As of now, it was never clear what problem Dani had, but now that she's dead, Austin and the Gold's are convinced she had a personality disorder. Next week, I will do some research on bi-polar disorder and different depression disorders. I will talk to Christa on the research she has done as well.
Anyway, here is what I added today.
INT- KRATNER FAMILY HOME- AUSTIN’S BEDROOM- NIGHT
Austin is in his pajamas getting ready to go to bed. He
turns out the lights, lies down in bed, and tries to fall asleep. He tosses and
turns, but he is wide awake. He turns on the lamp beside his bed, and reaches
for his backpack that is sitting next to his bed. He pulls out his netbook. He
opens up Facebook, and scrolls down his newsfeed. Numerous posts about Dani are
written. They say “R.I.P Danielle Gold, never really got to become friends with
you, but you were beautiful” or “My prayers go out to Danielle Gold and her family.
Rest easy.” He laughs slightly at the fact that everyone called her “Danielle.”
One post specifically catches his eye. He reads it out loud
AUSTIN
“It’s amazing how
someone can play such a big part in your life one day, and be gone the next. I
had so many things left to say to you, but I guess you’re never going to know
exactly how I feel. Rest in Peace Danielle “Dani” Gold. You were beautiful. I
loved you with all my heart. If I could go back in time and change how things
ended, I would.”
The post is from Jimmy De Sousa, Dani’s ex boyfriend.
AUSTIN
What a goddamn liar!
Austin slams his netbook shut, and sets it on the nightstand
next to his bed. He reaches into his
backpack, and pulls out the notebook from Dani’s locker. He flips through it,
skimming the pages. He suddenly becomes upset and frustrated, causing him to
throw the book across the room. He takes a moment and pulls himself back
together. He turns out the lights
CUT.
INT- PIZZA PLACE- AFTERNOON
Austin is sitting at a booth in a pizza place by himself,
looking around as if he is waiting for someone. A teenage boy, Jimmy, who is
around the ages of 17 or 18, sits across from Austin at the table.
AUSTIN
Hey, Jimmy. Thanks
for meeting me here.
JIMMY
No problem. (Pause)
Why am I here exactly?
AUSTIN
I… I just wanted to
thank you in person for that post you wrote to Dani. It would have meant a lot
to her knowing you actually gave a shit.
JIMMY
Of course I did. I
loved her.
Austin laughs sarcastically.
AUSTIN
Right. Anyway, I also
wanted to let you know that her wake is Friday night. It starts at 7. (Austin
takes a napkin from the holder on the table, pulls a pen from his pocket, and
begins writing) This is the address;. I
think it would have meant a lot to her if you were there.
JIMMY
Are you sure that’s
such a good idea? Me being there?
AUSTIN
I don’t see why not.
You were her first boyfriend, well, if you could even call it that.
JIMMY
I don’t know.
AUSTIN
Look, I don’t like
you. I have never liked you and I sure as hell never will, but Dani loved you,
even though I’m positive you didn’t feel the same.
JIMMY
I told you I loved
her.
AUSTIN
And that’s another
sentence we can add to the list.
JIMMY
Huh?
FLASHBACK
INT- SCHOOL CAFETERIA- AFTERNOON
Dani is texting on her phone. Austin walks to the table and
sets his lunch tray besides Dani and sits down. Dani frustratingly slams her
phone down on the table.
DANI
I hope he gets eaten
by lions.
AUSTIN
Come on Dani, you
know I love cats, but that’s a little harsh. (Pause) What did Jimmy do now.
DANI
Nothing. That’s the
thing. He always does nothing! He doesn’t even seem like he’s interested
anymore
AUSTIN
Yeah, I mean clearly
it’s rough; you guys have been dating for a whole 2 weeks.
DANI
It’s been three, and
shut up.
AUSTIN
Look, not all guys are
as amazing and as interested as I am. Just give him space. I think your scaring
him away.
DANI
Austin, have you ever
had a boyfriend?
AUSTIN
Not in this lifetime.
