Ovum (2015) - full transcript

[screaming]

Release the devil my child.

Release him now!

Release the Devil my child!

Release him now!

Release the Devil my Child!

Release him now!

Was that good that time?

'Cause, like, I
can do it better.

Agh.

Come on buddy.



Come on bud.

Come on.

You alright?

That was great.

Great work man.

Just a little thing I
learned from Soderbergh.

Get under here, get under here!

One thing I learned from
Soderbergh...do it in one take,
it's always better that way.

You gotta talk to
that girl, will ya?

I'll deal with it, alright?

Hey get dressed.

Stay warm, ok?

What are you doing?

Put that down, we cut!



...God...

Our leading ladies panties
should be down by her pretty
little ankles right about now.

Partial!

I said I'd only
do PARTIAL nudity.

Well the script calls for
full frontal, sweatheart.

No!

But it's completely gratuitous.

I mean, it's not even realistic.

Uh, are you kidding me?

I said I'd only show my
boobs for Sam Mendes.

Well!

Thats a-fucking-parently a
wrap on "Virgin Exorcism."

Let's wrap it up!

First round's on me, shit tards!

But that's not fair I was
really feeling something
that time, can't I at
least finish the take?

I'm gonna call SAG!

This isn't even a Union
project....Do you know how
expensive it is to get an entire

film crew out to fucking Jersey?

No nudity, no distribution.

[Music]

Calpurnia, Darling, this is
Barbara, your talent agent.

Now, look darling I have
an audition for you for
"Sorority Scream 3."

Now the Producer is a huge fan
of yours and loved you in the
film ESCAPE FROM ROBOT HELL."

I know but you love all
this off Broadway stuff...

You know what...

You gotta make money!

...And I gotta make money...

So...

You gotta go on these
auditions, honey.

Because, If you don't go
on these auditions, the
phone is gonna stop ringing.

Alright?

So, call me back....ASAP.

I don't know what
I'm doing wrong.

You know I feel like I'm working
so hard on my auditions but
I'm just not booking anything.

Are you sure you
prepared enough?

How do you define prepared?

Well, before I perform I do a
ninety minute yoga session form
my physicality, then, start

the Fitz Mauritz warm ups.

The ones that sound
like mating pigeons?

prrrr.....prrrr!

Maybe you should lay
off the happy hours.

Whoa, Max.

The only reason you book so
much, is because your a guy.

Do you honestly think
it's easier for me?

Look at me.

Brown skin.

I get cast as terrorists,
cab drivers, shopkeepers,
Dunkin' Donuts employees.

OK.

Your family supports you.

What if I sacrifice
everything....and
I never make it?

You're twenty four.

Almost twenty five, that
is like fucking thirty
nine in actress years.

[music]

Maybe it's bread in the bowl,
but the sound of the pipes.

The sound of the pipes is.....

You suck!

I want to see a real show!

This may not be Broadway,
honey, but this nice young
actress is doing her best.

The term is actually
actor...it's gender neutral.

I mean, you wouldn't
say writer-ess or
doctor-ess, would you?

[sigh]

I wanna see "Spiderman!"

...."Spider-MAN!"

Listen kid, "Spiderman" got
god awful reviews and it
has zero artistic merit.

But if you're into
Julie Taymor's general
aesthetic, she's doing a
production of Shakespeare

downtown right now and you
and your daddy should go!

You're scaring me.

So how was work?

God awful!

Really?

I thought you were playing some
kind of princess or something?

No!

A dead French Irish
made with an accent.

You know I saw that thing
you posted, that little
clip, on the Facebook.

I mean you look so
radiant on the screen.

I can see how it
makes you happy.

I was just playing
a Mormon, Dad.

Mormons are just happier
than New Yorkers.

Holy shit...Dad....There's
an intruder in the backyard!

Your mother has always
been a free spirit.

But Dad!

You have to be
kidding me right now!

I think you've benefited
from her free spirit...and
her creativity and
her open mindedness.

Do you think if you were the
daughter of bankers you would be
able to go to a four year drama
school?

Huh? That cost an arm and a leg?

None of this is relevant!

Darling!

Oh, look at you!

Oh, honey, you should
really launder your dress.

Fake blood tends to stain.

What did they use...corn
syrup or chocolate?

I've always preferred the
Hitchcock recipe myself.

Mom, I saw you out there.

Oh, nothing to be
alarmed by honey!

The true form of the
middle age woman has
always been underdepicted
in mainstream cinema

- Roger Ebert 1987.

Honey there's nothing wrong
with anybody's body at anytime!

It's a marvelous site, even
when our tits are no longer
up here, and have dropped down

to here, here, here!

Mom!

That's so not cool.

God!

When did you become
such a Puritan?

Doesn't suit you one bit.

Dad, tell her!

Tell her that normal people
don't just strip outside for
the whole world to see....

You could of been,
you could of been....

Oh go ahead and finish
your sentence because
I am captivated.

You could have been raped!

[Laughing]

I could have been dancing!

I was just gathering
ingredients....God.

Look, if anybody needs me
I need to make a deposit
in the restroom...so um...

Gross, Daddy, gross!

You still look good.

Hey Daddy pfft pfft pfft.

Gross.

I don't think Ms. Prissy pants
likes us very much, Mommy.

That's ok my pickled friends,
you can catch more flies with
honey than you can with vinegar!

...because there's already
enough vinegar in this kitchen!

[animal sounds]

One of you just went
to the slaughter house!

A calf just died.

[sad animal sounds]

Ok Sarah, nice.

Tim, nice.

[animal sounds]

Alright everyone
take your seats.

Acting, is the most
personal of our crafts.

The makeup of a human being.

The physical, mental,
and emotional habits,
influence the acting.

Who said this?

Tim.

Lee Strasberg!

And what did Mr. Strasberg
mean by saying "the most
personal of the crafts."

I think he meant that who
we are as people influences
the characters that we play.

If we don't walk in their shoes,
how can we possibly expect
to reveal their inner lives.

. That's rich coming
from a young actress who

routinely dares to show
up late to my master class
with her lines half learned.

I'm actually off book.

And what deranged animal are
you attempting to emulate?

A molting sandhill
water crane...

Why not merely lay an
egg instead of making a
spectacle, Ms. Dillon.

Acting is not
showing, it is being!

We must lay eggs with our souls.

If you had been on time with
our peers, you would have
known that we're cattle today.

