BRAD AND JANET'S APARTMENT - MORNING
BRAD is sitting on his couch in his flat. He's very subdued, and is flicking mindlessly through TV channels. Around him are empty take away containers, and beer cans. He wears an old tracksuit, beanie, socks ... it's obvious he isn't taking care of himself. His cell phone rings ... and rings ... and rings ... BRAD doesn't answer it. Eventually it diverts to messagebank. The phone beeps that there is a "message waiting". BRAD ignores it. He continues to flick through the TV channels for a few more seconds. There's a knock on the door. BRAD doesn't respond. In fact he turns up the volume on his TV via his remote control. There's a louder knock on the door. BRAD doesn't respond. Silence. He assumes the person has gone away and returns the TV volume to normal level. He lies down on the couch, not looking at the TV at all. He is obviously dealing with something pretty heavy. The "M*A*S*H" theme song starts up on the TV. The home phone rings. And rings. Eventually it too, goes to message ... and we hear (with much good humour): MACHINE: (Brad's voice) Hi, you've called Brad (Janet's voice) and Janet. (singing from Rocky Horror) Now we're engaged and we're so glad ... (Brad's voice) Dammit, Janet ... (Both of them) I love you! Listening to the message deepens BRAD's depression. The machine BEEPS for the caller to leave a message. After the BEEP, we hear: MICHAEL: Brad, it's Michael. BRAD is unmoved. MICHAEL: Pick up the phone. I know you're there ... watching M*A*S*H. BRAD reacts very slightly - how did he know that? MICHAEL: Mate, how many times do I have to tell you - Hotlips Hoolihan is gonna be about 70 yrs old now, bro'. Those lips have been hot so long ... they're burnt to a crisp. BRAD smiles a bit. PAUSE. MICHAEL: I'm at the front door, Brad. And the machine cuts out. End of message. Silence. BRAD doesn't know what to do. He mutes the TV. MICHAEL taps gently on the door. MICHAEL: Avon calling. BRAD gets up slowly and walks to the door. He unlocks the key, but doesn't open the door. MICHAEL hears the key turn. BRAD shuffles back to the couch and sits down. MICHAEL slowly opens the door and comes in. He sits on a chair not too close to BRAD to give him space. MICHAEL: How're you going, man? BRAD: Just great. Couldn't be better. MICHAEL: We both know that's not true. BRAD: Then why did you ask? MICHAEL: Why do you think? BRAD: Gee, I don't know, Michael. Because you heard Janet left me? Did you know she couldn't cope? Oh no, wait - she ran to you, didn't she! That's right. She must be going through the whole family ... working up in age. Dad'll be next. MICHAEL: Janet didn't 'run' to me. She came to me to ask for help in dealing with ... all this. END OF FIRST PAGE |