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by Penny Lane
Rated: 
Genre: Drama
User Review: 
Even love fails us sometimes.
Be true to yourself, don't steal my ideas.
FADE IN:
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INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY |
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A decent living room in a well-kept suburban home. Light
rock music pours from a station on the stereo. MEGAN and
JIMMY, an attractive mid-twenties couple, are laughing. |
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MEGAN
I do remember that! Oh, God...high
school. If I could, I'd get all my
memories of it erased. |
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JIMMY
Was it really that bad? |
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MEGAN
Yes! You have no idea--it's just
different for guys, that's all. |
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JIMMY
We don't have to talk about it. |
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MEGAN
No, no, it's fine. Are you hungry?
That pizza was supposed to be here
ten minutes ago. |
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JIMMY
Well, if they're late, we're not
paying. |
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MEGAN
(distractedly)
Right. |
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He moves closer to her on the couch, studying her. This
makes her nervous. |
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He starts to lean in to kiss her, but she blocks him at the
last minute. Offended, he sits back. |
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JIMMY
Megan. What is it? (off her look)
I wish you could forget about
Russ. I'm not him. You know that. |
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2.
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MEGAN
It's not that. You and Lauren-- |
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JIMMY
--are not involved. I don't know
what she told you, but it's a lie. |
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MEGAN
Yeah, well, maybe it's not. |
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JIMMY
You don't believe me. |
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MEGAN
She's my best friend. Okay? |
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She pats him on the arm and stands. He follows, grabbing her
wrist and pulling her to face him. |
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MEGAN (cont'd)
Let go of me. (beat) She's here. |
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JIMMY
No, it's probably the Pizza Hut
man. Where's my wallet? |
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INT. FRONT HALL - DAY
Megan bounds to the door to unlock it, and LAUREN bursts in.
Full of tomboyish energy, she doesn't waste a minute. |
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LAUREN
I gotta tell you, Megan, the 405
is absolute murder. Don't go out
today, whatever you do. |
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LAUREN
Good. You should rest. You look
like you definitely need a nap.
(yells) Jimmy, get a move on! Now! |
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Jimmy shuffles to the door, reluctantly. He tries to smile
at Megan, but she isn't looking at him. Lauren leans back in
the door to hug Megan briefly. |
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LAUREN
We always do. Later! |
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3.
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She pulls the door shut behind her. Megan locks it. |
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INT. LAUREN'S CAR (TOYOTA 4-RUNNER) - DAY
Lauren handles the car with perfect skill, turning to talk
to Jimmy, in the passenger's seat. |
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LAUREN
So, did you eat anything today? |
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JIMMY
We ordered pizza, but it didn't
get there yet. |
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LAUREN
Ha. Did she try and make you eat
some Ramen with mixed veggies? |
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JIMMY
No, but that sounds good right
now. I'm starving. |
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LAUREN
Just wait till you see what I've
got planned. It's a lot better
than pizza and Ramen noodles. |
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EXT. BOARDWALK 11 RESTAURANT - DAY
The Toyota pulls into the parking lot and finds a space.
Lauren and Jimmy emerge and start inside. |
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INT. MEGAN'S HOUSE. BATHROOM - AFTERNOON
Megan enters the bathroom and shuts the door partway. She
opens the medicine cabinet and searches until she finds a
hidden steak knife. She looks at herself in the mirror,
sniffling, then pushes her sleeve back. On the inside of her
arm are SEVERAL CUTS, some healed. Megan raises the knife to
her skin and starts to cut her wrist, then jerks suddenly
and drops the knife. She tears up. |
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MEGAN
God. Just do it, you stupid freak!
You're such a baby. |
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She fumbles with the knife, poking it into her wrist. She
lets it fall into the sink, having drawn enough blood to
satisfy her. She crumples against the wall, crying. |
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4.
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INT. MEGAN'S HOUSE. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
The remains of a half-eaten pizza sit on the counter. Megan,
with a newly bandaged wrist, dials on a cordless phone. |
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EXT. SANTA MONICA BOARDWALK - AFTERNOON
Jimmy and Lauren walk along the beach, enjoying the day with
another couple, HOLLY and DAVE, a mediocre professional
couple, slightly older. They're holding hands. Jimmy's cell
rings, and he starts to answer, but Lauren firmly takes the
phone from him and turns it off. |
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DAVE
And after Holly got her promotion,
things have been great. We finally
took a real vacation this year.