If you want your work
to resonate, you need to
develope discipline and focus.

This goes for all of you.

You need talent to
manage your talent.

Dismissed.

How did I know I would
be expecting you?

Look, you need life experience.

In your scene work I see
an actress who desperately
wants to cry but has
nothing to cry about.

Instead of a character
fighting desperately to keep
her composure....it's false.

When you came to me with the
fire in your belly, fresh from
Tisch, just so serious and

hungry for the work,
it's a damn shame.

I've let you down.

I'm afraid that failing to
live up to one's potential
is a cliche for a reason.

This isn't unique.

But what can I do?

All I can tell you is
that you were drawn to
this work for a reason.

If you can rediscover what that
was then maybe you can rekindle
that flame and stop wasting

valuable time.

If not, then maybe this
isn't the path for you.

[tribal music]

Huh, hah!, hua, hah!

Why do you probe?

Huahh!!

All men make mistakes!

ooooaaaaahh!

[cries]

What the...

[applause]

The only hope my sister
has for having a child
is by using my eggs.

I can't deny her the
gift of motherhood.

Oh God, this is completely
attrocious over the top
Neil Simon-esque garbage!

Why do you take these
weirdo roles, Cal?

Theatre is dead.

All the money is in like tv
shows about like, pretty zombies
and milfs with meth face.

This doesn't have anything
to do with money, Jennacide.

We studied method for four
years not to do this shit,
I mean we're artists!

Chill the eff out
Dame Judy Dench

No offense, but you'd probably
work way more if you spent less
time studying and more time

at like Pilates!

[sigh]

Speaking of selling
out....How'd your most recent
call back go for AT&T?

Amazeballs!

My agents at Abrams said
I'm on first refusal.

That means, if I book
it, I will have three
national commercials
out at the same time!

Amazeballs.

..become an egg donor...

Wait, did you see this!?

Wait, you're actually
listening to me?

Yep.

Oh my god!

Jenna, this is the thing
I was telling you about!

This is art imitating life!

This is a sign.

This means I am really
meant to play this role.

I'm supposed to play this role!

Dear, First Fertility.

My name is Calpurnia Dillon.

I am a leggy, classically
trained, twenty-four
year old actress

and I believe I would make
an excellent candidate
for egg donation.

I'm half Scandinavian.

I don't drink or smoke, and
I am a natural red head.

Please hold.

Thank you for calling First
Fertility services, please hold.

They should really get
better reading material.

Who wants to read
about diaper brands?

Um, prospective moms, I guess.

All these infertile old
broads....God it's sick really.

I mean just go and adopt a
Cambodian orphan, or something.

Um, I guess...

[laughing]

Just look at that old
harpy with the fake chin!

God I bet my seed would end
up in her for sure, she'd be
such a drip, wouldn't let her

kid date till he's
like thirty-five.

I'm Calpurnia.

Ssshh!

You're not allowed to exchange
names, this is all confidential.

You can call me donor #2763.

Seriously?

That's like Sci-Fi.

Pretty much.

I take it you're a virgin?

Virgin?

Hardly.

Not virgin, virgin.

Egg virgin, like,
you've never hatched.

Hatched?

Wait...you're not
trying to have a baby...

No!

I'm, I'm trying
to be... a donor.

So, you've actually
done this before?

Yep, this will be
my fourth cycle.

Whoa!

Is it difficult?

Difficult?

No.

Time consuming...Yes.

For the next two months of
your life, you're gonna be
bloated, angsty, and neurotic.

Sort of like, PMS'ing like a
bitch, but also...super horny.

But that's only
if they pick you.

You don't think they'll pick me.

They're seeking like,
designer eggs, you know.

This is like, the
Chanel of egg clinics.

Calpurnia, D?

Okay "Calpurnia, D", if that's
even your real name...

I'm Ellen.

Thanks for the advice.

My name is Fiona, the
Ovum coordinator, and I
will be screening you.

We're so excited here
at First Fertility that
you are considering
the rewarding world of

ovum donation.

We just have a few
questions for you.

Do you have any history
of depression or eating
disorder in your family?

Think hard.

No.

Perhaps an uncle?

A deceased grandparent?

Schizophrenia?

Bi-polor disorder?

High blood pressure?

Low blood pressure?

Organ failure?

TMJ?

Club feet?

Don't forget to bring a copy
of your social security card,
passport, birth certificate,

SAT scores

Highschool and college
transcripts and proof of all or
any awards of merit or excellenc

Scholarships that you
may have ever received.

Don't worry about
trying to sound humble.

Donors are generally outstanding
leaders in their communities
and they excel in every

area of their lives.

I'm sure you will
fit in perfectly.

We didn't finish
our convo...Ellen...

What are you looking at?

Oh, um, a girl from an audition
invited me to her show.

Nice, what show?

Um, It's a multimedia thing.

It's great that
you're making friends.

Yeah.

Oh, I really have a headache.

Let me help you get rid of it.

You know, later, baby.

Later?

Yeah...

[sigh]

So we're gonna start with
five minute poses and then
we'll transition to the

forty minute, longer poses.

What kind of
performance is this?

This is an art class.

I always forget my shit too.

If you want, you
can use my extras.

Also, don't feel squeemish
about any of this, ok?

You
really want to pay attention to

the models lines, because
lines like this put
architecture to shame

and she has perfect
curves for this situation.

The perfect thing to draw.

The perfect thing to send
armies out to war, which,
they have a million times.

Ellen!

Hi!

Heyyy what's up?

How are you?

I'm good how are you?

I'm good, I'm alright, yeah.

Ellen?

Hey!

I met you at the "Eggs" casting?

You invited me to your show.

Yeah.

I remember.

I, uhh, I can't believe
you actually came.

Well you were great.

[laughing]

You were great?

You were really great.

Thank you.

Very much.

I'm gonna catch up with you
guys in like ten minutes.

Ok so look, nobody here
knows about the egg clinic,
so..I wanna keep it that way.

Shit.

It's okay.

I'm as stiff as a mother
fucker and could use a drink.

So let me just go deal with
these bitches and I will see
you at the Cubby Hole in twenty.

Yeah!

What's your poison?

Oh, I actually
already have a drink.

No, I mean what
are you drinking.

Um...rum and coke, but...

Rum and coke?

You're cute.

Guess who!?

Donor #2780

Sixty three but nice
fucking try, excuse me.

Nice place.

