Vacationland (2006) - full transcript

Bangor, Maine is the setting for "Vacationland" where our three late high school age youngsters reside. Joe, his sister Theresa, and Joe's high school friend Andrew, the athlete, people the story. Joe and Theresa live with their irresponsible mother, who is often too drunk to materially intervene in their lives. Their part of Bangor encompasses the poor, the down and out, the unemployed and they're yearning to find some way to get out and to get on with their lives. Both Joe and Theresa work for a notions store, She runs the cash register, and Joe stocks the shelves. Andrew is the procurer of the trio. He appears able to to steal anything any of them need. Early in the tale Joe's mom has a fight with her current boyfriend and clocks him with the family phone leaving it blood covered and non functional. Joe mentions to Andrew that he needs to get a phone for his mom. Andrew asks what it should look like. Joe gestures with his hands and they travel to a notions shop. Joe stays outside. Surprisingly soon Andrew exits into the parking lot with a large bag full of merchandise. Joe asks him why he steals so much. Andrew says because he can get away with it. At almost the bottom of the bag Joe says, "Where's the phone?" Andrew pulls a phone similar to the ruined one out of the bottom of the bag. It's still wrapped in its plastic packaging mounted on cardboard. He asks Joe whether his mom will like it. As the story proceeds, we find that Andrew has other talents. He makes fake driver's licenses on two occasions for Joe that apparently pass muster, because the alcoholic beverages magically materialize, and are consumed by groups of similarly aged friends. Joe is gay and accepts his fate, but doesn't act on it. Andrew is gay but isn't happy about it and maintains a straight relationship with a classmate. So that they can travel together, Joe goes out with Andrew's girlfriend's girlfriend. As it turns out, neither Andrew nor Joe has a sexual relationship with the girl he dates. We find out that Andrew's girl is a lesbian with a crush on the girl Joe dates. When push comes to shove, Andrew's girl tries to force him to have intercourse with her. When he refuses, she figures out his secret, that he's also gay. She accuses him of being Joe's lover, and under pain of telling the school athletic community his orientation, forces him to have a sexual relationship with Joe which the girls watch. She then maneuvers her girlfriend (Joe's girl) into having a lesbian encounter with her. Joe scopes the want ads and finds a handicapped old man, an artist, who's looking for a model and for help at home. Joe gets the job, moves into the old man's apartment, and forms an attachment for him, buying his prescriptions, and keeping his home neat. The old artist notices Joe's artistic talent, and suggests that he pursue his art. Joe explains to Andrew that when he was 10 years old, he worked for a fat man in a warehouse. At the end of a shift, the fat man sent everybody home but proceeded to take the 10 year old into a gay relationship that traumatized and substantially injured him. He kept the incident to himself, never telling anyone until Andrew. From the time that the girls forced them to interact, Joe and Andrew were free to be their gay identities. Bangor had just one gay club. Joe's second fake ID permitted him to go with Andrew into the gay bar. One night while the boys were clubbing, Joe sees the fat man who injured him so long ago. Joe's sister Theresa has decided to pursue her career in Los Angeles, but she doesn't have enough money for air fare. One night, as she closes the register she pockets the cash... all the cash. She runs out to the airport to buy a ticket, but is $57.00 short. She decides that she can get the balance by engaging a man, and proceeds to catch one. She goes to his room and delays matters until he falls asleep. She takes the money out of his wallet finding enough to make up what she needs. At the airport she buys the ticket and leaves for California. Joe and his artist friend discuss Joe's future. He gets an application to art school for Joe, and Joe draws Andrew naked to submit with his application. Joe's artist friend suggests that when his pain gets so severe that he can't stand it, he knows a combination of his prescriptions that will put him to sleep... permanently. Theresa calls Joe from Los Angeles. She needs more money, but Joe doesn't have anything to send. She hangs up disappointed. Joe goes home to find the artist dead in his shower. He confers with Andrew, tells him he doesn't want to report the death just yet. They go to the gay club and find the fat man who hurt Joe. Joe is disappointed that the fat man doesn't remember him. He persuades the fat man to come with him to the artist's apartment. As the fat man proceeds to take Joe again, Andrew hits him with a metallic object. Joe pummels the fat man as a 10 year old would. They wrap him in a sheet and drag him to the beach. He's still alive, but a homophobic tough from the gay club notices him. Joe reads a note from the artist. He left enough money for Joe to get started in art school. The film ends with Joe and Andrew wrapped in each other's arms sitting beside the water, with their future looking about as bright as it ever has since we joined them in "Vacationland"

(soft music)

(soft music)

- [Joe] You grow up fast
in the Capehart projects

in Bangor, Maine.

