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>FADE UP - TITLE
<center>*Echo loved Narcissus with all her might but he did not reciprocate and she faded away into a whisper. Nemesis* *saw this and was angry, she cast a spell that said that Narcissus too would feel the pain of unrequited love.*
<center>*…Liriope consulted the seer Tiresias “Will he live to a ripe old age?”*
*Tiresias replied "Yes, if he will not have to come to know himself."*
SCENE ONE- INT- NIGHT
*The scene opens in a fairly spacious bedroom. It is reasonably tidy, save for some clothes on the floor. A couple are on the bed; kneeling in front of each other. The woman **ESME 53** is older than the man **JOSH 32.** ESME has her eyes closed and is in an obvious state of ecstasy. JOSH is caressing her with his hands and mouth, he is whispering softly to her as she sways and moans with pleasure. We cut to several stills of them in embrace, at different points around the room.
The last photo is of them standing in front of a mirror, ESME has her back to it and JOSH is holding her in front of him. He is using the mirror to look at her body, his eyes pan slowly up over her legs, bottom, lower back and finally over her shoulders, until he’s looking into his own eyes.*
<center>ESME
That was beautiful… You’re beautiful, I don’t know how you do it to me, but it’s fucking great!
<center>JOSH
The beauty is in the act, my love.
<center>ESME
Are you free on the 17th? Hubby’s away that weekend and I wouldn’t mind taking you away with me somewhere.
<center>JOSH
I’ll have to check my diary; I’m quite busy at the moment.
<center>ESME
Of course, of course, will you tell me if I call you tomorrow?
<center>JOSH
Sure.
*They separate from each other and JOSH starts to pull on his clothes. ESME watches him from the bed as he does* *so, admiring his body. He is slim and athletic, with a set of well defined muscles, she is lost in dream as she stares at* him. *He pulls on his socks and shoes and stands in front of her while doing the buttons on his shirt. She remembers something.*
<center>ESME
Oh wait a minute.
*She walks over to a dresser in the corner of the room and removes a white envelope, with a thin purple and gold trim.*
<center>ESME
Wouldn’t want to forget this now would we?
She hands JOSH the envelope, which he slips into the inner pocket of his jacket, he smiles and kisses her on the cheek, before heading for the door. ESME stands at the door and watches him go.
<center>ESME
I’ll call you tomorrow about the 17th.
*JOSH looks back at her and gives her a half smile, before walking down the stairs and out into the street. Once* outside *he retrieves the envelope ESME gave him, from his pocket and glances inside. There’s a wad of money in there, which he thumbs over and counts quickly, before putting it back in his pocket.*
*He walks a few blocks before stopping opposite a seedy looking bar with a bored looking bouncer LENNY 40, in a tuxedo standing at the entrance. There’s a large neon sign above the door, the sign is written in joined up writing and say’s Cagney’s, the ‘g’ is flashing on and off. JOSH glances across the street before he crosses over to the bar.*
SCENE TWO-INT-NIGHT
<center>JOSH
Hey Lenny, how’s it hanging?
<center>LENNY
To the left as always: good night tonight Josh?
<center>JOSH
Yeah, yeah, I need a drink now though, working too hard as usual. Is Clementine in?
<center>LENNY
Uh huh, think she’s still working, she got back here ‘bout 45 minutes ago.
<center>JOSH
Cool, see ya later Len.
<center>LENNY
Not if I see you first.
*JOSH walks down some stairs and into a smoky bar, music is playing in the background. There are about 15-20 customers scattered about the place. In the middle of the room there’s a small stage, on the stage is a woman pole dancing (MANDY 23).*
*Around her are a few middle aged men staring, smoldering cigarretes, hanging out of their, half-open, expressionless, mouths. There are booths on either side of the room with more men chatting to girls; a waitress is flitting between these tables serving cheap champagne.*
*There are just two people at the bar, a man and a woman (CLEMENTINE 38). CLEMENTINE is trying hard to look interested in what the guy’s saying and is making a big show of continually touching him on the arm or the leg. The guy turns and gestures to the barman and orders another bottle of champagne.*
*JOSH walk’s slowly through the club, pausing briefly as he walks passed the pole dancer, he gives her a brief glance and nod, she returns it with a lazy smile. MANDY's eyes are half closed as she sways to the music, she appears to be somewhere else and only half tracks him with her gaze as he walks past.*
*He carries on through positioning himself on a seat a few away from CLEMENTINE and the man, who has his back to him. He looks at them for a second and then turns to the barman (HARRY) who’s standing in front of him.*
<center>JOSH
Hey Harry, how’s it going?
