EXT. cheap roadside motel - NIGHT

The RAIN pours down as the neon motel sign flickers.

InT. motel room - nighT

A GUN

A .38 REVOLVER sits on the floor in between a GIRL's feet.  Drops of water bounce off the end of the barrel.  A BABY CRIES in the background.

THE GIRL

JULIA MAYNARD, 17, sits quietly on the edge of the bed, soaking wet, with her wet hair plastered to her face.  The weight of the world is on her shoulders.  The Baby lies behind her, still crying.

She picks up the gun and puts it in her mouth.  She pauses for a moment and takes a deep breath.

THE BABY

A GUNSHOT rings out followed by the sound of a body falling on the floor.  The Baby's crying slows to a whimper.

 

INSERT -- TITLE

 

AGE 27

EXT. CEMETERY - early morning

RUSS MAYNARD, 27, walks uphill through endless rows of headstones.  The cemetery is still as the morning dew glistens across the hills. 

He sits down next to a small headstone that we see from behind.  A painful memory lies beneath the hopeful gaze in his eyes.

RUSS

(to headstone)

Sorry I haven't been by in a while.  I've been real busy with everything.  I was down in the city last week... I don't know... I just felt like going...

Russ pulls out a postcard of Salvador Dali's "The Enigma of Desire" and a Ziploc sandwich bag from his backpack. 

RUSS

I brought you something.

He puts the postcard in the bag and places it against the headstone.

RUSS

I saw it in the museum shop and I remembered how much you liked him.

Russ stares at the stone for a moment.  He allows himself to smile for a brief moment.

InT. unIVERSITY LIBRARY - DAY

The library is filled with college students cramming for finals.  Russ studies at a table with KRISTEN, 21, a beautiful unassuming girl.

KRISTEN

Do you think I can get away with painting Lincoln as a paranoid schizophrenic?

RUSS

Well, being that he's Caldwell's role model, you better make sure you have your facts straight.

KRISTEN

You don't think he'd be objective?

RUSS

I think you have a C average, and pissing off the professor should be a lot lower on your priority list.

KRISTEN

Playing it safe, huh?

RUSS

I have an A in this class and I plan on keeping it that way.

KRISTEN

The Russ Maynard school of higher living.

RUSS

That's right.  It's time that you enroll.

KRISTEN

Jessica and I are going over to The Lantern tonight for a few beers.  Why don't you come with us?

RUSS

Thanks, but I have stuff to do.

KRISTEN

Liar.

RUSS

I do.  I have plans.

KRISTEN

(flirting)

C'mon Russ.  You keep shooting me down.  I'm starting to get a complex.

RUSS

(uncomfortable)

Trust me, Kristen, it's not you.

KRISTEN

Bullshit.

RUSS

I'm serious.  There is nothing less cool than a twenty-seven year old part-time freshman hanging out at a college bar. 

KRISTEN

You and your rules.

RUSS

Call it what you like, but my tolerance for Goldschlager shots is not very high.

KRISTEN

How about dinner?  Just the two of us at a nice mature restaurant.

RUSS

Personally, I think you could do a lot better.

KRISTEN

No I can't.

RUSS

(laughing)

Thanks.  Let's get through finals first and then we'll talk about it.

KRISTEN

Okay, but I won't wait forever.

RUSS

Got it.  Now get some studying done.  As rebellious as it may be, Lincoln bashing won't help you graduate, young lady.

She smiles at him and reluctantly returns to her books, but this is unfinished business. 

InT. youth shelter - nIGHT

Russ plays cards with two nine year old boys, SHAWN and CARLOS, in a lounge while other boys watch TV and play games in the background.

RUSS

What else did you guys do today?

Shawn

We beat the Robins again.

RUSS

How did you pitch?

Shawn

One run in three innings.

RUSS

That a boy.

(to Carlos)

How about you?

CARLOS

I bunted and got hit by a pitch.

RUSS

You just have to reach base.  That's all that matters, boys.

Shawn

Carlos loses eye contact with the ball.

CARLOS

I do not.

SHAWN

Yes you do.  You're not gonna hit the ball if you don't watch it.

