[SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS]
[OMINOUS BELLS]
[SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS]
[HEAVY BREATHING]
[DOOR SLIDES OPEN]
[OMINOUS BELLS]
[SOUND OF DOOR OPENING]
[OMINOUS SOUND ESCALATES]
[ROCK MUSIC]
[TV TURNS OFF]
[DOOR CLOSES]
[ENGINE STARTS]
[MUSIC]
Shit… Better be worth it.
I'm sure it is.
Why…
Are you in it?
Bet you'd make a great fu-
Is there anything else I can get for you?
Got myself a car out back if you wanna…
Twenty-four ninety-nine.
Hey Alex.
Morning Karen.
Hurry up, class gets out soon and kids park around the corner.
Two for ten Craig.
Ahh, you're killing me.
Who else would do this for you?
Tim's brother turns 21 in a couple of weeks.
This doesn’t even give me that drunk anymore…
You're building a tolerance kid…
Two for Ten.
Okay.
Later.
[SCHOOL BELL RINGS]
[CARTOONS PLAY]
[FOOTSTEPS]
Hey there, how'd work go?
Was okay.
You get any sleep?
Sure did.
I could probably whip something up real quick for ya.
I'm fine, Thanks though.
Really, I don't have time.
Hey, you work on Saturday?
No, Why?
Well, I was thinking,
do you want to come to the beach with me?
For mom?
What?
I just think it's time we…
You know, she would've liked it if we spread her ashes…
On the beach…
Oh no, no.
Jesus.
I mean spread them in the ocean.
It's what she would've wanted, ya know.
Is it? Since when?
Well, I’m not speaking for her-
You're not…
We moved here because she loved the ocean,
and I just think it's the right time.
Yeah, maybe.
Dad, I really can't be late to work anymore.
Well what if I drive?
Save on gas?
You really don't have to do that.
So, Saturday it is?
That'll work.
So it was just, I dunno, so dark out that you could barely make out what they were doing,
But, you knew what they were doing…
How could you not, right?
So anyway, the guy, right?
He just one of those big muscle types.
He just kept calling her "babe",
"Babe”.
It's like, all he could say,
Hello!
Oh, so anyway, the girl, right?
Oh my gosh.
She was so pretty.
But she look so bored… Like she's standing in line for the pharmacy or something,
Get it?
Cause STDs and…
Don't look at me like- What?
But anyway, so the guy, right.
He didn't even care that she was bored.
It was just more and more of the "babe" stuff.
It's like he- WOMAN: Sorry, do you work here?
Me?
No.
Yeah, what's up?
WOMAN: Um, do you have a "used" section?
Sure.
It's right over there in the corner.
Thanks.
Yeah,
You saw me talking…
God, you get some rude people- Anyway…
So, oh, the best part there was another girl.
She just "poof" appeared out of nowhere.
I don't know where she came from-
Right.
You don't know where she came from-
She don't even know where she came from.
Poof.
She was there.
She looked like-
I don't see how you could be that boring having sex with someone.
[TAPES FALL]
It's never boring around here, I'll tell you that.
Excuse me.
Um…
Do you have any, any films where people are sleeping?
What?
uhhh, like…
…films with people sleeping.
Sleep films?
I don't think so.
Is it a fetish tape?
-No one is sleeping with anyone?
It's just, um.
people.
sleeping.
I'm really sorry.
I could ask my boss if you want us to order something…
No, it's fine.
Um…Thanks.
Weird man, you got some weird people in here…
So the entire movie's about this macho guy and these sad girls?
…They're bored ok, he, should be sad.
So, can I switch it out?
Sure.
Here or the bins?
Bins.
Karen?
Oh my god, Karen!
It's been so long.
I can't believe it.
Wow, Blair.
You look great!
You too! When did you get in?
Have you seen anyone?
I've actually been here for a while.
Oh yeah.
Have you been down to shore pub?
I thought that's probably where we'd meet up.
That'll be twenty-two forty-eight, you want a box?
No actually. I'll just carry them out.
Um, I live here now.
Really?
I thought you went to DC or…
Yeah, I did, after my mom died, I came back to live with my dad.
Help around the house, you know.
God, I'm so sorry to hear that.
When did she-
A while ago…
You're short a couple bucks.
Oh.
Oh please-
You don't have to do that.
It's nothing really.
