Fun Life written by Kelly McCready 405 Broadway, 3F, Brooklyn NY 11211 2167444038 kellymccreadynyc@gmail.com OVER BLACK: MIM (V.O.) Honestly? I'm fucking fantastic. FADE IN: INT. NYC SUBWAY CAR - DAY The camera swoops in on MIM (30s, the ideal woman: smart, funny, and uninhibited), swinging on a NYC SUBWAY POLE. PASSERSBY can't help but appreciate her MAGNETISM. She dances, high on life. Because, to be fair, SHE'S KILLING IT. INT. NYC STREET - DAY Mim exits the subway and walks through the streets of New York, which SHE MIGHT AS WELL OWN. MIM (V.O.) I really got my shit together after you left. Healthy, happy, living life to fullest. Plus, this job is a fucking godsend. INT. OFFICE - DAY Mim PRESENTS confidently to a room full of COWORKERS. MIM (V.O.) I get validation from my boss that I'm good at what I do, plus it's easy, so I have enough energy for the important stuff. A good work/life balance. I found a really amazing group of friends. PHOTOS of a diverse set of FRIENDS decorate her desk area, also covered with trinkets and plants. INT. CLUB - NIGHT TWO of Mim's FRIENDS, similarly dressed in comfortable but attractive outfits, DANCE with her. They WHISPER in each others' ears and squeal with LAUGHTER, having innocent fun. MIM (V.O.) We go dancing every weekend and it's fun as fuck. (MORE) 2. MIM (V.O.) (CONT'D) Just happy ladies doing what they do. But the tacos afterwards are always my favorite. EXT. FOOD TRUCK - NIGHT Illuminated by the fluorescent lights, Mim and her two friends collect their TACOS from the CHRIST-LIKE TRUCK. MIM (V.O.) That's when we really connect, you know? As they walk, one of the friends talks about their troubles. Mim listens attentively, holding out a hand for comfort. EXT. PARK - DAY With a steely determination, Mim RUNS by in work-out gear. MIM (V.O.) I'm taking better care of myself. I've become one of those people who carries around a water bottle everywhere. I exercise 4 times a week and practice yoga. It's disgusting how healthy I am. With her eyes closed, Mim SITS in a park and FINDS PEACE. It's a beautiful day and the sun flickers through the leaves. MIM (V.O.) (CONT'D) I feel centered, literally for the first time in ages. And I'm in the perfect headspace to create. INT. MIM'S BEDROOM - NIGHT With a guitar in her lap, Mim SINGS and PLAYS something on her bed. MIM (V.O.) My songs actually... don't suck? And I'm playing them for other people. Like, sharing what I make feels nice . Shit. I never had the confidence to do that. Not even in front of you. We PAN OVER to see NATE (30s, good looking and privileged) watching her play and sing. He's rapt. 3. MIM (V.O.) (CONT'D) And I guess... I'm seeing someone. EXT. WELL LIT STREET - NIGHT Moving in slowly, we see Nate and Mim as a COUPLE. She has her arms around his neck; his arms are around her waist. MIM (V.O.) It's early days, but he's really cool. Life is full and fun and... And I can say for the first time in years... I'm happy. HOLDING HANDS, they pad along the street. How cute. EXT. PARK - DAY LAZING on the grass with her SUNGLASSES on, BRIGHT RED LIPSTICK, and a light 1950s SUMMER DRESS, Mim reads from a BOOK. It's picturesque, and she couldn't look more IDEAL. MIM (V.O.) Not sure if that bit's weird to share. But yeah. I can honestly say I'm doing great. Thanks for asking. It's a gorgeous day and Mim is at PEACE. Then a new VOICE interrupts her reverie. It's BRIAN (30s, patient, but Lord is he fed-up). BRIAN (V.O.) Are you done? JOLTED by the voice, Mim breaks from her book to INVESTIGATE. "Who said that?" She removes her sunglasses and looks around, perturbed. MIM (V.O.) What? BRIAN (V.O.) Not being rude, Mim, just asking if you were done. Because obviously you're not ready to be honest, but it's not my job to fight you on it anymore. So, I'm just letting you finish. Unless you want to start over? 4. Then we cut to the brutal REALITY: INT. BRIAN'S LIVING ROOM - DAY Mim, in all her REALNESS and PROBLEMATIC BEHAVIOR, sits across from Brian. She looks AWFUL; she hasn't slept in days. Brian, relaxed in his own home and at ease with life, is filled with empathy. But he's also done with her bullshit. MIM I am doing well. All that is true. BRIAN Look, I know we're not together-- MIM Yep. BRIAN But it doesn't mean I stop noticing things. We know each other really well, and you texted pretty late last night. My guess is, maybe, you went out because you know today was gonna be hard. I was stressed out putting your stuff together too. MIM It was just a typo. I knew you'd think that. Fuck, Brian! It's the same fight! Like a snake eating its own dick BRIAN Okay, okay. Then why were you up so late? If it's innocent it's not a big deal to tell me, right? MIM It was just a typo! I was tired! Enough with the inquisition! BRIAN The timestamp, Mim-- MIM I woke up in the middle of the night. Like a normal person. Okay? So how are you? 5. BRIAN Alright. Tired. Turns out book tours are long and boring. Sorry. EXT. PARK - DAY Back in her alternative reality, Mim reads. But now she lifts up to reveal the title: IN RECOVERY, by Brian Jacobson. Oh shit! It's Brian's book about her and she's HATE READING IT. MIM (V.O.) I'm