#digital is fun and fast but i miss my pens and inks
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The last couple of months I've been watching a whole lot of Drawfee. It's super fun and funny, the hosts are great and they're especially good artists. I've been feeling like I'm pulling at the leash of my art as of late, trying to like, grow and develop but not really knowing how or where to start, or being scared to do bad art. I want to push my ideas BEYOND the realm of fanart, and that's hard, bc that requires more actual practice and stretching ideas conceptually than what I usually do. I've generally been feeling really bad about my art, feeling like I can't draw or what i wanted to draw was stupid or lame or "out of my league." And none of that has been helped by the time of year, other elements in my life that I'm frustrated by, and the general everything of the world. It's been really hard to even pick up my pen and doodle, even badly.
But a few weeks ago I watched the Drawclass hosted by Jacob Drawfee on how to practice when you're not good at keeping a schedule or routine. And not only is he a really good teacher, all of the points he made clicked in my head. The schedule worked. I'd been wanting to get better at interiors, and I have. And more importantly, picking up a pen and opening my sketchbook doesn't feel as bad anymore.
The past few days I've been watching Nathan Drawfee's Drawclass grab-bag, and this part stood out to me:
He was talking about how a lot of the times when you're starting out, or somewhere in the middle of the beginning of your art journey, all you wanna do is accurately draw a guy. And that's what I've been doing for lime 2 years. All I wanted to do was accurately draw my guys. Then I wanted to do more composition-y representations of my guys. Then I wanted them to have more mood. And now I want to move beyond doing all that and accurately drawing my guys and into telling stories. Maybe inspired by music or my guys or concepts or characters or shows or movies or from my own roster of OCs that have gone untouched for too long. I wanna do series and big illustrations and backgrounds and lighting and characters. I wanna look at more real life professional illustration work and pick it apart. I wanna read and get more art books. I still don't wanna monetize my hobby, but I feel like my art has just been plateauing for a really long time and it's finally hit a growth point. And Drawfee has made it fun to think about that. It's a lot less scary when its fun.
#ive been having a real hard time with art lately and actually WANTING to do art is a MASSIVE improvement from where i was a few weeks ago#im working on a big traditional puece rn that ive been planning for months and finally said 'fuck it' and started#its coming along really nicely too and im really pleased with and proud of it#i think im gonna work traditionally more for a while#digital is fun and fast but i miss my pens and inks#i hesitate to even call it art block bc its just a symptom of a greater issue#but im really happy about wanting to make art that not only feels cool but also fun and FEASIBLE#long post#drawfee#just my two cents#my stuff#my post#digital scrapbook
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DOG DAYS ARE OVER : CHAP 5
AN: Hello frens! Are you having a nice sunday? In this chapter we exchange some texts. But also we make fun of Josh just because. In the next chapter, things get complicated between the three of you... I hope you’ll like it. Please feel free to comment or send me prompts!
Pairing : Jake Kiszka x Reader
Genre : College AU
Previous parts : Prologue ; Chap 1 ; Chap 2 ; Chap 3 ; Chap 4
Masterlist : here
Chapter five : New number, who dis ?
Packing never made me feel weird before. It was friday afternoon so a majority of students were going home or, like me, to their parents' place for the week end. Most of the time I'd stay in my dorm with Mandy because we had so much homework there was no point coming home at all. I already knew for a fact that I'll be locked up in my room all week end painting, drawing, and cutting paper, but I promised I'd see them since it has been a while. My parents' cooking and comfy house usually made me impatient but not this time. I knew the boys were staying on campus because they lived far away, and it gave me mixed feelings. Part of me longed for Jake, and the feeling of his touch on my wrist was still so vivid I sometimes got the impression his hand was still here. On the other hand, he and Josh were big family guys, and seeing them missing their home so much while I was reluctant to see mine made me feel like a spoiled brat. That's why instead of calling to tell my parents I wasn't coming home this week end either, I went home to enjoy every bit of it.
My mom had already made my favorite dish, and dad was excitedly chatting about this new movie he saw on tv the other day. It felt good, I could allow myself to relax a little, take a bath, hang out with some friends for an hour or two after finishing an assignment.
Sitting at my desk, I dropped the pen and stretched my back, falling back onto the chair and looking at my work. I did good this week, so the teacher didn't make me redo any of my assignments, which was very fortunate because I still had a flyer design to create. I unfolded that one Jake gave to me and took a look at all the infos, preparing a draft of my first idea. Why they didn't let the Illustration department do the visual com design was a mystery. By the look of it I bet it was the Music and Architecture dudes who made it. There was a bunch of band names thrown in the middle, what looked like a pixelled stock image of a Santa hat in a corner, « with beer ! » in a really ugly comic bubble in another, and the worst was that they though Comic Sans was an acceptable font choice. Unbelievable. That's why we can't let Architecture dudes do anything.
Creating a decent design took me a solid two hours, which was way faster than I planned. Getting up, I studied it from a distance, looking for flaws. It wasn't the best I could've done but it was pretty cool and not printed with neon yellow paper. For now, I'll rest my head for a bit and see if I can sketch the few more ideas I came up with later on. Feeling proud of my work, I took a picture to send it to Jake. It was dark and quiet outside, and one glance at the clock confirmed my thoughts on how late it was already. Biting my lower lip, I struggled. Maybe he was sleeping.
I never texted him since he gave me his number. I mean he gave it to me so we could talk about the flyers, right ? I would've been uneasy using it for another reason. Pondering whether of not I should maybe wake him up, I started pacing in my room, tidying and touching things, stuff I did when I was nervous. My arm still had some black marker on it, faded shapes and symbols vaguely resembling numbers, like an old letter with smudged ink and discolored paper. At first I didn't wanted to wash it off. Mandy and I got so excited by it we cheered together right after school, and classmates seemed intrigued by it. The cold weather didn't allow me to show too much skin so it could look like a tattoo, or a hot guy gave me his number (which was technically true). It could look like I just wrote it myself, but it was totally lame so I didn't want to think about it. Although I really enjoyed that empowering feeling of being someone's interest, at least a little, I scrubbed it hard the same evening. I didn't know if Josh was aware of it and couldn't raise suspicion in case he wasn't. It looked like we were doing something bad, and maybe we were, I had no clue. Guys had that weird rule regarding friends dating brothers and according to Netflix romcoms I was walking on thin fucking ice so I wasn't taking any risks. To be honest I don't think Josh would mind us talking but Jake seemed like a secretive guys so if he told Josh then I'll talk about it and otherwise, I won't. I'll just go with the flow and follow his lead on this, it was safer.
It was almost 2AM when I sent the pic and left my room to get a nice cup of tea/coffee after all these efforts. By the time I got back I had one new message.
« Hi to you too »
I felt my heart jump a little when I saw his name at the top of the screen, and his first text made me smile. I got so pumped by all these design ideas that I forgot to tell him it was me. The picture made it clear enough, though, but maybe it was a bit rude of me. Taking a sip of hot tea/coffee before putting the mug on the night table, I sat on the bed, eyes still on my phone, thinking of an answer. It took me maybe too long because I kept on rereading it to be sure I wouldn't embarrass myself with a typo.
« Hi, sorry. So what do you think ? »
The phone was threwn on the blankets and I turned on the tv to make me think of something else than his future reply. Saying that I was confident would be half-true. The design was good or so I thought so, but then again tastes were all too subjectives and art was tricky. He had all the right to hate it, I wouldn't take it personally (well at least not a hundred percent...). Idly watching a re-run of some old sitcom, I continued to quietly empty my cup and switch channels without really paying attention when I heard my phone buzz and let everything down to grab it.
« I got to admit you were right, our flyers sucked, this one looks fantastic »
And maybe my cheeks started turning pink. Compliments on my art meant a lot, more than those on my personnality or physic. It was really rewarding to have someone enjoy something you created from your own hands. It felt better than any other flattery, so the reply came naturally.
« I'm so glad you like it. I had a few more ideas in stock just in case »
His next message came so fast this time that I didn't even put down my phone yet when I felt it vibrate in my palm.
« Thank you for this, I really appreciate it. I'll owe you one. »
His sweet personality made a smile spread across my face. I took the flyer in my hand again, studying it. The number of bands playing this day was surprisingly high. Some of them I knew because I either heard people talk about it, or knew the guys playing. One especially because they kept rehearsing their rap lyrics in the dorms for everybody to enjoy, which I didn't since they started loudly singing at three in the morning and ignored all my complaints about the noise of their boombox. But most of the bands, no, I didn't know. I continued watching intently the names of the bands playing as if I'll have an epiphany and guess which was Jake's. Giving up, I took my phone again to tap.
« Don't sweat it, I'm glad to help. So... which one are you... ? »
Again, the reply was faster than the first texts we exchanged, despite the late hour.
« You mean the band ? Guess you'll have to come and find out »
I raised an amused eyebrow at this. Getting cocky, aren't we ?
« Alright then, Mister Mysterious, I'll wait and see. »
« You won't regret it. », replied Jake, and for some reason my face started heating up again.
We didn't speak for several minutes, I didn't know what to say now that the topic was closed, and I had nothing to add to it. Switching channels and drinking tea/coffee didn't gave me much help either, at this hour it was either old re-runs, or tv shopping. My eyes looked at the digital alarm clock, and it was almost three in the morning. That's how I knew what to write next.
« I just thought about it, but didn't I wake you up ? »
He was fast as ever again this time, probably wide awake and without anything to do.
« No, don't worry. Rehearsing with my brothers. I'm taking a break until Sam and Josh stop arguing and find a compromise for the new song. Our friend Danny's being the peace keeper once again, I left him alone on the battlefield and went out for a smoke. »
The war metaphor made me chuckle lightly, causing my imagination to run wild. The thought went through my mind that I couldn't believe they would argue, but since they were brothers it was normal I guess, even if they seemed pretty close. Close enough to form a band together at least. I never saw Josh angry, but he had a very vivid temperament, so it wasn't really much of a surprise either. My mind wandered a bit, and I briefly wondered how Jake looked in a heated argument. Probably hot, but also intimidating. He had that kind of quiet aura that seemed like it could become suddenly agitated, like a spotless watercourse that got troubled by the rain or rocks that ricocheted on it. I couldn't explain it, but it was how my limited knowledge of him perceived it.
My phone buzzed again, and this time it was a picture that made me snort in the ugliest way possible. It was a very unflattering close up of a moody and clearly unamused Josh who looked like he was in the middle of scolding Jake for doing whatever he did that got him upset. More of it came, one after the other, for my greatest amusement, and by looking at them in order I could see his actions and movements, like a flipbook of ugly pictures of an angry Josh wearing a colorful dyed t shirt and ample pants that I assumed were his pajamas. The last one got me shaking with laughter, poor Josh looked awful, in a middle of what I assumed was a menacing speech for Jake to stop his bullshit, with an eye half closed and his mouth stuck the weirdest twist of the lips humanly possible. I saved this one as blackmail material, might be helpful in the future.
I didn't even know what to respond to that, they all radiated such chaotic energy it was splendid. Jake was quicker, and sent me a text this time, saying Josh threw his slipper at his face and that he was lucky he hadn't had the tambourine in his hands at that moment.
« I guess rehearsal is over for today, hopefully they'll make up their minds about the song tomorrow. Thanks again for the flyers, see you on monday, we'll print them. »
I never knew I'd be that impatient to go back to school before meeting him.
#gvf fic#gvf x reader#gvf imagine#gvf fanfic#jake kiszka x reader#jake kiszka fic#jake kiszka imagine#josh kiszka fic#greta van fleet fic#greta van fleet imagine#greta van fleet#jake kiszka
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Artist’s Software Surfing P2 - Inking
This time around I’ve created a better sketch similar to the ones I made for the first part of this exploration series and I have tried different tools in different programs to see if I can learn anything new or find any inspiration among this heap of brushes I’ve accumulated. @o@ Lettuce begin!
Artist’s Software Surfing P1 - Sketching
Artist’s Software Surfing P2 - Inking
Artist’s Software Surfing P3 - Colouring
Artist’s Software Surfing P4 - Painting
Corel Painter
This is the program that is inspiring this journey through different tools and brushes, so most of my time in here is experimentation.
“Liquid Ink” - Dry Camel
I probably should have read the manual on “liquid ink” layers and why they are important, but this time I just jumped right in and started using the tool like I would an inking pen in CSP or Paintstorm. I was surprised how nice it felt, how it would cleanly fill in spaces up to the shadow line I drew, and the subtle texture if I made a light stroke. This “Liquid Layer” system I guess means it changes the behavior of the pixels however, and erasing was a little wild and the ability to pull ink from what would be considered a “blob” was really neat. Fun tool, depending on the style you are going for. Happy accidents happened with this brush so you have to be willing to relinquish a bit of control. My only gripes are, I can’t flip the canvas with this layer type, eraser was more of a hindrance than a help, and cross hatching or shade lines work a lot differently with “wet” ink than I’m used to.
“Artist Favorites” - Scratchboard
This is one I actually remember from back in the day, and when I googled “Inking in Corel Painter” this one came up in a few people’s lists. If you are used to inking on the computer with some stabilization, this is just like those other tools you’ve used. Great line width variance, smooth lines, easy to control, easy to erase. It’s basic, but you get the most control out of it, meaning no happy accidents or unexpected behaviors.
“Natural Media” - Smooth Croquil
This is that awkward moment where I admit to never having used quill tipped pens. I know they are a favorite of many veteran inkers who still work traditionally. I guess it’s on my to-do list. That being said, I have no frame of reference for the expected behavior of this pen, but I actually really enjoyed working with it. This was the “Smooth” version, meaning it had more stabilization in the stroke, but I was surprised at the nice hatching I could get. Would not recommend for filling black solid shapes, but the more “drawing” portion of the inking process, this would probably be my go-to for artwork with big shapes and long, sweeping lines.
Sumi-e
Though I tried many of the options in the brush box, I ended up being pretty disappointed with this set. I never like using digital sumi-e brushes, the usage is just too different considering the traditional brush shape, but the texture in here just makes the artwork look pixelated. I included it just as a special mention. Won’t use it again.
Photoshop, Kyle T Webster’s Inkbox
Lord, I swear I saved past this point of this draft several times and some how Tumblr really dropped the ball. I still have the artwork, but I’ve lost all my immediate first-impressions of the almost dozen Kyle’s Inkbox variants I got to mess around with. A real shame, so I’m going to simply do my best and group them up, as I noticed some patters with some of them. Also, I hadn’t updated in two years and they’ve added a couple of important features I thought Photoshop was missing, like brush stabilization and symmetry drawing.