There was always some new
terror happening close by.

A woman smothering her
baby because she thought it

was the Anti-Christ, maybe she was right,

who are we to judge.

It wouldn't surprise me if the
anti-Christ were born here,

or Christ, for that matter.

There was the guy who
burned down his apartment



because his family wouldn't let him

watch his favorite Christmas special,

which of course is the
only logical thing to do.

And then there was the
woman who killed her husband

and cut him into 15 pieces-
"just to make sure."

There was the woman who lived next door

who was found sitting in her
car naked with her throat

slit ear to ear and
her hands on the wheel,

her eyes wide open, and now this.

You're late.
- Fuck you, you're late.

- I know.

- Did you bludgeon mom
to death with the phone.

- No.

- Too bad.



- You're never going to
believe what really happened.

So this guy is pounding on our door,

he's practically ripping it
off the hinges trying get in.

Of course mom doesn't
hear it, she never does.

So I get up, answer the door,

this guy is standing there,
his face is all messed up.

Apparently he shot his wife with a shotgun

and then he felt so bad
he turned it on himself

but he sort of missed.

Anyway, he mumbled something
about wanting to use our phone

so I let him.

- You're so full of shit.

(laughing)

- No really, I even have the gun.

Anyway mom woke up and
freaked out and said I had

to go buy her a new phone.

I should really get in.

(soft music)

(door clicking)
(footsteps thudding)

(pants zipping)

(urinal flushing)

(soft music)

- Hey.
- Hey.

- Come on.
- What?

What's that?

- A jacket.

- Hey, do me a favor?

- What?

- Get me a phone?

- Okay, what kind?

- A nice one.

- Sure, cool.

(Joe sighing)
(upbeat music)

Get in.

(both laughing)

(both laughing)

Were you scared waiting for me?

- [Joe] A little.

Why do you take all this shit?

- Because I can.
- Where is my phone?

Nice.

- [Andrew] So you got a bag for this shit?

- [Joe] Yeah.

- This is wicked cool.

You like it?

- Yeah.

- It fits me pretty well I think.

I didn't even check the size.

You want any of this crap?

- I don't know.

- Here, have a toothbrush.

- Thanks.

Just what I always wanted.

- Brushing is important remember that.

I need a cigarette.

- Thanks.

- No problem.

Here check this out.

A fake ID.

- Nice.

- It's good right?

- Yeah, it looks real.

- I made it last night.

Check out the back.

I'm getting a lot better right?

- Yeah, it looks good.

- You want to try it out?

(soft electronic music)

- Hello, I'm calling about
your ad in the paper.

- [Victor] Terrific, have
you ever modeled before?

- Um, not officially.

- [Victor] Good answer.

How old are you.

- 18.
- You're sure?

- Yeah.

- [Victor] Okay, because
I don't want any trouble,

you understand.

- No, okay.

- I will see you at 3:30.
- What should I-

Oh shit.

- Hey, you got any money?

- Damn it, you scared the shit out of me.

- Sorry, forgot all about the money,

not used to paying for shit.

- How much you need?

- 25.

- Fuck.

- I'll pay you back, okay?

- [Joe] The first time Andrew
got drunk we were freshmen

and my sister and his
brother were juniors.

They were going out and we
went to a party with them.

I had been drinking for a
while, being Theresa's brother

and all, but it was Andrew's first time.

He drank so much so fast and
then he started throwing up.

Right then I fell in love.

A year later, right
before their graduation,

Andrew's brother died in one
of those freak accidents.

He was under his car fixing
it when it came off the jack

and the front right wheel
just rolled over his head.

Andrew and I have, we've
been friends forever

and all but we've never
been as close as that night.

(soft music)

(whistle blowing)

(whistle blowing)

- Fuck.

- That's not what the
"F" stands for, Andrew.

- Shit.

- In French please Kris.

- Merde?

- You could try a little
harder next time, Joe.

- Merci beaucoup.

(woman laughing)

- Look over chapter seven for
tomorrow and have a nice day.

- Mr. LaBlanc, is there any way I can

take the test over again.

I really need to pass your class.

- I want to help you, Joe,

I really do but that just
wouldn't be fair, now would it?

I know it's difficult and
you have such potential.

You need to think about your future.

If only you just applied yourself
just a little bit harder.

Maybe then it wouldn't
be so difficult for you

and you would get a better grade.

