ACT FOUR
FADE IN
INT. ELLIE ROOM – AFTERNOON
Ellie stands at her full-length mirror, two dresses in hand. She holds one close to her, contemplating it. In the reflection, we see Marco sitting on her bed, flipping through a magazine.
MARCO
I can't believe you're actually going through with this whole match maker shindig. The other day you were sooo determined to focus on "Professional Ellie Nash." What happened to that?
ELLIE
Well I gave it thought and… well… I gave it thought… that's really the only explanation I can give you for that…
(beat)
Besides, the other day you were pro "Ellie Nash Moving On." What's up with your quick change of heart? I thought you'd like the idea of this whole party happening.
MARCO
Well… since Paige has her name written all over it-
ELLIE
(turning back to Marco)
Oh c'mon, Marco… still? It's been months, give the girl a break.
MARCO
I gave her a break, and she spat in my face…
(beat)
More specifically, she smacked me in the face…
ELLIE
Okay, are you mad at her because she went all diva on you?
(beat)
Or because her smack hurt?
MARCO
It doesn't matter, El… you don't treat your friends the way she treated me. You don't say stuff like that to the people you care about…
ELLIE
But, Marco… you know she didn't mean it! The stardom, the big flashy, Hollywood lights… they went to Paige's, already, semi-big head.
(turns back to mirror; inspecting the dresses)
We all… at some point… get a little too caught up in things that seem pretty big, especially if it's something way bigger than what we have going on in our often boring lives…
MARCO
I'm sorry… are you channeling Dr. Phil, or something?
ELLIE
(takes breather)
I don't know… I think… I just had a revelation or something… I don't know.
Ellie leaves the mirror, puts the dresses on her desk chair then sits on the bed with Marco.
ELLIE
(putting her hand over his)
Give her a chance, talk to her… hear her out… it wouldn't be sooo bad. C'mon, how many fights have you and I gotten in? We're still here… going strong, day by day…
Marco sighs, taking in her words. He knows she's right.
MARCO
Look, I'll consider it…
ELLIE
Thank you…
MARCO
Quick question, though…
ELLIE
What's up?
MARCO
You're vagina isn't, like, gonna have a "For Rent" sign hanging above it tonight, is it?
Ellie punches Marco in the arm, he laughs.
ELLIE
I'm not sleeping around, Marco. I'm just gonna have fun… meet some new… new people, experience some semblance of a social life. My woman parts will not be open for business…
Beat.
MARCO
When was the last time you even had sex?
Ellie's quiet. She awkwardly looks around the room for a moment. As if suddenly remembering, she quickly gets up and grabs her dresses.
ELLIE
(holding the dresses out)
So which one do you like?
Off Ellie's look of desperation to change the subject…
CUT TO:
INT. PAIGE'S LOFT – LIVING ROOM – LATE AFTERNOON
We're on an aggravated Paige as she watches something above, off screen. As we WIDEN on her, we see that the place is in the process of being decorated with balloons, colorful ornaments and hanging laces. SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE are helping get the place together.
PAIGE
(directing)
No, no! A little more to the right!
We see ALLI BANDHARI and CLARE EDWARDS standing on separate ladders, trying to position a banner, reading: "Mixer for the Vixers" on the balcony of the loft.
The girls, equally annoyed and impatient, move the banner as told.
PAIGE
Okay, now a little bit to the left. You moved it too much to the right.
They both sigh, miserable as ever.
ALLI
Please, remind me again why you're forcing me and Clare to help you decorate a party we're not even invited to!
PAIGE
Because, while I was in L.A. I got offered a ton of designer dresses from last year's fashion week… and since I only plan on wearing six out of the ten I have, I can get the rest altered for you two to wear!
CLARE
You're seriously gonna bribe us with silly dresses?
ALLI
(whispers)
Shut up, Clare, and move the damn banner…
CLARE
You're a little weak minded, you know that…
ALLI
Only when it comes to fashion, my friend!
