Heathen

By James Paul Nelson

Andrew is a trust fund baby, who will inherit his father's production company when he passes away. He has all the money he could ever ask for, but after a chance meeting with a Catholic girl named Jennifer. Andrew begins to go through a philosophical transformation which he never asked for. What happens when the things missing in life are the things money can't buy? In this screenplay, James examines grand themes about love, money and legacies. A story about finding one's self and transforming into who you want to be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Paul Nelson
• Release date: Mar 30, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224383221

James Paul Nelson

Born in the Philippines, raised in Sacramento, taught by all the greats that have come before. Just another artist seeking to express his love for art in multiple forms and disciplines. Trying to be the most well rounded artist he could possibly be.

Book preview

FADE IN:

INT. LOCAL BAR - NIGHT

The sights and sounds of a typical day in this hole in the wall bar is in full effect. The alcoholics drink to suppress their pain over multiple seven and sevens and sad stories of better days. The line to the female rest room is spilling into the hallway. Among the dreary downers and hippie hipsters sits a group of guys who are lost in conversation.

They were above average guys with egos. These guys are educated, good looking and rich.

ANDREW, early 30's, sits on at the end of a booth looking a little drunk.

HARRY, early 30's, sits to the right of ANDREW looking equally drunk.

TERRY, early 30's, eats peanuts while waiting for the cocktail server to deliver the next round.

Suddenly, a cute blonde approaches the table with three beers.

Her name tag says Sam.

SAM

This round is on me gentleman.

SAM, early 20's, drops the drinks in the middle of the table.

Each guy reaches for a glass.

HARRY

Thanks Sam. I really needed this after the day I've had.

HARRY looks a little worn out and maybe ready for bed after one more drink.

SAM

Drowning your sorrows with these assholes isn't going to help.

ANDREW

What's wrong with us?

SAM smiles and ponders a response.

SAM

Really, Andrew. You guys just come in here drink like fish then try to hook up whatever shirt walks through the door.

TERRY

What's wrong with that?

SAM stares at TERRY for a moment then shakes her head.

SAM

You guys will never change.

ANDREW

Who says I want to? I like myself. I like what I do. I like who I do.

The guys share a small laugh.

SAM

You're a trust fund baby! Unlike some of us who have to work for a living. You're living off the royalties of your Dad's movies! You are probably going to inherit his company when's he's gone without doing anything to deserve it!

ANDREW pauses for a moment.

ANDREW

Well.

HARRY spills a little of his beer on himself while trying to drink as SAM says that.

HARRY

Boom! Sam is dealing a no hitter tonight.

TERRY

Technically she's been dealing a no hitter every night. None of us has ever slept with her.

ANDREW

Not for lack of trying. Does it have comb webs down there?

SAM

Screw you, Drew! I like guys who are honest, sincere and polite. Just because you have money doesn't mean I would give it up to you. I'm not like all the shallow gold diggers that hook up with you to buy a Prada bag!

ANDREW

You're missing out because it tastes like strawberries and it can pound you harder than your vibrator.

TERRY and HARRY begin to laugh loudly.

TERRY

Yeah, he's drunk. No mas for Drew.

SAM

Talk yourself up because I don't care, you're not going home with me tonight or any night. Go find a sad girl to manipulate and rain your money on. That's all your good for.

ANDREW looks a little offended.

ANDREW

All I'm good for? Tell you what.

ANDREW pulls a wad of cash out of his pocket.

ANDREW

Money doesn't mean anything to you huh. Let me show you want money can do.

ANDREW walks away from the table and approaches a group of girls a few tables down. He begins a conversation with the ladies as the other guys and SAM look on a little confused.

Suddenly, the group of girls stand up and follow ANDREW back to their table.

ANDREW

Sam, this is Crystal, Michelle and Debbie.

SAM wonders what exactly ANDREW is up to.

ANDREW

I brought them here to help alleviate our views on the topic of money.

SAM

Okay.

ANDREW

Let's play a little game ladies.

The girls look at each other a little confused.

CRYSTAL

What kind of game?

ANDREW counts out one thousand dollars in cash. He takes five hundred and motions for the guys to stand up and walk over to him.

ANDREW

This game is simple. I need two lady volunteers.

TERRY and HARRY look at each other a little confused.

TERRY

Why are we doing this?

HARRY

Yeah, what gives?

ANDREW continues to explain.

ANDREW

The game is simple. Each girl will pin five hundred dollars against the wall with their nose. Each guy will have a chance to distract each girl in a attempt to get her to lose focus and drop the money on the floor. Whichever guy that gets either of them to drop the money first gets to keep that five hundred dollars. The other girl left standing also keeps the five hundred.

The guys smile and nod their heads in agreement to the situation.

MICHELLE

You're on!

DEBBIE

I can outlast you.

ANDREW smiles.

CRYSTAL

There are three girls and only two guys.

ANDREW

Okay.

ANDREW takes out another five hundred dollars.

ANDREW

The girl who sits out of the contest will have a bet with me. If she can correctly pick which girl who loses the contest then she will win this five hundred off of me without being in the contest.

The ladies smile and agree to the terms.

TERRY

So who's in and who's sitting out?

The girls begin to talk amongst themselves.

DEBBIE

I'll sit out the contest.

HARRY

Okay.

ANDREW

So who do you think folds first?

DEBBIE

I think Michelle drops the money first.

ANDREW

Okay. Bet.

ANDREW hands MICHELLE and CRYSTAL five hundred dollars and they proceed to go to the wall and pin the money up against the wall with their noses.

ANDREW