"WEDDING CRASHERS" (2005)

STATS112pages123scenes38,818words44%dialogue79characters

Words

  • dialogue16,92044%
  • action18,56548%
  • other3,3338.6%

Scenes

location
  • INT 37
  • EXT 30
  • UNKNOWN 56
time
  • DAY 1
  • NIGHT 2
  • CONT 10
  • UNKNOWN 110
1

OPEN

THE WEDDING CRASHERS

by

SteveFaber

&

Bob Fiber

August1,2003

I N T .LAWFIRMOF BECKWITH AND KLEIN - DAY

A s m a l l Bostonlawf i r m .Afewlawyersand c l i e n t sm i l l a b o u t .Wez e r oi n on one door with a p l a q u et h a tr e a d s"John Beckwith." JOHN BECKWITH, an a t t o r n e y ,e a r l y t h i r t i e s ,is s i t t i n g a th i sd e s ki na w e l la p p o i n t e do f f i c et a l k i n gont h e phone a n g r i l y .

J O H N
Oh b u l l s h i t !Yousaw t h e s u r v e i l l a n c e v i d e o t a p e .Your c l i e n t ' ss l i p and ' f a l l wast h e b i g g e s ta c t i n gjobs i n c e It o o k t h es t a g ei n e i g h t h g r a d ea s O t h e l l o .And I blew!
( b e a t )
Never gonna happen. Maybe a q u a r t e roft h a t .Maybe.1'11t a l k t o t h ei n s u r e r .

J o h n ' sa t t e n t i o n i sc a p t u r e d by a h o ts e c r e t a r y walking by.

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g )
G r e a t .Talk t o yourc i i e n t .
( b e a t )
Yeah, n e x tF r i d a y .Ig o tgood s e a t s .Bringt h a tg i r l ,your f r i e n d...w i t ht h e h a i r ? Yeah.Okay.

John hangs up t h e phoneand p u t sh i sf e e tupon t h edesk.

2

INT. LAW FIRM OF BECKWITH AND KLEIN - CONTINUOUS

JEREMY K L E I N ,aDivorcelawyer,e a r l y3 0 1 s ,s i t sa tad e s k w i t haWOMAN, a l s oi n h e rt h i r t i e s .H i se y e s wandert ot h e same h o ts e c r e t a r y now walking by h i so f f i c e .

WOMAN
E i g h ty e a r sofm a r r i a g ea l ls h o t t oh e l l .
JEREMY
( e y e s f o l l o w i n g t h e s e c r e t a r y ' sa s s )
Had I known you e i g h ty e a r sago I would have a d v i s e d yout oa v o i d t h e wedding.
WOMAN
But I do b e l i e v ei nt h e i n s t i t u t i o nofm a r r i a g e .

J e r e m y ' sa t t e n t i o n i sj o l t e db a c k t ot h ewoman.

3

- JEREMY

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Did you s a y t h e " i n s t i t u t i o n ? "No,no.The Boston Red Sox are an i n s t i t u t i o n . P a s t r a m i onr y e i s ani n s t i t u t i o n . Y r .Rogers i sani n s t i t u t i o n . Marriage i s a c u r s e .Our punishment f o r o r i g i n a ls i n .

The woman i s t a k e naback.

JEREMY
( c o n t i n u i n g )
Do you u n d e r s t a n d t h e u g l i n e s s I see h e r ee v e r y day? Thes h e e r t o r m e n t ?Thea b s o l u t e h e l l ?J u s t b e c a u s ep e o p l el i k eyou...and God b l e s syouri n n o c e n th e a r t ,r e a l l y b e l i e v ei n t h e" i n s t i t u t i o n "o f m a r r i a g e !
WOMAN
My p a r e n t swere h a p p i l y m a r r i e d .
JEREMY
No. They r e a l l yw e r e n ' t .Yout h i n k t h e ywere.Butt h e y ' r e a l l yw e r e n ' t .
WOMAN
They w e r e n ' t ?

Jeremy s h a k e s h i shead.

WOMAN
( c o n t i n u i n g :b e a t )
Mom d i d d r i n k...qu i t eal o t .
JEREMY
O fc o u r s es h ed i d .Theya l ldo.
( u s h e r i n g t h e woman o u t )
Don't worry, w e ' l lgof o r t h e j u g u l a r .

H es h a k e s h e rhandand t h e womane x i t s .Hes e e sJohn down t h e h a l land m o t i o n sf o rhim t ocome by.Johne n t e r s and p l o p s down on t h ecouch.

JOHN
So what's up?

Jeremy r e a c h e si n t o h i sd e s k d r a w e rand p u l l so u tab o t t l eof \. s i n g l e m a l ts c o t c h w i t har i b b o naround itand hands itt o John.

... JEREMY Happy Anniversary.

JOHN
Huh?
JEREMY
F i f t e e ny e a r s ,myf r i e n d !

John l o o k s p e r p l e x e d

JEREMY
( c o n t i n u i n g )
J u n e 11,1988?PaulRevere High? J u n i o rProm n i g h t ?
JOHN
Ohhhh. Righ.t.Yeah. The n i g h twe m e t .
JEREMY
Could yoc sound more underwhelmed?
JOHN
I ' mn o tunderwhelmed.
JEREMY
You t o o k BarbaraR o t h s t e i nt ot h e prom and wound up i nt h e men's room making o u t w i t ha n o t h e r g i r l .
J O H N
And you were i n t h es t a l l n e x tt o me making. o u t w i t hsomec h i c k who was n o tyourd a t e .Whowasyour d a t e ?
JEREMY
Mary T h e r e s aS p i n o l l i .Don'tyou remember? Turned o u ts h e was c h e a t i n gonm e !-
JOHN
Ohhh. T h a t ' sr i g h t .
JEREMY
I knew t h a tn i g h tt h a tyouand I were c u tfrom t h esame c l o t h .B e s t f r i e n d sf o r e v e r .
( b e a t )
I c a n ' tb e l i e v e youf o r g o t .
J O H N
A l o ton mymind.

- JEREMY You think it's gay, don't you? The anniversary thing ...

JOHN
I don't think it's gay.
JEREMY
Because you forgot on our tenth, too. Remember I got you that beer- of-the-month club thing?
JOHN
Yeah, that was great. The beer.
JEREMY
You thought it was gay.
JOHN
I didn't think it was gay, for Christ's sake! It was beer!
JEREMY
Then how come you never get me anything for our anniversary?
JOHN
Okay...what you said right there? That was a little gay.
JEREMY
Oh, fuck you. Anyway, we've got a big three weeks ahead of us.
JOHN
Yeah. End of the wedding season. How many weddings are we gonna crash?

Jeremy looks at his daytimer.

JEREMY
I've got us down for eight.
JOHN
Any of them cash bars?
JEREMY
Two. But I got it covered.
(pulling out two medals)
Purple hearts. We won't have buy a drink all night.
J O H N
P e r f e c t .
JEREMY
E i g h to p p o r t u n i t i e st o g e tl a i d , my f r i e n d .E i g h to p p o r t u n i t i e s t o s c o r e w i t hwomens o a r o u s e d byt h e t h o u g h tofm a r r i a g et h e y m i s t a k e n l y hook on t ou sa s t h e men of t h e i rdreams.
J O H N
Bingo. I ' l lg e t myt u x .

Jeremy walks t oh i sd o o r and g r a b sac l o t h i n g bag.They e x i t .

4

EXT. TEMPLE BETH SHALOM/VESTIBULE - LATER

J o h n andJeremy,i n t u x e d o s ,e n t e r t h eSynagogueand i n t r o d u c e t h e m s e l v e st ot h eu s h e r s .

JOHN
H i ,Lou E p s t e i n .
JEREMY
Chuck Schwartz.

They b o t h p u ton t h e i ryarmulkes.

I N T .SYNAGOGUE-A LITTLE LATER

The s e r v i c e i si n f u l lswing.The Rabbi i sc h a n t i n g .John g l a n c e sa tap r e t t yyoung womans i t t i n g downt h ea i s l efrom him. S h e ' schoked up.Shel o o k sa tJohnand s m i l e s .John t a k e so u tah a n d k e r c h i e fanddabsaf a k e t e a rfrom h i se y e . The woman t a k e sab r e a t h ,s h e ' ss m i t t e n . I tt a k e sar e a l man t oc r y a tawedding.CLOSE ON: J o h n ' shand.H e ' sc o n c e a l i n g a s m a l l t u b eof" B a u s c handLaumbHypoT e a r s . "

Jeremy makes e y ec o n t a c t w i t ha n o t h e r woman.She r e t u r n st h e e y ec o n t a c t .Jeremys m i l e s and t u r n saway.S h e ' sn o tt h eone He l o o k st oh i sl e f tand c a t c h e s t h eg a z e o fayoung blonde woman. She b r i e f l yr e t u r n sh i sg l a n c e and h a l f - s m i l e s .Jeremy smiles. S h e ' st h eone.

The Rabbi c o n c l u d e s ,t h eGroom s t e p s on t h eg l a s s ,t h ecrowd i n c l u d i n go u rguyss h o u t ,"Maze1Tov!"

5

INT. BALLROOM - LATER

The r e c e p t i o n i si nf u l lswing.A sas o r to fh i p~ l e z m e rband p l a y s ,we see John a n d Jeremyp r a c t i c i n g t h ef i n ea r tof wedding c r a s h i n g :

John does a-magic t r i c kf o rsomek i d s .

Jeremy dances w i t h t h eb r i d e l s . m o t h e r .S h e ' s b l u s h i n g .

John s l a p ssomeo l d guyon t h e backa sJohn s h a r e s w i t hhim a d i s i n g e n u o u sl a u g h .

Jeremy r a i s e sh i sg l a s st o t o a s tt h e happyc o u p l e .

John r a i s e sh i sg l a s s t ot o a s tt h ehappyc o u p l e .

Jeremy does magic t r i c k sf o r t h ek i d s .

John dances w i t ht h e b r i d e ' smother.

Jeremy dances w i t ht h esecond woman he made eyec o n t a c t w i t h .

John dances s l o w l y w i t ht h ewoman whosaw him c r y .

Jeremy, i na s e c l u d e da l c o v e ,i saboutt ok i s st h e womanhe was d a n c i n g w i t h .

John, i na s e c l u d e da l c o v e ,i s a b o u tt ok i s st h e womanhe was d a n c i n gw i t h .

SMASH CUT:

6

EXT. ST. MARY'S CHURCH - AFTERNOON

John and Jeremy walk up t h es t e p so fa C a t h o l i c Church.

I N T .ST.MARY'SCHURCH - CONTINUOUS

John and Jeremy e n t e randi n t r o d u c e t h e m s e l v e s t ot h eu s h e r s .

J O H N
Jimmy O'Shea.
JEREMY
Tommy F i t z p a t r i c k .
7

INT. VENDATA NARAYAN H I N D UTEMPLE

John and Jeremy e n t e randi n t r o d u c et h e m s e i v e st o t h eu s h e r s

JOHN
Henry P r a jshnap.
JEREMY
Chuck Vindaloo.
8

INT. ONE OF THE VARIOUS RECEPTIONS

%L_ Jeremy i s d a n c i n g w i t hared-head.

9

-. RED HEAD

Wow. Operation Desert Storm.

jZREMY Don't r e a l l y l i k e t o t a l k about it. We l o s tal o t ofgood meno u t t h e r e .

She m e l t si n t o h i sc h e s t .

I N T.DIFFERENT RECEPTION

John i sdancinq with a BLONDE.

BLONDE
Wow. M t .E v e r e s t .
J O H N
Don't r e a l l yl i k e t o t a l kabout it. We l o s t ' al o tofgood menout t h e r e .

She m e l t si n t o h i sc h e s t .

I N T.DIFFERENT RECEPTION

Geremy i sdancing w i t h anI N D I A NWOMAN.Geremy i s wearing t h e t r a d i t i o n a lb i n d i( d o t ) on h i sf o r e h e a d .

I N D I A NWOMAN Wow. The Peace Corps.

JEREMY
Don't r e a l i yl l k et o t a l kabout it. We l o s tal o tofgood men o u t t h e r e .

She m e l t si n t oh i sc h e s t

10

INT. DIFFERENT RECEPTION - LATER

John i s dancing w i t haBRUNETTE

BRUNETTE
Wow. The N e wYork Yankees.
JOHN
(without t h i n k i n g )
Don't r e a l l yl i k e t ot a l kabout i t .W el o s tal o tofgood men o u t ' t h e r e .
BRUNETTE
Huh?

... JOHN (recovering) What? Oh! The fans got unruly...and there were trades...it was ugly.

11

INT. JEWISH WEDDING RECEPTION

An OLD COUPLE look toward John who's at full-throttle, dancing, having a good time.

OLD WOMAN
(re.john)
Who is that?
OLD MAN
Uh...him? I think that's Sid's kid. Leonard. The diabetic.
OLD WOMAN
Ohhhh...
12

INT. ITALIAN RECEPTION

Another OLD COUPLE watch Jeremy dancing and dipping the bride.

OLD ITALIAN MAN
Who is that?
OLD ITALIAN WOMAN
Uh...him? That's Louie and Gina's kid, Christopher. The banker.
13

INT. PORTUGUESE RECEPTION

OLD PORTUGUESE MAN
(re. John)
That's Carmen's nephew, Manny. The veterinarian.
14

INT. IRISH RECEPTION - LATE

OLD IRISH WOMAN
(re. Jeremy)
That's the OIShaughnessy kid, Timmy. The astronaut.
15

INT. HINDU RECEPTION - LATE

OLD INDIAN MAN
(re. John)
That's. .. Prajshnap. Lima and Jahawal's boy. The shrimper.

I N T .JEWISK- WEDDING RECEPTION

J o h na n d Jeremy arej u s t b e g i n n i n gt od a n c et o ,t h e p e r e n n i a l wedding r e c e p t i o nsong,"Shout!"Theg u e s t ss i n ga l o n g .C l o s e on John and Jeremy as t h e ys i n g a n dd a n c e .

J O H NANDJEREMY
"It makes you want t o s h o u t !P u t y o u rh a n d supa n ds h o u t ! "
J O H NANDJEREMY
( s i n g i n g )
Fa-Lo q u e r e rs h o u t !Ponhas e u s b r a c o sacima es h o u t !Ponhas e u s p e sacima e s h o u t !
16

INT. CHINESE RECEPTION

J O H N AND JEREMY ( s i n g i n g ) "Gee-fun-chee-na-to Snout! Choy- eng-to-uh-see-ho S h o u t !SM-i-no- gong-a-to S h o u t ! "

17

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

John a n doneo ft h ewomen we've s e e nf r o m aweddingjumpi n t o bed a s"Shout" c o n t i n u e st o p l a y .

18

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

Jeremy and o n eo ft h ewomenwe've s e e nf r o m aweddinga l s o jump i n t o b e da s"Shout"k e e p s p l a y i n g .

19

INT. VARIOUS BEDROOMS

We i n t e r c u tb e t w e e nDIFFERENT WOMENw i t hJ o h na n dJeremy jumping i n t o b e d ."Shout"s t i l l p l a y s .

20

INT. VARIO'JS DANCE FLOORS, RECEPTIONS, AND BEDROOMS

The m u s i cg e t sl o u d e ra n dl o u d e r .Ar a p i ds e q u e n c eofd a n c e f l o o r s ,r e c e p t i o n s ,w i n k s ,n o d s ,k i s s e s ,t o a s t sa st h e m u s i c c r e s c e n d o s .Whenw e h e a rt h ef i n a l" s h o u t , "t h e m u s i cs t o p s a n dw ec u tt oJohna n dJeremye a c hr o l l i n go f fo ft h e i r r e s p e c t i v ewomen.Jeremys i g h sc o n t e n t e d l y .Johns t a r e s o f f p e n s i v e l y :s o m e t h i n g ' sm i s s i n g .

21

INT. JOHN'S OFFICE - DAY

;ohn i s a th i sd e s k ,w o r k i n g .Jeremyw a l k sr i g h ti na n d s i t s down, h o l d i n g an e w s p a p e r .

JEREMY.
S h n ,I am holding the Kentucky Derby of wedding announcements!
JOHN
I thought we were done for a while?
JEREMY
This is different. This is the' Secretary of the fucking Treasury!!
JOHN
Cleary?
JEREMY
Yes, Cleary's.daughter! Out .onthe Cape!
JOHN
(unenthusiastic)
Mrnhmm.
JEREMY
What's wrong with you?-This is the Clearys!! They're an institution! We've never crashed anything like this! Five hundred single women. Three live bands! Oysters!
JOHN
Okay...

Jeremy stares at him.

JEREMY
"Okay?!" See? This is what I'm talking about!
JOHN
I'm tired, all right?! My feet hurt. My voice is hoarse.
JEREMY
You don't care about this anymore!
JOHN
What are you talking about? Of course I care!
JEREMY
At the Buckner nuptials, you were in the corner, sulking!
22

- J O H N

I wasn't s u l k i n g ! I t w i s t e d my a n k l e .

JEREMY
Rule s i x :Don't s i t i nt h ec o r n e r and s u l k .I tdraws a t t e n t i o ni na n e g a t i v eway.D r a w a t t e n t i o n t o y o u r s e l fon yourown terms!
JOHN
I know t h e r u l e s ,Jeremy!
JEREMY
When Chazz Reinghold gave us t h o s e s a c r e d r u l e s ofwedding c r a s h i n g twelve y e a r sago,he passedon a legacy. We have a r e s p o n s i b i l i t y h e r e .
J O H N
You know, you make it sound l i k e a c u l t .ChazzReingholdwas akook!
ZEREMY
B i t eyour tongue!He was n o tkook! He was a brave and d e c e n t man!
JOHN
He l i v e d withh i s motheru n t i lhe was f o r t y !She t r i e dt o p o i s o n h i s oatmeal! Even she c o u l d n ' tt a k e it!
JEREMY
That was never proven! And anyway, what about Rule Three?! Rule Three f o r Chrisnakes,John!
J O H N
Oh n o tt h a tagain--
JEREMY
Rule Three: Toast i n t h en a t i v e language i fyou know tne n a t i v e language and have p r a c t i c e dt h e t o a s t .Do n o twing it! L a s t week you when y K t o a s t e dt h egroom i n Hindi--
JOHN
O k !I g o tacouple of words mixed up. Big d e a l !

... JEREMY A couple of words mixed up?! You told the entire wedding party that the bride was very lucky because her new husband smelled like the anus of the cobra!

JOHN
I meant.he had the power..of the...cobra! Okay?! ...anyway I managed to turn that into a compliment, did I not?!
JEREMY
Oh please... So do you want to do this or not?
JOHN
Give me the paper.

john grabs the paper from Jeremy and reads the announcement.

JOHN
(continuing; beat)
All right, well first of all, I'm not saying it's impossible, but it is going to require some planning.
JEREMY
There's my man. He's back. My man is back!
23

EXT. CHURCH YARD - MORNING, A WEEK LATER

John and Jeremy are standing outside John's car in front of a very nice old Catholic church on the Cape. They're in their tuxes, both putting on their cufflinks, combing their hair, etc. We see guests milling about in front of the church.

JOHN
Okay, let's do our pre-game,
JEREMY
What's to know? Big Catholic wedding. Lots of rich fuckers. Hot chicks. We can do this in our sleep.
JOHN
Rule one: Always prepare.
JEREMY
Fine. What do you have?

John reaches in the car and hands him a folder

- JOHN A few articles on Secretary Cleary's economic policy. Skim them quickly. Also a roster of the key family members. A glossary of sailing terms. Sailing's like sex to these 'people.

Jeremy looks over the folder.

JEREMY
(reading to himself)
Okay. . .Harvard...Kennedy School of Government...Mom's big with the charities blah blah blah. Three daughters, one son, a million foundations. Barf. Puke. Gag. Okay. Got it. What1s our back story?
JOHN
We're brothers from New Hampshire. We're venture capitalists.
JEREMY
I'm sick of that one. Why don't we. be from. ..Vermont and..;and have, say, an emerging maple syrup conglomerate.
JOHN
Because we don't know anything about maple syrup.
JEREMY
I know everything about maple syrup. I love maple syrup.
JOHN
I love red vines. Doesn't mean we should be the red vine barons, riqht?
JEREMY
Good point.
24

EXT. CHURCH PARKING LOT - A MINUTE LATER

John and Jeremy walk toward the church confidently. They see two men checking names as the guests enter the church. John and Jeremy stop abour twenty feet from the cnurch. They see men in suits with earpieces.

JOHN
I knew it! Secret Service.
25

- JEREMY

Yeah. So?

