Scene quickly changes again. Now it is a familiar
setting from the Kevin Smith film "Chasing Amy."
Instead of seeing Ben Affleck (Holden) we see Gordo. Instead of
Jason Lee (Banky) we have Ethan. Joey Lauren Adams is instead our
Lizzie McGuire.
We're in Gordo and Ethan's studio/apartment. It's
a
rented loft-style place with high ceilings, wood floors
and sparse furnishings. There are posters on the walls,
a sort of kitchenette, a hockey net, a big TV. (with all
the trimmings - VCR, Laserdisc player, Sega, SNES), a
huge comfy couch, and two drawing boards with adjacent
desks (littered with pencils, pens, coloring pencils,
paints, erasers, etc.) - at which sit Gordo and Ethan.
They're working. Some music plays.
C.U. OF GORDO PENCILING - over his shoulder, we see
Gordo sketching Chronic in mid-attack of his arch-
nemesis - the Giggler. Gordo erases a line and re-
draws.
C.U. OF ETHAN INKING - over his shoulder, we see Ethan
outlining a pre-penciled page. He traces Bluntman
swinging from a street light.
The two work in silence. Then...
ETHAN
(not looking up)
This is one of the best street lights
you've ever drawn.
GORDO
It's the one across from the post
office.
ETHAN
Looks just like it.
GORDO
Thanks.
(beat)
What do you wanna do tonight?
ETHAN
Get a pizza. Watch Degrassi Junior
High'.
GORDO
(erases)
You got a weird thing for Canadian
melodrama.
ETHAN
I've got a weird thing for girls who
say aboot'.
The phone starts ringing. Gordo answers it, while still
drawing.
GORDO
Gordo speakin'
CROSSCUT between Gordo and Matt. He's on a phone in a
CLUB.
MATT
Matt here. Listen, I know how you
burb-fiends hate the city, but there's
a club shindig going down that I think
you'd get into.
GORDO
Where is it?
MATT
Place called Meow Mix - I'm
tempting as bar-keep.
GORDO
I don't know, Matt. We're prepping
the next issue, and we've got our big
MTV meeting in the morning.
MATT
I told her you wouldn't be interested.
GORDO
Told who?
MATT
Lizzie.
GORDO
Lizzie from last night Lizzie?
MATT
How do you begin and end a question
with the same word like that? You got
skill. Yes, that one. She asked me
to invite you. Now here's the part
where you say...
GORDO
I'll be there.
MATT
Thought so. Ten o'clock. Later.
(both hang up)
ETHAN
Who was that?
GORDO
Matt. He invited me to a club.
ETHAN
When's that faggot going to learn -
you like chicks.
GORDO
(getting up)
Not that kind of a club.
ETHAN
So when we leaving?
GORDO
We'? You can't go. He's setting me
up with Lizzie.
ETHAN
And?
GORDO
And I don't want you messing it up.
ETHAN
Like I care about your shit. Maybe
I'll hook up myself.
GORDO
(pulling on coat)
I just told you - it's not that kind
of club.
ETHAN
How does one man get to be so funny!
GORDO
(throws him his coat)
How are you going to get home if I
hook up!
ETHAN
Like that'll happen.
GORDO
Let me explain something to you, my
witless chum the other night in that
bar, we two - Lizzie and I shared a
moment, alright!
ETHAN
Oh, you had a moment!
GORDO
(brings his two pointer
fingers together)
We shared a moment. And in that
moment, one thing was made abundantly
clear: this girl loves me, my friend.
Loves-me.
THE NEXT DAY
There is a door. There's a knock at the door. Gordo
opens it and Lizzie is standing there.
LIZZIE
Somebody told me that they make comic
books here, and I've got an idea for
this story about a guy who comes to a
club and high-tails it when he finds
out this girl is pay. Any interest in
a story like that!
Gordo smiles.
FOLLOWING DAY--AIRPORT
Gordo enters. Ethan tries to balance way-too-much
luggage.
GORDO
Look at you. It's a two day trip.