RUSS

(to Shawn)

Why don't you teach him?

SHAWN

He won't let me.

RUSS

You guys are best friends, right?

SHAWN

Uh huh.

RUSS

(puts his cards down)

Let me tell you something.  Best friends need each other.  And I'm not talking about baseball anymore.

(points around the room)

I'm talking about this place.

SHAWN

What about it?

RUSS

Getting by... growing up here with all these other people.  The two of you need each other more than you realize.  You're more powerful together than you are on your own.  Does that make sense?

SHAWN & CARLOS

Yeah.

RUSS

Good.  Because sometimes your best friend is the only thing you have.

InT. yOUTH SHELTER - hallway - lATER NIGHT

Russ walks down the hall alongside a female SHELTER WORKER.

SHELTER WORKER

We're taking the fourth graders down to a Yankee game next Saturday.  They all asked for you.

RUSS

I'll see.  I'm in the middle of finals right now and I work on Saturdays.

SHELTER WORKER

I understand.  I just thought I'd mention it.  I'm sure they'd love for you to come.

RUSS

It sounds like fun.

(disappointed)

I wish could make it.

SHELTER WORKER

(off his look)

Russ, I know I've said it to you before but you're doing a great job here.  These kids respond to you...

RUSS

(stops walking)

Well, I grew up in their shoes.

SHELTER WORKER

You were in St. Luke's... in the city, right?

RUSS

(reflecting)

Yeah. 

SHELTER WORKER

I remember that place.  They closed it down, didn't they?

RUSS

Ten years ago.  It wasn't quite this nice.

SHELTER WORKER

That was a different time.

RUSS

It sure was.  Anyway,  I'll see you in a few days.

SHELTER WORKER

Take care.

Russ continues down the hallway as the Shelter Worker stares after him with admiration.

EXT. state PENITENTIARY - front gate - DAY

DAVID BLAKE, 35, waits as the automated fence opens and lets him out.  A slight look of relief penetrates his cold empty stare as he steps out into freedom.  He has aged beyond his years.

A taxi waits for him.  He takes one last look back at the prison, scoffing at it, and gets in the car.

Dave

(to taxi driver)

Let's get out of here.

EXT. pack's auto repair - DAY

Russ eats lunch with PACK, mid-fifties, in front of a small auto repair shop on a deserted side road.  Both men wear mechanic's uniforms covered in grease.

PACK

How did your test go?

RuSS

I slaughtered it... absolutely murdered it.

PACK

Good job.  How many do you have left?

RUSS

I have Calculus and English Lit next week, and then I'm done.

PACK

Let me know if you need to take a few days off.

RUSS

Thanks Pack, but I'll be fine.

PACK

I'm serious.  I don't want anything to get in the way of school.

RUSS

We're stretched thin enough as it is around here.

PACK

Don't you worry about that.  You just take care of business.

A BMW pulls up to the garage.  A rich YUPPIE gets out as Pack walks over to greet him. 

Yuppie

Hi Pack, I wanted to see if the Porsche was ready.

PACK

I'm sorry but I need a few more days.

YUPPIE

(irritated)

A few more days?  C'mon it's been almost a week.  You told me it would be ready by today.

PACK

(politely)

No.  I told you that I was shooting for today but that it would probably take a week.

YUPPIE

I can't fucking believe this!  This is totally fucking unacceptable!

Russ becomes uneasy, observing from afar.

PACK

Alright, just calm down.  I'm doing everything I can.  I'm short a few men this week.

YUPPIE

(getting in Pack's face)

That's not my problem.  You guys need to get your act together.

Unable to just sit by and watch, Russ gets up and joins the confrontation.

RUSS

Hey buddy, why don't you take it easy?

PACK

Russ, go inside.  I've got it under control.

YUPPIE

(to Russ)

Mind your own business.

PACK

(anticipating confrontation)

Russ, go inside.

RUSS

(to Yuppie)

Listen, we're real sorry that your board meeting didn't go well.  But just 'cause your wife is fucking the pool boy, that doesn't mean--

PACK

Russ!