The girl's move the banner.
ALLI
(to Paige)
How's that?
PAIGE
Perfect! Now, I need you two to go blow up a few more balloons and put them in that corner over there!
Alli excitedly gets down from her ladder. Clare is sluggish, not looking forward to the task. They walk off screen.
Paige looks the place over, satisfied with how it's all coming together.
Ellie comes into the apartment, two garment bags in hand. She's a bit confused and taken aback by the decorations.
ELLIE
Uh… Paige?
PAIGE
Ellie! Just the person who's approval I was looking for!
(re: the loft)
What do you think?!
ELLIE
I'm thinking… what is all this? The decorations… the lights… we didn't get all this the other day.
PAIGE
Oh! I went out earlier this morning and got some extra knick knacks to add flair to the place. Doesn't it look fab?
ELLIE
Yeah, sure… for an extravagant booty-call living room parade.
PAIGE
The decorations set the mood, Eleanor. Don't you want to fall madly in lust with some hot cutie or cuties tonight?!
Ellie doesn't answer.
One of the MALE HELPERS comes in.
MALE HELPER
Hey, so I got the mechanic punch machines up and running. Where do you want the ice sculpture?
ELLIE
Ice sculpture? Paige!
PAIGE
Uh, set it up on its stand in the dining room!
The Male Helper heads off. He checks out Ellie for just a moment, but his gesture goes completely unnoticed by the girls.
ELLIE
An ice sculpture? Where the hell are you getting all the money from for this?
PAIGE
Film production assistants get paid… a lot, besides… I can do what I want, it's my place.
(notices Ellie's garment bag)
Oh, are those your dresses for this evening?
ELLIE
Uh… yeah… I actually wanted your opinion on-
PAIGE
Oh don't worry about it. I got you covered.
CUT TO:
INT. PAIGE'S BEDROOM – EVENNING
Ellie is pulling up the shoulder straps of a black, vinyl dress with red rose designs on the front. Her black eyeliner is a bit thick, her lipstick is a deep red and her high heeled boots come just below her knees. She's clearly not that comfortable in the attire.
Paige steps next to her, all dressed up in a pink dress and a dolled up face.
PAIGE
You look great… a hint of classic, punk rocker Ellie Nash, mixed with a dash of the new, sexy and sophisticated one. I love it!
ELLIE
Paige, both Ellies could actually walk in their outfits, and neither of them were dominatrix…
PAIGE
This is what's gonna catch the eye of some handsome suitors tonight…
Ellie sighs, trying to adjust herself in the outfit.
ELLIE
I guess you're right…
Beat. Paige easily spots some uneasiness in her demeanor.
PAIGE
What is it?
ELLIE
What? Nothing… aside from the fact that this might chafe by the end of the night…
PAIGE
I know you… unfortunately… and I know when something is up. What is it? It's not just the dress…
Beat. Ellie contemplates, Paige waits.
ELLIE
It's just…
PAIGE
Is it the ice sculpture thing? You think it's a tad bit much?
ELLIE
No, Paige it's just…
(beat)
Yeah the sculpture… that's totally it. It just seems so out of place is all…
PAIGE
Well, just make sure you don't go into the dining room then!
Ellie just nods agreeably.
We suddenly hear a buzzing sound. Ellie goes for the pocket of her jeans on the bed, she pulls out her phone.
CELL SCREEN: Mom Calling
ELLIE
(annoyed)
I told her not to call me…
Ellie clicks "Ignore."
PAIGE
You're gonna have to talk to her at some point, Hun…
ELLIE
Well now is not the time…
A moment passes then the buzzing comes back. It's her mom calling again.
ELLIE
Ugh… you know what?
Ellie powers off the phone. The screen goes black.
ELLIE
There!
(tosses the phone on the bed)
Now, let's go out and face this damn party.
Ellie takes a breather then leaves the room. Paige happily follows her.
INT. PAIGE'S LOFT – LIVING ROOM – BALCONY – NIGHT
The girls emerge onto the balcony.
