"LOVE AT HEAVEN'S GATE"
CHAPTER 1
FADE IN.
INT. QUINN'S APARTMENT - OHIO - NIGHT
A small and meagerly decorated apartment with a tiny Christmas tree atop a small silent TV set. A little Christmas music plays. By the window, a large drawing board with many pencils, ink pots, brushes, and an unfinished comic strip page.
Outside, through the window, it snows. A real Christmas Eve.
From behind the sofa we see a small TV. On the TV screen, in B&W, young Jimmy Stewart runs and happily shouts through snowy streets, a scene from Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life".
There are also a bottle of Bourbon, a bottle of Coke and a bottle of Cranberry Juice and a half eaten Pizza on the coffee table.
A sniffling can be heard O.S.
SANTANA (O.S.)(crying a little)
This is still the best Christmas movie ever.
QUINN (O.S.)
Yeah. "I wish I had a million dollars".
SANTANA & QUINN (O.S.)
"Hot dog"!
Reveal QUINN (30) is a good-looking guy-next-door. At his side, SANTANA (29), an attractive gay woman, sniffles. They are both slouched on a small sofa and watching the TV.
Quinn wears his everyday clothes. Santana wears an elegant, low cut red dress. She is rather sexy and holds a glass of Cranberry juice. Quinn is eating a slice of pizza and drinking a cocktail. He seems a bit drunk.
SANTANA
This movie's such a great I'm glad it's the black and white version. I can't stand those colorized old movies.
Now on TV, Stewart warmly hugs his kids by a Christmas tree, surrounded by many people who sing. Quinn starts to weep. Santana notices, thinks it's sweet.
SANTANA
Something in your eye Quinn?
QUINN
(as an excuse)
Yeah.
SANTANA
Oh Q relax, everybody cries over this movie.
QUINN
It's not the movie.
Santana looks at him, confused.
QUINN
It's me.
SANTANA
OK, what about you?
QUINN
God, I'm such a loser.
SANTANA
You're not a loser Quinn. Why would you say a dumb thing like that?
QUINN
Because it's true Santana! Look at me. it 's Christmas, I'm thirty, and all I've got in my life is you.
SANTANA
And that makes you a loser? Thanks - so much.
QUINN
No, sorry, that came out wrong. But here I am on Christmas Eve with my
best friend. Why aren't I with my wife?
SANTANA
Uh - because you don't have one?
QUINN
Exactly!
SANTANA
So?
QUINN
So, I guess it gets to me more this time of year. I'm not getting any younger you know. I should have started a family by now.
SANTANA
(sarcastically)
Yeah, I have that nightmare too.
QUINN
My dream, your nightmare. Either way, I got nuthin'. So what's that make me then?
He takes a good drink.
SANTANA
I don't know, single?
(beat)
You're not a loser Quinn!
(smiling with affection)
Look, I hate to burst your bubble but you really are a great guy.
QUINN
So why does every girl I ever hook up with dump me?
SANTANA
(shrugging and then hugging him)
'cos you're just too much of a softie, and you haven't found your soul mate yet.
QUINN
(drifting)
Naomi.
SANTANA
What?
QUINN
Naomi was my soul mate. I could have had a dozen kids with her.
SANTANA
Oh please, she was a bitch.
QUINN
(defensive)
No, she wasn't.
SANTANA
(under her breath)
Yeah, right.
QUINN
(drifting again)
She had it all. Brown penetrating eyes, long dark hair, those cute bangs and that devastating smile. I melted every time I saw that smile.
SANTANA
She wasn't your soul mate pal, she was a manipulating bitch and a liar- and she had an ugly ass.
QUINN
I liked her ass.
EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET – NEW YORK - NIGHT
It is a clear night, full moon, over a residential neighborhood in New York City. A huge house is heavily decorated and illuminated with Christmas lights. The garden is covered with fake snowflakes. Loud party music is heard from inside the house.
EXT. HOUSE – NEW YORK - NIGHT
On the doorstep, PEOPLE smoke and drink, noisily chat and laugh. The front door opens and a couple appears.
FINN (30), relaxed, pleasant, informal, looks quite drunk. RACHEL (28) follows him. She is an attractive brunette woman with sad eyes. She appears not to have enjoyed the party. On the threshold, she stares at Finn, rather worried to see him in such state.
SMOKING WOMAN
Bye Finn. Bye Rachel.
RACHEL
See you, Tina.
Finn chuckles and starts down the stairs, stumbles drunkenly and is caught by Rachel and MIKE.
RACHEL
Finn!
MIKE
Hey Finn, watch your step pal.
FINN
Ooops! Sorry, sorry.
Finn and Rachel head to the car.
PUCK
(sarcastic, under his breath)
Yeah, have another bevy buddy.