ETHAN
I got the Sega in one bag, my clothes
in the other, and two months worth of
unread porn in this one.
GORDO
We're going to a convention, for the
love of God. We'll be busy from ten
till eight each day.
When are you possibly going to have
time for any of that shit? In fact,
fuck it - you're leaving some of this
shit here in a locker. Come on - give
me the two that aren't clothes.
ETHAN
Hold on.
(starts rifling through one
bag)
GORDO
What are you doing?
ETHAN
I just have to get something.
(pulls out a huge stack of
porno books)
GORDO
Who are you, Larry fucking Flynt?
What are you going to do with all of
those?
ETHAN
Read the articles. What do you think
I'm going to do with them? They're
stroke books.
GORDO
You've got like thirty books there!
We're only there for two days!
ETHAN
(leafing through mags)
Variety's the spice of life. I like a
wide selection. Sometimes I'm in the
mood for nasty close-ups, sometimes I
like them arty and air-brushed. Some
times it's a spread brown-eye kind of
night, sometimes it's girl-on-girl
time. Sometimes a steamy letter will
do it, sometimes - not often, but
sometimes - I like the idea of a chick
with a horse.
A beeping sound is heard. Gordo checks his beeper.
GORDO
Go check us in. I've gotta call
Lizzie.
ETHAN
His master's voice.
GORDO
Put that stuff away.
Gordo exits. Ethan starts packing his mags up. A
little KID enters, staring at him.
ETHAN
Hello.
Gordo finishes dialing the phone. Cross cut between him
and Lizzie at home.
LIZZIE
I hope for the sake of the women
you've dated that you're only this
quick in returning calls.
GORDO
What's up? I'm about to get on a
plane.
LIZZIE
Ohhh. Why!
GORDO
Last minute invite to the Dragon Con'.
LIZZIE
Shit.
GORDO
What?
LIZZIE
My sister's at my parents'. I was
gonna go see her.
GORDO
The one that wrote the book?
LIZZIE
Yeah. But I was staying all weekend,
and I wanted to hang our with you.
This sucks.
GORDO
You didn't get invited to the Con'?
LIZZIE
I don't do southern con's - all the
chicks have that annoying drawl. You
know how hard it is nor to laugh when
someone moans "Fuhhk me"?
GORDO
Well this sucks.
(thinks)
You know - both of us don't have to
go.
LIZZIE
Really?
GORDO
Yeah. Ethan can go by himself. It's
not like we're on a panel. It was
just a signing appearance.
LIZZIE
If you come pick me up, I'll be your
best friend.
They hang up. Gordo reacts to something OC and exits
quickly.
Ethan points to pictures in the book. The kid looks
on.
ETHAN
...And then Black Beauty couldn't take
it any longer, and he finally did some
of his own mounting.
Gordo grabs Ethan's arm and drags him away.
GORDO
What are you doing?
ETHAN
(waving to kid)
I think I want kids of my own one day.
They're fun.
GORDO
Listen to me - I'm not going. You're
going to have to do this one by
yourself.
ETHAN
What? Why?
GORDO
Lizzie's coming down for the weekend,
so I want to hang out with her. You
don't need me for this.
(taking his excess baggage)
Meantime, I'll take this stuff home.
You can keep the filth. I'll pick you
up at nine Sunday night, alright?
Don't forget to plug the Annual and
don't mention the t.v. show, okay?
Call me if you get bored.
And he's gone. Ethan stands there, open-mouthed.
HANGING OUT MONTAGE BEGINS
With the requisite music, over which we hear a
conversation between Gordo and Lizzie.
1) In the Studio, Gordo displays some of his artwork to
Lizzie, during which she pulls out a cigarette and goes
to light it. It's a child-proof lighter, so she's
having
trouble. Gordo grows a little frustrated. Finally, he
grabs the lighter and pulls the child proof tab out with
his teeth. Lizzie stares at him a bit taken aback.
Gordo spits the tab out, and lights Lizzie's smoke. He
then continues with his display.
2) Gordo and Lizzie walk through a PARKING LOT, talking.
