THE REST OF MY DAMN LIFE (SERIES TWO): A Ranting Klown series

 

 

EPISODE 24

THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

(Jane and Charlie have problems, while Daria wants to know more about Patrick, and Christie deals with a problem)

 

 

Scene I (INT, Night, Daria and Neill's dorm)

(Daria and Patrick are sitting on the couch reading, when the phone rings)

 

DARIA

Damn phone...making noise

 

PATRICK

Couch soft. Phrasing fragmented.

 

DARIA

Very funny

 

(Daria gets up and answers the phone)

 

PATRICK

I thought so

 

DARIA

Hello?

 

QUINN

Hi Daria!

 

DARIA

Neill's not here

 

QUINN

I wanted to talk to you....where is he?

 

DARIA

Don't know, don't much care. So....you wanted to talk about something?

 

QUINN

It's about the SAT's

 

DARIA

Just fill in all C's on the multiple choice and go back to dreaming about alligator shoes, or bunny fur earmuffs, or whatever animal you kids are wearing today...

 

QUINN

First, Ewwwww! Secondly, I wanted to ask you, how did you handle the stress?

 

DARIA

Stress?

 

QUINN

Yeah, you know the expectation...

 

DARIA

Expectation? Who is this?

 

QUINN

Daria! I've been doing pretty well since I've been getting tutored and you gave me all those books you didn't need...

 

DARIA

You know, I didn't give them to you. I just left them behind.

 

QUINN

Whatever, now Mom and Dad expect me to get into a good college, and I feel overwhelmed...

 

DARIA

Quinn?

 

QUINN

Yes?

 

DARIA

I don't really think I have any advice for you, because I used to release stress by annoying you, but I will say this. Did you ever feel overwhelmed by that whole social schedule fashion...thing?

 

QUINN

Yeah, I guess...

 

DARIA

Well, how did you deal with that stress?

 

QUINN

(Silence)...shopping.

 

DARIA

Bingo, so, do some shopping and then get back to studying. Besides, if you actually convince Mom that shopping is beneficial to your grades, I bet you could get some bribe money out of her.  Send me a cut of the bribe though.

 

QUINN

Thanks Daria, now I know how you can talk to Aunt Amy.

 

DARIA

Well, must be getting back to Patrick (Daria covers mouth)

 

QUINN

Who's that?

 

DARIA

Patrick? (Daria looks at Patrick and Patrick looks back) He's my....I'll call you back...

 

(Daria hangs up phone and looks at Patrick)

 

PATRICK

Lemme Guess, we need to have the relationship talk?

 

DARIA

Probably, how about we postpone these talks for 2 weeks?

 

PATRICK

You always come up with the best plans

 

DARIA

You learn how to make plans when you've lived in a jailhouse for about 18 years.

 

PATRICK

Ain't that the truth?

 

Scene II (INT, Night, Jane and Lucy's dorm)

 

(Charlie looks up from schedule book)

 

CHARLIE

Well, how about Tuesday night?

 

JANE

Can't. Going to a ballgame with Neill. He has to learn about the seedy underbelly of American culture somehow...

 

CHARLIE

Damn, that means in between my...shooting schedule and your class schedule, we hardly have enough time for each other...

 

JANE

I know, it sucks...

 

CHARLIE

What if I move this shoot here, and this one here? What are you doing on Wednesday night?

 

JANE

Going to the Boston Fine Arts gallery

 

CHARLIE

Field trip?

 

JANE

No, Neill suggested it in exchange for the ball game

 

CHARLIE

Can't you cancel one of those?

 

JANE

I don't break plans...

 

CHARLIE

You know, you seem to be seeing a lot of Neill lately

 

JANE

Yeah, just one of those things I guess...

 

CHARLIE

That's what I'm afraid of

 

JANE

What?

 

CHARLIE

It's just that, you two seem to have this history. It's just a bit...weird...

 

JANE

Jealous?

 

CHARLIE

Well...

 

JANE

There's nothing going on between us, Neill's the perfect gentleman despite his lifestyle. He wouldn't take advantage of me

 

CHARLIE

Well, how do you explain all the inside jokes between you two?