Yeah, I thought that
you would like it.

It seems like something that
you would totally be into.

So, how long have you
been doing art modeling?

Oh I don't know a couple years.

God the look on your
face was priceless.

I didn't think
you'd remember me.

I didn't think you'd show up.

I could never do what
you did up there.

What the whole naked part?

Yeah.

Yet you think you have what
it takes to be a donor?

I don't see how they're related.

Uh, dude, it's way
more invasive, ok.

Have they had you make
your list of every
blowie you've ever given?

They actually have you
make a list of every
partner you've ever had

and yes, one nighters count.

No way.

Yeah, and then they're going to
be shoving this weird spatula
thing right up your twat

and constantly
taking body fluids.

What they told me, it just
didn't sound that bad.

What they said!?

What kind of perfect peachy
magical little sheltered
world do you live in

where just everyone
automatically tells you
the truth all the time?

Dude, it fucking is
tough on your body, ok?

I mean, they don't know the
long term effects of half the
shit they're pumping into us.

Like that one drug,
Lupon, it puts you into an
early state of menopause.

No.

Way.

Yeah, it's true, look that shit
up.

Well if it's so bad then
how come you've done it?

Look, I'm a model I mean my
career is basically over by
the time I'm thirty anyway.

The way I look at it is it's
just one more toxic thing
I've put into my body, ok.

Everything is bad for you!

Caffeine, red wine,
hallucinogenics...

That is so fatalistic!

[belch]

[laughing]

I might as well make a
bunch of money off my body
while it's still hot, right?

How many times have you done it?

Two?

Three.

Ok, right, three.

Yeah you can do it up to six.

I'm half way through, kid.

Why only six?

Ok there's two schools
of thought here.

One...The FDA decided to cap the
amount of exposure to hormones
that us donors are allowed

to protect our health.

Or they're just trying
to avoid the potential
pandemonium that could ensue

if a girl like me decided
to donate like a hundred
times creating a fucking army

of unsuspecting half siblings,
just like, running around
NYC having all sorts of

accidental incestuous
solicit affairs.

Sick!

Yeah.

You know I'm only doing
this for character research.

Really?

Yeah!

That is a new one! I haven't
heard that one yet...

No really, umm, I
am a method actor.

I'm preparing for a role.

Oh shit!

I'm sorry.

Dude watch where the
fuck you're going!

I'm just really
clumsy, I'm sorry.

No look man, you were
just in the wrong place
at the wrong time.

Hold still.

You look fucking hot.

I...

Really hot.

..have a boyfriend.

Another round?

I would..but I have an egg
meeting at 8am, so..I should go.

Ok.

Word for the wise, they're going
to give you a surprise drug
test any day now so lose the

adderall.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

[laughing]

You're only lying to yourself.

Height?

5' 4"

People think I'm taller
because of the long arms.

Weight?

One ten.

What do your parents
do, Katheryn?

My father teaches Spanish
to kids, and my mother
teaches feminist studies...

She's rather untraditional.

Do you get along
with your parents?

Extremely well, my dad's
like my best friend
but we have boundaries

I mean he had rules for
me and everything growing
up, but yeah he's cool.

Why do you really want
to be an oocyte donor?

You're doing this for the
money I suppose, acting
can't pay too well.

No, actually, I just think
I'm in such a selfish career

and it would be
good to give back.

and you know, I'm
healthy and stuff.

These are very good photos.

I have baby pictures too,
if you'd prefer those.

Listen now, lady.

Normally an applicant's
files would be placed in
our giant database of other

qualified donors who often wait
months, years, to be selected
by an interested couple.

Many of them are never
chosen, but it may be very
different in your case.

Everyone likes a pretty girl,
and everyone likes an actress.

Thank you.

Oh...Here it is.

Do you have any questions?

Um, yeah, I do....but
they're actually for
the writer if that's ok.

What can I help you with?

I know my character, Sandy,
intends to be an oocyte donor

but I wonder if at this point
in the story she's already been
approved as her twin sisters

husbands

um, compatible match?

Because sometimes twin sisters
share similar abnormalities

like Fragile X syndrome
or a general abnormality
of the chromosome.

Wow, you're incredibly prepared.

Thank you.

I believe preparation is
an actors best friend.

Hey, Beautiful.

I got a call back!!

That's wonderful!

So the reviews came
out today and...

So do you know that you
can get ten thousand
dollars to sell your eggs?

No, I didn't.

My character ends up having
this beautiful moment at
the end of the second act

where she has this wicked
breakdown because she
ends up donating her eggs

to help her infertile
twin sister.

Didn't you just say donors
receive ten thousand
dollars in compensation?

How's that a donation?

But nine thousand girls
do it every single year.

I think the whole industry
is pretty despicable.

Selling your body?

I didn't know you were
so conservative about
reproductive rights....

So did you actually read
The Times today or...

Oh shit.

Your review.

You know, I wouldn't take what
Ben Brantley said to heart.

You know he can be
incredibly harsh...

They loved me, Cal.

They did?

Jesus, don't sound so surprised.

I'm not surprised!

That's...awesome.

"Every now and then a
performance strikes an
indelible nerve with an
unsuspecting audience.

Max Singh's daring and volatile
turn as a disenfranchised
Creon transcends...

That's really, really wonderful.

I know you hated it.

Michaela said you were
glaring at her after the
show the other night.

Michaela?

That is so not true.

You didn't even congratulate me.

Jealousy isn't becoming, Cal.

I'm not jealous!

I just thought you might
have told me beforehand that
you were going to be sucking

on another girls tits
on stage, that's all.

It's a difficult play.

Ben Brantley thought
what I did was brave.

I don't need my own girlfriend

undermining me.

I'm not going to censor myself
because of your insecurity.

As the final part of your
physical health inspection
you need to meet Dr. Acker

from the fertility department.

Hi Doctor.

Are you a natural red head?

Owe, uh, I am...I just had
a Brazilian so you can't
really tell right now.

Do you want me to
pee in both of these?

Actually we'll also be
requiring a fecal sample.

...Oh.

We've just received the results
from your recent blood work.

You were tested for
over one hundred genetic
diseases and we wanted to

congratulate you on coming
back negative on everything.

This is incredibly rare.

Awesome.

So when do I start?

Well there are still a few
more steps before we can begin
the actual matching process.

You'll be given a thousand
question psychological
evaluation and if you

pass that, then you'll
get to meet with our
lovely psychologist.