- J O H N So t h e yd o n ' tmessaround.T h e y ' r e t r a i n e dt ot a k e b u l l e t s .

JEREMY
Big d e a l .Icould t a k eb u l l e t s .
JOHX
Oh, p l e a s e .You.won'teven g e ta f i us h o t .Maybew eshould c a t c h t h a tPortuguese wedding down i n N e wBedford.T h e y ' l lhave t h o s e s a u s a g e syou l i k e .
JEREMY
Fuck t h es a u s a g e s .We'reh i t t i n g t h i sone.Everythingwe've done f o rt h el a s ttwelvey e a r s ,a l l tha: h a r dwork,h a sl e a d ust o t h i s moment.
J O H N
Fine. How do you want t og e ti n ?
JEREMY
Okay. L e tm et h i n k .
( b e a t )
W e ' l ldo an end run!
J O H N
Guarded.
JEREMY .'
S h i t !
( b e a t Hey! W e ' i lc r e a t e ad i s t u r b a n c e !
J O H N
Not w i t ht h e s e guys.~ i s t u r b a n c e s j u s thypet h e i rr a d a r .
JEREMY
Okay, t h e n whatdo youg o t ?

John l o o k s t ot h e p a r k i n gl o tbehindJeremy ands e e s al a r g e mini-van p u l lup.A B I G GROUP ofp e o p l eg e to u to ft h e mini- van. Probably some s o r tofextendedf a m i l y .

J O H N
L e t ' sj u s tr u s hi n w i t ht h i s b i g group.
26

- JEREMY

A r u s h ? !You wantt o do ar u s h ?

JOHN
Yeah, w h a t ' swrong w i t har u s h ?
JEREMY
I t ' samateur hour,buddy.I t ' s bush league. We're b e t t e rt h a n a rush.

The b i ggroup walkstoward t h echurch.

JOHN
I t ' l l work.
JEREMY
N o .A r u s h i s how youc r a s ht h e Journey c o n c e r twheny o u ' r e t h i r t e e n .We'ren o tgonna d o a r u s h .I t ' s beneathu s .We're craftsmen.

A member of t h e b i g group p o i n t st o anameont h e listand t h eb i ggroups t a r t st o f i l ei n t o t h echurch.

JOHN
GO!

John pushes Jeremy i n t o t h e b i g group andt h e ys u c c e s s f u l l y e n t e r t h echurch undert h e i rcover.

I N T .CHURCH-CONTINUOUS

John and Seremy e n t e rt of i n da ' b e a u t i f u lo l d church.John n o t i c e san a t t r a c t i v e WOMANI NABLUEDRESS t a l k i n g t oa f r i e n d .They'rep o i n t i n g t o v a r i o u ss e a t s t r y i n g t o makea d e c i s i o n .

JOHN
( t o t h e womani n t h e b l u e d r e s s )
F i v e rowsback.Closeenough t o t h ea l t a r b u tf a r enough backt o s e e t h eb r i d e ' se n t r a n c e .

The woman i n t h e ' b l u e d r e s ssmiles a thim.

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g )
N O W ,al o tofp e o p l e go f o r t h e a i s l e .T h a t ' sa m i s t a k e .You have t h a twhole"should I makeeye c o n t a c tw i t h t h e b r i d e "b u s i n e s s .
(more)

... J O H N( c o n t ' d ) You d o n ' twantt h a t .I t ' s awkward. F i f t hrow back,second s e a ti n . T r u s tme.

WOMAN I NT3E BLUE DRESS T h a t ' sg r e a t .Thank yous o much.

She s m i l e s a tJohnand walks t ot h es e a t h e recommended.

J O H N
I have t oh i tt h ehead.
JEREMY
Okay. I ' l lg e tussomes e a t son t h egroom'ss i d e .

Jeremy f i n d ss e a t sa sJohnheadst c t h e bathroom.

27

EXT. CHURCH BATHROOM - A FEW MINUTES LATER

The GROOM i sl e a n i n g a g a i n s tau r i n a l ,h y p e r - v e n t i l a t i n gand dry-heaving b e f o r et h es e r v i c e a sJohne n t e r s .J ~ h nh a ss e e n t h i s many timesb e f o r e .Hes t a n d s a t t h en e x tu r i n a l .

J O H N
Yeah, I know what y o u ' r et h i n k i n g .

The groom s t a r t l e d ,t u r n saround.

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g )
You're t h i n k i n g ,"Whathave I done? I' mover.. I' mf i n i s h e d .Now it ends." And a t what? Twenty-six?

The groom nods.

J O H N
( c o n t i n u i n g )
Twenty-six y e a r s ofpureuncut premium Grade-A s e x u a lfreedom. Yeah, i t ' sadrug. A d r u g t h a t makes morphine look l i k e s k i t t l e s , and i t ' sgoing r i g h tdown t h e t o i l e ta syoudescendi n t ot h e a b y s sofc o u n t r yk i t c h e n s ,d i r t y d i a p e r s ,mind-numbingc o n v e r s a t i o n about h e r"needs"and worse, t h e same s e x w i t ht h esame person,day a f t e rday,n i g h ta f t e rn i g h t ,y e a r i n ,y e a ro u t .

The groom s t a r t sr e t c h i n ga g a i n .

... JOHN ( c o n t i n u i n g ) Well, y o u ' r ewrong.I t ' s notl i k e t h a t .Yous e e ita st h e beginning of t h eend.No, my f r i e n d !I t ' s t h eendof t h e beginning...

The groom looks up, encouraged.

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g )
You're about t oe n t e r aworlds o complex and f u l f i l l i n g ,i t makes your o l d l i f e ofe n d l e s s boozing, l a t e n i g h t s ,and meaningless p i e c e sofa s s seeml i k et h e shallow d e p r e s s i n g graveyard t h a t itr e a l l y i s .

The groom nods.

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g )
A world r i c h w i t h deepl o v e , a d o r a t i o nand a p p r e c i a t i o nfrom a l i f e p a r t n e r...w e l lt h i skind of happiness you never dreamed p o s s i b l e . I t ' s a mystery,ag i f t t h a tGod gave u s .And whent h e k i d scome? Theyc a l l you Daddy ...and y o u ' r et h e i rh e r o .And you end u pgrowing o l d with someone whose l o v ef o r you i s timeless, e n d l e s s .Someone who knows what y o u ' r et h i n k i n g b e f o r e you s a y it. Who'llt a k ec a r e of you when y o u ' r es i c k ,comfortyou when y o u ' r esad,laugh w i t hyou, c r y w i t h you.

The groom t a k e sadeep b r e a t h .

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g )
Someone you never have t oimpress, b u talwayswant t o .Most menwould g i v e upt h e i r l e f tarmt obei n your s h o e s .
GROOM
(beat, he's better)
Thank you...
28

- J O H N

No problem. ( p a i n t i n gt at h e d o o r ) Now, go g e t'em.

John watches t h egroom start t o e x i t .Butb e f o r er e - e n t e r i n g t h echurch,t h egroom s t o p sand t u r n saround.

GROOM
Hey, how l o n g haveyou been m a r r i e d ? .
J O H N
oh ...I ' mn o t m a r r i e d .
( b e a t )
I m i g h tt r y t o n a i lt h a tc h i c ki n b l u e - d r e s s ;though.She seems n i c e .

The groom l o o k sp e r p l e x e da sJohn e x i t s

I N T .CHURCH-A MINUTE LATER

John k n e e l s down n e x tt oJeremyi n t h e pew,who'sp r e t e n d i n g t o bei n p r a y e r .They b o t hp r e t e n dt o b ei n p r a y e ra st h e y s t a r t s c o p i n g p o t e n t i a lwomen.They s i t backdown.

JEREMY
( s o t t o )
T h i r d row.Straw h a t .
JOHN
( s o t t o )
You know t h a twomen who wearh a t s n e v e rg i v e it up.C'mon!
JEREMY
( a l i t t l e t o ol o u d )
What? T h a t ' sn o tt r u e !1bagged t h a th a tc h i c ka tt h e Martingano wedding!

People t u r na r o u n d .Johns m i l e s a p o l o g e t i c a l l y .

J O H N
A l i t t l el o u d e r .Id o n ' tt h i n kt h e P r i e s th e a r dyou.

A COUPLE i n t h e i rf i f t i e s s i tdown n e x tt o John.The man r e a c h e so u th i shandt oJohn.

MAN
Frank Myers.

... JOHN ( s h a k i n g h i shand) John Ryan. This is my b r o t h e r Jeremy.

Jeremy nods.

FRANK
So, how do you know t h egroom?
J O E H
Oh, w e ' r e . ..'.
( q u i c k b e a tof t h i n k i n g )
Uncle Ned's k i d s .
FRANK
Uncle Ned? I s he L i z ' sb r o t h e r ?
JOHN
Yeah...L i z ' sb r o t h e r .
FRANK
G r e a t .-Howi s everybcdy?
J O H X
Oh r e a l l y .Dad'sf i n e .AuntLiz s e n d s h e rb e s t .She c o u l d n ' tmake it.
FRANK
Uh...I know. S h e ' s dead.

Jeremy l e a n so v e r .H e ' shadt o do t h i s b e f o r e

JEREMY
She s e n d s h e r b e s tfrom t h eg r a v e . We've become v e r ys p i z i t u a l .
FRANK
I s e e . . . .

Franks s m i l e s and t u r n saway.

JEREMY
( s o t t ot oJohn)
How many t i m e sa r eyougonnado t h i s ?I fy o u ' r egoingtocommitt o a r e l a t i v e ,bes u r e makeyouknow whether t h e y have a p u l s e .

The groom cones o u tunto t h ealtar.The g u e s t s t u r ntoward t h ebackof t h echurch. John and Jeremy t u r nt os e e a groomsmen e s c o r taveryo l dl a d y t oh e rs e a t .

T h i s i sMAR!iCLEARY,t h egrandmother oft h eb r i d e andt h e b- m a t r i a r c hoft h eC l e a r y family.Next,two groomsmen walk t h e mother of t h e-bride,KATHLEEN-CLEARY t o h e rs e a t .She h a s t h e glow of someone who has been d r i n k i n g...e v e r y dayf o rt h e l a s ttwenty-fivey e a r s .

A c u t eFLOWER GIRL,aboutseven, walks up t h ea i s l e , . c o n c e n t r a t i n g h a r don whats h e ' ssupposed t o bedoing.She t a k e stwo d e l i b e r a t es t e p s and them t o s s e ssome flower p e t a l s .

FLOWER GIRL
S t e p .S t e p . 'Throw.Step.S t e p . Throw.

She c o n t i n u e st o do t h i su n t i l s h eg e t s n e a rt h ea l t a r . N o t i c i n gt h a ts h e still h a sal o tofp e t a l sl e f t ,s h e e m p t i e s t h e restoft h ef l o w e r s u n t ot h ef l o o rand s i t s down i n t h e f i r s ta i s l e .

Next, groomsmen and bridesmaids s t a r tt o walk down t h e a i s l e . One of t h e b r i d e s m a i d s i s GLORIA CLEARY,t h e b r i d e ' syoungest slster. S h e ' sa ~ t r a c t i v ei nasweetand wholesomes o r tofway and Jeremy elbows John.

JEREMY
( s o t t o )
H e l l o .
( t h e n t oJohn)
Dibs.
JOHN
A l ly o u r s ,myf r i e n d .

A groomsman, SACK LODGE, w a l k s - t h e maidofhonor,CLAIRE CLEARY, t h e b r i d e ' ss i s t e r ,down t h ea i s l e .S h e ' s v e r y a t t r a c t i v e andJohn t a k e sn o t i c e .Whens h e g e t st o t h ea l t a r , a S t r i n g Q u a r t e t p l a y s "Here Comes t h eBride."The g u e s t s s t a n da st h eBRIDE i s walkeddown t h ea i s l e byh e rf a t h e r , TREASURY SECRETARY WILLIAM CLEAR?.

John t a k e sal o o k a t t h e b r i d eand t u r n s t oJeremy.

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g )
I t h i n kwe'veg o tacrier.
JEREMY
Nah.. .
JOHN
Twenty bucks?
JEREMY
Y o u ' r eon.

The S e c r e t a r y walkst h e b r i d et ot h e a l t a r anda f t e r g i v i n g h e r ak i s s on t h echeek, sits down n e x tt o h i s w i f e .The ..-b r i d eimmediately s t a r t s bawling.

JEREMY
( c o n t i n u i n g )
J e s u s ...

Jeremy reaches i n t o h i s walletand handsJohnatwenty.

I N T .CHURCH-A LITTLE LATER

John and Jeremy a r e boredl i k e c r a z y .The P r i e s t ,FATHER O'NEIL, a g r a n d f a t h e r l y s o r t ,c o n t i n u e s t h es e r v i c e .

FATHER 0'NEIL
Now, f o r our nextr e a d i n g ,I ' d l i k et oi n v i t e t h eb r i d e ' ss i s t e r , G l o r i a ,up t o t h el e c t e r n .
J O H K
( s o t t ot o Jeremy)
Twenty bucks s a y s i t ' sF i r s t C o r i n t h i a n s .
JEREMY
No way. C o l o s s i a n s .3 :12.

G l o r i a walksupt ot h eLectern,openst h e b i b l eand s t a r t s r e a d i n g .

GLORIA
A r e a d i n gfrom P a u l ' sf i r s tl e t t e r t o t h e C a r i n t h i a n s .

Jeremy r o l l s h i se y e s .H er e a c h e si n t o h i s pocketand p u l l s o u ta n o t h e rtwentyand hands i tt o John.

GLORIA
( c o n t i n u i n g ;r e a d i n g )
"Love i.sp a t i e n t .Love i sk i n d..."
JEREMY
( s o t t o ,mimicking)
Love is b u l l s h i t .Love s u c k sd i c k
29

INT. CHURCH - FORTY FIVE MINUTES LATER

Jeremy i sdozing o f fi n t h e pew.Johnelbowshim. Jeremy j o l t sawake and dabssomef a k et e a r s underh i se y e s .

JEREMY
(by r o t e )
I j u s tl o v e t os e e youngp e o p l e happy.
30

- FATHER O'NEIL

C r a i g and C h r i s t i n aa r e b o t hq u i t e t h e s a i l i n g e n t h u s i a s t s .So it came a s nos u r p r i s e t o any o fu s when C r a i g proposedt o C h r i s t i n a while s a i l i n g t h e Caribbean.

John and Jeremy l o o k a t eacho t h e randf e i g n adry-heave.

FATHER O'NEIL
( c o n t i n u i n g ) . . . . Speaking on behalf of a l lofus, . .. I t h i n k Ican s a y c o n f i d e n t l yt h a t t h i s m a r r i a g ew i l lbe [ t h i n k s t h i s i s c l e v e r )
smooth s a i l i n g a l lt h e way.Now, t h e b r i d eand t h e groom have e l e c t e d t os a y vowst h a tt h e y themselves have w r i t t e n .

The R I N GBEARERhands t h eP r i e s tt h e p i l l o wt h a tc a r r i e st h e rings..The P r i e s t hands ar i n g t o t h e groom who p l a c e s iton t h e b r i d e ' sf i n g e r . --

GROOM
I Craig,t a k e you C a t h e r i n e t o b e my wife, my b e s tf r i e n d ,and my f i r s tmate.

C l a i r e ,t h e maidofhonor,makesaf a c et h a ts a y s"Oh, p l e a s e . "Johnn o t i c e st h i sands m i l e s .

GROOM
( c o n t i n u i n g )
To c a p t a i n o u rs h i pofl o v eand t o s t a y w i t ht h a ts h l pcom a t t e rhow rough t h es e a s .

C l a i r e hast o s t i f l el a u g h t e r .

GROOM
( c o n t i n u i n g )
Through h e a l t h ands i c k n e s s ,c l e a r s k i e sands q u a l l s .

C l a i r e l e t so u ta l i t t l e l a u g h .Johnc a n ' tt a k eh i se y e soff of h e r .I nt e n y e a r sofweddingc r a s h i n g , - - h e h a sn e v e rs e e n anyone i n t h e b r i d a lp a r t ylaughd u r i n g t h evows.

GROOM
( c o n t i n u i n g )
You a r e t h es t a r Is e t my c o u r s e t o .You a r e my magneticn o r t h .My s e x t a n talways p o i n t t oyou.

Claire can!L fight it, she laughs. She coughs to cover her laugh. The Bride looks crossly at her.

CLAIRE
Sorry. Tickle in my throat. Please continue.
JEREMY
(to John)
Well, this is a first.
JOHN
(enamoured)
She's amazing ....

The bride places a ring on the groom's finger.

B R I D E I Christina take you, Craig, to be my hcsband, my best friend, and my Captain .

Clalre's in agony, pinching herself LO keep from losing it.

BRIDE
(continuing)
To be your anchor and your sail, your starboard and your port, your bow and your stern.

Claire h a sto turn around. Her shoulders are heaving.

B R I D E (continuing) Your life, your love, your lady, and the sea.

Still turned around, Claire snort-laughs.

FATHER O ' N E I L By the power vested in me the Roman Catholic Church and by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. (to the Groom) You may now... (a little reluctantly) ...kiss the first mate.

Claire explodes in laughter which is drowned out by the guests' applause as the Bride and Groom w a l kdownthe aisle. The groomsmen and bridesmaids file out after them. John studies Claire the whole way down the aisle. He's enthralled. Jeremy winks at Gloria who blushes.

I N T .CHATW BEACH CLUB - NOON, LATER THAT DAY

John and Jeremy walk t h r o u g h - a n e n t r a n c e a r e aandi n t o a l a r g e banquetroom.John'sholding ag i f t .Offt o t h es i d e i s a b a ra r e a and o f ft o t h e o t h e rs i d e i s adeckwithanocean view. Everything i s d e c o r a t e d b e a u t i f u l l y .Therea r e o p u l e n t p l a t t e r s o ffood.ASWINGBANDi dp l a y i n g .I t ' sl i k e something from Gatsby. A waiter comes by with a t r a yof l o b s t e rcanapes.They each t a k eone.Then Jeremy t a k e s a n o t h e r .The waiter walkso f f .Jeremyl o o k s around.He'si n heaven. Women and food.

JEREMY
Sweet, huh? What d i d It e l lyou?
JOHN
You s a i d itwould b esweet.

John sees C l a i r e ,t h e Maid ofHonora r r i v e .Hes m i l e s .

J O H N
( c o n t i n u i n g )
Get u ss e a t s near--b u t n o tt o o near-- t h e b r i d a lp a r t y .I ' l ldrop t h ef a k e p r e s e n t .
JEREMY
E x c e l l e n t .Andi fyou see any c r a b cakes, grab m esome. Got t o have some c r a b cakes.

John walks o f ft of i n d t h e g i f tt a b l e .Jeremy s u r v e y s t h e room. H el o o k s a t t h ename c a r d s ont h e p l a t e sand p u l l so u t s e v e r a lname c a r d sfrom h i sc o a t p o c k e t .H es h u f f l e st h r o u g h t h ec a r d sand f i n d sas t y l e match.H et a k e stwoo t h e rc a r d s from t h e t a b l e .

JEREMY
(c o n t i n u i n g ;t o h i m s e l f )
S o r r yM r .andM r s .Burgess.I ' m s u r e w e ' l lf i n d youa n o t h e rl o v e l y t a b l e .

Jeremy p l a c e sh i sf a k ec a r d s down on t h et a b l e .CLOSEON:The new NAME CARDS r e a d"JohnRyan" and "Jeremy Ryan."

I N T .CHATHAMBEACH CLUB - A MINUTE LATER

John approaches t h ewedding p r e s e n tt a b l eand p l a c e st h ef a k e g ~ f tdown.CLAIRE walks up afids t a r t s checkingo u t t h eg i f t s . She p i c k sup a mediums i z e boxand g i v e s ita l i t t l eshake.

JOHN
Fondue s e t .

C l a i r e ' sn e ts u r e whath e ' st a l k i n ga b o u t .

CLAIRE
Excuse me?
J O H N
The p r e s e n ty o u ' r eholding.I t ' s a s t e r l i n gs i l v e r fondue s e t .

He holds o u t h i s hand.

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g )
John Ryan.
CLAIRE
C l a i r e C l e a r y .
( r e .p r e s e n t )
How do you know?
JOHN
S o r t ofa p s y c h i c .
CLAIRE
R e a l l y ?
( p i c k s up a n o t h e r one)
What's t h i sone,t h e n ?
J O H N
Knife s e t .Very n i c e .German.

C l a i r e p i c k supa n o t h e r .

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g )
C o t t o n l i n e n s ,Egyptian.

