ROCKET TO VENUS (Working Title)

Screenplay 4

Salvation – Through the Lens – Opening Bass Line

FADE IN:

EXT. CITY - SUNSET.

The city skyline in glorious black and white. Ironic, because we’re supposed to highlight the orange hues of the sunset.

EXT. TRAIN STATION - NIGHT

A few commuters board. It’s past midnight. The station is about to close and the rail workers are about to go home too.

INT. TRAIN - NIGHT

Lou: Whaddya think?

Stu: Of what?

Lou: The music, asshole.

Stu: You don’t need to cuss,…

Lou: (Interrupts before Stu finishes the sentence) Bitch?

Stu: Female dog would be appropriate. But I was thinking whore.

Lou: Hits him in the head.

Quiet for a few seconds

Stu: It was quite good actually.

Lou: A compliment. From you? I don’t think so.

Stu: It is. I’m giving you one.

Lou: I haven’t shown you “it” yet.

Stu: Well, why ask in the first place?

Lou: Hits him again.

Stu: (Grabs her ass)

Lou: (Punches him this time)

Stu: Alright I give up (laughing). There’s nothing to grab, really. (keeps laughing)

Lou: (She keeps punching him until she got tired) I hate you.

Stu: What happened to that butt workout video?

Lou: ( About to hit him again) I hate you.

Stu: No seriously. I heard the tape in Macy’s apartment.

Lou: I recovered all the stuff in it. It’s all on the computer now. And this is for you. (Hands her a CD).

Stu: For me?

Lou: For Macy. You don’t get any.

Stu: Fuckin’ hell. I was the one who found the tape.

Lou: which you took and it ended up at your girl’s place

Stu: She’s not my girl.

Lou: Whatever.

Stu: I’ll give it to her. No worries. Probably in a couple of days. Got to finish some stuff from work. And materials for the next gig.

Lou: At Orange Melvins?

Stu: Yup. On the 29^th. With a Jap girl. Endo something.

Lou: Nic Endo. You’re so bad with names! We’re playing there too. John the promoter just buzzed me.

Stu: Me too. Why not form a Superband of sorts.

Lou: Great fucking idea. But I get to pick the name.

Stu: Hey, it was my idea.

Lou: Not anymore.

Stu: Oh fuck. Alright.

Lou: We’ll go over some stuff. Meet you on Tuesday?

Stu: Wait. I’ll be doing some article things with Macy that day.

Lou: We’ll bring her. We’ll have some brew and then some.

Stu: Oh alright.

Went off the train and down the train platforms. They both walk along the sidewalk. Stopped at a small deli. They bought big cups of coffee and continued walking on the sidewalk. Until they reached Lou’s apartment.

Lou: This is me.

Stu: Apartment slash zoo.

Lou: Have you ever bathed in boiling coffee.

Stu: (smiling) Have to go dear. Lots of fucking deadlines to beat. (Kisses her on the cheek)

They hug. And he’s on his way.

EXT. CITY STREET - DAY.

Stu: Oh. Before I forget Lou wants you to have this.

Macy: Tell her thanks.

Stu: You can tell her that later. Unless you have other plans.

Macy: No. No plans. I could show her the article I wrote.

Stu: How come she gets to be on your magazine….

Macy: (Interrupts him) Fanzine

Stu: Fanzine whatever and not my group.

Macy: Quote unquote. We don’t need the extra press. We’d like to stay in the underground and gain our cred that way.

Stu: Who said that?

Macy: You. Sober.

Stu: I did. Did I? Oh well. I wasn’t drunk that time so I couldn’t remember. If I was drunk I could’ve remembered it.

Macy: (Shaking her head. Eyes rolling.)

Stu: What?!!

Macy: Continues walking and Stu tries to follow her.

INT. CAFE - NIGHT.

A loud three way banter ensues.

Stu: I’d love to do a ballet with art noises in the background.

Lou: That’s… I think that could work.

Stu; It’s like classical composers giving it a twist.

Macy: A twisted “Giselle” or “Swan Lake”. We could actually pull it off if there were open minded dancers. Which I think I could find somewhere.