She takes his hand and pulls his arm around her shoulder.
Gordo smiles to himself.
It's drizzling outside. Gordo drives. Lizzie hugs her
painting and pushes her bare feet against the windshield, making
footprints.
GORDO
I've always wondered what kind of
people buy those things. I can't
believe you talked him down to twenty
five!
LIZZIE
It was looking shakey when he told me
the artist was a blind cripple with a
hump-back, but I held my ground.
There's no room for sympathy in the
buyer's market.
GORDO
Where are you going to hang it?
LIZZIE
I'm not. You are.
GORDO
You want me to hang it for you? You
better hope it doesn't get out to the
girl-nation that you needed a man to
help you hang a picture.
LIZZIE
You're going to hang it in your house.
I bought it for you.
GORDO
(laughs)
Yeah, right.
LIZZIE
(looks at him)
I'm serious.
Gordo stares at her.
GORDO
Why?
LIZZIE
Because it's captured the moment.
It'll be a constant reminder - not
just of tonight, but of our
introduction, the building of our
friendship, everything. Make no
mistake about it my Friend - it's a
gift to you, from me, so you'll always
remember us.
Gordo stares ahead. Then he swerves the wheel to the
right.
EXT ROADSIDE - NIGHT
The car pulls to the side of the road. The rain is a bit
heavier now.
INT CAR - NIGHT
Gordo throws the car into park
LIZZIE
Why are we stopping?
GORDO
Because I can't take it.
LIZZIE
Can't take what?
GORDO
I love you.
LIZZIE
(beat)
You love me.
GORDO
I love you. And not in a friendly
way, although I think we're great
friends. And not in a misplaced
affection, puppy-dog way, although I'm
sure that's what you'll call it. And
it's not because you're unattainable.
I love you. Very simple, very truly.
You're the epitome of every attribute
and quality I've ever looked for in
another person. I know you think of
me as just a friend and crossing that
line is the furthest thing from an
option you'd ever consider. But I
can't do this any longer. I can't
stand next to you without wanting to
hold you. I can't look into your eyes
without feeling that longing you only
read about in trashy romance novels.
I can't talk to you without wanting to
express my love for everything you
are. I know this will probably queer
our friendship - no pun intended - but
I had to say it, because I've never
felt this before, and I like who I am
because of it. And if bringing it to
light means we can't hang out anymore,
then that hurts me. But I couldn't
allow another day to go by without
getting it out there, regardless of
the outcome, which by the look on your
face is to be the inevitable shoot-
down. And I'll accept that But I know
some part of you is hesitating for a
moment, and if there is a moment of
hesitation, that means you feel
something too. All I ask is that you
not suppress that - at least for ten
minutes - and try to dwell in it
before you dismiss it.
There isn't another soul on this
fucking planet who's ever made me the
person I am when I'm with you, and I
would risk this friendship for the
chance to take it to the next plateau.
Because it's there between you and me.
You can't deny that. And even if we
never speak again after tonight,
please know that I'm forever changed
because of you and what you've meant
to me, which - while I do appreciate
it - I'd never need a painting of
birds bought at a diner to remind me
of.
Gordo stares at Lizzie. She stares back. Then she gets
out of the car.
GORDO
Was it something I said?
EXT ROADSIDE - NIGHT
Gordo gets out of the car. It's raining pretty hard
now. Lizzie's hitching up the road. Gordo reaches her.
GORDO
What are you doing?
LIZZIE
Get back in the car and get out of
here.
GORDO
You're going to hitch to New York?
LIZZIE
Y'ep.
GORDO
Aren't you at least going to comment?
LIZZIE
Here's my comment fuck you.
GORDO
Why?
LIZZIE
That was so unfair. You know how
unfair that was.
GORDO
It's unfair that I'm in love with you?
LIZZIE
No, it's unfortunate that you're in
love with me. It's unfair that you
felt the fucking need to unburden your
soul about it. Do you remember for a
fucking second who I am?
GORDO
So? People change.
