"Kiss Him Goodbye" BY LANCE BROWN SECOND DRAFT INT. DORM ROOM - EVENING The room is neat except for a pile of dirty laundry extending out from one of the closets. The decorations indicate that this is a girl's room. AMY is sitting at a mirror putting on make-up as MEGAN enters and begins combing her hair. MEGAN Well, you're certainly going all out this evening. AMY Yeah, I figure its about time to pick up someone fresh and I want to look my best. MEGAN Someone fresh? What happened to Brad? You guys have only been dating what, two weeks? AMY Oh, him. It's over between us. MEGAN Over? Is that why I haven't seen him around here. He hasn't been in physics either, and we've got a midterm coming up. What did you do to that boy? AMY Me? Nothing. I think he got sick and had to go home or something. I was getting tired of him anyway. You physics majors are all so boring. MEGAN Amy, this is serious. That's a dozen boyfriends you've gone through since the semester started. You've got to slow down, take some time off from the guys. Maybe we should just stay in tonight. AMY How would you know if I need to slow down, you don't know what I need. MEGAN I know you don't need a guy to be happy. AMY Listen, it's not that I can't function with a guy, I just want to feel important. MEGAN What do you mean, like if you aren't in a relationship you're not a whole person? That's ridiculous, you're a great and very complete person all by yourself. AMY Easy for you to say, you've got a family at home that misses you. A whole life that doesn't involve anything from here. MEGAN If your looking for a family, I don't think that frequent dating is going solve that for you. AMY I know, but I'm just looking for someone I can be close with. Someone who will accept me and all my limitations. MEGAN I think you've lost me again. All the guys you've had in here seemed pretty accepting of you. AMY Really? Well, I don't see any of them around now, do you? MEGAN So, you want a guy who won't hurt you or something like that? AMY No. None of them have ever hurt me, but none of them have ever listened to me either. I try to explain how things will have to work, but none of them ever understand. That's why they're gone now. MEGAN That's all the more reason to take some time for yourself. You've got a long time to find a family. Just stop rushing; relax and make a rational decision. AMY And just live with this empty feeling? Knock at the door, MEGAN moves to open the door while continuing to listen to AMY. AMY My relationships may not fix my problem, but at least they let me forget about it for a while. As AMY is speaking MEGAN opens the door. STEVE bursts into the room. STEVE Hello Ladies. Taking your sweet time as usual. AMY Shut-up Steve. AMY and MEGAN grab their coats and walk out the door while STEVE is still talking. STEVE Oh, don't act hurt. It's just that waiting for you two to get ready is like waiting for Christmas, it takes forever to get there. . . INT. DORM HALLWAY - EVENING MEGAN and AMY have walked out into the hall. STEVE sticks his head out of the door. STEVE . . .But its always worth it in the end. MEGAN and AMY cast sideways glances at each other, then AMY moves to shut and lock the door. MEGAN That'd be funny if we hadn't been waiting 20 minutes for you to show up. STEVE (Sarcastically) What? Oh, I'm so sorry for being late. Can you ever forgive me? AMY (Playing along) Perhaps. But you'll have to do something to make up for it. SETVE Okay, but nothing too harsh. I bruise easily. MEGAN Would you two knock it off. Just once can't we go out and have a good time like normal drunken college students? STEVE Hey, I'll behave any way you want, as long as I get to party! INT. FRATERNITY PARTY- NIGHT A very crowded party. The room is jammed with lively party goers, as loud music blares just about everyone is dancing. STEVE is approaching MEGAN, who is standing alone, with three drinks in hand. AMY can be seen in the background, standing across the room and flirting with KEN. SETVE I got the drinks, where'd Amy go? MEGAN She's over there, talking to some guy. She mentioned she was looking to hook up with someone new. STEVE Already! But we just got rid of Brad. MEGAN I know, but she seems determined to not to let that slow her down. I tried to talk her out of it, but she's so determined there was nothing I could do. She'll find a new guy to fawn over her before the night is over. STEVE Oh, and I'm chopped liver? MEGAN Not this again. Steve, I really don't think it's safe for you to get involved with her until we figure out what's been happening to the guys she goes out with. Besides, she doesn't look at you that way. And if you want her to, you're going to have to be a lot less subtle. STEVE And a lot faster, she's got some other guy on her arm before the last one's even cold. MEGAN What? STEVE Nothing. Well, it's time to put on the supportive act, because it looks like she's picked