2. INT. DJ’S HOUSE - NIGHT (1 AM)
We see EVAN’s face. A dark fringe of shaggy hair shades his
eyes and youthful face, but does not but not cover them
completely. He shifts his gaze to DJ (off-screen) as he’s
staring at something in his hands.
EVAN
I’m nervous...
We see DJ from the same angle. He has long hair, past his
shoulders, and a beard. He stares back at EVAN intently
DJ
Don’t be... You’ll be fine... I
promise
EVAN
Have you ever done this before?
DJ
Think of who you’re asking... I’m
fucking Dope Jesus, dude.
We look down to see DJ popping pills out of a blister pack
FADE TO OPENING CREDITS.
INT. DJ’S HOUSE - DAY (10 AM)
We HEAR traffic outside, and SEE DJ sitting in a chair in
his less-than-humble home, playing video games. There is a
large pile of marijuana on a table next to him, and a chair
across the room from him. There’s a knock at the door.
EVAN
(off-screen)
Open up. It’s Evan.
DJ opens the door and invites his friend in.
DJ
What’s up dude?
EVAN
Absolutely nothing, unfortunately.
EVAN notices the pile of weed.
EVAN
Dude, could you put that stuff
away? You know how I feel about
that.
(CONTINUED)
3. CONTINUED: 2.
DJ
Don’t be such a pussy, dude. Don’t
act like you’ve never tried it.
EVAN
How long have you known me?
DJ
About... Four years..?
EVAN
Roughly. I’d figure that by now
you’d understand the fact that I
don’t do drugs. I just smoke.
DJ
Fun fact, nicotine IS a drug, so...
Yeah, you do do drugs.
EVAN
Oh god, here we go... Dope Jesus is
about to school me in the evils of
nicotine.
DJ smiles at EVAN and begins rolling a joint. EVAN has a
seat on a chair opposite of DJ. He does not look at EVAN at
all while rolling the joint.
C.U. OF DJ’S HANDS AS HE ROLLS THE JOINT.
DJ
Nicotine, discovered in 1828, is
the primary addictive ingredient in
cigarettes, which are the most
highly traded item on the planet,
with over 900 billion being sold
each year. In addition to nicotine,
they contain arsenic, formaldehyde,
lead, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen
oxide, carbon monoxide, ammonia and
43 other known carcinogens.
CUT TO EVAN
EVAN sighs and picks up DJ’s controller and begins playing
the video game. DJ has finished rolling the joint, and sets
it on the table.
DJ
Dude, don’t die. I haven’t saved in
like... Fucking four levels.
(CONTINUED)
4. CONTINUED: 3.
EVAN
I won’t, unless you light that
thing around me.
DJ
Don’t be such a pussy, man. I let
you smoke around me all the time,
and you know how much I hate it.
EVAN
I’ve been meaning to ask you that.
How is it that you can chastise me
for smoking cigarettes, while you
pump your body full of every
intoxicant known to man kind?
DJ and EVAN’s eyes are both fixated on the screen.
DJ
No, no... Go to the left... No,
like... Back towards town. You’ve
gotta buy some more potions.
EVAN
Quit dodging the question, man.
DJ
I’m not, I’m just making sure you
don’t get me fucking killed. And
the answer is this: You know that
feeling when you haven’t had a
cigarette in a REALLY long time,
and you finally smoke one, and a
rush of relief pours through your
body?
EVAN
Not that you would know anything
about that, but yes.
DJ
Trust me man, I know everything.
Either way, take that and multiply
it by ten million, and that’s what
taking REAL drugs feels like.
Always.
EVAN
Yeah, until you, y’know... DIE.
DJ
Cigarettes kill more people per
year than alcohol, prescription
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
5. CONTINUED: 4.
DJ (cont’d)
drugs, caffeine, aspirin, cocaine,
and heroin COMBINED.
EVAN
Shut up, you know what I mean.
Cigarettes cause ailing health, and
a gradual decline. Drugs kill you
spontaneously from ODing.