Nice, Scratch brush with decent texture and line width variance :: Pocketbrush 1, Badass Brush
Personal favorites :: Thick, chunky, expressive, and fun to ink with: Belgian Comics, Fountania, Guelph inker, Seth Comics
Interesting, but impractical :: Brush Beauty, Copier Rat, Fountania Brush Pen
Everything else, as far as I can recall, was just standard smooth pen with a touch of texture.
Paintstorm
Out of the box, this program doesn’t have much. It’s basically your basic round brush with stabilization settings. It’s very fast, however, and the customization is easy and fun if you want to add some texture to your ink pens. The toggle for turning your ink brush into an eraser is as easy as pressing E which makes for some nice hair push-and-pulling. Rewarding to work in, but very basic out of the box.
Krita
So, similarly to Photoshop, I hadn’t updated Krita in a handful of years and some of the features have been updated. It feels a bit better, I am able to mirror view and rotate the canvas just like I like to. I still struggle with the interface a bit but I’m sure I will get used to it with time.
I didn’t find many default pens that I liked or were unique enough to remark on so I just ran with the... (jfc is that really the name?) ... “d)_Ink-7_Brush_Rough” because of its bit of texture that’s revealed more as the lines thin. Figuring out the stabilization options was hell. It took a lot of fudging the sliders and making assumptions on the difference between “Distance” and “Delay” and why those mattered. Most programs just have one slider for brush stabilization. In fact, they all do. Not sure all of these options are necessary, but have at it if that’s your thing.
Clip Studio Paint
Not much out of the box here either, but the customization options are always nice. One thing I do want to mention for inking in CSP is the Vector layer option. You can create a “vector layer” then draw on it with any subtool and to back and edit those lines later. Or you can draw with the Figure tool and adjust lines there. Honestly this feature makes doing linework, especially for hard surface objects, super easy breezy and clean without removing the organic feel in areas that need it. I noticed Krita had vector layers as well, but like I mentioned before I just don’t have a whole lot of experience with that program so I’m not sure if it works the same way.
Well that about wraps it up for inking software, Kyle T Webster’s brushes in Photoshop coming out on top for this particular drawing. o7 I think I’ll do basic colouring next (comic book style). Hope this helped!
Artist’s Software Surfing P1 - Sketching
Artist’s Software Surfing P2 - Inking
Artist’s Software Surfing P3 - Colouring
Artist’s Software Surfing P4 - Painting
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UM Interview: Lauren Calve
Singer-songwriter Lauren Calve has a lot to say. The Northern Virginia native started singing and playing guitar at the age of 15. Her family’s love of getting together and telling the same stories over and over painted an Americana vision for her. Sitting around her grandma’s kitchen island drinking scotch with her family was a tradition that drew her to stories. She formed a love of engaging with people to learn about their own family stories. It’s with that same enthusiasm passed down to Lauren from her family that she uses to approach her songwriting.
On June 23rd, Calve will be releasing her new EP ‘Wildfire’, a great mix of blues, old school rock & roll with a kick of country which showcases her songwriting. Brittany Geertgens to talk about her upcoming EP ‘Wildfire’, songwriting and more!
Brittany Geertgens: Hi Lauren! It’s so nice to virtually meet you. I enjoyed getting to listen to your EP ‘Wildfire’. Before we jump into everything can you introduce yourself and tell our followers something interesting about yourself?
Lauren Calve: Thank you, and for sure! I’m Lauren Calve, a DC area singer-songwriter. Something interesting about me is that I used to draw and paint commissioned portraits and started when I was 10 years old. I pursued a career in art way before starting my music career!
BG: We’re currently in a world pandemic and I’ve noticed a lot of musicians have been using this time during quarantine to grow and learn about themselves as a musician. What’s something you’ll take away from this pandemic about your musicianship that you’ve learned?
LC: Now that I’m living and working from home pretty much all the time as a result of the pandemic, I’ve learned to be way more strict about boundaries. For me, that means creating a daily schedule where I do my government work for a certain amount of hours and then switch over to music. This is so important when working from home because the distractions are endless; I don’t think I’d get anything done otherwise.
BG: How has the release process been different from your other projects during the COVID-19 pandemic?
LC: Honestly, releasing new music during a pandemic hasn’t been much different than releasing music in years past. Everything I’ve done to promote Wildfire over the past few months has all been over the internet which isn’t any different than what I’ve done with past releases. Thankfully, we live in a digital age where we’re able to correspond more and more online which has made the effects of the pandemic easier to bear.
BG: Can you tell the listeners about the writing process behind this EP?
LC: The writing process for Wildfire took place over several years. Each song started with a source of inspiration-- a photo of my mom, a passage from a Woody Guthrie biography, a radio interview with Jon Meacham-- from which I created a chord progression, melody, and lyrics. In each song, I tried to be creative with the arrangements and production so as to really distinguish one from the other. They all have their own unique rootsy feel -- one takes more inspiration from the blues, another has a more country vibe.
BG: Do you feel like this project is different from your other projects you’ve released? If so, how?
LC: Wildfire is different from my other projects I’ve released for many reasons. The biggest, and most important, reason is that it shows a lot of growth in my songwriting and production choices. Also, this was the first project where I worked with a co-producer, Jim Ebert, and it really paid off! I was nervous to hand over the reins, but I learned so much from him.
BG: Who was your biggest musical influence behind this project?
LC: I don’t think I had a specific musical influence for this project. Wildfire is an amalgamation of so many artist and albums that I’ve loved to listen to over the years.
BG: If you could only use three words, how would you describe your artistry?
LC: Three words I would use to describe my artistry are authentic, raw, and powerful
BG: If you could collaborate with any artist/musician dead or alive who would you pick and why?
LC: I would love to collaborate with Grimes (Claire Boucher) because I love the idea of combining electronica with Americana (Kacey Musgraves achieved this with Golden Hour, but I think it could be pushed even more. Why not?!)
BG: When did you realize/decide that music was your passion?
LC: I realized that music was my passion during a vacation eight years ago. Toward the end of my trip I sincerely missed my guitar like you would miss a human person. Until that moment, I had only considered music a hobby. It was then that I realized how attached I was to creating music.
BG: Is there anything you wish you could go back and tell your younger self to prepare you for the road ahead when it comes to your artistry?
LC: One thing that I wish I could tell myself when I was first writing songs is that when you write a song that you think is your best, you will write a better one. Sometimes us songwriters have an irrational fear that when we “strike gold” with a song we’ve written that we’ll never have the same experience ever again. Of course, that’s not true.
BG: How do you normally set the mood for when you’re getting ready to write?
LC: I normally like to write at night when I’m by myself. First, I’ll listen to inspiring music that gets me pumped up to write. I’ve found that listening to anything Jeff Tweedy usually does the trick. Then, I like to “sketch” with my guitar which just means playing for playing’s sake. I usually focus on different strumming patterns and basic chords and expand from there.
BG: If you could give advice to a musician getting ready to start their musical career what would it be?
LC: First of all, I still feel like I’m the one that needs to be taking advice, not giving it! But if I were to give someone advice when they’re just starting out, I’d tell them to be true to who they are and write what they want to write. We can all get bogged down by others’ expectations of what our art should be; I’ve realized what has fulfilled me most is when I listen to my gut and follow my intuition.
BG: A big time movie producer approaches you about making a movie out of your story. Who’s playing you and why?
LC: Ha, that’s a funny question. Biographical acting must require so much of the actor. It’s like method acting on steroids. Anyway, one of my favorite actors is Amy Adams so I guess I’d pick her. But that’s just because I love her acting so much!
BG: Alright! Now how about some fun questions for your fans and listeners to get to know you better. I call this TOP 5 FAVORITE!
BG: Top 5 favorite fast food restaurants?
LC: The only fast food I eat is from Taco Bell and that is pretty rare.
BG: Top 5 favorite artists?
LC: Patty Griffin
Elmore James
Neil Young
Jeff Tweedy
Nina Simone
BG: Top 5 favorite places to shop?
LC: Wayfair
Lowe’s
Ferris Wheel Press (fountain pen ink)
Aritzia
REI
BG: Top 5 favorite animals?
LC: Horse
Cat
Elephant
Dolphin
Tiny, fluffy dogs
BG: Top 5 favorite bands you’d like to tour with?
LC: Larkin Poe
Lucinda Williams
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Jason Isbell
Kathleen Edwards
Connect with Lauren on the following websites:
https://laurencalve.com/
https://twitter.com/LaurenCalve
https://www.facebook.com/laurencalvemusic1
https://www.instagram.com/laurencalve/
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Jeannette
INT-Scene opens with Abby on the floor of her bathroom curled around the toilet. Playing with the palm of her hand.
ABBY (V.O.)
Jeannette... That's all you remember, Her name. You don't remember why it was so special but if tracing out the ink on the palm of your hand was any indication of the gooie tingly feelings you woke up with, then hell yes it was important. And more important that the last two digits of her phone number had smudged off.
Camera pans to Abby’s hand and back to her face. Suddenly, she realizes how drunk she is and shakes a grimace.
ABBY (V.O.)
If only I could get off this floor and-
Abby is cut off by Max entering the bathroom with a bag of McDonald's and gatorade in his hands
MAX
Jesus, girl. You're a hot mess. Here.
Max passes the bag and drink off like a hot potato. Abby immediately tears through the bag. Cramming fries in her mouth.
ABBY
Sometimes I wish I could marry you.
Max stands akimbo sashaying his hip- Leaning on the door
MAX
I wish the feeling was mutual. When was the last time you got me McDonald’s when I was hungover?
ABBY
When was the last time you were hungover like this?
Groggy arguing back
MAX
That's not even the point.
(waving hands)
You seemed pretty out of it when you got home. You kept going on about this “goddess” you met. I wish I had snapped it. Girl, it was funny.
ABBY
Well I got her number but…( shows Max her palm. With a look of desperation )
MAX
Okay, I have a plan but let me finish my coffee and bring a pen and paper.
Abby looks back confused then feels like vomiting. Max turns to leave the room.
MAX (Cont.)
This is your problem so,you can be my assistant but it looks like you need to pull yourself together.
Abby slowly gets ready still a bit drunk trying to get a hold of herself, leaving the bathroom she enters the kitchen. The apartment has a lofty open feeling to it there is an island that Max is sitting at sipping from a paper cup scrolling through social media faster than he can even comprehend. Abby places the paper and pen near him. He slides it closer to him. Abby sits next to him.
ABBY
So what’s your plan, oh great master.
MAX
If you don’t want my help then…
Max flashes a sparkle in his eyes that is devilish and Abby acquiesces. Max starts to scribble numbers.
ABBY
Well, we can’t call 100 different combinations. That could take all day.
MAX
No, that’s insane. Look the first number looks like a 5. It could be a 3,7 or 2. The second number looks like a 6, which could be an 8 or 0. So that leaves us with 12 options. I’d say that’s progress.
Max begins typing the numbers
MAX(Cont.)
Hi, this is Maxine from the Human Rights Campaign do you have a couple of minutes to talk about gay rights?
(pause)
No, okay would you like to be put on the do not call list?
(pause)
Can you verify your name?
(pause)
...Have a blessed day sir. Homophobic piece of shit.
ABBY
I mean what did you expect? No one wants give money away for free. And why are you pretending to be ‘Maxine?’
MAX
Oh my little Abby. So sweet.
Max continues with the calls.Finally down to the last number we both took a deep breath as the phone rang. This time Max puts the phone on speaker.
MAX
Hi, my name is Maxine I work with the Human Rights Campaign. How are you today?
JEANETTE
(quizzically)
I’m good. How are you?
MAX
Good. Thanks for asking. I’m calling to see if you have a moment to talk about gay rights. Is now a good time?
JEANETTE
Not really. But I already contribute and I’m not going to increase it at this time. Thank you.
MAX
So would you like to add to your contribution?
JEANETTE
I just said no.
Both Max and Abby are perturbed by this response.
MAX
I’m terribly sorry. Can you confirm your name for our records?
JEANETTE
Jeanette Issing, 602 W 185th Street, New York.
MAX
Thank you.
(hangs up)
Sounds bitchy to me.
ABBY
(nervous)
I wouldn’t say that. You did just cold call her.
MAX
Whatever...Now you have her number so get to texting girl. Work some lady loving magic. I’m going to read my book and take a nap.
Max leaves. Abby sits staring at the number catatonically trying to figure out if what to do next. She punches the number in her contacts.
Fade to black “The Next Day”
INT-Music store that Abby works at. It’s around 4 PM Abby stares at her phone trying to figure if she should send a text. The store if virtually empty but abby cautiously looks around. Abby starts typing
“Hey. It’s Abby I just wanted to see what you were up to tonight?”
Then deletes the whole text.
“Hey, sorry to bother you”
Then deletes the whole text.
“Hey, This is Abby from Steamy Bunny. I had a good time ;)”
ABBY
You don’t even remember that night.
(Types again)
“This is ABBY from the other night. I wanted to see what you were up to?”
Her finger hovers over the send button, wincing she presses send. And lets out a breath of relief. Dots begin appearing. 5 seconds passes.Jeanette’s message.
“Hey ;)”
ABBY
Holy shit!
Abby looks around the store. Blushing. dots appear again.
“I’m teaching until 5:30 we could meet up for happy hour. Do you know Mel’s on Broadway?”
Abby’s hands are a bit shaky she exits pulls up google maps and types in Mel’s
ABBY
111th Street! That’s gonna take me and hour.
Her manager pops up behind her.
MANAGER
Hey.
Abby jumps slamming the phone down. Manager follows it with his eyes.
MANAGER(Cont.)
It’s fine if you’re on your phone. No one’s in here anyways.
ABBY
Sorry, thanks.
She doesn’t even know why she’s apologizing.
MANAGER
So.. Anyways. I was just going to let you off early.I’ll close up See you tomorrow.
ABBY
I can stay if you need me to?
MANAGER
Avoiding plans you made?
Manager turns and leaves visibility
ABBY (Cont.)
Shit.
Sighs and texts back
“Sounds great. I’ll see you around 5:45?”
Dots appear
“Works for me.”
Abby goes to the back of the store and grabs her backpack and bike and begins montage.
EXT-”Greenlight” by Lorde is playing. Abby bikes from Williamsburg with headphones. She riding across the bridge leisurely while speeding hipsters pass her but she doesn’t care. As she get on Houston she is cut off by a car song stops as she yells at them. Then continues on. Jumps to her biking on the west side highway at the chorus. Jumps to Abby staring at the large mountain cliff sighs has she struggles to bike up it. Finally arriving Mel’s She rushes inside a bit sweaty. She walks into the bar
ABBY
Can I get a water?
BARTENDER
ID?
She sighs and hands him her ID, He rolls his eyes and gets a very fast non icy water
ABBY
Thanks..