 

JANE

Friends have inside jokes, listen...its purely platonic between us. Besides (she grabs Charlie's jacket), you have nothing to worry about... (She kisses Charlie)

 

CHARLIE

And you two never went out?

 

JANE

I got here at the start of semester and met you a short while later, it's not like we had time for anything to happen. We did have a fling a while back though...

 

(Charlie withdraws)

 

CHARLIE

What?

 

JANE

Charlie, it was nothing...

 

CHARLIE

A fling that you forgot to mention...

 

JANE

Do you mention all your sexual partners to your girlfriends?

 

CHARLIE

I suppose you have a point, it's all in my mind. (He goes back to Jane) It's not like you lost your virginity to him or anything...

 

(Silence)

 

(Jane looks away)

 

CHARLIE

Oh...you've got to be kidding me! I'm out of here!

 

(Charlie storms out)

 

JANE

Wait!

 

(Lucy bumps into Charlie on the way in)

 

LUCY

Well, he certainly seemed to be off in a hurry

 

JANE

Yeah...

 

Scene III (INT, Day, Christie's Dorm)

 

(Christie wonders around dorm)

 

CHRISTIE

Now, if only I could stop talking to myself, I may be able to convince people that I'm sane

 

(Christie continues to walk around dorm)

 

(She picks up a photo of her and Sandi)

 

CHRISTIE

The stupid thing is of course, is that I know how to fix this...but I can't bring myself to do it. Not even for Sandi, and do I want to get back with somebody who I can't commit to? Ironic.

 

VOICE FROM OUTSIDE

Guy #1 Are they making out yet?

Guy#2 I can only hear one voice

Guy #3 Shut up, they may hear us

 

CHRISTIE

Sorry boys, it's just me in here

 

VOICE

Guy #2 She's just talking to herself, what a weirdo, I'm outta here man

 

CHRISTIE

Yeah. I'm a weirdo alright.

 

(Christie picks up phone)

 

WOMAN

Hello?

 

CHRISTIE

Hi Mom, it's me....

 

MOM

What's wrong Christie?

 

CHRISTIE

I don't know who I am, and the one thing I want is something I can't possibly achieve...

 

MOM

Remember Christie, we're small town folk. We don't always know what you're talking about right away...

 

CHRISTIE

Not even Freud could figure out my mind...

 

MOM

Has this got to do with, you know....

 

CHRISTIE

Yeah...it does...

 

MOM

Well, you know where to reach him

 

CHRISTIE

Yeah, I do, and I've tried, but I can't...I just can't. I know I have to if I want to go where I want to go, but...I am a disgusting human being....not able to love....

 

MOM

That's a bunch of crap and you know it

 

CHRISTIE

Mom?

 

MOM

If you hadn't had the power of love, you and your father still wouldn't be on speaking terms. I know you can do it, If you want it enough.

 

CHRISTIE

I have to go

 

MOM

Got something you have to do?

 

CHRISTIE

Yeah, thanks Mom...I love you....

 

MOM

Okay, I love you too

 

(Christie hangs up phone and dials)

 

MAN

(Thick Italian-America accent)

Hello?

 

(Christie is silent)

 

MAN

Ahh...if it isn't my stalker? Listen, you may not say anything, but I know you're in Boston...

 

CHRISTIE

Hello

 

MAN

She has a voice, praise the Gods!

 

CHRISTIE

You don't know me...

 

MAN

Well Gee Whiz, you figure that one out on your own? What do you want?

 

CHRISTIE

I'm...

 

MAN

Yeah?

 

CHRISTIE

I'm your daughter

 

Scene IV (INT, Day, Pizza Palace)

 

DARIA

I was there, and he was there, but I had no idea what to say

 

JANE

And you say your sister is feeling the pressure of performing academically? It has been a weird day for you

 

DARIA

What made you call Charlie your boyfriend?

 

JANE

Don't know...it was just after... (Jane looks at Daria). Just knowing he was going to be there, knowing he was going to be loyal, I just...admired those qualities I guess...

 

DARIA

Oh...well, I just think I don't know anything about Patrick

 

JANE

Well, what do you know about him?