DJ
Fair enough, but... At least you
die happy.
DJ and EVAN both groan as EVAN has apparently died in the
video game.
EVAN
Dude... I’m so sorry...
DJ
Fuck it. You win some, you lose
some. Wanna go somewhere?
EVAN
Such as?
DJ
Grab some food? I’m starving.
Munchies and all that.
EVAN
Sure.
DJ and EVAN leave the room, and get in to EVAN’s car. DJ
grabs the joint off of the table on the way out.
INT. EVAN’S CAR - DAY
EVAN is smoking a cigarette and flipping through radio
stations while DJ is packing a bowl of marijuana.
EVAN
Dude. If we get pulled over...
Just... Ugh.
DJ
It’s fine. I’m just packing it. Not
gonna smoke until we get wherever
we’re going. Fun fact, did you know
that you get the munchies while
you’re high because THC inhibits
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
6. CONTINUED: 5.
DJ (cont’d)
the cannabinoid receptor CB1, which
is also responsible for signaling
leptin, which is an
appetite-suppressing hormone. When
CB1 is inhibited, leptin doesn’t
get released.
EVAN
Dude... You should go on Drug
Jeopardy or something.
They pull in to the parking lot of a restaurant. DJ leans
down slightly and begins smoking the weed.
DJ
If only.
EVAN
Want me to wait out here, or go
ahead in?
DJ
(exhaling the smoke)
It’s whatever, honestly.
EVAN
I guess I’ll just hang out out
here.
EVAN gazes out of the windshield, seemingly thinking.
DJ
What’s up..?
EVAN
Nothing... Just thinking about what
you said... The metaphor about
doing drugs.
DJ
(exhaling again)
Dude... Just try it
EVAN
Definitely not in public.
DJ
Come on, man. What’s the worst that
could happen?
(CONTINUED)
7. CONTINUED: 6.
EVAN
I could crash on the way home,
killing us both...
DJ
Fair enough. This isn’t cashed or
anything, but I’m gonna go ahead
and finish smoking it after we eat.
EVAN
Alright. Just throw it in the glove
compartment.
DJ waits for the weed to stop smoldering, and places the
pipe and the joint in the glove compartment under some
napkins.
WE FOLLOW EVAN AND DJ AS THEY GET OUT OF THE CAR AND INTO
THE RESTAURANT, WHERE THEY ORDER THEIR MEALS.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
EVAN and DJ are seen eating. DJ has noticeably more food
than EVAN.
DJ
(with his mouth full)
When we get back to the house,
you’ve gotta smoke with me, man.
EVAN
I don’t know, dude. Why should I?
DJ
Well... I could go off into one of
my rants about why you’re wrong
about why you THINK you shouldn’t,
but instead, this... Why SHOULDN’T
you?
EVAN
Because I have a job, my parents
might find out, I could get
arrested... There’s all kinds of
reasons
DJ hails the waiter for a refill
DJ
See, here’s the thing. You’ve been
smoking cigarettes for how long
now?
(CONTINUED)
8. CONTINUED: 7.
EVAN
About two years.
DJ
Right, and the smell from
cigarettes bleeds into everything,
unlike the smell of weed. And your
parents STILL haven’t found out.
You’re a regular little ninja,
mother fucker.
EVAN
Touche, but, you’re ignoring the
other two, which are a majority of
the reason.
DJ
Alright, the whole job situation. I
know your manager smokes pot. I
know this for a fact. I’ve seen him
at our dealers house I don’t know
how many times. So if he ever says
you have to take a piss test, just
tell him that you won’t take one
unless he does, which is perfectly
legal. And knowing that he smokes
acres of the shit, he’ll back off.
EVAN
As for getting arrested?
DJ
I’ve been smoking for 12 years and
haven’t been caught yet. You’d be
studying with the master.
EVAN stares off in introspection, and DJ stares at EVAN with
curious intensity.
DJ
Verdict?
