Original subtitles

Help!

This is great. Yeah!

This is great, man!

How are ya?

Can't complain. Yeah, cool.

Cool? Totally. It is. I'm very psyched. Oh.

You should be, Johnny.

This is a great thing.

Thanks, man. It's great to be alive!

Totally! Oh, shit.

Clear!

What's up, man?

Not much.

You're not dressed.

Lay off.

It's not that I don't like it. What?

Nothing. So?

So, nothing.

Okay. Is that okay? Hmm, excellent.

Thank God, man. You get stranger every year.

You look good, John.

Where's Leah?

She didn't make the trip.

Why not?

Oh, we broke up.

Shut up.

I'm serious.

Shut up.

I'm serious.

You broke up?

We broke up.

Why?

Complicated. Why?

She didn't like the way I dress.

Come on, man. Don't joke.

Actually, I'm not.

Well, tell me what happened.

Oh, I get stranger every year.

Come on, Vince.

What, man? She thinks I am a dick.

She sends her apologies for not coming. She says she's sure it's going to go,

you know, fine.

I don't believe it.

She does.

Why did you break it? Hey, I don't know!

Sorry, man.

Yeah, man.

Well... What, is it permanent?

Yeah, permanent. It's a dead horse, amigo.

Vince.

What did you do?

Why do you say that?

Because I know you.

What, you think I'm a dick?

Uh, no, uh, but I do know that occasionally you have a tendency to act

phallic fashion. Yeah, I'm not like that anymore.

You're not a dick? No. You're not a dick anymore? You see what I mean? Hey, I'm

just asking what happened.

What? What a lot of things.

Like? Like, I don't know, like she says, I'm, I'm reckless.

Right? What, in general?

Yeah. Okay.

You weren't specifically reckless recently?

Not particularly specifically, no.

Be honest, Vince.

I am. Did you fuck around?

No. Vince! I didn't.

So what happened?

Uh... She thinks I have violent tendencies.

Oh, boy.

John, I never touched her.

I never said you did.

Yeah, well, she thinks I have...

unresolved issues which occasionally manifest themselves in potentially

ways.

What?

I think it's fair to say she has a point.

Yeah, well, no one's saying she doesn't have a point. So what? She's got to

break up with me?

She's probably scared.

God, I'm what? I never threatened her.

You sometimes present a threatening appearance.

Dude, we have been going together for three years.

So what?

I mean, you'd think she'd be used to it by now.

That's a tricky woman.

What's tricky?

I'm just saying it's tricky. Women these days have no reason to hang around

potentially violent guys. It's not an attractive quality to them anymore. Too

many other guys out there with resolved violent tendencies.

Oh, well, I'm out of fashion.

Look, don't be a fool. Yeah, well, don't be a politically correct fuck.

Hey, I'm not. I'm telling you you're an idiot if you think chicks are going to

put up with your bullshit.

What bullshit?

Uh, like playing rough.

I didn't play rough with her.

Vince. What? I love you.

Oh, great.

But come on. What?

You don't not play rough. I totally do not play rough.

Yeah, fuck!

Okay, man, look, I'm just sorry you broke up, all right? I'm sorry for you

Don't be sorry for that, bitch.

Fine, Vince. I'm just sorry for you, okay?

Next subject.

Well, she says if I get my act together, keep going to the meeting, stop being a

dick, you know, she might consider talking to me again.

Good.

That's great, man.

Should we get some dinner?

Gotta wait for a call.

From who?

None of your business.

From Leia?

No.

Okay.

You ready for your big day tomorrow?

You're mad.

I'm not mad.

Hey, buddy.

You're allowed to be. I'm not mad. Don't be a fag. Okay?

I'll find somebody else.

That's true.

Who appreciates my dark side?

Yeah, you know, but the thing is, if you could maybe find a way to learn

something from all this, then you wouldn't have as large a dark side.

Learn what?

Learn to deal with some of your violent tendencies.

Well, how?

By acknowledging them.

Right?

By making some type of...

truths with yourself, where you're not always in constant battle to prove your

integrity, your self -worth, you know, whatever it is you think nobody gets

about you.

I don't think there's anything to get about me.

Vince, your idea of manhood is putting on Eddie Cochran and screwing your girl,

okay? Hey, I'm a simple man.

Great. Well, it's not like that anymore.

Women want other things.

guys who don't put their fists through windows, who don't throw phones across

the room, who don't stalk their girlfriends across the same thing.

All right. All right.

All right.

Where'd they got you, Stan?

Oh, they got me over in town at the Radisson.

Nice. Yeah. It's nice.

Lansing Film Festival.

Yeah. That and can.

Yeah, still, it's a good gig.

It's a good cheap thrill.

Why you gotta dump on it?

It's a good gig.

I got big expectations.

I spent two years of my life on this film. I want it to be, you know, in a

theater near you.

Yeah, well, it is. It's playing right over on the... Yeah, but you had to come

all the way to the middle of fucking Michigan to be there for one screening.

All you need is one of those guys from, uh...

Whatever, right? Disney. To be there tomorrow.

They see it. They like it. Boom!

Next thing you know, you direct a freewheeling four.

Hey! Hey!

Hey! Hey!

Dude, come on. I'm starving.

What time is it?

It's quarter up.

You want a beer?

Aren't you supposed to be getting your act together?

I'll wait till I get back.

Oh, this is good.

Okay, Vin, right here.

This is what he's talking about.

Right here.

John, if I wanted to hang out with my mom... Well put.

I don't know what...

What do you got going on in that bag, Vince?

Beer.

How much?

A lot.

I don't know why I said you had violent tendencies. Oh, why?

Warm beer, the boxers, the motor palace.

Who needs Betty Ford?