You're very thorough.

Well, Kathryn, we realize that
this is a time consuming process
but this is the first step

of making someones
dream come true.

You truly have the
power to change a life.

You'll be timed.

It's so lovely to
meet you doctor.

I will determine that.

I'm going to get
right to the point.

Your personality profile
questionnaire revealed
some real red flags.

Red flags?

I don't understand.

These tests reveal you have
a rebellious personality
streak that could cause
difficulties at this

clinic

if you are selected.

There must be some mistake...

Your test results indicate
that you are mentally incapable
of accurate self assessment.

Which of course renders you
ineligible to donate on the
basis of extremely low I.Q.

Excuse me?

More likely, you were
lying on the test.

What are you trying to hide?

I wasn't lying.

Or...the test could potentially
reveal someone who is so
inflexible in her belief system

and her personal goals

has a margin for zero deviance
from self discipline and no
allowance for personal failure.

Someone extraordinary....which
I hardly think applies to you.

Mom....coffee...

No, I don't want any.

Why not?

I don't know what's in that.

I'm pretty sure it's
certified organic.

Certified organic...isn't that
the oldest trick in the book?

Are you ok?

I don't need hand outs.

I'm a respected professor
I'll have you know.

I'm a leader in the community!

Mom, Please, mom sit down.

Stop, this woman is
trying to poison me!

Someone help me, please!

Please!

She's trying to poison me!

Mom!

You're ok.

We're ok.

No one's trying to poison you.

I know that.

Ok.

Shit.

You! are forty-five
minutes late!

You're fired!

No...Carl...I

Turn in your apron.

Turn in the duster, come on!

No.

Go.

You're fired.

What did you do?

Can you at least try to
be a little sympathetic?

Sorry, Cal.

We had creative differences.

What are we going to do?

I'm going to call Burke
and see if he's casting.

That sleazy director you fucked?

Please stop.

He still wants you...imagining
you with that beard.

Why don't you just ask your
parents to help you out?

I can't.

My dad just has too much
on his plate right now.

She's getting worse, Max.

Why haven't we
talked about this?

I don't know, I mean,
maybe it's fine.

Maybe she's just...Maybe
she's going to get better!

She will get better.

Everything will work
itself out, it always does.

Or maybe I'm like her.

Congratulations.

I booked it?

As the understudy.

I mean it's really up
to you whether you want
to take this or not,

but you're taking yourself
out of pilot season,
you know that don't you?

Maybe somebody will
come to see it.

You're playing Sandy?

Uh yeah, apparently.

That's cool.

Congrats.

Uh, yeah.

I don't think we've been
properly introduced.

I'm your understudy.

The tide pool should never be
mistaken for the tidal wave.

The Atlantic ocean
is not the Pacific.

I'm Kelly Cole

And people call me Kelly Cole.

Welcome to first
rehearsal for my superior
play, "Acorn's Wish."

Turn to page three.

It all started on
a hot June night.

I have good news.

You have been matched.

Seriously?

Yes, but, this would be a
little bit different than
what we previously discussed.

This would be what we
call an open donation.

So it would no
longer be anonymous.

That sounds really complicated.

I think that you
should consider this.

You would be working with a
very high profile figure within

your field.

Really?

Is she like a casting
director or something?

She's a very well
known actress, Kathryn.

Like, D list actress?

She's a household name.

You must be Calpurnia

Have a seat.

You're beautiful!

Oh nonsense, child.

I've been at a producer's
meeting all day.

I'm a mess.

You're back on broadway right!?

Oh my god I probably
shouldn't say anything I mean

I'm sure it's all
strictly confidential.

Well if you can read about
it on TMG or whatever
that heinous celebrity
stalking site is called

then it's hardly private.

It's a revival that Mike Nichols
is doing for the Roundabout.

That's incredible!

I'm...your...hysterical arm
flapping is giving me anxiety
would it be too much to ask if

you would

just sit on your hands.

just for a second?

Oh..I'm sorry...

My acting teacher always
tells me to stop with
the shadow movements.

You're an actress?

The agency failed to inform
me that you're an actress

They told me you were Canadian
with a good education.

No, I'm all of those things.

I'm also an actress,
but i'm incredibly
serious about my craft.

I'm at Strasberg,
studying the Method.

Just like you!

Is Freddy still there?

No, he retired but his
protege Barnard is my teacher.

Oh, is that so.

Yes.

Oh, but I mean.

Hmm.

I played Imogen when I
was just twenty four.

It was my first lead
at Lincoln Center.

Oh my God, I'm twenty four
and I'm playing Imogen for
an acting class right now!

Look, you know why your here.

I'm sure that the agency
made you sign those...forms.

But I need to assure
you that we have an
unparalleled legal team...

Of course...

...with zero tolerance for
confidentiality breaches so
lets just drop the "All About

Eve" shit.

Shall we?

Everything that I tell
you is off the record.

Of course, I promise.

Look, I...

I would like to have a
baby and the agency told
me that I should go with

an anonymous donor,
as is customary.

But that would require
me to trust their
judgement in selecting
an appropriate candidate.

I think I'm an excellent
judge of character.

It served me well in my
career and I can't imagine

that this would
be much different.

Besides...absolute discretion...

I'm looking for a girl
that reminds me of myself
when I was young....er.

You're clearly uninhibited,
and a bit course.

But beneath it all I can
see a hunger for success.

And a passion for our work.

Is that correct?

Yes!

Well then the decision
has been made.

Franciose!

I'll have a Chateau
Haut-Brion and a sparkling
water for the young lady.

Thank you!

[laughing]

Oh, uh, are you free tomorrow?

There's just one more thing.

Of course!

And turn back...

Ok, so, one tattoo.

No piercings?

No.

You have good teeth and
great hair...so...Ok.

I think that will be enough.

Harold can show you to the door.

Thank you.

And her creepy
assistant watched?

Yep!

That can't possibly be ok.

Are they offering you more
money for any of this?

You're missing the point,
Jennacide, she has an Oscar.

Well then she can like, afford
more than ten grand for a baby.

She's a bajillionaire.

But she lost a ton of money
when she was dropped by
UNICEF as their spokes person

because she said that
insensitive thing about
poor people on Conan.

I still don't get
why she picked you.

No offense.

Look!

She wants artistic eggs!

I don't think that's
genetic, Purn.

Whatever, look, I
supported your spawn.