Abby looks around the bar pretty busy with college students. In slowish motion Jeanette walks in. She has this gorgeous aura and Abby instantly remembered why she woke up with tingly feelings. Jeanette walks in and doesn’t recognize Abby and heads to the bar. She orders quickly and starts to look around. And spots Abby Then waves to her. Abby eagerly walks over.
JEANETTE
Hey.
Jeannette instantly hugs Abby catching her off guard.
ABBY
Sorry I’m a little wet.
JEANETTE
(laughs in a sultry tone)
Well aren’t you forward.
ABBY
(nervous laugh)
No! No, I biked here. I’m all sweaty and gross.
Abby avoids eye contact. The previous bartender walks up with Jeanette’ drink, vodka tonic
BARTENDER
Here you go Jenny. You know, we missed you the other night.
(winking)
JEANETTE
Ha, you’re just saying that to tease me. Anyways, Abby, first round's on me. What do you want?
Bartender sneers
ABBY
Um, what kind of whiskey do you have?
BARTENDER
(sighs)
Jack, Jameson, Wild Turkey...
ABBY
Mmmm...I’ll just have a beer. Stella?
Bartender leaves. Jeanette is sort of looking Abby up and down.
JEANETTE
You like whiskey?
ABBY
Yeah. Most places don’t have what I want. But there’s this great place in Brooklyn-
JEANETTE
(cuts off Abby, sarcastically.)
There’s always a ‘great place’ in Brooklyn.
ABBY
You know, it’s not all hipsters. It’s actually owned by this nice guy named Steve. Plays great music. The food is awesome too.
JEANNETTE
I guess you’ll have to take me some time.
She takes a sip of her drink. Abby nervously gulps.Bartender returns with beer. Slamming it down a bit. There’s an awkward silence. Both women sizing each other up.
ABBY
So if I’m being honest, I don’t really remember the other night.
JEANETTE
Well, I’m not surprised.
ABBY
Wait, what happened? You make it sound bad.
Jeanette laughs whilst Abby swoons.
JEANETTE
Well…
(puts drink down)
I was going to the bathroom and there you were. You were on the floor , I think waiting for a stall but you were pretty out of it. So I sat down next to you and we chatted. You looked like you were going to throw up but you didn’t. Anyways, you asked if we could hang out sometime and I gave you my number. Now here we are.
ABBY
Wow, sorry about that. That bathroom floor is not clean. You didn’t have to take care of me.
JEANETTE
(laughs again)
That’s what you said then too. Listen, I don’t think you would have gone home if I hadn’t found you. But I wouldn’t call that a proper introduction.
(holds out her hand)
I’m Jeanette, you can call me Jenny. Nice to meet you
ABBY
(shakes her hand)
Abby-Nice to meet you sober.
(chuckles)
JENNY
So, Abby who drinks whiskey and lives in Brooklyn. What do you do for fun?
ABBY
Fun?
JENNY
Yes, that thing people occasionally indulge in.
ABBY
Um...I play guitar. So I like doing that when, I’m alone.
JENNY
You don’t like an audience?
ABBY
(earnestly)
I have a hard time palying when there are people around. It’s distracting.
Jenny is distracted staring across the room at another woman.
ABBY (Cont.)
Jenny?
JENNY
(shakes her head)
Sorry about-.There’s just someone I- I’ve just seen them around recently.
ABBY
Oh which one?
Jenny points to a woman far away.
JENNY
(wanton)
Her name is Jeanie.
ABBY
She kind of looks familiar. How do you know her?
JENNY
I’ve just seen her around before.
Jeanie catches to Abby looking across the room and begins to walk over. Jenny begins to act nervous. Abby is rather unfazed.
JEANIE
Oh my god Abby!
Jenny looks at Abby with confusion.
JEANIE (Cont.)
Shit it is you. Jeanie, we went to Pace together. Max and I acted together.
ABBY
Oh? I think I remember you and Max did ‘Stop Kiss’ or something? You looked a little different. I guess I didn’t recognize you right away.
JEANIE
(look of disappointment)
Yeah, I chopped off my hair. Who’s your friend?
JEANETTE
(interjects with her hand)
Jenny, pleasure to meet you.
JEANIE
The pleasure is mine.
There is an awkward amount of hand touching, then Jeanie turns to Abby.
JEANIE (Cont.)
Abby we should hangout sometime. Max still has my number. Anyways I won’t keep you. See ya.
JENNY and ABBY
Bye!
Jenny turns back to Abby.
JENNY
Sorry, you were saying... you played guitar?
Music plays over them talking “tip of my tongue” Civil Wars. They continue talking as fast paced people move past them. Seemingly hours past.
ABBY (V.O.)
I don’t think I knew it then but this was the start of something truly...messy.
INT-Abby is asleep in her bed. Sunlight is pouring into the room. The decorations are miss mashing of odd strange things that don’t particularly match. In the room bursts Eliza high energy and jumps on the bed effectively pouncing on Abby. Abby tries to hide underneath the covers and escape.
LIZA
Wake up sleepy head.
ABBY
It’s a Tuesday at 8:00 AM. Why are you here? Don’t you have work?
LIZA
For your information I have the evening shift and Max told me you were out late with a lady love and I want to hear all about it.
ABBY
(defensive)
She’s not my ‘lady love’
LIZA
Whatever...Are you gonna tell me about it or not?
ABBY
(pulls off the covers)
Will you buy me coffee from downstairs?
LIZA
(rolls her eyes)
Fiannneee if you insist. Get up you lazy bum!
INT- Coffee shop. Both are seated Abby is cradling her coffee with sunglasses on. Liza is fast away texting a mile a minute.
ABBY
(disdainfully)
New boy toy?
Liza is still paying attention to her phone.
LIZA
Maybe you’ll find out. Maybe you’ll never know.
ABBY
Hmmm. Well you know I have to pre-vet him before you bring him around the boys. We can’t have a repeat of Michael. Jake near ripped his head off.
LIZA
Yeah yeah. Jake won’t do anything stupid. I hope.
(Places phone down)
Why are you wearing fucking sunglasses inside?
ABBY
I had a long night and I don’t give a fuck.
LIZA
Because you were up all night with your new lady love?
(bats eyelashes)
ABBY
(glows with embarrassment)
It’s not even like that, number one. And we were just talking most of the night. She’s nice, her name is Jenny.
LIZA
That’s not how Max describes it. Gimme your phone?
ABBY
What for?
LIZA
Cause. Now hand it over.
Abby passes the phone over reluctantly. Liza types in the passcode
LIZA (Cont.)
I don’t even know why you bother with a passcode, when I know all of them.
scrolls through Abby’s texts.
“Hey winky face?”
LIZA (Cont.)
I wouldn’t call that nothing.
Abby snatches back her phone.
ABBY
Stop looking through my texts. It’s nothing, Okay?
LIZA
(puts her hands up defensively)
Okay! Jeez. Look I’m happy if your happy. If y’all are just friends I’m cool with it. Just don’t bring her around until you’re sure.
ABBY
What’s that supposed to mean?
LIZA
Remember Angie? Max harassed her all night.
ABBY
I remember. I’m still mad at him for that. She was nice.
LIZA
She was weird and you know it.
ABBY
Maybe not a healthy relationship but it worked at the time.
LIZA
Anyways, if you like this person, Jenny, then get to know her first. Okay? I don’t want you writing some love sick song about her and presenting it to her.
ABBY
That only happened once. And you know I’m sensitive about that. Listen, I will be careful. I’m fully aware of the fully beating heart on my sleeve. Mom!
LIZA
I’m just looking at for you Tabs. Now, I’ve got to go make myself look presentable for Juan. I look like a damn bird lady.
ABBY
(shakes her head)
No you don’t. You look fine.
LIZA
Thanks for the complement. Real confidence booster.
ABBY
You know what I mean.
LIZA
I know. I’m just teasing.
ABBY
(stands up and hugs Liza)
Love you Liza. I’ll see you later
LIZA
Love ya Tabs. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
ABBY
Like that means anything.
Liza shrugs
INT-Scene opens on Max playing video games in their living room. Abby enters through the front room discarding her sunglasses and hoodie. She vaults over the back of the couch and sits next to Max leaning back and sighing.
MAX
So how was Liza?
ABBY
(indifferently)
Good. Why didn’t you come?
MAX
Coffee isn’t my thing
ABBY
I literally saw you drink coffee yesterday.
Max pauses the game and passes Abby the remote and they both begin to play “rayman”.
MAX
You know,Liza and I haven’t exactly been on the same page since the whole thing with Jake.
ABBY
(very focused on the game)
You have got to let that go. I know Jake is your brother but that was forever ago and we All need to move on.
MAX
It’s not that simple. Jake says he’s fine but he’s not. I haven’t invited him over in sooooo long. I just don’t want him to cause a scene. But I can’t cut him out of my life. He’s the only family I have. Besides I still think I can keep them separated for at least another 2 months.
ABBY
Oooo go back. secret level
Tapping controllers.
ABBY and MAX
Yes!
ABBY
You know I love all of you guys but this has got to stop. This isn’t healthy for anyone. And I can’t be a buffer anymore.
(pause)
Why don’t we all get together for my birthday? We can invite John.
MAX
Ugh John.
ABBY
You know you love him.
MAX
Not since he started dating what’serface. I see them all over facebook all gross and shit. When is the last time he hung out with us. Just us.
ABBY
Exactly my point. We should all get together. It will be hella fun. Pleease it’s my birthday!
MAX
Fine, fine fine. But there better be lots of booze or I am not entertaining. This is my house too.
Abby’s phone buzzes in her pocket she pulls it out to inspect it. Text from Jenny
“I get out of class in at 12 would you want to grab lunch? I had a great time last night. :)”
Max shuffles in his seat realizing that Abby is still just staring at her phone. Abby doesn’t move for about 3 seconds just looking over the words.
MAX
Ah Mah Gawd just say yes. Jesus! Let’s get on with our live’s
Abby protectively pulls away her phone and feigned a shocked look.
ABBY
Ah! What have I said about over the shoulder text reading?
MAX
(mockingly)
It’s an invasion of person space and boundaries and isn’t fair.
ABBY
Yeah! The fact that you know how I feel about it should say something.
MAX
I’m just a curious cat. Now, are you going to text her so we can beat this level? I want a perfect 100 and no less.
Abby types away fast then throws the phone to the other side of the couch.
ABBY
(slightly demonic voice)
Let’s do this!
INT- Barnard College. Students are filing out of the lecture hall. Jenny is putting her books in her bag. She’s sporting fake reading glasses. Abby slowly tip toes into the lecture hall trepidatiously. Checking the students as she walks past. Abby walks up to Jenny.
ABBY
Hey.
(looking down at a syllabus)
When you said you were a teacher I wasn’t expecting this. “Women’s studies a look through an intersectional lense.”
JENNY
It’s just an Intro class they won’t let me teach anything above a 100 level until I’ve been here for a couple more years. But I like it.
Jenny smiles sweetly, a student walks up and stand patiently with her book to her chest, Jenny notices and looks towards the girl and the girl blushes.
STUDENT
Professor Issing, I was wondering if you might have some time to chat about the mid-term paper. I wanted to run an idea past you.
JENNY
(cocks her hip and stares at her knowingly)
I am more than willing to discuss it at office hours. They should be listed on the syllabus. Or you can talk to My TA Gerardo
STUDENT
(looks down)
Oh okay. I’ll stop by this week. See you then.
She smiles and looks up as she leaving then frowns at Abby.
ABBY
(flustered)
So… should we get a sandwich?
Jenny pulls her bag over her shoulder. And they begin to walk out.
JENNY
Don’t worry about her. I’m the youngest professor at Barnard. So they all think I’m available.
ABBY
(nervous)
But you aren’t seeing anybody though?
JENNY
Of course not! I mean I’m not available to them. I’m so not doing a student/teacher thing. I’m trying to get a promotion. And I’m not going to fuck that up. Anyways, there’s great cart I like to go to. We can sit on the library steps since it’s such a nice day.
ABBY
Sounds great to me.
EXT- at the cart. Abby and Jenny are grabbing their boxes of food
JENNY
Thanks Sammy. I’ll see you around.
SAMMY
Okay habibi. Stay safe, these people crazy out there.
JENNY
Always.
Jenny and Abby stroll along Broadway quietly before entering the campus. Abby looks around amazed. Enjoys her bewilderment. They climb to the top of the steps and sit opening their food.
ABBY
Pace never had a campus like this or really even one at all.
Abby opens her box and pokes food.
JENNY
Well that’s what you get with a $9 billion endowment.
(takes a bite)
But that doesn’t make it any better. Education is what you make it. You put in the effort then you’ll make out pretty well. Some of the people who go here don’t even have a clue.
Abby looks down at her food. Sad.
JENNY(Cont.)
I’m sorry did I upset you?
ABBY
No I just think sometimes I’m not on the right path to what I want to do. I have this expensive degree and I’m working at a music store for just over minimum wage. It’s just silly.
JENNY
Are you happy? Like on a day to day basis.
Abby thinks for a moment.
ABBY
I’m happy with what I’m doing. I just don’t know about everything else. You know?
JENNY
(puzzled)
I think that was the most vague nondescript answer I’ve ever heard.
ABBY
(laughs)
Sorry. You don’t want to hear about my melodrama. It’s not even about me.
JENNY
(sits facing Abby)
See this is the problem today. Women think ‘oh my problems aren't valid because they don’t speak to some higher purpose’. We can’t elevate the world around us without elevating each other first. So, tell me.
ABBY
(takes a deep breath)
I guess I want to play music, which is what I’m doing. I don’t want to be famous or anything I just like playing. Being at the store does give me some time to mess around. I used to be inspired but I was bad at writing things down. By the time I figured that out a system the lyrics kind of left me. But I also feel like I let my parents down because I’m not running some successful business. Which I don’t want to be doing. On top of that I’m trying to hold the balance between my best friends. They’re my family, I love them but they constantly make mountains out of mole hills and in some ways it’s valid but like they just can’t seem to move on.
JENNY
(nods head and hums)
So you’re friends can’t get over small bullshit?
ABBY
Not exactly.Long story short my roommate's brother dated this girl in our friend group. It wasn’t exactly healthy, but we didn’t mind. The problem was Jake, the boyfriend, would get drunk and try to cause fights or get angry and leave, yell at his girlfriend for no reason. Of course Jake's brother is my roommate, Max, so, like I can’t avoid him. And honestly Liza, the girlfriend, did nothing wrong. She just broke up with him and it wasn’t mutual. So Jake is upset, still, this was a year ago. And Max blames Liza for breaking up with him. URGH! It just drives me crazy.
JENNY
Wow, that sounds messy. So you’re stuck in the middle? Trying to be friends with all of them.