I'll be at the Ravenman, Henry.

Hey, man, you want to come stay with me?

No. Seriously, I thought you'd be with Leia. That's why I didn't offer earlier.

It's not a problem.

It's not a problem. They gave me a double.

11th floor, overlooking the park.

Still, you probably want to get laid.

That's true.

It's your big weekend, man.

Chicks are going to flock to you.

Oh, you're right.

I'll be fine here.

Cool. And such a storm.

A little bit more.

I

appreciate

you coming all the way out here, man.

Seriously.

We've come a long way.

I don't know.

High school?

You think?

Some of us.

Dude, I'm totally giving you shit.

Oh, but you're right.

No, man, I'm not.

Oh, let's face it, you are.

I'm right only in that I think you can do better than you are, Vince.

Why?

Because I believe in you.

If I didn't, we wouldn't still be friends.

And I probably couldn't say that to you.

Why not?

Because it sounds totally pretentious. You're right.

But the thing is, I mean it.

No, look, I'm sorry.

But it's like this whole thing with Leia.

If it is permanent, then you should view it as an opportunity to... change.

Change what?

I don't know.

Find a new job.

I like my job.

What is your job?

Volunteer firefighter. Oh, right.

How do you make your money?

Lay off, John. Just saying.

What?

It's a little immature.

All right, well, you try doing it.

That's not the point. The majority of my clients happen to be like over 50,

okay? So if that's not mature, then I'm baffled as to what is.

Okay. Private dope delivery to ex -hippies does not a mature man make,

No different than standing on the corner and selling to teenagers.

Why are you lecturing me?

Hey, I'm not lecturing anybody. I'm just pointing a few things out. Yeah, such

as? Such as?

Yes, I think you can do better.

Oh, really? Better than what?

Better than... Better than pissing your life away. Vince, look, you're smart,

right? So why are you still dealing drugs?

Because I am smart.

All right? If I were dumb, I would have gotten caught. Besides, I am a

firefighter. You deal to the fire chief. He needs me. That's not the point.

Why is what you do better?

Why is what I do better?

Why is what you do better?

Okay.

What I am trying to do is better because it's an attempt at figuring things

out. I would like to eventually become good enough at it to the point where I

can contribute.

All right, fuck you. Seriously, where I can contribute to a larger debate on why

this country is so fucked up. For example, why is it that a 50 -whatever

-old fire chief feels the need to get stoned every night?

Right? I mean, what is it about life in America that's driving that urge in him?

He likes it.

But then there's something slightly wrong with the fact that someone with

type of responsibility is constantly high.

I'm serious.

Maybe there's something worth exploring there. If his firehouse happens to have

the best record in the city, I don't know if that's accurate. If my house was

fire, I wouldn't want his high ass anywhere near it. You are so up

Look, if the guy has a good record, it's because he's lucky.

That's it.

Says who?

It's obvious, man. He's living this big luck -driven lie.

Are you high? No, I'm serious.

You're making movies about guys who rob Popeye's fried chicken. Hey, hey. I am

telling a story which aims to resonate the notion of where our society is

if we're not careful.

If it sounds a little pompous, it's only because I haven't fully honed my skills

yet.

It doesn't sound pompous.

It sounds... like you're talking out your ass.

Why?

Because you have no idea where society is headed, okay? You are just like

everybody else, all right? You're just following the latest trend, which you

hope will get you laid until that trend switches to something else, at which

point you'll drop the old one and start making movies about, you know, whatever.

Turtles getting caught in fishing nets.

You don't like my work?

I like it like a shot of whiskey first thing in the morning. It's good for

ten minutes and then I want my coffee.

Wow.

What?

Now you're all sensitive?

Did I say something to piss you off, Vince, or is it that you're just a dick?

Uh, well, both.

Well, at least you're finally admitting it. Unlike some of us.

What? That I'm a dick?

Yeah. Uh, when?

We're speaking figuratively.

When was I figuratively a dick?

Uh, high school?

What? I was too shy to be a dick in high school. Hey, buddy, give yourself a

little credit. I think you held your own. That's because everyone's a dick in

high school, Vince. It's the white male football playing prerogative. The trick

is to evolve into something else once you're out.

John, you're wearing $200 shoes.

Okay, first of all, that's not true.

Oh, what, $150?

I'm less shy than I was in high school.

Oh, great. So now you're an overt dick.

No, I'm a thoughtful person who happens to like nice juice.

And is occasionally full of shit.

Is there something I'm not doing that you want me to do, Vince?

I don't want you to do anything.

No? Because it seems like I'm being asked to do something by a 28 -year -old

dealer who doesn't have the gut to progress with the rest of society. Which

would be fine if it was a legitimate rebellion.

Instead of just some lonely guy hanging out in a motel room wearing boxer

shorts, acting like a potentially violent dick.

You want to get high?

No.

Come on, John.

Let's get high.

I'm not getting high.

Oh, why?

Only potentially violent dicks get high?

No. So, let's get high. I'm not getting high.

Well, I am.

Fine.

What's going on in that bag, Vince?

Pot. How much?

A lot.

B for party. A for all night long. R for reefer.

T for turn me on. Y for nuts.

P -A -R -T -Y.

Party, party.

Let's get high.

Who's out here?

Where? Here.

Lansing.

Who?

Amy.

Amy Randall?

Mm -hmm.

Yeah.

Tracy told me that a couple of years ago.

When I found out that you got this thing, I looked her up on the net,

She's out here.

She's like an assistant district attorney or something.

Did you call her?

I thought about it.

You should, man.

Especially now that Leia's... Out

of the picture? Yeah.

I wonder if she's still hot?

Yeah, that's not a very politically appropriate way to speak about a woman,

though, is it, John?

