Being Mary Jane - spec script
Short Description
As a huge fan of the show, this is my homage to the series. I can't wait for season 2!...
Description
Ev er ne yo
BEING MARY JANE "Ambien Sex" Written by
Michael Greene
Ca n Ea t
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
1. COLD OPEN
FADE IN:
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INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
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MARY JANE lays on her back, hands placed across her stomach, perfectly motionless, in the dark, as if she’s in a casket. Her eyes open - bloodshot. She flips on her side. Stares at her bedside clock that reads: 10:07 PM. She MUMBLES something incoherent. Shifts to her other side, frustrated. Closes her eyes. Several beats later. Her eyes open.
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She CURSES under her breath. Labors to sit up. INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - TV ROOM - MOMENTS LATER Mary Jane curls up on the couch, aims her remote at her flatscreen TV - turning it on - the volume jolts us. She channel surfs to her old gig, CNN - maybe she can bore herself to sleep. On her TV we see Anderson Cooper in a Nigerian village holding onto one of the kidnapped girls who miraculously escaped. The moment is dramatic. Ever the pariah, he remains calm as he TALKS to the viewers.
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MARY JANE (to herself, dry) Super Cooper saves the day again.
She changes channels. Local news. On her TV we see breaking news of a charter bus and a semi-truck engulfed in flames. Mary Jane is drawn in.
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MALE NEWSCASTER (V.O.) A bus full of high school students heading to Mercer University for a school visit was hit head on by a semi-truck that apparently crossed the median. Eyewitnesses have said that upon impact both vehicles burst into flames. At this point eleven are confirmed dead, including both drivers, three adult chaperons and six students. Several more students are in critical condition.
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Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
2.
Mary Jane is devastated. A photo montage of the carnage flashes across her TV.
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MALE NEWSCASTER (V.O.) The students, all from Atlanta, were visiting Mercer as a special outreach program for low income households and students that will be the first generation in their families to attend college.
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An EYEWITNESS is INTERVIEWED - she becomes BACKGROUND NOISE. Tears well up in Mary Jane’s eyes. She turns the TV off. INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
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Exhausted, she saunters in, forces herself to look at the clock: 10:14 PM. She gets lost in a thought, lays back down and adjusts her pillow. Closes her eyes. A moment later, she opens her eyes and glances at the clock: 10:14 PM - WTF!?! Mary Jane picks a fight with her pillow and comforter, eventually winning. The bedding massacre is strewn across her room. She lays on her barren bed, labored breathing, eyes closed. She opens her eyes. Looks at her clock: 10:15 PM. Music cue: “Get Lucky” - Daft Punk INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
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The kitchen is a mess. This inspires Mary Jane. QUICK CUTS OF: She loads the dishwasher.
She scrubs the cabinets.
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Sprays and wipes down the counters.
Digs under the sink for the oven cleaner - finds it.
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She cleans the oven.
Mary Jane looks at her spotless kitchen, satisfied, turns out the light.
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The only light is from the illuminated clock that reads: 12:07 AM.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
3.
INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
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Mary Jane gathers her bedding, wraps it around her entire body, becoming a giant amoeba and falls onto her bed. RANDOM TIME LAPSE / QUICK CUTS OF: Mary Jane unable to sleep. Masturbating to porn on her computer.
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Sips on chamomile tea. She Attempts sleep again.
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Laughing at the crazy personal ads and revealing pictures on Craigslist. One picture of a man with a giant penis impresses her. She researches the bus crash. Openly weeps. More masturbating.
More research on the bus crash reveals a young hero. His name is Cortland Jefferson. The sun rises. Splashing a beautiful glow over Mary Janes face. She smiles. Lays down peacefully. Falls asleep. A beat later, her alarm clock SOUNDS OFF, abruptly cutting off the music. The clock reads: 5:30 AM.
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MAIN TITLES
CUT TO:
Music Cue: “Zombie” by The Cranberries
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OVER BLACK we see the following quote appear:
“Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?' Then a voice says to me, 'This is going to take more than one night.”
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- Charles M. Schulz
As the heavy guitar permeates our eardrums, we see the title:
BEING MARY JANE
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CUT TO:
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
4.
MORE MAIN TITLES
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INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - MASTER BATHROOM - MORNING Steam billows from the shower. She stares forward, zoned out the walking dead. CUT TO:
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INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - WALK-IN CLOSET - LATER On autopilot, she reaches for her Wednesday hanger, pulls some random shoes and a purse.
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CUT TO:
INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - GARAGE - LATER We see her outfit is still perfectly put together. Eye-gasm on her shoe game as she pulls her leg in and shuts the door on her Panamera Porsche. CUT TO:
INT. MARY JANE’S CAR/DRIVING - MORNING
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Mary Jane’s face is expressionless. She navigates traffic, unaware the random HORNS are directed at her erratic driving. CUT TO:
QUICK CUTS / TIME LAPSE OF:
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INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - LATER THAT MORNING
Mary Jane walks through the office. She walks in REAL TIME, the world around her is TIME LAPSED.
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CUT TO:
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - PRIVATE CONFERENCE ROOM MOMENTS LATER
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GREG, KARA and a few other COLLEAGUES hold court. Mary Jane is in REAL TIME, the rest are TIME LAPSED. CUT TO:
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
5.
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - MAKEUP ROOM - LATER
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Mary Jane, expressionless, is in the mirror, applying her make up, in REAL TIME, while everyone else is TIME LAPSED. CUT TO:
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - LIVE SET - LATER
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Mary Jane goes through her show, she’s on, a true pro, we see her in REAL TIME, the rest of the crew is TIME LAPSED. CUT TO:
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INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - MARY JANE’S FISHBOWL - LATER And back into REAL TIME for everything. END MAIN TITLES.
Mary Jane sits at her desk. Staring blankly ahead. Her eyelids get heavy. She slowly lowers her head to her desk. Music fades out on the CLUNK of her head hitting her desktop, and on this: Mary Jane finally sleeps.
FADE OUT.
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END OF COLD OPEN
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Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
6. ACT ONE
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FADE IN:
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - MARY JANE’S FISHBOWL - LATER
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A thin stream of drool trickles out of the corner of Mary Jane’s mouth, collecting into a half dollar sized puddle on her desktop. Kara walks in on the spectacle. She’s amused, then concerned. CLEARS HER THROAT. Nothing.
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KARA I’ve got calls out to several PR agents.
Mary Jane pops up, MUMBLING like she’s speaking in tongues. She quickly wipes the drool from her mouth. KARA (CONT’D) I want to flush out your ideas on the Nigerian school girl abductions. The more I think about it, the celebrities jumping on and off the bandwagon angle is great. MARY JANE Cortland Jefferson.
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KARA Who’s he? Is he a rapper? (then) A producer or something?
No.
MARY JANE
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Mary Jane quickly shifts gears, unaware of what just came out of her mouth.
KARA (CONT’D) He’s married.
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Off Mary Jane’s look. Kara gets serious.