<center>HARRY
As wonderful as ever Josh, as wonderful as ever. What are you having?
<center>JOSH
Make it a Jack and coke, easy on the ice.
Whilst HARRY prepares his drink; JOSH’s turns to his right to watch CLEMENTINE, she is exaggerating her actions and speech, she laughs too loudly when the man leans in and whispers something to her. She leans close to him and whispers something in his ear, as she does this she stares over his shoulder, right at JOSH her expression unreadable.
*HARRY puts his drink in front of him, JOSH pulls out a note and puts it on the bar. HARRY takes it, as he’s putting it in the till; CLEMENTINE gestures to HARRY, he nods and goes over to her and gives her a key. CLEMENTINE takes the key and stands up, she leads the man to his feet, he’s drunk and unsteady; they walk past JOSH on the way to a door round the side of the bar. JOSH watches them disappear behind the door then takes his drink and goes and sits down in a booth.*
*As JOSH sits in his chair he looks around at his surroundings, he looks at MANDY, she has her back on the pole, both hands grasping it over her head. She has a lazy smile on her face and she looks as if she is under the influence of some drug or another. JOSH keeps scanning the bar, he focuses on a fat guy in a suit talking to another one of the hostesses, she look’s bored stiff, from his body language it looks like he’s boasting about something. JOSH takes a sip of his drink leans back and closes his eyes. When he opens them again CLEMENTINE is standing in front of his booth.*
<center>CLEMENTINE
Hey Josh, what’s up?
<center>JOSH
Just here to see the big boss lady.
<center>CLEMENTINE
(Takes seat opposite him)
Finished early tonight?
<center>JOSH
Yeah; you were quick.
<center>CLEMENTINE
Oh him? Yeah he’s OK; he’s been coming in about twice a week lately, better than some of the saddoes you get in here.
<center>JOSH
(raising an eyebrow)
Yeah?
<center>CLEMENTINE
Don’t look at me like that Josh, he’s OK, just trying to get away from the missus. He buys a few bottles of champers, then I give him a 5 minute blow job and he’s out for the count for the next few hours, quick hair of the dog and he’s off.
<center>JOSH
Such an old pro.
<center>CLEMENTINE
Fuck off Josh, if you’re going to be like that, I’ll go, my shift’s finished.
<center>JOSH
No, sorry, I didn’t mean that, I’m just… Look I’m going to pop upstairs and see Maria. Then let’s go and get a drink somewhere or something to eat, I’ve got to get out of here.
*She stares at him for a while before finally answering.*
<center>CLEMENTINE
I’ll be waiting outside.
*She gets up and leaves, leaving JOSH staring at the empty space she’s just vacated. He finishes his drink and gets up to go upstairs.*
SCENE 3 EXT/STREET- INT/CAFÉ
*JOSH and CLEMENTINE are walking down the street in silence, CLEMENTINE is smoking a cigarette, occasionally she glances out of the corner of her eye to look at JOSH. JOSH is staring ahead deep in thought. They stop outside a late night café.*
<center>CLEMENTINE
Do you fancy a coffee?
<center>JOSH
Sure, why not?
<center>CLEMENTINE
Great, I’ve had enough of bars and clubs for the night.
*Inside they take a table by a window and sit opposite each other, they order two coffees.*
<center>CLEMENTINE
So, what’s up with you tonight? I can feel an extra cynical edge to you tonight.
<center>JOSH
(sighs)
Nothing, it’s just- Do you like what we do?
<center>CLEMENTINE
Well, strictly speaking we don’t actually do the same thing.
*JOSH raises an eyebrow at her again and smiles.*
<center>CLEMENTINE
Oh fuck off with that look!
<center>JOSH
(chuckles)
What look?
<center>CLEMENTINE
That I-know-everything-and-you’re-just-some-silly-bint-who-doesn’t-know-what-she’s-talking-about look.
<center>JOSH
Sorry; but there’s hardly a difference in what we do.