Okay, okay, you know what?

Here's the thing about being appropriate.

It's better to try to do that than to be a complete asshole.

The choice to respect people is actually a good one, despite people like you.

who insist on calling fat people fat to their faces.

And what if they are fat?

If they are fat, then they probably already realize it without your having

remind them.

You know, it basically just comes down to having a couple of manners.

Oh, is that what it is?

Yeah.

Well, then why do you ask if she was still hot, Miss Manners?

Because she is.

She was.

No, no, no. That's not a bad word. If the word is essentially a compliment,

saying it isn't bad manners.

Human beings like to be called attractive.

I'm not labeling Amy Randall anything she doesn't already know. And I'm sure

she's smart, too.

Well, then I think we should call her up.

And if we find out that she weighs 320 pounds, I think that we should say to

her, gee, we're really glad that we dated you in high school instead of now,

because back then, you were really hot. And now...

I'm sure you realize about now.

You know what, Vince?

What? Why don't you just shut up for a while?

Oh, well, I think so. I made a point, so I should shut up.

No, it's that you like being rude for the sake of it. Either that or you do it

to prove that nobody can make you be nice. Either way, it gets tiresome.

And you and I don't see each other often enough to make worthwhile this little

competition for who's more authentic, okay?

It's not about that anymore. We're just...

We should just accept the fact that we're a little different from each other

let the friendship go from there.

Accept the fact that we're a little different from each other?

Yeah.

Would you like to make me?

Make you what?

Accept that fact.

No.

Why not?

Because it's stupid.

No, it's not.

Yes, it is.

No, it's not.

How else will I know that you're different?

You'll just have to trust me. No.

Prove it.

Or else what?

Or else I'll kick your ass.

Well, I guess this means you are potentially violent.

Only when it comes to you, John.

You know, it's funny how you get this way whenever we talk about Amy Randall.

No, I don't. I don't even think you realize it, Vince.

Fuck off, John.

Okay, you know what?

I'm out of here. Fuck off. Thanks for coming. Fuck off! Fuck you, John.

Look, I'm sorry you still feel bad about Amy Randall, and that every time you

get stoned and drunk around me, this comes up.

Fuck you.

It was over ten years ago. I've explained this to you a million times,

thought it was okay for me to be with her because you guys had broken up, and

that I now have a better understanding as to the fragility of human emotions,

and thus, if the situation arose again, I would not let what happened happen.

But these things do happen, Vince, especially in high school.

And I'm sorry that I hurt your feelings.

That's not what I'm talking about.

What are you talking about?

What happened?

So am I.

So? What happened?

We slept together.

Oh.

What do you mean, how?

How did you sleep together?

Oh, okay.

So now this is about that? Is it?

Is it? I don't know. You tell me.

We slept together.

Yeah, how?

Vince, you know how.

No, I don't.

I mean, I have an idea.

But I don't actually know because we've never talked about it.

We laughed about it. We thought it was kind of funny, but you never exactly

me what happened.

Okay.

So what do you want to know?

I want to know what happened.

We slept together.

How?

What do you mean, how?

How? You're going to have to be more specific, Vince. In what fashion did you

sleep with?

We had sex.

And? And that was it.

Was it good sex?

I've had better sex.

Was it fun?

It was all right.

Was it on the rough side?

We were both drunk.

Did you rape her?

Did I rape her?

No, no.

Kind of?

No. Was it kind of like a date rape?

Was it kind of like a date rape?

Yeah. Did you kind of force her to have sex with you?

No, man.

John.

I'm not sure what you want me to say, Vince.

I want you to tell me what happened, all right?

You're a filmmaker. Okay, lay out the scene for me, right?

Show me the dailies.

You know what? Can we talk about this sometime when you're not high?

Maybe the only reason why I'm high is so that you would get high and for once

tell me the truth instead of changing the subject.

Okay.

It was a little rough, which is obviously something that doesn't make me

Okay? Did you talk to her after that?

No.

No? Why not?

I wouldn't know what to say to her. I'm a completely different person than I was

then. Well, maybe she is, too.

Maybe. Maybe she's bad.

That's really not funny, man. I didn't say it was.

Did anybody else know what happened?

I didn't tell anyone.

Why not?

Maybe he did.

But wait.

Look, I don't actually consider it a crime.

It was not a good thing. It was morally somewhat questionable.

And yeah, yeah, I wish it hadn't happened. But I don't think it's the

thing where I need to turn myself into the police 10 years later. What are you

talking about the police?

Well, what are you talking about?

I don't know.

Her.

I think she already knows.

Maybe you should apologize.

Oh, Jesus.

What?

You think I should apologize to her?

Yeah, why not?

Look, it wasn't even date rape. It was just something that got a little out of

hand. I thought you weren't even sure what date rape was.

I'm sorry, okay?

Don't apologize to me.

I'm not.

What I'm trying to say is that ten years ago, I did something...

And that when I think about it now, the person who did that seemed like a

complete stranger to me.

This dumb, drunk high school senior who thought she was being a little prudish

and needed some coercion. It was bad. I regret it. But it was a far cry from

rape. And I don't think she'd look back on it and call it that either.

Well, what do you think she'd call it?

I have no idea what she'd call it. Well, what if she called it rape?

Listen to me.

I highly, highly doubt that she even remembers it.

You remember it.

I remember it because it was a pivotal thing for me.

Your first rape?

Don't be an asshole.

Tell me why it was pivotal for you.

I don't know. It was one of the first times in my life that I looked at myself

objectively and made a conscious decision to try to avoid becoming a

type of person.

But for her, it may have been nothing particularly important one way or the

other. For me, it constituted something more significant.

Or so you'd like to think.

Why are you suddenly so high and mighty?