Dani
Then don’t tell me
how to handle mine, K?
Dani begins scribbling in her notebook that is on the table
in front of her.
AUSTIN
What are you writing?
DANI
Just keeping track.
AUSTIN
Of?
DANI
How many lies Jimmy
has told me since we started going out.
AUSTIN
Dani that’s freaky.
DANI
How so?
AUSTIN
Really? You’re asking
me that? (Pause) It’s just weird! I don’t know! Normal people don’t keep track
records of things that their boyfriends say to them.
DANI
Well now if he ever
tries to deny anything, I have proof
Austin stares at her in disbelief.
END OF FLASHBACK
AUSTIN
She kept track of
your lies in a book. She has gone through an entire 3 subject notebook.
JIMMY
What? That’s fucked
up. No wonder why she killed herself. She had issues.
AUSTIN
Shut the hell up ok? Because
we are pretty sure she actually had some type of issue. A serious issue that
maybe, did cause her to do what she did, and that isn’t something to joke
around about alright?
JIMMY
Alright, alright.
Sorry man, I had no idea.
AUSTIN
Yeah why would you?
You left when she needed you the most.
JIMMY
Are we really going
to get into it at a time like this?
Austin takes a deep breath.
AUSTIN
You’re right, but I’m
not sorry. I just can’t shake out of my mind how much you hurt her.
JIMMY
I’m not here for the
guilt trip? Alright?
AUSTIN
Well I don’t think
you’re really aware of the damage you did.
JIMMY
You don’t want to
start with me right now.
AUSTIN
Well it’s already
started. I don’t even know what she saw in you. You are a complete ass.
FLASHBACK
INT- MIDDLSEX HIGH SCHOOL- THEATER DRESSING ROOM- NIGHT
Dani is sitting on the couch in the dressing room, curled up
in a ball crying. Jimmy walks through the door, and notices Dani. He walks over
to the couch, and goes on his knees to be face to face with her.
Jimmy
You were aweso..
wait. Why are you crying?
Dani
Don’t act like you
don’t know.
Jimmy
I don’t.
Dani
Cut the crap! I just
made a fool of myself!
Jimmy
No you didn’t! You
were great out there.
Dani
That’s bullshit.
Jimmy
No its not. (Pause)
Ok, so your piano player fucked up, your guitar was out of tune. So what? You
improvised! That’s good!
Dani
You don’t get it! I’m
a freshman! That was my first time representing the school and I blew it! That’s
it. I’m going to get expelled, and I’m going to have to go back to my district
high school.
Jimmy
Whoa whoa whoa (Jimmy
put his index finger on her lips) Calm down. You aren’t going to get kicked out
of this school for one little mistake. You didn’t hurt anyone! You didn’t fail
any test! This was for fun! Now come out there and dance with me, the band is
playing now.
Dani
Oh no, I cannot show
my face out there! (She cries even more)
Jimmy
You know what you
need? (Jimmy gets down to Dani’s level, leans in, and pecks her on the lips
quickly)
Jimmy
Did that make you
feel better?
(Dani is trying to contain her smile)
Jimmy
Was that your first
kiss?
(Dani doesn’t say anything)
Dani
I can’t show my face
in front of everyone. I’m going to get torn apart by the upperclassmen.
Jimmy
Fuck them! Fuck this
whole thing!
Dani
Shhhh! They are going
to hear you out there
Jimmy
Who the fuck cares!
Let’s go fucking dance! (He gets up, and holds his hand out. Dani grabs it)
END OF
FLASHBACK.
Reflection:
It was a little hard getting into the writing process today, but once I did, I was in the exact frame of mind I was in when writing everything else that I have. I had to mess around a lot with this. I had the flashback scene written for a while, so that was easy to just add into there. My goal for today was to add as much tension to Jimmy and Austin's conversation as I could, without there being a complete blowout between them. Austin is still in a state of shock and hasn't cracked yet, however, talking to the guy that broke his best friends heart pushes him farther than he expects.
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