EVAN
It’s not a yes, but... We’ll see
DJ throws his arms in the air in a mock triumphant cheer
DJ
YES! Who’s the fucking man?! YOU
ARE, SON!
(CONTINUED)
9. CONTINUED: 8.
EVAN
(finishing his meal)
Yeah, right. Just hurry up. I’m
ready to leave.
DJ, anxious at the prospect of smoking with EVAN, hurriedly
finishes his meal. The pair leave.
INT. DJ’S HOUSE - MID TO LATE AFTERNOON
There is a thick cloud of smoke in the room. EVAN is smoking
a cigarette and playing the game as DJ packs a bong.
DJ
So... This is on the seventh pack,
and you still haven’t smoked any...
EVAN
Dude, I’m just a little nervous.
Give me a second.
DJ
(slightly agitated)
I’ve given you like three hours!
EVAN
But still dude... Just... Just hold
on.
DJ
No. Hit this shit right now, or go
home.
EVAN
Dude, really? You’re being kind of
a douche about this.
DJ
Hit it, bro.
EVAN
No!
DJ begins waving the mouth of the bong in front of EVAN’s
face
DJ
(sing songy)
You know you wanna...
(CONTINUED)
10. CONTINUED: 9.
EVAN
Get that out of here man
DJ
You KNOW you wanna.
EVAN
(near shouting)
No dude! Stop it!
DJ
(chanting)
Evan’s gonna smoke! Evan’s gonna
smoke! Evan’s gonna smoke!
EVAN
(angrily)
Fine! Give me that, but for the
love of God, shut up!
DJ
(triumphantly)
YES!
EVAN nervously puts his lips up to the mouth of the bong,
and breathes deeply through his nose. He hesitates at
lighting the bowl while DJ stares on intently. EVAN brings
the lighter nearer the bowl, but at the last second his
phone rings, breaking the dramatic silence.
EVAN
Oh, it’s my mom. I’ve gotta take
this. I’ll hit it here in a second.
DJ
I feel like God is fucking with
me...
EVAN
(opening his phone)
Don’t be so melodramatic... Hey
mom.
EVAN’S MOM
(over the phone)
Hey sweetie. I need you to come
home and give me a ride.
EVAN
What? Where? Why?
(CONTINUED)
11. CONTINUED: 10.
CHRISTINE
Well, honey, I’m too drunk to
drive, to be perfectly honest, and
I feel like going to the video
store to make a rental.
EVAN
(sighing)
I’ll be right there...
EVAN
I’ve gotta go pick up my mom. She’s
bombed.
DJ
Dude, it’s only like 5 o’clock...
EVAN
Yeah... I know...
EVAN solemnly grabs his keys and leaves.
DJ
Hey! What about this weed..?
EVAN stares at DJ.
EVAN
That’s the least of my concerns
right now.
EXT. EVAN’S HOUSE - EARLY EVENING
EVAN pulls up in front of a rather large, elegant house. A
beautiful lady in her mid 30’s steps out of the house with a
glass of sherry in her hands. She’s wearing jeans, and a
t-shirt, which seems to take EVAN by surprise.
CHRISTINE
(shouting across the lawn)
Ah! Evan, dear! I’ve been expecting
you.
EVAN
I know, mother. Get in the car, I’m
due back at DJ’s for dinner.
CHRISTINE begins to walk across the lawn.
EVAN
Mom.
(CONTINUED)
12. CONTINUED: 11.
CHRISTINE
Hm?
EVAN
You can’t bring that glass with
you...
She finishes the glass in one big gulp, and sets it on the
porch. EVAN sighs as she gets into the car.
INT. EVAN’S CAR - EARLY EVENING
CHRISTINE
You know, I never cared much for
that Daniel boy.
EVAN
It’s DJ, mom. Not Daniel.
CHRISTINE
Regardless of his name, he’s a
failure. A strung-out junkie living
from needle to needle, trying to
corrupt my Evan... Dear, what’s
that smell?
EVAN
I don’t know. There must be a skunk
around here somewhere...