LIZZIE
Oh, it's that simple? You fall in
love with me and want a romantic
relationship, nothing changes for you
with the exception of feeling hunky-
dorey all the time. But what about-
me? It's not that simple, is it? I
can't just get into a relationship
with you without throwing my whole
fucking world into upheaval!
GORDO
But that's every relationship!
There's always going to be a period of
adjustment.
LIZZIE
Period of adjustment?!?
(hitting him)
THERE'S NO PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT'
GORDO! I'M FUCKING GAY! THAT'S WHO
I AM! AND YOU ASSUME I CAN TURN THAT
AROUND JUST BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT A
CRUSH?!?
GORDO
If this is a crush... then I don't
know if I could take the real thing if
it ever happens.
She looks at him, rain drenching the pair. She shakes
her head ruefully.
LIZZIE
Go home, Gordo.
She walks away. Gordo stands there, at a loss. Then he
turns and heads back to his car.
As he reaches the door and turns to look back at her,
Lizzie pounces on him, grabs his face and locks lips with
him, big time. He drops his keys and embraces her.
And there they stand, by the side of the road, drenched
kissing.
SCENE QUICKLY CHANGES WEEKS AND DAYS INTO THEIR
RELATIONSHIP
INT RINK LOBBY / EXT PARKING LOT - NIGHT
Lizzie marches quickly, pulling on her coat. Gordo
catches up to her. We track with them our into the
parking lot.
GORDO
So it's true?!
LIZZIE
Yes Gordo! In fact, everything you
heard or dug up on me was probably
true! Yeah, I took on two guys at
once! You want to hear some gems you
might not have unearthed - I took a
twenty six year old guy to my senior
prom, and then left halfway through to
have sex with him and Kate Turner in
the back of a limo! And the girl who
got caught in the shower with Miss
Moffit, the gym teacher? That was me!
Or how about in college, when I let
Shannon Hamilton videotape us having
sex - only to find out the next day
that he broadcast it on the campus
cable station?! They're all true -
those and so many more! Didn't you
know? I'm the queen of urban legend!
GORDO
How the hell could you do those
things?!
LIZZIE
Easily! Some of it I did out of
stupidity, some of it I did out of
what I thought was love, but - good or
bad - they were my choices, and I'm
not making apologies for them now -
not to you or anyone! And how dare
you try to lay a guilt trip on me
about it - in public, no less! Who
the fuck do you think you are, you
judgemental prick?!
GORDO
How am I supposed to feel about all of
this?
LIZZIE
How are you supposed to feel about it?
Feel what ever the fuck you want about
it! The only thing that really
matters is how you feel about me.
GORDO
I don't know how I feel about you now.
LIZZIE
Why? Because I had some sex?
GORDO
Some sex?
LIZZIE
Yes, Gordo - that's all it was: some
sex! Most of it stupid high school
sex, for Christ's sake! Like you
never had sex in high school!
GORDO
There's a world of fucking difference
between typical high school sex and
two guys at once! They fucking used
you?
LIZZIE
I used them! You don't think I
would've let it happen if I hadn't
wanted it to, do you?! I was an
experimental girl, for Christ's sake!
Maybe you knew early on that your
track was from point a' to b' - but
unlike you I wasn't given a fucking
map at birth, so I tried it all! That
is until we - that's you and I - got
together, and suddenly, I was sated.
Can't you take some fucking comfort in
that? You turned out to be all I was
ever looking for - the missing piece
in the big fucking puzzle!
(tries to calm down)
Look I'm sorry I let you believe that
you were the only guy I'd ever been
with. I should've been more honest.
But it seemed to make you feel special
in a way that me telling you over and
over again how incredible you are
would never get across.
She touches his face. He pulls back. She stares at him,
hurt and pissed.
LIZZIE
Do you mean to tell me that - while
you have zero problem with me sleeping
with half the women in New York City -
you have some sort of half-assed,
mealy-mouthed objection to pubescent
antics, that took place almost ten
years ago? What the fuck is your
problem?!?