ABBY
YES! And the worst part about it, is no matter what I say it’s like ‘yeah you’re right but that doesn’t change anything. And I’m just like ‘Damn can you just step back and look at your actions’. Like everyone is physically stressed out by this situation.
JENNY
I mean people can’t exactly change their feelings that’s what makes things like this messy. It’s illogical but it doesn’t matter because it just is. You can’t fix everyone’s problems, Abby.
(reaches for Abby’s hand)
Sometimes you have to take care of yourself.
ABBY
(nervously swallows hard and stills)
You’re ...Right. I just want...things to go back to normal. If I had a time machine.
JENNY
(smiles)
Again you can’t fix everything. Even if you want to-
(looks at her watch)
Shit I’ve got to get to class. But if you ever need to talk I’m here for you.
Jenny Embraces Abby in a deep hug.
ABBY
Thanks.
They hug for a long moment and Abby nuzzles into the crook of Jenny’s neck. Jenny pulls away and looks at Abby then kisses her cheek.
JENNY
Maybe we can hang out in Brooklyn tomorrow I don’t have class then.
ABBY
That would be nice.
Camera pans out and up into the sky and fades into Abby’s notebook, she is writing words to song lyrics at the counter of the music store. While humming. The manager walks up to her peeking over her shoulder.
MANAGER
Are you going to show me what you got there?
Abby pulls away some not totally recoiling.
ABBY
Maybe. It’s a work in progress. I’ll show you when it’s done.
MANAGER
You know I can always lend an ear.
He laughs a little at his own pun.
ABBY
Cute Ed.
(Pause)
Fine but, I’m not singing I’ll just show you the guitar parts.
They walk over to the stands, Abby pick up a cream colored Telecastor.And plugs it into the amp(fender deville) she plays a soft finger plucked song humming softly. Ed picks up a guitar. He lets her play a bit before for joining in. He plays the harmony that she is singing. Abby smiles and stops humming. They play one round and Abby starts to sing some of the lyrics. After a verse Ed stops from the ding of the door.
ED
Hey, feel free to take a look around.
Ed looks down at Abby and whispers.
ED (Cont.)
She looks cute.
Abby turns around in her stool. revealing Jeanie. Abby places the guitar down and turns off the amp.
ABBY
I got this Ed.
(Pause)
Hey Jeanie. Are you looking for something in particular that I can help you with?
Jeanie pulls out a small Ukulele
JEANIE
I broke a string on this.
Abby steps closer to inspect the ukelele.
ABBY
Got it. You want me to replace it for you? There’s no extra charge.
JEANIE
That’d be great. I don’t really know how anyways.
ABBY
Sure.
Abby walks over to the wall of stings and grabs a pack and places the uke on the countertop. Then starts replacing the string.
ABBY (Cont.)
I didn’t know you played the Ukulele.
JEANIE
Not really. I know a couple of songs. I actually need to for a prop.
ABBY
(playfully)
Oh another play. You starring on Broadway or something?
JEANIE
I wish. I’m doing this black box thing not too far from here. I mean not many people go to Brooklyn to see a play
ABBY
(sarcastically)
There is culture and things here. And not just in Williamsburg.
JEANIE
(does not pick up on the sarcasm)
I love Bedford ave. They have such cute stores. And there’s this little gem.
Abby finish stringing the Ukelele and plays a little diddy.
ABBY
All done. The strings will slip out of tune for a little bit so you may have to tune it a couple of times
Jeanie looks puzzled.
JEANIE
I don’t have a tuner actually. I don’t think I’ve ever actually tuned it.
Abby scratches her head.
ABBY
Um..well.Someone told me you can just remember this.
(sings while plucking each string)
‘My dog has fleas’. I’m those aren’t the notes but it’s the tones. It’s easy enough to remember.
JEANIE
I think I can remember that.
(smiles and places her hand over ABBY’s on the neck of the uke)
You know I don’t remember you being this cute in college.
ABBY
(eyes dart down in embarrassment)
I guess I just grew into myself more. Here
Abby holds out the uke and Jeanie takes it.
JEANIE
Listen you should come to the show it’s suggested donation.
Jeanie holds out card. Abby takes it.
JEANIE (Cont.)
Show starts at 8.
ABBY
I might stop by later if I have time.
JEANIE
Well we’re playing all week so you should stop by st some point.
ABBY
I will.
JEANIE
Great I’ll see you around.
Jeanie exists through the front door. Abby takes a deep breath.
ED
She’s a piece of work, ain’t she.
ABBY
Ed!
ED
What? Oh please fix my Ukulele. Did you even charge her?
ABBY
You know if that was a regular you wouldn’t have charged her.
ED
But she’s not a regular. And she caught you off guard with that little hand thing.
ABBY
I am so not in the mood for this conversation
ED
Whatever. I’m just pointing out the obvious.
ABBY
Which is?
ED
This is why you don’t have a girlfriend. She was flirting with you. She came into this specific store to fix one string. And she wants you to go to that show. So go!
ABBY
Even if she was flirting I’m sure she’s into someone else.
ED
So! Seize the moment. You just have to go for it. Rip the band aid off. Jump in the deep end. Swim with the sharks
ABBY
OK! I get it. Lay off with the analogies. I’ll think about it.
ED
Well don’t miss an opportunity because you’re holding out for something better. If you get a call about a gig you take it then worry about the set list.
ABBY
Yeah yeah. Sage advice from my guru
ED
(points finger)
You know I’m right which is why you’re deflecting.
ABBY
I think you should have been a psychiatrist because you love this shit.
ED
What can I say. I’m a good read of people.
8. EXT- Abby is standing outside smoking a cigarette checking her phone before placing it in her pocket.There are other groups of people standing around talking. Jeanie walks up behind Abby and taps her shoulder.
JEANIE
Hey. I’m glad you could make it.
ABBY
Yeah, well you said to. Couldn’t pass it up.
Jeanie check behind her. ABBY shakes her head mouthing ‘what the fuck’ to herself, Jeanie turns back to face her
JEANIE
You think I could bum one of those.
Abby is taken aback reaching in her pocket and pulls out a pack.
ABBY
Sure.
Pulling out a cigarette and Jeanie places it in her mouth and leans forward for Abby to light it. Jeanie cups her hand around Abby’s looking up at her with hooded eyelids. Then pulls back.
JEANIE
What did you think of the play?
ABBY
Um I thought it was interesting and uh….
JEANIE
You didn’t like it huh?
ABBY
(laughs)
No. It was hard to follow for me. The whole nonlinear thing didn’t make sense at times.
JEANIE
Well that’s the point. To make you question what’s really going on when.
ABBY
I’m not a theater person I guess.
JEANIE
(places her hand on ABBY’s bicep)
That’s okay at least you showed up. That’s more than I can say for some of my friends.
ABBY
I’m glad I could help be supportive.
JEANIE
You’re are always so sweet Abby. I think that’s what I remembered the most about you. Max always said such nice things about you.
ABBY
Well I’m glad he did because he could say worse.
JEANIE
I highly doubt that
ABBY
I probably should be getting home.
Abby starts unlocking her bike next to the pole].
ABBY(Cont.)
Where do you live?
JEANIE
I live on the upper west side where you saw me the other night. I’m just going to the train.
ABBY
Let me walk you to the stop. It’s on my way.
JEANIE
Thanks I appreciate that. Maybe I won’t be verbally harassed today.
ABBY
One can only hope.
They continue to walk down the street.
JEANIE
Speaking of the other night, who was that woman you were with? Jenny?
ABBY
Yeah what about her?
JEANIE
Just curious. You know what her deal is?
ABBY
She’s a friend. She works at Barnard. She’s a professor
JEANIE
Ah. So you two aren’t together?
ABBY
No, no, no
(quietly)
But...
Jeanie cuts her off without hearing the but
JEANIE
Is she single?
ABBY
Um yeah I think so.
JEANIE
Do you think...if it’s not too much to ask, maybe get her number off of you?
ABBY
Um what?
JEANIE
If that’s not too weird. Or anything.
ABBY
(take a second to think about it.)
I mean sure why not. Here
Abbyr pulls out the phone from her pocket pulling up the contact.
JEANIE
Wow! Thanks a lot I really appreciate it. I’ll text it to myself so you can have my number too. Maybe you could teach me some of your music skills.
Jeanie passes the phone back.
ABBY
Yeah sure no problem.
They arrive at the train stop.
ABBY (Cont.)
I’ll see you around sometime.
Jeanie pulls Abby in for a side hug.
JEANIE
Yeah I’ll see you around. Thanks for the walk.
ABBY
No problem.
Jeanie leaves down the stairs while Abby turns around doubling back the way she came.
9.EXT. Roof of the loft apartment. Max and Abby are smoking a joint on the roof listening to music and drinking a few beers. Ratatat’s song Nostrand is playing in the background.
ABBY
I feel played man.
MAX
What did you expect It’s Jeanie fucking Thompson. She’s manipulative. She was like notorious for that shit.
ABBY
I had totally forgotten about all that drama. I just thought like she was being nice. She said I was ‘cuter than she remembered’. Like I’ve always been cute. Look at this face.
MAX
Tabby, I don’t want to burst your bubble but... you used to wear cargo shorts.
ABBY
That didn’t mean I wasn’t cute
MAX
They had holes in the butt.
ABBY
Maybe I didn’t have a fashion sense but that is conceded to say that I wasn't cute.
Max raises his hands, in defense.
MAX
Alright. You were cute. But this is coming from the man not attracted to women.
ABBY
True. I just can’t believe it. If you were there you would have seen it.
MAX
I’ve seen you around girls, Abs. She probably wasn’t actually hitting on you.
ABBY
She totally was! I swear it was just so she could get that number out of me. Fucking cunt.
MAX
So you’re telling me you actually gave her the number. I spent a good time on figuring that out. I’m gonna give her a piece of my-
ABBY
Maaax.
MAX
Ok fine I’ll leaver her alone. But if she comes over here I’m doing something.
ABBY
What are you gonna do?
MAX
I don’t know lick the top of her chapstick. Fart in her bag.
(shruggs)
ABBY
You are straight childish. But I support it.
Both laugh
MAX
Alright. So like what’s the deal with this Jenny? Are you going to take her on a real date because this weird grab a drink/ lunch is not sexy.
ABBY
(sighs)
I haven’t figure that out yet. She’s smart for god sake. Where am I going to take her? I can’t take her to the ale house.
MAX
NO! It needs to be romantic.
ABBY
I could take her to a performance something at the Met.
MAX
You have gone to Manhattan too many times. Let her come to you.
ABBY
Fine I’ll take her to BAM
Abby pulls out phone typing away.
MAX
Ew Ew you should take her to 5th Ave they have some little places right by there. Have a drink in a quiet secluded bar, dark mysterious like our little Tabs.
ABBY
Okay- The Principles of Uncertainty. I’m getting them. Done
MAX
Impulsive much?
ABBY
It was almost sold out and it’s like the premiering night. And it’s next weekend so timing is everything.
MAX
Whatever. I do have to meet her at some point. Approve her potential status.
ABBY
For all the mothering I do for your guys. This is the thanks I get.
MAX
(places hand on Abby’s shoulder)
Love blinds. And you are very weak.
ABBY
Like I said the thanks I get
MAX
It comes from a good place.
10. EXT- Abby is waiting outside the Barclay’s center waiting for Jenny. Jenny is slowly coming up the escalator.
ABBY
I’m glad you found your way. I know it’s a bit of a trek
Abby rubs the back of her head.
JENNY
It was fine although without the helpful tip about the back of the train I might have gotten lost in the station
ABBY
I have literally been lost in there for like 30 minutes, before. So tips from a pro. Shall we go.
JENNY
Where will we be going to first?
ABBY
There’s a little strip of bars on 5th. All of them are pretty good so, which ever one sticks out to you.
JENNY
You don’t have a special place picked out ?
ABBY
Maybe ?
They walk down the street when Abby begins to slow down in front of the place she wants to go. Jenny smiles and takes the hint.
JENNY
Very subtle.
ABBY
I have no idea what you’re talking about
JENNY
So you want to go to this one
(points with finger)
ABBY
You said it not me.
Jenny shakes her head and opens the door. It’s a small dark bar with a few older couples drinking wine quietly. They both walk up to the bar and sit.
BARTENDER
(places napkins on the bar)
What are you ladies having to drink to night?
JENNY
Vodka tonic.
Abby stands on the edge of the chair looking behind the bar. For 3 seconds. Jenny looks confused.
ABBY
Ooo yeah Blanton’s
BARTENDER
How do you want that?
ABBY
Neat.
Bartender leaves.
JENNY
So Blanton’s is your kind of whiskey? Neat, how very sophisticated of you.
ABBY
It’s good. And I don’t want it watered down by ice. It’s pretty expensive.
JENNY
If you work at a music store then how do you afford a $20 drink?
ABBY
I have other business ventures.
JENNY
And what would those be?
Drinks are placed down. Abby passes her card to the bartender. Then passes a business card to Jenny.
JENNY
(laughs)
You teach music? That’s so cute! Are they like little 10 year olds learning chopsticks?
ABBY
That’s piano and more like 40 year old single men. Some younger hipster guys who walk into the shop but, once they realize they aren’t as good as me , a girl, they get pissed and don’t come back.
JENNY
Sounds shitty. Do they come to your apartment?
ABBY
Worse, I go to theirs. I’ve seen things that can’t be shared with regular people.
JENNY
(Jokingly)
I’m just regular.
ABBY
Of course not!
In a realization of what she just said her eyes dart down. Jenny searches Abby’s face. They both take drink separately to avoid further conversation.
JENNY
(calmly)
Do I ever get to hear you play?
ABBY
Maybe. I haven’t done an open mic thing in a while.
JENNY
You should. I bet you’re great.
ABBY
Thanks. Encouragement is appreciated.
JENNY
And tips.
ABBY
That’s actually what it says on my jar
JENNY
Really?
ABBY
No. They don’t let you put jars out at open mics
JENNY
Oh I’ve never been before. I’ve been to some poetry slams but those are very different.
ABBY
Some people do poetry
JENNY
Really?
ABBY
Some people dance. I’ve seen comedy before.
(with disgust)
There’s this one guy with puppets it’s not great.
JENNY
(playfully)
What’s wrong with puppets?
ABBY
The bit is about creepy old men with audience participation.
JENNY
Ah. Well I’d like to hear some of your works.
ABBY
Right now?
JENNY
Is that possible?
(leans in closer)
ABBY
I- um...It’s well
JENNY
That’s a yes. Show me. Please
(claps hands together)
Abby sighs and finishes her drink, reaching for her phone slowly. Mumbles in a low voice.
ABBY
Don’t judge me okay.
JENNY
(earnestly)
I won’t.
