll pay for gas.

140.
Umm...

MASON

MOM
I'm just kidding.

I have work.

She kisses his forehead.

MOM (CONT'D)
Call me when you get there.
I will.
Have fun!

MASON
MOM

Mason exits.
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY/ INT. TRUCK
"Suburban Wars" plays.
passenger seat.

Mason drives, Sheena is in the

SHEENA
... That sounds to me like just
another extreme Mason view of
everything.
MASON
Not at all! I finally figured it
out. It's like when they realized
it was gonna be too expensive to
actually build cyborgs and robots...
I mean, the costs of that were
impossible. They decided to just
let humans turn themselves into
robots. That's what's going on right
now.
SHEENA
Oh, right now?
MASON
Yeah! I mean, why not? There are
billions of us just laying around,
not really doing anything. We don't
cost anything. I mean we're even
pretty good at self-maintenance and
reproducing constantly. And as it
turns out, we're already biologically
programmed for our little cyborg
upgrades.

141.
How?

SHEENA

MASON
Seriously. I read this thing other
day about how, like, when you hear
that ding on your inbox you get a,
like a dopamine rush in your brain.
It's like we're being chemically
rewarded for allowing ourselves to
be brainwashed. How evil is that?
We're fucked.
SHEENA
So you deleting your Facebook page
is gonna change all that? Remember
when Trevor deleted his Facebook
page last year and everyone just
hated him? You made more fun of him
than anyone.
MASON
I still make fun of Trevor, though.
SHEENA
But it looked like he was so
pathetically desperate for attention.
Or to be different, or something.
MASON
That's just 'cause they did that
lame story about it in the school
paper.
SHEENA
And then he had to make a big
announcement about it when he came
back a month later.
MASON
That's the thing though, I'm not
doing it for attention. I just want
to try and not live my life through
a screen. I want, like, some kind
of actual interaction. A real person,
not just the profile they put up.
Sheena's looking at her phone.
SHEENA
Oh, I'm sorry. Were you saying
something?
She laughs.

142.
MASON
Yeah, okay, I know you're joking,
but, I mean, it's kinda true you
have been, you know, checking your
phone this whole time, and so what
are you really doing? You don't
care what your friends are up to on
Saturday afternoon but you're also
obviously not fully experiencing my
profound bitching so... it's like
everyone's just stuck in, like, an
in-between state. Not really
experiencing anything.
SHEENA
It's not an experience, it's just
information. Look, for example, I
just got the address of the club
where we're meeting them later, so
we won't be wandering the streets of
Austin lost for an hour tonight.
Thank you very much, Facebook. And
I just texted my mom back.
MASON
Oh, that's -- that's groundbreaking.
She hasn't seen you in, like, 55
minutes?
SHEENA
Oh! Oh my god, most importantly,
Meg's family just got a miniature
pet pig.
Sheena hands him the phone.

Hm!

MASON
(looks at phone photo)

(Laughs)
Okay, you're right.
Right?

That is a --

SHEENA

MASON
That is a really cute, tiny pig.
Our lives can go on.
I want one.

SHEENA

143.
INT. POOL HALL
Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know" plays. Patrons
chatter. Mason plays pool with Samantha's BOYFRIEND.
Samantha and Sheena sit and talk.
Nice shot.

BOYFRIEND

SAMANTHA
Yeah, just give the lady at the front
y'all's I.D.s and, uh, she should
let you in.
I see.
Yeah.

SHEENA
Cool.
SAMANTHA

SHEENA
It's room 2-0-6, right?
Mm-hm.

SAMANTHA

SHEENA
Awesome. It's not like weird that
we're staying there?
SAMANTHA
No, it's fine. Have fun.
(Laughs)
SHEENA (O.S.)
Thank you. So how long have you
guys been dating?
SAMANTHA
About three months. Yeah, we met at
a party and it's been, ya know, chill.
SHEENA
Yeah, he seems cool.
Yeah.

SAMANTHA
He is.

The guys are shooting pool.

SHEENA (O.S.)
Does he go to UT too?
Yeah.

SAMANTHA (O.S.)

144.
Cool.

SHEENA
What is he studying?

SAMANTHA
He's studying history and uh, Italian,
I think?
The girls laugh.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
His minor, yeah.
SHEENA
Does he wanna... does he wanna teach?
SAMANTHA
I don't know, I think, I think he's
still figuring stuff out. Yeah,
he'll figure it out, he's smart,
he's smart. So where are you thinking
about living when you come here?
SHEENA
Um, I'm not really sure yet. We're
gonna look at apartments tomorrow,
um, but I know my parents sorta were
expecting me to live in a dorm.
Yeah.

SAMANTHA

SHEENA
Yeah. But I mean, I'm paying my way
through college, so it doesn't really
matter that much.
SAMANTHA
Yeah, you don't have to listen to
your parents after you turn eighteen.
I mean, especially if they're not
helping you financially.
They laugh.
SHEENA
That's what I figured.
SAMANTHA
But I mean, living in a dorm isn't
so bad.
Yeah.

SHEENA

145.
SAMANTHA
I mean especially if it's a coed
dorm. I mean, I've never been around
like, so many cute guys at once.
Like, college is really fun.
They laugh.
I'm excited.