Stu: That’s just a wild idea thrown around. It’s not that serious.

Macy: Well, I am.

Lou: Now you’ve done it, Stu.

Macy: Seriously. You guys have merged art, noises and film. You have critical acclaim. And what’s next.

Stu: The lady has a point. But ballet? Are you serious? From editor to producer? Is this your next gig?

Lou: Producer?

Macy: Stu is just exaggerating.

Lou: Very humble.

Macy: Ballet might be mission impossible. I’ll just finish some stuff get my work published then we’ll get to it.

They continued talking making jokes. A conversation that made sense. They laughed amd laughed.

A WAITER approaches.

Waiter: (Tom Waits Cameo) We're closing now.

Lou: (checks watch) Hey, it's two in the morning!

Stu was busy paying the check. Lou and Macy exchange a warm smile.

CUT TO NEXT SCENE

Screenplay 3

Random Street. Night Ext.


Lou
Brain Stew.


Stu
Oh. You.

Lou
Still mad obviously.

Stu
Not Mad, Mad. Just mad for an episode. But still mad at you.


Lou
I think that would be overreacting.

Stu
I could smile.

Lou
You look like shit.

Stu
Everyone thinks so.

Lou
And I haven't properly apologized. Umm I paid ya in full already, did I

Stu
No. You still owe me heaps.

Punches him in the shoulder.

Stu
Yes. That should cover it.


Lou
(offers her hand) For real.

Stu
And you're finally admitting that I'm the more brilliant band member.

Lou
Apologies accepted.

Stu
What the fuck. Who could say no to you?

Lou
Did you happen to find that cassette tape of something I made?

Stu
Why don't you use a computer like everybody else?

Lou
I do. But I taped something and I needed the sample.

Stu
I think I have it somewhere.

Lou
You didn't burn it or anything?

Stu
What am I an ex-boyfriend?

Lou
Like a drunken husband.

Stu
I didn't burn it. I thought I made it. Hmmm. You're diggin' my stuff.

Lou
Unintentional. Similarities to your work are just coincidental. Disclaimer

Stu
Like fuck it.

Lou
No. really.

Stu.
I'm just playing. I couldn't have done it myself.

Lou
Well, thank you then. I'm not usually generous with compliments.

Seriously, Do you have it with you?

Stu
What?

Lou
The tape, asshole.

Stu
It's at Macy's.

Lou
Macy? You're girlfriend?

Stu
No. The one with the fanzine.. webpage.. underground mlaaghah (making funny sounds to finish the sentence.)

Lou
(playing) I was jealous for a while.

Stu
Fuck you.

Lou
And how did it end up in her place?

Stu
I always crash there. Leave stuff.

Lou
And what does her boyfriend say.

Stu
She has?

Lou
How should I know asshole. I mean.. People shouldn't be letting you in their apartments. I mean look at you.

Stu
Fuck you. FYI, I'm harmless.

Lou
(Sighing) You are dear. You are

Stu
I'll drop it off your place. I usually get off at 12. So I'll be there, 12-ish?

Lou
Fine. I'll contact you. I'll hunt you down.

Stu
Probably tuesday.


Lou
Tuesday.

Screenplay 2

Int. In a Gig

Nice gig place. Black is the dominant color. ear splitting noises. not the rock and roll kind. The Throbbing Gristly kind.

Stu
I don't know if this would be a nice place for a fucking conversation.

Macy
It's quiet now. You don't need to fucking yell.

Stu
Just a lull. It would be ear splittingly nice in a jiffy.

Macy
But it isn't now.

Stu
Why the fuck are we here?

Macy
Just need to interview....

Stu
Lou?

Macy
Not Lou. That new band.. or monicker.. or whatever

Stu
I'll be over there.


Macy continues to wade to the crowd finally meeting up with the band.


Macy
Hey.

Seb
I know you. Noise fanzine. Ya giving us an interview?

Macy
Probably (smiling). So, what's this shit about?

Seb
Noise. Fucking noise.

Macy
I heard Crimson and clover somewhere.