Abby passes the phone the Jenny looking down at the hands clasped in between her legs. Jenny has the phone cupped to her ear. We can’t hear the music. Jenny bobs her head dictating a slow rhythm. Jenny’s face turns loose and limp. Sadness takes over. The song ends and she passes the phone quietly to Abby.
ABBY
(concerned by the silence)
Did you like it?
JENNY
I did. But who is it about?
ABBY
It’s about my grandpa. He died when I was in highschool. It wasn’t exactly sudden but, my parents weren’t very forward the fact that he was on his deathbed. I just didn’t get to say what I wanted to say to him.
JENNY
I’m so sorry .
ABBY
(straightens up)
This was years ago, there’s not too much to be sorry for now. But I needed that song, then. It just poured out of me. I wrote it in about 15 minutes. Which is crazy. Everything I’ve written that is actually good it is just in these spurts. And I don’t even see it coming. I just pick up my guitar and there it is. I’m lucky if I can grab a pen in time.
JENNY
Wow. So why aren’t you out there writing songs?
ABBY
If only that were so easy. I have only about 5 of those moments in 13 years. And I remember them, distinctly. But there are so many songs that just get lost or unfinished. Sometimes I can’t find the thing that the song is about. So they just lay there in my 2 minute recordings.... I’m sorry I’m babbling
JENNY
No, No! I want to hear this. I never thought-
(stops herself)
ABBY
Thought what?
JENNY
That -
(pauses to choose a particular word)
You were so deep?
ABBY
(angry)
What did you think?
JENNY
I don’t know. You worked in a music shop and you’re funny and cute. I don’t know what I thought.
ABBY
Listen don’t get me wrong here but there’s more to me then how I act. I don’t open up to people, easily. I’m more often hurt than helped and...I just want to honest about who I am. That’s all I’ve ever been.
JENNY
(confused)
There’s not anything else you want to be honest with.
Abby stares off looks up a clock-sudden shock. Turns towards the bartender.
ABBY
Oh my god is that the real time?
BARTENDER
Why else do I hang a clock on the wall?
ABBY
Shit we got to go.
“Queen Bitch by David Bowie starts playing. Grabs Jenny’s hand and runs out of the bar. Running through the streets on green lights skillfully running around people with Jenny trotting behind.
JENNY
You left your card!
ABBY
Forget it. I’ll come back tomorrow. The show starts in 5 minutes. I got too caught up there.
Stops at a busy intersection. ABBY looking left and right bouncing a bit.
JENNY
It’s okay if we’re late. I’m sure they’ll seat us.
Break in traffic Abby starts to run again.
ABBY
It’s opening night we can’t be late. Also BAM is hella strict on closed door policy.
They run up the stairs outside bam. Pulling out the tickets quickly. Getting them scanned and sitting at the house lights close as they take their seat
11.INT- Abby and Jenny are walking side by side talking about the show. Abby sees a restroom and excuses herself. Camera follows Jenny outside she walks up to a bike rack and leans against it. Camera pans out showing her playing on her phone. A group of men walk past. One of them pats the other and walk towards Jenny.
GUY
What’s a pretty girl like you doing all alone?
JENNY
(looks up from her phone)
I’m just waiting for a friend so…
GUY
If I was him I wouldn’t leave you out here in the cold.
JENNY
Well that’s not gonna happen, okay? I have a boyfriend.
GUY
Then where’s he at?
JENNY
(Snarky)
On his way so scram!
GUY
(turns back to his friends)
I like em feisty. What’s your name beautiful
JENNY
Nonya….Nonya bussiness
GUY
How very 90’s of you. Listen if your boyfriend don’t come out here in 5 minutes. You have to give me your number
JENNY
In your dreams.
Jenny begins to walk away. Abby is coming down the stairs. Man is following her. His friends are about 10’ away.
GUY
Come on! Give me a chance
Abby walks faster to Jenny once she sees the bastard. Jenny walks a bit faster catching up. Abby cuts off the guy and stumbles bumping into him.
ABBY
OH I’m soo sorry. Are you hurt?
Guy tries to get around her.
ABBY (Cont.)
No seriously I didn’t mean to
GUY
Dude get outta my way!
ABBY
But really though? I don’t want you to sue me.
GUY
Jesus lady I’m fine. Now will you move.
ABBY
(Feigns shock)
You are so rude.
FRIENDS
Let it go man she’s gone. Come’on let’s go. You’re being annoying. She’s a bitch anyways
GUY
Yeah yeah, Whatever.
They all turn and walk away. Abby looks to see where Jenny went. She checks her phone. ‘Around the corner’. Abby walks on a quiet secluded street and is standing waiting impatiently.
ABBY
You okay?
JENNY
I hate that I can’t go out one fucking night without some fucking comment. Did you tell him off?
ABBY
No. I don’t want to piss off the angry/ horny bear.
JENNY
(broods)
Sorry, I didn’t mean that. I’m just angry.
(looks at Abby)
Thank you, you didn’t have to do all that falling business.
ABBY
Well better then running away.
Jenny looks down with her arms crossed.
ABBY (Cont.)
I mean that’s why I’m here. I’m sorry the night ended on a bad note. I had a good time, though.
Jenny still looking at the ground quietly.
ABBY(Cont.)
You alright?
JENNY
I just hate that this shit gets to me.I teach feminism at an all women's college, for god sake. Now I’m all pissed and shit. And it’s an hour train ride. Probably longer because the trains are all fucked up. And I am not sitting in a cab with a strange man after that.
ABBY
I totally understand . Listen, I live about 30 minutes from here. If you don’t want to go home. I have a nice couch you can sleep on?
JENNY
Really? What train to do live off of?
ABBY
Well um, the M or L but we would take the bus it’s faster.
JENNY
I don’t think I’ve ever taken the bus before.
ABBY
It’s not glamorous but it is direct and you get cell service. But I guess you’re used to that in your fancy Wifi manhattan stations.
JENNY
I didn’t say I was opposed to the bus just hadn’t taken one before.
ABBY
Then let’s be on our way.
They are waiting at the bus stop as it pulls up. Abby let’s Jenny enter first. Jenny tries to sit in the front. Abby pulls her to the back. And sit down in the back.
ABBY
You always take the back seats first. Bus etiquette.
JENNY
Oh sorry. Why ?
ABBY
It’s hard to move around. Plus a bunch of older people take the bus and they sit in the front for easy access.
JENNY.
I see.
Abby pulls out her phone and headphones and passes a free earbud. Quietly takes it. Better Times by Beach house or dramamine by modest mouse comes on Jenny stares out of the bus window as they pass through narrow streets. Some people are walking about Abby is looking forward not wanting to look at Jenny. Jenny’s hand twitches towards Abby’s leg just as she’s about to touch it. Abby get’s up and presses the button.
ABBY
This is our stop.
Jenny gets up quietly and follows Abby out the doors. Abby holds the doors open for a little old lady and her cart
ABBY (Cont.)
Want a hand?
LADY
Oh yes.Please
Abby grabs the bottom of a cart and carries it down the stairs
LADY (Cont.)
Thank you sir.
ABBY
No problem. Stay safe
LADY
You too.
Abby and Jenny walk past.
JENNY
(jokingly)
Such a chivalrous young man.
ABBY
I’m not gonna shove my white privilege in people’s faces and I was misgendered for 2 seconds, I don’t mind.
Jenny finds the gesture endearing and sweet. Abby is focus on the street ahead. They walking into a building and stop up the stairs. Only hear the jingle of her keys. Jenny leans against the wall while Abby unlocks the front door.
ABBY
Well here it is. In all it’s glory
Jenny looks around curious
JENNY
It’s cute.
Abby goes to the kitchen and fixes two glasses of water and passes one to Jenny. Jenny looks down at drink.
JENNY
I’m sorry that I was being a little crazy back there. Normally that stuff doesn’t bother me.
ABBY
It’s totally okay. You should be upset. That guy was an ass hat. I’m just sorry that you have to sleep on my couch. Which by the way-
Abby walks over to find a Jake (Max’s brother) sleeping on the couch fully dressed. Abby turns back to Jenny.
ABBY
Looks like we have a problem.
Jenny peaks over the edge of the couch.
JENNY
Oh.[pause] Well I can just sleep in your bed.
Abby blinks a few times.
ABBY
I-could sleep on the floor
JENNY
I meant we could both sleep in the bed. You don’t need to sleep on the floor.
Jake begins to stir. Abby leads Jenny to her bedroom. Abby starts sifting through her drawers trying to find spare pajamas for Jenny. Meanwhile Jenny is undressing to her underwear and T-shirt. Abby turns around as Jenny is bent over. Abby blushes and turns around and puts the clothes on top of the dresser. Jenny has already climbed into bed.
JENNY
Sorry I’m just so tired
(yawns)
Abby slow follow’s Jenny’s lead and strips to her underwear and shirt. Quickly dart under the covers. They’re backs are facing. Abby is still rustling a bit to get comfortable.
JENNY
Abby?
ABBY
Yeah?
JENNY
Can we cuddle?
Abby stills, breathless. Jenny stirs but doesn’t roll over. Abby reluctantly turns over and scoots closer. They are close but not touching. Jenny reaches for Abby’s and pulls it around her.
JENNY
Is this okay?
ABBY
(barely audible)
Yeah.
JENNY
Good.
“Run All Night” by Rachael Cantu plays. Jenny pulls Abby tighter. Abby lays awake. Somewhere between terrified and excited. But petrified.
INT-Abby’s Bedroom. The sun is barely up but Abby didn’t sleep at all that night. She quietly gets up not to wake Jenny and goes into the kitchen and starts to make coffee. She rubs her head in frustration. She slams the coffee cup down hard. It wakes Jake.
JAKE
(Incoherent mumbles)
Abby?
Abby takes another cup of coffee and walks it over the the couch. Passes it to Jake who sits up. They both sit on the couch.
ABBY
So what happened?
JAKE
Why do you assume something happened?
ABBY
Your knuckles have cuts on them.
Jake tries to hide his hands.
ABBY (CONT.)
I don’t care what happened. Just let me know if I shouldn’t open the door.
JAKE
I wouldn’t. But for the record it was self-defense.
ABBY
Didn’t say it wasn’t. Listen I have a someone over so if you could-
Jenny is holding her coat over her arm and is quietly leaving the room. Her path is aimed towards the door.
JENNY
Thanks for letting me stay over. I have to get going I have a class in a few hours. I’ll text you?
ABBY
Yeah no problem.
Abby stands up
ABBY (CONT.)
I can walk you down?
JENNY
No it’s okay. I’ll be fine. I’ll text you. Bye.
Jenny leaves and the door slams a bit. Jake lifts his brows in surprise.
JAKE
That was rude.
ABBY
She had to leave.
JAKE
She didn’t even hi to me. Bitch
ABBY
Can you not?
JAKE
Sorry. Just saying man.
ABBY
Yeah, well it’s not cool. Anyways. You coming to my party next weekend?
JAKE
I wouldn't miss it for the world Tabs!
Scruffs Abby’s Hair. Abby pulls away and adjusts it.
ABBY
Just be chill okay?
JAKE
I’m always chill
Abby looks down at Jake’s hands.
JAKE (CONT.)
Okay. I’ll be chill. Just don’t be lame and puss out. We gettin you fucked up!!!!
ABBY
I won’t puss out. You just worry about yourself.
Both sip coffee at the same time.
INT-The Apartment. Party night with the gang. Abby is prepping the house with drugs, booze and tunes. Max idly helping out but also playing different music than Abby wants. Door knocks Abby goes to get it group of Jake, Eliza, John and John’s girlfriend. Liza enter first and pinches Abby’s cheeks
LIZA
Oh Tabby!
Jake does a sort of dab hand shake
JAKE
Hey man what’s going on.
John does the same hand shake
JOHN
Hey Abb’s this is my girlfriend. I hope it’s cool I brought her.
ABBY
Of course. Nice to meet you nameless girlfriend.
(Abby smiles)
DENISE
Oh, uh my name is Denise. Nice to meet you.
Chaos ensues. All the pre-party planning destroyed in one fell swoop.Jake is poking through the drawers looking for something. No one knows. Max and Liza are cackling and making weird cooing noises at Abby’s efforts to maintain calm while John and Denise are make themselves a drink being disgustingly cute. Abby hangs her head.
ABBY
Jake, stop looking for drugs. They’re all laid out on the table for you.
Jake puts on Abby’s sunglasses
JAKE
I’m not looking for drugs. But these sunglasses are awesome. Can I have them?
ABBY
No!
Jake ignores Abby and sits on the couch next to his brother, sunglasses on. Abby walks behind Liza fiddling with the music.
ABBY
You know I did make a playlist. Guys.
LIZA
Oh Mama Abby.
(pats Abby’s hand)
You know I got to play my boy Bob before John plays his weird ass dubstep
John walks over to the couch, Denise follows
JOHN
You guys don’t like my music?
ABBY
No one said that. Liza just wants to be the DJ for once. alright?
LIZA
Yeah! Fuck you male privilege!
(fist to the air)
JOHN
Let’s play Medusa!
ABBY
Do we have to jump right in? Can’t we enjoy each other’s company for 5 minutes.
LIZA & MAX
(Talking over each other)
Come on Tabby Abby get in the game! It’s gonna be a long night. You don’t even have to work tomorrow. Or drive or get home. Pleeaaasee.
ABBY
Fine.
MAX.
(Mimics Abby)
Fine
(then smiles)
JOHN
(to Denise)
Okay so, the game works by everyone putting their heads on the table. When I say go we all look up. Whoever is looking at someone and they are looking back at you they have to drink. Kay?
DENISE
Um, I’ll sit this round out and watch until I figure it out.
John gives her a reassuring side hug
MAX
I mean it’s pretty simple game.
JAKE
Yeah, even Abby is doing it.
ABBY
Wow. Didn’t know I was setting the standard.
LIZA
Abby Tabby (shake head)
JOHN
ANYWAYS! Get your drinks so we can get started.
Jake and Max run to the refrigerator as if they were racing. Abby and Liza follow behind and return with their drinks.
JOHN
Head’s down
Everyone but Denise puts their heads down.
JOHN (CONT.)
1,2,3 GO!
Max and Abby make eye contact
ABBY & MAX
Damnit!
ABBY
We must be in sync. Fuck.(both drink)
MAX
I don’t have a vagina so. Don’t know how that’s possible.
Montage of lots of drinking few rounds, everyone has had a turn except Denise. Door knocks( music stops). Abby gets up.
MAX
Who’s that?
ABBY
I invited Jenny.
Liza puts her finger in his open mouth and gags, Max laughs both Denise and John are clueless. Abby opens the door to reveal Jenny in a fancy trench coat holding a bottle of wine.Very much dressed for a dinner party.
ABBY(CONT.)