SHEENA

SAMANTHA
It's great, yeah.
EXT. SIDEWALK - NIGHT
The sidewalk is populated with college students. The teens
walk together in couples and pass a street musician and a
woman hoola-hooping.
Watch out.
Oh!

BOYFRIEND
SAMANTHA

They laugh.
INT. CONTINENTAL CLUB - NIGHT
A four man band plays as our guys watch from the audience.
MUSICIANS
(singing)
"On the day that I was born I started
growin' old. No one told you life
would be so lonesome and cold. I
had a grey hair by the age of 23,
this hard-luck livin's gonna be the
end of me. The old black crow leaving
tracks all across my face, and
everywhere I go I seem to be in the
same damn place. Hard livin's gonna
be the end of me."
EXT. CONTINENTAL CLUB - NIGHT
Sheena and Mason wander out of the club and walk up the
street.
INT. CAFE - NIGHT
Sheena and Mason are seated at a table at a late-night diner,
full of a variety of people.

146.
MAN ALONE IN BOOTH
The last death at the Hoover Dam
construction site was his son, Patrick
Tierny, who died on December 20th,
1935, exactly thirteen years to the
day.
Sheena notices a table of sorority girls and practically
whispers to Mason.
SHEENA
See those sorority girls over there?
I've just decided, if you delete
your Facebook page, I'm pledging.
MASON
Yeah, in just a few years that's you
(Indicates Girls)
And that's gonna be me.
He subtly indicates the Man Alone guy, still sitting at his
booth, giving a lecture of some kind, with data, etc.
MAN ALONE IN BOOTH
...Also inlaid into the terrazzo
floors was a star map, a celestial
map of heavenly bodies so accurately
displayed that one could chart the
procession of the Pole Star fourteen
thousand years into the future, such
that future generations upon...
(Continuing Indistinct
Under)
SHEENA (O.S.)
I wonder what his deal is. I mean,
he obviously has money to eat here.
MASON (O.S.)
He just said. He's a UT professor,
tenure and everything.
SHEENA
Look at all these people. What are
they even doing here at 3:00 in the
morning?
MASON
What are WE even doing here at 3:00
in the morning?
SHEENA
We know what we're doing here.
She dips a chip into a bowl of queso.

147.
Queso.

SHEENA (CONT'D)
We have a purpose.

Hell yeah.
HELL yeah.

MASON
SHEENA

MASON
You know, by, like, next summer
this'll just be our lives.
Mm-hm.

SHEENA

MASON
Stayin' out all night and goin' to
shows... whatever we want.
SHEENA
We ever gonna go to class?
Sometimes.

MASON

SHEENA
When it feels right.
inspiration hits.
Only then.

When the

MASON

A WAITRESS comes by their table.

WAITRESS
Anything else?
SHEENA
Uhhh... more queso?
MASON
(nodding)
Yeah.
Mm-hm.

WAITRESS

She leaves, and Mason just takes it all in.

Ah, Jesus.
What?

MASON
SHEENA

148.
MASON
I don't know, doesn't it all seem a
little overwhelming? I mean, college?
I mean, I like the idea of being
away from home and gaining skills
and getting better at photography.
I just, I don't know, I'm not counting
on it being some big transformative
experience.
SHEENA
I don't think it's that
transformative. I just see it as
the next step.
MASON
But it's like a pre-ordained slot
that's already got your name and
number on it. I don't think it's
the key to my future. Cause, like,
I mean, look at my mom. She got her
degree, and got a pretty good job,
she can pay her bills...
SHEENA
Well, I like your mom.
MASON
Well, I like my mom, too. I just
mean, basically, she's still just as
fucking confused as I am.
Waitress drops off more queso.
SHEENA
(to Waitress)
Thank you.
Thanks.

MASON

Mason and Sheena dip chips into the bowl of queso.

EXT. SIDEWALK - NIGHT
Mason and Sheena walk on the sidewalk.
EXT. PARKING GARAGE - SUNRISE
Mason and Sheena walk across a parking garage rooftop.
They watch the sunrise. Mason stands behind her and wraps
his arms around her. She turns to him and they kiss.

149.
INT. DORM ROOM - DAY
Mason and Sheena lie in bed under the sheets.
comes in.

Sam's roommate

ROOMMATE

Hello?

MASON
Hey. Um, did uh, did Sam tell you
we were gonna stay here?
(laughs)
Uh -- no.

ROOMMATE

MASON
(laughs)
Sorry. Um, she uh, she said you
were out of town for the weekend.
ROOMMATE
Yeah, I was. I just got back.
you her... brother?

Are

MASON
Yeah, I'm, I'm Mason.
Awkward laugh.
Right.

ROOMMATE

MASON
Um, this is Sheena.
ROOMMATE
Hello. Uh, great. Alright. I'm...
gonna leave my stuff here, if it's
okay, and get something to eat and...
Okay.

MASON

ROOMMATE
... I'll just come back in a little
bit...
MASON
Yeah, yeah we have to, we have to
get outta here soon anyway, so...
Alright.

ROOMMATE
It's nice meeting you.

150.
She turns to go.
Yeah.

MASON
You, too.