Keep the change.
Are you still coming to the reunion?
When is it?
Next weekend.
It would be really fun if you came.
Everyone would love to see you.
Yeah, maybe.
Thanks again.
It's nothing.
[TV ADD PLAYS]
[PHONE RINGS]
Hello?
Yeah.
What?
Who, brought what?
No, I'll just come now…
Yeah.
Bye.
You leaving?
Just stepping out for a smoke.
Where is it?
What?
Oh, the package.
Um, it's on the desk in the back there.
Any idea what it's uh,
No.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
Julianne.
Yeah, from hidden treasures.
Can we meet?
No, uh, not the Shore Pub.
Sure.
In an hour?
See you then.
[INAUDIBLE CHATTER]
Try some gin?
I don't really like gin.
You seem less tense.
That… that tape.
…what was that?
You felt it?
Those people even know what's happening?
A couple of years ago I couldn't sleep.
I was really depressed…
Just felt like shit all the time.
And um…
I was dating this guy that was into some weird stuff.
He the one filming?
He liked to watch porn while we had sex and we'd always go to this one store where he'd
ask me to pick something out.
He got off on it.
The store had this section for tapes brought in by customers and…
The guy thought it was pretty gross but,
I got curious and I found this one that didn't have a case or markings or any-
Here you go.
You got me a drink.
You got me a tape.
So, what happened when you watched it?
Well you know.
Yeah.
Like a weight lifted off my shoulders.
Yeah.
Why did you give me a tape?
Well…
The way you looked at me,
I… knew.
And the tapes help you know, they helped me for a while.
I got a job and things were actually okay for a bit…
But when I got let go, it just all came
rushing back and I couldn't sleep anymore.
It was just… a fricking nightmare.
Why did you come to my store?
Well I came here to get away for a bit.
And I still have the old tapes.
I just wanted to see if I could find something new.
Tapes?
You have more?
Sorry… I didn't mean to-
No it's ok!
Um, do you, would you want to watch another one?
Really?
Yeah, I've got, I've got my old tapes back at the rental if…
You'd want to come over...
I mean…
Yeah.
[DOOR CREAKS OPEN]
You want a drink?
Pick one.
Have any favorites?
It's kind of thrilling not knowing which one it's going to be.
KAREN: How'd you find all these?
Here and there over the years,
I haven't watched one in a while, but I just kept collecting.
You never know when you might need one.
Have you seen all of them?
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[PEACEFUL MUSIC]
You want me to pick the next one?
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
Hey, uh, where were you last week?
Sorry, I know-
I waited for over an hour.
There was a party, my friends were relying on me.
How many do you want Craig?
Four, uh no, Five.
CRAIG: This enough?
KAREN: Yeah.
[ZIPPER NOISE]
Cool.
KAREN: All of them?
PATRICK: It's just so… where do they find these people?
You want me to return to all of them?
Come on Karen.
I know that there has to be something better in there.
I'm just tired of all these guys that are so…
Bababe Bababe bababe!
KAREN: You keep trading them in, we're not making anything.
Why don't you just, I don't know buy something new.
New?! What? No! That's even worse.
PATRICK: Look, I just want to see people fuck and enjoy it.
Okay.
Not Fuck to look cool.
Please, please, please!
Fine.
Yes, that is why you're my best friend.
Slow night?
Just the regulars.
Ehhh.
Oh uh, before you punch out, would you take out the garbage and the cardboard?
Marge forgot it last night.
Yeah, no problem.
Thanks.
PATRICK: Ooo "Seaman on the Poop Deck" or "Golden Babes"?
PATRICK: I'm going to take this in the back.
[ MUSIC ]
[ MUSIC SWELLS ]
[SOUND OF THE OCEAN AND WIND]
How about the one with the suburban house?
Or the one with the small apartment?
We've watched those.
Yeah…
Don't you have anymore?
More?
Something new?
[KITCHEN SOUNDS]
You know it took me a really long time to get all these tapes-
-I know.
I just wish there was more, you know?
[KITCHEN SOUNDS]
JULIANNE: Doesn't feel the same does it?
I don’t know.
[FOOTSTEPS]
[DOG BARKING IN THE DISTANCE]
[SOUND OF KICKED TRASH]
Julianne.