(soft music)

- Hello?

Hello?

Victor?

Hello?

Victor?

- Jacques, when did you get out of prison?

- [Joe] No, I'm sorry my name is Joe.

I talked to you on the phone.

- Oh yes, yes, Joe.

I must have just dozed off.

What time is it please?

- It's 3:30.
- Thank you.

- Thank you.

Would you mind terribly helping me up?

Just get the feet on the
floor and then I will be fine.

- [Joe] Sure.

- Thank you, Joe.

So I see you have tattoos.

Why don't you tell me about them.

- Yeah, my mom was dating
this tattoo artist.

So I let him give me a few.

He thought it made me look more manly.

I don't know what happened to him though.

My mom goes through men so fast,
like cartons of cigarettes.

She smokes like a chimney.

I think me might have ended up in jail,

kind of like your friend, Jacques?

- Yes.

Tell me more about yourself.

- Really?

What kind of stuff do you want to know.

- Anything, everything.

- Well, obviously I live with
my mom and my crazy sister.

I'm in high school, it's my last year.

Art is my favorite class.

I'm in the drama club.

I'm only flunking one class, French two.

I hate French.

It's the worst.

I'm not really into sports
but if you're gonna be

into art and drama you
have to play a sport.

So I am on the track team,
the cross country team

and the swim team.

I thought I might want
to play football once

but I tried out but there
was just to many rules,

it was way to strict for me.

Then I thought I wanted
to play basketball too,

but as you can probably
tell I was a little

to short for that.

So I didn't make the team
which is just as well.

It gave me more time
to work on my drawings.

- [Victor] So you think
you want to be an artist?

- I think so, I going
to apply to art school.

- [Victor] Well, I'll tell you.

Someone once asked a famous artist,

"Sir should I be an artist?"

and the famous answer was

"If you have to ask you shouldn't."

You want to be an artist, try.

- Anything to get me out of here.

- [Victor] Is it that bad?

- Bad enough.

- Actually if I work on
this drawing long enough,

it will really be a piece of crap.

Right now it's on it's way though.

It's so sad, I used to be
able to draw so nicely.

Jacques has, should we say, moved on.

He used to take care of
me, the position is open.

You could live here, I'd look after you

and you'd look after me.

Does that interest you?

- I'll at least think about it.

Maybe.

(upbeat electronic music)

- Hey man, have you got any money?

- Fuck off.
- Calm down,

I'm just practicing.

I'm getting out of here
soon too, you know.

- Yeah, where are you going this time?

- Los Angeles baby, don't wait up.

- What about mom?

- What about her?

- Someone's gotta take care of her.

- She's got what's his name, Ben?

Oh, and you freaking liar, she told me a

bout how Ben beat her with the phone

when she was trying to order Chinese.

- I told her not to order
from that place anymore.

Put it back.

- Can I borrow it?

Please?

- Fine.

- Thank you, don't look.

Hey can I use the car?

- No, I need it.

- It's not even yours.

- So.

- He's not coming back, you know.

He's another one that'll
end up dead or in jail.

- What?

- Ben, the fucker, and
mom's in there passed out

on the couch.

It's pathetic.

I can't believe you are getting
out of here before I am.

- So go.

- I'm going to.

As soon as I get the money,

I'm gone, taking off, out of here.

- [Joe] Uh-huh.

- [Theresa] Then you will really miss me.

- What the heck is going on?

- [Theresa] Don't ask me,
he doesn't tell me anything.

- How's the phone?
- It's a phone.

Don't change the subject.

Where are you going?

- I got a new job, it's
kind of a live in thing.

- I don't like the sounds of that.

- Hi, Mrs. V, how you doing?

- Hey, how is your mom?

- The same.
- Are you in on this

"job" of his?

- I don't know, am I?

- No one knows anything,

all right I'm going to
go pass out on the couch.

If I don't wake up throw a sheet over me

and call the coroner.

- I already programmed
it on the speed dial.

- You're a real comedian.

- Put them in the back seat?

- [Joe] Yes, that's fine.

- I told Mandy she could come by tonight.

I hope you don't mind.

- I guess not.

- She invited Kris too.

- [Joe] I guess Victor won't mind.

- Jesus Christ, what is he your mom now?

- Fuck off.

Get in.

Have you and Mandy done it yet?

- Yeah, of course.

- Really?

How much?

A lot?

- [Andrew] No.

- What do you mean no?

- I mean no, we haven't done it.

Why?