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KARA (smiling devilishly) So that’s his name. (insinuating) I was wondering who kept you up all night. Your eyes look -- different today.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
7.
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KARA (CONT’D) (then) Is he married? (then) Please tell me he’s not married.
Mary Jane, confused, blinks off the cobwebs. MARY JANE He’s a teenager.
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Kara is rendered speechless. KARA (yelling) You’re sleeping --
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Kara catches herself. She looks around. KARA (CONT’D) (hushed voice) With a teenager???
MARY JANE No! Cortland Jefferson is one of the survivors from the bus accident. He’s our next story.
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KARA (relieved) Okay. Wow. I, ah -(then) Wait. Did you not just say in our staff meeting this morning that you wanted to take the “how quickly we move on” angle on the Nigerian school girl abductions, of which, I just went to bat for you upstairs.
KARA (CONT’D) You’re doing it again.
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MARY JANE Doing what?
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Mary Jane doesn’t respond.
KARA It’s like you have ADHD. One second you’re on how the whole world --
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MARY JANE (enthusiastic) Exactly! (MORE)
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
8.
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MARY JANE (CONT'D) The whole world needs to know who Cortland Jefferson is. This kid saved at least a dozen kids from burning alive -KARA (sarcastic) Hmmm. Right. A dozen kids versus three hundred school girls who --
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MARY JANE Two hundred and ninteen. And right here in our back yard.
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KARA (dry) Local story versus international headlines. (thick sarcasm) That’s what I signed up for. MARY JANE This is an opportunity to make international headlines, not just follow them?
That shuts Kara up.
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MARY JANE (CONT’D) Super Cooper locked it down and has the whole world thinking he saved four of those girls. (then) But give it a week, social media will dry up and then we run the “how quickly we move on” angle.
Kara doesn’t budge. Mary Jane’s claws come out.
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MARY JANE (CONT’D) (sarcastic) Or better yet, I know how to regain interest, why don’t you have Mark and I parachute into Nigeria?
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Mary Jane’s PHONE RINGS - it’s her mom. She picks up on the first ring - she must be sleep deprived. MARY JANE (CONT’D) (into phone) Hey Mom.
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Kara rolls her eyes, abruptly leaves.
INTERCUT WITH:
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
9.
INT. PARENTS’ HOUSE - BEDROOM - SAME TIME
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HELEN PATTERSON pokes her head out her bedroom door, eavesdrops on a CONVERSATION downstairs. Mom?
MARY JANE
Helen shuts the door loud enough for anyone downstairs to hear her passive aggressive posturing.
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HELEN (into phone) She’s here again. MARY JANE
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Who’s she?
Helen closes her jewelry box.
HELEN The one I banned from my house.
Hides it in a drawer.
MARY JANE (rolls eyes) Tracy? Mom, you can’t exile someone for a crime they didn’t commit.
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HELEN She’s here with Patrick. I just don’t see why he brings her around. MARY JANE Well, they’re kind of a package deal, mom. And now that he’s not living there --
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HELEN You had crazy eyes this morning. (then) Again.
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Mary Jane reaches into her purse, fishes around. MARY JANE (laughs, stalling) Mom, my eyes didn’t look crazy...
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She finds her compact. Opens it. Her eyes are bloodshot, twitchy -- her eyes look crazy -- silently CURSES.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
10.
HELEN Are you sleeping? You know the last time you had crazy eyes, you --
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Mary Jane opens her top desk drawer, pulls out the Visine. MARY JANE Mom, I’m sleeping just fine.
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She leans back far in her seat. Hold her phone with her shoulder. Puts a couple drops of Visine in each eye. Blinks rapidly.
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HELEN I know you’re into all those natural, herbal tea remedies, but sometimes a good prescription is -MARY JANE Mom, I’m --
HELEN I’m just saying. You should call Lisa and have her write you a prescription. You can’t afford to lose this job too. MARY JANE First of all, I’m not going to lose my job and secondly, Lisa is not that kind of doctor.
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HELEN She’s got a prescription pad, doesn’t she?
Mary Jane looks at her door where her imaginary co-worker is standing.
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MARY JANE Hold on, mom. (to imaginary co-worker) What? (then) Okay, I’ll be right there. (then) Mom, I have to go. I’ll stop by later.
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INT. DR. HUDSON’S OFFICE - EXAMINATION ROOM - LATER THAT DAY DR. LISA HUDSON and Mary Jane stand across from one another with a giant, invisible wall of tension between them.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
11.
DR. HUDSON I’m not that kind of doctor.
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MARY JANE I know that, but I’m not that kind of patient. Lisa, I need your help. I literally have not slept in three nights. Look at my eyes! Remember these???
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Lisa looks into Mary Jane’s eyes. Sees the twitching.
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DR. HUDSON At least they’re not as bloodshot as last time. (then) You need some sleep. MARY JANE (sarcastic) Ya think?
Lisa struggles with the boundary between her profession and her long standing friendship. DR. HUDSON What you’re asking me to do is unethical and basically illegal.
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MARY JANE Right. I forgot, you’re Doctor Ethics.
Lisa takes offense to the dig. She bites her tongue, then decides otherwise.
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DR. HUDSON At least my ethics don’t cause friends to commit suicide.
It takes Mary Jane a couple moments to recover from the low blow. She chooses her words wisely.
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MARY JANE At least... when my best friend tried to commit suicide I was there for her.
Touché -- they both simmer in their venomous thoughts. Finally...
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MARY JANE (CONT’D) That time of the month?
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
12.
Crickets. A smile creeps over Lisa’s face. They both LAUGH, probably too much.
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MARY JANE (CONT’D) That wasn’t even that funny. Shit, I’m so loopy, though. (then) Listen. I get it. You can’t prescribe me anything. And come to think of it, after you overdosed on sleeping pills, you ain’t the one I should be asking to write a prescription.
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DR. HUDSON (serious) That’s not fu --
Before she can complete the word they both CRACK UP again. The LAUGHTER turns painful. Lisa has trouble catching her breath. Mary Jane massages her sides. A nurse pops her head in. They play it off -- quickly regain their composure. As soon as Dr. Hudson attempts to address her nurse, she LOSES IT again. Mary Jane follows suit. The nurse, weirded out by their MANIACAL LAUGHTER, quietly shuts the door. INT. DR. HUDSON’S OFFICE - WAITING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
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Dr. Hudson avoids eye contact with her receptionist for fear of lighting the laughter fuse again.
Lisa walks Mary Jane out.
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DR. HUDSON (poised) Please contact Dr. Shiba’s office and schedule an appointment this afternoon for Mary Jane Paul. Tell them this is a code forty-two.
DR. HUDSON You want to sleep tonight?
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Mary Jane gestures -- of course.
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MARY JANE Okay, so what are you getting me into?
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
13.
DR. HUDSON (CONT’D) Then, you need to see Dr. Shiba.
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MARY JANE What’s a code forty-two? Is that the kookoo bird code or something?
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DR. HUDSON (smiles warmly) A professional courtesy code. Without it, there’s no way you could get a same day appointment.