SHEENA
(under sheet)
Sorry!
The roommate exits.

Sheena and Mason hide under the sheets.

MASON
That was so awkward.
INT. SCHOOL PHOTO EXHIBIT - DAY
There is an exhibit of various art works set up. Mason enters
and walks over to a series of photographs he took of Sheena.
He starts to take them down. One of the school's teachers
comes over.
TEACHER
Mason... silver medal winner.
Congratulations!
Thank you.

MASON

TEACHER
Heard you got a scholarship.
MASON
Yeah. Yeah, every little bit helps,
you know.
Yeah.

TEACHER
When you gonna go out there?

MASON
End of the summer I think. You know,
work some more before then, try to
save up some money, at least.
TEACHER
Yeah, before you have to fend for
yourself.
MASON
Yeah, yeah, that's the idea.
Yeah.

TEACHER
Well how're feeling about it?

151.
MASON
Excited, you know. But kind of halfexcited, half-terrified.
TEACHER
Yeah, kind of that voluptuous panic.
Yeah.

MASON
Exactly.

TEACHER
Well, it's gonna be good. It's gonna
be crazy good. I liked college a
lot better than high school. You
kinda find your people in college,
you know?
Exactly.

MASON

TEACHER
Well you'll be fine, you've got a
good heart. Just follow your heart,
yeah?
Thanks.
Good luck.
Mason's phone dings.

MASON
TEACHER
Don't forget to floss.
He takes it out.

Cell phone text message graphic:

Mason - Can't, I'll just see you tomorrow.
your deal? Meet me at the tree.

Sheena - What's

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - DAY

Sheena and Mason are sitting on bleachers outside the school,
under a tree overlooking a practice field. They are in midargument.
SHEENA
I just don't get why you're being so
fucking childish.
MASON
I'm not being childish. You're the
one who made it into this big thing
by telling everyone.
SHEENA
I haven't told anyone.

152.
MASON
So Cynthia just magically knows you're
going to the prom with this loser
even though you're not dating him
anymore?
SHEENA
She's my best friend.
MASON
Well, your best friend has a big
fucking mouth.
SHEENA
Take it up with her, then.
MASON
Why don't you just tell Miss Fuckin'
Rubber Jaws she can keep on talking
as long as she includes the truth,
which is that we wouldn't be having
this conversation if your college
boyfriend weren't out of town this
weekend.
SHEENA
You had already bought the tickets.
It's just prom, it's not like it
matters. I'm just tryin' to be
friends with you.
MASON
Now it's just humiliating.
I can't do that.

I can't...

SHEENA
Mister I-Don't-Care-What-Anyone-ElseThinks-Of-Me.
MASON
Fuck anyone else. I care what I
think of me. Which isn't much right
now. King of the Pity Prom.
Fine.
Great.
A long pause.

SHEENA
We're not going.
MASON

153.
SHEENA
Why are we even... I mean, we both
knew this was coming. I'm just the
one who did something about it.
MASON
Yeah, fucking some college guy...
SHEENA
Oh, fuck you!
(a beat)
I don't regret anything.
MASON
(Bitter Laugh)
Of course you don't.
SHEENA
You know, it's actually kind of a
relief not to have to be around
someone who's so gloomy all the time.
The world's not so horrible. Not
everything's some big conspiracy
against humanity.
MASON (O.S.)
It's great that you can think that
way. And you know, I'm sure dating
a jock really helps to clear the
mind.
SHEENA
He's not a jock, okay? He just
happens to be on the lacrosse team.
We're all going to other schools
next year anyway, it's not some super
serious relationship.
Great.

MASON
I feel so much better now.

SHEENA
We're just having fun.
MASON
I bet he's having fun.
SHEENA
Grow up, Mason.
MASON
It's not like I haven't been with
anyone else.

154.
Who?

SHEENA

MASON
What do you care?
Who?

SHEENA

MASON
Does it matter?
SHEENA
You're the one who brought it up.
A pause.
SHEENA (CONT'D)
This is pointless.
She gets up and starts to walk away.
SHEENA (CONT'D)
Now you're just trying to be an
asshole.
EXT./INT. NICK'S CAR
Nick drives Mason home from graduation.
NICK
Holy Crap, I would rather have my
balls clawed off than ever sit through
anything like that ever again!
MASON
Well, we never, ever have to.
NICK
Oh my god, thank you.
Gimme that.

MASON

Nick hands him a flask.

NICK
Dude, it's all you. Drink up. So
you coming out with me tonight,
brother? Should be some pretty
awesome stuff happening.

155.
MASON
Naw, dude, I'm goin' to this like,
show with my dad in Austin. His
friend's playing.
NICK
Gosh, have fun with that, I guess.
Nick pulls into Mason's driveway and parks.
MASON
Fuck, there's so many cars here.
don't wanna go in there.

NICK
(sarcastic)
Dude, you will have so much fun.
Your family loves you. You'll have
a swell time.
Fuck you.
Oh, no.
Yes!
you.

MASON
You're coming in with me.

NICK
Shit no.

No.

MASON
Yes, you are. My mom loves
You have to say hi.

Just --

NICK

MASON
Do you want to hurt her feelings?
NICK
Mm-mm.
(Shakes head slightly)
MASON
Well then, let's go get 'em.
NICK
Just for a second.
seriously.