I'm not high and mighty. I'm too high to be high and mighty.

Besides, I'm just a lowly drug -dealing, boxer -wearing scum of the earth,

right?

You said it. No, actually, you did.

I didn't mean it like that. Really? How did you mean it?

That you should change your life a little bit. This coming from a rapist.

You're an idiot.

I'm sorry, what? Oh, this coming from a big, low -budget filmmaker who makes

movies about where society is possibly headed if he could just forget about the

date rape he didn't gotta do in high school.

You're seriously disturbed.

No, actually, I am high and mighty.

I was wrong before.

Look, what do you want me to say, Vince? I'm sorry.

Stop apologizing to me. I'm not. I'm apologizing in general. It's something

I wish hadn't happened. I don't think I'm an evil person.

No one's saying you're evil.

It sure as hell feels like it. Do you think you're evil?

No.

So then you're not evil.

Right? I'm the evil one. You're the morally conscious movie maker.

Whatever.

Whatever.

All right, can we stop now?

Totally. Thank you.

I just think you should call her.

I am not going to call her. Why not? I think you should.

Just stop, okay?

To call her now would be to trivialize the entire thing. I mean, what do I say?

Oh, hey, how's it going? How's your life? Oh, by the way, sorry about the

rape ten years ago.

So you did date rape her?

No, I didn't.

What did you do?

I coerced her to have sex with me.

How?

Verbally.

You verbally coerced her?

Yeah, by...

Applying excessive linguistic pressure, I persuaded her to have sex with me.

And then things got rough?

No, things got rough in that after a while, they became aggressively playful.

They did.

We did.

Meaning what?

Meaning that I...

Probably thought I was still being playful, but others might interpret my

actions as being rough.

I .e.? Rape.

No, rough.

Look, John, only you two know what happened.

So only you two can interpret your actions.

So why don't you tell me the facts and interpret them later? I'm telling you, I

argued her into it.

You're fucking lying.

What is your problem?

I just don't know how you can sit there with your oldest friend and, you know,

continually tell lies.

Okay, Vince, what makes you think I'm lying? Because only you would come up

the term excessive linguistic pressure.

Okay. I mean, that's not a normal expression, John.

I mean, that is a sign of excessive bullshit, right? If you had really done

that, you'd be more specific.

You'd say you told her if she didn't put out, you'd tell everybody that she had

a VD.

Right? Or smell bad or had a penis.

Right? Or any of the normal things that guys say. But instead, you come up with

your typical crap, which sounds mature, all right, but contains nothing.

And it's bullshit.

Because the reason why you are where you are today is because you always insist

on getting things your way.

That is what you're good at.

So why don't you just own up and admit what you did?

Vince, fuck off.

Fine, Vince. I'll call her.

Don't do that.

Why not?

Because I would like you not to.

Why not? Vince, Vince, Vince.

What? You already made your point. Yeah.

What's my point? Your point is that nobody's perfect, including me, so it

offends you when I tell you how you should live your life. Yeah, that's not

point.

It should be.

Well, no.

Why not?

Because I haven't gotten to my point yet.

All right.

So get to it.

Maybe I don't have one.

Then I'm going to leave.

Wrong. Right.

Admit it.

Admit what? Admit what you did to Amy.

All right.

What even makes you think I did something? Because I know.

How? Because she told me.

Told you what?

What she did.

What did she say?

What? What did she say? Nothing.

All right, it was obvious. All right, just tell me what you did, and I'll let

you go.

Would you stop being a dick? Tell me what you did. Why do you care? Because I

want to hear it. So what would that change? I don't know. So then what does

matter? I don't know. All right, so tell me what you did. I pinned her arms back

and stuck my dick in, okay?

For Christ's fucking sake, shit happens.

I already said I'm sorry.

What the hell did you just do?

Hater conversation.

Why?

I wanted to make sure I heard you right.

You're

right.

You know, you are a completely different person.

I can't believe you just did that.

You're mad?

How could you do something like that?

Like what?

I'm not messing around, Vin. No, what?

It offends you?

It offends me fucking immensely.

Why?

You've been suggesting you call up and apologize for the actions of a drunk

school senior.

You know that you just ended our friendship. Oh, come on, man. It's a

little tape recorder.

It's Kmart.

Why did you do that?

Trying to make a point.

Which is what?

There's something wrong here.

What? Where? With you and me?

Mm -hmm.

everyone else.

So, okay, what is it then? Do you think everyone should call up and apologize

for things they've done wrong in their lives?

Yeah.

You honestly think that would help? You don't think it would just end up being a

bunch of hypocrites wandering around raping people and then apologizing

You got a better idea? Yeah. Not do it next time.

That's it, huh?

Yeah.

You don't even think she won it for herself?

Won what?

The tape?

Why would she want that?

I don't know that you admitted it.

Francis. What?

Look, I doubt she even remembers it happening.

Well, then she might want to be reminded.

Why? Well, because if you pinned my arms back and fucked me without permission,

I'd want to be reminded.

Don't talk like that.

I mean, that's what you said, right? I mean, that's what's on the tape. This is

ridiculous. Why?

Because my apologizing now won't make any difference to her. What? She's

probably dealt with the whole issue and moved on.

Yeah, all right. Well, maybe she has.

But if you're such a different guy than you were ten years ago, then technically

you shouldn't mind apologizing for something that the real you, in effect,

didn't even do.

Now, on the other hand, if you still are the kind of guy who would do something

like that, well, then I can understand you don't want to apologize.

I mean, you wouldn't want to come across like a hypocrite.

Give me the tape, then.

No way.

Why not?

Because, as you imply to me, on a daily fucking basis, whenever we spend the day

together, I wouldn't have the gut to tell her all the interesting tidbits of

information that this tape herewith contains.