Seb
Drowned in noise. So that's the beauty of it. You get fucking tired of people gloss-ing up all the time.

Macy
Gloss-ing up?

Int.
Shot of Stu motioning at Macy

Macy
What the fuck does he want now?

Seb
Boyfriend?

Macy
What? Friend. Part genius part psycho.

Seb
He's with that band. Brain Stu. I think.

Macy
Haha. (Loud laughter) Lamest band name ever. Fuck. I'll just be there.

Walking over to Stu with the wicked grin.

Macy
Brain fucking Stu

Stu
Yup. Lame name for a lame band. Weird. It shoud've died by now. maybe we left a fucking impression.

Macy
Perhaps. You leave shit wherever you go.

Stu
And you're suppose to return it.

Lou wades trough the semi-crowd. Walks towards the two.

Lou
Hey fanzine girl. offering her hand. No offense meant. Macy right?

Macy Nodding
Hello. Seen ya two weeks ago with that other outfit. Not this one.

Lou
It's the same one. Anyone can play. People comes and goes. I'm the Mark E. Smith (smirking)

takes a sip of beer from a paper cup.

Stu
Hey. I'll just be there. I need a refill.

Lou
We'll, that's Stu. Always the sociable one.

Macy
Saw you on the drums a while back. Not really sure when.

Lou
The drummer days. I still do. You just caught us at the wrong time. I did drums all year last year.

Macy
Well. There goes my research.

Lou
Why not write for a... I don't know... something..

Macy
A magazine.. I am. Pays the bills. I'm doing this for me. The lost art of music journalism.

Lou
Rolling Fucking Stone

Macy
Inaudible voice

The band just started their set. Part aircraft noise. Part chain saw. Part Puccini with a singing soprano.

Lou
(lips moving) Fucking brilliant.

Macy
Smiling

Lou caught Macy smiling at her. She takes a sip again smiles back. Exchanging half smiles.

Screenplay 1

INT. Night - Pad

close up of someone smoking. a girl. you could see it by the shape of the lips. Unless the guy is Mick Jagger or Steven Tyler.

She's propped up pillows on her back reclining against the wall. Writing something in a cilpboard and paper. She should've gotten a laptop but it affects her creativity.

Takes a long drag and place the cigarette in a makeshift ashray made of a recentry drank beer can. Then reached for a tape and placed in the player

Velvet Underground starts playing.

Stumbles at an unlabeled tape just with the initials TTL.

Macy
TTL. Whatever the fuck it means. (she says mumbling). Hmm. Must be Lou’s. Lou fucking Torres. Weird, lazy and fucking brilliant. (mimicking some brit in a pub)

Lou is a girl. Damn right. Weird, lazy and fucking brilliant.


Placed the tape in the player. A few second of silence then a weird sound came out building up. on and on until it became unbearable noise. Unbearable noise for some. Well actually for a lot of people.

FADE TO BLACK


Opening Credits


INT. - Pad - NIGHT

Macy gets up. Going nowhere actually since the apartment is one room with everything she needs in it.


Actually, she goes across the room and makes a fresh cup of black, bitter coffee. No effort whatsoever. Just pour hot water. It's not even a mixture. It's just umm coffee.

Goes back to the corner and as she goes to write something there was a knock on the door. Angry knocking.


She gets up slowly trying to piss off the knocker whoever that may be. Opens the door sarcastically smiling.


Macy
Yes?

Stu
Can I use your bathroom?

Macy
You should be asking, can I come in?

Stu
Really, I'm not kidding.

Still in her black knickers

Macy
Alright

Runs to the toilet even though it's just a few steps from the door.

Stu
And away he goes.

Macy
Fuck you, Stu. Clean the fucking seat when you're done.

Stu emerges from the bathroom after twenty seconds.

Stu
False alarm.

Still in her knickers.

Macy
Well, you look like shit. As always.

She's been comfortable with him coming in and out the flat. He is just there for her. He and his useless thinking.

He is about to light up.


Macy
Hey, no smoking.

Gives her the finger.

Stu
(sarcastically) Like, yeah.

Macy
Get out.

Stu
I'm kidding.