You need to support mine.

In vitro fertilization
is not in God's plan.

It's not too late to be saved!

Um...God doesn't like
eavesdroppers either.

So, my character has this
really interesting thing where
she has to like inject herself

with these crazy
hormones, twice a day.

Which of course is really
tough on your body.

And it makes you like really
emotionally disturbed, you know?

I mean in the script.

I still cannot fathom why
you'd want to play such
a weak minded character.

It's disgusting.

How can you invest
in someone like that?

It's just fictional, ok,
so you can just drop it.

You'll take the two apps
of Menopur and the 150 IU'S
of Gonal F in the morning

and the 10 IU's of Lupron
at night to be taken
subcutaneously, obviously

Subcutaneously?

By needle.

You'll be using these.

Now, you'll take these
at the exact same time.

Eight in the morning,
nine in the evening.

Do you understand?

Yes, but what if I
have an audition?

No exceptions.

You may experience nausea,
bloating, fatigue, migraines.

You still have to come in
everyday for blood work.

If you alter the times of
the injections at all or god
forbid miss a single injection

the entire process

will fail, the client
will have lost $35,000,
and you will be liable.

I won't mess this up.

Now, you go ahead.
Try it.

Like that?

You're dead.

What about now?

In a coma.

Paralyzed.

Don't look at me like that.

Just keep practicing.

You know, I was
a donor once too.

Seriously?

Seriously.

So like, do you have
kids of your own now?

After I donated it was
as if my body felt that
I had already reproduced

My clock stopped ticking

Just remember...you can't
smoke, drink, or work out.

Absolutely no sex.

ok.

Yeah, I mean, I was warned
a million times "Don't date
actresses" they'll make you lose

your damn mind.

But what about
the talented ones?

Even worse, man.

Even worse.

Burke, how lovely to see you!

Oh, darling!

How are you?

Do you know Rob Wyle?

Rob is my producing partner.

Rob's doing my next big feature.

It's a dynamite satire I just
developed at Sundance Lab.

That's incredible.

If you ever need a girl
my age, I would love to-

Yeah, we're in discussions with
Greta Gerwig and Zoe Kazan.

Wow.

Oh I am so rude, Rob,
this is....What's your
name again sweetheart?

Calpurnia Dylan.

Are you an intern at
Plebeian Pictures?

No!

Actually I just
starred in Burke's most
recent zombie flick.

Dude, you're slummin' and
making fucking horror flicks?

God, no.

I used the horror genre to
illuminate the marginalization
of the migrant female sex

worker.

Fuckin' brilliant.

Thanks, bro.

Wow, that's interesting
because I vividly remember you
saying you just wanted to do

a horror movie with lots of
tits and a sweet pay check.

Yeah, Capernica here, is our
little resident scream queen.

She goes to Comicon, everything.

She's got a little
cult following.

It's adorable.

No, I'm actually focusing
on the classical roles.

Yeah, I'm gonna be
right back, so...

One second!

I'm coming!

Ok...

Uh, I think you
dropped something.

Eww...disgusting.

Junky.

No, it's actually
a medical thing.

It really is a medical thing.

You selling coke, too?

Unfortunately...Michaela
is out sick.

Calpurnia will take
over the part of Sandy
until she has returned.

Oh, I don't need it.

You're off book?

Yes.

Completely?

We'll be working on act two.

I'm off book, I think an actor
should always be prepared.

Whatever.

Everyone go to act two, and
go to the scene where Sandy
gives her sister the ultimate

gift.

Now....action.

What!?

What!?

I just think it's not realistic.

I mean at this point Sandy
would have been on the drugs...

No, no, no, no just don't.

Just say the words
that are on the page.

Ok, but I just think that if
you've ever been on Lupron
this character wouldn't at this

point actually...

Look, no, stop.

Stop thinking.

You're an actor...fucking act.

I feel like I just can't do
anything right in rehearsal.

Which doesn't make any sense
at all because I'm definitely
sacrificing more than anyone

else is there.

And then, the other day
at rehearsal, Michaela
actually asked our
director if a surrogate

is the one who gives the eggs

and I was like "No!

That's an egg donor..."

Hah!

You're like, not
the director, Purn.

Right, but I know what I'm
actually talking about.

I mean I'm actually
living my role, I mean,
my character's life.

That may be true,
but it's her role.

There are other parts....

Hey!

My agent is casting for
an Emma Stone stand-in
for her new movie!

Really!?

You can like, book that shit!

I can totally do that. I'm sure
it pays pretty well, too...

When are they seeing people?

I think they're seeing people on
Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

Nooo.

I have to be at the egg clinic
every morning this week.

I thought acting was
your first priority?

Jenna, this is acting.

I just convinced an entire
corporation that I'm a
model fucking citizen

And, I out acted an
Academy Award winner.

That's acting talent.

Ellen?

Heeeyy...

Wow, what's up?

What are you doing?

Look...

Dude, you're bleeding hardcore!

You need to go to
the emergency room.

Ahh, that's actually
against donor protocol.

Besides, the clinic said
I'll be fine, supposedly.

Were you joking the other
night when you told me you
were doing this for research?

No, I actually am.

I'm Daniel
Day-Lewis'ing this shit.

Ok, there is a meeting,
an event, and we're
going right now.

No, I'm Carrie'd out.

Come on.

Hi!

I'm Dalilah, and I see some
wonderful new faces here today.

Welcome.

Let's begin!

God, grant us the
serenity to accept the
things we cannot change

The courage to change
the things we can

And the wisdom to
know the difference.

You brought me to AA?

I am not the one who needs
an intervention here!

Egg Donors Anonymous.

Let's begin by
introducing ourselves.

Ellen, four timer.

Um, Hi, I'm Amy.

My second eggstraction
is next week.

We'll be sending your
womb positive energy.

Yay, Amy!

Elsa, second time donor.

It's good to be here!

I'm Jenny.

I am about to start my
third and final cycle.

Thank fuck...

I'm Dana.

So, I started with the eggs,
two cycles, but it felt like
I sort of wanted to give more

you know?

Last summer I became
a surrogate, which
was pretty sweet.

Everyone in my life
thought I had lost my mind
and looked at me like I

was a teen mom on the F train.

But it was so rad!

I got to carry someone's baby!

I'm...Kathryn.

I'm in the middle of my first
cycle right now, and it's
going pretty well so far.

Kathryn?