Mary Jane is impressed.
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DR. HUDSON (CONT’D) Friendship has it’s privileges. FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
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Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
14. ACT TWO
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FADE IN:
INT. DR. SHIBA’S OFFICE - LATER THAT DAY
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DR. SHIBA, a tiny Japanese man in his late 50s, balding, seated behind a large, meticulously organized, mahogany desk, observes Mary Jane. She looks at the two dozen or so “I’m a super bad ass doctor” official diplomas, certificates and awards adorning his walls.
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DR. SHIBA The involuntary eye twitching and insomnia are both directly linked to stress.
Mary Jane focusses her attention on Dr. Shiba. DR. SHIBA (CONT’D) For the next three nights, I want you to get a full nights sleep. (then) I’m going to prescribe Zolpidem. Also known as Ambien. The only requirement is that you let your husband --
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MARY JANE I’m not married.
Dr. Shiba glances down at her left hand -- slowly nods.
MARY JANE I don’t have a boyfriend.
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DR. SHIBA Okay. Make sure your boyfriend --
DR. SHIBA Do you have anyone who can spend the night with you? MARY JANE
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I do.
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He takes a moment to consider.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
15.
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DR. SHIBA This is very important. (then) Ambien is a powerful hypnotic and you need to make sure someone you trust is there to observe you.
Dr. Shiba hands the prescription to her. She looks at it.
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MARY JANE (baffled) Only three pills? You don’t have samples?
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DR. SHIBA (smiles) I don’t. (then) I want to see you in three days for a follow up. Then we can role up our sleeves and get to the bottom of what’s so stressful in your life.
She smiles. Is this guy for real?
CUT TO:
INT. PARENTS’ HOUSE - LATER THAT EVENING
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Mary Jane zones out on the TV. Her mom finishes up dinner and channel surfs - she’s become quite adept with the TV remote. An interview with CORTLAND JEFFERSON comes on - snapping Mary Jane out of her daydream. MARY JANE Wait! Leave it there, mom.
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Helen, put off by her tone, reluctantly obliges. Off her look...
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MARY JANE (CONT’D) I just want to hear what he says.
On the TV, Cortland Jefferson is composed and well spoken.
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CORTLAND JEFFERSON I was sitting directly behind the driver. I remember pulling my jacket over my head just before the crash. After that, there people were screaming that they didn’t want to die. (MORE)
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
16.
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CORTLAND JEFFERSON (CONT'D) (he chokes up) I didn’t want to die. There was fire and smoke everywhere. I knew the only way out was through the window. So I kicked and kicked until it popped off.
The REPORTER cuts him off.
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REPORTER Thank you Cortland. You are quite the young hero. (directly into camera) Turns out, the jacket Cortland was wearing was an Army jacket and was fire retardant. Lucky kid. Back to you Jenny.
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HELEN Okay, you heard him talk. Now may I change the channel on my TV? MARY JANE Thank you, mom.
Mary Jane waits for her mom to look away -- roles her eyes on the sly. We hear the door SHUT downstairs. Mary Jane looks towards it. INT. PARENTS’ HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
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PAUL SR. hands his daughter a pharmacy bag.
MARY JANE Thanks for getting this for me. You know how rumors --
Mary Jane gets it. MARY JANE (low talk) Yeah. I don’t want her to worry.
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PAUL SR. No. You don’t want her nosey ass all up in your business.
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PAUL SR. (low talk) She’s listening.
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He raises his finger to his lips -- SHHH. Points to the ceiling.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
17.
Mary Jane weighs years of evidence in a couple seconds -reluctantly agrees.
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Right?
PAUL SR. (CONT’D)
Paul Sr. pulls his daughter in for a hug.
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PAUL SR. (CONT’D) Now you get home and get some sleep, alright?
She could stay in her dad’s embrace for eternity -- the hug means more to Mary Jane than her dad will ever know.
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INT. MARY JANE’S CAR/DRIVING - NIGHT Mary Jane sits at a stop light. Call Lisa.
MARY JANE
AUTOMOBILE VOICE COMMAND (V.O.) Dialing Lisa.
The light turns green. The phone RINGS. Someone HONKS for her to drive. She pulls off. Looks in her rearview mirror CURSES under her breath.
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DR. HUDSON (V.O.) (cheerful) So? Is Dr. Shiba not the best? MARY JANE (smiles) Yes. He seems very genuine.
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INTERCUT WITH:
INT. DR. HUDSON’S HOME - MASTER BATHROOM - SAME TIME
DR. HUDSON What did he prescribe?
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MARY JANE (uncertain) That’s kind of what I’m calling about.
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Lisa, squeezed into a form fitting dress, rock star pumps, puts on make-up -- she’s got a hot date. She’s got Mary Jane on speaker phone.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
18.
Lisa stops what she’s doing.
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DR. HUDSON What’s wrong? MARY JANE Nothing. Nothing. No. Everything is great. (then) He prescribed Ambien.
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Lisa delicately applies her mascara. DR. HUDSON Okay. That’s a good thing.
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Mary Jane realizes something.
MARY JANE Why do you have me on speaker phone? DR. HUDSON Lisa’s getting ready for a hot date tonight. MARY JANE (intrigued) Who? And how come I’m just now finding out?
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Lisa LAUGHS.
DR. HUDSON This architect I met at the gym.
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MARY JANE Since when did you start going to the gym?!?
DR. HUDSON The celibacy thing is getting kind of old.
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MARY JANE Be strong, sister! Besides, no mortal will be able to handle you unleashing the beast after how many years?
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Lisa LAUGHS.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
19.
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DR. HUDSON I’m not giving up the cookies on the first date. (then) Hey. Be careful tonight. (then) With the Ambien. Did Dr. Shiba suggest you have someone spend the night with you?
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Long silence. Mary Jane searches for a cover. Lisa realizes the intention behind the call. DR. HUDSON (CONT’D) I’m cancelling my --
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MARY JANE No you’re not! But --
DR. HUDSON
MARY JANE No buts! You enjoy your date. Call me tomorrow and let me know how things went. DR. HUDSON (reluctant) Okay.
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She wants to say something else.
MARY JANE No cookies on the first date -Lisa relaxes.
DR. HUDSON
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Okay. Bye.
CUT TO:
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INT. MARY JANE’S CAR/DRIVING - MOMENTS LATER Mary Jane contemplates who to call. Call Kara.
MARY JANE
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AUTOMOBILE VOICE COMMAND (V.O.) Dialing Kara.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
20.
After several lonely RINGS, her voice mail MESSAGE picks up. QUICK CUTS OF:
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MARY JANE Hey. So, if you get this -(reconsiders) I don’t know if you caught our boy Cortland Jefferson tonight, but he is the real deal. There is a major story with this kid. I can feel it in my bones. I -- we -- need him on the show. Can I count on you putting the wheels in motion first thing tomorrow morning? You better not be screening my call, lady.
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Mary Jane hangs up.
