An Animated Life

By Robert Ale

Bill begins to struggle with the act of living because he feels lonely. His two best friends, Charlie and Alison, attempt to set him up on multiple dates, but none of them pan out. He starts to believe that he's fucked in this world, so he goes to therapy, but that proves to be inefficient too. His last hope comes from an unexpected place.

One night he draws a strawberry doughnut named Spencer on his computer and when he falls asleep, Spencer comes alive. Spencer becomes his right-hand man in every situation. When Bill goes on a date, Spencer is there to help. When Bill feels nervous, Spencer is there to help. Spencer tries his best, but sometimes Bill still manages to make himself look like an ass. The only time Bill is himself is when he's around Alison. And, while he wishes he could date Alison, he doesn't want to ruin her marriage with Charlie. But, the more Bill and Alison hang out, the more he begins to love her. Spencer tells him to back off, but Bill decides to take control of his life. He confesses his love to Alison when Charlie goes on a business trip. Alison responds positively and they end up sleeping together. They plan to tell Charlie when he gets back from his trip, but Alison accidently butt dials him, and he hears everything. Charlie decides to stay on his trip permanently. He knows Bill will be better for Alison than he ever will. And, since Bill has finally achieved his goal of dating Alison, Spencer says his congratulations and farewells. Spencer disappears into the night while Bill and Alison lay in bed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Ale
• Release date: Mar 27, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310414596

Robert Ale

I write all types of stories

Book preview

FADE IN:

INT. psychiatrist office - day

BILL, a twenty-eight-year-old with curly long hair lays on a couch.

He has his arm across his forehead. He's been in this room far too many times.

His psychiatrist, SUSAN, sits next to him. She writes something down.

Bill

I'm starting to think I'm troubled and that's it. This is my life, and this is what I have to accept.

Susan

Why do you feel this way?

BILL

Because everything I do ends up being a disaster... I went on a date the other day. You could only imagine how that went.

SUSAN

Well, how did it go?

BILL

Terribly. I spilt wine on her, I got lost on the way to her house, and I tried to kiss her even though I knew she wouldn't kiss me back.

SUSAN

Not all days are perfect. You just happened to have everything go wrong in the same day.

BILL

But, that's my point. That's how everyday has been for me. It's like I need someone over my shoulder telling me what to do. If I had that I think I'd be fine.

INT. Bill's Animation office - day

Bill draws on his computer when his boss, ERNIE, walks in.

Ernie

Hey, did you ever finish that pizza design?

BILL

Yeah, I just wrapped it up a few minutes ago.

ERNIE

Great. Make sure you send it over before you leave.

BILL

Will do.

When Ernie leaves, Bill opens up a blank file and begins to draw the pizza design.

INT. bar - night

Bill and his friends, CHARLIE and ALISON, drink some brews.

BILL

You guys are lucky, you don't have stressful jobs.

Alison

I work at a hospital.

Charlie

And, I'm a businessman. It might not be as stressful as working in a hospital, but you draw shit all day.

BILL

I have deadlines. Everything always needs to be perfect. Sometimes these clients can be a little bat shit crazy.

ALISON

Don't even get me started on people being bat shit crazy. That's all a hospital is.

They all take a sip of their beers and there's a beat or two.

BILL

Do you guys think I'm fucked?

CHARLIE

What do you mean?

BILL

Like, in the world? Do you think I'm too fucked up to survive in the world?

ALISON

You made it this far.

BILL

Barely. I feel like I can never please anyone or get anything right.

ALISON

You can't please everyone all the time.

BILL

I know that.

CHARLIE

Where's this coming from?

BILL

Just the last few years of living. They've been rough... I can't seem to get or keep a girlfriend. I barely finish my work up on time... I'm just starting to wonder if this world is for me.

CHARLIE

Dude, you need to start seeing that psychiatrist a little more.

INT. pSYCHIATRIST OFFICE - day

Bill looks unhappy about being here.

SUSAN

Do you think it's really a good idea to stop coming here?

BILL

That's the thing. I don't know what's a good idea and what's a bad idea anymore.

SUSAN

But, to answer my original question?

BILL

Yeah, I think it's a good idea to stop coming here... You're so god damn expensive, and where have you gotten me?

He waits for an answer, but she's not going to answer that.

BILL (CONT'D)

You've gotten me nowhere. Maybe, you even set me back a little, bringing up emotions and feelings I suppressed. You know, I suppressed them for a reason. I don't want to deal with all the bad shit that happened to me as a kid as an adult. I have other problems right now.

SUSAN

I think if anything, you should come more often. And, you should really consider taking the medication I prescribed to you.

BiLL

So, I could be another zombie in the world? No thanks. I can't take something some asshole made in his lab by accident.

Bill sits up.

BILL (CONT'D)

You've been great, but I think I need to solve my problems myself.

SUSAN