Hi, I'm Candice.

Nine time donor.

Um, I have what's called
high capacity ovaries,
so, like, thirty two eggs.

um, twenty nine the
last time, thirty seven
is my personal record.

I needed the money, um, I didn't
want to be a stripper, and I
wanted to focus on my career

so it seemed like
the only choice.

Um, knowing that you're
giving life can....

It helped me through it.

But, sometimes it's like, my
body, just like...can't keep up.

I feel like a factory animal.

Yaaaayyyy!

Pheww, breathe it out.

Yes, yes!

Ancient aboriginal woman used
to hold this sacred pose during
their menses and just bleed

freely into the Earth
to offer it nourishment.

Oh yeah!

Dance with me!

I can't...

I think you can...

Max...

[horse noises]

[laughing]

Cute.

What time is it?

Two-thirty.

What time is it exactly!?

Two thirty-six.

Fuck!

I have something I
have to do right now!

It's alright, baby.

It's Sunday, no
auditions, relax.

You're acting really weird.

What's going on with you?

I'm just, I'm really
stressed about the show, ok?

Baby, I'm really
really tired, ok?

You've been tired everyday
for the last few weeks, relax.

Look, I said no.

I'm just really stressed
about the show, ok?

Later.

I don't know what you're going
through but if you refuse
to talk to me, I can't help you.

When you're ready to be
honest about what's really
going on, I'll be here.

Ok.

So, how are you handling the
medication induced mood swings?

Pretty well but then again
people in my line of work
tend to be pretty dramatic.

Hmm.

You have very
precocious ovaries.

Well, thanks, I guess.

Everything is looking great.

You see those?

Those lumpy, globby things?

Yes, those are your ovaries.

They're responding very
well to the Brevel.

Pretty soon it's gonna feel
like you're carrying around a
dozen ripe naval oranges

inside of you.

Isn't that something?

Hot flashes.

Head aches.

Vaginal dryness.

Mood swings.

Decreased interest in sex.

Depression and or the
occurrence of forgetfulness.

Weight gain.

Additionally, If the
donor overstimulates
she may run the risk of

ovarian hyper
stimulation syndrome.

Severe cases of this
syndrome may result in death.

[German]

I'm sorry sweetie.

What he's trying to
say is "We're going
to remove your womb!"

[scream]

Did I miss my egg
appointment or something?

No, but I wanted to
speak with you directly.

Isabella has made a rather
unique request of you.

She wants you to write
a letter to your ovum.

Like, a "Dear,
Spawn...." letter?

Something that the
prospective child can read
on it's 18th birthday.

That's really intense, uhh,
I'll see what I can do. OK?

Dear, Spawn.

Today is your 18th birthday.

Which means that I must be like
mega old now.

I just want to let you
know that I didn't just
do this for the paycheck.

It was actually a cool acting
exercise which is kind of
rad when you think about it.

Hopefully by the time you read
this I'm finally super famous.

Honestly, I do hope
you're having a good
life and that Isabella
isn't a crazy stage mom.

That's it?

Yeah, do you think I
should add something to
the end of the monologue?

Yeah, I think that you
can do better than that.

Really?

You hate it.

I mean it's just, it's
a little, like, cold and
impersonal, isn't it?

Well, I, I'm not a writer.

Yeah, ok.

Your turn.

Oh!

Yes!

I won!

How!?

How!?

This is the face of a mother.

Fucking.

Winner.

Fine, you win.

I'm a master.

Fucking say it!

Say it!

You're a master!

Your a master!

Say it again!

Fucking master, say it!

You're a master!

[ringing]

That is my egg alarm I gotta
go take my shot, right now!

Can I give you your shot?

Ok...

I'm your fucking
master, remember?

Fine, fine, fine!

Where is it?

The drugs are in there.

You stay right there.

Don't worry.

I've done this, like,
a million times.

It's totally fine.

Really, we're just gonna
see if you trust me.

Hold still.

Lift that little leg up.

Very nice.

Gentle.

Are you ready?

Yes.

One, two...

Oww!!!!

Holy shit, that
felt fucking great!!

Oh that was the worst, ever.

Oh my god!

Fuck!

Please tell me you're
gonna have more than that.

I mean I read this alarming
piece in the post about
these Hollywood woman

that go on these
starvation diets.

It's not healthy for you.

I'm hardly starving myself.

Chill.

Yeah well your mother
and I worry about you.

I mean I read that thing
that you posted on your
blog a couple of months ago

about being turned away
from being a blood donor
because you're anemic?

I mean you really need
to eat more red meat.

That was a performance piece,
it wasn't like, literal.

But you know, you're
starting to look pale.

You know your mother and I
think you just sacrifice a
little too much for all this.

I'm ok, Dad.

I told you.

Dad, do you think that
what Mom has is genetic?

Oh my goodness, no.

Look she's just been
under a little stress
and we both decided

she's gonna take a little time
off from teaching for a while...

Oh my god.

No, she got fired, didn't she!

No, what did she do this time?

Did she like, show
a student her tits?

Don't talk about your
mother like that.

The school administration
decided, and we agreed, that

she's just gonna take
a little time off.

You know she's been teaching
for twenty-five years?

I mean that's a
huge accomplishment!

Just, think of it as a
long overdue vacation.

You know her and I were
talking about going
on a second honeymoon.

You know, it's a good time.

Daddy, I actually miss her.

Like, the way she used to be.

I thought they said that they
were just gonna like, adjust
her hormones and she'd be fine.

Things are gonna be ok.

They are.

Hypothetically, is being schizo
like always a genetic thing?

If I were to have a child...

Wait, I thought you never
wanted to have kids?

Look, I don't even want
to go there Katheryn.

But, humor me, please?

I..I don't want to
talk about this.

This is really important to me.

Look, there's no reason to
be embarrassed about having
mental illness in the family.

You know, if somebody had
cancer, you wouldn't judge them.

This is no different.

Look, there is something I
do think you need to know.

I mean, you're much too
young to really remember
your grandmother.

But your mother's mother
had the same thing.

Look, Honey, I'm sorry.

I gotta go to the
bathroom, I ...

Please!

Chateau Margot.

Sparkling water.

Thank you.

Well, cheers.

From one actress to another, I
know you haven't been completely
honest with those morons over

at First Fertility.

Tell me three lies
that you told them.

I actually haven't....

Look, if you're truthful and
cooperative, I might be able
to help you out a little bit.