(conspiratorial) Hawaii. |
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LAUREN
(truly impressed)
Wow. |
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JIMMY
I've been there. A lot of surfers
and scam artists. They're pretty
territorial folks. |
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LAUREN
Oh, come on, that's not true.
Hawaii's a great place. |
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JIMMY
If you grew up there, yeah. |
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HOLLY
Jimmy, how many times you been
there? |
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JIMMY
Three. Counting business. |
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HOLLY
You should show us the pictures
next time. Dave here lost his
camera and all the rolls of film. |
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DAVE
Hey, I thought that woman had just
bumped into us. |
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5.
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JIMMY
Yeah, the scammers. They'll put a
lei around your neck and charge
you for it, if you're not careful. |
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LAUREN
Isn't he great? He knows
everything. |
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JIMMY
Actually, I heard that from Megan. |
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Lauren cuts him off, covering his mouth. She smiles
placatingly at the others. |
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LAUREN
It's his sister. They go
everywhere together. |
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Jimmy pushes her hand away, irritated. Holly and Dave look
at each other in mutual confusion. |
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INT. MEGAN'S HOUSE. LIVING ROOM - EVENING
Night is settling. Megan carries a plate of pizza, and a
glass of water, to the couch. She flicks the TV on, losing
herself in the images. |
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EXT. WESTERN APARTMENTS - NIGHT
Lauren pulls the Toyota to a stop in front of the
apartments, letting Jimmy out. She stops him. |
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LAUREN
Hey. I love you. Goodnight. |
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She shuts the door and peels out, leaving him in the parking
lot. He takes out his cell phone and checks the missed
calls. His face darkens. |
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INT. MEGAN'S HOUSE. FRONT HALL - NIGHT
The doorbell rings. Megan goes to answer, and sees Jimmy. |
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6.
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JIMMY
I'm just going to say this once.
(beat) Stop pushing me away. |
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He kicks the door shut and, taking Megan in his arms, slams
her up against the wall, kissing her passionately. She
starts to reciprocate, holding his head between her hands,
smoothing down his hair. They break apart. |
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JIMMY (cont'd)
Tell me you didn't just feel that. |
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JIMMY
This. Us. What we have. |
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She stares at him, unsure how to respond. |
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MEGAN
You know what, I think maybe I
should go to bed. I have an early
day tomorrow. |
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JIMMY
Then let me stay here with you. |
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JIMMY
Yes. I am not leaving you by
yourself in this house. |
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MEGAN
Fine. But you're sleeping on the
couch. If you even try anything,
you're gone. |
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JIMMY
Still upset about Lauren? I told
you, we're friends only. She has
this crush on me. It's not mutual. |
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MEGAN
She thinks you like her, Jimmy. I
can't do this. It's not fair. |
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7.
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MEGAN
She would never do this to me. |
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Jimmy grabs her arm for emphasis, but sees the cut wounds.
He inhales sharply. |
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JIMMY
Why would you even do such a thing
to yourself? Could you please
explain it to me?! |
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MEGAN
(crying)
It's none of your business, just
get out! Now! |
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JIMMY
All right, you know what? I'm
getting sick of you and your
pathetic self-sacrificing
attitude! No one's doing this to
you but yourself, and you know it! |
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He storms out the door, pissed. Megan is shaken.
INT. BAR - NIGHT
Jimmy is downing several shots of whiskey.
EXT. LOS ANGELES. STREET - LATE NIGHT
Passed out in a restaurant doorway, Jimmy suddenly jerks
back into consciousness. Abashed, he starts walking again.
INT. LAUREN'S APARTMENT - NEXT MORNING
Typical Southern California urban flat. Paintings, art deco,
vases adorn the place. Modern, stainless steel appliances
everywhere. Lauren is working out to an exercise tape on TV,
breaking a light sweat. She pauses it, answering the door.
It's Jimmy. He looks terrible and hungover. |
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8.
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LAUREN
Jimmy! Hey. I was just doing the
Buns of Steel tape. Come on in. |
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He does. Lauren pulls him over to the couch excitedly. |
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LAUREN (cont'd)
Have you been drinking? |
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LAUREN
Hmmn. At least you're legal,
that's all I gotta say. Lie down.