MARY JANE (CONT’D) Call Nichelle. AUTOMOBILE VOICE COMMAND (V.O.) Dialing Michelle Jackson.
Mary Jane quickly hangs up.
MARY JANE Call Nee-shell.
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AUTOMOBILE VOICE COMMAND (V.O.) Dialing Michelle Jackson. Frustrated, she hangs up again. MARY JANE Call! Nee! Shel-LA!
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AUTOMOBILE VOICE COMMAND (V.O.) Dialing Michelle Jackson.
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MARY JANE Are you kidding me!?! Nichelle! Call Nichelle!!! Nee-shell!
She hangs up, again, tries to calm herself. Takes several deep breaths.
Long beat, then...
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MARY JANE (CONT’D) (matter-of-fact) Call Nichelle.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
21.
AUTOMOBILE VOICE COMMAND (V.O.) Dialing Nichelle.
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(giddy) Yes!
MARY JANE
Nichelle’s voice mail picks up after one ring. Mary Jane realizes she got deliberately sent to voice mail.
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She contemplates leaving a message -- CURSES under her breath and hangs up. Call Mark.
MARY JANE (CONT’D)
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AUTOMOBILE VOICE COMMAND Dialing Mark Bradley.
(V.O.)
The phone RINGS.
MARK BRADLEY Good timing.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT - MORNING Mark is about to board a plane.
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MARY JANE I’m so glad you picked up. I really need you to come over tonight. I’ve been --
MARY JANE Where are you?
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MARK BRADLEY Sure. It should only take me about ten hours to get there. That’s assuming I --
Mary Jane searches her memory banks.
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MARK BRADLEY (CONT’D) (laughing) Yeah. (MORE)
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MARK BRADLEY Heathrow. On my way to Nigeria. Kara didn’t tell you?
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
22.
MARK BRADLEY (CONT’D) I’m going to parachute into one of the villages and rescue the kidnapped school girls.
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Mary Jane is completely confused.
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MARK BRADLEY (CONT’D) Kara told me about your idea. (then) Seriously, though, after Super Cooper did his thing, everyone thinks the story is over. But there’s two hundred more girls still being held captive.
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MARY JANE You’re serious. You’re on your way to -MARK I’m boarding.
MARY JANE Be careful, Mark. You know -I gotta go. Talk to you in the morning.
INT. MARY JANE’S CAR/DRIVING - MOMENTS LATER
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Mary Jane shakes off the surreal moment -- was it real??? After several moments simmering in her ‘Alice in Wonderland’ world, she realizes there is no one else to call. It’s a very lonely epiphany. CUT TO:
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INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - LATER THAT EVENING
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Mary Jane opens her pajama drawer. She stares into the drawer. Digs a royal blue shirt out from the bottom.
CU on another one of David’s Duke University t-shirts -- yes, she kept one. CUT TO:
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Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
23.
INT. DAVID’S HOUSE - HOME OFFICE - SAME TIME
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DAVID is working on something on his laptop. ANA, sporting a baby bump, pops her head in on him. ANA I’m going to bed.
David is laser focussed on what he’s working on and doesn’t respond.
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ANA (CONT’D) Honey? I’m going to bed?
David looks up, intense, his concentration broken. DAVID
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ANA Good night.
David softens.
DAVID Good night.
As soon as Ana exits, David’s phone CLINKS -- a text message. Curious, he picks up his phone. He looks at the message ID and it says CRAZY.
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He SIGHS. Without reading the message, he puts his phone down. Goes back to work. His phone CLINKS again. He ignores it. It CLINKS again. He picks up his phone. The message reads, PLEASE CALL ME. IT’S A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. SORRY FOR THE DRAMA. SERIOUSLY. CALL ME!
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David stands up. Dials CRAZY.
MARY JANE (V.O.) Thank you for calling me.
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DAVID What’s going on?
INTERCUT WITH:
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Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
24.
INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - SAME TIME
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Mary Jane paces in the kitchen. She’s wearing David’s Duke University t-shirt and nothing else. She holds the prescription bottle in her hand.
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MARY JANE (manic) Listen. I need a huge favor. I’ve called everyone I trust, which, I’ve painfully realized, isn’t that many people, so, I’m calling you. Strictly as a friend.
David is curious.
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DAVID Okay. You have my attention. MARY JANE I need you to come over.
David shakes his head.
DAVID I’m hanging up now.
MARY JANE Wait! Don’t hang up! Please -(forced calm) -- wait. Please. Let me explain.
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He reluctantly agrees to listen.
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MARY JANE (CONT’D) (back to manic) I haven’t slept in three nights. Seriously. I even went to a shrink earlier today and you know how I despise head doctors and I’m more anti-medicine than Scientologists, but if I don’t get some sleep tonight, I’m not going to make it. So, Dr. Shiba, he’s this psychologist Lisa referred me to, prescribed me a few Ambien. Literally three pills. I know, you’re thinking, ‘why didn’t he just give me some samples?’ Right? I was thinking the same thing. (MORE)
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Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
25.
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MARY JANE (CONT’D) I even asked him about why he didn’t give me samples and so long story short, I need to get some sleep tonight and I’m going to take an Ambien. He told me I have to have someone I trust watch over me. You wouldn’t have to actually watch over me. I mean, you can sleep on the couch or something, I totally respect you and the white girl model’s relationship, what’s her name? Amber? No -- Ana -- sorry. But I just need someone here to make sure I don’t do anything stupid. I really need your help. Can you help me?
ne yo
He wipes his face hard, knowing he can’t deny this woman. A long, stagnant silence envelopes them. David SIGHS. Mary Jane knows what his sigh means. A nervous smile creeps over her face. Okay.
DAVID
MARY JANE Do you need me to talk to Ana? Because, I’ll talk to --
Ca
DAVID No. What I need you to do is stop talking before I change my mind. MARY JANE Okay. This is me not talking anymore.
n
CUT TO:
INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - TV ROOM - 50 MINUTES LATER
DAVID (staring forward) So, how long before it kicks in?
Ea
David and Mary Jane sit silently on the couch, watching TV. Mary Jane is wrapped up in a comfy afghan.
t
No answer. David looks over -- Mary Jane is comatose. He smiles.
CUT TO:
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
26.
INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Ev
David carries Mary Jane through the door and lays her on her bed. He tucks her in. As he leaves, he stops and takes in the moment -- watching her rest peacefully. Reality hits him. He SIGHS and turns out the lights. FADE OUT: END OF ACT TWO
er ne yo Ca n Ea t
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
27. ACT THREE
Ev
INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - TV ROOM - LATER The light from the flat screen splashes across David’s face in a steady rhythm -- he’s in a deep sleep -- and left the TV on. He winces.
er
We reveal that Mary Jane, now completely nude is going down on him. He slowly wakes up. Disorientated, it takes him several moments to realize where he is and who is doing what to him -- by then, it’s too late. Mary Jane forges a pathway of kisses to his neck and gently kisses his ear.
ne yo
MARY JANE (whispering) You said all I have to do is ask.