her next conquest. In the background AMY hugs KEN. He moves to kiss her, but she puts her finger over his mouth, shakes her head and seductively walks back towards STEVE and MEGAN. When AMY turns her back, KEN starts flirting with a different girl. MEGAN Yeah, how long do you give him? A week? STEVE I doubt he'll make it to see Monday. AMY Hey guys, the party's over there. In the background KEN and another girl have started to make-out. STEVE Yeah, well it's not much of a party. Just a bunch of frat guys trying to score. AMY Well, you could join them. STEVE No thanks, frat guys aren't really my type. MEGAN (laughing) And they seem to like Amy better anyway. AMY Yeah, but they're going to have to wait, because I've found a winner whose moving to the head of the line. MEGAN Great, so do I have the room to myself tonight? AMY No, actually I'm not feeling well. I think I'm going to just head back and get some sleep. Plenty of time for action later. MEGAN Okay, I'm about ready to call it a night any way. STEVE Back across campus at this hour? I believe an escort is in order. (Beat) Don't worry girls, I'll protect you from what ever lurks in the shadows of this dark night. AMY and MEGAN, laughing, leave the party. Steve is trailing a little behind and looks back at KEN before he leaves. STEVE (muttering) I'll always protect you. EXT. TABLES OUTSIDE OF UNION - AFTERNOON STEVE is sitting at a table reading. MEGAN walks up behind him and leans on table. MEGAN Hey. STEVEN (looking up from book) Afternoon, sit down, we need to talk MEGAN Okay, where'd you get that shirt? STEVE Amy gave it to me a couple days ago, when she spilled that pizza on me. Remember, we were studying in your room and she pulled it out of her dirty laundry. Why? MEGAN I must have missed it then, but that looks like a shirt Brad used to wear all the time. It was just kind of eerie. But, what did you want to talk about? STEVE I'm worried, do you know who that guy Amy was with last night is? MEGAN He looked kind of familiar, but I can't tell any of those frat boys apart. STEVE It was Ken Andrews. MEGAN Who? STEVE Well, he's not exactly known for gentlemanly behavior, and I'm really starting to worry about what Amy may have gotten herself into. MEGAN Well, her taste in men has been going down hill since I met her. But, it's not up to you to dictate her behavior or keep her safe. STEVE I've been doing that for years, why stop now? MEGAN Because, if you want her to be more than a friend you're going to have to start treating her differently. If you see her as some little girl you have to protect, then I really doubt that she's ever going to look at you as someone she could start a relationship with. Try thinking of her as your equal and you'll have a better chance. STEVE Hmmm, maybe after I get rid of this one I'll try that approach. MEGAN Or you could always just talk to her about your feelings. Knowing her, it's not like she's going to be keeping this Ken guy around for too long anyway. STEVE Yeah, but the sooner he goes the sooner I get my shot. MEGAN You're just going to have to wait till she's done. STEVE Not necessarily. MEGAN What's that supposed to mean? KEN and AMY arrive together and sit at the table. AMY is staring at KEN with obvious infatuation. AMY Hi guys, this is Ken. Ken this is Megan, my roommate, and Steve. KEN, ignoring STEVE, takes MEGAN's hand in both of his. KEN What beautiful eyes you have. STEVE (muttering)The better to see you for what you are. AMY What? STEVE Huh, oh just wishing a woodsman would wander by. KEN Whatever. So, Megan, Amy says you're a physics major. MEGAN Yeah. KEN Wow, I've never understood that science stuff. AMY Oh, Meg's a natural. MEGAN I wouldn't say that, it just makes sense to me. KEN Beauty and brains, a rare combination. STEVE Yeah, and there you are without either. Kind of funny, huh? KEN tosses an empty soda bottle at STEVE. The bottle hits STEVE in the head. KEN Nobody's talking to you, wise-ass. STEVE An eloquent rebuttal, quick and to the point. More than I would have expected from a drooling troglodyte. KEN (standing) You wanna go? STEVE shakes his head. AMY tries to pull KEN back to his chair. AMY Calm down, honey. KEN (to AMY) Forget it, I've got class anyway. (to MEGAN) I'll see you later. KEN pats AMY on the head and walks away from the table. As AMY turns back to the table KEN sees a different girl; they embrace and walk off together. AMY (to STEVE) What was that about? STEVE I don't like him, he's no good for you. AMY Not this again. Steve, you do this every time I start dating someone new. STEVE I'm just trying to protect you. AMY I don't need you, either of you, telling me what to do! AMY stands and starts to storm off. MEGAN quickly moves after her, STEVE starts to stand as well; but MEGAN puts her hand on his shoulder, pushing him back into his seat and shakes her head no before running after AMY. MEGAN Amy! Amy, slow