[FOOTSTEPS]
[SOUND OF CURTAIN BEING MOVED]
[ SOFT MUSIC ]
[DOOR OPENS]
[KITCHEN SOUNDS]
Beer?
No thanks.
What to watch another?
No, I'm going to try and get some sleep.
Can I get you a blanket or anything?
I'm fine, thanks.
[WHIRRING OF TV]
Do you want to grab breakfast?
Julianne?
Julianne.
[WHIRRING OF VCR]
[PHONE RINGS]
Hey.
I know, wait--
I know. I'm sorry.
I've been sick…
Tell Margaret just a couple more days, okay?
No, wait--
I don't think I'm getting any better.
Listen.
Listen, I gotta go.
Hun? Is Everything okay?
Hey, what's wrong?
Dad, please let me go please.
Is there anything I can do?
Please.
[EERIE MUSIC]
[ EERIE MUSIC SWELLS ]
[ EERIE MUSIC CRESCENDOS ]
[BEACH CROWD SOUNDS]
GIRL: Mommy can we have ice cream?
MAN: Yes.
MAN: That sounds like a great idea.
[FAMILY CHATTERING]
[SWING SET SOUNDS]
Wanna go higher?
No.
[SWING SET SOUNDS]
MOTHER: It's time to stop, Alright?
[SWING SET SOUNDS]
[TRAIN SOUNDS]
Really?
Wow, Okay,
How much do you want for it?
I don't know, What do you think?
How much was that?
Just give me whatever you think it's worth.
Uhh, is 30 okay?
You know what, it's on me.
Thanks, but-
I've been late a few times, you know- it's fine,
Come on, Karen, what do you want?
It's fine, really, just take the whole bag, okay?
Okay.
Sure.
[DISTANT DOG BARKING]
Hey.
What are you doing tonight anyway?
Oh, um…
Friend's parents are out of town. House party, you know.
Can I come?
Really?
Yeah.
Can I come?
I mean, you're not gonna know anyone…
I know.
It's going to be a bunch of kids.
Well, I like you… I'm sure your friends are nice too,
If you want.
Sorry, I shouldn't have said anything…
It's fine.
Come if you want, if you really want to.
Um.
You know, it’s just a couple of blocks away.
I'm headed there now actually if you want to walk together.
I might stop by later, maybe.
Okay. Um, it's on Terri. It's by that big tree.
There'll be people.
Alright well, see ya.
[TRAIN SOUNDS]
[DISTANT CHATTERING]
DYLAN: Oh hey, Is that Karen?
CLAIRE: Hey Blair, check it out.
BLAIR: Hey, so you're going tonight? Come over and have a beer.
KAREN: Hey.
BLAIR: Hey.
DAVID: How's it going?
Hey David, I'm alright.
CLAIRE: Want a beer?
BLAIR: So, are you coming?
KAREN: To what?
MICHELLE: Tonight's reunion?
KAREN: Oh, that's right,
Yeah, um- I mean no, I was just on a walk and heard you guys.
DYLAN: Come on, it's going to be a disaster.
CLAIRE: Really looking forward to seeing how Timmy turned out…
MICHELLE: Ugh, kill me.
[CHATTERING / LAUGHING]
DAVID: So after high school, I went to law school,
and that was crazy, I barely slept the entire time.
I was constantly studying but eventually I did pass The Bar-
and I got hired by a firm, but it really wasn't for me, ya know?
They were incredibly misguided and careless and unprofessional.
And my partner was, an absolute idiot.
They should've gotten rid of him like that.
I have no idea why he was there… he didn't work at all, he didn't care.
MICHELLE: The girls were like super nice.
They would come up to us and be like, what are you doing? Is this like a party or something?
Yeah, yeah, and then they're like, oh hey, like then they would just, just like sit down and chat with you…
Just like, yeah, you were just walking into their living room or something like that.
CLAIRE: I've decided I don't really want to go back.
It's because different groups of friends-
MICHELLE: Yeah, it is, It is way more complicated than that…
DYLAN: Some people are empowered by modesty,
JENNA: Exactly.
MICHELLE: Yeah, totally, do your thing.
CLAIRE: Do you guys remember how Timmy used to wear the same thing every day?
DYLAN: Holy Shit, That's right.
CLAIRE: I swear to God, if he's wearing a tucked in Hawaiian shirt, I'm going to lose it.