It'll be much easier to simply hand it to her, if I even have the guts to do

that.

You know something?

I don't really think I'm hungry.

I think I'm gonna skip dinner.

You're not going to give her that tape, Vince.

It's hard to say.

You stop being a dick, Vince.

I'm sorry. Did you want to do that line? What are you going to do with the tape?

Well, I'll tell you what I was thinking about doing.

I was thinking about adapting it into a movie.

I mean, I don't know, maybe you could help me with it. And then maybe I could

have the world premiere at next year's Lansing Film Festival.

Oh, dude, I'm totally psyched.

Hey,

listen, and really, Johnny, you should probably get going. And I'll just tell

her you said hi.

What are you talking about?

She'll be calling any minute.

Why? Because she said she called eight.

Wait a minute.

I thought you said you didn't call her.

I said I thought about calling her.

And then, you see, I actually did. And it's cool. We're hooking up for dinner.

Really, John, you should get going. I probably won't even go through with this

whole thing.

I mean, unless, of course, she sees the tape sitting there, and we're talking,

and she keeps pestering me about what's on it.

Hello?

Hey, Amy.

How are you?

You still up for some chow?

Cool. Cool.

Hey, did I play you while I was out here?

Yeah, right. The film festival. But the reason for that is... Well, you remember

John Salter, right?

Yeah, yeah.

Well, he actually made a movie that's being shown as part of the festival.

Yeah, and I'm out here for that.

Yeah, he's out here, too. He's over at the Radisson.

11th floor, overlooking the park. Yeah.

Yeah, well, I don't know how you want to work this, because I'm over here at the

Motor Palace on Saginaw.

Yeah.

Exactly.

Cool. Cool.

Uh -huh.

Well, you know, the thing is, I don't have any wheels, so... Really?

Well, that would be great.

I mean, because if you wanted to just come here and then we'll just, you

Take it from there.

Great. And you know where it is?

Oh, wow.

Well, terrific. Well, then, you know, then I'll see you in a few, right? It's

room 19.

19. Right.

Yeah.

Yeah, me too.

All right.

Okay.

Bye -bye.

Dude, do you think I could borrow a few bucks?

Vince, why are you doing this?

Well, at first, it was a moral

crusade. But now, I don't know, except for that you don't want me to.

And that's worth more than our entire friendship?

John.

I highly doubt if I wasn't one of your oldest friends, I would even possess the

power to make you think twice about something like this.

I mean, that's assuming you are thinking twice.

There are better ways to go about making someone do that.

Oh.

Convince them with a really good argument? Apply excessive linguistic

Huh?

I'm not a very moral guy, John.

Much less a highly articulate poet filmmaker.

All right? I can barely pay my rent, much less a... convince somebody like

to stop being an asshole.

No one's asking you to be articulate, Vince.

You pick what is potentially the most important weekend of my life to bring up

something I haven't even thought about in ten years.

Yeah, I guess so.

So are you saying... Give me the tape, Vince.

No.

Give me the tape.

Why?

Because it doesn't belong to you. Oh, no. I bought it.

At Kmart.

What's on it doesn't belong to you.

Bullshit. All right, I had to be like Aldrich fucking Ames to make this tape.

This is the most planned out thing I have done in my whole life.

No.

It's mine, Vince.

I'm going to give it to you. You're going to destroy it.

No, I'm not.

What are you going to do with it?

Put it in your closet and not think about it for another ten years?

You know, where did you get this whole self -righteous thing?

It's really not like you'd have a spine.

You know, what can I say?

I am a fireman.

Well, I'm not leaving until you give it up. Fine, stay as long as you want. Just

don't touch my coke.

Tell me something.

Have you ever done anything that you regretted?

Yeah. Yeah, that you never apologized for?

Mm -hmm.

So, then why are you doing this?

It must be that I have guilt, right, for all the things that I never

apologized for, and then I'm taking it out on you.

Okay, so then it's irrational.

Yeah, I agree.

So give me the tape.

No fucking way.

You know something? I wasn't even going to give her the tape at all.

Except now, with the way that you're acting, it's like I have no choice.

Listen, John, you really should get going. She called me from her cell.

She said she's only a couple minutes away.

Okay, that's it.

Give me the tape, Vince. Uh, hmm.

No. Vince!

What? Give me the tape! Feel free to leave at any time, John.

Stop being a dick, Vince.

Hey, I won't get in your way this time.

Vincent? Vincent?

Hey!

Hi, Vincent.

Oh, wow. You look good.

You too.

Hey,

you'll never guess who stopped by. Hey, John?

Yeah.

Look who's here.

Hey.

John. Hey, Amy.

Oh, sorry.

I'm so sorry. You all right? Excuse me.

Played the reunion.

Yeah.

Well, he just swung by to say hi.

I haven't seen you in... Since high school, probably.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, well, I saw you at Tracy's. That's right, that's right. What was that,

about like five years ago?

Yeah, I couldn't make it that time.

That's right, that's right. You were in grad school, right?

Yeah, USC.

For film?

Mm -hmm.

Obviously. I mean, the Lansing Film Festival.

It's great. Right. That's why I'm here.

Vincent told me. Oh, right.

Yeah.

Wow.

Well, great to see you. You too.

You too.

You know,

I think I'm going to wait outside for you.

Why? No, it's just that I didn't like my car, so... Oh, no. What is it?

The black one right there?

Yeah. I'll be fine.

Just sit down. Let's hang out just for a second.

Come on.

Sit down. Let's hang for a minute.

Okay.

So.

Yeah.

It's good to see you, Amy.

You too.

What are you doing here in Lansing, Michigan?

I guess I like it.