<center>CLEMENTINE
Wrong! You shag desperate old dears who haven’t had cock in so long they’ve forgotten what it’s like. Whereas I get desperate old fucks drunk and then *if* I feel like it I give them-
*The waitress arrives with their coffees.*
<center>CLEMENTINE
Uh, thanks.
(leans forward, lowers voice)
Yeah as I was saying, I decide whether I have sex with them, if I don’t like the look of them I don’t, with you it’s preordained from the start.
<center>JOSH
Jesus, Clem, I just wanted to know if you didn’t mind sleeping with people for money… All be it when you decide.
<center>CLEMENTINE
Are you still seeing that child?
<center>JOSH
(rolls eyes)
She’s not a fucking child, she’s 20 years old.
<center>CLEMENTINE
She’s a 20 year old child and she’s in love with you.
<center>JOSH sits back and stares at her for a while, a mistrusting look on his face. CLEMENTINE sips her coffee and stares back at him.
<center>CLEMENTINE
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised; you’re so wrapped up in you and your little world, that it’s so unlikely you would notice someone has fallen in love with you.
<center>JOSH
(whispers)
She’s not in love with me.
<center>CLEMENTINE
Yes she is it’s obvious to anyone who hasn’t got shit in their eyes, and most definitely obvious to just about any woman who’s been in love herself.
<center>JOSH
Are you sure? I thought she just liked fucking.
<center>CLEMENTINE
Of course she likes fucking you idiot; she’s 20 years old. But she’s definitely in love with you, like I said it’s obvious.
<center>JOSH
Oh… Well I’m not in love with her.
<center>CLEMENTINE
Of course you’re not; why would you be?
<center>JOSH
I like fucking! Fuck, it’s the only thing I truly excel at.
<center>CLEMENTINE
You’re such a piss taker, but you are right though, it does appear to be the only thing you're good at. Shall we go back to yours?
<center>JOSH
(smiles)
SCENE 4 INT.BEDROOM- NIGHT.
*The love scene is made up of several stills of JOSH and CLEMENTINE in various sexual positions, we can hear the sound of lovemaking, but the images are frozen. They appear in different rooms of JOSH’s flat, we never see them transition from room to room.*
*The mirrors around the house seem to play a big part in their lovemaking. They take time to pause in front of mirrors or use them as props. JOSH seems to be the more enthusiastic about this and we often catch him looking at himself admiringly, we aren’t sure if CLEMENTINE sees this. The last shot is of them from above lying on the bed, tired and satisfied. They are lying with their backs to each other and the soles of their feet touching, diagonally so there’s a rough ‘V’ shape between them.*
SCENE 5 INT.BEDROOM
*JOSH and CLEMENTINE are lying on their backs asleep, CLEMENTINE has an arm draped over JOSH. The doorbell goes waking them, JOSH pushes CLEMENTINE’s arm off and goes to the door.*
<center>MANDY
(leaning in for a kiss)
Hi sexy pants!
<center>JOSH
Oh hi, what are you doing here?
<center>MANDY
Huh, that's a nice welcome; I thought I’d see you at the club last night, Harry said you were in but left.
*She follows JOSH into the living room.*
<center>JOSH
I’ve got to take a piss, wait in the kitchen.
*JOSH leaves for the toilet and CLEMENTINE walks in, she’s wearing her underwear and is looking for her clothes*
<center>MANDY
Oh, hi.
<center>CLEMENTINE
Hello Mandy, don’t mind me I’m just getting my stuff and I’m off.
<center>MANDY
Sure see you later.
*CLEMENTINE has pulled on her dress and is putting on her jacket, she’s about to say something to MANDY but thinks better of it. She turns and let’s herself out, JOSH comes out of the toilet and goes into the kitchen, MANDY is by the sink with a glass of water.*
<center>MANDY
I see what you did after the club then. I thought you’d have wanted to see me.
<center>JOSH
You looked out of it, and I was tired.
<center>MANDY
I was not fucking out of it; Jesus I don’t know why you hang around with that old whore!
<center>JOSH
Don’t call Clementine that.
<center>MANDY
Fuck it Josh… Let’s go for a walk.
<center>JOSH
OK let me get dressed.
SCENE 6 EXT.STREET/PARK
JOSH and MANDY are walking through the park.
<center>MANDY
Don’t you feel anything for me?