BLAIR: And remember how he always slicked back his hair?
MICHELLE: Oh my god, are you guys still talking about Timmy?
Honestly, I'd be pretty surprised if he showed up tonight.
He should've killed himself years ago.
[GASPS / LAUGHTER]
JENNA: How can you stand it?
MICHELLE: Yeah, this place is the fucking worst.
I would've never come back.
JENNA: I can't imagine having to see these people every day.
[CHATTERING / LAUGHTER]
Hey Dylan, Does anybody else have any more beer?
Uh, no, but uh- just another reason to come to the reunion - open bar.
MICHELLE: So I was there for two weeks for work and then I just decided to take the next month off and just travel and like volunteer in southern India-
Yeah, what about you?
DAVID: I don't know, I haven't really found the time.
MICHELLE: Really, you don't ever want to get away-
KAREN: What and you do?
Going away?
Go Away. Don't you ever…
DYLAN: We're talking about sabbaticals.
[NERVOUS MUTTERING]
Michelle, why don't you leave?
MICHELLE: What?
[GROUP MUTTERS IN SHOCK]
MICHELLE: What the hell is wrong with you?
MICHELE: Blair? You weren't kidding off the fucking deep end.
BLAIR: What's going on?
MICHELLE: This fuckup just told me to blow my brains out.
KAREN: I mean, you think it's funny. So, who cares, right?
BLAIRE: Do you wanna talk alone for a second?
DYLAN: Karen, I think you need to go.
KAREN: Yeah well, maybe I should kill myself too, right?
Well, I mean- I'm not. Everyone else right?
BLAIR: Karen.
KAREN: Jesus Blair, stop pretending.
All of you stop pretending.
You're all fucking dreaming.
CLAIRE: Karen, you need to calm down.
KAREN: Like all of you so fucking calm, So cool.
BLAIR: Don't be like that, Come on.
KAREN: Fuck off Blair.
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYS IN DISTANCE]
Hey, are you all right?
Is Craig inside?
TEENAGER 2: How do you know Craig?
Is he inside?
TEENAGER 01: Do you need to use the phone or something?
Shouldn't we ask Sam if it's alright?
Seems pretty wasted, I don't think he'll mind.
Phones in the living room.
[ LOUD ROCK MUSIC ]
[CROWD NOISES]
[DOOR CREAKS]
Hey
Hey! Are you okay?
Hey, hey! No, no!
No, Hey!
Wake up, Wake up,
Can you hear me? Can you hear me?
Hey! Oh shit.
Hey. Hey-
CRAIG: Karen?
Craig, your friend, What the fuck?
No look, it's fine. It's fine.
Can you get her some water?
Craig, can you get her some water?
Alright, Getting water.
Hey, Hey, Wake up.
He's going to get you some water, Ok?
Craig!
CRAIG: Ya, got it!
Here you Go.
[DRUNK GIRL MUMBLES]
Craig, what the fuck? How long has she been in here?
What are you guys doing?
CRAIG: This happens. She's fine.
CRAIG: Look, see? It's all good.
CRAIG: See, everything is fine-
-I shouldn't be here.
Sorry.
KAREN: This is really fucking stupid.
CRAIG: Where are you going?
Karen.
What's going on?
Hey!
KAREN: I don't know, I just…
CRIAG: What?
You don't think it's weird going to go party with a bunch of younger people?
KAREN: Yeah, I do, Craig.
Why did you come?
I just…
I wanted something real.
Hey.
Craig, please.
Ok!
Don't.
Ok.
I don't know why everyone thinks they can just touch me.
[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
[ EEIRE MUSIC ]
[ MUSIC SWELLS ]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[SINK RUNNING]
TOM: Your boss called.
[DISHES RATTLING]
I'm really sorry hun, but…
TOM: …he uh, well he said you'd been let go.
You didn't show up for work. You didn't even call.
TOM: Are you all right?
You want me to whip something up for you before I take off?
What is this?
What?
What is this?
TOM: Hun?
Stop with the hun, I don't want any breakfast.
Can I get you something?
You sound like a supermarket clerk.
Can you please for once be real. Just act real.
Hun, I don’t-
You're incapable of living.
What do you mean I work? I have a house.
That's not living.
What is this? You're fucking pretending like everything's okay!
Everything is fine.
How?
Mom is dead.