She kisses him on his mouth. He tries in vain to resist. The soulmates passionately make love -- is this a dream? CUT TO:
INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - MORNING
Ca
Mary Jane’s alarm clock SOUNDS OFF. The clock reads: 5:30 AM. She opens her eyes and smiles. A full nights sleep has made a big difference. CUT TO:
INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - TV ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
n
She checks in on David. The bed linens are folded -- he’s been gone for a while. This perplexes Mary Jane. She shrugs it off. CUT TO:
Ea
INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - MASTER BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Steam billows from the shower. Mary Jane looks at herself in the bathroom mirror. Her eyes look much better.
t
She notices David’s Duke University t-shirt is on inside out and backwards -- makes a mental note. Looks at the prescription bottle on her sink. Picks it up.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
28.
MARY JANE (to herself) Magic in a bottle.
Ev
Mary Jane takes off David’s shirt and eases into the shower. CUT TO:
INT. MARY JANE’S CAR/DRIVING - LATER THAT MORNING
er
Mary Jane is looking at the world through rose colored glasses with a permanent smile plastered on her face. MARY JANE Call Never Answer.
ne yo
AUTOMOBILE VOICE COMMAND (V.O.) Dialing Never Answer.
The call goes straight to voice mail. MARY JANE (cheerful) Hey David, I just wanted to thank you for being there for me in my true moment of need. I feel so much better and really needed --
A car cuts her off, she HONKS. LAUGHS it off.
Ca
MARY JANE (CONT’D) Sorry, someone just cut me off. (then) I’m rambling. Please tell Ana I really appreciate her loaning me her man last night. I think -well, I’m pretty sure you know by now that maybe you’ve got yourself a good woman there, David. And you know if I’m saying that, it’s true. Talk to you later.
n Ea
Mary Jane SIGHS with a sense of genuine satisfaction.
CUT TO:
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - LIVE SET - LATER
t
Mary Jane takes her seat at the desk. LARRY, the sound guy mics her.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
29.
MARY JANE Larry? Have you been hitting the gym?
Ev
LARRY (laughs) My wife is on this smoothie kick. Which basically means I’m on a smoothie kick.
er
MARY JANE Smoothies do the body good.
ne yo
LARRY (dry) Yeah. So did the juicer, the flex master, our stair stepper and the exercise slash clothes hanger stationary bike. MARY JANE (laughs) Thanks.
She places in her earwig.
MARY JANE (CONT’D) Kara, you there? I am.
KARA (V.O.)
Ca
MARY JANE What’s the status on our golden boy Cortland?
Mary Jane scans the Teleprompter. Before Kara can answer.
KARA (V.O.)
MARY JANE Mark is ready to go? Ten four.
KARA (V.O.)
t
MARY JANE Okay guys and girls, show time.
Ea
That’s it.
n
MARY JANE (CONT’D) What’s the correct pronunciation of Sambisa?
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
30.
She’s counted in by a STAGE MANAGER:
Ev
STAGE MANAGER Five, four, three, two --
The stage manager points to Mary Jane on the ‘one’. ANGLE ON: Mary Jane live.
er
MARY JANE I’m Mary Jane Paul. Thank you for joining me at this hour. SNC anchor, Mark Bradley, is joining us live from Sambisa, Nigeria. What is the situation there Mark.
ne yo
INTERCUT WITH:
EXT. SAMBISA VILLAGE, NIGERIA - SAME TIME Mark is in his element - serious news reporting. There is a slight delay because of the time zone difference.
Ca
MARK BRADLEY Thank you, Mary Jane. In a press conference earlier today, Chief of Defense Staff Air Marshal Alex Badeh explained the military knows where the abducted girls are, but are ruling out a rescue by force for fear of endangering them. Most officials think any raid to rescue them would run a high risk that the girls would be killed by their captors. Boko Haram has repeatedly showed ruthlessness in targeting civilians. Earlier today, thirtyone security personnel were killed in an attack by heavily armed Boko Haram militants in the town of Buni Yadi.
n Ea
MARY JANE What about the recent reports of four more girls escaping?
Long pause. Mark listens. The delay is awkward, as usual.
t
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
31.
Ev
MARK BRADLEY Yes. The four girls who escaped and was widely publicized earlier this week by other networks had escaped with the original fifty-three over a month ago. Apparently, and for good reason, their parents were keeping their escape hidden for fear of retaliation against their village.
er
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - MARY JANE’S FISHBOWL - LATER Mary Jane and Kara watch a video of Cortland Jefferson from a news website.
ne yo
On her computer we see Cortland Jefferson in a sling, his attorney, his father and mother outside at a news conference. The on-screen graphics read First Lawsuit Filed in Deadly Bus Crash. Cortland’s attorney DRONES ON about the lawsuit. They cut to a video of Cortland playing drums in a drum line - he’s exceptional. MARY JANE Do you see it?
Kara is perplexed.
KARA
Ca
I don’t.
Mary Jane re-cues the part of Cortland playing in the drum line. Kara still doesn’t see it.
n
A loud COMMOTION and a WOMAN YELLING somewhere in the office momentarily distracts them. Kara looks out the door. A SNC security guard runs past her. Mary Jane looks at her -- everything okay?
KARA (CONT’D) It looks like they have it under control.
Ea
Kara shrugs it off.
Riiight?
KARA
t
MARY JANE As long as nobody starts shooting.
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32.
They both turn their attention back to the computer.
Ev
KARA (CONT’D) Okay, so what am I missing?
Mary Jane points to the computer screen. The video is paused on Cortland playing in a drum line. MARY JANE That’s not the same kid.
er
Kara looks closer. Yes it is.
KARA
ne yo
Mary Jane sits back. Smirks.
MARY JANE Now, I realize that maybe it’s a cultural thing and I’m not going to go there. KARA (confused) Go where?
Ca
MARY JANE You really don’t see it. (then) See, I would expect Greg not to see it -KARA Wait. Are you saying this is a Black thing?
n
MARY JANE (mocking) Wait. Did you just say a Black thing? (to herself) What century are we in?
Ea
They both look at each other. Mary Jane rolls her eyes. MARY JANE (CONT’D) I did a little digging. Checked his Facebook profile. He has a fraternal twin brother.
t
Off Kara’s look.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
33.
Ev
MARY JANE (CONT’D) His brother is shorter, smaller and a hell of a lot more talented with drumsticks. In fact, Cortland didn’t even make the line. (then) He’s on the practice squad.
Kara gets it.
er
KARA And half their press conference is about how his injuries may prevent him from playing drums again.
ne yo
MARY JANE From hero to zero once we break this. KARA (excited) He’s coming in tomorrow.
They high-five each other. Greg pops his head in. GREG Hi Kara. Great show today ladies. (then) Mary Jane. Can you come up to my office?
Ca
MARY JANE (uncertain) Sure.
He exits. Mary Jane looks at Kara.
n
MARY JANE (CONT’D) Anything I don’t know that I should know?