John q u i c k l y p i c k supas e r i e s ofp r e s e n t snamesa l lofthem.

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g )
P l a c es e t t i n g .C a n d l e s t i c k s . C r y s t a lStemware...which t h e y ' l l n e v e ru s e byt h e wayand,Ihave t os a y , i s badkarma.

She h o l d supas m a l l box.

J O H N
(continuing3 Massage o i l sand abookon T a n t r a . Probably from t h e wacky Aunt.
31

- CLAIRE

(lookinga t g i f t card) Aunt M i l l i e .Wow.Y o u - d e f i n i t e l y have a g i f t .

J O H N
Yes. Unfortunately, my powers o n l y a p p l y t o u s e l e s sconsumer p r o d u c t s .
CLAIRE
Weil, look, i fone day, t h e p o l i c e need someone t of i n d a m i s s i n g Belgian w a f f l e maker,y o u ' r et h e r e .

John laughs. C l a i r e ' smom Kathleen approaches.

KATHLEEN
C l a i r e ,w e needyou ' f o r p i c t u r e s .
( r e .John)
Who's your f r i e n d ?
CLAIZE
T h i s i sJohn Ryan.
J O H N
( t o C l a i r e )
You remembered my name. Very good.
CLAIRE
I have a g i f t .

She winks a thim and walks away w i t hKathleen.K a t h l e e n t u r n s around and winks a thim too.

I N T .CHATHAMBEACHCLUBlBAR AREA - A FEWM I N U T E SLATER

John e n t e r s t h eb a r a r e a .Jeremy waiksup t o him.H e ' se a t i n g .

J E R E M Y You must t r y t h e bacon wrapped s c a l l o p s .

JOHN
W illdo.
( n o t i c i n g a woman approaching)
Oh s h i t !I s n ' tt h a tt h ec h i c kyou p i c k e dup a tt h eByrne Wedding?
JEREMY
( s e e s t h ewoman, p a n i c s )
Quick h i d em e !
32

-. JOHN

Too late. We'll do number ten from the playbook.

She walks up.

WOMAN
Shlomo?! I thought you were renouncing your possessions and moving to Nepal.

Jeremy looks at her, f.eigningconfusion.

WOMAN
(continuing)
Shlomo? Don't you remember me?
JOHN
Oh, God, I'm sorry. You didn't hear, I guess. Shlomo had a bad accident. In the Eirnalayas. Snerpas, pack mules. Oxygen deprivation. He doesn't remember anyone. Even me, his own brother.- I'm just some nice man who helps him out.
WOMAN
Oh, you poor dear.

' Jeremy looks at her and does fake sign language to John.

JOHN
(to the woman)
I'm afraid, he can't hear you. Part of the accident. You here for the Cleary Wedding?
WOMAN
Yes, but I have to leave. I've got a flight to ad rid.

Out of her sight, Jeremy mouths "Thank God" tb John.

WOMAN
(continuing)
But I could hang out for a few minures.
(stroking Jeremy's arm)
On, poor Shlomo.

Jeremy does more fake sign language.

33

- JOHN

He wants me t o t a k ehim t o t h e b a t h r ~ o m . ( o f f moref a k es i g n language) And he wants some c r a b cakes. ( t o Jeremy,s i g n i n g ) Okay, w e ' l lgo t o t h e bathroom f i r s tt h e nw e ' l lg e t t h ec r a b cakes.

Jeremy s i g n s a n g r i l y .

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g ;s i g n i n g )
Fine. W e ' l lg e tyou t h ecrabcakes f i r s t .
( t o t h ewoman)
P l e a s eexcuse u s .
WOMAN
(handing John a c a r d )
Here's my number i ft h e r e ' s a n y t h i n g1can do t oh e l p .

The woman walks away. Jeremy g r a b st h ec a r d .

JEREMY
Cool. I na couple of weeks I ' l l have you c a l l h e rf o rm e . Guaranteed s c o r e .Deaf-mute amnesiac. They l o v e t h a t . Iwon't even have t o buy h e rd i n n e r .
JOHN
Charming. So what a n g l e a r e you going t o work here?
JEREMY
( l o o k i n g around)
Uh.. . I ' l lt h i n k I s t a r t w i t ha p u b l i c b a l l o o nanimald i s p l a yf o r t h ek i d sand t h e n ,when t h a tc h i c k draws n e a r ,do t h eman-haunted-by- n o b l e - p a s t .
J O H N
E x c e l l e n t .
JEREMY
YoU?
34

- JOHN

No b r a i n e r .I ' mgonna workt h eDad

35

A N DT H E M D A N C EW I T H T H EL I T T L E

f l o w e rg i r l .P u b l i c p o l i c y minded and good w i t hk i d s .

JEREMY
Beaut i f u l.

J O H N: L e t ' sdo it...

I N T .CHATHAMBEACH CLUB- A LITTLE LATER

Jeremy i s makingb a l l o o nanimalsf o rt h ek i d s .P r e s e n t l y , h e ' smakingan e l e p h a n t .He hands t h ef i n i s h e de l e p h a n tt oa k i d .A l lt h eo t h e rk i d sa r e impressed.Jeremyl o o k saround f o rG l o r i a ,t h ebzidesmaidh e had" d i b s "ona tt h eceremony. She l o o k i n ga t him from t h ec o r n e roft h eroom.

JEREMY
Okay, who's n e x t ?

A BRATTY K I Ds t e p st o t h ef r o n toft h ecrowd.

BRATTY K I D
I want a b i c y c l e .
JEREMY
A b i k et a k e st o o many b a l l o o n s . Uncle Jeremy's a l i t t l eo u tof b r e a t h .How a b o u tag i r a f f e ? G i r a f f e ' sa r e c o o l .

The b r a t t yk i dg e t sr i g h ti nJeremy'sf a c e .

SRATTY K I D
Make me a . b i c y c l e .

I A T .CHATH.9MYEACHCLUB - A LITTLE LATER

John i sdancing w i t ht h eFlowerG i r lwho'sc o u n t i n g h e rs t e p s .

FLOWER GIRL
One, two, t h r e e ,s t e p .One,two, t h r e e ,s t e p .
J O H N
T e i lyou what.Whyd o n ' tyouj u s t s t e p on mys h o e sandI ' l lshow you a few moves you can b u s to u ton your c l a s s m a t e s .Wouldyoul i k e t h a t ?
36

-

FLOWER GIRL Yes, please.

She steps on John's shoes and he moves the Flower Girl around the floor like Gene Kelly. She's laughing and having the time of her life. Claire notices John and smiles at him. John smiles back and dips the Flower Girl, who's eating this up.

KATHLEZN CLEARY, the mother of the bride, steps in.

KATHLEEN
(to John)
Let's see how you do with someone your own age.

She's twice his age.

JOHN'
I think I'm up to the challenge.
(to the Flower Girl)
Save me a dance later.

The Flower Girl smiles and walks away. John spins Kathleen around the dance floor.

JOHN
(continuing)
So, how long have you and the Secretary been married?
KATHLEEN
Oh, thirty years next April.
JOHN
Wow.
KATHLEEN
Yeah, and we were faithful for two of them.

She grabs ,Johns ass. CLOSE ON: John's stunned expression.

37

INT. CHATHAM BEACH CLUB - A LITTLE LATER

Jeremy hands an incredibly elaborate balloon bicycle to the bratty kid. Gloria walks up and notices the balloon.

GLORIA
(to Jeremy)
You're good.
JEREMY
This is nothing. Yesterday I made my grandma a new house. Real nice one, too. With a pool.

G l o r i al a u g h s .

GLORIA
Okay, t h e nI ' l lt a k eas p o r t s c a r .
JEREMY
O r howa b o u tadance i n s t e a d ?
GLORIA
T h a t ' swhat Ir e a l l ywanted.

Jeremy p u l l sG l o r i ao u tont h edancef l o o r .

I N T .CHATHANBEACH CLUB- COPJTINUOUS

John i sw i t hS e c r e t a r y C l e a r y .

SEC. CLEARY
You r e a d my p o s i t i o n p a p e ron market e x p a n s i o ni n M i c r o n e s i a ?
J O H N
Of c o u r s e .Read it w h i i e Iwas s a i l i n g my b o a tt oBermuda.
SEC. CLEARY
Ah, a s a i l o r .Good man.Hey,you d i d n ' thappent oc a t c h myspeech on t h eParaguayanDebt and Money Supply i s s u e ,d i d you?
J O H N
A r eyouk i d d i n g me? I twas b r i l l i a n t .Nowi fo n l y Congress w e r e n ' ts os h o r t - s i g h t e d .

S e c r e t a r yC l e a r yis t h r i l l e dbyJ o h n ' sp r a i s e .

SEC. CLEARY
Y e s ,y e s !Sos h o r t - s i g h t e d .
( p u z t i n gh i sarm a r o u n d John)
John, what do you s a yyou and I head o u tt ot h edeckand l i g h tup a c o u p l e ofc i g a r s ?
JOHN
Nothing would make m e h a p p i e r ,sir.

I N T .CHATHAMBEACHCLUB - CONTINUOUS

Jeremy and G l o r i aa r e d a n c i n gt oas l o w e rsong.

GLORiA And you s a v e d h i sl i f e ?

- JEREMY Yeah, some o t h e r s w e r e n ' ts o lucky. It s t i l l shakes meup t o t a l kabout it.

GLORIA
I ' ms o r r y .
JEREMY
( a l i t t l echoked up)
I t ' sokay.I t ' sj u s t...wel o s t some r e a l l ygood men.

Jeremy s t o p s dancingand l o o k sdown,deep i n thought.

JEREMY
( c o n t i n u i n g ; t h e n )
I fy o u ' l lexcuse m e .I t h i n k I need t og e tsome a i r .
( s h a k i n g h e r hand)
It was n i c e meeting you.

Jeremy walks o f frowards t h ee x i t .

38

EXT. BEACH - A MINUTE LATER

Jeremy walks down toward t h eocean.

GLORIA (0.S.)
Jeremy! Wait up.

Over Jeremy's s h o u l d e r ,wes e e G l o r i arunningt oc a t c hupt o him. Jeremy s m i l e s t o h i m s e l f .He'sg o t h e r .

I N T .CHATHAMBEACH CLUB/DECK AREA - LATER

John and Sec. C l e a r ya r eo u ton t h edeck,smoking c i g a r s ,and l o o k i n go u ta tt h eocean.

S E C .CLEARY
John, you seem l i k e ana s c u t eman.
J O H N
Thank you, s i r .
SEC. CLEARY
Maybe you c a n h e l pe x p l a i n something t o me.
(nodding towards t h e c o r n e roft h edeck)
See t h a tyoung mano v e r t h e r e ?

John l o o k st os e eayoung man,about2 2 .He's an i n t e n s e , morose, artiste.

He's plucking petals off a rose and tossing them into the ocean, watching each petal intently as it falls. This is Secretary Cleary's son, TODD.

SEC. CLEARY
(continuing)
That's my son, Todd.
(shaking his head)
Twenty-two years old. The whole world in front of him. Every advantage in life. Advantages I never had. Well, that's not exactly true. Be had the same advantages I had, which is a hell of a lot of advantages. So here's my question: what does he have to be so morose about? I don't know sir. Maybe he hasn't found anything to believe in yet.
SEC. CLEARY
Oh, he ~ g he believes iny~
(wich disdain)
art. But all I've seen-him do is dribble his own blood on a canvas, then smear it around with a stick. Well, some people think that's art
SEC. CLEARY
it's crap. Whatever happened to . - public service, our obligation to our fellow man?
(noticing a waiter, he holds up his glass)
Um, Franklin. My daiquiri's at half mast.

FRANKLIN, the waiter, grabs the glass.

FRANKLIN
Right away, sir.
JOHN
I' msure he's, you know, just finding his way.
SEC. CLEARY
And perhaps I should take it easier on him?
JOHN
Perhaps.
39

- SEC. CLEARY

Yeah. Maybe your right.

TODD
(screaming out towards the ocean)
Death! You are my bitch lover!
SEC. CLEARY
Good, Todd, that's good! You tell that...mean...'ocean.

John nods and smiles at Cleary.

40

EXT. BEACE - LATER

Jeremy anb Gloria are siting in a deserted cove. She's completely smitten.

GLORIA
And so you dove into the icy water LO save him?
JEREMY
Yeah, well, I'm sure anyone would do the same.
GLORIA
I've always wondered about this. It's so amazing to me. Why would a man risk his own life to save the life of someone ne doesn't even know?
JEREMY
Well, the great 19th century philosopher Schopenhauer asked that very question and this is how he answered it. He said that at that moment when a person sees another in danger, there is a breaking in of a metaphysical awareness. You know what chat awareness is?
GLORIA
(expectantly)
What?
JEREMY
That we are all one. That separateness is an illusion. That I am one with everyone
(more)
41

- JEREMY ( C O N T 7 D )

The Prime M i n i s t e r ofEngland,my g r e a t Uncle Harry,you,me,t h e . f a tkidon "WhatI sHappening."We a r e a l l one.

GLORIA
W e a r e ?
JEREMY
Yes.
( t a k i n gh e r hand)
My hand... i s your hand.
( t o u c h i n g h e rcheek)
My cheek... i s yourcheek.
( t o u c h i n g h e rl i p s )
My l i p s . ..
GLORIA
Are my l i p s ?
JERZMY
Yes.

She k i s s e shim p a s s i o n a t e l y .

42

EXT. CHATHAM BEACH CLUB/DECK AREA - CONTINUOUS

John i s s t i l l w i t hSec.Cleary.C l a i r e walks up.

SEC. CLEARY
C l a i r e ,t h e r e ' ssomeone Iwantyou t o meet.This is John Ryan.
CLAIRE
We've met. He's p s y c h i c .
SEC. CLEARY
Really? Well, maybe he can t e i lme where my d a i q u i r i is.
( s h o u t i n g )
F r a n k l i n!Oh,F r a n k l i n!

Sec. C l e a r ye x i t s

CLAIRE
You're a b i g h i ta tt h i swedding.
JOHN
A l o tofn i c e peopleh e r e .
CLAIRE
Oh, t h e y ' r ef u l lofs h i t .
43

- J O H N

Excuse me?

CLAIRE
The o n l yr e a s o nn i n e t y - p e r c e n to f t h e s ep e o p l e are h e r e i s b e c a u s e of my Dad. T h e y ' r ea l ls u c k l i n g a t t h e p o w e r - t e a t .
JOHN
Yeah. W e l l ,I ' mh e r ef o r t h e c r a b c a k e s-andt h e p o w e r - t e a t .When is t h es u c k l i n g ,byt h eway? A f t e r t h efirst dance?

She l a u g h s .

CLAIRE
I d o n ' tknow.Everyone w a l k i n g a r o u n dt r y i n gt oa c tl i k et h e y care. I t ' sa w f u l .P l u st h e p l a c e i s r i f ew i t hl a w y e r s .Ag a z i l l i o n l a w y e r s .
JOHN
Not b i gon l a w y e r s ,huh?
CLAIRE
K a t e' e m .I mean...y o u ' r en o to n e are you?
J O H N
Oh God, n o .But3 u s to o tof c u r i o s i t y ,whath a v eyoug o t a g a i n s tl a w y e r s ?
CTAIRE
Lawyers are by n a t u r e l i a r s .And I h a t e l i a r s .

W es e ea f e wp e o p l es l a pS e c .C l e a r yon t h eb a c ka n ds h a r e a l a u g hw i t h him.

CLAIRE
( c o n t i n u i n g )
S e e ?S u c k l i n g .

j o h nl a u g h s .H e ' sf i n d i n gC l a i r ec o m p l e t e l ya d o r a b l e .

... JOHN Maybe, b u t I t h i n k mostp e o p l e come t o weddings,even t h i sone, b e c a u s et h e ywantt o b e l i e v e t h e y ' r ei n t h e p r e s e n c eoft r u e l o v e ,t h a tt r u el o v e is p o s s i b l e . Even t h el a w y e r s .And t h es u c k l e r s

CLAIRE
True Love, huh? And what i s " t r u e l o v e , "JohnRyan?
J O H N
Well ...t r u el o v e is yours o u l ' s r e c o g n i t i o nofi t ' sc o u n t e r p o i n t i na n o t h e r .

T h i so b v i o u s l y movesh e r ,b u ts h e t r i e st owave ito f f .

CLAIRE
W e l l ,t h a t ' sal i t t l eg r a n d i o s e
JOHN
P e r h a p s .So a r e youg i v i n g at o a s t ?
CLAIRE
Yes! Normally I ' mt e r r i b l ea t t h e s e t h i n g s ,b u t It h i n kt h i s o n e ' sp r e t t ygood.

She hands John a p i e c eofp a p e r .R er e a d s ito v e r .

CLAIRE
( c o n t i n u i n g )
I had t of i g h tt h e u r g et o b e c o m p l e t e l y h o n e s t .Whatd o you t h i n k ?
J O H N
I t h i n kt h e u r g ewon.
CLAIRE
What a r eyout a l k i n ga b o u t ? !
JOHN
You c a n ' ts a y t h i s .
CLAIRE
Why n o t ?
44

- JOHN

( r e a d i n g , i n c r e d u l o u s l y ) "I never thought my s i s t e r would f i n dsomeone whoc a r e d about what people thought a s mucha s s h e d i d . U n t i l I metC r a i g . "

CLAIRE
What?! I t ' s funny.Funnybecause i t ' st r u e .Peoplel i k efunny.
J O H N
No, s e e ,t h efunny-because-it's- t r u e b i tonly worksi ft h et r u t h i sa s m a l l t h i n gl i k e "Tim'sa l i t t l ef r u g a l "o r"We a l lknow J e n n i f e rl i k e s t o shop.Ha.Ha." I mean, people a r e h e r ef o r a wedding, n o tt os e eDon R i c k l e s a t t h eSands.I ' dg i v e itaf i f t e e n , maybe a twency p e r c e n tchanceof a laugh. Not worth it. See, people want something from t h e h e a r t .
CLAIRE
( a l i t t l e p e r t u r b e d )
Well I t h i n k p e o p l ea r e gonna l o v e it.
JOHN
. Nope, y o u ' r egonnag e tdead s i l e n c e .C r i c k e t s .
CLAIRE
You're wrong. I ' mgoing t os t i c k w i t h it.
J O H N
Fine. I ' l lbei nt h ebackof t h e room waiting t o t e l lyou It o l d you s o .
45

INT. C'ATHAM BEACH CLUB/BANQUET ROOM - LATER

The BEST MAN f i n i s h i n g up h i st o a s t .

46

- BESTMAN.

B u t I t h i n kB r u c e S p r i n g s t e e n s a i d it b e s tw k e n h e. - s a i d ,"Someday baby, I d o n ' tknow when,we're gonna f i n d t h a tp l a c e wherewe walk i n t h esun."And Ij u s twant t os a y how happy Iamt h a tmy b e s t f r i e n d and t h e woman he l o v e shave found t h a tp l a c e . I t ' s t r u l y i n s p i r i n gt o u s a l l .

An a u d i b l e"aww"comesfrom t h eg u e s t s .They c l i n k t h e i r g l a s s e s .John,s t a n d i n g i n t h e backofroom makeseye c o n t a c t w i t hC l a i r e .John makest h egag s i g n .C l a i r es t a n d sup,

CLAIRE
I n e v e rt h o u g h t mys i s t e r would f i n d someone who c a r e d aboutwhat p e o p l et h o u g h ta s much a ss h e d i d . U n t i l I metC r a i g .

Not a l s u g hi n t h ep i a c e .I nf a c tpe6plea r edismayed.

CLAIRE
( c o n t i n u i n g )
A syou a l lknow b o t h my s i s t e r and C r a i g a r e l a w y e r sa tb i gf i r m si n New York. But t h a t ' sn o tt h eo n l y t h i n gt h e yhavei ncommon.You see, t h e y b o t hhave t h esame f a v o r i t ec o l o r .Green.
( b e a ti Uh...l i k e...money?Youknow?

Again, n o tal a u g h .The g u e s t sa r es t a r t i n gt os h i f ti nt h e i r s e a t s .

CLAIRE
( c o n t i n u i n g )
Look, I ' ms o r r y .I ' m n o tr e e i l y good a tt h i ss o r toft h i n g .

She l o o k st oJohn,who p o i n t st o h i sh e a r t .

CLAIRE
( c o n t i n u i n g )
But I w i l lt e l lyout h i s .I ' v e h e a r d its a i d t h a tt r u el o v e i s t h es o u l ' sr e c o g n i t i o nof i t ' s c o u n t e r p o i n ti na n o t h e r .T h a t ' sa v e r yr a r et h i n gi n t h i sworldand i t ' ssomething t o bev a l u e d .And I ' mj u s tr e a l l yhappy t h a tmy s i s t e r h a sfound it.

