SIDE NOTES: THIS WILL BE WHERE I PLACE LITTLE BITS OF INFO ABOUT WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IN A SCENE
desert like terrain, dusty |
(Fade in)
EXT. - BIG AL'S Truckstop Parking Lot - Afternoon (ERNIE, a 35 year old white male, oddly dressed & looking clueless, is standing in a parking lot staring through the vent holes of a semitrailer that is hauling cattle, the truck is idling) WAITRESS
(standing in the entranceway of BIG AL'S Diner holding the front doors open) Sir...! Excuse me, sir!? (ERNIE slowly straightens up,
then turns just his head toward the WAITRESS showing her that she got his attention) WAITRESS
(yelling and trying to sound apologitic) Umm... yeah, sorry... but, you didn't pay... your bill?? (ERNIE continues to blankly stare back,
the WAITRESS mouths the words "your check", waving it and smiles. ERNIE turns his head the other way & notices a small MEXICAN TRUCKDRIVER man wearing a cowboy hat standing next to the passenger side door of the truck that's hauling the cattle. A MEXICAN WOMAN is looking out the passenger side truck window. Both are staring at ERNIE out of concern for their safety.) MEXICAN TRUCKDRIVER
(shrugging shoulders & speaking in spainish) These cows are okay...? Yes? (soon after the MEXICAN TRUCKDRIVER
speaks, the MEXICAN WOMAN starts talking in spanish very fast to the MEXICAN TRUCKDRIVER as if she's telling him to "not to speak to the crazy man") ERNIE
(looking puzzled) See what? WAITRESS'S VOICE (heard from a distance) Excuse me...?! Sir?! Hello!? (ERNIE hears the WAITRESS & turns his head
back at the WAITRESS who then waves a piece of paper reminding ERNIE that he hadn't paid his bill, pause, ERNIE then walks up to the WAITRESS, the mexican couple are heard arguing) ERNIE
Can I help you... (ERNIE notices her name tag says "Traci") ...Traci? (TRACI looks at ERNIE as if she doesn't know if ERNIE is serious or not)
WAITRESS
Umm... yea, hun, you just walked out. Are you okay, is there somebody I should call? ERNIE
What do you mean? (WAITRESS giggles a little, looks back in the diner then back
at ERNIE, pause, WAITRESS begins to think to understand) WAITRESS
I mean, you order like a whole lotta food, didn't eat any of it but still managed to make a mess. Now I find you out here... looking like you're about to take off. You're not trying to skip out, are ya? Now I'm sorry if you didn't like what you ordered, but I asked you. I asked if that's what you wanted, and in more ways than one, you said "Yes". Now sir, you got to come back in here...you still have to pay! (she hands the check to ERNIE & notices how odd ERNIE is dressed)
WAITRESS
(sounding a little concerned) Now, get in here before you get us both in trouble. (the WAITRESS walks in the diner as ERNIE watches her, pause, looks down at the bill and then looks surprised. The bill is $48.90. Ernie looks surprised)
ERNIE
What the hell did I order? INT. - BIG AL'S Diner - Afternoon
ERNIE is sitting at the middle booth where there's a row of the them along the windows
of this small (but clean) truckstop diner called BIG AL'S. The place isn't that busy, two couples sitting at a table looking like tourists and one skinny guy and one big guy are sitting at the counter having small talk. Everyone in the restaurant kind of knows what's going on, but keeps to themselves. ERNIE is staring down at the table he supposedly sat at looking over the mess he's being accused of making. The COOKS are watching ERNIE through the waitress window. The messresembles a town, where ERNIE used the food he ordered to help build it. ERNIE just looks at the mess in wonder, just before he statrts to clean up, the WAITRESS walks up. WAITRESS
(pulling out a rag) Oh, I got that hun, don't worry 'bout that, um... (talks a little softer so just ERNIE can hear) sorry to ask you this, but... (the WAITRESS turns to look at the COOKS
through the waitress window. ERNIE notices and sees the COOKS looking a bit irritated) WAITRESS
(sounding a bit concerned) ...do you have any money? (ERNIE looks a bit surprised, which concerns the WAITRESS, she starts to shake her head when all of sudden ERNIE pulls ot a wad of twenties and a single key. ERNIE reaches for the single key the WAITRESS reaches for the twenties)
WAITRESS
(looking concerned) Here, I'll help you with that. (The WAITRESS grabs three twenty dollar bills when a single key slides out)
WAITRESS
I'll bring you your change. ERNIE (looking at the key) No, thank you. Keep it. (looks up at the WAITRESS) Thanks for understanding, I didn't mean to startle you, I guess... (looks out the window then back at the WAITRESS) ...I guess I just wanted to look at those cows. WAITRESS Did you lose your appetite? ERNIE Wha...? Excuse me? The WAITRESS looks down at the mess on the table, then back at ERNIE.