RUSS

(getting in Yuppie's face)

That doesn't mean I won't bust your skull open if you get in this man's face one more time.

The Yuppie smiles and calls Russ' bluff by playfully nudging Pack.  Russ smiles back then suddenly grabs the Yuppie's head and SLAMS his face into the hood of the BMW, busting his nose.

YUPPIE

(screaming)

AHH FUCK!!  MY NOSE!

RUSS

(grinding his teeth)

You had to try me.

Pack pushes Russ off him.

PaCK

Get inside!... Now!

Russ walks away like a scolded child towards the office.

InT. the office - mOMENTS LATER

Russ waits inside the small office.  Pack enters, steaming.

PACK

Are you out of your mind?!

RUSS

What?  The guy was being a dick.  Picking on a guy twice his age.

PACK

I'm fixing his car for free now.

RUSS

I'm sorry.  Take it out of my paycheck.

PACK

I don't care about the money.  That's the only way I could keep him from going to the police.

RUSS

(looking away, guilty)

I'm sorry.

PACK

Look at me.

(pulling Russ' face towards him)

Do you wanna go back?

RUSS

No.

PACK

You've got too much to lose.  You've come too far to have it all taken away over something stupid.

RUSS

I was just trying to protect you.

PACK

I spent five years fighting in a goddamn jungle.  I don't need anyone to protect me.  The only thing I want you to do is to stay out of trouble.

InT. pACK'S AUTO REPAIR - garage - later daY

Russ works under the hood of an old car.  Pack enters from outside.

PACK

Russ, there's someone here to see you.

Russ puts down his tools and walks outside.  Standing in front of the shop holding a duffle bag is Dave, smiling at the sight of an old friend.  Russ freezes in disbelief.

Dave

Hey kid.  It's been a long time.

RUSs

Dave?

DAVE

Yep.  I bet you thought I was dead.

RUSS

When did you get out?

DAVE

A few days ago.  You're a hard man to track down.

RUSS

(stunned)

I don't know what to say.

DAVE

I don't want to bother you while you work.  When are you done?

RUSS

Seven.

DAVE

Meet me at that dive down the street.

RUSS

Okay.

DAVE

It's good to see you, kid.  You look good.

Dave walks away as Russ remains still, having seen a ghost.

InT. dive bar - nIGHT

Russ walks in to a dark smoky joint.  There are a few scruffy locals at the bar.  Dave beckons him from a corner table.  Russ notices him and walks over.

Dave

I wasn't sure if you'd come.

RUSS

(sits down)

No, I... uh... wanted to.

DAVE

So... tell me how you are.  You've been out for a few years, right?

RUSS

Almost two.

DAVE

You did good time, huh?

RUSS

I kept my mouth shut and my head down.

DAVE

Good to hear.  How's life on the outside?

RUSS

It's been good to me.  I keep busy.  I'm taking classes over at the university, trying to get my degree, and working at the garage at the same time.

DAVE

Wow, man.  It sounds like you really picked yourself up.

Russ struggles to register everything.  The moment still seems surreal.

RUSS

Like I said, I keep my mouth shut and my head down.

The WAITRESS walks over.

Waitress

You guys need anything?

Dave

Another Budweiser.

RUSS

(to waitress)

Two.

She walks away.

DAVE

Did you start playing guitar again?

RUSS

No.  I gave that up a long time ago.

Dave

That's too bad.

RUSS

(abrupt)

What are you doing here, Dave?

DAVE

(leaning back)

Well, I'm not gonna lie to you, kid.  I didn't have anywhere else to go.

Russ doesn't respond.

DavE

You're the only one who ever came to visit me in the pen.

RUSS

Your parents never came?

DAVE

No.

RUSS

What are you gonna do now?

DAVE

My parole officer says I need to get a job.  I was wondering if I could crash with you for a few days until I get on my feet.

The Waitress brings over the beers.  Russ hands her money.

DavE

I know.  I don't have a right to just walk in here after all this time and--

RUSS

Dave.

(contemplating)

It's been a long time... but I never forgot what you did for me.

DAVE

You don't owe me anything, kid.  I just don't have anywhere else to go.