Just a second,

Nick "tests" his breath in his hand. They get out of the
car.
INT. MOM'S HOUSE - GRADUATION PARTY - DAY
Family and friends chit chat throughout the house. Mom
prepares snacks, while Dad and Annie talk with UNCLE STEVE.

156.
UNCLE STEVE
You know you're in sort of in enemy
territory here.
DAD
(laughing)
We're aware.
INT. KITCHEN - GRADUATION PARTY - CONTINUOUS
Cake graphic: "Congratulations Mason!"
Olivia and Carol prep food.
door.

Nick and Mason come in the front

INT. LIVING ROOM - GRADUATION PARTY - CONTINUOUS

DAD
Uh, look who's here!
ALL
(cheer, applause)
...Whooo!
Hey!

MOM

She hugs Mason.

Get a job!

UNCLE STEVE

Mason takes off his graduation cap.

MOM
No-no-no-no, wait. We're gonna take
pictures. Put it back on.
(To Carol)
Hey, can you get a camera?
(To Nick)
Hey Nick!
Grandma comes over and hugs Mason.
GRANDMA
Oh! Back on. Oh... Congratulations,
baby.
(to Nick)
I don't know you, but congratulations!
She hugs him too.
GRANDMA (CONT'D)
Oh, pictures, pictures, Carol.

157.
MOM (O.S.)
Quick, put your hat on.
CAROL
Alright, look here...
They pose and Carol takes the picture with a phone.
Smile.

MOM

CAROL
Here we go. Oh, that's a good one.
And... good! Got it.
GRANDMA (O.S.)
Oh, we need -- Sam, where are you?
Samantha!
Sam!

MOM

GRANDMA
And where's Mason senior?
generous.
(to Dad)
Come here.

I'm feeling

Another picture is taken.

CAROL
Great. And... beautiful! I'll email
these to everyone.
Uncle Steve stands up and points his finger at Dad.
DAD
(to Uncle Steve)
No, don't even start, don't start,
don't start.
INT. LIVING ROOM - GRADUATION PARTY - CONTINUOUS
The guests help themselves to the array of dishes and
appetizers on the table. Buffet style. Mason drifts into a
conversation with Carol and her daughter Abbey.
MASON
Can't believe you guys came all this
way. It means a lot to me.
CAROL
We wouldn't have missed it for
anything! I'm so proud of you.
(MORE)

158.
CAROL (CONT'D)
Congratulations. I'm really sorry
that Lee couldn't be here. He's on
his Senior Trip.
No, no.

MASON
Tell him I said hi.

I will.

CAROL

SAMANTHA
Abby, I didn't even recognize you.
How old are you now?
ABBY
I'm thirteen.
Wow.

SAMANTHA

Mason's boss, Mr. Wood, enters.

INT. KITCHEN - GRADUATION PARTY - CONTINUOUS
Across the room, Professor Douglas has her ever-present wine
glass.
PROFESSOR DOUGLAS
(Pouring wine)
Alright, let's top her off. You
want some, doll?
WOMAN AT PARTY
Um... Sure, whatever. Yeah, totally.
PROFESSOR DOUGLAS
Yeah, sure why not.
MR. WOOD
(To Mason)
I got you something.
What is it?

MASON

MR. WOOD
That is a savings bond. That is
worth something. It's better than
money - you'd just spend that.
Yeah.

MASON

159.
MR. WOOD
God - is that your mom?
Yeah, yeah.
Wow.

MASON
That's her.
MR. WOOD

One of the little cousins drops fruit.

UNCLE STEVE
It'll be -- three second rule.
it on your plate.

Put

WOMAN AT PARTY
(laughing)
Such a good dad. Really.
UNCLE STEVE
I know, I'm trying to help.
MOM (O.S.)
Come here, you guys. I want to make
a little toast to Mason.
She holds up her glass of wine.
GUESTS
(reacting)
Whoo! Yeah! Alright!
MOM
Now Mason, I know you really didn't
want to have a party today but... we
did.
Laughter.
MOM (CONT'D)
And you only graduate high school
once in your life... So I want to
celebrate you and this next phase.
And you're going to learn so much in
college. You're going to have so
much fun. You're going to have
inspiring teachers. You're going to
learn more about your art. I love
you babe. I'm so proud of you... To
Mason.
To Mason!

ALL
(MORE)

160.
ALL (CONT'D)
(indistinguishable
chatter)
Hear! Hear!
UNCLE STEVE
(to Dad)
Alright, you're up, kid.
DAD
Oh, uh... Alright, uh, well... Mason,
I'll make a toast to the future. To
your future. You know, it's been a
little sketchy this... end of the
school year here, trying to figure
out what school to go to. Mason
told me that, uh, he wanted...to get
as far away from home as possible.
But still honor our agreement that
we pay in-state tuition, which I do
appreciate. He's a prudent man, and
uh, he's going to have a great future.
So, here's to you buddy.
GUESTS
(reacting)
Whoo! Future!
DAD
Congratulations.
UNCLE STEVE
Mason Junior! High school graduate,
eighteen and straight! Ha-ha-ha!
Dad subtly puts his hand over his brother's mouth and pats
his chest.
DAD
Alright, that's enough. Just ignore
him. My brother needs to learn to
pace himself.
MR. WOOD
Well, I've not known you as long as
everybody here, but uh, since I have
known you, you've grown a lot. And
uh, I don't know, I'm proud of you.
So if this photography thing doesn't
work out, you know you always got a
job. Lose that earring. But, uh,
you know, maybe I can get you in
front of house. Alright, to you
buddy!