 

DARIA

Not much. I know he's a rower, does Lit, doesn't like pudding skin and he's a nice guy.

 

JANE

Wow, that's not much. Perhaps you're better off where you two are at the moment...

 

DARIA

Trouble in paradise?

 

JANE

I guess you could say that, Charlie's just getting a little paranoid is all.

 

DARIA

What about?

 

JANE

Neill and I

 

DARIA

Huh?

 

JANE

Exactly. I told him we're just friends, but he didn't seem to believe me.

 

DARIA

I know what that feels like

 

JANE

Hey! Does that mean you're going out with Neill on the side?

 

DARIA

I don't even want to think about that one

 

JANE

Well, you already live together. Just sleep together and you two would be married.

 

DARIA

You know, if I murdered you right now, I'd have grounds for justifiable homicide

 

JANE

Knowing your mother, you'd probably get away with it too...

 

DARIA

So, your stuff with Charlie going to work out?

 

JANE

Probably. It's all a bit of a storm in a teacup if you ask me...

 

DARIA

Storm in a teacup?

 

JANE

Yeah...

 

(Daria stares inquisitively at Jane)

 

JANE

What?

 

DARIA

Nothing...

 

JANE

You know what you have to do?

 

DARIA

Take them all out?

 

JANE

Nope. You have to sit down with Patrick and talk

 

DARIA

I don't do talks

 

JANE

Don't worry about it, she'll be right.

 

(Daria again looks at Jane inquisitively)

 

JANE

What!?

 

DARIA

Nothing...

 

JANE

Well good

 

DARIA

Alright then

 

Scene V (INT, Day, Patrick's/Neill and Daria's dorm)

 

(Daria walks to an unidentified dorm room)

 

(Daria knocks)

 

(Steve answers)

 

STEVE

Hey, weird chick, what do you want?

 

DARIA

You...live here?

 

STEVE

Yah, what's it to you?

 

DARIA

Is Patrick around?

 

STEVE

I think he got back from training a while ago

 

(Patrick comes to the door)

 

PATRICK

If it isn't the Lovely Daria Morgandorffer

 

DARIA

Hi. Can we talk?

 

PATRICK

Uh-oh. Talk. I suppose we can, but we better go somewhere else

 

(Patrick leaves with Daria)

 

(Switch to Neill and Daria's dorm)

 

DARIA

So, I guess why I stumbled that time is because I realised I don't know that much about you

 

PATRICK

Well, I'm not a very interesting person

 

DARIA

Indulge me

 

PATRICK

I wish you'd say that more often. Fire Away.

 

DARIA

Name?

 

PATRICK

Patrick Kelsey

 

DARIA

Star sign?

 

PATRICK

Virgo. I thought this was going to be hard hitting

 

DARIA

Three favourite books

 

PATRICK

Hmm....1984, Brave New World and Great Expectations...

 

DARIA

Okay, strange...favourite food?

 

PATRICK

Green eggs and ham?

 

DARIA

Can you please take this seriously?

 

PATRICK

I'm sorry. I'm just not very interesting. I'd rather know all about you...

 

DARIA

Oh...

 

(Neill enters)

 

NEILL

G'Day kids! What's the good word?

 

PATRICK

Felafel

 

NEILL

Listen, I heard Jane was having some troubles, you know anything about it Daria?

 

DARIA

Me? Uh....no...

 

NEILL

Alrighty then. I'm just off to make a phone call. You two kids enjoy your game.

 

(Neill leaves)

 

PATRICK

Is he always so condescending?

 

DARIA

Yes, but only when he's awake.

 

Scene VI (INT, Day, Christie's Dorm)

 

(Christie talking into phone)

 

CHRISTIE

I guess I just want to know, why you abandoned me...

 

MAN

I didn't abandon you. Your mother left me, and you behind. I got a postcard from her about 10 years ago, she was in Turkmenistan, although it wasn't called that back then. So, I was left alone with you, and you've got to understand, back then I couldn't look after a house plant. Hell, I still can't look after a house plant.