Did you and Kris?

- No, no, I was just wondering.

- I mean I could, but I don't know,

don't tell anyone this shit, okay.

- All right.

Do you remember the
first time you got drunk?

- Yeah.

- [Joe] Andrew and Mandy
have been going out forever,

well maybe a year but
it seems like forever.

I hate her, no that's not fair,
she's okay, sort of smart,

sort of rich, sort of perfect.

I just wish she would go
away, move out of town,

fall off a cliff, get hit by a car,

slip and break her neck,
choke on a broken bone.

- Do you want to dance?

- No, I'm okay.

- Did you see that woman
in the supermarket today

with one leg?

- Yeah, really sad.

- I bet she has a lot of sex.

- Do you want another?

- [Joe] Yeah.

(upbeat music)

- What are you doing?
- Shhhh.

Don't wake him up.

- What is it?
- Trust me.

- Thanks.

(both laughing)

- Want to fuck me?

- Sure, okay.

- Let me finish my beer first.

(soft music)

- I think I'm going to be sick.

I'm okay.

You still gonna fuck me?

- It's late, I think I should
be getting you guys home.

(Andrew groaning)

You okay.

- Yeah, just fucking hung-over.

How about you?

- I'm good.

- What time is it?

- I not sure, but we are
almost at your house.

- What the fuck happened?

- I don't know.

(soft music)

- [Andrew] Hey.

- Hey, what are you doing here?

- Oh, just um, here, here's the 20 bucks

I owe you from the beer the other night.

- You owe me 25.

- So now I owe you five.

- No, really just forget it.

- No, here take it.

- You came all the way
over here just for that?

You could have given it to me at school.

- [Andrew] I was in the neighborhood.

I just wanted to say hi.

- Hi.

- [Andrew] You going to the game tonight?

- Of course.

- I mean there is this party

and afterwards and
everyone is going to go.

- Yeah.

- Great.

(soft music)

- Hi, Mr. LaBlanc.

- What are you doing here?

What if someone comes in?

- Shhhh.

I need to talk to you.

- All right, let's go somewhere
and talk, just not here.

- Why?

I like it here.

- Joe, someone could come
in here at any second.

- I need a recommendation for school.

- Joe, you don't need to do
this to get a recommendation.

I will write you one.

- I also need to pass your class.

- Is that what this is about?

Jesus Christ, okay, okay.

- No, I mean I need a really,
really good recommendation.

- Shit.
- En Francais.

(pants zipping)

(urinal flushing)

I'll see you at school.

- [Cheerleaders] We are the
best, BHS, we are the best.

BHS, we are the best.

BHS, we are the best.

- Hey.
- Hey.

- Great game, huh?

- Great game?

We got creamed.

- Yeah, but it was still a good game.

- You're so strange sometimes.

- Stop.

- What the hell, why not?

- Not here okay, not right now.

- Listen, I'm sick and tired of waiting.

- No.

- That's it.

Kris was right, you're a fag.

- What?
- It's true.

I can see it in your face.

- Shut up.

- I'm such an idiot.

I should have taken Kris,
at least she puts out.

- Shut up!

- Do you think that this will
prove that you aren't a fag

or that you are one?

Oh no, you're not going anywhere.

We need to talk.

- Okay.

- Listen, I don't care that you're a fag.

- Stop saying that, okay?

- Okay, whatever, that you are that way.

I'm relieved in a way, I was never really

that into you anyway,

but you see,

I am head cheerleader

and you the football star

and so we have certain obligations.

We need people to look
up to us, we have clout,

and I'm not gonna let
you fuck that all up.

- What are you talking about?

- Listen, I don't care about you and Joe.

We, you and I, have to keep going out.

You owe that to me and to yourself.

If anyone found out about Joe and you.

- How would they find out.

- If I had to destroy you
I would, don't doubt that.

But I don't have to,
if you just play along.

- I don't know.

- You have to keep going out
with me and making out with me,

I don't want you to have
sex with me, but you do have

to let everyone know that we
are doing it all the time.

- Okay.

- Don't fuck it up.

Come on.

- Are you jealous?

- Huh?

What are you talking about?

- It's okay, you can trust
me, I won't tell anyone.

- Yeah, right.

What are you talking about?

- About you and Andrew.

What's it like?

Can I watch you guys?

- No.

- Come on.

Come on, Kris let's go.

- Go where?
- Get in the car.

- What did I miss?

- Nothing yet.

- [Kris] Come on guys, fuck.

- I can't, not with you watching.