Hey, come in.
Abby opens the door further and lets in Jenny. Once the door is closed Jenny pulls Abby in for a firm, long sensual hug.
JENNY
Hey
Everyone else is watching this for the entire length of the hug.Shocked and taken aback at how Abby and Jenny do not seem to realize they are still in the room. Jenny pulls back and turns to the room noticing the drinking is already taking place.
JENNY (CONT.)
(Awkward)
I brought wine but I don’t think anyone wants it. So I’ll just put it in the kitchen.
Liza springs up from couch and runs towards the kitchen.
LIZA
Oh I’ll have some. White wine spritzer!
Abby stares coldly as Liza takes the bottle from Jenny.
JENNY
Sure, go for it.
She passes the bottle at an arm's length distance.Liza opens the bottle and pours nearly to the brim of the glass before returning to the group.
ABBY
I do have vodka if you want that?
JENNY
Sure. You know what I like by now.
ABBY
I suppose. Go and sit down make yourself comfortable. I’ll fix it for you.
Jenny approaches slowly, careful to not feel too comfortable. She sits awkwardly in a single chair.
JENNY
So what game are you guys playing?
Liza is sprawled lazily drinking her wine regally.
LIZA
I’m done playing. I have a headache. But I’m interested in hearing about you Jenny. Abby hasn’t told us too much about you.
JENNY
There’s not much to tell really. I’m a professor at Barnard. I teach women's studies but mostly intro classes. I only started working there last year.
LIZA
And what were you doing before that?
JENNY
I was getting my master’s at Barnard.
MAX
So you like all women’s schools?
Abby returns from the kitchen and hands Jenny her drink.
ABBY
No interrogations before midnight.
Abby winks at Jenny. Jenny ignores it, still focused on Liza.
LIZA
Well we just wanted to get to know Jenny your...friend here.
ABBY
Well like she said she teaches women’s studies and you all know how we met. So what more is there to know?
LIZA
But how does she feel about Bob Dylan?
Everyone in the friend group eye rolls and sighs. Denise and Jenny are lost. Jenny searches Abby for any indication of the right answer.Abby won’t answer.
JENNY
I guess he’s alright?
Liza passes her glass to Max and leans forward.
LIZA
He is possibly the great musician that has ever existed. He is more than alright.
Stands up abruptly and walks to the speakers.
LIZA (Cont.)
If you are not converted after this song. Then I don’t know what.
Abby knits her eyebrows and rubs her head.
ABBY
Really? Do you have to do this?
LIZA
Tabby, don’t be such a downer. You know you like him too.
Liza puts on “going going gone” by Bob Dylan. While the friend group rolls their eyes again as they have hear this song for the umteenth time. Denise being on the outside looks at Jenny and they share an awkward exchange as if to say “is she for real right now?”
Abby sits at the table and rolls a joint, some how in a way to bridge a divide. Once finished rolling she lights it and passes it to Jenny
ABBY
(while holding in the smoke)
Guests first.
Jenny Semi-reluctantly takes the joint and takes a baby puff and passes to Max.
MAX
(Earnest)
We do puff-puff pass. If you want.
Max passes it on to Liza who is still very much into the song. Once finished, she passes it to Jake. They share a devilish look. Jake stands up before passing it to John.
JAKE
I’ll be right back.
Abby and Max exchange a knowing look and follow their eyes to Jake going to the bathroom. John and Denise are whispering over how Denise hasn’t really smoked before and John is assisting with the joint. Max leans over to Liza to have a side conversation. Abby turns to Jenny
ABBY
(in a whisper) I’m sorry about Liza she can be...forward.
JENNY
It’s okay.
Jenny wants to say more but John leans in a passes the joint to Abby.
JOHN
I’m John by the way. This is my girlfriend Denise.
DENISE
Nice to meet you. Abby, thanks for having us over. I’m glad to finally meet you. John talks about you alot
ABBY
No problem. I just want to be around people I love on my birthday. I hope John hasn’t told you any horror stories.
JOHN
Tabby I would never.
JENNY
Why do you guys keep call her Tabby?
Max and Liza overhear this and jump over to where Abby is sitting and pinch her cheeks and rub her hair.
MAX and LIZA
Because she’s cute Tabby cat
MAX
She’s soft and cuddly
LIZA
Gets all angry and flustered when you don’t do things her way.
JOHN
She’s just Tabby. Don’t know how to explain it any other way.
ABBY
(disheartened)
I’ve learned to accept it.
LIZA
You know you love it.
Abby grunts. Meanwhile (in the background) Denise has left to use the bathroom. The bathroom door swings open. Jake appears to be doing something secretive and closes it. Denise asks to use the bathroom.
DENISE (from across the room)
Can I just get in there for a minute?
JAKE (from across the room)
Give me a second.
DENISE
I got to go (Opens the door knocking into Jake.)
JAKE
What the fuck, Bitch! I said wait.
DENISE
You did not just call me a bitch!
All the friends have been alerted by this time. Abby and Max share a frantic look. John turns into ultra protective mode and stands up. Jake emerges.
JAKE
John, you need to keep your bitch in line!
Denise pushes Jake’s back
DENISE
You are not gonna let him talk to me like this? You call this guy your friend?
JAKE
John Seriously, no manners.
John is now chest to chest with Jake
JOHN
Dude, you need to calm down.
JAKE
Me? she’s the one acting all crazy and shit!
JOHN
I’m serious man. You need to chill
Jake pushes John. John lunges into Jake and grapple each other. Max and Abby spring from their seats. Abby pulls Denise away, who is in shock. Max prys the two of them apart grabbing Jake by the shoulders and leading him to the front door. John still angry tries step forward Abby steps in front of him.
ABBY
He didn’t mean it. You know that.
John looks at Abby and steps back and walks to Denise and asks if she’s alright.
MAX
You need to leave now.
Max is livid but calm. He’s done this many times. Jake steps back and sniffles his nose and pinches it.
JAKE
Com’on I’m family. You’re not gonna kick me out, are you? Look I’m cool man, I’m cool. I swear.
MAX
You need to leave, go home calm down. Ride it out.
ABBY
Jake, just go and cool down.
Jake looks around the room expecting someone to defend him. Just silence.
JAKE
Fuck you! I’m outta here.
Jake leaves and slams the door. Abby nods to Max who follows Jake out into the hall. Abby turns back to John and Denise.
ABBY
I am so sorry Denise. Jake can lose his temper,sometimes. I suggest you guys wait a bit, if you want to leave. If you need some space,you can use my bedroom.
Denise looks at John.
DENISE
Thanks.
John and Denise walk off into Abby’s bedroom. Abby looks at the front door, murmurs of yelling are going on in the hallway. Abby goes to sit down next to Liza and downs her drink
LIZA
God, I hate it when he does this.
Abby is too afraid to acknowledge Jenny’s presence she is embarrassed and remorseful, that all of this is happening.
ABBY
Yeah. I think he’s had a rough couple of days.
Jenny looks at both of them curious
JENNY
You’re not seriously defending him? He just did blow in the bathroom and yelled at that girl for no reason!
ABBY
I’m not defending his actions. But he’s still my friend.
JENNY
Friends don’t have angry bursts of rage at someone else’s house on their birthday.
Abby wants to rebuttal but Liza cuts in
LIZA
Listen. It’s complicated I wouldn’t try to understand it. Don’t think you can just come in here and get.It.
ABBY
Liza, please. Jenny, I don’t expect anything sort of understanding but Jake is our friend no matter what. I don’t like what he did anymore than you do. Neither does Liza. But we have to support him.
JENNY
Why? He doesn’t seem to support you?
Door opens and enters Max.
ABBY
Hey, did he leave?
MAX
Yeah. Do you have a cig I can bum?
ABBY
Yeah I’ll come down with you.
(turns to Jenny.)
Do you want to come?
JENNY
I think I should leave.
Liza and Max exchange a look, as though they realized they messed this up. Abby is disappointed but knows she can’t fix it.
ABBY
Yeah sure. Whatever you want.
Max, Abby, and Jenny grab their coats down stairs. Outside it’s cold Abby lights a cigarette and passes the pack to Max They are standing next to each other and Jenny is across from them. Jenny doesn’t know how to talk to Abby while Max is present.
JENNY
I wish I could stay but I think you guys should enjoy your night without me.
MAX
I’m sorry about my brother. But, honestly it doesn’t have to ruin the rest of the night.
Max elbows Abby’s side.
ABBY
We can just listen to music.
JENNY
Another time. I’ll text you?
ABBY
Yeah sure. Get home safe.
Abby and Max take a long drag and exhale, standing in silence. Shortly John exits with Denise behind.
DENISE
I’m sorry things got messed up on your birthday.
Denise nudges John.
JOHN
I’m sorry I got physical in there. I’m a little tipsy.
ABBY
It is by no means your fault. Jake lost it and you responded like anyone else would have.I’m just sorry it happened.
JOHN
Anyways, we’re gonna get home. I’ll see you guys around.
MAX & ABBY
See ya.
Shot from across the street. “Let it go” by James Bay starts to play. Max finishes his cigarette and leaves Abby outside. Abby leans against the wall alone, cars and people pass. She’s reflecting on everything. Why Jenny left, why Jake has to ruin everything, why is she still alone. It feels futile. She checks her phone and starts to type then stops. She looks at her phone then stops and puts her it in her pocket and goes back inside and enters the apartment. Max and Liza are sitting on the couch. Abby sits and places her head in her hands. Max and Liza wrap their arms around her.
ABBY
I like her. And I fucked it all up.
Max and Liza look at each other over Abby’s back and rub gently.
EXT-roof of Abby’s apartment Abby and Max are sitting in lawn chairs wrapped in blankets. Max is fast asleep. Abby is watching the sunrise. She’s moves to stand near the edge of the building with the blanket wrapped around her. She pulls out her phone and calls Jenny. Jenny’s hand slams the phone, she pulls it under the covers.
JENNY
Hello?
ABBY
Hey. Sorry to wake you.
JENNY
Are you okay?
ABBY
I’m fine. I’m just...watching the sunrise.
(pause)
It’s beautiful.
Jenny shuffles to get out of bed. We can see a lump but it’s unclear if it’s a person or just covers.Jenny walks over to her window and manages to get to the fire escape and see the sun rise.
JENNY
It is. You didn’t call me at 6:00 AM to tell me the sunrise was beautiful did you?
ABBY
I did.
Both laugh
ABBY (Cont.)
I guess I was sitting here thinking about being another year older. Realizing that things can change in an instant. Given what happened last night. And I just feel sorry-
Jenny cuts her off.
JENNY
You don’t need to be sorry about anything. Last night wasn’t your fault in any way.
ABBY
I should have just talked to Jake-
JENNY
I bet you apologized to everyone at that party?
(pause)
You shouldn’t go around apologizing for a man’s action. That is so classic just make everything about fixing the situation without it even being caused by you.
ABBY
Jenny, don’t get all theory on me. I just wish things had gone differently but there’s something-
JENNY
This isn’t theory. Sexism isn't a theory it’s a reality we live in everyday. And you aren’t helping Jake be a better person.
ABBY
That’s not what I meant. I don’t even want to talk about this I just wanted to tell you-
JENNY
That’s the problem you don’t want to talk about it. Jake has clearly had this problem before but you and your so called “friends”. Who‘ by the way’ seem to take advantage of you and demean you with that little nickname.
ABBY
Hey! You’re totally out of line. You met them for ,not even, an hour and you’re already judging them. You know what, I’ll talk to you later.
Jenny tries to speak but Abby hangs up. She throws off the blanket and carries it back to where Max is sitting and sits next to him.
MAX
Why are you yelling so early?
ABBY
Just cause. How you holding up?
MAX
I’m fine.
ABBY
I know when you're lying
MAX
Well I don’t want to talk about it.
Abby looks off in the distance.
ABBY
I think I’m gonna take a break for a bit. Take a minute. Just not worry about anyone else... besides you
MAX
Aw thanks Tabs. You know I love you... I just hope Jake didn’t ruin whatever you have going on with Jenny.
ABBY
I think it’s beyond repairable.
MAX
Well I’ll give him a piece of my mind
ABBY
I just hope Jake can get off coke soon. He’s already in trouble. After last night I don’t know what’s gonna happen to him.
MAX
He’s grown. He can make his own choices. Unfortunately, the ripple effect is wide. I am going to talk to him later today. He was being a dick and you didn’t deserve that.
ABBY
Or Denise.
MAX
Yeah, yeah.
Abby stands up and stretches.
MAX
And where do you think you’re going?
ABBY
I am going to bike a bit . Clear my head, get some exercise, be productive.
MAX
Gag! Exercise.
ABBY
I wasn’t asking you to come with me. I already know the answer.
EXT-Abby is biking across the Williamsburg bridge with headphones on.”Land of a Thousand words” by the scissor sisters. Very slow and dragging. It early morning the city is waking. Abby isn’t really sad but enjoys the moment. She Bikes up the east river and parks her bike against the railing near southstreet seaport and watches ships. She returns back to the apartment and picks up her guitar and starts writing a song furiously. The song is written over several days back and forth between the apartment the shop and over again. Tolling over the details.
INT- Abby is in the apartment watching TV with Max. Jake enters
JAKE
Hey. What are we watching?
MAX
Downton Abbey
ABBY
Because it’s relatable
JAKE
How’s that?
Max and Abby both giggle
ABBY
Because it’s my name
JAKE
Wow...Been partaking in a little wake and bake?
MAX
Loosen up a bit. It’s good. I just love Mary and Matthew they are too perfect. I love them.
Abby tears up
ABBY
So beautiful.
Jake looks down at Max and Abby who are enthralled in this british melodrama.
JAKE
So…. Anyways, I have a surprise for you Tabby.
Abby turns around, confused and holds out her hands.
JAKE (Cont.)
Not like that. I signed you up for the open mic night at the Underground.
ABBY
Wait… What?
JAKE
I got you in. I heard you playing your guitar again. And I thought you should show everybody your new song.
Abby fully turns around on the couch.
ABBY
How do you know about that?
JAKE
Because I have ears. You’ve been playing it like every day.
Abby turns back around in a flop.
ABBY
Well you shouldn’t have.
JAKE
Come on Abby! You got to get out there. You are so good people need to hear you.
MAX
You’ll be be fine. Just picture everyone in their underwear.
ABBY
You know that stresses me out.
JAKE
Well you can’t puss out. It wasn’t cheap.
MAX & ABBY
You paid?
JAKE
Not like that. Listen don’t worry about the details.
(pause)
Listen, let me borrow your phone for a second. I think I misplaced mine.
ABBY
Here.
(hands phone)
I’m mad at you, by the way.
Jake takes the phone and waves Max over.
JAKE
Max help me out I think it’s on vibrate.