They chuckle.
RACHEL
(to Finn)
I'll drive. Gimme the keys.
FINN
I'm okay, Rach.
RACHEL
You're not. You know how I hate it when you drink this much. And you want to drive? At night?
FINN
(nervously)
I said I'm okay! C'mon.
Rachel stops walking. The group on the stairs watches.
RACHEL
I'm not coming with you.
FINN
You what?!
(he grabs her arm)
Now you listen to me, you're my wife. You go where I go.
RACHEL
Stop it! You're hurting me!
Mike and Puck stand up in case they have to intervene.
FINN
Back off Mike!
Then, thinking the better of it, he releases her and grins.
FINN
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you honeybunch. But, I'm okay, really.
RACHEL
Finn?!
FINN
I promise. I'll drive.
(gently)
Come on.
He steps up to her and gently touches her nose.
RACHEL
(without conviction)
Don't.
He touches her nose again. Rachel can't help sadly smiling.
RACHEL
(playing his game)
Beep.
INT. QUINN'S APARTMENT - OHIO - NIGHT
On the TV screen, the movie ends.
SANTANA
(Still seated on the couch with Quinn)
So you're definitely not coming out with me tonight?
QUINN
Naw, I'll pass thanks. I'm just gonna stay home and -
(he raises his glass and toasts Santana)
- entertain myself. Ho, ho, ho.
He empties the glass.
SANTANA
Hey buddy, you might wanna take it a little easier on that stuff.
QUINN
Yeah, not so much. Not tonight anyway.
He pours another drink.
SANTANA
OK, you're a big boy.
She reaches behind her and pulls out a small Christmas present.
SANTANA
So let me make your day. Merry Christmas Q.
She hands him the gift, a Christmas card in an envelope.
QUINN
Aw San, ya shouldn't have.
SANTANA
Just open it.
He opens it and finds the card and reads it.
QUINN
Very sweet.
SANTANA
And very true.
In the card, Quinn finds a credit card of sorts. He reads it.
QUINN
King Video?
SANTANA
It's a prepaid rental card, one free New Release a week for a year, or two that aren't New releases.
QUINN
Oh man that's great. You know what a sucker I am for those Goldie Oldies. Cool! Hours and hours of free entertainment for a year!
SANTANA
Free for you.
Quinn looks at Santana with real gratitude.
QUINN
(as he gives her a heartfelt hug)
Thanks Santana, it's a really great gift.
SANTANA
You're very welcome.
They separate. There's an awkward moment. Santana becomes impatient.
SANTANA
Well?
QUINN
Well what?
She gives him a pissed off look.
QUINN
OK, ok. Don't worry, I didn't forget you.
He reaches under the coffee table and retrieves a small, not very well wrapped box.
SANTANA
Gimme, gimme!
He hands it to her.
QUINN
Here you go.
She takes the box, notices the wrapping job, looks at Quinn. He shrugs. She opens it to find a beautiful silver necklace.
SANTANA
Oh Q, it's gorgeous. Put it on me!
He puts it on her. She gets up and goes to the mirror by the door to admire it. He puts his drink on the arm rest and gets up to follow her. Standing behind her as she looks in the mirror.
QUINN
That looks beautiful.
SANTANA
Do you think it brings out my feminine side?
QUINN
It does.
SANTANA
I hope the girls at the party think so.
She lifts her boobs to create more of a cleavage, then turns to Quinn. They hug again.
SANTANA
(some small tears smudge her mascara)
Thank you Quinn, I really love it.
QUINN
My pleasure honey.
They separate. Santana turns away to get her coat.
SANTANA
Well, that's that for another year.
Santana takes her coat and Quinn helps her put it on.
SANTANA
You sure you'll be alright?
QUINN
(to make her feel guilty)
Yeah -'course - I'll be fine - really.
SANTANA
(turning back to face Quinn)
Ah c'mon, cheer up Q. Tonight it's peace on Earth and –-
QUINN
(interrupting)
Your eyes are all black.
Santana stands in front of the mirror again and realizes her mascara is smudged.
SANTANA
I'll fix that in the car.
(beat)
You sure you're not coming?
Quinn heads back to the sofa. He reaches for his drink, but knocks it off the arm rest. It spills onto the floor.
QUINN
Damn. I really have to clean that carpet again.
SANTANA
Leave it. It's kinda avant garde, artsy-type of shit, right by the ketchup stain like that.
Quinn sighs.
SANTANA
So, you coming?
QUINN
(turning back to Santana)
No, I'll pass thanks. I'll make you a promise though. This is the last Christmas I'll ever spend alone.
SANTANA
(winking)
So you're a winner after all!
He takes her to the door.
QUINN
You really think so?
SANTANA
Of course I do.