<center>JOSH
Of course I do, you know that, I like you a lot.
<center>MANDY
I know, but the way you make love to me… the way we make love to each other.
<center>JOSH
We have a great time together, but, I... you know the score. I told you from the off who I am, what I am. I don’t need the problems that a serious relationship would bring. It would end up getting in the way of work, of a lot of things and I like my life the way it is.
<center>MANDY
Have you ever been in love?
<center>JOSH
Mmm?
<center>MANDY
You know, in love? Like this is amazing, felt like you had never and would ever have sex like that again. You know, in love?
<center>JOSH
Yeah, maybe.
<center>MANDY
(walks ahead, turns round and stops to face him)
Well?
<center>JOSH
I don’t know, I thought I was, but now I realise I wasn’t I was too young. Love is an intense thing you know? It’s not just getting a feeling down below or liking the way someone kisses you or gives you head. Or just liking their body or face, it, it has to be learnt I think.
<center>MANDY
(turns round, continues walking)
Oh fuck off! You sound like you’re condescending to your little sister! Don’t be like all those other fucks, who just because you’re 20 years old, treat you like you’ve just come home from the school playground or something. I’m not a fucking idiot and I’m not a child! Do you think I can’t fall in love because I’m only 20?
<center>JOSH
I didn’t say that, I-
<center>MANDY
You didn’t have to say that, that’s what you fucking meant, I should put a fucking hex on you, you treat me like a cunt.
<center>JOSH
Look, you know I’m an escort, you knew it as soon as you fucking met me. I told you that I don’t tie myself to one woman, I told you that I’d be fucking other people, why the fuck are you trying to guilt trip me with all this shit now?
<center>MANDY
BECAUSE! Because I didn’t think you’d be fucking someone right under my nose.
<center>JOSH
Me and Clementine go back a long way.
<center>MANDY
I know, you said that, you also said that you had given up fucking each other.
<center>JOSH
Yeah, well we started again.
<center>MANDY
Cunt! Don’t fuck with me Josh, I’ve got Gipsy blood you know.
<center>JOSH
(laughing)
You’re such a screwball you make me laugh, come on let’s go back to mine and have make up sex.
*They have walked through the park and onto a high street, they have stopped in front of a shop window with a mirror behind it. MANDY stands with her back to it facing JOSH.*
<center>MANDY
You claim to know lot’s about the mechanism of love about how it works and maybe you even think you know what it is. But you don’t, you know nothing about it and the reason why, is you’re too in love with yourself, there’s no room in there for anyone else but you and you don’t even realise it. One day you’ll feel the pain of someone not loving you back.
*Tears are beginning to roll down her face, JOSH steps forwards and holds her.*
<center>JOSH
Hey come on, I didn’t mean to patronise you I’m sorry, don’t cry.
*He leans in to kiss her, she closes her eyes; but at the last second, grabs his face and opens her eyes, she looks wild and JOSH looks scared.*
SCENE 7 INT, NIGHT
*We cut to more love scenes, firstly they are of CLEMENTINE and JOSH, the expressions on their faces, especially CLEMENTINE’s are of ecstasy but also of sadness. There are more cuts of love scenes between JOSH and MANDY and JOSH and ESME.*
*We also see cuts of him making love to other clients, the stills are happening almost to quickly to register. They end with JOSH and MANDY, the last shot is of JOSH standing naked in the mirror and MANDY behind him with her hands round his waist. JOSH is staring intently at his reflection, whilst MANDY is resting her head against his shoulder.*
SCENE 8 INT, DAY
JOSH is standing in his boxer shorts by his answer machine, he’s listening to his messages.
<center>ANSWER MACHINE
Hi Josh, it’s Clementine, where have you been and why aren’t you answering my messages? I called by the other day and you weren’t in or you were ignoring me. It’s been 3 weeks Josh, Maria’s freaking out you’ve lost loads of bookings and I think the child’s got over you, I saw her with some guy last week; anyway call me.
*Beep.*
Josh it’s Mandy, I take it you’re still angry with me, I’m sorry I said those things- anyway I’ve decided to let you go, I’m seeing someone else, someone who’s into just me and- I’m going away, somewhere, I don’t know but I-we we’re going away. I wanted to tell you face to face but you won’t answer my calls and no one’s seen you for weeks.