Ea
Kara shakes her head -- no. Mary Jane walks out of her office. It takes a couple beats, but she notices the office is very quiet. She looks around, catching the other staff looking at and whispering about her. CUT TO:
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - GREG’S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
t
Mary Jane is seated. Across from her is Greg seated at his desk, the HEAD OF SECURITY, a couple uniformed police officers, and a SNC SECURITY GUARD standing off to the side.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
34.
Ev
HEAD OF SECURITY So, we don’t know how serious the threat is, but we just want to make sure you are escorted to and from the parking lot by one of my guards until things quiet down.
Mary Jane’s head is spinning.
er
GREG We are considering filing trespassing charges and you should seriously consider getting a restraining order.
ne yo
MARY JANE Was she carrying a gun or knife or something?
The head of security looks down at his notes, then over to the SNC security guard, then back to Mary Jane. HEAD OF SECURITY A canister of pepper spray. MARY JANE Every woman carries pepper spray. (then) What exactly did she say that was considered so threatening?
Ca
The head of security glances over to the uniformed police officers, then reads from his notes.
Mary Jane raises her eyebrows.
n
HEAD OF SECURITY (dry) Where the expletive is Mary Jane? Where is that expletive expletive? She expletive’d my fiance. I’m gonna expletive kill that Black expletive.
Ea
MARY JANE (to SNC security guard) Was that last expletive a reference to a female dog?
The SNC security guard was not ready to be put on the spot. SNC SECURITY GUARD
t
Uh --
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
35.
HEAD OF SECURITY (clears his throat) Yes mam, it was.
Ev
Greg DRONES ON about tightening security, becoming background noise. CU on Mary Jane as she simmers in her anger. CUT TO:
er
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - MARY JANE’S FISHBOWL - LATER Same CU on Mary Jane.
ne yo
KARA (O.C.) You just can’t get a man of your own, can you?
Kara paces. They’re locked in MJ’s fishbowl. SNC staff members pretend not to listen -- but they’re all tuned in. Mary Jane text messages David. On her phone she types the message, YOU NEED TO CONTROL THE WHITE GIRL. SHE CAME DOWN TO MY OFFICE TRIPPING. I THOUGHT SHE WAS COOL W/U COMING OVER???
Ca
KARA (O.C.) (CONT’D) What is it about a man who has a woman that is so attractive to you? (then) Have you thought about talking to someone? Maybe seeing a therapist or something?
Mary Jane has had enough of Kara’s berating.
n
KARA (CONT’D) Why can’t you --
Ea
MARY JANE Why can’t you give me the benefit of the doubt? KARA Where there’s smoke, there’s fire MJ. And Ana coming down here --
t
MARY JANE Ana coming down here is a misunderstanding and I’m getting to the bottom of it. (MORE)
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
36.
Ev
MARY JANE (CONT'D) So back off with all your selfrighteous, I’m a scorned woman rhetoric. Save it for a misery loves company, cheated on women, support group or something. CUT TO:
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - GARAGE - LATER THAT DAY
er
Mary Jane walks to her car -- she’s angry, oblivious to the SNC security guard (from earlier) three steps behind her. She checks her text message chat with David -- no response.
ne yo
She unlocks her Panamera with a deliberate push of the remote. Tosses her purse in. Uh...
SNC SECURITY GUARD
She turns to the SNC security guard -- what?!? Her glare freezes him in his tracks. His lips quiver, but no sound comes out. Mary Jane rolls her eyes, gets in her car and shuts the door with authority. SNC SECURITY GUARD (CONT’D) (zero confidence) Have -- a blessed day -- Ms. Paul.
Ca
CUT TO:
INT. MARY JANE’S CAR/DRIVING - MOMENTS LATER
MARY JANE Call Never Answer.
n
Mary Jane navigates traffic -- she’s driving fast and furious. She now looks at the world through crap tinted glasses.
Ea
AUTOMOBILE VOICE COMMAND (V.O.) Dialing Never Answer. The call goes straight to voice mail.
t
MARY JANE (forced calm) I don’t know what is going on, but you need to call me as soon as --
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
37.
A car cuts her off, she LAYS ON THE HORN. CURSES at the driver.
Ev
er
MARY JANE (CONT’D) As much as I would like to say that was for you, it wasn’t. I’m driving. (then) Tell your little white girl I’m gonna let her little temper tantrum she threw down at my place of work slide. Once. (then) We’ll chalk it up to pregnancy hormones or something. (then) I thought she was cool with you helping me out? Get her on the same page David or I will file a restraining order. (then) You need to call me.
ne yo
CUT TO:
INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - MASTER BATHROOM / KITCHEN - LATER THAT EVENING
Ca
Mary Jane finishes up her bedtime routine, wearing her comfort pajamas she’s had since college. She looks at the Ambien prescription bottle. Picks it up. We follow her to the kitchen. She checks her phone again -nothing. Sets her phone on the counter. Opens the pill bottle, takes out an Ambien.
n
Reaches into the fridge for a bottled water. Pops the pill with a couple swallows of water. CUT TO:
Ea
INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
She tucks herself into bed and sets her water on the night stand. CU on Mary Jane’s peaceful face. She closes her eyes.
t
CUT TO:
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
38.
INT. MARY JANE’S CAR - GARAGE - THE NEXT MORNING
Ev
Same CU on Mary Jane’s peaceful face. She opens her eyes -smiles -- realizes she is inside her car, fully clothed. She looks at the empty bag of potato chips in her passenger seat - her smile dissipates. FADE OUT:
er
END OF ACT THREE
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Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
39. ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
Ev
INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER Music cue: “Paranoid” - Kanye West QUICK CUTS OF:
er
Mary Jane, on the phone, holding onto the Ambien prescription.
ne yo
MARY JANE Hi Doctor Shiba, this is Mary Jane Paul. So, I’m day two into the Ambien experiment and a couple nights of sleep has made a big difference, but I woke up inside my car this morning. The problem is I didn’t fall asleep in my car and I also apparently changed my clothes, went somewhere and bought some chips -- and ate the whole bag. I don’t remember doing any of this. Please call me when you get in. Thank you.
She calls Lisa.
Ca
MARY JANE (CONT’D) Lisa. I’m sorry to call you so early. I have some questions about Ambien. Something really weird happened last night. Call me. Thanks. Oh and what happened with your date the other night?
n
She looks up side effects of Ambien on her computer -- it’s a hypnotic. People experience sleep walking, sleep eating and even sleep driving episodes.
She pours steaming water over a tea bag.
Ea
Her tea kettle WHISTLES.
Mary Jane, lost deep in thought, sips her tea -- scalds her lip.
t
She paces throughout her kitchen. Doing her best to recollect what happened last night -- what about the night before with David???
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
40.
She picks up her phone, calls David. Straight to voice mail. Pulls up the text conversation with NEVER ANSWER.