It's kind of mellow.

Yeah, totally.

You know, I went to school in Ann Arbor.

Oh, that's right. So I just decided to stay on. Well, I admire that.

Vince told me, but what kind of law is it?

I'm an assistant district attorney.

Right, that's cool.

Yeah, I like it a lot.

Yeah? Yeah.

Definitely, it's good. It's a pretty good job.

So you like... You what?

You basically prosecuted criminals?

Yeah.

Somebody's got to do it.

Yeah.

So, Vincent, what are you up to?

Me?

Yeah. Not much.

I couldn't believe you just called me like that out of the blue this morning.

Yeah.

No, no, I actually love it when people do that.

Really? Yeah, no, no. It's just that I don't have the courage to do that kind

thing, and it just... I just figured, what the hell, you know?

Yeah, but you could have easily not done it.

Then what?

Well, not called.

Most people don't.

That's true.

It is true.

Like John.

I didn't know you lived out here.

And if you had?

I'm probably one of those people who don't have the courage.

You think?

It's hard to say.

It is. I mean, it is hard.

I mean, half the time it's not even worth it, you know?

People change.

They end up having nothing to say to each other, even if they were best

the year before.

Well, I'm glad you're not fat.

Is that right?

Yes. Well, you should have seen me in college.

Really? A big girl, huh?

Quite. Well, me too.

Probably for different reasons.

So you didn't answer my question.

Which one?

What are you doing these days?

Well, I live in California.

Where? Oakland.

Nice.

Yeah, yeah.

I'm a...

A firefighter.

What, are you serious?

Yeah, I'm totally serious.

That's really cool.

Yeah, well, you know, it keeps me busy.

I'm sure.

A lot of fires in Oakland?

Uh, average.

Well, I should get going.

Uh, wait, I thought we were going to have dinner.

No, I never said that.

Okay.

But, I mean, why don't you?

I can't. I got to get some sleep for tomorrow.

No,

you don't.

Yeah, actually, I do. They're showing your movie, okay? It's not like you're

running a marathon.

I know, but... Plus, it's not shown until 2 o 'clock in the afternoon,

Vince, I've got some meetings in the morning.

God, you haven't changed a bit, have you?

I remember you doing the exact same thing when we were dating.

What do you mean?

Putting pressure on people to follow whatever schedule you've already made up

your mind.

That's not true.

Yeah, it is, but it's nice.

No, it's like you... It's like he stays up the night before thinking for hours

how the next day is going to go and how he just wants people to partake in his

vision.

That's... Not true.

Okay. John can do whatever he wants.

I know. All right, I'm just suggesting you join us for dinner, you know? Why?

Because I'm sentimental, all right? I like it when old friends get together.

right, is that so wrong? It makes me feel, uh, you know, warm.

Well, maybe John doesn't feel like it.

Yeah, well, I know that he doesn't.

Because he doesn't have the courage. I mean, it's like, like you said, you

he lets things go. I didn't mean him specifically.

Well. You should have.

I mean, he always does that.

Does what?

Eh, lets things go.

Buddy, come on.

If you saw your mom walking down the street, okay, you would cross the other

side. Then, you know, I think maybe next time, save the drugs for after dinner.

Oh.

Are you high, Vincent?

I'm just, uh, a little bit.

You've been smoking pot since high school.

Yeah, yeah.

Same as drinking.

Yeah, but you still drink.

Okay, your point?

I'm just saying, you know, you should be more careful.

What is it, lecture Vince Knight? Who's lecturing you? You are, just a little

bit. You know, and he was.

Waiting for the Motor Palace guy to come in here next.

It's only because I care about you.

Yeah, well, you haven't seen me in five years.

You're my first boyfriend, Vince.

It's inevitable.

You could turn into, you know, a dirty old bum and I'd still care.

Really?

Of course.

It's just one of those things.

Well, do you want to get married?

Oh, I can't right now. Why not?

I have a boyfriend.

Who is he?

He's the district attorney.

That is so typical.

Typical? Why?

Well, if it doesn't work out, I'll give you a call in Oakland.

Yeah, right.

So I should really get going.

Why did you give him a lecture?

On what? I don't know.

Taking better care of himself.

He looks like he's doing okay to me.

It was good to see you again, Amy.

You too.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Vincent. What?

No, no, no, no, no, no. You can't get out of here just like that.

I'll see you tomorrow. Yeah, no, bullshit.

Ben. What?

I have to go. No, listen, Amy.

Uh... It was really good of you to say that.

You know, because I always thought that, um... that John was your first love.

You know, I mean, I realize that you guys didn't date that much in high

but, uh...

I was assumed, even though I didn't know about it until afterwards, that when

you guys got together there at the end of senior year, I would assume that that

was like some kind of, you know, long -awaited love affair that was bound to

happen. Am I characterizing that correctly?

I don't think anyone would call it a long -awaited love affair, Vince.

Oh, no? All right, well, what would you call it?

I'd call it us getting together at the end of senior year.

Well, you see, maybe I was just jealous, you know, because... I mean, you know,

I... I always wanted to be your first boyfriend.

You were.

Yeah, I know, but... I mean, you know what I mean.

I mean, I know I shouldn't care about things like that, but, you know, like I

said, I'm sentimental.

That's not sentimental, Vincent.

What is it?

It's stupid.

Yeah, no, you know something?

I agree with you, all right? It is.

But I didn't know that back then. Back then, you not wanting to have sex with

was like, you know, getting disinvited to a Christmas dinner with my

grandparents.

Which is something that I'm very sentimental about.

Well, you shouldn't have taken it so personally.

I know, but I did.

You know, especially when you guys ended up getting together.

Literally.