The g u e s t s . a l 1s a y"aww."The b r i d es t a r t s t o c r y ,r u s h e sup and hugs C l a i r e .The g u e s t sapplaud.C l a i r e l o o k s overa t John who motions f o r h e rt o meet him i n t h e b a r .

47

EXT. BEACH - SIMULTANEOUS

Jeremy and G l o r i aa r e underab l a n k e t .They'vej u s thad s e x .

GLORIA
T h a t ' swass o amazing.
JEREMY
Yeah, g r e a t .Whatdo yous a yw e head back?
GLORIA
I always knew my first t i m e would be on t h e beach.I ' mj u s ts o happy it was you.

CLOSE ON: Jeremy. H eg u l p si nf e a r .

JEREMY
Wait a minute. P i r s ttime?

She nods.

JEREMY
( c o n t i n u i n g )
You were a v i r g i n ?
GLORIA
Mm-hrmn.Oh, Jeremy, we're gonna be s o happyt o g e t h e r . I l o v e you.

CLOSE ON: Jeremy. A l o o k oft o t a l p a n i c .

John and C l a i r e meeti n t h e b a r .

CLAIRE
Thank you!
JOHN
Now you know n e v e rt o doubtme.
CLAIRE
God, it was e x h i l a r a t i n g . It was...

She l e a n si n t h e hugJohn b u tb e f o r es h e can,SACK(one of t h egroomsmen)r u s h e sup t o h e r .Sack,e a r l yt h i r t i e s ,i s g r e a tl o o k i n g ,Ivy League,r i c h ,worksf o r noblecauses.The guy every guy h a t e s .

48

- SACK

Claire, you were awesome.

Sack and Claire kiss. John is dumbstruck.

CLAIRE
John, this i.smy boyfriend, Sack.
JOHN
(halfheartedly)
Nice to meet you.
SACK
(to Claire)
Let's dance.
CLAIRE
(to John)
It was great meeting you.

She shakes his hand.

JOHN
Yeah, you too.

John takes a big slug of his drink. Jeremy rushes up to him.

JEREMY
Dude, we've got t~ get out of here. ASAP. I've got a stage five clinger.
JOHN
I need more time.
JEREMY
You're not hearing me. She's a stage five! A virgin clinger! I'll start the car.

John is looking over at Claire and Sack.

JEREMY
(continuing; off John's look at Claire)
Give it up already. Her sister told me she's got a boyfriend. Tough luck. We all have our bad days. I need us to leave right now!

Secretary Cleary approaches with Gloria and his wife

SEC. CLEARY
There you two are.

... JEREMY A c t u a l l y...w e ' r eabout t ol e a v e . I t ' s beenal o v e l ywerldlng. ( t o G l o r i a ) I ' l lc a l lyou.I t ' sa promise.

SEC. CLEARY
( i g n o r i n g Jeremy,t o John)
Well, look, we always h a t e t os e e t h e wedding end s o wekeep t h e p a r t y going backa to u r l i t t l e p l a c eont h eVineyard.I t ' ss o r t of a C l e a r y family t r a d i t i o n . And, well, s i n c e we'vea l l t a k e n a s h i n e t oyou,we'dl o v e you t o be our g u e s t s f o r t h e weekend. What do you say?

G l o r i as m i l e s h o p e f u l l y .KathleenCleary does t h esame. C l a i r e andSack approacht h egroup.Johnlooksa tC l a i r e .

J O H N
We'd 'lovet o .
JEREMY
What?! We ' d o n ' tnaveany o t h e r c l o t h e s!
SEC. CLEARY
Oh, w ehave e v e r y t h i n gyouneed o u ton t h ei s l a n d .
JEREEY
But I promised my Granny I ' dt a k e h e rt o t h epark.
GLORIA
And I'm s u r e daddy can h i r e somebody t o t a k e yourGrannyt o t h epark.
SEC. CLEARY
Not a problem.
J O H N
G r e a t !Done.

John s m i l e s .Jeremys t a r t st os a y something and Johns t e p s on h i sf o o t .C l e a r yslapsJohno n t h e back.

49

EXT. YACHT ---THAT AFTERNOON

John, Jeremy and about fifteen others are on the Cleary yacht, a large expanse of boat, sailing toward Martha's Vineyard. John and Jeremy stand at the stern of the boat. Gloria approaches the guys.

GLORIA
Jeremy, sweetie, I'm making lemonade. Interested?
JEREMY
Sure, sure..ThatUd be great, honey.

She smiles and crosses away.

JEREMY
(continuing; sotto)
And could you put some heroin in it? John, this is against the rules! You've got a wedding and a reception tc seal the deal. Period. No overtime!
JOHN
Oh really? No overtime? Need I remind you of the Chung wedding, 1 9 9 7 ?
JEREMY
. - P.11right, look--
JOHN
We finished the reception. I'm ready to go home. Next thing you know, you're dragging me to watch you and some chick play mah-jongg with her grandmother thirty miles away at a retirement home.
JEREMY
I needed to do that, all right?!
JOHN
You needed to do that ...ha.
JEREMY
She was into her grandma! You know the drill!

John scoffs.

JEREMY
(continuing; loudly)
It was my first Asian!

I The people.an the boat turn around and look at Jeremy. John L shoots him a look.

JOHN
Look, I just need some alone time with her.
JEREMY
She's got a boyfriend.
JOHN.. .
They all have boyfriends. So what?
JEREMY
Okay. Fine. Get some alone time, seal the deal and let's get the fuck away from these people.

Sack walks over to them.

SACK
Gentlemen. Everything okay?
JOHN
Oh yeah. Fine.

Sack looks overboard.

SACK
Oh man, will you check that out. A school of bluefish.

John and Jeremy lean over to take a look.

SACK
(continuing)
You know, these waters use to be flush with bluefish. And then the corporate polluters came in and well, you can guess the rest. After we, and I mean the National Environmental Defense League under my stewardship, got Massachusetts to pass the Bluefish Revival Act--
JOHN
Bluefish Revival Act? They were at Woodstock, right?

Sack laughs insincerely. William Cleary ambles over, cocktail in hand, and quickly looks overboard.

50

- SEC. CLEARY

My God! A r et h o s e b l u e f i s h ? ( t h e n ) You know, Sack here i s s i n g l e - handedly r e s p o n s i b l ef o r t h es p u r t i nt h e b l u e f i s h p o p u l a t i o n .

Jeremy's a j o u tt o c r a c k wise-assb u tJohn elbowshim.

JOHN
Yes we heard.
SEC. CLEARY
Well, anyway, l i s t e n ,assoon a s we g e tt o t h e compoundw ewere t h i n k i n gaboutal i t t l etouch f o o t b a l l g a m e .S o r t ofaC l e a r y f a m i l y t r a d i t i o n .Whatdo yous a y ?
JOHN
Absolutely.
JEREMY
Great.
SEC. CLEARY
Good !
(examines h i sg l a s s )
Camn, my d a i q u i r i ' sa t l o w - t i d e .
( l o o k s overboard)
God, I l o v e t h o s e b l u e f i s h .

Jeremy l o o k soverboard.Cleary g i v e sJeremya h a r d b u t f r i e n d l ys l a p ont h e backandJeremyf a l l si n t o t h eocean.

51

EXT. YACHT - A LITTLE LATER

Jeremy i sw e tands h i v e r i n gon t h e deck.A s t h e b o a t approaches l a n d ,John andJeremycan s e e t h eC l e a r yf a m i l y compound on M a r t h a ' sVineyard.I t ' sahuge,o l d b e a c h f r o n t mansion with a l a r g elawnandadirondack c h a i r s s t r e w n a b o u t . T h e r e ' sa l s o adoc^,housingv a r i o u ss a i l b o a t s . .

JEREMY
( s o t t ot oJohn)
T h a t ' st h e " l i t t l e p l a c e b a c k on t h e Vineyard?"
52

EXT. CLEARY FAMILY COMPOUND - LATER THAT AFTERNOON

J e r e m yandJohnl i n e upi n ascrimmage w i t ho t n e rg u e s t s i n c l u d i n g C l a i r e ,Cleary,andSack.Todd,C l a i r e ' syounger b r o t h e r s i t si nal a w n c h a i r on t h es i d e l i n er e a d i n g .

John hikes.the ball to Jeremy and goes out for a pass. He's being covered by Sack. John fakes like he's doing an "out" pattern but goes long. Sack is completely fooled. John catches the pass from Jeremy for a touchdown. John is congratulated by his teammates. Sack fumes.

53

EXT. CLEARY FAMILY COMPOUND -A FEW MINUTES LATER

John hikes the ball to Jeremy. Sack rushes in, aiming for John. He misses him and completely flattens Jeremy who manages to get the pass off.

ANGLE ON: John racing downfield. He reaches out to catch the pass, however Claire intercepts. She does a little pivot dance to get around John. John mimics her wildly. She laughs. He touch/tags her.

CLAIRE
Not fair! You made me laugh!
JOHN
No, it's not fair. Yet a lot of things in life aren't fair.

He mimics her again. She laughs and looks upfield.

CLAIRE
Hey, is your friend okay?

ANGLE ON: A few people are dragging Jeremy's seemingly lifeless body off the field. John runs over.

SACK
I don't know what got into me.
SEC. CLEARY
I do! Five generations of Lodge family breeding. Hell, your father used to pull the same stunt when we were your age.

Sack and Cleary share a laugh. John rushes over to Jeremy

JOHN
Are you all right?
SEC. CLEARY
Oh he's fine! Hey, Jeremy, why don't you sit out the next play. Todd, come on in.

Todd looks up from his book.

TODD
You must be joking.
54

- SEC. CLEARY

It wouldn't kill you to play some competitive sports once in a while, would it?

Todd scoffs. Cleary rolls his eyes.

JEREMY
(grabbing his side)
It's ok. It's ok. Um, perhaps Todd could donate a kidney instead. . . * . .. . ...,

Gloria rushes over, hyper-concerned. She leans over him and sticks her tongue half way down his throat. Jeremy jumps up to get away from her.

JEREMY
(continuing)
Good, good. I'm better now. Second down.
55

EXT. CLEARY FAXILY COMPOUND -A MINUTE LATEK

Different scrimmage. John is the quarterback. Jeremy hikes it to him as Sack comes in to rush. John whips the ball quickly to Jeremy who is pummeled and flattened by Sack.

SACK
Damn! What in the world is wrong with me?!
SEC. CLEARY
Nature versus nurture, Lodge. Nature always wins.

They share another overly-exaggerated manly chortle

SEC. CLZARY
[continuing) Let's take a daiquiri time-out.

John walks over to Jeremy.

JOHN
You all right?
JEREMY
Um...I may need you to perform the Heimlich maneuver. I think I'm choking on my own nuts. Do we get to leave now?
JOHN
No.

i G l o r i a r u s h e so v e r w i t h h e r mother,Kathleen. L

KATHLEEN
Honey, l e t ' st a k e himi n t h ehouse and g e thim f l x e dup.
GLORIA
S u r e ,Mom.

G l c r i ah e l p sJeremy up who i s p r a c t i c a l l yc o n c u s s i v e .They h o b b l ei n t ot h ehouse,l e a v i n gJohna l o n e w i t hK a t h l e e n .

KATHLEEN
( t o John)
I t ' ss o h o to u t .Why d o n ' tyou p l a yi nyourunderwear?

She g i v e s him al o n g ,f l i r t a t i o u sl o o k .

JOHN
Umrn...
KATHLEEN
Think a b o u t it.I ' l lmakeyou' a d r i n k .

John s t a r e sa th e rp e r p l e x e d a ss h e walkso f f .

I N T .CLEARYBATHROOM - A FEW MINUTES LATER

J e r e m y i Ss i t t i n g ont h eedgeoft h et u bi ns e r i o u s p a i na s G l o r i a a p p l i e s mecurichrome t o h i s wounds.

JEREMY
Ah man! T h a ts t i n g s !
GLORIA
Ohhh, poor baby. Want m et o blow...on i t ?
JEREMY
I t ' sf i n e .

She g e t son h i sl a p .RANDOLPH,t h ee a r l y4 0 ' sJamaican b u t l e r p a s s e sbyt h eopen bathroom d o o r .Theyd o n ' tsee him.

GLORIA
You know, I ' mn o t wearing p a n t i e s .

R a n d o l p h ' sshocked.H eciearsh i st h r o a t .Theyl o o k up. G l o r i ajumpso f fJ e r e m y ' sl a p .Randolphs p e a k s w i t hat h i c k Jamaican a c c e n t .

56

- RANDOLPH

Oh, don't worry, little Gloria. Mum's the word.

GLORIA
Thank you, Randolph.
RANDOLPH
A little more discreet though, okay?

Randolph shuts the door, shakes his head and walks away.

JEREMY
Oh Jesus...
GLORIA
Don't worry. Be won't say anything. Now where were we? Oh right, I'm not wearing panties.

She starts to straddle him again.

JEREMY
It's like eight hours ago you were a shy virgin. Now you're not wearing panties?
GLORIA
(purring)
You do that to me.

She starts kissing him. He moves her off his lap.

JEREMY
Gloria, look, I'm tired. It's been a long day. Not to mention that your sister's boyfriend made a smoothy with my nards. I'm not exactly in the mood.
GLORIA
(pissed off)
Fine.

She takes a swab of mecurichrome and stabs his wound.

JEREMY
Aaaaaarrrrrrrrgh!
GLORIA
My Father warned me about people like you! I'm just another notch on your belt!
57

- JEREMY

No, no, it's not like that!

GLORXA
What's it like then, Jeremy?! Huh?! Huh?!
JEREMY
It's like...

She takes another load of medicine and tortures another wound.

JEREMY
(continuing). Aaaaaaaarrrrrrgh! (gui.ckly)
Ok, ok. It's like you're so, uh, damn precious that I would... uh...feel like...uh...I1m using you if we took every opportunity to express our...love...in a physical way. It diminishes the poetry of this thing that we have.

She melts into his arms.

GLORIA
You're my knight.in shining armor.
JEREMY
Cool. Good. Good.
GLORIA
Don't ever leave me.
JEREMY
Oh no. Never. Don't you worry...
GLORIA
Good.
(beat)
Because I'll find you.

They get up. Jeremy's stressed. They exit into the hallway.

58

INT. CLEARY HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Jeremy and Gloria pass Sec. Cleary.

SEC. CLEARY
Get him all patched up, Glory-bug?
GLORIA
I sure did, Daddy.

... SEC. CLEARY Well, you go change f o r d i n n e r .

She g i v e sJeremy a peckont h echeekand walksaway.

SEC. CLEARY
( c o n t i n u i n g )
You r e a l l yseem t o make h e rhappy, son.
JEREMY
Oh w e l l ...yeah.
SEC. CLEARY
H e l l ,s h e ' s myyoungestand I s p o i l h e rab i t .Icano n l y hope you t r e a th e rh o n o r a b l y .Youknow, s h e T sn o tjcsta n o t h e r n o t c hon t h e01'b e l t .
JEREMY
Oh no, no. O fc o u r s e n o t , s i r .
SEC. CLEARY
Good, good. Because t h a twould make m ea n g r yi n waysyoucannot p o s s i b l yimagine.
( b e a t )
And I ' mav e r y powerful man.
JEREMY
R i g h t ... y e s ,s i r .
SEC. CLEARY
Yeah.. .
( p o n d e r i n g )
Boy, I wish t oC h r i s twec o u l d g e t h e ro f ft h a tmood m e d i c a t i o n .Oh w e l l ,s e e you d o w n s t a i r sf o r d i n n e r .

C l e a r y walksaway.Jeremy i s now h o r r i f i e d .

59

INT. CLEARY FMILY D I N I N GROOM-LATER

An o p u l e n td i n n e rf o rf i f t e e n i si n t h ep r o c e s sofb e i n g s e r v e d .C l e a r y i s a tt h e headoft h et a b l e .H i s mother GRANDMA MARY, a woman who l o o k s n e a r l y1 0 0 ,s i t s n e x tt o him. The r e s toft h ef a m i l y ,Sack,and t h eo t h e rg u e s t sf i l lo u t t h et a b l e .Randolph,t h eJamaicanb u t l e r ,s t a n d snearby.

John and Jeremy e n t e rt h ea l c o v ej u s to u t s i d et h ed i n i n g room. John l o o k sa tSack.H e ' sh o l d i n gc o u r t .J o h n ' s n a u s e a t e d .

60

- JOHFI

( i n t e n s e b u ts o t t o ) Jer, you have t h e v i s i n e ?

JEREMY
No! Not t h e v i s i n e ! It'st o o e a r l y !
JOHN
I need t h e v i s i n e ,goddamit.Give it t om e !
JEREMY
You know t h er u l e s .The v i s i n e i s a l a s tr e s o r t .The v i s i n e ' sa f u c k i n gf e l o n y .
JOHN
I c a n ' tg e tanya l o n et i m e w i t h h e r .The guy won'tl e a v e h e rs i d e . I need t h ev i s i n e .
JZREMY
T h ev i s i n e ' sf u c k i n g hard-core.A few drops i nh i sd f i n kand h e ' l l spend t h en e x ttwenty-fourhours going down on a t o i l e ts e a t , puking h i sg u t s o u t .

ANGLE ON: Sack a t t h e d i n n e r t a b l e .

SACK
...s o when Ip i c k e d up t h el i t t l e s e ao t t e rand wiped theo i lo f f h i m from the t a n k e r s p i l l , Iswear h e . . . s m i l e d.It was a l i t t l e... o t t e rs m i l e .Youknow,a l lt e e t h , ' t h e w h i s k e r skindo fp e r t...

ANGLE ON: Jeremy and John. Jeremy' r e a c h e si n t oh i s pocket.

JEREMY
Okay, h e r e ' st h e v i s i n e .

John and Jeremy e n t e r t h ed i n i n g room.

SEC. CLEARY
Here t h e ya r e !

They s i tdown n e a rt h eheadoft h e t a b l e .G l o r i ah a ssaved a s e a tf o rJeremyr i g h tn e x tt o her.

FATHER 0' N E I L Heavenly F a t h e r . . .

Everyone bows their heads. John quickly squirts the visine into Sack's wine.

FATHER 0' NEIL
(continuing)
We thank you for the bounty on this table and ask you bless our family and friends here assembled. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

They all make the sign of the cross. Jeremy, preoccupied, doesn't until John nudges him. Randolph walks over with a platter and sets it on the table.

SEC. CLEARY
Oh, these scallops look fantastic.
SACK
I brought them from an organic scallop farm right off Nauggesett.
CLAIRE
(proudlyf Yeah, Sack talked the Governor into subsidizing part of the project.
SACK
Yup. Now, it's the state's only self-sustaining scallop farm.
JOHN
Say that five times fast.

Ciaire laughs, then stops herself

JEREMY
(pointedly to Sack)
I bet they're tasty. Maybe I'll try them when my j a wheals.
SACK
Again, I'm sorry, Jeremy. It's that damn competitive streak. I'm seeing a Buddhist about it.
SEC. CLEARY
Oh, not just any Buddhist. His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He's a friend.
61

- JEREMY

Really? I'm seeing a orthopedist when get.back to-town.~ . o tjust any orthopedist. Dr. Epstein--

JOHN
(sotto, to Jeremy)
Enough, ok?
(to Sack)
He's just foolim around. So how long have you and Claire been together, Sack.
SACK
Uh...I don't know. What's it been, Claire? A couple of years?
CLAIRE
Three and a half.
(to John and Jeremy)
We started dating while we were doing that Habitat for Humanity thing.

Sack smiles.

SACK
Anyway, John, tell me how you're connected to the family again?
JOHN
Uncle Ned's kids.
JEREMY
You know...Uncle Ned? The brother of.... Aunt Liz?

John and Jeremy bow their heads and make the sign of the cross.

SACK
(suspicious)
Uh-huh...

We see Gloria reach her hand under the table and grab Jeremy's crotch. Jeremy's eyes bug out. He tries to push her arm away. Gloria, her a n hidden by the table cloth, begins to furiously masturbate Jeremy.

SEC. CLEARY
So John and his brother here are venture capitaiists.

- JEREMY (falsetto) That 's right!

John looks at him strangely, then looks down. He sees what's happening and gives Jeremy a shocked look.

SEC. CLEARY
That 's great..The venture capitalist. The backbone of the system. The. new pioneer.
CLAIRE
So is it just about money?