- Fucking pussy, come on, Kris.

- Wait.

Thanks.

(soft music)

- Have you ever thought about doing it?

- Yeah, all the time.

Wait what are you talking about?

- I mean, what's it all about?

What's the big deal, really?

- I'm not into that.

- How do you know?

Have you ever tried it?

- I don't need to try it to
know that I'm not into it.

- Are you sure.

(soft music)

Well?

- Nothing.

- Me neither.

- What do you think
they're doing in there?

- Probably eating each others asses.

- [Kris] Gross, you really think so?

- Yeah, have you ever tried it?

- Um, no.

- I think we are going to need more beer.

(soft music)

- [Joe] What the fuck.

- What?

- Don't touch my neck.

- Okay.

- Fine.

I've never told anyone this before.

When I was 10 years I worked
at this furniture warehouse.

One of the other boys at
school told me about the job.

I don't remember his name.

It wasn't a hard job.

All we had to do was help
them load and unload some

of the trucks.

Our boss, this fat man
used to pay us in cash.

He would always tell us to be
really quiet when we went in

because we weren't really
supposed to be there.

I decided to go into work
early one day, it was a Sunday.

I was trying to be quiet so I snuck in

and when I walked through the door,

I just froze.

Tim was naked.

Tim, that was his name.

My boss was fucking him.

I just stood there and stared
for what seemed like forever.

My boss turned around and saw me.

I wanted to run,

but I couldn't.

I couldn't move.

My boss grabbed me by the
neck with both of his hands

and lifted me off the ground.

I clawed at his hands.

I kicked, I tried to scream,

but I couldn't scream.

I could barely breathe.

I could see Tim get up and start to leave.

When he did I looked around

and realized that we weren't
the only ones in the room.

I know I saw at least two other men.

I wanted to yell and warn
Tim but nothing came out.

Then it all went black.

I woke up laying by the river,

soaking wet.

I ran back to the warehouse

but everything was gone, everything.

They had completely cleaned the place out.

- Damn, did you ever see Tim again?

- Don't worry, none of
that really happened.

I just made it all up.

My uncle just used to
tickle me on my neck a lot

when I was a kid and I hated it.

(Andrew scoffing)

Really, though just don't
touch my neck, okay?

- Okay.

- Fucker.

(Andrew laughing)

- What happened?

- I don't know.

- Did we do it?

- I don't think so.

- I think we did.

I think we fucked.

- We have our clothes on, we didn't fuck.

- How do you know?

We could have taken our clothes off,

fucked, and then put them back on.

- Fine, come on, let's get out of here.

(soft music)

(door clicking)

- [Joe] No wait, don't get dressed yet.

- Yeah, what do you have in mind?

- Can I draw you?

- Okay.

How's this?

- [Joe] Just relax, okay, be natural.

- Fine.

- [Joe] Stop moving.

- What is this for anyway?

- It's for my application.

- [Andrew] What application?

- I think I want to apply to art school.

(Andrew laughing)

Don't make fun of me.

What are you going to do?

- I don't know, probably go to UMO

and studying engineering or something.

- Don't you ever want to get out of here?

- I hadn't really thought about it.

(soft music)

- Morning, Victor.

- Joe, I'm not moving to well today.

Would you mind terribly
going to the store for me?

- [Joe] No problem at all.

- Okay here is the
list, here is the money,

that should be enough.

- Thank you.

- Ah yes, taking pills
reminds me that death

would not be the least bit
unwelcome just these days.

- Don't talk like that.

- There is a lovely
one, it's not this one,

but there is a lovely
one called Anitriptiline.

Take one a day and your
stress and problems go away.

Take 20 and you haven't got any stress

or problems ever again.

It's a lovely thought.

The thing that frightens me
the very most is not pain

because painkillers take care of that.

It's losing yourself, losing the pieces

as they fall off one by one.

As your memory goes, your body goes.

That is what makes death nice.

But you are too young to understand that.

- It can't be that bad.

- Oh, yes it can.

- I should get going.
- Uh-huh.

(soft music)

- [Theresa] I can't believe it.

- What?

- I slack off all day here,

doing everything I can to get fired,

I'm rude, I'm obnoxious,
I'm careless with money.

I have questionable shortages
all the time, right?

- Yeah, so you are the ideal
employee and he fired you?

- He's promoting me.

- What?

You're joking right?

- It's pathetic.

Me, assistant manager.

Do you know that I've been
here longer than anyone.

Fuck, I've been here longer than he has.