CHRISTINE begins breathing deeply.
EVAN
You alright..?
CHRISTINE
I’ll be quite fine dear. Just need
a bit of fresh air.
She rolls the window down. The pair drive in silence for a
few moments, before CHRISTINE spontaneously vomits out the
window. EVAN swerves in shock.
EVAN
(shocked, loudly)
What the fuck?!
CHRISTINE
Evan Michael Jacobs! How dare you
swear in front of your mother.
(CONTINUED)
13. CONTINUED: 12.
EVAN
You just vomited all over the side
of my car, and that’s your
concern?!
CHRISTINE
Calm down, dear. Do you have a
towel or anything in here?
EVAN
Yeah... I’ve got some paper towels
in the glove box.
EVAN winces. He already knows what’s under the paper towels.
We HEAR a thunk as DJ’s pipe falls out of the glove
compartment after his mother opens it.
CHRISTINE
Evan... Pull this car over.
EVAN
Mom
CHRISTINE
(interrupting)
Pull this fucking car over, now.
EVAN pulls the car into a parking lot.
CHRISTINE
Evan... Have you been smoking weed?
EVAN
Loads of it, mom.
CHRISTINE reaches across the console of the car and smacks
him.
CHRISTINE
Don’t you fucking lie to me, you
little shit! Have you been smoking
weed in my house?
EVAN
(voice breaking)
No, mom... But you know what? With
all of the shit you put me through
growing up, and even now, I’m
really surprised that I don’t do
drugs.
MCU of CHRISTINE. An almost frown is starting to come over
her face.
(CONTINUED)
14. CONTINUED: 13.
EVAN
(cont’d)
Most people who have parents like
you go out and pump themselves full
of anything to feel better, and I’m
really starting to understand that.
You know... I just wish that you’d
treat me like a person. Or like I
matter to you. Instead, you’re like
a babysitter. You keep me alive and
do things for me because you have
to, not because you actually give a
damn. I have dreams about making
loads of money, and then one day,
your house burns down or something,
and you really need me, just so I
can show you what it’s like. So
that you know how terrible of a
feeling it is that your closest
family really doesn’t give a good a
god damn about whether or not
you’re comfortable, or safe. So you
can know how I feel, for once.
CHRISTINE is now crying, but also visibly angry. She sets
the pipe back in the glove compartment.
CHRISTINE
(teary)
Take me home...
The pair ride home in silence
INT. EVAN’S HOUSE - NIGHT
We see EVAN and CHRISTINE sitting at a table in the kitchen.
There is a suitcase next to EVAN.
EVAN
I can stay with DJ for a while,
probably.
CHRISTINE
I don’t care where you are, as long
as it’s not in my house.
EVAN
Right... Well... Let me make a few
phone calls, and gather up the rest
of my stuff...
(CONTINUED)
15. CONTINUED: 14.
CHRISTINE
If you’re here past eleven, I’m
calling the police.
EVAN nods, and leaves the room. CHRISTINE pours herself a
glass of whiskey.
INT. EVAN’S ROOM - NIGHT
EVAN is seen opening dresser drawers and stuffing clothes
into a trash bag. After the bag is full, he sits on his bed,
and dials a number on his phone.
EVAN
Hey, DJ.
DJ
(over the phone)
What’s up dude?
EVAN
I need some help, man.
DJ
(over the phone)
With..?
EVAN
Remember earlier today, when you
put your pipe in my glove
compartment, and kind of... Forgot
to take it out..?
DJ
(over the phone)
Yeah...
EVAN
Well... My mom found it, and she
kicked me out, man.
DJ
Oh, fuck... Oh, fuck, dude... My
bad.
EVAN
Make it up to me by saying it’s
alright if I stay with you for a
while.
(CONTINUED)
16. CONTINUED: 15.
DJ
(over the phone)
Are you kidding? Of course man.
EVAN
Alright. I’ll be there in like 10
minutes.
EVAN snaps the phone shut, and heads to his car