161.
MOM
Sam, say something!
DAD (O.S.)
Come on, Samantha.
GRANDMA
Come on, darlin'.
SAMANTHA
(hesitating)
Good luck?
Mom and Mason embrace. A little later, Professor Douglas has
Mason cornered.
PROFESSOR DOUGLAS
So you broke up with your girlfriend?
MASON
Yeah, yeah, just recently.
PROFESSOR DOUGLAS
What was her name?
Sheena.

MASON

PROFESSOR DOUGLAS
Sheena. She's... gonna go to college
with you?
No.
No, oh.

MASON
PROFESSOR DOUGLAS

MASON
She's staying in this part of Texas.
Oh, okay.

PROFESSOR DOUGLAS
You need a ride to college?

INT. LIVING ROOM - GRADUATION PARTY - CONTINUOUS

Dad and Annie talk to Grandma.
GRANDMA
I just wanted to say hello before
you got out of here. I haven't gotten
a chance --

162.
DAD
You guys met before, haven't you?
Annie, Catherine...
ANNIE
Yeah, yeah, we met at uh-GRANDMA
Sam's graduation.
Oh yeah.

DAD

ANNIE
Yes, that's right.
GRANDMA
And with your little one.
he?

Where is

ANNIE
Oh, he's at home.
DAD
Yeah, yeah. Remember, he was such a
pain at Sam's thing that, you know...
GRANDMA
Oh, I would love to see him.
ANNIE
Well, we have a special weekend this
weekend, so...
GRANDMA
I'm so glad you found her. I really
am.
(to Annie)
You, you've got him at a good time,
I think.
ANNIE
I think so, too.
Yeah.

GRANDMA
It's good to see you two.

DAD
Nice to see you, too, Catherine.
GRANDMA
I'm so proud of your boy.
DAD
Yeah, yeah we all are.

163.
Grandma walks off.

Dad whispers to Annie.

DAD (CONT'D)
If you think she's a bitch now, you
should have seen her fucking twenty
years ago.
They laugh.
INT. DEN - GRADUATION PARTY - CONTINUOUS
Later, Uncle Steve, Dad, and Mason have a manly discussion.
UNCLE STEVE
You got to remember, you're going to
college, though, alright? And if
you're anything like me or your old
man, you're gonna be pulling down
some serious wool. You're gonna be
tapping some masterful gap.
Steven...

DAD

UNCLE STEVE
You're gonna be doing some good work
out there. Think about it, awful
lot of flowers in that bouquet.
But, you gotta do me a favor. You're
going to be vulnerable this summer,
alright. Remember to use protection
during breakup sex.
He puts his hand on Dad.
UNCLE STEVE (CONT'D)
This guy knows exactly of which I
speak. Look what happened to him.
Viola'.
Uncle Steve gestures to Mason.
Steven...

DAD

UNCLE STEVE
(laughing)
Cheers.
DAD
It's not that simple.

164.
UNCLE STEVE
(chanting)
Four more years. Four more years.
I'm just saying.
INT. KITCHEN - GRADUATION PARTY - CONTINUOUS
Later Dad enters the kitchen where Mom happens to be.
DAD
Do y'all recycle?

Should I --

MOM
I have one started there.
DAD
Oh, yeah, right. Okay, great. Okay.
Am I, uh, am I your only ex at this
party?
MOM
Yes, but I'm not your only wife here,
though.
Yeah.

DAD

MOM
Can you believe they're both out of
high school?
DAD
No, I can't.
(a beat)
You did a great job with both of
them, by the way.
No.

MOM
Thanks for saying that. I never
thought I'd hear you say that.
DAD
Well, it's true.

Thank you.

MOM
And you're doing it all over again,
huh?
DAD
I know, I know, right? It's gonna be
uh, fifteen years till I have an
empty nest. But hey, I'd love to
pitch in, help with this, if I could.
(MORE)

165.
DAD (CONT'D)
I mean, it's so great that you did
this. I was just going to give you
a little. I'd appreciate it if I
could.
He pulls out his wallet.
Sure.

Yeah.

MOM

DAD
Yeah. But I don't have any cash.
It's in Annie's purse. I'll be right
back.
INT. ANTONE'S - EVENING
Mason and Dad are wandering through the green room area while
the band is doing a sound check.
DAD
...So it sucks. I mean, the guy's a
college lacrosse player. I mean,
what are you gonna do?
MASON
She didn't even like sports.
An iced-down bucket of drinks beckons.
DAD
You want a beer?
MASON
No, that's alright.
DAD
You can have one.
It's okay.

MASON

They continue their conversation out of the green room to a

little area overlooking the stage.
DAD
Yeah, well, for what it's worth,
we've all been through the exact
same thing, at one point or another.
MASON
It's not the same, though.
you never got to know her.