It's ridiculous.

I can't take it.

I mean it.

I'm going to get the
money together somehow

and I'm going to go to LA.

- Yeah, sure.

What's with all the bags?

- It's my fucking parents,
they know about everything.

Let's get the fuck out of here.

- Shit.

- I want to come.

- [Joe] No, you stay here.

Go back to work and cover for me.

- Fine.

Thanks for nothing.

- Sorry.

- Where are we going?
- Just keep driving.

- What about school?
- Fuck school.

- [Joe] Fine, fuck school, fuck work.

- Yeah, fuck it.
- Just drop out?

End up like your brother.

(percussive music)

I'm sorry, I didn't mean that.

- Don't apologize.

When I was a kid everyone

was always comparing me to him.

"Why can't you be more like your brother?"

He loved that and I hated him for it.

When he died, to be
completely honest, I was glad.

But then with him dead, he
really could do no wrong.

He became like this saint
or something to my parents

and how could I possibly compare to that?

Maybe he's better off,
maybe I would be better off.

- No, don't give me that
self-pitying bullshit

because you have no idea
how good you have it.

- You're right, I was just kidding.

What do you want to do?

- I don't know, let's just go back.

- I don't think I'm gonna make it.

- We can leave this place together.

I don't care what they think.

They're never going to amount to anything.

- What are you talking about?

It's my parents.

They found all my stolen shit.

- Oh.

It's okay, you can just stay with me.

- (scoffing) Forget it, Joe.

- It's gonna be fine.

(dramatic music)

- Hey.

Can I bum a cigarette from you?

- No.

- Hey.

- [Tim] How did you find me down here?

- I followed you.

It's freezing.

- You all right?
- Yeah.

(soft music)

Chill out.

Stop.

- What the fuck, man?

What?

Why did you fucking
follow me out here then?

Faggot!

(soft music)

- Mr. LaBlanc.
- One second.

- I was just wondering if
you had my recommendation.

- There you are.

- Thanks.

(soft music)

- One way to LA please.

- The next flight is at 6:35
a.m. connecting in Boston.

- 6:35?

Jesus, there's nothing earlier?

- No.

- Okay.

That's my plane.

- When do you want to return?

- No, I said "one way".

As in never coming back to Maine.

- Okay, but it's less expensive

if you get a round trip ticket.

- I know but like I said,
I'm not coming back.

- Okay, I'll put you down
for a return flight Thursday

and you can just tear that ticket up.

- Thank you.

Thank you very much for caring.

- [Woman] You need 57 more dollars.

- What?

Shit.

Let me check.

Can't you give me a break?

- No, there is nothing I can
do, it's all in the computer.

I need 57 dollars more.

- All right.

6:35 a.m. right?

- That's right.

6:35.

- Hold the ticket.

I'll be back.

I am going to be on that plane.

(soft electronic music)

- Hey.

What are you doing here?

- [Andrew] It's a fake ID.

I made it for you.

- Thanks.

- I want to use it tonight, at the Styxx.

- Really, what's that?

- It's the only gay bar in Bangor.

Don't play stupid with me,

I know you wait in the parking
lot looking for action.

- Fuck off.
- I'm serious.

I want to go.

I want to see what it's like.

- Okay.

(soft music)

- Could I get a beer please.

- [Bartender] Sure can
I see your ID please.

- Hold on.

- [Bartender] You want
another gin and tonic?

- Yeah sure.

Can I buy you a drink?

- Sure.

I'll have a banger instead.
- Sure, no problem.

- Thanks.
- Thank you.

- [Bill] Want to go back to my place?

- Sure.

(soft music)

- [Man] ID.

Thanks.

- I'm gonna get a beer.

You want something?

- [Joe] Yes, I want a beer.

- Two beers, no wait, make that three.

What?

(soft electronic music)

(soft music)

(eerie ambient music)

(upbeat dance music)

- I have to go take a piss.

- Hurry the hell up.

- All right.

- Can I get a beer?

(upbeat dance music)

- Hey buy me a drink?
- Do I know you?

- You fuck, you are one
of those footballers

that beat me up last week.

- Listen, I'm sorry I
don't know how to explain

but it wasn't me.

- Yeah, yeah, whatever how
much money have you got?

- Listen, I didn't do anything.

- You would have to pay me to
have sex with you so you got

to pay to beat me up.

Better than nothing.

Come here.

Come here.

Give me a kiss.

Come on.

(Andrew grunting)

Don't mention it.