down. AMY What? I'm not in the mood for this Meg. MEGAN Listen, I know that Steve can seem a little obsessed with your relationships, but I think he may be on to something this time. He was telling me about Ken before you showed up, and this guy has a reputation as a player. AMY Yeah, and I'm not exactly known as a sweet innocent little inexperienced virgin. MEGAN That's not the point. We're just worried about you. It's like you need to take bigger and bigger risks and eventually you're going to get hurt. AMY I know that, but I really can take care of myself. I have everything under control, there's no need to worry. MEGAN But I am worried. It seems like you're defining yourself by these relationships, especially after what you said last night. I'm concerned that you're not happy with who you are and that these relationships are preventing you from accepting yourself. AMY Meg, I know who I am and I'm happy with me. But what I want is someone to share myself with, a companion. I just feel so alone. MEGAN But you have me, and Steve. We're there for you. AMY Sure, for now. But eventually we'll all go our separate ways and I'll be on my own again. And each guy I date gives me a little piece of himself in a way that I wouldn't want you or Steve to, and then a while I'm not alone. MEGAN I don't understand. AMY It's probably better that way. Just accept that I know what's best for me and while I treasure your friendship and advice; you can't tell me what to do. INT. DORM HALWAY - EVENING AMY is standing in her doorway talking with the RA. STEVE is approaching; when he hears the conversation he stops out of sight to eavesdrop. AMY No, I haven't heard from him in a couple weeks. RA Okay, but if you do hear something or think of anything else, please let me know. AMY Sure. STEVE comes into sight as the RA is leaving. STEVE Hey, what was that about? Brad? AMY No, apparently Dan never came back from break. STEVE So? Why would they think you knew anything? AMY Remember? We were dating until right before break. And I guess he never made it home or something. His parents have gotten really worried and they're making the school see if anyone here might know where he went. STEVE Huh, maybe we can send Ken out to look for him. AMY Stop it. This is the last time I'm going to tell you, let me live my own life. I can handle the consequences of my own actions. STEVE I'm not worried about your actions, I'm worried about his. You're in way over your head here, and I don't think you'll realize it until its too late. AMY Look, I've had plenty of experience in judging the guys I get involved with and Ken isn't going to hurt me or be any trouble. STEVE You're wrong! You can't see it because you're so desperate to get some quick kicks. You aren't taking time to think! AMY Oh, but you've thought this all through. And now you're my little guardian angle here to protect me from everyone, including me! STEVE YES! Just like I've done before! AMY Before? I've never been hurt before! STEVE Because I was looking out for you! AMY Well you can just stop protecting me then! And if I get hurt it'll be my own fault! STEVE No! I'm not going to let that happen! AMY LET? I don't think you get it! Leave me alone! Just walk away, walk away and leave me alone! AMY slams her door shut. STEVE slumps forward onto the door and slams his fist into it. STEVE (quietly) I'm not going to let them hurt you. STEVE walks away from the room and bumps into KEN who is on his way to the room. KEN Watch where you're going twerp. STEVE You! Where do you think you're going? KEN To see Amy, now get out of my way shrimp. STEVE I don't think so, and you'd just be wasting your time, she doesn't want to see you any more. KEN Whatever. KEN pushes past STEVE who grabs KEN's shoulder and spins him back around. STEVE I said she doesn't want to see you. KEN Watch it there little man, the girls aren't here to protect you now. STEVE I wasn't the one being held back, sporty. KEN You lookin' to get hurt here? STEVE I'd be more concerned about myself if I were you. KEN Oh, and why's that? KEN shoves STEVE, STEVE takes a wild swing at KEN and misses, KEN slams STEVE into the wall, punches him in the stomach, STEVE doubles over, KEN punches STEVE in the side of the head and STEVE collapses in a heap on the floor. KEN walks to AMY's room knocks on the door, AMY lets him in. STEVE is still unconscious on the floor. INT. DORM HALLWAY - EVENING MEGAN is standing over STEVE as he regains consciousness. MEGAN Steve. Steve, wake up. Steve, what happened to you? STEVE Huh, Meg? Ken, it was Ken. MEGAN Ken did this? Why, what happened? STEVE Doesn't matter, we have to check on Amy. Let her know, make her understand. MEGAN Let's make sure you're okay first. STEVE No! We have to get to Amy. MEGAN Alright, calm down. We'll check on Amy and then we'll get you some help. MEGAN helps STEVE to her door, they enter the room after finding the door