Sack feigns disgust.

JOHN
Oh...no, no! Not at all. It's about, you know, investing in projects that are both ethically and morally defensible.
SACK
Like what, for example?
J O H N
(making this up as he goes along)
Like what? Oh, you know, we've got company that, uh, takes the wool from sheep and uh, arrdturns it into thread for the homeless people to sew ...into.cloth and then make, you know shirts and pants to sell at a profit. Everybody wins.
CLAIRE
Cool. ..
SACK
Mmm. What's it called?

Jeremy is near climax.

JEREMY
(falsetto)
Holy sh--
JOHN
{quickly) Holy Shirts And Pants.

The group mas approvingly..~ 1 e a r ~ ' sw i f e Kathleenl o o k sa t John and l i c k s h e rl i p ss e d u c t i v e r y .J o h n ' sh o r r i f i e d .Sack r e a c h e s down.andf e e l s h i sstoniach.Something's--wrong.

SACK
I d o n ' tf e e ls o good.
SEC. CLEARY
( i g n o r i n g Sack)
T h a t ' sah e l lofagood p r o j e c t . Let me mention something t o t h e Commerce s e c r e t a r y .
J O H N
Great, g r e a t .
GRANDMA PIARY
I s n ' tmy W i l l ydoing awonderful job t h e r ei n Washington?
JOHN
Oh yes, Ma'am.
SEC. CLEARY
O h Mommy...
KATHLEEN
( s a r c a s t i c a l l y )
H e s t i l lc a l l s h i s mother"Mommy." I s n ' tt h a tc u t e ?

Kathleen slams down h e rwine and pours a n o t h e r .G l o r i a i s f i n i s h e d w i t hJeremy.She g i g g l e s .Jeremy is s p e n t .

GRANDMA MARY
The P r e s i d e n t i ss o proudofmy W i l l y .
GLORIA
( s o t t o ,t o Jeremy)
I ' msoproud of your w i l l y .

Jeremy, shocked, t a k e sad r i n kofw a t e r .

GRANDMA MARY
You know, ! @ i l l y ' sp r e d e c e s s o rwas a Jew.

Jeremy s p i t s up h i s w a t e r .

SEC. CLEARY
Mommy, l e t ' s n o tgo t h e r e .S a u i R o t h s t e i nwasagood man.

... GRANDMA MARY Maybe so. ( b e a t ) For a J e w .

CLAIRE
Grandma, you c a n ' tt a l k t h a t way. You c a n ' tf e e l t h a tway.I t ' s not r i g h t!
SEC. CLEARY
( t o t h et a b l e )
Mommy's a l i t t l eold-fashioned.
JERENY
( s o t t o ,t o John)
Yeah. L i k e Hitler.
GRANDMA MARY
What d i d yous a y h i sname was a g a i n ,Willy?HymieB e r g s t e i n ? I zlways f o r g e t h i s name.Buymy Sod, d i d hehave a nose on h i m .

Jeremy's a g h a s t .I t ' sl i k e h e ' se a t i n g witht h eGestapo.

CLAIRE
Grandma !
GRANDMA MARY
Well,, you could have used it t o f l i ppancakes.I t wasl i k e a s p a t u l a .I meanyoucould write t h eTen Commandments on each s i d e of t h a tt h i n g .
JOHN
( t o Grandma Wary)
Ma'am, I have t o t e l lyou I happen t o have a l o tofvery good f r i e n d s who a r e Jewish.A sdoes my b r o t h e r .
JEREMY
Very c l o s e t ot h eJews.

GRANDMA M A R Y (how d a r e you?!) R e a l l y ?

J O H N
Yes. R e a l l y .
62

- CLAIRE

( t o John) Thank you. F i n a l l ysomeones p e a k s UP.

SEC. CLEARY
Of c o u r s e .Wea l l haveJ e w i s h f r i e n d s !Nothing wrongw i t ht h a t
GRANDMA MARY
' W e l l Ig u e s s you havet o now, e s p e c i a l l yi fy o u ' r e d o i n g a n y t h i n g i nf i n a n c e .They owna l l of t h a t .Cansomebody b r i n g me' a n o t h e rs h e r r y ?

Randolph Fours h e r a n o t h e rs h e r r y .She downs itw h i l e h o l d i n g o n t o t h e b u t l e r ' ss l e e v e .She makes him poura n o t h e r .

Sack g r a b sh i sstomach.He'st u r n i n gg r e e n .

SACK
~ ' v eg o t t ago.

He s t a n d sup.

CLAIRE
What's wrong, honey?
SACK
''G o t t a . . .go.

Sack b o l t sfrom t h et a b l e .

SEC. CLEARY
Oh d e a r .Hopeh e ' sokay...
JOHN
Well, t h e r e ' sal o toff l ugoing around.
JEREMY
9 u th i se y e sa r es u r e c l e a r .

John elbows Jeremy. John p a s s e sap l a t t e rt o Todd.

TODD
Oh, I d o n ' te a tmeato rf i s h
GRANDMA MARY
( b e a t ,s w e e t l y )
Hel.sa homo.
CLAIRE
Grandma!
63

- GRANDMA MARY

What? He can't help it. They say it's genetic. (indicating Kathleen) From her side of the family.

Todd's head sinks. Jeremy gives him a sympathetic pat on the arm. Todd looks at Jeremy ...lovingly.

CLAIRE '
(changing:.topic)
Todd's an amazing painter. He's going to the Rhode Island School of Design.
JOHN
Wow. That's very impressive.
TODD
Dad used to think I was a political liability, you know, in case he ever ran for President.
SEC. CLEARY
Oh Todd.
(to John)
Well, actually, truth be told, polling shows a majority of the American people would ultimately empathize with our situation.
TODD
What is "our situation," Dad?!
GRANDMA MARY
You're a homo.
KATHLEEK
Oh, for Chrissakes, William. Put Mommy to bed already!
SEC. CLEARY
Okay. Mommy, we've had a iong day.

Cleary motions over Randolph, who helps Grandma Mary up.

GRANDMA MARY
I can do it myself, asshole.

Grandma Mary, clearly drunk, shuffles off. Todd, pissed off, gets up and storms off.

TODD
I'll be in my room. Painting. . .homo things.

~.

64

- KATHLEEN

You go r i g h tahead,Toddy

JOHN, ( t o C l a i r e ) So maybe a f t e r d i n n e r wecould t a k eawalk?

CLAIRE
How about now? I c a n ' tt a k e t h i s anymore. They're d r i v i n g mec r a z y .
J O H N
G r e a t !Let mej u s tchange my shoes
CLAIRE
1'11 be o u t s i d e w a i t i n g .Hurry up.
JOHN
A b s o l u t e l y .

C l a i r eg e t supand h a s t i l ye x i t s .Johnlooksa tJeremya n d winks. He g e t supand e x i t si nt h eo p p o s i t ed i r e c t i o n .

I N T .GUESTROOM- A MINUTE LATER

John i ss i t t i n g on t h ebed p u t t i n gon some t o p - s i d e r s .We h e a rt h edooropen and t h e ns h u t .Johnl o o k s up.We s e e Kathleen Cleary. S h e ' st o p l e s s .Johngasps.

KATHLEEN
I j u s tg o t my t i t s done.
JOHN
(jawagape)
Uh-huh.
KATHLEEN
Do you l i k e them?
J O H N
Uh, yes. Those ...are g r e a t...t i t s .
KATHLEEN
William d o e s n ' ta p p r e c i a t e my t i t s .
JOHN
Well, d a r n him.Mrs.C l e a r y , I d o n ' tthink--
KATHLEEN
C a l l meKat.
J O H N
Okay, Kat, I d o n ' tt h i n kt h a t - -
65

- KATHLEEN

C a l l meKitty-Kat.

JOHN
Uh, l o o k...Kitty-Kat...Ir e a l l y d o n ' tt h i n kt h i s i sa p p r o p r i a t e - -

She walks toward John and s t a n d sr i g h to v e r him.

KATHLEEN
F e e lthein.
JOHN
What?!
KATHLEEN
I s a i d f e e l them.
JOHN
M r s .Cleary--
KATHLEEN
K i t t y - K a t .
J O H N
K i t t y - K a t ,a r eyouo u to fyour f u c k i n g mind?
KATHLEEN
I ' mn o tl e t t i n gyouo u toft h i s room u n t i lyouf e e lthem.

John s i g h s .Her e l u c t a n t l yr e a c h e sup andf e e l sh e rb r e a s t s .

J O H N
T h e y ' r ev e r y n i c e .Okay?

She moans d e e p l y .She g r a b sh e r b l o u s eand b u t t o n s it up.

KATHLEEN
We w i l lbel o v e r s b e f o r et h i s weekend i s u p .

She blows him a k i s sand e x i t s .John s h a k e sh i shead;what t h eh e l lj u s thappened?

I N T .HALLWAY-A MINUTE LATER

John i s w a l k i n gdown t h ehallway.He p a s s e sTodd'sroom. T o d d ' s p a i n t i n g .He sees John.

TODD (O.S.)
Mom make you f e e lh e rt i t s ?

John s t o p sand b a c k sup.

66

- JOHN

What?! No!

TODD
I t ' s okay.Ican t e l l .You have t h a t"Mom made mef e e l h e r titsn look on your f a c e .Don'tworry about it. She u s u a l l y p i c k sone male g u e s taweekendt os e x u a l l y h a r a s s .
J O H N
Oh J e s u s ...
TODD
Don't s a y a n y t h i n g t o Dad,though.. Sone f r i e n d ofmys i s t e r s a i d something t o Dad a couple of y e a r s ago and he now l i v e si nParaguay. And n o tby c h o i c e .
J O H N
Good t o know.
TODD
No problem ...

John h u r r i e d l y c o n t i n u e sdown t h e h a l l .He r u n si n t oSeremy, s h u f f l i n g down t h e h a l ll o o k i n g completely s p e n t .

JEREMY
What's wrong?
JOHN
Nothing. I ' mj u s tt r y i n gt o g e t o u t s i d e t omeetClaire.
JEREMY
You've g o taweird look on your f a c e .
JOHN
(through g r i t t e d t e e t h )
C i a i r e ' sMom made megrope h e r b o o b i e s ,okay?!
JEREMY
Hmm. She g e t them done? Theylook p r e t r ygood.

John s t a r e sa t him ab e a t

J O H N
What's wrong w i t hyou?

Sohn c o n t i n u e son down t h e h a l l .

JEREMY
What? I j u s tasked--
JOHN
Shut up!
JEREMY
( c a l l i n g o u tt o him)
You go e n j o y y o u r s e l f !I ' mj u s t gonna go s p i tup some bloodand i c edown my b a l l s .

Jeremy e n t e r sh i sroom.

I N T .JEREMY'SBEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Jeremy e n t e r sh i sg u e s troom.Immediatelyhes e e s Grandma Mary s l e e p i n gi n h i sbed.Het h i n k sh e ' swalkedi n t o t h e wrong room, b u tn o t i c e sh i scumberbundand j a c k e thanging o v e rt h ec h a i r .Hegoeso v e r t ot h ebedand g e n t l ynudges Grandma. She l o o k sa thim andscreams.Jeremy screains.

GRANDMA MARY
What do you want?
JEREMY
You're i n my room.
GRANDMA MARY
Oh d e a r .Iam.Too much s h e r r y . Can you c a r r y met o my room?
JEREMY
What?
GRANDMA MARY
I t h i n kI ' mt o o drunk t o walk.
JEREMY
Uh, okay, s u r e .

EXT, CLEARY FAMILY COMPOUND - SIMULTANEOUS

John s t e p so u t s i d e ' t om e e tC l a i r e .

CLAIRE
What t o o k yous o l o n g ?
JOHN
I ' ms o r r y . Ig o t
( s e a r c h i n g f o r word)
h e l d up.
67

-. CLAIRE

S t r a n g e f a m i l y ,huh?

J O H N
Yeah... a l i t t l e .
( b e a t)
So w h e r eshouldw e go?

Sec. C l e a r y pokesh i s heado u tt h edoor.

sEC'.,'CLEARY C l a i r e ,Sackwas.a s k i n g f o ryou.

C l a i r elooksa tJohn

CLAIRE
( t oSec.C l e a r y )
Could you t e l lhimI ' mbusy?
SEC. CLEARY
He's i n p r e t t y badshape.
C - G IRE
-(grudgingly) A l lr i g h t...I ' mcoming.

C l e a r y nods andgoesbacki n t ot h e house

CLAIRE
( c o n t i n u i n g )
S o r r y ,John.Maybe wecanf i n d t i m etomorrow.
JOHN
Yeah, s u r e ,tomorrowt h e n .

Claire s t a r t st o headback i n t ot h ehouse.

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g )
Hey, h e l p him g e t b e t t e rsoon...I saw some o t t e r se a r l i e r and t h e y were.. .frowning.
CLAIRE
( s m i l i n g )
Be n i c e .

C l a i r ee x i t si n t o t h e house.C l e a r y pokesh i sheadback o u t .

SEC. CLEARY
John, my boy. Brandies? Den?
JOHN
Yeah. Great. I.'11be r i g h ti n .

John looks-up at the sky, frustrated by his missed "walk with Claire" opportunity.

JOHN
(continuing)
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
68

EXT. HALLWAY - SIMULTANEOUS

Jeremy's carrying Grandma down the hall.

GRANDMA MARY
You're very strong.

She giggles, than falls asleep. We see Randolph poke his head out of his room, and obviously misinterpret what's going on.

JEREMY
(to Randolph)
Oh, uh, okay....I know this looks kind of strange--
RANDOLPH
You're bangin? the daughter and. the grandma?! How much jam y o u got, mon?
JEREMY
No no! It's not like that!
RANDOLPH
Listen, mon. The family dog lives downstairs. I can wake-him-up for you, too, if you like.
JEREMY
Look, you've got it totally wrong!
RANDOLPH
Just be gentle wit her, mon. Okay? She be pushing ninety.

Randolph returns to his room. Jeremy stands there dumbfounded.

69

INT. RANDOLPH'S ROOM - CONTINOUS

Randolph shakes his head, lights a bong and takes a monster hit.

RANDOLPH
(to himself, while exhaling)
Good God. It's a mutter-fucking freak show here. ..
70

INT. JEREMYS BEDROOM - LATER THAT N I G H T

- d e r e m y . - i sl a y i n gi nb e d , t o s s i n gand t u r n i n g .He'ss o r e .

71

INT. JOHN'S BEDROOM - SIMULTANEOUS

John i s l a y i n gi n bed,eyesopen,wideawake.

I N T .SACK'SROOM- SIMULT,ANEOUS

Sack is l a y i n g ont h e bathroomf l o o r .H e pops upt o r e t c h i n t ot h et o i l e t .

I N T .CLAIRE'SROOM- SIMULTANEOUS

C l a i r e i sl a y i n g i n bed,andl i k eJohn,s h e ' s wide awake.

I N T .JEREMY'SBEDROOM- LATER THAT N I G H T

CLOSE ON: Jeremy. He's a s l e e p .Wes e e two l e g ss t r a d d l e him. H eawakens w i t haj o l t .

JEREMY
Hey!

P u l lbackt or e v e a lG l o r i a .She starts t y i n gh i sr i g h tarm t o t h e bed p o s t .

JEREMY
( c o n t i n u i n g )
What a r e youdoing?!
GLORIA
L i s t e n ,Iknow whatyou were s a y i n gb e f o r eand Is t a r t e d t h i n k i n gt h a t maybeI ' mnotb e i n g e x c i t i n gandadventurousf o r you.

She t i e s h i so t h e rarmt o t h e bed p o s t .

JEREMY
Gloria--
GLORIA
Sssh. Y o u ' l lwakeeverybody.
( b e a t )
I ' mgoing t o makea l l your f a n t a s i e scome t r u e .
JEREMY
But--

< She t a k e sas o c k ands t u f f s iti n h i smouth.

JEREMY
(continuing; muffled)
This is not my fantasy!

She puts duct tape over his sock-filled mouth.

GLORIA
I love you...
73

. . .

John is walking down the hallway. He comes to Claire's aoor and listens to see if she's awake.

74

INT. CLAIRE'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Claire is iaying in bed, eyes open, wide awake.

75

INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

John doesn't hear anything. He sighs and walks away.

76

INT. HALLWAY - AN HOUR LATER

Claire walks down the hallway to John's bedroom door and listens for him. She sighs and walks away.

77

INT. JOHN'S BEDROOM - SIMULTANEOUS

John is sitting by the window staring out,

78

INT. GRANDMA MARY'S BEDROOM - SIMULTANEOUS

Grandma is tossing and turning. She's muitering to herself.

GRANDMA VARY
What was his name? Mitch Jewstein? No.;.that's not it. Samuel Kikeberg? No ...that's not it...
79

INT. JERZMY'S BEDROOM - SIMULTANEOUS

CLOSE ON: Jeremy. He's sleeping again. We see a hand come in from our of frame and gently stroke his forehead. Jeremy slowly awakens.

JEREMY
(half-asleep)
Gloria ...you have to go back to your room.
TODD (O.S.)
It's not Gloria.

Jeremy gasps. We pull back to reveal Todd, naked, on his stomach stroking Jeremy's forehead.

JEREMY
Jesus Christ!
TODD
We had a moment at the dinner table, didn't we?
JEREMY
What are you talking about?! There was no moment.
TODD
Oh yeah, we had moment.
JEREMY
I was sitting right there. I think I would have noticed a moment--
TODD
I made you a painting.

Todd picks up a flashlight and shines it on a painting resting on Jeremy's dresser. We see a surreal red mess blotched onto the the canvas.

TODD
(continuing)
I call it "Tortured Scrotum." It's sexual and violent. Sort of a self- portrait. I thought you'd like it.
JEREMY
Oh wow ...that's, uh, something. Thank you ...so...much.
TODD
Oh you're more than welcome.

Todd kisses Jeremy on the forehead.

JEREMY
Say listen, Todd, I haven't gotten much gosh-darned sleep tonight and hey, why don't we talk tomorrow?
TODD
Promlse you'll make time for me?
JEREMY
Oh...cross my heart.
80

-. TODD

Okay. . . yous l e e p .

Todd g e t sup,k i s s e sh i sf i n g e r a n d p u t s iton J e r e m y ' sl i p s .

JEREMY
Okay. Good enough.

Todd smiles and e x i t s .Jeremy,s h a k e n ,l o o k supward.

JEREMY
( c o n t i n u i n g )
Lord! How much more o ft h i scanI t a k e ? !
81

INT. CLEARY FAMILY KITCHEN - THE NEXT MORNING

John i s a tt h e b r e a k f a s tt a b l e ,e a t i n gsome bacon,r e a d i n g t h enewspaper,d r i n k i n gc o f f e ei n ag a r g a n t u a nk i t c h e n . Jeremy s t u m b l e s ,e x h a u s t e d ,i n t o t h ek i t c h e n .ACOOK i s making a l lk i n d sofb r e a k f a s tt h i n g s .H e p o u r sJeremysome c o f f e eande x i t s .

J O H N
You know t h e y ' l lm a k eyoua n y t h i n g you want h e r e ? W a f f l e s ,b a c o n , what ever....
JEREMY
Oh t h a t ' ss w e l l ,John.
J O H N
W h a t ' sy o u rprobiem?
JEREMY
W h a t ' smyproblem?Oh, I d i d n ' t s l e e pt o ow e l l .
J O H N
Why n o t ?
JEREMY
W e l l ,b e s i d e st h eb o n e - c r u s h i n g p a i nandt h e m i d n i g h tr a p e ,t h e r e w s sa nude g a ya r tshow a t4a.m.
JOHN
(i g n o r i n gJeremy, r e a d i n g p a p e r )
Phew. Red Sox a r et a k i n g iti nt h e s h o r t s .

Jeremy p u l l st h enewspaperdown.

82

- JEREMY

I'm taking it in the shorts!

JOHN
Have some toast
JEREMY
I'm too traumatized for toast! . .

Nonetheless, he grabs a piece off John's plate.

JEREMY
(continuing)
Look, I'm going to say this as nicely as possible: if we don't get the fuck out of here right now I'm going to kill you.
JOHN
Can't do it.
JEREMY
Why not?!
JOHN
I need another day
JEREMY
(loudly)
For what?! She's got a boyfriend. Plus, her own mental hospital here to entertain him!
JOHN
Sssh! Keep it down! f think Claire's into me. Plus, the boyfriend's a complete tool.
JEREMY
Okay, we think the boyfriend's a .tool. Maybe the whole world thinks the boyfriends a tool. But if she's doesn't think the boyfriend's a tool then the game's over.
JOHN
The game's never over.
JEREMY
John, the rules are really clear about boyfriends and--
83

- JOHN

Will you stop it with the rules, already?! Fuck the rules!