She tugs his shirt and pushes him out.

He looks back and tries to say something.

Stu
Would you happen to have a tape with TTL written on it?

Macy
No. And get the fuck out, Stu. Aren't ya supposed to be working?

Stu
And what's that shit playing? Sure ain't The fucking Beatles. Aw, c'mon. Lou needs that shit she erased the whole fucking demo on her computer. That fucking pothead.

Macy
You know Lou?

Stu
No, I'm antisocial, remember? Of course I do! Hello, band mate. Do you always pay attention when I talk?

She releases him. He goes inside.

Stu
Okay, I won't smoke.

What do you think of the tunes? Noises or whatever?

Macy
Spoken, monotonous with background quirky sounds. Lou said when I interviewed her.

Macy and Stu in unison.
Music is fucking secondary.

Macy..continuing..
It's all about offending people or to the same effect.

Stu
Well, we're kinda bandmates. Before, we were. She kinda duped me with some cash. That fucking pothead.

Macy
No! (meaning really) How much?

Stu
Enough to piss you off.


She is looking for some skirt or something. She is still in her knickers. But he didn't notice. He was still rummaging through the box with tapes and CD's.


Macy
Could you hand me that hanger?

Stu
Going somewhere?

Macy
I'm actually offensive in my knickers


Stu
I thought it was either an oversized t-shirt or an extremely short skirt

She blurts out a half-laugh as Joy Division's AutoSuggestion plays

Shitter

Time to breathe.
Inhale. Exhale.
Why?
Should I stop?


Eyes closed.
Hints of Light
Blinds Let Down.
Dark.


Empty.
Drumbeats.
Wind Chimes.
Breeze.

Sea.
Blue.
Waves.
Sharp rocks getting closer....


Getting closer....

Shitter

Phonebooth Conversations

Decks: “Let me guess, payphone, Eco-Park.”

Paige: ”Right, Eco-Park.” “One of the last one standing.”

Decks: “Ain’t it dangerous there?”

Paige: “I look like a bag lady.” “Relax.” “And it’s in the afternoon here.”

Decks: “Why can’t you use a cell phone like normal people.”

Paige: “Who says I’m normal, dear.”

Decks: “I guess not.” “You could do it at night next time.” “Like a film noir shit.”

“When are you coming back, anyway?”

Paige: “Well, I feel that Mr. Unattached is actually making me answer a question.”

Decks: “I don’t require an answer.” “Just an honest question.” “Your friends are also asking.”

Paige: “Not right now.”

Decks: “Look, if you need time alone, Just say so.”

Paige: “How’s Lana?”

Decks: “She’s here.” “She is in this band now.”

Paige: “Goebells?” “The Neo-Nazi’s?” “Or is that what they want us to think?” “Anyway, why not let her play in your band, Decks.

Decks: “I don’t think so.”

Paige: “Is it me?”

Decks: “No, hurry home, will ya? “I don’t want to talk about it over the phone.”

Paige: “Sorry.” “I was…”

Decks: “With Ron Jeremy…” “I know.”

Paige: “Always finding a way to make me laugh.”

Decks: “I aint rich nor good looking.” “Well, just…”

Paige: “Shut the fuck up.”

Decks: “Ok, I have this quirky good looks that art chicks go crazy about.”

Paige: “Oh stop.” “Heard about the gig last night.” “Was it that bad?”

Decks: “Anyway, we were covering The Swans and moron sound guy started acting like a fucking wanker.” “Then Lana threw a paper cup of beer at him.” “I’m surrounded by troubled females.”

Paige: “Aren’t you surprised you ended up with one?”

Decks: “I’m not yet sure.” “

Paige: “Hey, hang in there.” “Trust me on this.” “I just need to find my shit and I promise I’ll hurry home.” “No replies please just a yes.” “Could you trust me on this?” “Can I hear a yes from you?

Decks: “Yes?’

Paige: ”No question marks please.”

Decks: “Whatever you say.”

Paige: “That’s not a yes.”

Decks: “Yes.” “But isn’t this the other way around.” “I feel we’re like Sid and Nancy.” “And you’re Sid.”