I mean, but I guess I blew it out of proportion, you know? What are you

about, Vincent?

I'm talking about you and John getting together there at the end of senior

I mean, that hurt my feelings at the time.

But according to John, it was less of a love affair that was bound to happen and

more like two kids getting, what, giddy before graduation, in which case I

really shouldn't hold a grudge.

Is that what it was?

I would say it was more of a crush that never amounted to much.

For you or for him?

For me.

Vince, it doesn't seem like Amy really wants to talk about this. Why not?

Come on.

We're all mature adults.

Why can't we talk about a high school crush happened ten years ago? Fine. Then

I'm going to let you two have this discussion without me.

Before you go, I'm just curious as to why nothing came of Amy's crush for you.

Amy? Why nothing ever came of it?

Yeah, I mean, why didn't it, you know, develop into something more serious? It

wasn't like you and I got back together afterwards.

You know, I don't even remember you dating anyone after that.

At least, not from our school.

Well, I guess it just didn't work out.

Well, there's no specific reason for that.

I'm sure there was.

But... No, but. I'm sure there was.

Well, John, why are you so anxious to leave? Look, this is a little

uncomfortable for me. Oh, okay. It's a little uncomfortable, so I'd rather

leave. Fine, Vince. I'm here, all right? Fine.

What? Does anyone have anything they'd like to say to me?

Amy?

No, thanks.

Yeah. Yeah.

I mean, listen.

It's your call, John.

I can't speak for you.

It was good to see you again, Amy.

That is so fucking typical.

I gotta go. Hey, John.

What?

Can I have that back?

Goodbye, Amy.

Oakland must be a pretty safe place.

Why?

There obviously aren't enough fires to keep you busy.

What do you mean?

Can you tell me what that was about?

Yeah. Um... I wanted to...

find out what happened between you two.

When?

That night, I wanted him to apologize to you.

Why?

So that you could hear it.

He admitted it to me.

What did he do?

I got him to admit it.

It's on the tape.

It meant what?

What he did.

He did do it.

Didn't he?

What?

That night.

Am I wrong?

He raped you.

Why would that be any of your business?

And even if he had, the last thing I would want would be a taped confession.

What is?

Because I'm not the one who needs it.

What are you talking about?

I'm not the one who needs it.

All right, all right. Who needs it?

I'll see you later. No, where are you going? Home. Why?

Come on, you don't understand.

I'm trying to do the right thing.

For whom?

For you.

Is that really what you mean, Vincent?

Yeah, yeah.

Because I don't think it is. Of course that is what I... Listen, I thought you

would appreciate it. Well, I don't. Well, why not?

Because he didn't rape me.

What?

He didn't.

So the only person you're trying to make feel better is yourself.

Hey. Hey.

What are you doing?

I came back.

Why?

Because I felt like it.

Can you give us a couple minutes in private?

Are you kidding me?

I'm serious.

What, you want me to leave you alone with her?

Yeah.

No. You can wait outside the door.

No fucking way.

Why not?

Because of the whole, uh... No.

I just need two minutes.

Yeah, why?

Because I want to tell her something.

Oh, why?

That's none of your business. Yeah, it is.

Why? Because I'm the one who brought all this stuff up.

It's all right, Vincent.

Yeah, no, it's not.

Yes, it is.

Well, I don't... All right?

I'm not leaving.

I wanted to apologize.

For what?

Vince. What?

Shut up.

I

wanted

to apologize.

For what it's worth.

I'm... I am sorry.

I'm really...

Honestly, truly sorry.

What for?

For what happened between us in high school.

What happened between us?

I'm talking about what happened at the end of senior year, which Vince was

trying to get me to talk about before. Why?

Before when?

Like, five minutes ago.

About when you and I got together in high school?

Right.

You're right.

Look, tell me again what happened.

Do you know which day I'm talking about?

Well, at the end of senior year?

At Rebecca's party?

Yeah. Yeah.

Uh, hey.

What are you guys doing?

No, I just... Look, I'm curious.

I don't want there to be a communication gap here.

I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say.

Look, I think you think you did something to me.

Yes. What do you think you did?

Why?

Why? Why? Well, because it's very interesting to me.

Do you not think that something happened?

Well, of course something happened.

But are you saying you don't remember what it was?

Come on, John.

I mean, there's some things one doesn't forget.

I agree.

I'm just wondering how you would describe it, that's all.

Probably the same way as you.

You think?

Look, the whole reason this thing started is because Vince taped this

conversation. I'm sorry, I didn't realize. It's fine. I'm just saying

I'm here. Oh, so you're here because Vincent taped you.

Yes.

Why?

Why?

Because it made me think.

Oh. Which is why I came back.

Good.

Tell me again what happened.

I think...

I think I raped you. Oh, my God.

No, you didn't rape me.

Yes, I did.

No, you didn't.

Are you trying to make fun of me? No.

Amy, I know what happened.

Apparently not.

Yes, I do.

With who?

Me. Why?

Because I just admitted it.

On what? On the tape?

Yeah. What's on it?

It's me confessing what I did.

What did you do?

I just told you.

That doesn't prove you did it. Why not?

Because if no one's accusing you of anything, then there's no reason to

I'm having trouble realizing what you're doing.

I'm not doing anything.

This is not an easy thing for me.

Are you sure about that?

John? What?

You sure you know what you're saying?

I'm saying what you wanted me to say. All right, but are you sure you got the

right girl?

I mean, nothing happened.

She's lying.

No, I'm not.

Amy. What?

You're mocking this. Why would I do that?

I have no idea.

But if you are, I have better things to do.

Oh. Look, I just think we have differing perceptions of what happened.

I really don't see how that could be.

Why? Because you decided you did something?

I did do something.

Well, I say you didn't.