PAIGE
Well what do you think?
Ellie looks out at the party below. The loft has been transformed into a Valentine's Day themed club: red and pink decorations litter the house; everything from the balloons, floating paper maches and the lights that spiral around the room all scream "horny holiday party." But above all, the place is PACKED; everyone, from hot guy to hot girl, are crowded in the room, dancing to the pop music in the stereos, drinking God knows what in their red cups.
Ellie is completely astounded.
ELLIE
Wow…
PAIGE
And you're so welcome! Have fun!
Paige saunters off.
Ellie just gazes out at the crowd. Her look of amazement suddenly diminishes, and is soon replaced by a hint of regret and worry.
INT. CAMPUS PUB – NIGHT
The pub is closing for the night. The last of its patrons have cleared out; music plays softly in the stereos.
Eric leaves the KITCHEN from the back, putting on his jacket.
ERIC
(calling to the back)
Yeah! I cleaned up the last two tables! Alright! See yah tomorrow!
Eric grabs his bag from behind the counter and heads for the exit. Just as he turns to leave, Marco enters. Eric freezes.
MARCO
(seeing Eric)
Hey…
ERIC
Marco…
MARCO
Yeah… in the flesh…
ERIC
What are you… what are you doing here? I mean, not that you're not allowed to be here… actually, you kinda aren't since we're closed but-
MARCO
I came to talk to you. I remembered your original shift. I was just hoping it hadn't changed.
ERIC
Talk to me?
MARCO
Yeah… do you… do you have a minute, before you head home?
CUT TO:
INT. CAMPUS QUAD – NIGHT
Marco and Eric walk along the silent and empty quad; streetlights illuminate their path.
ERIC
You know I've sent you like… a thousand texts…
MARCO
Hmm… to be more precise… 27…
ERIC
Okay… 27…
Eric chuckles a bit. It's back to silence.
ERIC
Out of all those texts… you never responded. Why now? Why choose to talk to me now?
MARCO
Guess I had to take some time to realize these kind of convos don't happen over phone… text… or any type of electronic devices or social media. It needed to be done in person…
ERIC
(a bit on the defensive)
And that took a month for you to figure out?
(off Marco's look)
Sorry… I'm just trying to-
MARCO
No, no you're right… if I wanted to have this talk with you… it should have been sooner.
ERIC
You shouldn't have to make excuses. I was the one that cheated. You had every right to-
MARCO
Eric, I cheated on you…
ERIC
Uh… I'm sorry what?
MARCO
A few weeks before I… I saw you kiss that guy at the pub… I slept with someone… someone who… wasn't you…
ERIC
I'm sorry, I'm still trying to-
MARCO
I cheated on you before you cheated on me!
Eric doesn't know what to say. His soft look begins to seep into confusion… then sorrow… then, quickly, anger.
ERIC
So this whole time… this WHOLE TIME, Marco, you've ignored me… been punishing me for something you already…
MARCO
I didn't think we were meant for each other… us together, it never felt… it never felt…
ERIC
(fuming)
I would rather you tell me, damn it, then to make me feel this bad about what I did! To have me… to have me feel so bad about hurting you!
MARCO
Eric, I know, I know it's just… when I saw you kiss that guy, I saw it as a way out… a way to end things altogether, without having to-
ERIC
To tell me the truth? What kind of logic, Marco?!
Beat.
MARCO
I… I don't know, I just-
ERIC
You… you… I thought I was in love with you, Marco. I thought I was, legitimately, madly in love with you! The moment I kissed John, I knew… I just knew it wasn't right, it didn't feel right! John wasn't you…
(beat)
But you… you aren't even you…
MARCO
(softly)
Eric…
ERIC
So… how could I have been in love with someone I didn't even know in the first place?
With a look of pure disgust, Eric turns and walks off.
Marco remains there, anguished, regretful, hurt.
SMASH TO BLACK.
END OF ACT FOUR