JEREMY
(hurt)
"Fuck the rules?" How can you say that?! You're a very insensitive man.
JOHN
This isn't about the rules, okay?! This is about love!
JEREMY
Love?!
(deep breath)
Well...okay. The rules do in fact make provisions for what we delude ourselves into thinking is love.
JOHN
Oh Jesus....
JEREMY
Come on! How can it be love? You've known her for a day.
JOHN
I don't know, Jeremy. I can't explain it. Chemical? Fate? 1 don't know. I just know!

Jeremy stares at him for a beat.

JEREMY
Fine. I understand. I'm outta here. Good luck.

Jeremy starts to stand. John pulls him back down.

JOHN
No, no, no. You can't leave!
JEREMY
Why not?!
JOHN
Because thar'll create a huge shitstorm with Gloria! It'll focus the attention there!
84

- JEREMY

I don't give a baker's fuck! I had

85

,MY-OWN SWEAT SOCK DUCT-TAPED INTO'

my mouth last night! (off John's look) Long story.

JOHN
I needyou to help me. I mean what do the rules say about abandonment?
JEREMY
(grudgingly)
"Never leave a fellow crasher stranded. Wedding crashers take care of their own."
JOHN
That's right.
JEREMY
i hate you...
JOHN
Have some more toast.
JEREMY
(sighs)
I want a waffle.
JOHN
Good! That's good.
(calling out to the cook)
Can we get this man a waffle?

John smiles and slaps Jeremy on the shoulder.

86

INT. SACK'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Sack, looking haggard, reaches for the phone. He dials and it rings. We cut between he and his friend TRAP MITCHELL.

87

EXT. MITCHELL HOUSE/INT. SACK'S ROOM - COKTINUOUS

Trap Mitchell, sipping a gin and tonic in a palatial Cape Cod backyard,'picks up the phone.

TRAP
H e l l o ?
SACK
Trapster, it's Sack.

... TRAP Sack-Master! What's the word? How was the wedding?

SACK
It was great. Fine. Whatever. Listen, I need background on two guys the Secretary invited out here for the weekend. John and Jeremy Ryan.

Trap writes the names down.

TRAP
Okay, John and Jeremy Ryan.
SACK
They're brothers. A couple of venture capital weasels from New Hampshire. Got some kind of NPO called Holy Shirts and Pants.
TRAP
Oh. ..venture capitalists, they're the worst.
SACK
Tell my girlfriend's father. He practically shot his cabinet level wad over these two.
TRAP
It's ail about the money with guys like that. Sick, sick, sick.
SACK
Preaching to the choir, brother.
TRAP
Hey, listen when you get a chance you need to come into the firm so we can restructure your trust fund.
SACK
Oh right, right. Will do.
TRAP
Anc!I'll look into these guys...see what their story is
SACK
Excellent, bro. Hey listen, let's get the guys together later on this month. Do some sailing, drinking, etcetera, etcetera ...
88

- TRAP

Sounds good. I ' l lc a l l Skunk and Twine.

SACK
Cool. I ' ms e e i n g B i l l y g o a ton Tuesday s oI ' l lt e l l him.
TRAP
You da' mar..
SACK
You d a 'b i g g e r man.

They laugh. They've done t h i s b e f o r e . I t ' s n a u s e a t i n g .

E X T .CLEARY FAMILYDOCK- THE NEXT M O R N I N G

John and Jeremy walk t o t h e C l e a r y f a m i l ys a i l b o a t .Ont h e s i d eoft h e b o a t i s p a i n t e d"TheKathleen."S e c r e t a r y and Mrs. Cleary, G l o r i a ,Claire,and afewo t h e r g u e s t saxeon t h e b o a ta l r e a d y .Sec.Cieary i sa tt h e helm,preparingt o s 2 i l .

SEC. CLFARY
Where's Sack?
CLAIRE
I d o n ' tknow...
J O H N
Poor g u y ' sprobably s t i l l n o t f e e l i n gw e l l .Thatf l uu s u a l l y l a s t sa b o u ttwodays.
SEC. CLEARY
Well, t h e n ,"The Kathleen"t a k e s o f fw i t h o u thim.

Sack comes r a n n i n gfrom t h e house.

SACK
Wait! I ' mcoming.
J O H N
O h good.Here h ecomes.
( s o t t o ,angry,t o Jeremy)
How o l d wast h a tv i s i n e ? !

S a c kg e t s t ot h edock.Wes e et h a th e ' shadar e a l l yrough n i g h t .A s he g e t sont h e b o a t ,h e s h o o t sJohn ad i r t yl o o k .

89

EXT. CLEARY--FAMILYSAILBOAT - LATE

T h e y ' r eo u ti n t h eocean.S e c r e t a r yC l e a r yis a tt h e helm, s t e e r i n gt h e b o a t .Sack s i t s n e x tt oCiaire,h i sarmt i g h t l y around h e r .JohnandJeremy s i t on t h ebow o ft h eb o a t . G l o r i a ' sarm i st i g h t l yaroundJeremy.

CLAIRE
Are you a l lr i g h t ,honey?Maybe you s h o u l dgo down ' i n t h ec a b i n and i i e down.
SACK
No, I ' l l be f i n e .So,John, w h e r e ' dyous a yyouguys werefrom up t h e r ei nN e w Hampshire?
J O H N
I d i d n ' t .Butwe'refrom Manchester.
SACK
G r e a ttown.
J O H N
Big c i t y w i t has m a l l town h e a r t .
SACK
A c o l l e g e buddyofmine movedup t oM a n c h e s t e r . - H el o v e s t h e p l a c e . 'Maybe you know him; Skunk Baker?
J O H N
S o r r y .B i gc i t y .Small town h e a r t . But s t i l lab i gc i t y .
CLAIRE
Anyone want a b e e r ?

Sack nods "no. "

JOHN
S u r e ,I ' l lt a k eone.

C l a i r eg e t s up andg o e si n t o t h ec a b i no ft h e b o a t .

SACK
You s u r eyoud o n ' tknowSkunk? He's t h eb i gguy w i t hChaseup t h e r e .s u r e l yi nyourl i n e ,y o u ' v e come a c r o s se a c h o t h e r .

Sack r e a l l yd o e s n ' tl o o kw e l l .Withe a c hrockoft h eb o a t ,he g e t s al i t t l emorequeasy.Johnn o t i c e st h i sand g e t s a ni d e a .

90

- J O H N

Hey, you know my buddy Dave's with Chase. I b e theknows him. ( t h e n ) Too bad Dave's not here. You'd l o v e him.Ofcourse,you'd never c a t c hDave on a boatagain.We went o u ton a boatone time and you should have seen how s e a - s i c k h eg o t .I ' mt e l l i n g you, itwasa mess. We'd a l l e a t e na bunchof Lobster R o l l sand Davel i k e sh i s j u s ts l a t h e r e d i n mayonnaise. I mean he a t e ,l i k e ,t h r e eofthem.

Sack i ss t a r t i n g t ot u r n green.

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g )
And a bunch of corn c h i p s .Great guy b u thee a t sl i k e as e ao t t e r .

Sack is t r y i n gn o tt ol o s eh i slunch.

JOHN
(continuing1 We're not o u t t oseaf i v e minutes b e f o r et h i sguy blowsl i k e Krakatowa. I mean, i t ' s everywhere. It was l i k er e l i v i n g t h e wholelunch.

Sack b o l t st ot h ec a b i n .A she does,hec r o s s e sC l a i r e who's coming back on deck with two b e e r s .

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g ;t o C l a i r e )
Poor guy. He s h o u l d ' v es t a y e d home.

C l a i r e handsJohn a b e e r .He t a k e sas i p ands t a r e s p e n s i v e l y o f ft os e a .He'st r y i n gt og e t h e rt o a s k him whath e ' s t h i n k i n ga b o u t .Het a k e sadramatics i p ofb e e r .

CLAIRE
Being o u t i ntQeocean. It makes you r e a l i z ehowi n s i g n i f i c a n tyou r e a l l ya r e ,huh?
J O H N
Yeah. I guess we a r e .

C L A I R E No, no. I mean you.

JOHN
very funny.

She smiles a th i m .

CLAIRE
A c t u a l l y ,-t h a t ' swhy I h a t e t h e ocean.
JOHN
( l o o k i n garound t o make ' s u r e noo n e ' s l i s t e n i n g )
M e t o o ! Ih i t ea n y t h i n g t h a tcomes on l i k e i t ' s b i g g e rt h a n me.
CLAIRE
E x a c t l y .The ocean h a sa n a t t i t u d e and I d o n ' tl i k e it.
(mimicking)
" I ' mt h eocean.I ' ms o v a s tand e t e r n a land y o u ' r es o s m a l land... n o te t e r n a l ."
JOHN
Which i s av e r y n a s t ya t t i t u d e .
( b e a t )
You know what e l s eh a s a n a s t y a t t i t u d e ? The stars.
CLAIRE
I know. T h e y ' r er u d e !Andt h e mountains...
J O H N
O h ,d o n ' tg e t mes t a r t e d ont h e mountains.

They s h a r e al a u g h t h e nl o o k a t eacho t h e rf o r ab e a t . T h e r e ' st h ef l i c k e ro fa moment.

Sack h e a r sJohnandC l a i r el a u g h and pukesi n t oabucket

I N T .CLEARY FAMILY SAILBOAT-CONTINUOUS

John and C l a i r ec o n t i n u e t h e i rc o n v e r s a t i o n .

JOHN
You know what I like? T i d e p o o l s No a t t i t u d e from at i d e p o o l .

.. CLAIRE There a r e some amazing t i d ep o o l s o v e ront h eo t h e rs i d e oft h e i s l a n d .Wec o u l d b i k eovert h e r e t h i sa f t e r n o o n ,i fyou l i k e .

J O H N
I ' dl i k et h a t .I t ' s ad a t e .
SEC. CLEARY
( h o l d i n g empty g l a s s )
John, my d a i q u i r i ' sswimming i n t h es h a l l o w end.Take t h e helm.
JOHN
.' ( l y i n g ) S u r e .No problem.
SEC. CLEARY
J u s ts t a r tt a c k i n g back.

John, having no c l u e ,g i v e s Jeremya p a n i c k e dl o o k .Zeremy s h r u g s .

J O H N
Of c o u r s e .T a c k back.I wasgonna t a c kback.E x c e l l e n tc h o i c e ,t h e t a c k i n gback.

Sec. C l e a r yl e t sgo o ft h ehelm and s t a r t sf o rt h ec a b i n . John g r a b st h e wheel.Kathleencomesup b e h i n dJohnand g r a b s h i s...m a s t .

J O H N
( c o n t i n u i n g )
Tacking !

John t u r n st h ewheelt o oq u i c k l yand t h e b o a tr e a c t s s u d a e n i y ,s e n d i n g t h emains a i lf l y i n garound andsmacking i n t oJeremy.Jeremy f l i e si n t o t h eocean.

GLORIA
Jeremy!

lo riajumps i n t o t h ew a t e r .I n t r y i n gt or e s c u eJeremy, G l o r i a i s so overwroughtand p a n i c k e dt h a ts h ekeepsdunking him back i n t o t h ew a t e r .H e ' sg a s p i n gf o r b r e a t h .

91

EXT. CLEARY FAMILY DOCK - A LITTLE LATER

The b o a th a sdocked.Everyone i s d i s e m b a r k i n g .G l o r i a i s h o l d i n gJeremy who'swrappedi nab l a n k e t .Johnp u l l sC l a i r e

92

A S I D E .

... JOHN What do you say we hit those tide pools?

CLAIRE
Sounds great.

Randolph approaches the group. He's carrying several rifles, which he begins handing out to all the men, including John and Jeremy.

RANDOLPH
Zverything's ready for the quail hunt. There's a jeep waiting to :ake ysu to the marsh.
SEC. CLEARY
Wonderful, Randolph.
JOHN
Uh, maybe, I'll sit this one out.
JEREMY
Yeah, I think w e '11sit this one
SEC. CLEARY
Nonsense. I insist. It's a Cleary family tradifion.
CLAIRE
(to John)
I'm afraid you're stuck. We'll check our the tide pools later.

Sack ~ a k e snote of this and scowls.

SEC. CLEARY
Sack, if you're too sick.. .
SACK
(determined and a little crazed)
Oh, no. Ha ha. I'm going. Oh, I ' m going !

Sack grabs a rifle. He's starting to look a little scary.

JEREMY
(to Sack)
YOU hunt?!

... SACK I hunt quail. They're overpopulated on the island. They're decimating the grub worm population. Got a problem with that? !

JEREMY
(a little frightened)
Hey, it's all good.
93

EXT. MARSH - A LITTLE LATER

A group of about ten men, including Sack, Sec. Cleary, John and Jeremy walk through the marsh looking for quail. Jeremy stops and pulls John aside.

JEREMY
Have you ever shot one of these things before?
JOHN
Oh you bet. The whole fifteen years we've known each other? Well, I've been sneaking out to shoot at small birds.
(beat)
Of course I've never shot one of these things!

3EREMY , What are we gonna do? I don't want to kill a quail. It's bad karma.

JOHN
You'll lie to young women to get them in bed but you won't shoot a iittle bird?
JEREMY
Right.
JOHN
Yeah, me too. But look, j.ust aim to miss.

'Secretary Cleary stops and points.

SEC. CLEARY
There. O f ftot h eleft.

Everyone aims.and shoots. John and Jeremy fumble to get their

94

- RIFLE IN SHOOTING POSITION. WHEN IT DISCHARGES, THEY'RE SENT

flying five feet on their asses.

95

EXT. MARSH . -A LITTLELATER

The men a r e still walking through throught h e marsh.Jeremy i srubbing h i ss h o u l d e r .

JEREMY
I thought t h er i f l ej u s tf i r e d buckshot.
JOHN
Yeah. T h a t ' s~ e a dp e l l e t s , dumbfuck. I t ' s'not as l i n g - s h o t .
JEREMY
Thank you.

Sack s t o p s and p o i n t s .

SACK
There. Over by t h espruce t r e e .

A severyone t u r n s ,wes e e Sack s e th i ss i g h t s onJohn. Through S a c k ' s scope,wecan s e e J o h n ' sa s s .The menf i r e . Jeremy d i s c h a r g e s . h i sr i f l e .He'ss e n tr e e l i n ga g a i n .T h i s t i m ei n t o John.Sack s h o o t s h i sr i f l e .Buti n s t e a dofh i t t i n g John, he h i t sCeremy.Jeremy h i t s t h e ground grabbingh i sa s s .

JEREMY
My a s s !

I N T .CLEARYFAMILYBATHROOM -LATER

CLOSE ON: Jeremy's a s s .Someone i sp u l l i n go u t buckshotw i t h tweezers. P u l lbackt or e v e a l i t ' sG l o r i a .Johnand C l a i r e poke t h e i rheadsi n t o t h e bathroom.

JOHN
You okay, buddy?
JEREMY
J u s tfuckingg r e a t !
JOHN
[to C l a i r e ) He's never been a s i l e n t s u f f e r e r .
( t o Jeremy)
We're gonna t a k e t h e b i k e so u tf o r a r i d e .W e ' l lc a t c h youl a t e r .
JEREMY
Y e a hs u r e .YOUk i d sgo andhavea good time.
(worked up)
I ' l lj u s tbehereg e t t i n gl e a d p e l l e t sp u l l e d o u t ofmy h e i n i e !

John and C h i r ee x i t .CLOSEON:Jeremy.G l o r i aS t a r t sg r o p i n g,;::.,

.......,..,

L-''.
Jeremy, t h e nl o o k sd i s a p p o i n t e d .
GLORIA
Awww. M r .Pogo i s n ' tjumpingu p . . .
JEREMY ' .
Well, s o r r y ,M r .Pogo g e t s s t r e s s e d whef. M r .$&remy's b l e e d i n gtoded'th,okay?
96

EXT. MARTHA'S VINEYARD - LATER

John and Claire a r e r i d i n g b i k e son ap a t hn e a r t h es h o r e .

Sack pops i n t o t h el i v i n g room.Randolph iss i t t i n g on t h e couch watching TV.

SACK
Hey Randolph?
RWDOLPH
S s s h .I ' mwatching my s t o r i e s ,mon.
SACK
I j u s tneed t oknow where C l a i r e is.
RANDOLPH
Uh. . . s h eand t h a tf e l l o w wentf o r a b i k er i d et o t h et i d e p o o l s .

S a c k ' sjawc l e n c h e s .

97

EXT. MARTHA'S VINEYARD/TIDE POOL - LATER

John and C l a i r es t o p t h e i r b i k e s a tt h eedge o fat i d e p o o l

98

EXT. MARTHA'S VINEYARD - SIMULTANEOUS

Sack p e d a l sf u r i o u s l y onana l d ' b i k e w i t h a l i t t l e b a s k e ton t h ef r o n t .H eLooks al o tl i k e t h e meanl a d y i n t h e b e g i n n i n g of t h eW i z a ~ do f02.

99

EXT. MARTHA'S VINEYARD/TIDE POOL -LATER

John and C l a i r e e x p l o r i n gt h et i d e p o o l .

100

EXT. MARTHA'S VTNEYARD -SIMULTANEOUS

,,...

101

. SACK I S S T I L L P E D A L I N GL I K E AL U N A T I C . 'A MAN WALKSH I SDOG

down t h er o a d .Sack r i n g st h e o l d - f a s h i o ' n e db i k eb e l l a g g r e s s i v e l yand n e a r l yr u n so v e r them a nand h i sdog.

102

EXT. M A R T W SVINEYARD/TIDEPOOL- LATER

John p i c k su p a b i gs t a r f i s h and tries t o p u ti n on C l a i r e ' s head. She s p l a s h e shim.T h e y ' r el a u g h i n g .

Sack p u l l s u ponh i sb i k eand w a t c h e sJohnand C l a i r efrom t h eh i l labovet h et i d e p o o l .

John s p l a s h e s h e rback.Soon t h e y arei nt h e midsto fa s p l a s h i n gf r e n z y ,g e t t i n gc l o s e r . t oe a c ho t h e rw i t he a c h s p l a s h .T'neyend upi ne a c ho t h e r ' sarms.C l a i r el o o k su pa t John who's l o o k i n g b a c ka t h e ri n t e n t l y .

J O H N
So, it would b ea t o t a lc l i c h e i f I k i s s e dyour i g h tnow,r i g h t ?
CLAIRE
Yes. A t o t a lc l i c h e .

She p u l l shim i na n dk i s s e shim.

ANGLE ON: Sack v a t c h i n gthem.

SACK
( t o h i m s e l f ,u t t e r l y d i s g u s t e d )
Fuck.

Sack p e d a l saway q u i c k l y .

ANGLE ON: John a n d C l a i r e .C l a i r e b r e a k st h ek i s s .

CLAIRE
I c a n ' tdot h i s .

C i a i r er u n so f fa n dg e t sonh e r b i k e .

I N T .CLEARYFAMILYD I N I N GROOM-THATNIGHT

Everyone i ss e a t e d . a tt h et a b l e mid-meal.J o h nt r i e st omake e y ec o n t a c tw i t hC l a i r eb u ts h e t u r n saway.Jeremy i s s h i f t i n gc n c o m f o r t a b l yi ns i g n i f i c a n ta s s p a i n .GrandmaMary i ssound a s l e e p ,c l u t c h i n gag l a s so fs h e r r y ,s n o r i n gl o u d l y , S a c k t a p sh i sg l a s sf o ra t t e n t i o n .Everyones t o p st a l k i n gand l i s t e n s .

SACK
C l a i r eand Ih a v ea n announcement t o make.W e wereg o i n gt ow a i tt o t e l la l lo fyou,b u tt h e s p i r i tof t h i sweekendi ss u c ht h a twec a n ' t t h ~ n k.ofab e t t e rt i m et os h a r e o u rgood news.
(more)

... SACK (cont'd) (looking right at John Claire and I are going to be married.

Everyone oohs, ahhhs and applauds expegt John,whO is stunned. Claire looks ak Shek, perplex.ed.

SEC. CLEARY
Wonderful!
KATHLEER
(slurred)
Wonderful!

Grandma Mary pops awake.

GWDPIA CLEARY
(drunk, out of it)
Is the war over?

She slumps back down. Everyone ignores her.

CLAIRE
(through gritted teeth to Sack)
Sack...we need to talk about this.
SEC. CLEARY
Well, I am thrilled! Isn't this wonder£ul, Randolph?
RANDOLPH
(droll, insincere)
Oh, it's a marriage blessed by the angels, made in heaven, mon.
(beat)
Okay, who wants sherbet?