(serious)
Listen, I love you. And I don't love just anybody.
QUINN
Thanks. I love you too.
They hug again. Quinn opens the door.
SANTANA
Merry Christmas Champ.
QUINN
Merry Christmas Santana.
She exits and leaves Quinn by himself. He heads over to pick up his glass. Without cleaning the mess, he pours another drink, sits on the sofa and takes a big gulp.
INT. CAR - NIGHT
Though he has some trouble with the key, Finn manages to start the engine. Rachel fastens her seat belt.
FINN
(whining slightly)
Relax Rach. I said I was sorry?
(beat)
Hey, wanna see some magic?
Rachel simply smiles. Finn rummages under his seat and takes a small present out. He hands it to Rachel.
FINN
Merry Christmas Rach.
Rachel's face brightens.
FINN
Hope you like it.
RACHEL
Oh, Finn.
Rachel takes the present, unwraps it, and opens the little box, sized like a jewelry box, to find - a tiny MP3 player.
FINN
Now you can listen to your Broadway music anytime you want to.
RACHEL
(bitterly)
Yeah, and it won't bother you anymore.
Finn doesn't know how to respond. He just bursts out laughing and claps his hands.
FINN
(like a kid)
Okay. Where's mine?
RACHEL
At home.
FINN
Why? Was it too big to fit in the car?
RACHEL
You'll see. It's a surprise.
FINN
Well OK then! Let's go get it!
He puts the car into gear and speeds away. Rachel turns the radio on. A song plays.
SONG ON RADIO
"Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me. -"
After a while, Rachel turns to Finn.
RACHEL
Finn. Why haven't we ever talked about having a baby?
As he drives he acts as though he hasn't heard her, Finn changes the station.
RACHEL
Why don't we have a normal life?
SONG ON RADIO
"Hark! The herald angels sing
glory to the newborn king-"
Finn turns the radio off.
FINN
Hell with it! I'm sick of that Broadway Music and Christmas crap!
Rachel doesn't answer. From under his seat, Finn grabs a bottle of whisky, uncaps it, and starts to drink. Silent, Rachel stares at him with some disgust.
The car speeds up in the night.
INT. QUINN'S APARTMENT - OHIO - NIGHT
Quinn is cleaning the spilled drink on the carpet, gets up, tidies the coffee table up a bit, then pauses, looking at the bottle of Bourbon. Determinedly he picks it up, spins around and heads to the bathroom with the bottle.
INT. CAR - NIGHT
Finn still drives and sips his whisky. Increasingly drunk, he exhilaratingly sings "Winter Wonderland".
FINN
(singing out loud)
Lacy things, the wife is missin',
didn't ask, for her permission,
I'm wearing her clothes,
her silk pantyhose,
walking 'round in women's underwear -—
He laughs, by himself.
RACHEL
(mumbling)
This is definitely the last Christmas I'm ever spending with you.
He drinks up.
INT. QUINN'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM – NIGHT
In front of his bathroom cabinet mirror, Quinn stares at his own reflection. He raises the bottle of whisky and toasts himself.
QUINN
(sadly)
Merry Christmas, ya sad son-of-a-bitch.
He chuckles with irony, drinks a large gulp, as if it's ice tea, chokes, and coughs, apparently not used to drinking so much whiskey.
EXT. UPSTATE NEW YORK - NIGHT
Finn speeds up on the road. The engine roars.
RACHEL
Finn, please!
But Finn doesn't listen to her. He lowers his window and waves at nothing.
FINN
Merry Christmas, motherfuckers!
Finn does not see the pickup truck coming at the end of the road.
INT. QUINN'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM – NIGHT
QUINN
(to himself)
To Eva.
(another mouthful of whiskey)
To what was her name? Oh, right. To MacKenzie!
(another mouthful)
To Naomi.
(chuckling)
Merry Christmas, bitches.
Another mouthful.
INT. CAR – NIGHT
His head out the window and still shouting.
FINN
Merry Christmas bitches!
Finn still not noticing the pickup truck coming straight for them. Its horn begins blaring. Its headlights light up inside the car.
INT. QUINN'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM – NIGHT
Quinn, trying to drain the bottle, collapses on the tiled bathroom floor, dropping like a stone. As he falls he tips to one side and hits his head hard against the edge of the bathtub.
INT. CAR – NIGHT
At the very last moment, Finn pulls his head into the Civic and pumps the brakes. He saws away clumsily at the steering wheel and manages to avoid the pickup truck.
The car slides down the road, spins off of the side and into a ditch, then a field. Rachel screams. She protects her face with her arms. Then the car slams into the base of a tree.
INT. QUINN'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM – NIGHT
Quinn's face glued to the bathroom floor, he slowly closes his eyes.
END OF CHAPTER 1
FADE OUT.