I know of a very good young
agent at William Morris that
would be very excited if I told

him that I was terribly
close to a talented young

ingénue that reminds me
of a young Ann Margret.

You'd do that for me?

Of course!

For the genetic mother
of my unborn child?

Anything.

Well...You know I'm
not a natural redhead
after the other day...

And...I may have photoshopped
my SAT scores on the
application I gave you.

What were they?

Well, they really were
that high with English,
but with math...500.

Anything else?

I was seasonally bulimic
during acting school.

Eh...so you had discipline.

I thought this was
going to be far worse.

No, I think I'm actually like,
a pretty well adjusted girl.

I mean except for during
like my dark periods.

You're prone to depression!?

I specifically asked those
imbecile drones at First
Fertility...I wanted them to

weed out all applicants that had
any sign of a mental disorder.

No, I actually don't mean that.

I just mean, like, I
get sad or whatever when
I lose out on roles,

which, is pretty
much all the time.

But, I mean, that's just normal.

That's just human, right?

I know of no such thing.

There's a reason I'm so
successful, Katheryn.

I have talent!

And then she said, that's
just called having discipline.

Gross.

God...some mom she's gonna be.

Do you feel bad about
having to hand over your
spawn to that witch?

Hmm, no, because I just
don't think she's a
bad person deep down.

And do you know how good
her connections are gonna
be for that little sprout?

Nepotism is everything
in Hollywood.

I kind of wish she'd adopt me.

You are a sick puppy.

You're assuming this
thing is even going to
want to become an actor.

Well with our gene pool it just
doesn't really stand a chance.

Oh my god, did I tell you I
went through Isabella's iPhone,
and the first two numbers were

Al Gore and Al Pacino.

Jesus Christ, why are you
snooping through her stuff?

That is a complete
invasion of privacy.

What privacy?

This is the same woman
that made me strip for her.

Are you ok?

Yeah, not really.

I...got a call
from the clinic...

Oh my god are you going
to be donating with me!?

How awesome would that be!

Look I didn't want to
scare you, but I have
cysts...on my ovaries.

And, uh, Dr. Rabinowitz says
that my anti mullerian hormone

levels are way lower
than they should be.

Well what does that mean?

Yeah, I didn't know what
the fuck he was talking
about either, but basically

my ovaries are prematurely
aging from the meds and I
have a diminished egg count.

But that's impossible, I mean
you're like a super donor.

There are woman in this city
carrying your eggs as we speak.

Yeah, I know, that's what
I told him, and that the
first clinic that screened me

must have made a mistake.

He said I'm...he said I'm
pretty much infertile now.

But like, you're
only twenty-six...

Only a baby.

That's what he
fucking said to me.

That, this shouldn't have
happened to someone like me.

You should sue!

Yeah, cause that
would do any good.

A broke chick versus a
billion dollar industry.

Good odds!

They would just try to
destroy my reputation.

I am a nude, fucking, model.

Ok, some reliable source...

Besides!

He said they're not even liable.

That, it must have been
something I was born with.

I mean, we have signed
away all of our rights.

No, he's lying.

I mean, you were perfectly
fine before you did this.

I know that.

I have no way to prove it.

Listen, Cal.

I don't think you should
go through with this.

You should just tell them
that you changed your mind. OK.

They can't legally force
you to finish the job.

I promised Isabella.

Do you actually think these
surrogates give a fuck about us?

We're just the donors, ok?

No more, no less.

We're the product.

They use us, and then they
pay us for our services.

Do not delude
yourself, princess.

But what if I'm using her
as much as she's using me.

Oh yeah?

Isabella said she'd set me
up with a meeting with WME.

I'll believe that when I see it.

Look, I may have lied about a
few things on the application.

My mother, she's
mentally...she's sick.

Certifiably? Like
in a looney bin?

Well....

Ok then it doesn't
fucking count!

We all have a couple black
marks on our family history.

My aunt had kidney failure
and they still accepted me.

Yeah, but I take a lot of
Adderall, and...

I mean I don't have a
problem or anything like that...

Right.

Look, I know it's kind
of against the rules.

But do you want to just
have one drink with me?

[music]

[ringing]

Oh, fuck.

Are you feeling ok, Kathryn?

Yeah, no I am.

I'm just really tired and
stressed and my show goes
into tech tonight, and...

I just don't know if it's
a very good show, you know?

And Isabella keeps on,
like, asking me these like
really difficult things.

Don't move.

Ok.

Fucking hell...

Oh, I'm just here
to see Isabella...

[crying]

What's that noise?

She's in one of her moods...

Ok well I'm just
here to pick up a pouch.

[crying]

I'm sorry...

You're not supposed
to see me like this!

I can come back...

Oh, come in child
you're already here.

For god's sake...

I'm...

I just want this to work.

What?

You!

This!

May I help you with this?

I'm becoming kind of an expert
with all the injections.

I normally have my physician
administer this, but I thought
that today I would try it myself

and I was assured that
it was very simple...

They told me that too...may I?

You must think I'm
terribly pathetic.

A forty-six year old woman
who can't even administer

her own IVF medication.

I've waited my whole
life for this child
and now it's too late.

I actually have to
go to rehearsal right
now, we're in tech...

I was pregnant once, you know?

You were?

I was twenty-nine years old.

We were doing that Polanski
film in Spain, and...

When I found out I
had miscarried I was
beyond devastated.

My publicist said it was for
the best, that there was Oscar
buzz about my role in Cameo

and that there would
be other opportunities.

Life is about the choices
that you make, and I have
made some colossal mistakes.

But I'll never regret the work.

The great films!

Yes, those, but
mainly the stage.

I think I was most fulfilled
and inspired when I was
doing the classical work.

On the stage.

Then why didn't you
do more Broadway?

I mean you could
have done anything.

But I didn't!

Listen to me!

When I miscarried seventeen
years ago I knew I had
lost something precious.

But I just continued to go
about my life and continued
to pursue my professional life

and I thought that I
would have time for the
family dreams later.

And one day I woke up, and that
window of opportunity was gone.

It was a huge
mistake to do this.

I would be a horrible
mother and we both know it.

When I found out about the
procedure, I thought that
I had found a miracle.

I never thought that I would
be able to carry a child.

I just, I never thought....

I know you can do
this Isabella...

Oh please just stop!

You're gonna be an
incredible mother!

Just stop!