Gloria stands up. She's beaming.

GLORIA
Jeremy and I have an announcement to make, too. I'm going to be Mrs. Ryan!

Oohs, ahhhs, applause

JEREMY
What?!
KATHLEEN
(slurredl Wonderful!

Jeremy p u t s h i sheadi n h i s hands.Grandma Mary pops backu?.

GRANDMA M A R Y R o o s e v e l t ' sa pussy!

C l a i r eg e t s up and e x i t s o u t s i d e .

I N T .CLEARY FAMILYD I N I N GROOM-A MINUTE LATER

Some of t h eg u e s t s a r e hoveringaround G l o r i a ,t h e rest around Sack. John is s u l l e n .Jeremy p u l l s him a s i d e .

JEREMY
( t o John)
Oh w e l l ,game over.Thanks f o r p l a y i n g .Maybe t h e y ' l lhave p a r t i n gg i f t s .I ' l lg e t mys h i t , w e ' l lg e t o u t ofh e r e .

John t h i n k sf o rab e a t ,t h e n~ a k e sadeep b r e a t h .

J O H N
You know what? I ' mj u s tgonnaf i n d h e rand t e l l h e rt h e t r u t h .
JEREMY
The t r u t h ? !Okay.Thatmightbea qood c a l l .~ o u ' k et h ep r i n c eof Arabia, you've r e j e c t e d t h e throne--
J O H N
Jeremy! The a c t u a l t r u t h .
JEREMY
Oh. Wow. Okay. ifr u s t r a t e d ) Fine. Do whatever you want. J u s t do it quick,a l l r i g h t ?

John b o l t so u t s l d e .Jeremy looksoutt h ewindow.From h i s POV, we s e e Johnr u s h i n g a f t e r C l a i r e .Jeremyshakes h i shead and e x i t si n t ot h ek i t c h e n .

I N T .CLEARY FAMILY KITCHEN- CONTIFJUOUS

Jeremy hobbles i n ,g r a b s a hand towel,walkst ot h ef r e e z e r and fills t h etowel with i c e whichhe p l a c e sg e n t l y on h i s wounded a s s .TheCOOK,s t i f l e s alaughand e x i t s .

JEREMY
( c a l l i n g a f t e r h e r )
I t ' sn o tfunny!

Jeremy sits-down on t h ei c e packand p u t sh i s headont h e t a b l e .G l o r i a walksi n .

GLORIA
?here'you a r e !
JEREMY
,oh,hey,. G l o r i a . .. i

She opens a magazine i n - f r o n tofh i sf a c e .

JEREMY
( c o n t i n u i n g )
What's t h a t ?
GLOBIA
- . L C ' sac h i n ap i t t e r n ,s i l l y .I t ' s c a l l e didn nightMarakkesh.
JEREMY
Oh t h a t ' sr e a l l yn i c e . . .
GLORIA
E x c e l l e n t ! I t ' s s e x yandyouc a n eat o f f it.J u s tl i k e me.

She winks and e x i t s .Jeremy moans.F a t h e rO I N e i lw a l k si nand s e e sJeremy,headi n hands,ass i n ice.

FATHER 0' NEIL
W e l l ,h e l l ot h e r e .
JEREMY
Oh, h e l l oF a t h e r .
FATHER 0 'NEIL
Are you okay? You l o o k t r o u b l e d .

He s i z sdown n e x tt oJeremy and p o u r sh i m s e l fa b r a n d y .

JEREMY
Ah, you know.. .
FATHER 0' NEIL
M a r r i a g e i s a b i gs t e p .Yous u r e y o u ' r er e a d y ?
JEREMY
oh, gosh, uh, s u r e . ..I'mr e a d y .
FATHER 0 ' NEIL
C'mon, Son. What's on your mind?

Jeremy l o o k so u tt h ek i t c h e nwindowandsighsd e e p l y .H e ' sa t t n eendo fh i sr o p e .

103

- JEREMY

I " dl i k e t oinakeaconfession.

FATHER 0 'NEIL
A l lr i g h t ,Son. Ican h e a r your c o n f e s s i o n .
JEREMY
I t ' sallc o n f i d e n t i a l ,r i g h t ?
FATHER 0' NEIL
Huh?
JEREMY
I mean, you know...
FATHER 0 'NEIL
You h a v e n ' tbeent ochurchi n a long time have you? O fcourse. I t ' sa l lc o n f i d e n t i a l .
JEREMY
bell, s e e ,t h a i ' sj u s tit.I ' mnot a C a t h o l i c .

FATHER 0 'N E I L Pardon m e ?

JEREMY
I ' maJew.

I N T .CLEARVFAMILY LIVINGROOM- SIMULT?iNEOUS

Sack i s s i t t i n pon t h e couch,afew peoplearoundhim.H i s c e l l phoner i n p s .Trap i sonth'eo t h e rendand wec u tback and f o r t h betweenthem.

TRAP
~ a c k s t e r .
SACK
T r a p s t e r .
TRAD
L i s t e n ,about t h o s eguys...

ZXT. BEACH - A MINUTZ LATER

John is following C l a i r edownrrhebeach.S h e ' swalkinga ta O r i skpace.

JOHN
C'mon C l a i r e ,waitup.

She c o n t i n u e s walking

... JOHN ( c o n t i n u i n g ) So...yo u t r e~marr-yingt h i sguy,huh?

She s t o p sand t u r n sa r o u n d .

CLAIRE
Is t h a twhatyou want t oknow? Well, you h e a r d it backa t t h e h o u s e .
J O H N
Look, you c a n ' tmarryhim.
CLAIRE
Nhy n o t ?
JOHN
U m .. . b e c a u s eI ' mf a l l i n g-i nl o v e w i t hyou.

I N T .CLEARYFAMILYKITCHEN - SIMULTANEOUS

J e r e m y ' sr e a l l yc o m f o r t a b l e w i t ht h eP r i e s t .H e ' sk i c k i n g back, c o n f e s s i n g .

JEREMY
(mid s e n t e n c e )
...and my b a r mitzvah hadaR e t u r n o ft h eS e d ithemewhichi n r e t r o s p e c t Ir e g r e t...b u tanyway, t h e p o i n t i sw e ' r en o tv e n t u r e c a p i t a l i s t s .We'rel a w y e r s .And we do t h i s , I mean wec r a s h weddings i no r d e rt o ,u h . ..

FATHER 0 'N E I L Meet g i r l s ?

JEREMY
Yes, y e s .Well,a c t u a l l y moret h a n m e e tthem.We,you know, hope t o have s e x w i t hthem.And,hey,i f t h eb a n d ' sgoodand t h es p r e a d ' s d e c e n t ,t h a t ' sj u s tbonusp o i n t s .
FATHER 0' NEIL
And d i dyou "meet" anybody from t h eC l e a r y wedding?
JEREMY
A c t u r l l y ,Is l e p t w i t hG l o r i a . Well, I d i d n ' ta c t u a l l ys l e e p w i t h h e r .
(more)

... JEREMY ( c o n t ' d ) W ed i d ito n c e a tt h e b e a c ha tt h e wedding a n d t h e ns h e . . . (makes t h ej e r k - o f f m o t i o nw i t hh i shand) ...a tt h e d i n n e r t a b l e .T h e r e was one more t i m e .But I wasn o ta w i l l i n gp a r t i c i p a n t ,okay? ( o f fP r i e s t'sl o o k ) Long s c o r y .

FATHER 0 'NEIL
And y o u rf r i e n d ? WithC l a i r e ?

J E R E M Y No, no. G e tt h i s !Het h i n k sh e ' s i nl o v e w i t hh e r !I s n ' tt h a t h i l a r i o u s ?S e e ? T h a t ' swhyw e ' v e been h e r es ol o n g !N o r n a l l ywe're in a n do u ti n ac o u p l eh o u r sand--

FP.THERC 'NEIL
Okay, okay. 1 g e t i t .
JEREMY
Did I m e n t i o nToddh a s ac r u s hon m e?
FATHER 0' NEIS
No, s a d i yyoul e f tt h a to u t .
JEREMY
Oh w e l l ,h ed o e s .He p r e t t y much made t h a to b v i o u sa f t e rh egaveme a s e l f - p o r t r a i to fh i st e s t i c l e s .
( b e a t)
Phew! T h i sf e l tg r e a t .Thankyou! I t h i n kyoug u y s m i g h tr e a l i yh a v e s o m e t h i n g w i t ht h i sc o n f e s s i o n b u s i n e s s .
104

EXT. SEACH - CONTINUOUS

John i sf a c i n gC l a i r e w h o ' sl o o k i n go u tt o w a r dt h eo c e a n

CLAIRE
Why a r e youd o i n gt h i st om e ,John?
JOHN
B u t ,you...maybe feel t h e same way?

-- CLAIRE ( s i g h s ) Maybe. ( b e a t ) Look I d o n ' tknowa n y t h i n ga b o u t you. You do i n v e s t m e n t si n New Hampshire and--

J O H N
Well,' see,t h a t ' st h eo t h e r t h i n g .

We h e a ral o u dgunshotcomefrom t h ed i r e c t i o no ft h eh o u s e .

CLAIRE
Oh my god!
JEREMY (O.S.)
Dude! Run!
J O H N
What t h eh e l l ?!

They l o o k backands e e Jeremy b e i n gc h a s e d byS e c r e t a r y C l e a r y ,K a t h l e e n ,Todd,Sack,and Grandma who'sh o l d i n ga l a r g es h o t g u n f i r i n g w i l l y - n i l l ya tJeremy.

G M N D M AMARY H e ' saJew!

S h e ' f i r e so f faroundand misses.Jeremy screams.

SEC. CLEARY'
You b a s t a r d s !I ' mgoing t og e tyou!

Jeremy c a t c h e sup w i t hJohn.

JEREMY
Get t h ef u c k o u t t ah e r e !Run!
JOHN
What's going on?!

Jeremy c o n t i n u e st orun.'

JEREMY
( s h o u t i n g back-a t John)
I s p i l l e d !I ' ms o r r y .TheP r i e s t t o l d me it wasc o n f i d e n t i a l !

FATHER 0' N E I L I ' ms o r r y .God d o e s n ' tpayt h e b i l l s .

105

- CLAIRE

Xe spilled what?!

JOHN
Oh fuck! Look, Claire, I need to tell you some~hing quickly.
SACK
They're lawyers, Claire. Those weren't even their real names!
GRANDMA MARY
Get back here, Jew!

Grandr~afires off another round which barely misses John.

JOHN
(to Claire)
I'll explain later.

John runs down beach toward Jeremy.

KATHLEEN
John felt my tits!
SEC. CLEARY
Goddamit! Get 'em, Mommy!

Grandma fires another round.

SACK
They crash weddings in order to get laid!

Claire is mortified. John turns around and looks defeatedly at Claire.

JOHN
Claire, you don't understand!
CLAZRE
(very upset)
No, no, no. You son of a bitch!
TODD
Jeremy was going to be my lover!
(yells to 5eremy)
You're not keeping my scrotum painting!
GLORIA
I forgive you, Jeremy! Come back!

Grandma f i r e s o f fa n o t h e rr0un.da sJohnand Jeremyt e a rdown t h e beach,over some r o c k sando u tofs i g h t .Wes e et h e C l e a r yfarni3ysl.wwlyg i v e up t h e,.chase.

106

EXT. FERRY -A LTTTLE LATER

John and Jeremy g e t ont h ef e r r y a s i t ' st a k i n go f f .I n f r u s t r a t i o n ,Johnk i c k sabench,t h e n s i t s down,f o r l o r n .

E X T . / I N T .VARIOUS LOCATIONSOVER THENEXTFEW WEEKS

Montage:

John walks d e j e c t e d l yt h r o u e ht h e streets ofBoston.

C l a i r e walksi nas i m i l a r manneralong t h e beachon M a r t h a ' s Vineyard.

Johnrails a i e t t e r a d d r e s s e d t oC l z i r e .

John g e t sh i s m a i l . H i sl e t t e r ' h a sbeenr e t u r n e dunopened

Sack shows C l a i r esome honeymoon b r o c h u r e s .She smilesa tt i m t h a ns t a r e s p e n s i v e l yo u tt h e window.

G l o r i a m a i l sal e t t e r a d d r e s s e d t oJeremy.

G l o r i ag e t sh e rm a i l .Herl e t t e rh a s beenr e t u r n e d unopened.

John, i na s i n g l e mancrew b o a t ,i srowingf r a n t i c a l l ydown t h eC h a r l e s River t r y i n g t oc a t c h up t oC l a i r e who'si n h e r own b o a t .She d o e s n ' ts e e him.The wakefrom al a r g e crew b o a tp i t c h e sJ o h n ' sb o a tover,s e n d i n g himf l y i n g i n t ot h e C h a r l e s .

Sack and C l a i r e a r eont h e beach.Sack t i c k l e sas e a o t t e r underneath i t sz h i n .She p u t s h e rarm onSack and s m i l e s .The s e a o t t e r b i t e sS a c k ' sl e g .

I N T .LAWFIRM OFBECKWITH AND KLEIN - THREE WEEKS LATER

John, a bounce i nh i ss t e p e n t e r sJ e r e m y ' so f f i c e .He's h o l d i n gt h e p a p e r .

JOHN
Jeremy, I know how I can g e tt o h e r .
JEREMY
Give it up. S h e ' sr e t u r n e d a l l your l e t t e r s ,s h e won'tt a k eyour c a l l s .She d o e s n ' twantt o see you, a l lr i g h t .
107

-. J O H N

She d o e s n ' tt h i n ks h e wants t os e e me. B u t . L r u s ime,she..nantst c see me.

JEREMY
0-kay.. .
J O H N
T h e y ' r ehaving a n engagementp a r t y f o r h e rt o n i g h ta tt h eBeach Club. We're gonna be t h e r e .
JEREMY
We're? No.
J O H N
Ineed you t o be my wing man.
JEREMY
Look, John, h e rf a t h e r i s t h e S e c r e t a r y oft h eT r e s s u r y .T h e r e ' s qonna be S e c r e tS e r v i c e .T h e y ' l l p r o b a b l y have p o s t e r s w i t hour p i c t u r e sonthem.T h e r e ' s noway w e can g e ti n t h e r e .
JOHN
Oh yes w ecan.

Jeremy g i v e s him askepticallook.

M Y .CHATHAM BEACH CLUB/ALLEYWAY - THE NEXT DAY

John and Jeremy s t a n da tt h e rearoft h er e s t a u r a n t .

JEREMY
How'd you f i n doutaboutt h i s ?

John s m i l e sand g i v e sacoded knock on t h ed o o r .RANDOLPH opens t h ed o o r .

RANDOLPH
F i n a l l y !Okay,mon,Ig o tyour uniforms.

Jeremy s t a r e s a tRandolphi nd i s b e l i e f

RANDOLPH
( c o n t i n u i n g )
What are you s t a r i n ga t ,mon? S a c k ' s a t o o l .
108

INT. CHATHAM BEACH CLUB/KITCHEN - THAT NIGHT

John and Jeremy are d~essed as waiters. John is making coffee. The kitchen has two doors. One leads to the dining room. The other leads to the banquet room where the Cleary's are having the engagement party. MICHAEL, the dining room captain walks in. Michael is clsarly gay and a bit drunk with power.

MICHAEL
(to Jeremy)
Table five needs their soup. Muy pronto !
JEREMY
So? They're not my table. I haven't even started yet.

Michael is shocked at Jeremy's insolence. He struggles to regain his composure.

MICHAEL
Okay. Who am I?

Jeremy shoots John a look.

JEREMY
You're the captain.
MICHAEL
That's right. Which makes me...?
JEREMY
(exasperated sigh)
Always right.
MICHAEL
That's right sweet-cheeks. Now get table five their soups. Comprende?
JEREMY
Yes.

Yes, what?!

JEREMY
Yes, Captain.

Jeremy ladles two bowls of soup, puts them on a tray, and exits into the dining room.

109

-. MICHAEL

( t o John) And you? A r ew e working .working o r a r e we,oh,j u s tsoaking i n t h e atmosphere?

J O H N
Yes, C a p t a i n .I ' mmaking c o f f e e . T h a t ' smy assignment.
MICHAEL
Like your a t t i t u d e .
( b e a t ,winks)
L e t ' st a l kl a t e r .

Michael e x i t si n c ot h ebanquetroom.

Jeremy i st a l k i n gt ot a b l ef i v e ,an ELDERLY COUPLE.

JEREMY
-. - r l n e .i'llg e tyout h echowder i n s t e a d .
ELDERLY MAN
The Boston chowder!
JEREMY
I know...
ELDERLY MAN
The white o n e . . .
XREMY
I s ~ i dIknow...
ELDERLY MAN
Not t h er e done!
JEREMY
I g e ti t .

Jeremy p i c k supt h e i rsoups and p u t sthem backonh i st r a y . He e x i t s backi n t o t h ek i t c h e n .

I N T .CHATHAMBSACH CLUB/KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Jeremy e n t e r sandp u t st h esoups down and l a d l e s two bowlsof chowder. He g i v e sJohnt h ef i n g e rand e x i t sw i t ht h echowder i n t o t h ed i n i n groom.Johnopenst h edoort h a tl e a d s'iothe banquet ro0rn.a l i t t l e t o sneak ap e e k .H es e e ss e v e r a lS e c r e t S e r v i c eguys.

Jeremy is w i t h t a b l ef i v e .T h e i rchowder i son t h e t a b l e .

ELDERLY WOMAN
You p u t icei n my water!
JEREMY
I t ' sice w a t e r .T h a t ' sp a r toft h e d e a l .
ELDERLY WOMAN
I d o n ' twanti c e .
JEREMY
Okay...
ELDERLY WOMAN
I d o n ' tknow why you p u ti c ei nmy w a t e r .
JEREMY
Because I ' mn o tp s y c h i c ?

The o l d womans c o w l s a t him.

JEREMY
( c o n t i n u i n g )
Okay, you d o n ' twanti c e ?

H e p i c k sup h e rg l a s sandt a k e so u tt h ei c e w i t h h i sh a n d s .

JEREMY
( c o n t i n u i n g )
T h e r e .No ice!
ELDERLY WOMAN
( t a k e n a b a c k )
I ' mt a l k i n gt o t h e manager!
110

INT. CHATHAM BEACH CLUB/KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Jeremy e n t e r s t of i n d John p e e r i n gt h r o u g h t h ed o o r .

JEREMY
Hurry up. T a l k t oh e r . 1cant a k e a b o u tf i v e more m i n u t e soft h i s s h i t .
JOHN
I ' v eg o tt ow a i tu n t i ls h e ' sa l o n e .
JEREMY
I t ' s anengagementp a r t y !Why would s h e bea l o n e ? !
111

-

JOHN S h e ' sgott ogo t o t h e bathroom sometime.

Michael e n t e r s .

MICHAEL
L e s t e r ,may I have a word w i t h you?

John nudges Jeremy.

JOHN
( s o t t o )
T h a t ' syou.

Jeremy, remembering h e ' sgoing by" L e s t e r , "walksovert o Michael.

I N T .CHATHAMBEACHCLUB/BANQUET ROOM - SIMULTANEOUS

JOHN'S POV: C l a i r eand Sack a r e t a l k i n g t osome g u e s t s . C l a i r e l o o k s b e a u t i f u l ,o fcourse.

I N T .CHATW-BEACH CLUB/DINING ROOM - A FEW MINUTES LATER

Jeremy is wirh t a b l ef i v e .Hishead i ssunk.He's mid apology. Michael i ss t a n d i n g r i g h tbehind him,armsf o l d e d .

JEREMY
...and a g a i n ,Iam deeplys o r r y f o rmyo f f e n s i v ewordsand t e r r i b l e a t t i t u d e .

I N T .CHATHAMBEACHCLUB/KITCHEN.- A MINUTE LATER

John peeks o u tt h edoor.Suddenly hes e e s Claire walk toward t h erestroom.He s t a r t st o go o u ta f t e rh e r ,b u t Michael e n t e r s and b l o c k sh i sway.C l a i r ee n t e r s t h erestroom.

MICHAEL
S e r g i o ,whata r e wesupposedt odo w i t hc r a n b e r r yt o r t e ?
J O H N
( s t i l l eyeing C l a i r e )
What?
MICHAEL
I s a i d whata r ewesupposedt o do wich t h ec r a n b e r r y t o r t e ?
J O H N
Uh ...d r i z z l e it w i t hGrand Marnier?
112

- MICHAEL

That's right. And what did you do?