Jake gives Max his phone. They pantomime there conversation
Max: What are you doing?
Jake: go with it.
Jake pulls up Abby’s contact for Jenny and sends her a text. “Underground tonight at 8PM. No questions.”
Jake and Max give each other a thumbs up.
MAX
Oh here it is in my pocket.
Jake mouths ’what?’
MAX (Cont.)
Anyways, let’s pick out your outfit tonight.
ABBY
I don’t want to.
MAX
I want to dress you up. Can I put makeup on you ?
ABBY
NO!
MAX
I’m just going to go through your closet.
ABBY
No! I don’t know what you’ll find
MAX
A big pink DILDO. Oh my!
Max runs to her bedroom and slams the door shut. Abby follows but it’s locked.
ABBY
Open up Max!
MAX
Oh it is big.
ABBY
I know you’re lying
Max opens the door with one of Abby’s sports bras over his shirt.
MAX
Such a party pooper.
ABBY
That doesn’t even fit you.
Abby and Max are bickering. Jake still has Abby’s phone. Text appears from Jenny “I’ll be there ;)”
INT- Open Mic night. Abby is nervous holding her guitar as Jake and max stand tall behind her. She nervously walks up to the stage and places the guitar down then returns to stand next to the boys. Jake passes her a drink.
JAKE
To ease your nerves.
Max starts messing with Abby’s hair. Abby swats at his hand.
ABBY
Thanks dads! Jeez there’s a lot of people here. I don’t know if I can go up there.
MAX
Trust and believe. You are gonna do just fine.
JAKE
Yeah. You’re not playing until the middle so it doesn’t even have to be great.
Max slaps Jake’s arm
JAKE (cont.)
I mean, no pressure.
A few people get up to play. They're all fairly good. Abby is less tense but still nervous. Jeanette walks in and slips in the back she can’t see Abby over the boys. Finally it’s Abby’s turn. She get’s on stage and keeps her head down and focuses on setting up her guitar. She pulls out a small metronome and places it on a still next to her.
ABBY
This is a new song I wrote. It doesn’t have a name.
Abby starts the metronome and starts to sing “stranger things have happened” by the foo fighters or new song
“It's like the river and the rocks always fighting back
It's like the sky and clouds always moving past
It's like daydream that’s always out of grasp.
Will the moon and sun ever meet?
Or spin round looking down at their feet
It’s Lonely feeling being so meek. Staring straight into the sun
You make me angry and worthless.
I make you feel nothing or less
And I'm laid bare for you
And means nothing at all”
Abby never looks up from her guitar but Max and Jake look on proud. Jenny stares impassive, not really understanding the song is about her until the end. Abby finishes the song and looks up and sees Jenny. It’s upsetting, frustrating and whemling. Abby walks off stage and returns to Jake and Max. Who suddenly realize Abby is pissed.
ABBY
I can’t believe you invited her.
JAKE
I wanted to help.
Jenny is walking over.
ABBY
Well don’t.
Abby begins to storm towards the front door. Trying to get past Jenny. Jenny grabs Abby’s arm.
JENNY
Hey? Where are you going?
Abby pulls away.
ABBY
Leaving.
JENNY
Well you invited me. I was hoping we could talk.
ABBY
Well that wasn’t me. And I don’t really feel like talking.
Abby pushes past and walks out onto the sidewalk. Jenny looks at Max and Jake then follows Abby.
JENNY
Abby wait!
Abby turns around. Jenny pauses.
ABBY
Well?
Jenny doesn’t know what she was going to say.
JENNY
I just wanted to catch up.
ABBY
Catch up? Really?
Jenny steps closer and and grabs Abby’s hand.
JENNY
I miss you.
Abby looks down.
ABBY
I know but...
JENNY
What?
Abby looks up.
ABBY
Nevermind.
Awkward silence.
JENNY
Just come with me to Steemy Bunny on Friday. Please?
Abby just nods and Jenny hugs her a little non-consensually. Abby isn’t exactly a fan.
EXT- Max and Abby are waiting to enter “Steamy Bunny”. Abby is anxious and Max doesn't want to be there.
MAX
I hate lines. Especially with a bunch of horny lesbians. I can smell the pheromones from 4 blocks away.
ABBY
Well you only have to bear it for a little bit. You can leave after Jenny gets here.
MAX
Why didn’t you just come with her?
ABBY
She lives super far away. I don’t want to be waiting by myself like a fool.
MAX
Well you better be buying my drinks.
The line starts to move forward.
ABBY
2 drink limit.
Max crosses his fingers emphatically.
INT- “Loophole” by Etta Bond - Slow motion dancing. Abby and Max are dancing with each other and actually having a good time. Others are dancing around them ignoring their bad dancing. Time passes.The slow motions stops as a slow jam song comes on. “Don’t go” by Reece. Max looks at his phone.
MAX
It has been an hour. Where your girl at?
Abby pulls out her phone. No notifications.
ABBY
Don’t know. But maybe she’s here already. Go grab us some drinks.I’m gonna look around.
Max disperses into the crowd. Abby stares at the women dancing slow with each other with melancholy. She weaves through the crowd to get a better look from upstairs something catches her eye so she turns. Her face turns white. Shot moves to Jenny dancing with Jeanie very closely. Abby is frozen in place. Jenny moves into kiss Jeanie, it’s slow and sensual. Abby watches in horror. Once, their kiss breaks Abby shakes her head and storms upstairs. Max at the bar sees a flash of Abby rushing out the front door. He’s confused but stays. Abby is outside smoking a cigarette.Just as she puts it out, Jenny comes outside stumbling.
JENNY
(to herself)
Shit, I’m drunk.
Abby! What, um ,how long have you been here?
ABBY
Long enough.
Jenny ignores the comment.
JENNY
Oh my god. I just kissed Jeanie. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I don’t even like her.
ABBY
(beyond frustrated)
I saw.
JENNY
I need to get out of here.
Looks like she’s going to hurl.
ABBY
Do you need me to get you a cab? You don’t look good.
Jenny is a bit shaky. Abby looks around and sighs. She walks to the corner and waves a cab down. She pulls Jenny over and tosses her in a cab. Abby goes to leave but Jenny pulls her in.
JENNY
Take me home.
There’s a moment of indecision. But it’s too late the door is closed and Jenny has given the driver the address. Abby acquiesces as Jenny leans on Abby’s shoulder. The driver steady’s on. Abby shoots a text to Max that she’s left. The ride is quite. Abby stare catatonics out the window until Jenny’s hand wraps around her. Abby looks down and places her hand over it.
EXT-On the corner outside Jenny’s apartment. Jenny stumbles out of the cab. Abby follows suit. Jenny fumbles with her keys, as she’s opening the door and turns to Abby and places a kiss on her cheek.
JENNY
Thanks for taking me home. You always take such good care of me.
Abby blushes averting her eyes.
ABBY
It’s no problem. It’s kind of late do you think..
Abby looks up to see Jenny closing the door behind her.
ABBY
Jenny?
(realizing that she’s left her)
Jenny!
Abby turns to see if the cab is still there it’s not. The street is dark and quiet. Abby looks at her phone it’s 12 something. Throwing her head back she starts to walk. “Pendulum’ by FKA twigs plays as Abby takes the train. Taking the C train downtown. Waiting for her transfer on the platform next to sleeping people on benches and couples holding hands. Finally she is walking down her block and opening her front door slowly trudging up the steps. She opens the door to her dark apartment. She plugs in her phone it’s now 2 something.There’s a text from Jenny. Abby ignores it and flops on the bed.
INT-Eliza’s dirty messy apartment clothes all over the floor. Fluffy cat perched on the kitchen table. Abby is sitting on the couch while Liza flings her clothes about.
ELIZA
(from a closet)
Well, if you want my opinion…
ABBY
Not really
ELIZA
She’s a bitch! Like what the fuck?! If that were me I would just venmo request her for that cab ride there and back. Why didn’t you take a cab again?
ABBY
I have no money and I wasn’t exactly in the mood to be in a car with a stranger for an hour back home. She practically lives in washington heights.
Eliza comes out of the closet in a thrift store dress with a few holes in it.
ELIZA
You can’t see my nips in this?
ABBY
No but your ass is hanging out.
Eliza looks in the mirror, shrugs and pulls off her dress with no bra on. Abby’s hands fly up.
ABBY
Give a girl a warning.
ELIZA
It’s nothing you haven’t seen before.
Eliza returns to her closet.
ABBY
I’m just looking forward to this concert.And I’m looking for your support. Okay? I haven’t talked to Jenny in like two weeks so it would be great if we could just drop the subject.
Eliza comes out of the closet in a sequin dress looking in the mirror.
ELIZA
I don’t know. I look like whale in this.
ABBY
Oh my god! If I have to tell you one more time that you look great I’m literally going to tackle you.
ELIZA
Tabbs I know you’re just saying that. But thanks.
ABBY
(sighs)
Girl you look fine as fuck. Now can we go we need to pick up Max?
ELIZA
Why didn’t he just come here?
ABBY
Because he has no patience for this
(pointing to Eliza)
like I do.
ELIZA
(rolls her eyes)
I didn’t know I was such a burden.
ABBY
Can we just go?
(melts into the couch)
ELIZA
Fine. Fine. Let me say bye to snugglepuss
Picks up cat.
ELIZA (CONT.)
I love you boo boo kitty.
(kiss)
Abby walks over cat to try and pet it. Hisses.
ABBY
I love you even if you don’t love me.
INT-Abby and Eliza are knocking on the apartment door.
ABBY
Max! Hurry yo ass up.
No response. Abby looks a Eliza. Abby pulls out her keys and opens the door. Max is talking to Jeanie on the couch. Abby clears her throat.
ABBY
I didn’t know you were having a party without me.
Max mouths sorry. Abby is a little perplexed until she walks in further to find Jenny is there too.
JENNY
That’s not a pleasant greeting to a friend.
Jenny gets up to hug Abby. Jeanie has a smirk that isn’t pleasant.
ABBY
Sorry, I wasn’t really expecting you.
JENNY
I’m just messing with you.
Eliza walks in with a stank face.
ELIZA
So what are you doing here? We’re on our way to the concert in Prospect Park. So…
Abby’s eyes widen she looks at Eliza
ELIZA (CONT.)
Sorry. Just curious. Max are you ready?
MAX
Actually no, come help me pick out a shirt.
Max nods his head nonchalantly to his room. Eliza and Max leave turning to check on Abby who could quite possibly petrified.
ABBY
So?...
Jeanie stands up from the couch.
JEANIE
We just happened to be in the neighborhood. I hadn’t seen Max in a long time so we thought we would stop by.
ABBY
Cool. Well, Liza was actually right. We were literally here just to pick up Max.
JENNY
Well we were just talking to him and it sounds like a fun concert. Would it be cool if we came with you guys?
Abby looks as Jeanie. Jenny looks at Jeanie. It’s Awkward.
ABBY
I mean, its free so… It’s up to you. It’s kind of far from your house.
Jeanie steps forward and wraps her arm around Jenny’s waist.
JEANIE
You can always stay at my place.
Jenny nods then looks at Abby, who is fidgeting.
JENNY
So is that what you’re wearing?
Abby looks at her clothes.
ABBY
What’s wrong with this?
JEANIE
There is definerlty going to be some queermosexuals there.
JENNY
Yeah, we want you to get some ladies.You got to gay it up.
ABBY
I mean, I’m fine like this. Just really want to be comfortable.
Jenny starts towards Abby’s bedroom. Jeanie follows.
ABBY (CONT.)
Um, where are you going?
JENNY
Going to pick out an outfit for you. Duh?
Abby rushes to stop them but it’s too late they are going through her clothes.
JEANIE
Ooo...Yes these pants! This is going to make your butt looks so good. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in skinny jeans.
Abby shuts the drawer.
ABBY
Really it’s fine. And I don’t really wear those pants too much. There’s no pockets!
JENNY
Oh! This hat is so cute.
Jenny comes out of the closet, standing close to Abby while putting on the hat. Jeanie hangs the pants in front of Abby.
JEANIE
See won’t these look so good.
Jenny steps back.
JENNY
Oh yeah. Put them on.
Abby looks confused.
ABBY
Right now?
JENNY
Yes?
Abby takes the pants and is holding them waiting. Jeanie and Jenny wait in anticipation. Abby twirls her finger for them to turn around. They do. Abby checks to make sure no one is looking and slips off her pants. The door opens as her pants are at har ankles.
MAX
Damn girl! I leave you for one minute and you on some voyeur shit.
Abby falls to the floor. Jenny and Jeanie see her exposed.
ABBY
EVERYONE OUT!
They all scurry as the door shuts. Back to Abby on the floor face covered.
ABBY (CONT.)
Can someone come shoot me now?
Leaving the apartment. Abby, Max and Eliza stay to lock the door. Jeanie and Jenny are ahead.
ABBY
Not a word.I don’t want to hear it.
Max and Abby raise their hands and walk away.
INT- at the music store. Abby had her hand placed on her hand place on her chin and is staring out the window.
MANAGER
Now I know you’re not sitting here because the new loop pedal doesn’t interest you.
Abby turns to face him.
ABBY
Sorry, just lost in thought.
MANAGER
I can tell. Listen,I’m not gonna pry into your personal life but, if it’s something serious I hoped you know I can be a person to talk to.
ABBY
Ed, I know I can talk to you. I just don’t want to talk about it. It’s all my friends want to talk about. It’s all I focus on. Like a vicious cycle.
MANAGER
Hung up on a girl.
ABBY
I never said that.
MANAGER
Okay. Fine. Just know your are worthy of time and respect. If you’re not getting that then they’re not worth your time.
ABBY
Mmmm…
INT-Abby is pulling out her keys to go into her apartment after work. She is visibly tired. Before the key enters the lock the door cracks open, stretches his neck out.
MAX
Um… What are you doing here?
ABBY
I live here?
MAX
Didn’t you get my text?
Abby pulls her phone from her pocket showing Max’s text.
ABBY
I’m sorry. I didn’t see it. Can I just be in my room?
Loud talking erupts from the living room. Max leaves into the hall closing the door behind him.
MAX
Look you can’t be here right now.
ABBY
Max, I live here. You can’t just tell me to leave whenever. Who do you have over, anyways?
MAX
(Sighs)
It’s my parents. They… (in a whisper) they want to put Jake in rehab.
ABBY
Oh my god what?! Your parents are here? What the fuck Max?
MAX
Look I’m just trying to get this all figured out and I don’t want you involved. Okay?
ABBY
Max..
MAX
Please just let me work this out. I’ll text you.
Max backs up into the apartment. Abby lingers. Shouts are muffled through the walls. She turns and walks down the hall.