RUSS

I've been there.

(lifting his bottle)

Here's to you.

DAVE

(reciprocating)

Here's to us.

InT. Russ' apartment - later nIGHT

Dave sits on a kitchen stool as Russ puts sheets on the couch.  Russ lives in a tiny, sparsely decorated one bedroom apartment.

RUSS

I'll get you an extra key.  You can come and go as you please.  I'm not here all that much.

Dave walks over to a black and white photograph on the end table. 

THE PHOTOGRAPH

Two young boys, RUSS, 11, and ERIC, 9, sitting on a city street, smiling.

DavE

Look at this.  Man, I almost forgot.  How is the little guy?  Do you still talk to him?

Russ drops the sheets and looks over at photograph.  The question throws him off guard.

RUSS

(regretful)

No.  We sort of lost touch.

DAVE

Really?  That's surprising. 

RUSS

Well, you know... prison.  It was my fault.

DAVE

Sure.

Dave walks over to Russ' entertainment center and rifles through a stack of vinyl records.  He pulls out a copy of The Ramones.

DAVE

Is this the one I gave you?

RUSS

Yep.

DAVE

Shit, I can't believe you still have this.

RUSS

Yeah.  I held on to a few things.

Russ looks over at the photograph, caught up in Dave's previous inquiry.

ExT. unIVERSITY campus - courtyard - DAY

Russ sits against a tree, studying.  Kristen excuses herself from a small group of attractive girls and walks over to him.

Kristen

How did you do?

RUSS

(looking up)

Hey.  How's it going?  I did pretty well.

KRISTEN

(excited)

I got a B plus.  It pulled my grade up to a B minus.

RUSS

(extending hand)

Put it there.

KRISTEN

(misses his hand)

Whoops.

RUSS

I told you if you cut down on your partying that you'd be all right.

KRISTEN

Why don't we celebrate?

RUSS

Umm... I don't know.

KRISTEN

C'mon, Russ.  No more excuses.  Let's go have some fun.

Russ wrestles with temptation but it's no use.  Her spirit and charm penetrate his better judgement.

InT. the lantern - nIGHT

Russ and Kristen sit at the bar, drinking beers in a noisy crowded college hangout.  Late nineties FUNK METAL plays in the background.

RUSS

I feel like a grandfather in this place.  That guy at the door didn't even card me.

KRISTEN

Are you kidding?  You're the best looking guy in here.

RUSS

Is this older man thing just an attempt to be different?

KRISTEN

Not at all.  I love mysterious men.

RUSS

You're going to be very disappointed.  I'm pretty boring.

KRISTEN

(more flirtatious)

I doubt it.

Kristen's friends walk by and wave to her.

RUSS

I'm serious.  While you and the other kids are out drinking, I'm at home reading and watching the History Channel.

KRISTEN

That sounds nice.  Can I come over sometime?

They smile at one another. 

RUSS

You don't quit.  I like that.

Russ catches a glimpse of Dave in the corner of the bar, talking to two shady characters in their thirties.  The three men clearly don't belong in a college bar.

KRISTEN

Tell me more about the Army.

RUSS

(distracted)

What?

(back to Kristen)

Oh, the Army.  It got played out after a while. 

Dave walks up to Russ and Kristen.

DaVE

Hey kid.

RUSS

(his worlds suddenly colliding)

Kristen, this is my friend Dave.  He's staying with me for a while.

KRISTEN

Nice to meet you.

DAVE

You too.  Any friend of Russ' is a friend of mine.

KRISTEN

How do you two know each other?

RUSS

(before Dave can answer)

Basic training.

Russ shoots Dave a look, ordering him to play along.

DAVE

(hesitates for a moment)

Yeah... uh... me and this guy went through a lot together.

RUSS

Yep.

KRISTEN

I have to go say hi to a few people.  But when I come back I want to hear some stories.

Kristen gets up and walks away.  Dave takes her spot.

DAVE

She's cute.  Look at you with the college girls.

RUSS

She's just a friend.

DAVE

The Army, huh?  My old man would've been proud.