ERNIE
(looks at the mess) Oh, yeah... sorry. You know what? May I have a carry-out container? I'm going to try a see if I can salvage any of this. WAITRESS
(still looking at ERNIE strangely) Yeah, hun... no problem. WAITRESS turns to leave, but waves the three twenty dollar bills so the COOKS can see that ERNIE has money.
COOK #1
(to himself, under his breath as he walks out of view) All right then. ERNIE looks at the key as if he's trying
to remember something, pause, he looks out the window and sees a few vehicles in the parking lot. The key does look like a car key. ERNIE doesn't remember how he got to the diner. He remembers this happening to him a few times before, but he knows not to panic. ERNIE looks around the diner at the other customers and tries to see if he can match the vehicles to their proper owner, pause, for some reason, ERNIE knows that "Ernie" is not his real name. He reaches for a backpocket & pulls out a wallet. The ID says "Ernest York" & it shows the picture of a light skinned black guy. ERNIE looks like he remembers something just when the WAITRESS walks up. WAITRESS
Handing the styro-foam container to ERNIE. Here you go, hun.Your car is right there. ERNIE Excuse me? WAITRESS Your car... I saw you looking around in the parking lot. You parked way over there for some reason. (pointing out window) Don't you worry, I'll clean up anything you don't take with ya, okay? Thanks again for the tip. (pause) You're sure your okay? ERNIE begins to gather up the remaining wad of money and also places a few more food items in the "to-go" container.
ERNIE
Yes...yes I'm fine. The WAITRESS is happy for receiving such a large tip,
starts clearing the glasses from the table. She doesn't see ERNIE waving as he looks out and sees the small compact car, but with two guys waving out of the windows, ERNIE gives a big grin & slows down on his actions. ERNIE
(to himself) Oh, yeah... those guys. ERNIE grabs up the "to-go" container & gets up from the booth. The WAITRESS hears ERNIE, but just grins & ignores it.
ERNIE leaves the diner while COOK #2 watches. COOK #2
That dude is fucking weird. |
OPENING CREDITS
EXT. - BIG AL'S Parking Lot - Afternoon
ERNIE walks yhrough the parking lot & to the car that he now remembers driving. ERNIE notices his three buddies that are traveling with him, Spencer, Bruno & Peter.
Spencer is sitting "shotgun", PETER is sitting behind SPENCER & BRUNO sits behind the driver BRUNO is hanging out of the window, arms dangling with a stupid grin on his face. BRUNO
What'd you do? Forget about us? ERNIE stops walking and shades the sun from his eyes with the "to-go" container.
ERNIE
Yeah, I... I blacked out again. Sorry, I came to and I was looking... BRUNO (interrupting ERNIE) ...looking at some cows. We know, we saw. Now let's go. SPENCER Hey, you alright? You blacked out again? (ERNIE continues to walk towards the car, uses the key to unlock the car door & gets in)
INT. - Inside Car - Day (ERNIE closes car door, gives the leftovers to BRUNO and starts to put the key in the ignition then ERNIE has a quick flash and sees the empty back seat with the "to-go" container upside down on the seat and the food spilled out, but SPENCER slaps ERNIE'S hand and ERNIE snaps out of it, ERNIE realizes that SPENCER just slapped his hand and looks over at him) SPENCER
Seatbelt. (ERNIE pauses, looks a little irritated, sees BRUNO eating the leftovers, then pulls the seatbelt over. Puts the key in the ignition, SPENCER slaps ERNIE again)
SPENCER
Check your mirrors. BRUNO
(with food in his mouth) What are you...? His mother? SPENCER
Excuse me, but did he or did he NOT say he blacked out, smartass? And being the fact that he is the only one who can drive out of the four of us...yeah, I'm a bit fuckin' concerned...alright? ERNIE
I'm fine. (ERNIE adjusts the side mirrors then the rear view mirror & notices PETER sitting still staring out the window looking catatonic & starts the car, BRUNO has to get one more comment in)
BRUNO
I don't see how the mirrors or the seat belt is gonna prevent him from passing the fuck out. ERNIE
(stern) I said I'm fine. (pause) How's PETER? (both BRUNO & SPENCER look at PETER, pause, then look at ERNIE)
ERNIE
Did I miss something? BRUNO
Everytime. (ERNIE drives to the edge of the lot to wait for a semitruck to pass to head back on to the highway)
INT. - BIG AL'S Diner - Day
(the WAITRESS is talking to the COOKS throught he waitress window)
WAITRESS
(sounding sympathitic) Did you see that guy? Poor thing... COOK #2 I think we should have called the cops. WAITRESS (sounding defensive) Go ahead... they're gonna ask for your identification, hombre. Something to think about. COOK #2 I'm telling you, it looked like he was pissing in the trunk of his car. (the COOK #2 glares at the WAITRESS as she walks away popping her gum, waving him off, shaking her head. Then the COOK #2 notices ERNIE tear off onto the highway when the semitruck passed, causing dust to kick up in a big cloud)
INT. - Inside Car - Day
(ERNIE is driving the speed limit, there's silence among the four, ERNIE looks in the rearview mirror several times. SPENCER notices that ERNIE is constantly looking in the rear view mirror and looks back at PETER, then back and ERNIE.