Take it easy. Don't throw up. |
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She leads him to the couch. |
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She starts to remove his jacket, which is stained with dew
and alcohol, holding her nose. |
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LAUREN
Good grief, do you ever stink! |
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JIMMY
Lauren, how much do you really
like me? |
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JIMMY
You're the only one I can stand
seeing right now, and I don't want
to make the wrong decision. |
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She kisses him on the forehead. He raises himself up and
kisses her back, on the mouth. They stare at each other, and
then she leans in again. |
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INT. DANCE CLUB - EVENING
Megan, dressed as a waitress, is cleaning tables. She stops
with a tray when she sees Jimmy approaching. He's
clean-shaven and wearing new clothes. |
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9.
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JIMMY
Thought I'd stop by and see how
you're doing. |
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JIMMY
You like saying that a lot? (beat)
Stopped cutting yet? |
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MEGAN
That doesn't concern you. |
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JIMMY
I see. How about the clothes, you
like them? |
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MEGAN
Yeah, they're great. |
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JIMMY
Lauren hooked me up with them.
We've been dating a month now. |
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MEGAN
Honestly? (off his nod) I feel
like complete ****. |
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JIMMY
(laughing shortly)
Me too. |
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INT. LAUREN'S APARTMENT. LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON
Lauren sits on the couch primly, turning as Jimmy enters. |
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He rounds the couch to sit by her. |
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JIMMY
Yeah, I know. Lauren, I need to
tell you something. I'm in love
with-- |
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10.
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LAUREN
You heard me, silly. We're having
a baby! |
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LAUREN
Of course. I haven't been with
anyone else. |
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JIMMY
There's no way it's mine! |
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LAUREN
Yes, it is. Jimmy, I lied. I
wasn't on the pill. |
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He suddenly slaps her across the face, hard. Lauren is
stunned. |
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JIMMY (cont'd)
You had--no right--to do that! I
cannot believe this. |
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LAUREN
It doesn't matter! This child is
yours, and you are supporting it
because I say so. |
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Her words impact him, and he pales. |
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JIMMY
You were planning this all along. |
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LAUREN
I really think we'd make great
parents, don't you? |
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JIMMY
Think all you want, I'm out of
here. You can't do this. |
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11.
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He rushes from the room, trembling with fury.
EXT. MEGAN'S HOUSE - AFTERNOON
Megan is out front watering some small plants. Jimmy drives
up in his Chevy truck and screeches to a halt. He tumbles
out from the cab, shaking, and goes to her. |
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MEGAN
Jimmy, what's wrong? |
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JIMMY
You have to help me. I--I can't
even think straight. I cannot
believe she would do this! |
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INT. MEGAN'S HOUSE. LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON
Jimmy lies on the couch, pale but calmed down. Megan sits in
a chair nearby, hands clasped. |
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MEGAN (cont'd)
I can't believe she did that,
either. That's so low. |
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JIMMY
You know, she's expecting me to
raise it. She wants to get
married. I'm not ready for this. |
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MEGAN
I know. I wouldn't be, either. |
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Jimmy falls to the floor and kneels in front of her,
grabbing her hands, kissing her, smoothing her hair back.
He's on the verge of tears. |
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JIMMY
You don't understand. I did want
children, but with you. I wanted
to start a family with you. I
don't even love Lauren. |
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Megan starts to tear up. She hugs him. |
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12.
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JIMMY (cont'd)
This is so stupid. It's totally
****ed up. I was with her once,
Megan. One time. That's all it
took. Why didn't you take me when
you had the chance? |
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MEGAN
I'm sorry. I didn't think I
deserved you. I thought Lauren was
better for you. I really did. |
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JIMMY
We can't be together anymore after
this, Megan. |
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MEGAN
I know. I love you. |
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JIMMY
Oh, my God. I'm going to be a dad. |
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He starts to laugh, bitterly, pulling away from Megan and
collapsing to the floor. He laughs louder and harder. |
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FADE OUT. |
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| Feedback |
| From jacobb |
Date 6/5/2007 |
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| It's a pretty good screenplay, I liked it. I thought the story was going to be happy until I realized that megan and Lauren both had a thing for Jimmy. The part about megan cutting was really good, I liked how you described it. I like how there was controversie between the characters, and the whole Lauren getting pregnant thing was a total surpise. I didn't see it coming and that pretty much turned the whole story around. You should of made the characters be in high school because it would of mad the story more better, but it's your screenplay not mine. The dialogue was good, except for a few parts here and there, but it was well written. I can tell that you put a lot of effort into this screenplay, good job! |
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