JOHN
I drizzled it with Grand Marnier.
MICHAEL
(screeching)
You drowned it in Grand Marnler! I nearly had to perform mouth to mouth! The little cranberries were in there screaming, "Oh help us! We're drownlng in an alcohol bath!"

Claire exits the bathroom. John starts out of the kitchen.

JOHN
Excuse me, Captain. Table three needs a. ..

We see Sack walk up to Claire and escort her back to the Isanpet room. John1s lost his chance.

JOGN
(continuing; to Michael 1 I , uh, drizzle next time.. ..
MICHAEL
Please do.

Michael exits haughtily. John's sighs.

113

INT. CHATHAM BEACH CLUB/DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Jeremy walks by table five.

ELDERLY MAN
I need a soup spoon.

Jeremy stares at the table. There's a soup spoon sitting right there. He decides not to say anything. He starts to walk away but his pride and anger get the best of him.

JEREMY
(beside himself)
I-I-I'm sorry.
(picking up a spoon)
What's this?
ELDERLY MAN
That's not a soup spoon.
JEREMY
Well it's not a coke spoon!

He p i c k su p t h eman'steaspoon.

JEREMY
( c o n t i n u i n g )
See? Teaspoon, soup spoon! Tea spoon, soup spoon! J e s u sC h r i s t !
ELDERLY MAN
Well now y o u ' v etouched it! I need a n o t h e r !
JEREMY
( y e l l i n g )
Get it y o u r s e l f ,youd e c r e p i told- money cocksucker!\

The whole r e s t a u r a n tgasps

JEREMY
( c o n t i n u i n g ;y e l l i n g )
Does anyone e l s e needanything? Because I'ITgonna t a k e my b r e a k .

Jeremy s t a r t s t o e x i ti n t o t h ek i t c h e n .TheS e c r e tS e r v i c e guys r u s hi n t o t h e d i n i n groom t os e e whatt h ef u s s i s about. Sack, C l a i r eandSec.Cleary a r e withthem.Theys e e Jeremy who's b e e - l i n i n g itf o r t h ek i t c h e n .G l o r i as t a r t s t o e n t e r b u tS e c r e t a r y C l e a r y g e n t l y pushesh e r back t o t h e p r i v a t e room.

SEC. CLEARY
( t o C l a i r e )
Take c a r eofG l o r i a .

C l a i r e i s t o r nandh e s i t a t e s .

SACK
Do it, s w e e t h e a r t !P l e a s e !

C l a i r ef o l l o w s h e r s i s t e r backi n t o t h e p r i v a t eroom.

I N T .CHATHiWBEACHCLgB/KITCHEN -CONTINUOUS

Jeremy e n t e r st h ek i t c h e n .

JEREMY
( t oJohn)
Okay. We're gonna want t o r u n now.

John s e e s Sack andt h eS e c r e tS e r v i c e guyse n t e rt h ek i t c h e n .

J O H N
Oh n o ta g a i n !
114

- SACK

(to the secret Service) These are the guys I warned you about.

The Secret Service,guys grab John and Jeremy.

SACK
(continuing)
'No! Let me handle it!
115

EXT. CHATHAM BEACH CLUB/PARKING LOT - A F E WMINUTES LATER

A guy, TRAP MITCHELL, is holding John while Sack pummels him. The other has Jeremy pinned to the ground. Sec. Cleary looks on.

SEC. CLEARY
Now if I see either of you anywhere near my daughters again, I will have you arrested! I have that sort of power and I won't hesitate to use it-.

Secretary Cleary storms off.

TRAP
(to Sack)
. One more, Sackmaster, and then we have to finish up dinner.

Sack slams John in the gut, spits on him and he and the Trap go back into the restaurant, leaving John and Jeremy in the parking lot. John sits up and rubs his jaw. Jeremy dusts himself off. He looks at Jeremy, disgusted.

JOHN
Nice job.
JEREMY
Oh? You didn't care for my performance as a waiter? okay, well don't go to the fucking sequel, all right?

John shakes his head. He takes off his torn jacket and gets UF. So does Jeremy.

JEREMY
(continuing)
Dude, look, she's just not worth it.

John stares at him for a beat

116

- J O H N

Youknow, t h a t ' swhatyous a i d , a b o u t .Mary T h e r e s aS p i n o l l i .

JEREMY
What? !
J O H N
Mary T h e r e s aS p i n o l l i ? YourJ u n i o r prom d a t e ?.-. :
JEREMY
I know t h es t o r y ! Ihadt or e m i n d you o ft h es t o r y !
JOHR
Mary T h e r e s aS p i n o l l iwasc h e a t i n g o n youw i t he v e r y guyi n h i g h s c h o o l !You were i n l o v e w i t hh e r ! She b r o k ey o u rh e a r t !
JEREMY
A r eyouf u c k i n g h i g h ?T h a twas f i f t e e ny e a r sa g o !
J O H N
Mary T h e r e s aS p i n o l l iwasy o u r f i r s tl o v ea n ds h e b r o k ey o u r h e a r t !And b e c a u s eyouh a dt o be a man, b e c a u s ew e a l lh a v et ob e "men," a l lyouh a dt os a ya b o u t it was " s h e ' sj u s tn o tw o r t hi t . "
JEREMY
Okay, I t h i n kyouh a v ea c o n c u s s i o n .
JOHN
Problem was you c o u l d n ' tmoveo n . And s i n c et h e n ,noneo fthemh a v e b e e nw o r t h it!R i g h t ,Jeremy?!
JEREMY
Y o u ' r ea na s s h o l e
JOHN
And now, b e c a u s eo ft h a t ,w e a l l have t o p a yt h ep r i c e !
JEREMY
What p r i c e is t h a t ,J o h n ? !
117

- JOHN

Not growing up! Okay?! Pissing away our Cucking lives living by some idiotic dumb-ass "rules!" Not growing up, Jeremy...

JEREMY
You could've opted out anytime, my friend! Nobody held a gun to your head!

John doesn't answer.

JEREMY
(continuing)
This life.. .crashing weddings, picking up women... this life fits you perfectly. And you know why? Because you're a chronic liar.
JOHN
Fuck you.
JEREMY
See, crashing weddings, pretending to be someone you're not to get laid? You don't do that in spite of who you are. You do that because of who you are! Don't get me wrong. It's a compliment. You're a genius at bullshit. That's why you're so good in the court room. And that's why you're so good at crashing weddings. It's who you are.
JOHN
I'm outta here.

John starts to walk away but stops and turns;

JOHN
(continuing)
All those weddings we went-to over the years. Didn't you.once look at how happy the bride and groom were and wonder what that would be like?
JEREMY
NO.
JOHN
I feel sorry for you.

John starts to leave. Jeremy grabs his arm.

118

-. JEREMY

A tl e a s t Iknow who Iam, motherfucker! You? H e l l ,you can t a l kaboutl o v e ,l o v e ,l o v e u n t i l y o u ' r eb l u ei n t h ef a c e .Buti n t h e morningyou s t i l l have t o wake up a s John. F u l lofs h i tJohn.

John clenches h i sf i s tand is aboutt o b e l thim.Then h e t a k e sa b r e a t h ,s i g h sand backso f f .

J O H N
You know what? You're j u s tnot worth it.

John t u r n sand walksaway.

I N T .LAWFIRM OFBECKWITH AND KLEIN - TWO MONTHS LATER

Decorations and t r a y soffood a r eo u t .Everybody'sd r i n k i n g . I t ' s a p a r t y .A bannerr e a d s :"FarewellJohn.Good Lucki n Chicago." We s e e agroup ofJ o h n ' sc o l l e a g u e st o a s thim.Joha r a i s e s h i sg l a s s ands m i l e s .He t a k e sad r i n kandc a s u a l l y looks around. Jeremy's nowhere t o beseen.

I N T .JEREMY'S OFFICE-SIMULTANEOUS

Jeremy is a th i sdesk. I t ' s d a r k ,savef o ronel o n edim lamp. Jeremy t a k e sad r i n k .He'sobviously unhappy.

I N T .J O H N ' SAPARTMENT-A FEW DAYS LATER

John i s packingup boxes, g e t t i n gready t o move.Jeremy b u r s t si n .

JEREMY
Okay, d o n ' ts a yanything!Nota word. Ler me j u s tsay t h i s .What you s a i do u t s i d et h e beachc l u b ? It was t r u e .I mean,aboutt h i r t y p e r c e n tof it.
( o f fJ o h n ' slook)
Okay it was a l lt r u e .I h a v e n ' t grown up and...I am c o v e r i n g f o r some. . . pa i n .And...I d o n ' tknow. Look, I ' ms o r r y Ifucked up t h e C l a i r e t h i n gf o r you.
J O H N
You d i d n ' tfuckup a n y t h i n g .

Jeremy s m i l e s .

... J O H N ( c o n t i n u i n g ) Well, I mean y0.udid, b u t it w a s n ' tyourf a u l t .Howc o u l d I e v e r e x p e c tt o woo t h e woman ofmy dreams by c r a s h i n gawedding? I t ' s r i d i c u l o u s .

JEREMY
Well, we d i d havef u n . . . a ta l lof them.
JOHN
No doubt, my f r i e n d .

They look a teach o t h e randeinbrace.

J O H N
( c o n t i n u i n g )
I j u s tneedt o makeanew s t a r t . P r e f e r a b l yi nas t a t e whereI ' m n o tundera r e s t r a i n i n go r d e r .
JEREMY
Yeah, I g e t t h a t .I t ' sj u s tIwas t h i n k i n gw e shouldgo o u tone more t i m e b e f o r e youl e a v e .
JOHN
Yeah. That'd b e . g r e a t .Whatdo you want t odo?
JEREMY
Well, t h e r e ' sawedding...
JOHN
Jeremy. ...
JEREMY
Come on. For o l d t i m e s 'sake.
J O H N
No way. I ' mdone witht h a t .

J",R~.M~ T h i s ' l lb et h e l a s tone!Asend o f f .Do itf o r k i d .F i f t e e ny e a r s of f r i e n d s h i p...

119

INT. BOSTON CHURCH - LATER

John and Jeremy e n t e r t h echurch.They s t o p i nt h e back.

... JOHN YOU know t h i s i s t h e l a s t timeI ' m d o i n g t h i s ,right?

JEREMY
A b s o l u t e i y .

A wedding i si n p r o g r e s s .Johni o o k s upa tt h e a l t a r .I t ' s C l a i r eandS a c k ' swedding.H el o o k satJeremy.Jeremy smiles.

J O H N
I d o n ' tt h i n k Icandot h i s ...
JEREMY
S u r e y o uc a n .S h e ' st h e womanof your dreams.
JOHN
Oh man....
JEREMY
I t ' syourb i gmoment.Dazzle t h e j u r y .

John l o o k s a tJeremy.

JOHN
Thanks .
JEREMY
Y o u ' l lwantt o h u r r yup.It h i n k t h e y ' r eg e t t i n g p r e t t yc l o s e t o t h e "I do"part. Which would be bad.

John walks t o w a r d t h e a l t a r .H ec l e a r sh i st h r o a tl o u d l y .A l l e y e s t u r nt ohim.

J O H N
Excuse me.
SEC. CLEARY
Oh, f o r t h el o v eo fGod!

He motions s e c u r i t yo v e r .Grandma C l e a r ys t a n d sup.

GRANDMA CLEIbRY I t ' st h e Jews!

SACK
Security!

The S e c r e tS e r v i c e a p p r o a c hJohn.

120

- J O H N

J u s tl e t mespeak my mind andI ' l l Leave -youa l l -a l o n e - f o r e v e r .

Sec. C l e a r ynods"okay"t o t h es e c u r i t y men.

SACK
( s o t t ot o C l a i r e )
I d o n ' tf u c k i n g b e l i e v et h i s .

J O H N. , C l a i r e ,i t ' st r u e , I metyou b e c a u s e Ic r a s h e d yours i s t e r ' s wedding. ( t o t h e g u e s t s ) T h a t ' sr i g h t .Ic r a s h weddings.O r a tl e a s t I used t o .I nf a c t . .. ( p o i n t i n g t o ac o u p l e ) I c r a s h e dyour weddinga b o u ta y e a rago.Very n i c e ,byt h e way. I w i l ls a y av e g e t a r i a n o p t i o n i s u s u a l l y agoodi d e a b u t , o t h e r w i s e ,awonderfulwedding. How's it going f o ryou byt h e way?

They nod " p r e t t ygood."From t h e backoft h ec h u r c h ,Jeremy c l e a r s h i st h r o a ta si ft os a y ," P i c k it up."

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g )
And, y e s ,i t ' st r u eI ' mal a w y e r . But my h e a r t ' sn o ti n mylaw p r a c t i c e .I mean,I ' v et r i e dt odo good. Well, t h a th a s n ' talways been t r u eand,w e l l ,I ' v el i e d . . . a l o t .

Everybody s h i f t suncomfortably.Jeremyc l e a r sh i st h r o a t a g a i n .

J O H N
( c o n t i n u i n g )
A l lr i g h t ,a l l r i g h t !My p o i n t i s I ' v echanged.I g u e s sI ' v egrown up and I d o n ' tknow why itt o o km e s o l o n g b u t ,w e l l ,maybe i t ' s b e c a u s e Id i d n ' ts e ea n y t h i n g worth growing up f o rand now maybe I do and l o o k ,Id o n ' tknow...I ' m s o r r y .I ' mu s u a l l y p r e t t y a r t i c u l a t e b u t . . .Ig u e s si t ' sa l o th a r d e rwheny o u ' r en o t b u l l s h i t t i n g .
( t o t h eP r i e s t )
S o r r yF a t h e r .

F a t h e rO ' N d lnods" d o n ' tworryabout it."

JOHN
(c o n t i n u i n g )
Yes, I was a l i a r . I was a l i a r because I was s c a r e d .Butyouknow what, C l a i r e ?You'res c a r e d too. You're s c a r e dt o t e l l t h e t r u t h about Sack.You're n o ti nl o v e w i t ht h a t bozo.

Sack t u r n scrimson.

SACK
Okay, I ' v e had enough.

He s t a r t s t o moves o f ft h e a l t a r .C l a i r eh o l d sh i sa r m .

JOHN
I nf a c t ,It h i n k youmightbei n l o v e with me. IknowI ' mi nl o v e w i t hyou.I nf a c t ,Ilovee v e r y s i n g l e t h i n g aboutyou...e x c e p t f o r t h ef a c t y o u ' r eon t h a ta l t a r - w i t ha n o t h e r man.

John s t a r t st o walk toward t h ea l t a r .

JOHN
( c o n t i n u i n g )
But, C l a i r e ,I ' v emadeachange i n my l i f e becauseofyouand maybe you'd l i k e t o makea change because of m e .

C l a i r e looksa tSack andt h e nlooksa tJohn.Along b e a tand t h e nshes m i l e s a t Sack.She l e a n s t ohim.H es m i l e s .We t h i n ks h e ' sgoingt ok i s shim.T h e i rl i p s a r eabout t o meet.

CLAIRE
I ' ms o r r y ,Sack.

She t a k e s o f fh e rv e i lands t e p so f ft h ea l t a r .Sackl o o k sa t S e c r e t a r y C l e a r y a si ft os a y" h e l pm e . "

SEC. CLEARY
C l a i r e!

C l a i r e t u r n saround.

SEC. CLEARY
( c o n t i n u i n g ;b e a t , t h e ns m i l i n g )
I ' ms u r e youand Johnw i l l bevery happy. A tl e a s tt r yt o be,okay?
121

- SACK

Oh, you've got to be kidding!

SEC. CLEARY
Lodge, you're a tool. In fact, you come from a long line of tools. I suppose youlre maintaining the tool tradition...but not with my daughter.

Sack glares at Sec. Cleary, then bolts off the altar. He's running straight for John but before he can get there, Jeremy runs up from the back of the church and tackles him.

JEREMY
(to Sack)
Oh sorry, dude, I don't know what got into me. I'm seeing a Buddhist about it.

Claire runs up and hugs John. They begin rushing out of the church.

JOHN
Tianks, buddy.
JEREHY
My pieasure.

Gloria's noticed Jeremy for =he first time.

GLORIA
Jeremy!

She runs toward him.

Todd stands up, runs toward a man in the first row and hugs him.

TODD
Senator Frankel!

There's total chaos in the church. John and Claire kiss. They run out of the church.

122

EXT. CHURCH STEPS - CONTINUOUS

John and Claire look at each other and smile.

JOHN
Where to?
CLAIRE
1 'starving..~~.
123

- JOHN

M et o o .W h a t ' r eyoui nt h e mood f o r ?

We see Jeremy b e i n gc h a s e d byG l o r i a ,t e nf e e tb e h i n dthem.

CLAIRE
I d o n ' tknow.Maybe J a p a n e s e .
JEREMY
( c a l l i n g o u t )
Fujimora wedding! Salem. T h r e e p . m .G r e a ttempura.

Jeremy keeps r u n n i n g .John and C l a i r eshaket h e i r . h e a d sand l a u g h .A weddingg u e s twho'sl a t e ,walksup w i t hag i f ti n h e rhandand p e r p l e x e d l y hands it t oC l a i r e .

CLAIRE
( t o John)
P l a c es e t t i n g .
J O H N
Oh yeah.

She hands t h eg i f tback.Johnand C l a i r e l o o k a te a c ho t h e r , k i s sandkeepr u n n i n g .

DISSOLVE TO:

CHYRON READS: ONE YEAR LATER

PNT. HOUSE OF WORSHIP - ONE YEAR LATER

CLOSE ON: John and Jeremy. T h e y ' r ei nt u x e s .W es e e j u s ta t o u c hoft h ea l t a r b e h i n dthem.The Wedding March b e g i n s t o p l a y .J o h n ' sa l i t t l e nervous.Theyh a v eas o t t oc o n v e r s a t i o n .

JEREMY
Dude, you r e a d yf o rt h i s ?
J O H N
Yeah, yeah...of c o u r s e .
JEREMY
Because you seem n e r v o u s . . .
J O H N
I ' mf i n e ,I ' mf i n e .
( b e a t )
I t ' sj u s tt h a tI ' v en e v e rbeena B e s tMan b e f o r e .

W e p u l lbackt o see G l o r i awalkingdownt h ea i s l ew i t h S e c r e t a r y C l e a r y .

... JEREMY Dude, you're going to be a groom next month!

We see Claire, the Maid of Honor standing with other bridesmaids. John smiles at her. She smiles back.

JOHN
- Oh, that I can deal with. Watching you do this, different story.

Jeremy laughs. Gloria gets closer.

JEREMY
You know, we're going to be brothers-in-law.
JOHN
I know.
JEREMY
Well, you know, the rules for brothers-in-law are different. When Chazz Reinghold got married, he said--
JOHN
Wait! What do you mean "When Chazz Reinghold got married?!" You never told me he actually got married!

Gloria's-nearly at the altar.

JEREMY
(sheepish)
Oh. . . yeah...well he tied the knot last year.
JOHN
I can't believe you dLdnft tell me that?!
JEREMY
I guess I forgot...
JOHN
Bullshit.
CLAIRE
(sotto)
Boys! Enough!
JOHN
(to Jeremy)
We'll talk about this later.

S e c r e t a r yC l e a r yg i v e sG l o r i a ak i s sand s h a k e sJ e r e m y ' s hand. Jeremy beams a s hes e e s G l o r i a ,r a d i a n t .John s m i l e s and p a t sJeremyor,t h e back.Jeremys t a r t s . t o . w a r dt h e a l t a r where we s e eaP r i e s tand aRabbi.'

JEREMY
( t o h i m s e l f )
S h o o t ! If o r g o t .

Jeremy t a k e so u tay a r m u l k e a n dp u t s ito n .

CLOSE ON: Grandma Mary. She r o l l s h e re y e s .

A sJeremy i s a b o u tt os t e p up t o t h e a l t a r he t u r n st oJohn.

J O H N
( w h i s p e r i n g )
Dude, row s e v e n ,f i v e and s i x s e a t si n .

John t u r n saround.Hes e e stwo guysi n t h e i re a r l y t w e n t i e s . T h e y ' r eb o t hg e n t l y dabbing t h e i re y e s .Johnt u r n stoward Jeremy and s m i i e s .

J O H N
( c o n t i n u i n g ;s o t t o )
C r a s h e r s .
JEREMY
Oh yeah.

John c h u c k l e sand g i v e s t h eguys a nod.Jeremy walksup t o t h ea l t a r .He andG l o r i as m i l ea teach o t h e r ,a sw e :

FADE OUT:

THE END