EXT- Abby is out on the sidewalk at night. She’s aimlessly walking. She finds a coffee shop and goes inside. There is one lone barista. Not very tall, friendly face charismatic in energy. ”Medley:Kendrick Lamar” by Jessica Domingo is playing softly in the background, to an empty store. Abby walks up to the counter.
BARISTA
What can I get you?
ABBY
Can I have a latte, for here?
Barista looks at the clock
BARISTA
Actually, we’re shutting down here soon. I can get you a drip?
ABBY
Then why didn’t you just say that?
BARISTA
Sorry habit. So a coffee or no?
ABBY
Sorry, that sounded rude. Yeah a coffee is fine.
Abby pulls out her wallet shaking her head to herself. Feeling ridiculous.
BARISTA
Here you go. Did you you want any milk or sugar?
ABBY
Yeah, both. I can get it-
BARISTA
I just put it away. I’ll grab it.
Abby looks around anxiously.The barista returns and starts to pour.
BARISTA
How do you like it?
ABBY
(cooly)
Light and sweet.
BARISTA
Like your women?
Abby blushes while the barista laughs at her own joke.
ABBY
Oh no, no…
BARISTA
Which part?
ABBY
Huh?
BARISTA
The color or women?
ABBY
(stammers)
I uh, you know, like not like..
BARISTA
So both.
ABBY
I didn’t say that.
BARISTA
She speaks!And in sentences.
ABBY
I don’t appreciate the taunting.
Abby picks up her coffee and sips it and passes money.
BARISTA
It’s okay. It was the bottom of the thing so. No worries.
ABBY
Well, thanks. That makes up for the comment.
BARISTA
Uh huh. Sure. Anyways, we are closing so…
ABBY
Oh. Shit. Sorry I uh, just need to not be at home of a bit and-
BARISTA
Nothing else is open.
ABBY
Yeah…
BARISTA
Well I mean technically, you could just be here while I clean up?
ABBY
You’d be cool with that?
BARISTA
I am here alone and clearly you have a silverfish infestation that’s out of control.
ABBY
I wish it were only that. Thanks, I’ll just sit over on the couch. If you don’t mind.
BARISTA
I don’t.
Abby walks over sheepishly to a couch and sits. The barista follows her with her eyes, then proceeds to start closing up shop. She finishes behind the bar and begins to start wiping the tables down making her way back to Abby who is sipping and playing with her phone. The barista is within ear shot.
ABBY
Is this a cover of Kendrick Lamar?
BARISTA
Ah someone was paying attention.
ABBY
I like it. I’m always down for an acoustic guitar mash up.
BARISTA
Especially a woman with a guitar.Mmmm
Abby blushes furiously and has no idea what to do with her body.
ABBY
So do you want me to give you a hand? I know I’m not supposed to or what ever but I feel bad just sitting here doing nothing.
The barista stands for a moment thinking then tosses the rag to Abby and walks away.
BARISTA
Start wiping the tables. I’ll flip the chairs.
They both work together cleaning and closing up the shop occasionally getting near each other but focused on the task at hand.
BARISTA
Thanks for helping out. You didn’t have to.
ABBY
Thank you for letting me stay. I just hope I can actually go back now.
BARISTA
I hope so too. It’s too late to be not at home in bed.
Abby shrugs.
ABBY
True. It was nice to meet you…
BARISTA
Shawna. It was nice to have a helping hand.
ABBY
Well with an awesome playlist like that, wasn’t a trouble at all.
SHAWNA
I’m glad you liked it.
[pauses]
Wait a sec.
Shawna reaches over to a cup and pulls out a pen and starts writing on it. Then passing it to Abby.
SHAWA (CONT.)
Just in case you have another invasion of roaches.
Abby reveals the number on the cup and nods.
ABBY
Will do.
They both get ready to walk out the door awkwardly weaving until both outside. Shawa locks the door while Abby waits.
ABBY
I guess I’ll see you around.
SHAWNA
I guess you will.
They both go to leave but end up walking the same direction, continuing to walk.
SHAWNA
You’re going this way?
ABBY
Well this is awkward.
SHAWNA
Nah, nah. I’m not going that far. Just to the bus stop.
ABBY
Yeah, I just live a couple of blocks away.
SHAWNA
It’s weird I’ve never seen you around.
ABBY
I suppose. I don’t really buy my-
Abby freezes.
SHAWNA
What? What it is?
Abby darts over to a wall looking down the street. Jake is walking out with his parents and getting in a car while Max stands by the door. Abby looks back at Shawna.
ABBY
It’s nothing. You can go ahead. I’ll just wait here a minute.
Abby looks on silently while Shawna watches it all unfold. Max is standing by the outside door, eyes fixed on the sidewalk.
SHAWNA
You know him?
Abby is still silently focused on Max.
ABBY
Huh? What, oh yeah… um it’s a long story. Seriously you don’t have to wait for me.
Shawna looks back and forth. Disappointed.
SHAWNA
Okay...I’ll see you around.
Abby still focuses let’s Shawna leave. Pivoting back around the corner she stews in frustration, for a moment then walks up to Max.
ABBY
So what the fuck happened?
MAX
I-I tried to convince them but…
Max looks down.
ABBY
Max… I
MAX
Can we just go inside? It’s been a long day.
ABBY
Sure whatever you want. I got you.
Fade to black. Text across the screen. “Three months later”
INT- The gang in playing settlers of catan together. Jake is back and healthy. Liza is getting along and is excited to play together.
LIZA
Ha-ha! Give me longest road bitch!
Liza celebrates
JAKE
You know the game isn’t over. Right?
LIZA
I don’t care. I win fair and square.
MAX
We haven’t even moved the thief. Liza that’s not how the game works.
ABBY
Unfortunately, they’re right.
LIZA
Whatever.
Sits with a plop. There’s a knock on the door.
GROUP (coos together)
MAX
Must be Shwana….
Abby rolls her eyes to get the door as she shushes them. He opens the door.
ABBY
Hey.
SHAWNA
Hey, yourself. You ready.
ABBY
Yeah. Let me grab my stuff. Come on in.
Shawna enters quietly and looks at the coffee table.
SHAWNA
Oooo. Catan. Who’s winning?
LIZA
Well that depends on who you ask.
MAX
I didn’t say you weren’t actively winning just that you hadn’t won.
SHAWNA
Well, someone has the longest road. I would say that’s winning.
LIZA
I knew I’d like you.
Abby returns to the living room.
ABBY
Ready?
Shawna nods. Abby turns to the group.
ABBY (Cont.)
I see you guys later then. Don’t burn down the house.
IN UNISON
Yes… Mama Abby
EXT- Abby and Shawna are walking hand in hand.
SHAWNA
Jake looks good. How’s Max holding up?
ABBY
He is. He’s been back a week or so. We’ve been trying to keep him close. Max is doing a lot better. I think her felt like everything was falling apart. But now he’s sort of realized he can’t control Jake and Jake wants the best for his brother. We had a little talk about it.
SHAWNA
That’s good. He probably needed to hear that from you more than anyone else.
Abby smiles
ABBY
It’s just good to have things a little calmer. For while I thought it was all going to fall apart, there for a minute.
SHAWNA
Mhmm. When you’re trying to stop smoking and your best friend goes to rehab, being stressed out is pretty normal. Speaking of which.
Shawna holds out her hand.
ABBY
What?
Shawna lifts her eyes brow.
ABBY (Cont.)
I have to ween myself off.I can’t just quit cold turkey.
Shawan waves her hand. Abby pulls out a pack of cigarettes.
SHAWNA
See that wasn’t hard.
She takes them and throws them in the nearest trash can.
ABBY
You’re cruel sometimes.
SHAWNA
You’ll thank me when you don’t have lung cancer.
(Pauses)
I’m going to go ahead and get our tickets from will call. Wait here.
Shawan kisses Abby on the cheek. Abby waits and pulls out her phone. There’s a text. She’s opens it to see that it’s Jenny. “Hey.” Abby looks up a Shawna getting their tickets and looks back at the phone. She pulls up the keyboard, fingers hovered over. Then stops. She taps the contact button thumb hovering over the delete contact. Shawna walks over.
SHAWNA
Who’s that.
Abby looks up.
ABBY
Oh. It’s nobody important.
She presses delete and puts the phone in her back pocket. She wraps her arm around Shawna’s waist and walks into the venue. “Somebody that I used to know” plays the outro.
THE END BITCHES.
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Text
Kawaii Project Evaluation
Introduction:
Kawaii is the term for cute, childish cute and kid friendly characters and animation first created in Japan in the 70s that refer to humans and non humans, certain examples include handwriting, manga and Hello Kitty, Kawaii became so popular that it became a aspect of japanese culture in animation, food, clothes and music.
This is a evaluation about the kawaii project that has been done, and it will have information about the Research, Idea Generation, Production, Reflection, and how did went.
Research:
Secondary Research: I have researched the general term of kawaii at first, what kawaii means and where it originated, I have researched where could it appear, for example different artist, models and fashion, drawings and illustration, how many variations of kawaii there could be, I have then research my artists, example; Takashi Murakami, and other artworks of various artists, this was done in order so that I could have some refrence or influence and inspiration of how I would like to create my own little kawaii characters, this has made me think about the colors that I would like to use or think about the tone.
Secondary Research; Involved me actually taking photographs of the fruits and vegetables that I actually wanted to create them in adobe illustrator, I have also taken photo of my kitchen that I had at mine home, primary research has also included my ideas and group work and consideration of what would have looked well with what. As well as creating many pages of different character sketches and faces and kitchen objects so that would have more knowledge of how to base things of and experience with things, that you might not necessarily experience with whilst actually doing the work on adobe illustrator.
Ideas:
The idea was that I would create my own brainstorming with what ideas go into my mind if I think about the term kawaii, after that we have done some research and look at the artists artworks, so that we can take more thought process, drawing our own characters and kitchen on a piece of paper so that we can have some more ideas of what we could make, to make things look much better.
Production:
First I have took a sketchbook and have created over five pages of different vegetables and fruits as my kawaii characters, and some kitchen items, such as a fridge and a oven, and I have experienced how it could look like if I would do a different fruit or vegetable. This was done so that I can have more Ideas and thought process of how things could look and to get more ideas than it was planned. I have drawn of a A5 sketchbook with a ink pen and a HB pencil.
Then I would start to work on my characters in Adobe illustrator, tools I have used was the layers tool, this was done in order for me to be able to navigate through out the things that was important the most, in Illustrator I have also used the straight line tool, this was done to create my character outline and be able to have the body drawn at its first place, I have then used the paint brush tool, so that I could have my basic colors made in my characters, lastly I have also used the curve tool to create my arms and legs. The faces with the eyes was made separately using shapes such as a circle and straight lines including curve lines to make out the face, then this was copied over to another illustrator files, so it could be placed on my character.
When the Illustrator has been done, I have tried to open Adobe effects. I have created a new composition, I have imported my illustrator files into my after effects, after that was done, I have start to playing around with the program so that I know some basics to use the program, when I figured some things out my first character that I have animated was the cucumber, I had no idea how thing worked so at first I have made him shake around, I have done this by selecting all the layers in the file, and rotating it gently, each time I had to move the blue cursors on the render distance, each time it moved to and and rotated a bit it would create a animated movement in that specific area. Then I have a eggplants but a few of them did not work well as I have planned so I was forced to create on a single eggplant, this was more efficient and easier to work with it around, this time I have played with the scale, rotation, and position, so that I could have my character move around and to jump a bit, obviously if something is jumping the object is rotating a bit, therefore I also made him rotate a bit. I have then made my apple character, this was my second character and one of the easiest, I have only played around with the position, this was done like this because, I wanted him to fall down and then bounce around a bit, from the impact he experienced.
I have played around with the composition in illustrator, this was made so that I would have a better knowledge of navigation to decide what would look better and to see that how simple could look better at times, the tools used to play around with the composition was squares and circles, this was done specifically to make me think what I could do with the limited amount of items to make them look interesting. Whilst i was doing that I was experiencing with my own poster of the kawaii characters and I end up creating multiple pages of different posters, I have used text and transformation to resize the text and the characters, I have copied over my characters from another illustrator files, later to create different posters I have used more tools such as circle and some squares, re sizing the text, but then I have made posters without the text itself and make it simpler but still creative so I then have used squares only, and played around with colors to find out how they would look.
I have then worked in a group to create our poster, I have worked on Adobe illustrator, each group member had a specific task to do, for example one would do the kitchen furniture, one would do the tiles and the others would do other things, I was creating kitchen objects, and after we have done that, we would share our stuff and decide on the how would the final piece look like, combine them into one kitchen, with all of our characters and designs, to find out what colors we would like to use, we used adobe colors cc to create our color pallet and then decide as a group what colors we all agree on upon to use. The was that I have made my kitchen cupboards was by regular shapes such as squares, cubes. And then we would look at each-others work to see how it all turned out to be.
Lastly I have started to create my final animation in Adobe after effects, I have imported my image of the kitchen we made in the group, and then i have dragged down my three characters into after effects, I have placed my characters where I would like them to be, but I did have to resize them in order to fit in, all that had to be done was the placement of the characters, when that was done I have added a new layer from the layer menu, and I have added adjustment layer, in that adjustment layer I have played around with the noise level, this would add a sort of grain/practicles in the animation itself, then I have added a vignette this would add a layer of shadows in the corners, the intention behind this was so that it would not look too cartoonish with simple colors but more of a film with a classic style feel to it. I just had to adjust my apple because it was going out of the animating area so a little positioning tweaks had to be made so that it falls and bounces properly on the cupboards. After that has been done, I send the animation to be exported as AVI file, so I could place it into my tumblr blog.
What went well and what didn’t:
what went really well was the creation of the characters in illustrator, it was very enjoyable and fun to work with, same as playing around with the composition and creating a poster.
Things that went awful was the after effects, it would just not work on my profile, and at time if it would work on other account it would just lag a lot, which this has made made me not work as fast as I intend/planned. I missed out 3 days worth of working in after effects because of the computer failure, I have overcome this issue by switching to another account.
What I’ve learnt and what to improve on:
I have learnt how to expand objects in illustrator and I have learnt some basics of animation, but also I have learnt how I could layout my poster designs and the composition to make them look more interesting.
improvement;
Illustrator- I would like to have some more help laying out my composition and designs.
after effects- I need to learn more how use the program, as it was my first time ever, I would need help navigating and further help with export options.
illustrator- I would like to improve my typography and navigation through out the work-space area.
What I would do differently:
I would decide on different colors, because Color is important to tone and shading also where the light would come in the color would be much lighter, as well as make my work look more realistic by adding the tones, color, and drawing out the details, this would show more details which could help me experience and build up my skills in digital technologies, this asset would help me in the future process of works.
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