I mean,

166.
DAD
No, I know, I know.
same.

It's not the

MASON
I just don't know what I did wrong.
At this point Dad yells down to Jimmy, his roommate from
years before, briefly interrupting the sound check.
Hey, Jimmy.
Hey, Mason.

DAD
Hey, man.

Hey --

JIMMY

DAD
We're up here raiding the green room.
Hope that's okay.
JIMMY
That's totally cool.
Alright.
Wow!

DAD

JIMMY
Is that M.J.?

Uh-huh.

DAD
Right?

JIMMY
Unbelievable.
DAD
Well, we just decided to come a little
early, check you out.
JIMMY
That's cool man, let me finish up,
I'll be up in a minute.
DAD
Alright, alright.
He and Mason slowly start to drift around the venue.
DAD (CONT'D)
(back to Mason)
I guarantee you, you didn't do
anything wrong. These high school
love things, they never work out.
Here, come here.
(MORE)

167.
DAD (CONT'D)
I mean, everyone's just changing so
much. The odds of two young people
staying on the same wavelength are...
MASON
Yeah, but still -DAD
Look, and I also guarantee you that
every day of your life that you spend
crying over some silly girl is a
complete waste of time.
MASON
She wasn't a silly girl, though.
mean, she's a serious person. I
really thought we were -What?

DAD

MASON
I don't know.
DAD
Here's the truth. Women are never
satisfied. Ok? They're always
looking to potentially trade up and
that's, I'm sorry to say, what I
think has happened to you my fine
feathered friend.
MASON
What does that even mean?
DAD
It means don't hand over the controls
to your self-esteem to Sheila.
Sheena.

MASON

DAD
Alright. It means you are responsible
for you, not your girlfriend, not
your mom, not me. You. And if you
truly take care of you, you will be
amazed at how much girls like Sheena
start lining up at your front door.
Great.

MASON

168.
DAD
Yeah, you know, you just gotta
separate yourself from the pack in
some way. Excel at something, you
know, and then you have your pick of
the litter when them front-running
hussies start sniffing around.
MASON
So what you're saying is, I should
take up lacrosse.
DAD
Exactly. Or you could, you know,
start a band. Worked for me a long
time ago. I think it's still working
for Jimmy. Or you just keep taking
pictures.
MASON
She hated the pictures I took of
her.
DAD
Alright. I'm sick to death of her,
okay? I only met her a few times
and yes she was cute, alright. But,
truth be told I always thought she
was a little bit, you know, a little
bit too square for you. Y'know, not
quite the same vibe.
MASON
You really thought that?
DAD
On some subtle, lower level. I mean,
uh, I wasn't surprised when it turned
out she was interested in some
knucklehead lacrosse player, okay?
I mean, bottom line is, it's all
timing with these things. Y'know.
I mean, uh, take your mom and me.
Y'know I think I probably turned
into the boring castrated guy she
wanted me to be fifteen or twenty
years ago, y'know? And man I'm not
saying she was wrong to be pissed.
I'm not, I'm just saying that, y'know,
she could have been a little more
patient... a little more forgiving.
MASON
Would've saved me that parade of
drunken assholes.

169.
Dad gestures zipping his lip, saying nothing.
MASON (CONT'D)
So what's the point?
Of what?

DAD

MASON
I don't know, any of this.
Everything.
DAD
Everything? What's the point? I
mean I sure as shit don't know. I
mean, but, neither does anybody else.
Okay, we're all just winging it, you
know? I mean the good news is you're
feeling stuff. You know? And you
got to hold onto that. You do. I
mean you get older and you don't
feel as much. You're skin gets
tougher. The point is those pictures
you took. Thousands of submissions
from all over the state and you won.
MASON
Well, I got silver.
people did, too.

And nine other

DAD
I'm gonna kill you. I'm tryin' to
tell you that I believe in you,
Mason. I think you're really special,
and if some girl doesn't see that,
then fuck her, y'know?
Jimmy's at the mic.
JIMMY (O.S.)
Hey, this next one goes out to a
young man in the house -Woo-oho!

DAD

JIMMY
Known him since he was just a small
boy, now he's all graduated from
high school, making me feel old.
Happy high school graduation, Mason.
He plays his guitar, and the band kicks in... sounding pretty
great.

170.
INT. CAFE - DAY
Mom, Mason and Samantha sit down at a table.
places menus.

A waitress

MOM
Thank you. Okay guys, let's be clear.
I'm going to break this into four
categories. One. Anything you wanna
keep from your childhood and your
taking with you. Two. Throwing
away. Three. Donating. Four.
Whatever you wanna try to sell at
the garage sell next weekend, whatever
we don't sell, we're donating.
MASON
Doesn't the apartment have like an
attic, or storage or something?
MOM
No. You're missing the point. We're
not going to drag a bunch of crap to
mom's tiny apartment.
SAMANTHA
Can't believe we're moving again.
MOM
No, I'm moving! You moved two years
ago. You have an apartment in Austin.
Mason is moving the fall. I'm done.
This will be great for me. I'll
have all these options. I could
take a sabbatical. I could get some
writing done and try to get published.
MASON
What about Christmas, though?
are we gonna do?