So then what happened?

When?

Then.

We had sex.

Amy. What?

I'm trying to be honest.

Why now?

Because I haven't seen you in ten years.

Well, why now?

When Vince played back the tape for me, it hit me what I'd done.

And if he hadn't played back the tape?

Yeah.

Would you be saying this?

Probably not.

Or is it just that I'm here?

What do you mean?

If I lived in Alaska, would you have sought me out?

I don't really know.

You should look into that.

Fine.

Maybe it's just that you were jealous of Vincent.

Does that make me sound conceited?

A bit.

Why?

I loved you.

I did.

I was totally in love with you that night.

Did you love me?

Why were you with me?

I'm not sure.

Maybe it's the same reason you came back to apologize just now.

Which is what?

You like pissing Vincent off.

Why would it piss him off if it's what he wanted in the first place? Because

he's confused.

Exactly.

Never too late to one -up your best friend by telling him once and for all

you rate the love of his life in high school, especially if you can do it in

front of her. That's very good.

Do you really think I'm like that?

I don't know.

I have a very poor record of judging you accurately.

Or maybe you just came back to get the last word. You didn't like what you said

on the tape, so you thought you'd come back and phrase it a little more

eloquently.

The reason I came back is to apologize.

Which I can assure you is not at all disingenuous.

I honestly am sorry.

Why? Because you had your hand over my mouth?

Yes. Well, hey, John.

I let everybody do that.

Can you please just tell me the truth?

I am.

Where are you going?

I think I should leave.

Why? Because no matter what I say, there's nowhere for this to go. No, you

want the last word, John. And you know what?

It's not yours to have. Would you guys just figure out what the fuck you're

talking about?

Vince, I don't know.

She's in denial.

Amy? What?

What ever gave you the idea that something happened in the first place?

Whatever, Rebecca?

Yeah. Well, I just... You know, I thought that later that that's what you

trying to tell me.

Why?

Because why else would you be sleeping with John when you're supposed to be

dating me?

You and I had already broken up.

Yeah, but, I mean, we hadn't even slept together, so what the hell would you be

doing with him?

None of your business.

Yeah, well, okay, fine, but it's partly why, you know, I thought something

happened. Oh, you mean, if I wasn't sleeping with you, why would I be

with someone else?

Yeah.

I guess.

I thought something like that.

Look, I'm going to go. Vince, maybe I'll see you tomorrow.

Amy, I'm truly sorry.

I'm sorry you're not in a place where you can hear that right now.

I hope you have a good life.

Why did you just say that?

Say what?

That I'm not in a place where I can hear that right now.

Because you don't seem to realize that I'm serious. I don't know how else to

this other than to say what I've said.

And if it really was no big deal for you, it was for me.

And I want you to know that I'm sorry it happened.

Well, you should be.

And I hope you die for it and go to hell.

And if there is no hell... I hope you suffer on your way to death.

My hope is that your last living sensation be that of a steel rod being

repeatedly up your insides so that it batters your heart and punctures your

stomach.

Is that along the lines of what you wanted?

What do you want me to say to you?

Nothing.

So is that right?

Yes?

This is Amy Randall from the DA's office.

Could you please dispatch a squad car over to the Motor Palace on Saginaw,

19?

There appears to be a significant amount of illegal substance in the room.

Mm -hmm.

It appears to be cocaine.

Yes.

Yes. Could you also please run a check on one of the two gentlemen here?

Mr. John Salter, S as in Sally, A -L -T -E -R.

Possible history of sexual misconduct, including a verified first -degree C -S

-C ten years prior.

Yes.

Nope.

Yes Thank you

You

can make a run for it if you like

Did you really

just do that

The average response time in Lansing is four minutes. It's one of the top

departments in the country.

Why does it have to be like this?

Because if you're truly repentant, then you should be willing to pay the price.

Why can't you just accept the fact that I'm sorry?

Doesn't mean no good.

Is that my fault?

No. It's just the way it is.

But I'm the one who has to run out of here like a criminal?

That's up to you.

Because I'm not going to.

Is that because you think the statute of limitations has run out?

I have no idea.

There is none for a sexual misconduct felony.

Just to let you know.

All right.

Listen, okay. I don't feel like getting busted just for a couple of lines. Well,

then I'll see you later, Vincent.

Just do me a favor and make sure you leave that tape behind.

so I can give it to Officer Friend when he gets here.

You want me to give you the tape?

Yeah.

You don't need his permission.

Uh, I feel like I do.

You didn't need his permission to make it, so why do you need it now?

A protocol?

Fine.

Well, I guess I'll just have to stay here and tell them myself.

Dude, it might be in your best interest to come with me.

I'm staying.

Why? Because if this is the only way she knows how to deal with this, then this

is what should happen.

All right, fine, but what about me?

What about you?

I didn't really do anything wrong.

You're in possession of an illegal substance. Yeah, all right, I'm just

to blow off a little steam.

Well, you should have blown it off with beer. I did.

I was just trying to blow it off a little extra.

You better go, Vince. They're on their way.

Come with me.

No.

Don't be an idiot, all right? They will arrest you.

Oh, God. All right, is this really what you want?

John's a big boy.

He can make his own decisions.

All right, fine. Fuck it, you know? Hey, I'm out of here.

Thanks, Vince.

What?

Thanks.

For what?

For all your honesty.

Okay, what does that mean?

Nothing. I'll see you later.

Did you really call the police?

No.

Oh, Jesus Christ!

Sorry.

Why did you do that?

I felt like it.

You are so fucked up!

What did you expect?

But do you have any idea how much those drugs cost?

There'll be other drugs, Vincent.

I know.

But I... I really liked those ones.

Good luck tomorrow.

Thank you.