RUSS

I don't exactly advertise my past so watch what you say.

DAVE

There's nothing to be ashamed of.  We paid our price.

RUSS

There's plenty to be ashamed of, Dave. 

DAVE

Whatever you say.

(looking around)

This is a cool little hang out.

RUSs

Who were those two guys you were talking to?

DAVE

Just some guys I met.

RUSS

(probing)

Did you look for a job today?

DAVE

Not really.  I need to figure out what I want to do. 

RUSS

Don't wait too long.  Parole officers hound you like dogs.

DAVE

Okay Dad.

RUSS

I'm just trying to help.

DAVE

My, how the tables have turned. 

(putting his arm around Russ)

It's good to see you, Russ.  You're the only one who ever gave a fuck about me.

A new song interrupts Dave.  The intro to "Blitzkrieg Bop" by THE RAMONES blares throughout the bar.

DAVE

Listen to that, kid.  That brings back some memories, huh?

Russ nods in agreement, letting himself get slightly caught up in the moment.

InT. Russ' APARTMENT - later nIGHT

Russ and Dave stumble in drunk, laughing at their state of mind.  Russ notices an acoustic guitar on the couch.

RUSS

(pointing)

What's that?

DAVE

What does it look like? 

(grabs the guitar)

I got it at a garage sale today.  It's a little out of tune.

RUSS

(skeptical)

A garage sale?

DAVE

(off his look)

Don't worry.  I'm not stealing shit.  Except for sixty bucks from your dresser.

Russ shakes his head, mildly amused.  Dave hands him the guitar.

DaVE

Play something.  Let's see what you remember.

RUSS

I don't know, man.  It's been a real long time.

DAVE

C'mon you pussy.  Play something.

Russ sits down and fumbles with a few basic bar chords. 

RUSS

(excited)

This is weird.  Let's see here...

Russ strums the guitar more confident.

DAVE

That's it.  Keep going.

Dave pulls a quarter ounce of marijuana out of his pocket and throws it on the coffee table.  Russ' smile disappears immediately.

RUSS

What the hell are you doing?

DAVE

(oblivious)

What?

RUSS

(shaking off his buzz, dead serious)

You bought drugs off those guys.

DAVE

It's just a little weed.  What's your problem?

RUSS

Are you out of your mind?  You just got out of the pen, Dave.  You're on parole. 

DAVE

What's wrong with you?  Are you trying to tell me that you don't smoke anymore?

RUSS

You got it.  Three beers a week is as crazy as I get.

DAVE

You didn't smoke in the pen?

RUSS

(puts down the guitar)

No.  I just sat there and waited to get out.

DAVE

I'm sorry, man.  I didn't think you'd care.

RUSS

Let's get something straight, Dave.  The Russ Maynard you knew is dead and gone.  I go to school and I work.  That's it.  As boring as it may sound, it's enough for me.

DAVE

What about that whole Army act you had going?  You can't hide from your past, kid.

RUSS

I'm not hiding anything.  It's behind me and that's where it's going to stay.  And I don't have to answer to anyone about it.

DAVE

I respect that, Russ.  I'm not coming down on you.  I admire what you've done.

RUSS

That's fine.  But as long as you're staying with me, you will not bring any drugs in here.  I'll never forget what you did for me and Eric, but I will not hesitate to throw you out on your ass.  I've fought too hard. 

DAVE

Okay.  I'm sorry.

(puts the bag in his pocket, smiling)

You're still a tough bastard, huh?

RUSS

I'm not trying to tell you what to do with your life, Dave.  But you can't sit there and tell me that you want to go back to the pen.

Dave shakes his head, thinking of the possibility.

Int. italian restaurant - nIGHT

Russ and Kristen dine at a festive Italian restaurant.  He pours her a glass of red wine.

RUSS

Do you drink Chianti?

KRISTEN

No.  I'm white trash.

RUSS

No you're not.  You're a college kid.  Without a steady intake of Keystone Light and Mad Dog, your immunities would shut down.

KRISTEN

I drink Night Train.

RUSS

Do you know who else drinks Night Train?... Homeless people.