What

SAMANTHA
I'm not sharing a room with him.
MOM
One of you will sleep on the couch,
and we'll use that blow-up mattress.
SAMANTHA
How am I supposed to do my laundry?
MOM
Sam, I'm gently pushing you out of
the nest.
(MORE)

171.
MOM (CONT'D)
And on your way down you may magically
find some quarters that you use to
do laundry in your own apartment.
Come on! You guys are adults. You
need to take some responsibility!
And what do you want?
Mom puts her glasses on.
MASON
I'm gonna get the veggie burger.
SAMANTHA
I'm not having anything, not hungry.
Mom takes her glasses off.
MOM
What's wrong with you?
I'm sick.

SAMANTHA

MOM
What is it, your head?
a fever?

Do you have

MASON
She's pregnant.
SAMANTHA
(weak laugh)
No. To be honest, I drank way too
much last night.
MOM
You weren't driving, were you?
SAMANTHA
No. No. Carrie's back home, too,
and we just hung out. You know,
peach Smirnoffs, they just go down
so easy.
MOM
No, no. Hey - that's not an excuse.
You can still pack boxes. These
people want to move in as soon as
possible.
The assistant restaurant manager, who'll we'll come to know
as ERNESTO, approaches the table.

172.
ERNESTO
Hi guys. I'm Ernesto, how are you?
(to Mom)
Uh, you probably don't remember me,
but I worked on your septic line
years ago.
Oh, yeah.

MOM

ERNESTO
Believe it or not, you changed my
life. Yeah, you told me that day
that I was smart and that I should
go to school. I took your advice!
I signed up for English classes and
then a year later I went to community
college and I got my associates
degree. And I'm working on my
bachelors now at Texas State. And
I'm also one of the managers here.
MOM
That's great.
ERNESTO
Uh, it's good to see you. Because I
really wanted a chance to thank you
for that. Gracias. It really meant
a lot to me. Don't worry about lunch.
It's on me. It's the least I can
do.
Thanks.

MOM

ERNESTO
You guys should listen to her.
a smart lady.
Thank you.

She's

MOM

Ernesto walks back toward the kitchen, leaving the three

seated at the table.
EXT. APARTMENT - MORNING
Mason, now with a scruffy beard, is wedging a duffel bag and
bin into the bed of his truck. He walks back toward Mom's
new apartment.

173.
INT. APARTMENT - MORNING
Mason is packing a box, in mid-conversation with Mom, who is
seated in another room.
MASON
...Isn't that kind of crazy though,
that a computer knows who you are
from just twenty questions off a
form? I guess there are really only
like eight types of people in the
world.
Mom goes to the kitchen and pours coffee into a mug.
MASON (CONT'D)
I mean there are subsets, like male
and female, but apparently we're not
as unique as we want to think we
are.
MOM
Have you even talked to this guy
yet?
MASON
No, but we've been trading emails.
He seems pretty cool. He's studying
literature, and uh, anthropology,
and he's way into Bright Eyes... so
that's not so bad. But anyways, he
was telling me about how the system
they use for assigning roommates is
kind of spooky. Like, the Freshmen
satisfaction rate for new roommates
used to be like 60%, and now it's
100%. Just cause of the computer.
MOM
Well. Sounds like he'll be a good
roommate, then.
MASON
Yeah. But we've pretty much decided
that soon they won't even need a
questionnaire. Because they'll just
let the NSA scan your digital ghost,
and they'll tell you who your roommate
is, based on everything you've ever
said, written, or clicked.
Mason walks back into the living room, carrying a box.
holds up a framed picture.

He

174.
MASON (CONT'D)
Did you -- Did you put this in here
again?
Mom laughs.
MASON (CONT'D)
I don't want it.
MOM
Come on, it's the first picture you
ever took.
MASON
Well, I mean, all the more reason to
leave it behind, right?
Mason goes to put the picture back in his room, while Mom
suddenly breaks into quiet sobs.
He comes back out, wearing a backpack, and notices Mom crying.
What?
(crying)
Nothing.

MASON (CONT'D)
MOM

MASON
No, what is it?
Nothing!
Mom...

MOM
MASON

MOM
This is the worst day of my life.
MASON
What are you talking about?
MOM
I knew this day was coming. I just -I didn't know you were gonna be so
fuckin' happy to be leaving.
MASON
I mean, it's not that I'm that happy.
What do you, what do you expect?

175.
MOM
You know what I'm realizing? My
life is just gonna go, like that!
This series of milestones. Getting
married, having kids, getting
divorced, the time that we thought
you were dyslexic, when I taught you
how to ride a bike, getting divorced
AGAIN, getting my masters degree,
finally getting the job I wanted,
sending Samantha off to college,
sending YOU off the college... You
know what's next? Huh? It's my
fuckin' funeral!
A beat.
MOM (CONT'D)
Just go, and leave my picture!
Stunned, Mason doesn't know what to say.
MASON
Aren't you jumping ahead by like,
forty years or something?
MOM
I just thought there would be more.
Mom sits at the table crying.
comfort her.

Mason does not know how to

EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY

Mason drives his pick-up truck through the open roads and
mountains of West Texas.
EXT. GAS STATION - DAY
Mason stops at a gas station to fill up.
takes pictures.