ajar. INT. DORM ROOM - EVENING Inside the room AMY is sitting on her bed with her head in her hands. She looks up at MEGAN and STEVE, she is teary-eyed and has a line of blood running from the corner of her mouth. MEGAN My God! Amy, What happened? AMY Nothing, I'm fine. STEVE The hell you are. Ken did this, didn't he? AMY Really, don't worry about it. He didn't mean to hurt me and everything's settled now. There's nothing to get upset about. MEGAN Are you sure? You don't look so good. AMY I said I'm fine. Now, what do you guys want to do for dinner? STEVE You can't be serious! After what he did, you want us to just forget about it! I can't believe you! STEVE storms out of the room, slamming the door behind him. AMY He needs to calm down. MEGAN Maybe, but you seem a bit too calm. Seriously Amy, what happened? AMY Nothing. I told you nothing happened, that's why I'm calm, because I have no reason to be upset. Ken came over and then he left. That's it. MEGAN (wiping the blood off of AMY's face) Okay, but just remember, I'm here if you ever need to talk about it. AMY It just wasn't time yet. I still had a little of Brad left. Now it's just wasted. MEGAN I though you were over him. AMY Yeah, but he was still lingering around. I wouldn't have really needed Ken for another week or so. MEGAN What are you talking about? What are you trying to do? AMY I just want someone with me all the time. MEGAN No one ever has that, sometimes we're all alone with ourselves. There's nothing we can do to change that. AMY I can. INT. DORM ROOM - MORNING The door to the room is open and AMY is sitting in front of a mirror putting on make-up. STEVE appears in the doorway and knocks on the door. STEVE Hello? Can I come in? AMY Steve, sure have a seat. What's going on. STEVE (sits on corner of bed)I just wanted to apologize for yesterday. I was out of line, I shouldn't be trying to run your life. AMY (moving to sit next to STEVE) That's okay. I think you were trying to be helpful and just went overboard. Don't worry about it, okay. STEVE Sure. Oh, and I'm sorry I took off last night, I should have stayed and made sure you were okay. AMY I was fine. Actually you look a little worse off than I am. STEVE Well, after I left here I spent all night looking for Ken. I must have looked over the entire campus three or four times and I never found him. AMY It's probably better that way, for all of us. STEVE I can't believe you're just going to let him get away with this. Don't you want to see some justice? AMY (turning away from STEVE) I told you nothing happened, and he certainly doesn't need to be punished any more. STEVE What do you mean? AMY I don't want to talk about it. STEVE puts his hand on AMY's shoulder and as she turns back to look at him, he quickly leans in and kisses her. INT. DORM ROOM - FLASHBACK AMY is opening the door for KEN. AMY looks like she is about to cry. KEN Hey babe, what's wrong? AMY I had a fight with Steve. He doesn't understand. KEN Don't worry about that twerp, I doubt he'll be around for a while. AMY Why? What did you do? KEN Me? He started it. I was just defending myself. AMY (starting to break down) You didn't hurt him did you? KEN Nah, he should be fine. Now, come here and let Ken make it all better. KEN tries to pull AMY to him but she pulls away. AMY He was doing it for me. KEN For you? So, you did send him after me. I'll tell you what girl, you've got to pick a better enforcer if you're looking to get rid of me. AMY No, he just thought he needed to keep you away from me. I didn't send him. I want you here. KEN Oh, well that's better. And now that it's all settled, we can get back down to business KEN puts his hands on AMY's shoulders and starts to pull her towards him. Again she pushes him away, this time taking a few steps backwards. AMY No. We're not ready, you're not ready. KEN I'm always ready babe. KEN grabs AMY and roughly pulls her towards him. She struggles but he manages to force her to kiss him. As they kiss there are three flashes of red light as KEN's eyes start to roll back in his head and AMY is more sucking than kissing. After a few seconds KEN collapses to the floor and slowly fades out of existence. AMY picks up his clothes and tosses them onto the pile of dirty laundry that extends out of her closet. She then sits on the edge of the bed and puts her head in her hands. INT. DORM ROOM - MORNING STEVE and AMY are still kissing as STEVE collapses away from her. HE falls to the ground and slowly fades from existence. AMY moves back to her mirror and wipes a line of blood that is running out of the corner of her mouth. She tosses the tissue into the garbage as MEGAN walks back into the room. MEGAN Hey, ready for class. AMY Yeah. And Meg, I was thinking about what you said before. About taking some time off from relationships. MEGAN Yeah, and? AMY Sounds like a good idea to me. Fade out on the pile of STEVE's clothes on the floor. 1 12