Just keep on pretending like everything's fine like everyone else.
I’m sorry,
Sorry?
That's it?
It's bullshit.
Be angry, be sad!
Why aren't you ever sad?
Of course I'm sad.
I miss your mother very much.
Then why don’t you show it?
Karen, please, If I did something wrong…
…I apologize, but I don't know-
It's what you don't do!
Why don't you cry or anything ever?
I have to go to work.
What?
We'll talk about this later.
[DOOR SHUTS]
[ EERIE STATIC ]
[ MUSIC SWELLS ]
[DOOR SLAMS]
[SEAGULLS CAW]
[DISTANT WAVES]
[CHILDREN SHOUT IN DISTANCE]
[SOFT THUD]
Excuse me.
[SOUNDS FROM KITCHEN]
HOST: Will it be just you today?
Miss?
KAREN: Oh sorry, yes.
Right this way.
If it's not too much trouble
would it be ok if I sit over there?
Not a problem at all.
[RESTAURANT CHATTER]
Today's special is the lobster bisque, one of my personal favorites.
Would you like anything besides water?
No. Thank you.
Of course, Your server will be right with you.
[SILVERWARE CLATTERS]
MAN: [CLEARS THROAT]
MAN: No, for a very long time.
SERVER: Hi there!
SERVER: Have you had a chance to look over our menu yet?
No, I'm sorry. It's gonna take a little bit.
Really indecisive.
SERVER: No worries, I'll come back to check on you in a bit.
MAN: …what brought it on?
BRUNETTE WOMAN: I guess that's what made it easy to leave him.
MAN: And you never wanted to have kids?
BRUNETTE WOMAN: I just never saw the point.
MAN: Did Joseph know this going in?
BRUNETTE WOMAN: Yeah, But I think for him it was something he thought would change over time.
MAN: So it's on both of you?
BRUNETTE WOMAN: It's my fault that I never wanted to have kids?
MAN: No, no- not necessarily. But, um, it's about compromise.
BRUNETTE WOMAN: Oh, there’s a difference between compromise and…
…dedicating your entire life to raising a child you never wanted.
MAN: Well, if you could change your mind about eating meat, maybe you could change…
BRUNETTE WOMAN: That is so much more insignificant-
SERVER: Sorry to interrupt, have you two had time to decide yet?
MAN: Yes, I'll do the, uh, garden salad.
SERVER: And for you mam?
BRUNETTE WOMAN: Um, ribeye steak, medium rare.
SERVER: Wonderful, I'll have it up for you shortly.
BRUNETTE WOMAN: Look, what I'm trying to say is- He new fair and well I didn't want to have kids- that's on him and it's fine.
He's already seeing someone and it looks serious…
MAN: Seems a bit quick,
BRUNETTE WOMAN: And you know, it's not as if it's about overpopulation or over consumerism…
Although I find both topics remarkably important. I just never saw myself, you know, very maternal.
MAN: That's fair.
BRUNETTE WOMAN: Do you have kids?
MAN: I can't.
[BOARDWALK SOUNDS]
[ EERIE MUSIC REPRISES ]
[BRUNETTE WOMAN SHRIEKS]
BRUNETTE WOMAN: Who are you?
What are you doing in my house?
What do you want?
Get out! Get out of my house!
KAREN: Who are you?
BRUNETTE WOMAN: What?
KAREN: Why did you leave?
BRUNETTE WOMAN: What are you talking about?
[SOUND OF SHEETS RUSTLING]
BRUNETTE WOMAN: What do you want?
You were at the restaurant today.
Did you follow me?
What do you want?
Is it money?
Do you know where you are?
Do you need me to call somebody?
Your parents?
KAREN: What are you talking about mom?
BRUNETTE WOMAN: What did you just say?
KAREN: What are you talking about mom?
BRUNETTE WOMAN: I don't understand, I'm not your mom.
Okay, um.
Why don't we go to the living room, and I will call someone to come get you.
Okay, stop!
KAREN: Mom…
Don't!
[THUD]
Mom?
Mom.
[CRYING]
[SOUND OF THE OCEAN SWELLS]
[ EERIE BLISSFUL MELODY PLAYS ]
[ EERIE BLISSFUL MELODY CRESENDOS ]
[THE SOUND OF THE OCEAN]
[CREDIT SONG PLAYS]