Gordo's eyes are downcast. Lizzie waits for a response.
GORDO
I want us to be something that we
can't.
LIZZIE
And what's that?
GORDO
(beat)
A normal couple.
Gordo skulks off. Lizzie stares after him, and then
starts kicking and punching a car beside her, finally
slumping to the ground. She cries.
WHAT FEELS LIKE DAYS LATER
INT STUDIO - NIGHT
Ethan and Lizzie sit on the couch. Gordo paces in front
of them.
GORDO
I know you're wondering why I asked
you both here tonight, at the same
time, knowing that we have shit to
settle between us, separately.
ETHAN
I just figured you wanted to kill two
birds with one stone by telling her to
fuck off with me here so you didn't
have to go through the story again
later on.
LIZZIE
Fuck you.
ETHAN
Not even if you let me videotape it.
GORDO
Enough!
(they both look at him)
I've been going through things, over
and over. And I dissected it all, and
looked at it a thousand different
ways. Ethan - there's friction
between us for the first time in our
lives. You hate me dating Lizzie and
you want me to sign off on this MTV
thing.
ETHAN
How perceptive.
GORDO
Lizzie - you and I hit a wall, because
I don't know how to deal with... your
past, I guess.
ETHAN
That's a nice way of putting it. I'd
have said the whole double-stuff
thing...
GORDO
(right in his face)
I'm only going to say it once: shut
up.
(back to pacing)
Now - I know I'm to blame one way or
the other on both accounts. With you,
Lizzie - it's my fault because I feel
inadequate. Because you've had so
much experience, had such a big life;
and my life's been pretty small in
comparison.
LIZZIE
That doesn't matter to me...
GORDO
Please. I have to get through this.
(beat)
And with you Ethan - I know why you're
having such a hard time with Lizzie,
and it's something that's been obvious
forever, but I guess I just didn't
acknowledge it.
(takes a deep breath)
You're in love with me.
ETHAN
(makes a face; beat)
What?
GORDO
You're attracted to me. Just as, in a
way, I'm attracted to you. I mean, it
makes sense - we've been together so
long, we have so much in common...
ETHAN
(getting up)
Well, I've got to get home and catch
the last few minutes of Little House',
so I'll be...
Gordo grabs him, kisses him full on the lips, and pushes
him back onto the couch Lizzie reacts. Ethan - wide-eyed
and speechless - looks away.
GORDO
It's something you're going to have to
deal with. Ethan. It would explain your homophobia
and why you're so jealous of Lizzie,
and your sense of humor
ETHAN
Just cause a guy's got a predilection
dick jokes...
GORDO
Ethan. Stop. Deal with it. You'll
feel much better.
He grabs a chair from the side of the room.
GORDO
Now - at this point, you may be asking
yourself the question that I've been
going over and over in my head for the
last few days: what does one have to
do with the other?
Lizzie's face drops. She subtly shakes her head.
LIZZIE
(under her breath)
Don't.
GORDO
And when I did some serious soul-
searching, it came at me from out of
nowhere, and suddenly it all made
sense - a calm came over me. I know
what we have to do. And then you -
Ethan, you Lizzie, and I - all of us...
can finally be... alright.
LIZZIE
(again, under her breath)
Please don't say it.
GORDO
(sits in the chair; takes a
long beat)
We've all got to have sex together.
The room is silent. Ethan's eyes nearly bug. Lizzie's
head drops.
GORDO
Don't you see? That would take care
of everything. Lizzie - I wouldn't
feel inadequate or too conservative
anymore. I'll have done something on
par with all the experience you've
had. And it'll be with you, which'll
make it that much more powerful. And
Ethan - you can take that leap that
everyone else but you sees that you
should take. And it'll be okay,
because it'll be with me - your best
friend for years. We've been
everything to each other but
intimate. And now, we'll have been
through that together too. And it
won't have to be a total leap for you,
because a woman will be involved. And
when it's over, all that aggression
you feel toward Lizzie will be gone.