ERNIE notices, then looks at SPENCER, but at the same time still trying to watch the road) ERNIE
What? What's the matter? (SPENCER turns and looks out the window, obviously trying to ignore ERNIE'S question)
SPENCER
(looks surprised & points out window) Ooo...cows. (tension begins to build as ERNIE keeps looking back at SPENCER who is still looking out the window, pause)
BRUNO
Oh, ooo, ooo... look, look! These cows are fucking. (pause) Dudes...I just saw my first bull cock. Did you see that PETER? (ERNIE, who was still involved with SPENCER
hears what BRUNO says to PETER which then ERNIE looks at PETER through the rear view mirror and notices PETER with the same frozen facial expressions, has now turned his head towards BRUNO'S window as if he was actually looking out it, ERNIE gets excited) ERNIE
He turned his head...Peter...Peter turned his head. (SPENCER turns to back at PETER, then at ERNIE, then back out the window)
SPENCER
I guess he wanted to see some of that bull cock. (ERNIE looks over at SPENCER)
SPENCER
Did you like that PETER? Did you like that bull cock? ERNIE
Leave him alone. (ERNIE looks again in the rear view mirror at PETER, but PETER is now staring at ERNIE with same cold stare, startles ERNIE)
ERNIE
What the...? (ERNIE, being startled, loses a little bit of control of the vehicle, SPENCER gets a little scared, but the jerking motion seems to have woken BRUNO from a nap)
SPENCER
Whoa...hey. What's up? BRUNO
What the fuck? What's going on? What happened? ERNIE
It's PETER, he just freaked me out, that's all. (pause, ERNIE looks at PETER through the rear view mirror & PETER is just staring back, blank & cold.
ERNIE finally speaks after sometime) ERNIE
What'd you guys bring him for anyway? (BRUNO lets SPENCER explain by looking out the window)
SPENCER
He needed out too. (SPENCER turns toward the window again, hoping not to explain any further
car zooms down the highway) ERNIE
I don't understand...is it just me? He seems to be able to do all these amazing things when I'm not around, but when I am around...he's like this. You know...? What the hell? (its obvious that ERNIE is a little shaken up over the fact that PETER acts catatonic when only ERNIE is around, almost to the point of paranoia, ERNIE begins to feel that maybe PETER is faking it)
BRUNO
Oh, I don't know, maybe because you're real name isn't ERNIE. Think maybe that's what's got him freaked out? (ERNIE sees BRUNO gently push PETER'S face towards the window so he can look out, pause)
ERNIE
Does he not like me? (toward PETER) Do you not like me PETER? Is that it? BRUNO Well, dude. You just said that PETER freaked you out. You probably hurt his feelings. If you said that to me, I wouldn't talk to you for the rest of the day either...you know? ERNIE (sounding a little frustrate) That's just it, BRUNO. He doesn't talk to me at all. (towards PETER) Right PETER? Not a peep. (towards BRUNO) And you know what, BRUNO? You do freak me out, you all freak me out. (There's a pause, BRUNO looks at ERNIE for a bit, then turns to look out the window)
BRUNO
(to himself, towards ERNIE) Ha, ha...I'm still gonna talk to ya. (BRUNO flips the middle-finger behind ERNIE's head)
ERNIE
Right back at ya, asshole. (SPENCER turns around and looks at BRUNO. BRUNO raises his hands & mouths the words to SPENCER "how's he know?"
SPENCER just smiles & turns around, looks at ERNIE, ERNIE has a grin on his face) INT. - Inside Car - Night
Passing car lights shine across ERNIE'S & SPENCER'S face.