*Beep.*
Josh this is Maria, remember me? I’m your fucking boss! It’s fine if you want to take a holiday, just fucking tell me next time. All your regulars are asking for you, and that Esme Watson is suffering serious Josh withdrawal symptoms, look just call me and tell me when you’re going to be back.
*Beep.*
Josh, it’s Clem, I’m worried now, I’ve just been up to your place, I’m sure you were in, please call me Josh I-.
*JOSH cut’s this last message short and hits erase on his machine, he walks to his bedroom and stands in front of the mirror. He looks at himself for a while then steps forward and gives his reflection a long and lingering kiss.
SCENE 9 INT. FLAT.
*JOSH is sitting in front of his bedroom mirror, he has a letter in his hand. He looks very sick and emaciated and is coughing, the place is a mess. We see a shot of his answer machine displaying the full symbol.*
<center>JOSH (vo)
My Dear Mandy,
I now realise what I’ve done, words cannot begin to express. I’m sorry, you tried to warn me,
*JOSH is silently crying now, he scrumples up the peace of paper and grabs a pen and pad next to him and start’s to write.*
<center>JOSH (VO)
Mandy, You were right, everything you said about me was right, I didn’t understand love, I didn’t know what it was like to know that the only thing you can truly know is that you’re in love with someone. I didn’t understand and I got wrapped up in what I did for women that I never even considered trying to love one. I’m dead inside and you showed me that, ultimately I have to thank you for that. If you can ever forgive me, that would mean so much to me. I hope you’re happy with your new boyfriend, I hope you’re in love. Because now I know what it is, I can wish it for you. I’m rambling on a million thoughts are racing through my mind, for the first time everything makes sense and it’s because of love, it’s because of you.
Thank You,
Josh.
*He has a minor coughing fit and puts the pen and pad down.*
SCENE 10 INT. BEDROOM
JOSH is lying on his side facing the bedroom mirror. His face is touching the floor and between his head and the mirror is a pad, he’s holding his pen feebly in his hand and looks even worse than before.
<center>JOSH (VO)
Dear Whoever,
I don’t know who this is to. Maybe to you my darling Clementine, who I should have loved and maybe could have, but only now realise what was stopping me. Or maybe to you Mandy, I should have accepted your love, your bright, youthful, energetic love, but I couldn’t. Or maybe it’s to you Esme, my best customer, maybe I’m trying to save you for ever looking for the buzz of love again, as you were with me. I’m too weak to carry on writing, too consumed with thoughts of me and what I’ve done, the women I’ve pleasured. How amazing must I be? How stupid?
Josh.
SCENE 11 INT. BEDROOM
JOSH is lying on his back on the bed, he’s staring up at the ceiling we are looking down on him, he has ripped the bathroom cabinet mirror off the wall and it’s lying by his side. He also has a hand mirror next to his head. He is balancing his pad and pen on his chest and is struggling to write.
JOSH (VO)
To Whom It May Concern,
I understand fully now what love is, love is all consuming, it is the most powerful thing on earth and the most destructive. It’s the thing that helps you see clearly and the thing that blinds you. It is everything and nothing, it can build you up to be the strongest person in the world. Or like with me, it can be the thing that destroys you and turns you into the weakest being on Earth. I’m dying I have been since the day I was born, but now it’s time. How ironic that just as I’m about to go, just at the time when I realise that I love me more than anyone else, that’s the time I should realise the true meaning of love… It’s-
*As he gets to this last line JOSH has a coughing fit and exhales his last breath. We are looking down from above at JOSH and after some time we hear muffled voices and a banging. The front door to his flat is broken down and a couple of policemen along with CLEMENTINE rush into the room CLEMENTINE sees him and bursts into tears, she is trying to revive him, she looks at the note in his hands and takes it, the camera starts to ascend and spin there’s a slow:*
**FADE TO BLACK.**
TITLE
> He pined away and died; and when his shade passed the Stygian river,
> it leaned over the boat to catch a look of itself in the waters. The
> nymphs mourned for him, especially the water-nymphs; and when they
> smote their breasts Echo smote hers also. They prepared a funeral pile
> and would have burned the body, but it was nowhere to be found; but in
> its place a flower, purple within, and surrounded with white leaves,
> which bears the name and preserves the memory of Narcissus.
THE END.
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