Tomorrow, when all your little friends

at school ask how the football star

got a black eye tell them
that faggot gave it to you

when you tried to give him a kiss.

Vodka Collins.

He's buying.

- And two beers.

(upbeat dance music)

(dramatic music)

- Do you recognize me?

- Yeah, you're the guy
from upstairs at the club.

- Where are we going?
- Where do you want to go?

- My friends are upstairs.
- Yeah?

Well we can go back upstairs
or we can stay here.

- You really don't recognize me?

- Should I?

- You just look really familiar.

- Yeah well it's a small fucking world.

- Got any money?

- [Richard] How much do you want?

- 100.

- Yeah maybe you better go back upstairs

and see your friends.

- Okay,

50?

40?

- I'll give you 20,

and if you can get it hard
I'll give you 20 more.

Ouch, fuck.

- Sorry-
- Shit.

- I slipped.

- [Richard] What's wrong
with you, mother fucker?

Where are you going?

- I'm going to go find my friends.

Here is your 20 bucks.

- [Richard] Get the fuck out of here.

Hey Tim.

Let's get the fuck out of here.

(dramatic electronic music)

- Where the hell were you?

- Do you remember that boss
I had when I was a kid?

I told you I worked at
that furniture warehouse

when I was 10 years old.

He was here tonight.

- I thought you made all that up.

- No, that really happened.

C'mon I want to get out of here.

- Okay 6:35 a.m. to Los Angeles.

- Gate 3B boarding in 20 minutes.

- Thank you.

- Hold on.

Here's your change.
- Thank you.

- [Woman] Have a pleasant flight.

- Yeah, I will have a pleasant life too.

- You did it, you really did it.

Good for you.

(upbeat music)

- Joe.

What is that?
- What?

- On the TV.

- It's just my crazy sister.

(Joe sighing)

- What's that?
- Nothing.

You're drinking a beer already?

- I'm hung over.

I should be going.

- Yeah.

- Victor, take a look at this.

- What is it, Joe?
- An acceptance letter.

I got into the Rhode
Island School of Design.

- Congratulations Joseph,
I really do mean that.

- Thank you.

I couldn't have done it without you.

I don't know how I am
going to pay for it yet

but I'll figure it out.

- We will find a way, Joe.

Don't you worry.

- Ken, with Theresa gone
and all, I was wondering

if maybe I could take over her job?

- What do you know about
Theresa taking off?

- I don't know, she
didn't tell me anything.

She just took off.

I am her brother, remember.

- She didn't tell you anything?

- No, like I said,

I'm her brother, remember?

She doesn't tell me anything.

Why?

What is there to tell?

- Nothing.

- Well, I was wondering
with her gone and all,

if I could get some more
hours, maybe take over her job?

- Sure.

Why not?

- Who is going to be our first contestant?

Come on guys, somebody come up.

(crowd cheering)

(upbeat dance music)

(crowd cheering)

- What the fuck are you looking at?

(crowd cheering)

- [Sandy] Get up there and
shake your groove thing.

Come on guys there has got
to be someone out there.

Anybody want to get up and sing, shake,

dance do whatever you want
to do we don't care, anybody?

(upbeat dance music)

I think we have a winner.

(crowd cheering)

- [Sandy] Make sure it's all there.

What's wrong with you?

- Nothing, I'm just looking for someone.

- Honey don't.

Just let him go.

Enjoy it while it lasts.

Two vodka Collins please.

Because it won't, you know, last.

Sure he's cute in an alcoholic
and violent tendencies

sort of way, my kind of guy.

- No, definitely not.

- If you say so, but you never know.

He will just meet someone like
me and he will fall in love.

It will be good for a while,

sure but eventually I
will be too demanding

or too intense and he will just explode.

You will see him again
but it won't be the same,

because he is just not
going to be there, you know.

- No, you just don't know him.

He's not like that.

- You're right I don't
but you do know one thing.

He is your first true love, right?

Well you will always
have that, and nothing

and no one is ever going to take that away

from you, not even him.

- Thanks.
- Don't mention it.

(soft music)

(Andrew vomiting)

(door slamming)

- Andrew, Andrew.

- Joe.
- Where were you?

You are telling me you did not see me win

that go-go boy contest?

Did you?

- [Andrew] No, where were you?

I was looking everywhere for you.

- I had to work late.

- I need to lie down.
- You are lying down.

- Oh, then I need to get up.

- Give me your hand.

You all right?

- I'm sorry I missed it.

- It's all right.

- I love you.

- I love you too.