 

CHRISTIE

So you thought leaving me in an orphanage was the right thing to do?

 

MAN

Try and see this from my point of view

 

CHRISTIE

Okay, you're left with your daughter and you dump her into an orphanage so you don't have to accept responsibility for me.

 

MAN

Hey! It wasn't like that at all!

 

CHRISTIE

Like hell it wasn't!

 

MAN

It was the right thing to do! You stood a helluva better shot if I weren't around to screw up your life.

 

CHRISTIE

Oh, and spending time in an orphanage didn't do that at all!

 

MAN

Hey, from what you've told me, you found people that are warm and kind. That's a lot better than the upbringing I could have provided.

 

CHRISTIE

You could have at least tried!

 

MAN

Do you know how old I was when your mother left me?

 

CHRISTIE

(Quietly) No...I don't.

 

MAN

I was 16, and so was she. Do you think a 16 year old had the capacity to look after a child on his own?

 

CHRISTIE

What about relatives, couldn't have you left me with them?

 

MAN

What? The chain smoker and the alcoholic? And don't even get me started on her parents. Besides, if I left you with them and went to school, I wouldn't have been raising my child, would I?

 

CHRISTIE

Instead you just let the state do it for you.

 

MAN

Listen, Christie is it?

 

CHRISTIE

Yeah

 

MAN

 Anyhow, you think I liked letting you go?

 

CHRISTIE

Seemed as if I were a burden.

 

MAN

Listen, I was the burden on you. Not the other way around. There was no way you could have grown up right with me around as a role model, so I thought I could give you a fighting chance. It was still painful though.

 

CHRISTIE

Couldn't you of at least tried?

 

MAN

I did. It's not like you were yanked from your mother and then immediately dumped in the orphanage.

 

CHRISTIE

Oh

 

MAN

I tried my heart out for you. I dropped out so I could try to look after you. But it just wasn't going to work. You were a baby, and needed stuff I couldn't provide without working 2 or 3 jobs. So social services suggested that I take you down to St. Marks before you were in serious danger.

 

CHRISTIE

And that's where my father worked as a priest.

 

MAN

You got raised by a priest? See? You probably got a good upbringing.

 

CHRISTIE

Apart from the years of separation after I came out.

 

MAN

Excuse me?

 

CHRISTIE

I'm a lesbian.

 

MAN

Oh...neat?

 

CHRISTIE

I get that a lot

 

MAN

Listen, I've got to go to work, but where are you at the moment? I could look you up if you wanted to talk some more.

 

CHRISTIE

I'm Christie Elliot, Raft Campus, Boston.

 

MAN

Holy crap! You got into Raft!?

 

CHRISTIE

Well, it's amazing how well you can do in High School if you're not distracted by all the boys...

 

Scene VII (INT, Late Day, Neill and Daria's dorm)

 

(Daria is sitting on couch reading)

 

(Neill enters from Kitchen)

 

NEILL

Listen, I'm just going to the shops to get some groceries, did you want anything?

 

DARIA

Apart from dignity? No thanks.

 

NEILL

You know, sometimes I have a very hard time understanding you...

 

DARIA

Likewise

 

NEILL

Righto then.

 

DARIA

Do we need more groceries?

 

NEILL

Not really, but Jane's coming over tonight, so I thought I'd cook her dinner, do what a mate would do, you know?

 

DARIA

So...Jane agreed to your invitation?

 

NEILL

Nah, I was planning on stealing her away in the middle of the night, of course she agreed. Besides, I can't exactly exert myself with the whole 'crutches' thing...

 

DARIA

I suppose not

 

NEILL

Okay shortie, see you when I see you.

 

(Neill exits)

 

(Daria picks up phone and dials)

 

JANE

Yo

 

DARIA

Hey

 

JANE

Hey, what's up?

 

DARIA

Nothing much. Heard you're coming over tonight.

 

JANE

Yeah...

 

DARIA

You don't think it's a bad idea?

 

JANE

What?

 

DARIA

Accepting a dinner invitation from someone that your boyfriend is accusing you of having an affair with?

 

(Silence)

 

DARIA

Jane?

 

JANE

What are you saying?