Because you'll have shared in
something beautiful with the woman I
love. It'll be cathartic. A true
communion. We have to do this. For
me, for both of you... for all of our
sakes. This will keep us together.
(beat)
What do you say?
Ethan stares forward, wide-eyed. He leans back into the
couch and lets out a huge sigh. Then shrugs.
ETHAN
Sure.
Gordo smiles at his friend. Then he looks at Lizzie.
GORDO
You know I need this. You know it'll
help.
Lizzie looks at him, sadly.
LIZZIE
No.
Gordo reacts, shocked Ethan lets out a sigh of relief.
GORDO
No? I... I thought you'd be into
this.
LIZZIE
You did? What does that say about me?
GORDO
But you've... you've done... stuff...
like this. This should be no big deal
for you.
LIZZIE
You don't want this.
You really don't want this. Trust me.
GORDO
I need this. This has to happen. Why
can't you see that? And how can you
not? What does that say about me?
You can take it from two guys whose
names you can barely remember, but I
ask you to share an experience like it
- where it's about intimacy - and you
say no?
LIZZIE
(inhales from her cigarette, takes a beat)
I can't.
Gordo moves to her side of the couch.
GORDO
You can. I'll be there. And when
it's over, we'll be the strongest
we've ever been because we got through
some nasty shit together. And we'll
finally be on the same level together.
And then there'll be nothing we can't
accomplish.
A tear rolls down her cheek She looks at him, sadly, and
touches his face.
LIZZIE
Oh Gordo.
(trying to compose herself)
That time is over for me. I've been
there. I've done it. And I didn't
find what I was looking for in any of
it. I found that in you - in us.
Doing this won't help you forget about
the things you're hung up on. It'll
create more.
GORDO
No it won't. I thought about all of
that.
LIZZIE
No, it will. Maybe you'll see me
differently from then on - maybe
you'll despise me for going along with
it, once you're in the moment. Maybe
I'll moan differently and then you'll
resent Ethan, and become suspicious of
us. Or you'll alienate him because of
it, and then grow to blame and hate me
for the deterioration of your
friendship. Or what if- I sincerely
doubt it, but what if - I saw
something in Ethan that I never saw
before, and fell in love with him and
left you. I've been down roads like
this before; many times. I know you
feel doing this will broaden your
horizons and give you experience. But
I've had those experiences on my own.
I can't accompany you on your's. I'm
past that now.
(touches his face; stares to
cry)
Or maybe I just love you too much.
And I feel hurt and let down that
you'd want to share me with anyone.
Because I never wanted to share you
(holds it in; gets up)
Regardless I can't be a part of this.
(beat)
Or you. Not anymore
(hugs him)
I love you. I always will. Know
that.
She releases him, then slaps him.
LIZZIE
But I'm not your fucking whore.
Lizzie storms away, stopping briefly to look Ethan up and
down.
LIZZIE
He's your's again.
She walks our of the studio. The door closes behind her.
Ethan and Gordo stand there, silently. Cut to black.
INT COMIC BOOK SHOW - DAY
It's ONE YEAR later. We're at another show, not unlike
the one from the opening.
A copy of Bluntman and Chronic' enters the frame. The
cover reads The Death Chronic', complete with a
corresponding drawing.
ETHAN V.O.
Blast from the past.
Ethan sits at his own signing table. Behind him hangs a
banner that reads ETHAN EDWARDS - CREATOR Of BABY DAVE'.
A small line is formed in front of him. He talks with a
FAN.
FAN
Do you know how much it's going for
these days? One ten. You signing it
will push that up even higher,
ETHAN
If you sell it, I want a kickback
(starts signing)
FAN
I don't know if this is true, but I
heard once that there was going to be
an animated series.
ETHAN
There was going to be
FAN
What happened!
ETHAN
(off comic)
You're looking at it. No Chronic - no
cartoon
FAN
That sucks man. That would've been
awesome.
ETHAN
Tell me about it
FAN
Is that what happened to you and
Gordon McNeil? You got into a fight
over the rights or something?
ETHAN
It was a little more involved than
that.