Bruno is asleep and has the empty "to-go" container on his belly with bits of food all over him. PETER is just staring straight ahead. SPENCER & PETER notice a car pulled off to the side of the highway. The hazard lights are on. Both ERNIE & SPENCER ease forward in their seats to get a better look as they slow down. They notice the car has a flat tire and that there is only a woman driving the car. She's behind the steering wheel and is on the phone. They don't see her face. ERNIE pulls over the side of the highway in front of the woman's car. SPENCER
What are you doing? ERNIE
She needs help. SPENCER
No, no, no, no...not now! C'mon already...man! ERNIE gets out of the car as BRUNO wakes up.
ERNIE leans back in the window. ERNIE
I'm just going to ask if everything is okay. ERNIE heads to the other car.
BRUNO
What's going on? PETER
I'll tell you what the fuck is going on. This pussy motherfucker is gonna get us all pinched if he don't stop with these fucking heroics. SPENCER
What do you want us to do about it? He's in charge. PETER
Motherfucker... PETER grabs spencer from behind across his forehead, pulls his head back against the head rest & holds a knife to this throat.
BRUNO
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...Peter, man. BRUNO sits up & the 'to-go' container flips off onto the seat.
PETER
(towards BRUNO) Shut the fuck up fat ass. (towards SPENCER) I'm fuckin' in charge...get it? We got this far because of me...me! i don't care if that faggot motherfucker remembers everything or nothing at all. preferably, nothing at all, if he starts...fuck it. we need a new car. Give me those fuckin' car keys. PETER let's go of spencer. SPENCER grabs the keys and hands them to PETER.
Peter gets out of the car just as ERNIE gets in. Both doors close at the same time. EXT. - Side of the Highway - Night
ERNIE walks up to the other car. he can hear the woman talking on her cell phone. As ERNIE approaches the WOMAN, he notices the her face is all beat up and bleeding and carrying on talking on the phone like there's nothing wrong.
WOMAN
(talking dirty on phone) Yeah. That's right, that's right...yeah, baby, that's the way I like it, hold on. The WOMAN puts phone down and tries to smile, but her face is swollen really bad, both eyes are nearly closed, blood comming out of her nose, mouth & ears and her lips are split open.
ERNIE has a quick flash and sees the WOMAN in the trunk of car. The WOMAN looks at ERNIE and hands over some keys.
WOMAN
Would you mind? ERNIE takes the keys and snaps out of the quick flash when he closes the trunk to the WOMAN'S car. He looks like he doesn't know where he is. he looks around, then looks at the the tire he remembers that should be flat but it isn't now ERNIE looks at himself and realizes he's a bit dirty. He thinks he must have changed the tire. ernie looks for the WOMAN but doesn't find her.
ERNIE
(shouts) Hello? Hello? ERNIE walks back to the car still looking around for the WOMAN.
ERNIE gets to the driver side door. INT. - Inside Car - Night
Ernie gets into the car just as Peter gets out. Both doors close at the same time.
ERNIE
I think I just changed a tire. I'm not really sure...I blacked out again. Ernie looks in the rear view mirror & notices that Peter isn't in the car. Ernie turns around rather quickly and looks again at where Peter should be.
ERNIE
Where's Peter? EXT. - Side of Highway - Night
Peter is seen closing the trunk to a car. INT. - Inside of Car - Night Bruno
Who? ERNIE Fuckin' Peter, motherfu... ERNIE stops mid sentence because he hears the closing of a trunk. He looks through the rear view window and sees the headlights of the woman's car. ERNIE then notices that somebody has walked in front of them. He then decides to get out of the car.
EXT. - Side of Highway - Night
Ernie gets out of the car and sees a man that looks like he's been beat up pretty bad. It reminds ERNIE of the woman. The man steps back when ERNIE approaches. It takes ERNIE by surprise. ERNIE
Hold it, hold it. I'm not going to hurt you. Are you okay? Do you need any help? MAN looks confused & very upset.
ERNIE
Do you want me to take you somewhere? MAN looks like he can't believe what he's hearing.
MAN
What? ERNIE do you want me... MAN What is this? some kind of joke? are you testing me? what are you going to do to me? beat the shit out of me down the road? no thanks. I'll stick to the first deal you gave me. ERNIE First deal? Ext. - Side of Highway - Night
ERNIE comes to watching the car drive off into the distance. He's several feet in front of the cars headlights that are shining on him. BRUNO
Hey, you hear me? ERNIE watches the car drive off into the distance.
ERNIE
Yeah, I hear ya. There's a short pause then ERNIE turns around and to face BRUNO & SPENCER, but notices PETER is in the backsest of the womans car.
ERNIE
What the fuck just happened? |