While he waits, he

EXT. UNIVERSITY - DAY

Mason pulls into the parking lot of his University and parks.
INT. DORM - AFTERNOON
Mason walks through a hallway area and finds his dorm room.
He enters to find it half decorated with music going. He
throws his bag up on the available bed and starts to unpack
and get situated. DALTON enters.
DALTON
Hey, you must be Mason.

176.
Yeah.

MASON
Dalton, right?

DALTON
Yeah, man, it's nice to finally meet
you.
Definitely.

MASON

DALTON
Are you cool with this side of the
room?
Yeah.

MASON

DALTON
Got in this morning, just moved my
shit in, man.
MASON
(laughs)
Well, yeah. I don't- I don't care.
No worries.
He unzips his bag, but keeps the conversation going.
DALTON
Cool. Can I help with anything,
man? Any bags? Any last stuff you
need brought in?
MASON
I just got like one... box left, I
packed pretty light. But I appreciate
it.
DALTON
My pleasure, man. Of course.
MASON
Um, are you goin' to the orientation
mixer thing?
DALTON
Orientation mixer thing? Fuck no,
man! I'm not goin' to that and
neither are you, by the way. We got
way better stuff to be doin', dude.
BARB, Dalton's girlfriend, drifts into the room.
You ready?

BARB

177.
DALTON
Yeah. Hey, Barb, this' my roommate
Mason. Mason, Barb.
They shake.
MASON

Hi.
Hey.

BARB
You comin' with us?

MASON
Where're you going?
Hiking.

BARB

DALTON
Yeah, man, you should come. If we
leave now we can catch the late
afternoon at Big Bend. You ever
been before, man?
MASON
Yeah. But not since I was really
little.
DALTON
Oh, well then all the more reason to
come now, man. That's why we're
here, dude.
Barb's roommate, NICOLE, is now hanging out by the door.
Oh, Mason.
roommate.

DALTON (CONT'D)
This is Nicole, Barb's

NICOLE
Hey, what's up?
Hi.

MASON

Barb is reaching in her bag for something.

DALTON
Mason, Nicole.
BARB
(to Mason)
So, you game?

178.
MASON

Sure.

She has produced a chunk of brownie that she hands to Mason.

BARB
Here. Have the rest of this. Got
it timed perfectly. It'll kick in
when we get to the mountains.
Mason takes it, a little amused, looks at the others
(confirmation), then starts to consume.
Awesome.
Let's go.

MASON
DALTON (O.S.)

They roll out of there.

EXT. BIG BEND - LATE AFTERNOON
Mason, Nicole, Dalton and Barb hike through a BIG canyon.
Nicole talks to Mason about teaching dance.
MASON
Do they let you major in that here?
NICOLE
Well, it's not that serious here, so
I kinda like train outside the
university, but I'm taking all my
basics like History of Dance and all
that.
Nice.
Yeah.

MASON
NICOLE

MASON
What do you teach?
NICOLE
Oh, gosh. Ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical,
hip-hop...
Wow.
Tap.

MASON
Which one's your favorite?
NICOLE

179.
Yeah?

MASON

NICOLE
Yeah. You can make up all your own
sounds and there's no rules.
Right...

MASON

NICOLE
Just, like, creative freedom.
MASON
That's great.
Yeah.
Right.

NICOLE
MASON

NICOLE
... So to be a part of bringing it
back to the kids...
MASON
Right, keep it going.
NICOLE
... Is really rewarding.

Yeah.

MASON
How old are they?
NICOLE
Six to eight.

Wow.

(laughs)

MASON

NICOLE
(laughing)
Yeah. They have like no fear, and
they're not self-conscious at all.
MASON
They haven't reached the awkward
years yet.
NICOLE
Yeah, not yet. It's coming.

180.
The group continues walking over a ridge as the sun is
setting.
EXT. HIKE - LATER
As Barb and Dalton coyote call on the rocks, Mason joins
Nicole sitting on a rock overlooking the river and sunset.
Hey.

NICOLE

Dalton and Barb continue like coyotes, much to Nicole and

Mason's amusement.
NICOLE (CONT'D)
Dalton can be crazy sometimes.
MASON
He seems cool, though.
Yeah.
cool.

NICOLE
Yeah, they're both really
How are you feeling?

They both laugh.

Great.

MASON
Really great, to be honest.

NICOLE
Good. I'm really happy that you're
hangin' out with us.
Yeah.

MASON
Me too.

Meanwhile, over on a big rock, the coyotes are now yelling

words.
DALTON (O.S.)
This moment's having a multiple
orgasm! It's like as if all of time
has unfolded before us so we can
stand here and look out and scream Fuck yea!! Wooo!
Back with Nicole and Mason laughing.
NICOLE
You know how everyone's always saying,
"Seize the moment"?
Mason nods yes.

181.
NICOLE (CONT'D)
I don't know, I'm kinda thinkin'
it's the other way around. You know,
like, the moment seizes us.
MASON
Yeah. Yeah, I know. It's constant,
the moments, it's just... it's like
always right now, you know?
Yeah.
They trade smiles.
FADE OUT

NICOLE