FAN
Whatever happened to him?
ETHAN
He quit the biz. I guess.
FAN
You guys don't talk anymore?
ETHAN
(looks OC)
No. Not really.
Ethan locks eyes with someone OC. His expression
softens.
Gordo leans against a wall on the far side of the room.
He smiles at Ethan. Ethan smiles back, and sort of nods.
Gordo holds up a copy of Ethan's new solo comic. He
points to it and gives a thumbs up.
OC FAN
Probably shouldn't have killed off
Chronic.
Ethan smiles to OC.
ETHAN
Guess not. Some doors just shouldn't
be opened.
Ethan looks in another direction, OC. He looks at Gordo
and points to it. Gordo looks in the same direction,
and then looks back at Ethan and nods.
OC FAN
You don't need that guy, anyway. You
do great stuff without him.
Ethan looks at Gordo for a beat. Then he brings his
pointer fingers together, mimicing Gordo's shared
moment' gesture.
Gordo shrugs slightly, then crosses his fingers - as if
to say hopefully'.
OC FAN
You were just carrying that guy,
anyway.
Ethan sort of smiles at the OC Gordo. Then he offers
his own thumbs up - as to say good luck'.
ETHAN
(to fan, still looking OC)
You're so right.
Gordo smiles back, nods bye', and walks off.
OC FAN
Well, keep up the good work, man.
Love them dick jokes. Love em. See
ya.
The Fan Leaves, but Ethan is watching Gordo go.
BXVKY
Yeah. Bye.
(shakes it off)
Okay. Who's next?
Lizzie sits at a separate signing table, with a line in
front of her. Miranda behind her. Lizzie dashes off
signatures in the copies of her comic.
LIZZIE
(to OC departing fan)
Thanks for reading it.
Miranda stands and rubs her shoulders.
MIRANDA
I'm going to get a soda. You want
anything?
LIZZIE
I'm fine, thanks,
Miranda heads off. Lizzie starts rummaging through her
bag.
LIZZIE
(not rooking up)
Okay, who's next!
A comic book drops on the table in front of her. It's a
comic book called Chasing Amy'.
She leafs through it, not looking up.
LIZZIE
Um... This isn't one of mine.
OC GORDO
It's mine.
Lizzie looks up sharply.
Gordo stands before her, smiling.
GORDO
I saved you one.
LIZZIE
Hi.
GORDO
Hi.
LIZZIE
(beat)
How've you been?
GORDO
Good. Really good. Yourself?
LIZZIE
Good
(beat; off her own comic)
New issue's selling like crazy, for
some reason.
GORDO
Because it's so good. I really liked
it.
LIZZIE
Thank you.
(off comic)
I haven't even seen this yet. Did it
just come out?
GORDO
A month ago. I did a really small
run. Self-financed. Only about five
hundred issues.
LIZZIE
Will I enjoy it?
GORDO
You might. It's familiar subject
matter.
Lizzie leafs through it. Her eyes get somewhat misty.
LIZZIE
Looks Like a very personal story.
GORDO
I finally had something personal to
say.
They look at each other for a beat
GORDO
I'm going to go. I don't want to hold
up the line.
LIZZIE
Yeah. I mean, it can get ugly. I
just saw this nun in line call this
small child a cunt-rag.
GORDO
(smiles)
Read that, when you have a minute
LIZZIE
I will.
GORDO
I'd like to hear your thoughts about
it. If you get a chance, give me a
call.
LIZZIE
Okay.
They look at each other for a beat.
GORDO
Nice seeing you again,
LIZZIE
Really nice to see you too.
He walks away. A few steps away, he turns and waves
again. She waves back. And then he starts moving
through the thrall of fan-boys.
Miranda returns with coffee. She follows Lizzie's
gaze.
MIRANDA
Who was that?
LIZZIE
Hmm! Oh. Just some guy I knew.
She watches him go for another beat, then.
LIZZIE
(to line)
Next
(to Miranda)
So what do you want to do tonight?
And as they fall into conversation, the show goes on.
********************