Ev
On her phone she types the message, CALL ME. I THINK I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. YOU MUST THINK I’M CRAZY AS FU-She stops typing. Thinks to herself. Deletes the message -letter by letter.
er
A beat later, her phone RINGS, abruptly cutting off the music. Mary Jane recognizes the number.
ne yo
MARY JANE (CONT’D) Dr. Shiba. Thank you for calling me back. I know I’m scheduled to see you tomorrow, but -(listens, then) I did the first night, but last night I couldn’t find anyone. (listens, then) Yes. Thank you.
Mary Jane places her phone down and lets out a deep SIGH. Before she can enjoy the residual effects of her sigh, her phone RINGS. She immediately picks it up. MARY JANE (CONT’D) (into phone) Dad? Is everything okay with mom?
Ca
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. PARENTS’ HOUSE - KITCHEN - SAME TIME
Paul Sr. prepares an elaborate smoothie with leafy greens, yogurt and frozen blueberries.
n Ea
PAUL SR. (into phone) Everything is okay here, baby. I was just calling to check in with you. Have you been sleeping better? MARY JANE I have. Almost too good. I’m going in for a follow up this morning.
t
PAUL SR. That’s good. Sounds like your doctor is on top of things. (then) (MORE)
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41.
PAUL SR. (CONT'D) I see you’re interviewing the young hero from the bus crash.
Ev
Mary Jane is confused. MARY JANE How do you know about that?
er
PAUL SR. Well, not all of us fast forward through commercials. Talk Back promos are in heavy rotation. (then) Your mom has taken quite an interest in that young man’s story. She talking to her colleagues at Jack and Jill about presenting him an award for bravery and raising money for a scholarship.
ne yo
MARY JANE I hate to burst mom’s hero bubble, dad, but the kid’s a fraud.
Paul Sr. anticipated her response. A slight smile creeps over his face. He stops prepping his smoothie and walks to the window... gets lost in a thought. PAUL SR. If you dig deep enough, you’ll find something on everyone.
Ca
MARY JANE This is different, dad.
n
PAUL SR. Remember when you were in high school and Ms. Mason had you read Invisible Man, by --
Ea
MARY JANE (impatient) By Ralph Ellison. I’m not seeing the connection, dad.
PAUL SR. Your teacher was fired because she didn’t follow the school district’s approved reading list.
MARY JANE Dad, this is completely different.
t
Mary Jane rolls her eyes.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
42.
PAUL SR. Is it? I seem to remember her being your hero.
Ev
MARY JANE Dad, what happened to her was character assassination.
er
PAUL But you didn’t on at the time be labeled her
SR. know what was going and the powers that a fraud.
Mary Jane shakes her head.
ne yo
MARY JANE This is different. Cortland’s family hired some ambulance chasing attorney who’s filed a lawsuit because he may not be able to play the drums again, which he couldn’t play in the first place. Six kids lost their lives in the accident. He broke his arm and got a few burns. His twin brother is the -anyway, just trust me, dad. It’s not the same.
Long silence, laced with tension.
Ca
PAUL SR. You may be right. Maybe the family is using the situation to their advantage. Another stagnant moment creeps by.
n
PAUL SR. (CONT’D) You were right about Terrence, but if you could do it over, would you change how you handled it?
Mary Jane resists the wisdom, refuses to answer him.
Ea
PAUL SR. (CONT’D) What have I always told you about crossing the street?
Another long moment passes. Mary Jane closes her eyes -let’s go.
t
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
43.
Ev
MARY JANE (reluctant) Even if you have the right of way, you still have to look both ways because it’s better to be wrong and alive than be dead and right. CUT TO:
er
INT. DR. SHIBA’S OFFICE - LATER THAT MORNING Classic psychiatrist/patient set up -- Mary Jane on a couch, Dr. Shiba sits behind her.
ne yo
MARY JANE I keep having a recurring dream. It’s a pleasant dream but set inside a nightmare environment. It’s always in the same house. The layout of the house makes no sense. Almost as if Escher designed it -no beginning and no end. It’s like a real life house version of one of those bad carnival fun houses, but no crazy mirrors, just bad garage sale furniture. Nothing matches and it’s always dark outside. (then) And there’s always someone outside trying to get in, but I’m never worried that they can actually get in. But I know they’re out there, patiently waiting. So, I walk around the house and eventually I realize there are no doors... just windows.
Ca n
CU on Mary Jane’s face.
Ea
MARY JANE (CONT’D) But, I’m too scared to look out the window because of the reflection from inside. You know how when you have lights on inside and if it’s dark outside, you can’t see unless you get your face really close to the window to block out the reflection? That still freaks me out, even in real life, because putting your face that close to the window leaves you so vulnerable to whatever or whoever is waiting outside.
t
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
44.
Ev
Mary Jane thinks about her statement. She’s figured something out. A long, silent moment passes -- too silent -- shouldn’t he be asking me something? She turns and looks back at Dr. Shiba -- really??? CU on Dr. Shiba -- he’s dozed off.
er
The DOOR CLOSES just shy of a slam -- startling Dr. Shiba out of his slumber. He’s quickly recovers from his confusion. Looks on the couch where Mary Jane should be. He sees something. CU on Mary Jane’s last Ambien pill. CUT TO:
ne yo
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - BREAK ROOM - LATER THAT DAY Mary Jane and Kara wait by the microwave. The rhythm of the popcorn popping matches the intensity of the conversation. KARA It’s rape, MJ.
MARY JANE I don’t know. I mean --
Ca
KARA If you were not conscious, have no recollection of having sex with him, but he obviously had sex with you and admitted it to his baby momma --
n
MARY JANE Stop it. I came to you because I need an objective view. David is not a rapist. No way.
An assistant walks in. Kara shoots her a look of death -leave now!
Ea
The assistant quickly turns around and exits. KARA I am giving you an objective view. Was he aware that you took the Ambien?
t
MARY JANE Yes. He saw me take it. That’s why he was --
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
See!
45.
KARA
Ev
Mary Jane shakes her head. KARA (CONT’D) What was the last thing you remember?
Mary Jane searches her memory banks.
er
MARY JANE I... remember... being on the couch and we were watching something on television.
ne yo
KARA And when you woke up? MARY JANE I was in bed.
KARA Were you clothes on? MARY JANE (laughs) Of course.
Mary Jane recalls something.
Ca
KARA What? You remember something. What it is?
MARY JANE I... my shirt... was inside out and on backwards.
n
Kara slams her hand on the counter top. Paces like a caged beast.
MARY JANE Just hold on. Stop. Look at me.
t
Kara reluctantly obliges.
Ea
KARA He raped you. What he did was rape. (then) We need to call the police. That son of a --
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
46.
Ev
er
MARY JANE (CONT’D) David is not a rapist. And I’m damn sure not calling the police. Do you have any idea what they do to Black men accused of rape? (then) Listen to me. So last night I took another Ambien. I woke up this morning in my car, fully dressed. (then) With an empty bag of chips in my passenger seat and crumbs everywhere.
ne yo
Kara processes this new information. Mary Jane searches her mind for answers. The microwave bell DING, disrupts their thoughts. Kara pulls out the bag. Mary Jane slides the bowl towards her. As Kara pours the steamy popcorn into the bowl... KARA That complicates things. Maybe you don’t need to go to the police -(then) Yet. But, you definitely need to have a face to face with David and find out what exactly went down. (then) You ready for the kid?