still humiliated. INT. BRIAN'S LIVING ROOM - DAY BRIAN All I wanted was for you to be happy and healthy, but I can't do that for you. I tried. In the end my only recourse was to write. MIM Well you didn't have to publish it. That's just using me. Exploitation. BRIAN I'm a writer. And it's only my perspective, and I think people know that when they read it. My family know that. They still love you and ask about you too. EXT. PARK - DAY Mim puts her HAND out to feel the first DROPLETS of RAIN, book still in hand. MIM (V.O.) Man, this fucking sucks. I'm going. BRIAN (V.O.) Alright. INT. BRIAN'S LIVING ROOM - DAY BRIAN Still good to see you. MIM You too. So what, do we hug now? 6. He gets up and offers the HUG. And they do, just long enough that something in her GIVES IN. EXT. PARK - DAY It starts POURING with RAIN, and Mim starts getting DRENCHED. It only seems to fall on her, Truman Show style. She uses her BOOK as an AD-HOC UMBRELLA. BRIAN (V.O.) You sure you're okay? MIM (V.O.) I'm fine. Then, in even faster succession than the first go around, we see the TRUTH. INT. NYC SUBWAY CAR - NIGHT Mim is swinging on a NYC SUBWAY POLE, WASTED. PASSERSBY give her a wide berth. BRIAN (V.O.) Nobody's fine these days. INT. NYC STREET - DAY Mim exits the subway, stumbling as she goes. INT. OFFICE - DAY MIM (V.O.) I am. I'm handling everything. Mim SLUMPS at her desk, HUNGOVER and DEPRESSED. No photos. Solitary. INT. CLUB - NIGHT BUMPING into people, MIM is dancing alone. She's holding a DRINK, sweaty and her eyes unable to focus. MIM (V.O.) Never better. 7. EXT. BUS STOP - NIGHT Illuminated by the fluorescent lights, Mim is asleep with a TACO in her hand. PEE dribbles down her leg. A real low. EXT. SIDE STREET - DAY Mim SPRINTS by us. But it's not exercise - this time she's headed for a TRASH CAN. She VOMITS. BRIAN (V.O.) Why won't you trust me, even now? We've known each other for years. MIM (V.O.) Brian-- EXT. PARK - DAY It continues to rain, comically now. Mim is SOAKED THROUGH. BRIAN (V.O.) Just say it. Be honest, for once. I don't think I can be there for you in any capacity if you can't do that. The book lies face down and Mim GULPS from a FLASK. MIM (V.O.) Fine BRO BOY (V.O.) Hey. INT. SUBWAY CAR - PREVIOUS NIGHT Tucking away a flask she's just sipped out of, Mim SHRUGS. She's opposite BRO BOY (20s-30s, privileged) on the train. He's intrigued by the attractive trash pile in front of him. BRO BOY You going somewhere? MIM Nope. BRO BOY What's your name? 8. MIM You first. BRO BOY Nate. Now you. MIM Mim. You goin' somewhere, Nate? NATE Home. MIM Mmm. Home sounds nice. Can I come? He laughs. She couldn't possibly be serious. But she is. MIM (CONT'D) Why not? Otherwise I'll just sit here thinking about your dumb Cape Cod Cock in my mouth. Sounds like a wasted opportunity. So what's it gonna be, fuckboy? INT. NATE'S APARTMENT - PREVIOUS NIGHT She rolls away from Nate. In a new light, he DISGUSTS her. Mim picks up her PHONE and WINKS to read a message from hours ago, the way you do when you're drunk. The TEXT from Brian Matthews reads: "Still good for noon? Your stuff is by the door." She TYPES and SENDS: "Yeo sonuds food" MIM Fuck. She quickly corrects the message: "*Yep sounds good." Mim slides closer to Nate, resting her HEAD on his SHOULDER. MIM (CONT'D) Someone wrote a book about me once. I'm starting to think it was accurate. 9. EXT. PARK - DAY The rain continues to fall, just as heavy. But Mim has LEFT and the book lies sadly on the ground, abandoned. INT. BRIAN'S LIVING ROOM - DAY Mim breaks the hug. He wills her to tell the truth But she can't. Instead, she FLIPS A SWITCH and BRIGHTENS. MIM I texted late because I was with this guy I'm seeing. We had a great night and it went late. I just didn't want to make you feel bad or awkward by talking about it. Sorry. Over his disappointment, the sounds of the SUBWAY creep in. INT. SUBWAY - LATE AFTERNOON Mim swings around the subway pole, as before, and sits. Swaying slightly to the movement of the subway, she uses her phone as a MIRROR. She looks at herself. MIM Asking me to be honest... Fuck him. Bullshit user hypocrite. EXT. PARK - DAY Lying on the grass once again, Mim sips on a large and playful PIÑA COLADA. Lips cherry red, gorgeous dress. Not a drop of rain to be had and not a cloud in the sky. She's the voice in Mim's head, affirming and TOTALLY IN DENIAL. MIM (V.O.) Yeah, fuck that guy. You're a queen, Mim! There's nothing wrong with you. Don't listen to him. (realizing it's gone wrong) No, no, no, no... Don't cry. Don't cry, you're fine, you're fine! Everything is great! INT. NYC SUBWAY CAR - CONTINUOUS Mim nods, trying to listen. Her eyes are red raw and she's shaking. She's barely KEEPING IT TOGETHER. 10. MIM Mhm. Her hand is UNSTEADY as she gets her RED LIPSTICK to put on. MIM (V.O.) There you go. Get back to yourself. YES! Forget him! You're Mim! You're fun, you're the life of the party, you're a muse, you're living your best life. What do you say? Lipstick complete, Mim smiles at herself in the mirror. She's still a hot mess, but FUCK. It is absolutely undeniable: Mim is MAGNETIC and MAGNIFICENT. MIM I'm fucking fantastic. BLACK OUT.