Paige: “And don’t you fucking like it?

Shitter

Long silence.
Awkward silence.
Nothing more awkward than taking a long walk with your ex.
Why the aggravation?
Why say yes in the first place?
We’ll it’s just walking and talking.

Long fucking silences...

“How’s the new band jelling?”
”Someone filled in for Paige last time.”
“You’re not even asking me to join now?”
“I’d know you’d say no, Lana.”
“What made you so sure?”
”I’ll think about it is not the same as a yes.”
“So, you like her?”
“Sorry?”
“Nothing.”

Long Silence...

“Heard about an episode of you.”
“From who.”
“I’m just worried."
“Fuck ‘em.”
“Shibuya.” “Your last gig.” "You went.." "Ian Curtis."
“You don’t own the rights to me no more.”

“What was it? Speed?” Meth?”
“Fuck off.”
“Look it’s just I’m worried.”
“Don’t fucking be.”

Random kiss.
Random long one.
Fast forward.
Smoking.
Why do people always smoke after sex?
I still couldn’t answer that fucking question.

“This is getting to be shit.” “Lock the door when you go.” “This means nothing, and I’m saying this so you don’t get any bright ideas.”
“Fine.” “I’m such a lightning rod for troubled people.” Thinking out loud..
"Paige was just perfect but you let her go.” “And fucking forget me.”

A little thud. A click of the door. And he’s gone.
Time for a long, hard cry.
For Lana that is.
Lana.
Drummer girl.

For us guys?
We don’t fucking cry.
We do something else.

This is definitely shit.
Anyway, take the “Love Bus” home.

Fucking things still run.

Shitter

“There’s no song about Thursdays.”
“There is?”
“Then fucking what?"


“Monday is always blue.”
“Or manic.”
"Or always hating it."

“ Tuesdays?”
“Nah. Just a band name.”
“Aimee Mann’s band”.

“Wednesday?”
“Wednesday Adams!”
"That's not a song"
"Do you know a girl or a guy with the name "Thursday"?"
"Good fucking point."

“There’s Friday…”
“ I know.”


“ Saturday Night Fever!”
“Tony Manero!”

“ Sunday Morning”
“Love Nico.” *sighing*

“And Thursday?”
“Nothing.” *thinking*

"Fuck, you're right."
"Nothing."

"But there are lots of songs about nothing..

Shitter

What the fuck is emotional attachment? Do we fucking need it? I just made another question without answeing the first one. That’s another question. Just answer the first one please. Unless you think about another question like, does love strike lightning on the same place once? Fuck, I just asked another question, didn’t I? And another? And another? Shit, this is getting nowhere.

Random sidewalk of a busy city. Dusk. Smiling faces. Fuck them.

“Fellini” she blurted out of nowhere.
“The director or some kind of restaurant” he said acting dumb.
“No silly.” “Did he do the seventh seal?”
“No, that was…” “Swedish guy” “Ingmar…”
“Yeah, that one about death.” aggreeing with him.
“I’ll remember him later.” “Not now.” she said.
“So, What about Fellini?” he said inquiring
“Not Fellini.” “The Swedish guy.”
“Bergman.”
“Bergman is the actress.”
“What?”
“An off the hook comment.” “Out of nowhere.”
“Fucking Fellini”
“No. The Swedish guy.”

“Heard that you pissed Lana off.”
“Nah, not really intentional.” “I made a cheeky comment about her band.”
“And?”
“She went ballistic.”
“Lana? Ballistic?”
“Not exactly ballistic.”
“I just sense that it’s going to be silent between us for a long fucking time.”
“You haven’t pissed me off yet.”
“You want me to?”
“Fine.”
“Back to.”
”Back to?”
“Back to the ballistic part.”
“Do we need to?” “Alright, she just said I’m mocking her band mates.” “And I’m so fucking negative.”
“Herr Goebells?” “The dude is a fucking nut!” Paige smiling slightly mocking him by agreeing with him.
“I didn’t exactly say that.” he tried to clarify.
“Yes, you did.” “I could imagine.” “You could be a fucking prick sometimes.”
“Yes, I’m a prick but at that instance I wasn’t.” “I apologized but she hasn’t replied yet.” “She’s pissed.