You jerk.

- No.

- What?

- I've got puke breathe.

- I don't care.

(man screaming)

Oh my god, we need to go come on.

- No.

- Stay here.

- What?

- Stay here.

- Hold me.

- Joe!

- Wait.

I said no, you fuck.

(Tim grunting)

Look at me.

Don't you remember me?

Tim, Tim.

- What the fuck are you talking about?

- It's me Joe, remember?

What happened to you?

- Fuck off.

- No, wait.

Wait.

(engine revving)

- [Andrew] Let's get the fuck out of here.

Come on.

Come on.

(dramatic music)

(door clicking)

- Joe, Joe?

- Yeah.
- I can tell

I can't move very well today.

Would you mind filling this prescription.

- Sure.

- You are softer than
I thought you would be.

- Is that good thing or bad thing?

- Oh it's neither a good
thing nor bad thing,

it is just a thing.

- Okay.

- Joe, could I have just one kiss?

- Sure.

- Thank you, Joe.

- You have a phone call, make it quick.

- Okay.

Hello?

- Oh my god, Joe what
took you so long, man?

It's me Theresa.

Your sister?

Your only sister!

- Where are you, you whack job?

- Was that Ken who answered the phone?

- Yeah, he was so pissed at you,

did you really take all that money?

- Yeah, I told him it was
mom on the phone though.

I think he noticed it was me.

- Speaking of mom.

Did you hear about her and Ben?

- No, how would I?

Fugitive here remember.

- [Joe] Well he's gone.

- Surprise, surprise, right?

- Really, where are you?

- I'm in LA!

Can you believe it?

I just did it.

I just got the money and
I went to the airport

and got a ticket.

It was amazing.

- Really?

What's it like?

Where are you staying?

- It's great, I'm staying
with this guy at the moment,

it's right by the beach.

He's kind of older but it's cool

because I don't have to do anything for it

so you don't worry about that or anything.

- That's cool.

Hey listen I got into RISD.

- You did?

God, that's great!

What is that?

- It's that art school that I applied too.

I don't really have the money for it yet

but I'm working on it.

- Yeah I was wondering

if maybe you could loan me a few bucks?

- Not really.

I'm sorry.

- Because I got all these things lined up.

I just need some money to tide me over

until everything falls
into place, you know.

- Have you tried calling mom yet?

- Yeah, whatever, it's
cool, you don't have

to worry about it.

- What about that guy your staying with?

Can't you ask him?

- You know what?

Someone has got to use the phone.

I have to go but I will
definitely give you a call

when I can, okay.

- Wait Theresa, Theresa?

(dramatic music)

Victor?

- What should we do?

- I don't know yet.

- We should call the police.

- No, wait.

I need you to help me
with something first.

Do you trust me?

- Yeah.

- You don't waste any time.

- [Joe] Why bother?

- I like you attitude.

- Thanks, Dick.

- [Richard] Nice place, is it yours?

- Yeah.

Do you want something a drink?

- No, that's enough small talk.

Show me your ass.

- I need you to remember who I am.

Don't you remember me?

You fucked me once, when I was a kid.

I worked for you, at the warehouse.

Don't you remember?

I need you to remember.

- [Richard] I fucked a lot of boys.

I don't remember you.

You must not have been very memorable,

you must not have been very good.

- Yeah, well I've
learned a lot since then.

- I should hope so.

- Fuck.

(both grunting)

- One, two, three.

(Joe grunting)

Come on.
- No.

- Come on.
- No.

- Come on.
- No.

- Come on.

Joe come on.

It's okay.

(dramatic music)

- [Victor] Dear Joe, by
the time you read this

I will be dead hopefully,

if I'm not please give me
a swift blow to the head

with a hammer to finish me off.

Do not feel sorry for me,
I have had a full life.

I am sorry to say goodbye to
you Joe but I hope I am able

to help you in some way.

I am leaving everything
to you, which I am sorry

to say isn't a lot, but
it should help you pay

for you art school.

Goodbye, Joe.

(soft music)

- [Joe] You would think being around

so many horrible things over,

and over again would make
you want to hide away,

afraid of the world.

That you would want to escape,

crawl into some protective
shell, become hard,

cynical and emotionally dead.

But actually it had the
opposite effect on me.

In a strange way,

it made me feel like
anything was possible.

You've just got to be awake,
aware of everything around you.

When something horrible happens,

be ready for it, expect it even,

and when an opportunity presents itself

take advantage of it, do
not hesitate for one second.

(soft music)