[beep]

Kathryn, we received some
extremely troubling news today.

Your routine blood
work came back testing
positive for cocaine.

This is obviously in direct
breach of your donor contract
and Ms. West has notified us

that she will no longer be
requesting your services.

Your cycle has been terminated.

Yeah, uh...It's Kelly Cole.

Where the fuck are you?

Dress rehearsal is happening
right, fucking, now.

You're fired.

[knocking]

One sec...

One second!

Max, one second.

I needed you, and
you weren't there!

I know what you've
been hiding, Cal.

I found this.

It's not what you think!

Yeah, sure.

It's not...Max...

I was fired from my show.

Good.

Max, no.

I need you.

I can't watch you destroy
your life like this.

Look, I just kissed Ellen once.

You're fucking joking, right?

Look, I'm so fucking sorry.

The fuck's wrong with you?

No!

I'm so fucking sorry!

Is it never enough for you?

You think I'm an idiot?

Am I not worthy of your honesty?

You're fucking decency?

No, no Max it's way too far.

How?

I wanted to be talented, just
like you and Isabella...And
we couldn't have sex

because of the eggs, because
there was a contract.

What contract?

Stop blaming everyone
for the failings of
your life, Calpurnia.

Did it mean anything
with this...girl?

I don't know.

Was your little acting
experiment worth losing me?

No, baby...look if I could do
the whole thing over again.

You'd do it all over
again, wouldn't you.

Yeah you fucking would.

Max...Max please....

Max!!!

Oh my god, it stinks in here.

That was the best part!

How did you get in?

The door was unlocked, Sherlock.

Look, you need to fix your life.

Starting with a
much needed shower.

Max left me.

And you failed a drug test.

Boo fucking hoo.

How do you know that?

The donor pool is smaller
than you think, ok.

You can salvage this, Cal.

Have you tried to
speak to Isabella yet?

She won't answer
any of my emails.

And so you just gave up?

Cause, that's not the
fiery red head that I met

two months ago that wouldn't
take no for an answer.

What happened to that bitch?

I don't know, I don't know.

Look, I think that if you
corner that broad and admit
that you made a mistake

she might take you back.

She's got a lot more
to lose than you do.

She spent forty fucking grand
buying your seed.

Ok?

So you need to get up off
your ass, make up some sob
story, and go fix this shit!

What if she won't believe me?

You're an actress, ok?

Make her believe you.

I can do that.

But, you just don't know how
much she wants that baby.

I'm so sorry.

Have you stopped
taking your drugs yet?

I was gonna stop
taking them tonight.

Ok, well then technically
you can still hatch
those little suckers.

Ellen...

Yeah?

Thank you.

Yeah.

Dear, Spawn.

Isabella?

Isabella?

Oh for God's sake...

Please, please.

Stop making a scene.

Oh for God sake.

No, Isabella please...

Listen to me!

Look I'm really, really
sorry about the drug test.

Look I was young once
too it's not like I never
did a drug, but you and I

had a deal.

I know but I called the clinic
and they said that even though
what I did was bad, really

bad, it won't effect
the quality of the egg!

Please!

Please, please,
please listen to me!

Dear Spawn, When I responded to
a serendipitous casting call

I didn't know what was
missing from my life.

But this turned out to be a
very different sort of call,

a call for change
a call for rebirth in a way.

On a whim I'd signed up
for an acting opportunity,
I'm not going to lie,
dear spawn, the truth

is I've lied a whole lot
in my life, but from such a
humble start a seed can grow.

A single egg, because when you
give up a part of yourself

you find the part that you've
always been searching for.

Meeting you, Isabella has
changed my life, and I'll never
go back to who I was before.

By giving you this egg I know
that you can give it all the
things that I was never given.

And I just want to give
you this part of me.

Please.

Now that's acting.

I'm not acting.

Exactly.

You're gonna be an
incredible mother.

The recipient will take
the final trigger shot
of human growth hormone

exactly thirty-five hours
prior to the retrieval to
insure that the patient

will ovulate on the
operating table.

The timing of the
injection is critical to
the success of the cycle.

Your anesthesiologist is
ready for you Kathryn.

Can you tell him I have
an uber low pain threshold
and I'm going to need

lots and lots of drugs?

You're going to be fine.

Your surgeon performs
roughly four hundred
retrievals every year.

You're in good hands.

Just sign here.

I want you to count
to ten for me, ok?

Ok.

One, two, three...

Do you know how they
actually remove the eggs?

First, they insert a giant
needle through my pussy

Slice right through the
vaginal wall, and then,
with the use of a laser,

they remove my engorged,
hormonally inflated,
genetically modified ovum

out of my safe little haven
in my warm secure womb

And they rip them out!

One by one.

My whoa-hah closes up
when I talk about this...

She likes the idea of helping
another womb do her thing.

But now that she's been
prodded and prepared and
is about to be probed

for the final time, she
wants to pull the plug!

All I need to do is lie
back on this alternate
reality casting couch, or

operating table, and let
them take a part of me.

Because everyone loves
a pretty girl, and
everyone loves an actress.

Kathryn?

Kathryn?

Everything went perfectly.

Here, have some apple juice.

Take it easy there missy.

You had a major surgery.

Now you're gonna feel
some minor discomfort
over the next day or so.

You'll be advised to take
tomorrow off of work.

If you feel any sharp pains
in your pelvic region you
call our emergency hotline

at any time, ok?

Hello, dear.

This is for you.

Wow!

Well, you made your
recipient very happy.

Do you have anyone
picking you up?

Oh, uh, I ordered a car service.

Good.

Um, working with you, it
was uh, you were...thanks.

Bye.

I used part of the money to
start my own theater company
which is what I think

Isabella would have wanted.

Sometimes I find myself
scanning the audience
thinking "Is she out there?

Did she bring my spawn?"

It's weird I can't really
think of myself as somebody's
mom, but I'm glad, really glad

that I was able to do
this one good thing.

What matters is not fame,
not glamour, not the things
I used to dream of

but the ability to endure.

To bare my cross and faith.

And when I think of my vocation,
I'm not afraid of life.

You're on a journey.

You know where you're headed.

I'm still wandering around in a
chaos of daydreams and images.

I don't know where
I'm headed or why.

I don't know what my calling is.

Sshh.

I'm going now.

Goodbye.

When I become a great
actress, come and see me act?

Stay.

I'll catch you some supper.