”
“But you’re the king of apologies.” “We couldn’t resist forgiving you.” She said smiling and touching her nose to his.
“So, there goes the ballistic story.” “Ballistic shit.” “The silent fucking treatment.” "Incommunicado.” She continued his sentence.
"I feel for you, dude." She was a bit silent and suddenly out came a burst of laughter.

“Your turn” He blurted out of nowhere.
“What?” she was caught unaware by his response.
“You’re shit.” “That’s my shit this week.” “What’s yours?”
“I don’t have shit, thank you.”
“Ok, my apologies mademoiselle.” “What has been going on with you this week? “It’s a guy right?”
“Oh, you’re so adorable.” “How did you know?” “And fuck you!” “Bug off.” She being a bit defensive.
“Like a guy like me could never offer advices that you would never follow.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Trying to ignore him.


“Is it the guy with the long name or the one with the generic name.”
“Generic?” with her mouth resembling a "huh?"
“Yeah,” “Like, How’s your day, Paul.”
“Fuck off!”
“Or the guy with the long name.” “Juan Manuel Luis Alejandro.”
“You have no value for your life”
“I guess you don’t want to talk about it.”
“Not now.”

“Kidding.” “Lesso is the guy.” “Paul is the stalker.”
“Are you telling me the story of your life?” “And Lesso?” He's getting a bit surprised.
“You forgot Lorenzo” “Kind of.” “I’m kinda sharing it.” “There.” and she let's out a sigh.
“To me.” “Are you sure?” “Can you take my deadpan comments?”
“Try me.” she said sighing.
“I think you never take the next step.” “Or should I say you never take steps.”
“I guess I don’t like a guy if he starts to like me.”
“You’re so fucking profound.”
“I like to leave things hanging.” “Everywhere you look there’s a “what if” question.” “And you don’t even need to answer the question.’
”Questions need to be answered, I reckon.” “Or at least attempt to.” “Doing nothing is just lazy.”
“Slacker king is becoming un-lazy.” “The world is about to end.”
“No, if you don’t answer it the possibility is endless.” “What ifs, answering What if questions.” “It’s like the twilight zone.” “Why end it with an answer?” “I like this state of confusion, turmoil and even nothingness.” “The answer could be good but no thanks.” “I now you’re happy with Chloe and all but that’s not for me.
“Who’s Chloe?” with his eyes wide open
“I thought her name was…” realizing her mistake.
“It’s not and we’re not talking about me again.” “You’re so good at talking about something else
except you.” Him amazed at her way of turning the conversation around.
“It’s a gift.”
“It’s a curse.”
“Fine.” “A gift yet a curse.”
“Mr. Poetic strikes again.”

“I’m not saying anything.” “I’m the one supposed to be fucked up this week.”
“I guess it’s a girl thing. We always get our way.”
“Okay, I’m just a natural born asshole. I feel bad about Lana.” “Her silence is fucking killing me.”
“So, the adorable apologies don’t work with Lana?”
“I don’t think it’s working.”
“You kind of like Lana.”
“What the fuck?” “What did you just say?”
“You like her.” “Or in your twisted world, you would say, I like her shit, shit that she does and all the shit associated with her.”
“Are you finished?”
“Hey, we’re not psychic. But, you’re so predictable.”
“Leave it at that, alright?”
“Girl pissing off a guy? That’s new? Touchy today.”
“I guess so.”
“I guess so what?’
“I don’t like her.”
“Fuck you, I don’t like her.” “You are such a douche bag.” Hitting him in the head.
“Look, I have a lot of shit going on and I don’t want to rain shit everyday.”
“I get it.” “Sorry.”
“And you won again.” “We aren’t talking about you.”
“Girls rule.” “Anyway, my shit is boring.” “It’s the overused plot of an undecided rock chick that likes to keep things hanging because she doesn’t want to get to level 2.”
”The great unknown.”
“This is my ride.”
“I’m this way.”
“See ya soon.” “Sooner than later.”

Sooner.