Ca
Mary Jane nods -- yes. Grabs the bowl of popcorn, exits the break room. Kara follows. CUT TO:
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - GREEN ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
n
Cortland, his DAD and MOM make themselves at home. Mary Jane and Kara enter with the bowl of popcorn.
Ea
CORTLAND’S MOM Oh yeah. I could smell it coming down the hall.
She takes the bowl from Mary Jane and digs in.
Cortland’s dad shoves a handful into his mouth.
t
CORTLAND’S MOM (CONT’D) (to Cortland) See, baby, all you have to do is ask for what you want.
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
47.
Ev
CORTLAND’S DAD Mmmm hmmm. This is that premium microwave popcorn. Do you have any hot sauce?
Kara keeps the parents occupied while Mary Jane pulls Cortland off to the side.
er
MARY JANE Before we go on, I just wanted to talk with you, so you can get comfortable.
Cortland nods -- okay -- he’s nervous. Mary Jane makes note of his arm sling and the burns healing on his ears, neck and hands (his injuries are worse than we’ve seen).
ne yo
MARY JANE (CONT’D) So, how’s the arm? CORTLAND JEFFERSON Actually, it’s my collar bone.
Mary Jane’s smile puts him at ease. MARY JANE I want to get some clarification on a couple things.
Ca
His mom and dad LAUGH about something -- it distracts Cortland. He can’t help but smile. Mary Jane notices the sparkle in his eye. MARY JANE (CONT’D) I bet your parents were relieved you survived the crash. Cortland nods -- yes.
n
MARY JANE (CONT’D) Do you have any other siblings?
MARY JANE How come he wasn’t on the bus?
Ea
CORTLAND JEFFERSON A brother. (then) He’s my twin.
t
CORTLAND JEFFERSON My brother is set. He’s already got offers from several schools. (MORE)
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48.
CORTLAND JEFFERSON (CONT'D) (then) Did you see me on the news?
Ev
Mary Jane smiles -- yes.
er
CORTLAND JEFFERSON (CONT’D) They messed up and showed video of my brother on snare. (then) I wish I was that good. But, that’s what I’m striving for. MARY JANE How do you feel about the lawsuit?
He looks at his parents and grins.
ne yo
CORTLAND JEFFERSON This whole situation has brought my parents back together. They’d been separated for a couple years. Now look at them.
Mary Jane studies his parents -- she gets it. Greg rushes in and pulls Kara to the side. They both look at Mary Jane -- she knows that look -- something isn’t right. SMASH CUT TO:
Ca
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - LIVE SET - MOMENTS LATER Frenzied set. Greg leads Mary Jane to the set, while Larry mics her.
MARY JANE I got this, Greg.
n
GREG We’ve got communications, but we don’t know for how long. Get in. Get the --
MARY JANE (CONT’D) Talk to me.
Ea
Mary Jane slams in her earwig.
INTERCUT WITH:
t
Being Mary Jane - Ambien Sex
49.
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - CONTROL ROOM - SAME TIME
Ev
The room is alive with activity. A grainy television feed jumps in and out. On several of the monitors, we can see Mark, his face is dirtied and he looks very serious. The DIRECTOR looks at one of the editors.
er
DIRECTOR I need that feed coming in strong and clean! KARA Okay, MJ, the satellite feed is coming up.
ne yo
MARY JANE Do we have audio with Mark yet? Yes.
KARA
MARY JANE I need to talk to him before we go live. KARA We don’t have time. Make time.
MARY JANE
Ca
DIRECTOR (O.C.) What the hell is that?
Mary Jane sits at the news desk. MACHINE GUN fire bleeds through her earwig. Mortified -- she taps her ear. MARY JANE
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Mark?
KARA I’m sorry, MJ. We’ve lost comm.
Ea FADE OUT:
END OF ACT FOUR
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50. ACT FIVE FADE IN:
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INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - LIVE SET - NIGHT The make up person applies a quick touch up to Mary Jane’s face and hastily exits as...
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The stage manager counts her in: STAGE MANAGER Five, four, three, two --
The stage manager points to Mary Jane on the ‘one’.
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ANGLE ON: Mary Jane live.
MARY JANE I’m Mary Jane Paul. Thank you for joining me at this hour. Earlier this evening the militant group Boko Haram attacked the hotel where SNC anchor Mark Bradley is reporting from. We have lost all communications with Mr. Bradley and the hotel. Please stay with us, we’ll be right back.
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The stage manager visually counts her off. Mary Jane scrambles off set, past Greg. INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - BACK STAGE / BATHROOM CONTINUOUS
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Music cue: “Love Song” - Candice Glover (the raw version she sang on “American Idol”) Mary Jane, about to burst into tears runs to the bathroom. Once inside, she leans against the door. Tears well up in her eyes.
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Mary Jane pinches her arm hard -- we’ve seen this coping mechanism before. It takes her several moments to settle down. She takes a moment to compose herself. Straightens her blouse. Walks back towards the live set.
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Greg walks with her.
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51.
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GREG After the next break, I want you to start the Cortland Jefferson segment. MARY JANE That makes no sense.
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GREG We’ve spent a lot on ad buys to promote it.
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MARY JANE There’s no story, Greg. He’s a hero. We’re running with the celebrity angle on the school girls.
The make up person walks in front of them, checks Mary Jane’s face -- good to go. GREG But what about the fraudulent lawsuit? STAGE MANAGER (O.C.) Ten seconds. MARY JANE I hope his family gets millions.
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She sits down. Larry gives her lav mic a once over. KARA (V.O.) (in Mary Jane’s earwig) I’ll deal with Greg.
She’s counted in by a STAGE MANAGER:
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STAGE MANAGER Five, four, three --
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MARY JANE Thank you, lady.
The stage manager raises the peace sign on ‘two’, points to Mary Jane on the ‘one’. ANGLE ON: Mary Jane live.
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MARY JANE I’m Mary Jane Paul. Thank you for joining me at this hour. (MORE)
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52.
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MARY JANE (CONT'D) On April fourteenth, two hundred seventy-six school girls were taking exams at a secondary school in the remote northeastern village of Chibok, when Islamist gunmen surrounded it, loaded them onto trucks and carted them off. Fiftythree escaped shortly afterwards. (then) The public outcry from celebrities and social media had been tremendous. But now, more than sixty days later, the girls are still being held in captivity and no one seems to care. (then) Joining us tonight, from our affiliate in Washington, is U.S. Senator Cory Booker.
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INTERCUT WITH:
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS Senator Booker’s image is on several monitors. KARA (into mic) Doing great MJ.
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DIRECTOR Split screen with number four in three, two, one...
The director points and the monitor switches to a split screen.
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ANGLE ON: Mary Jane live
MARY JANE Senator Booker, thank you for joining us at this hour.
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SENATOR CORY BOOKER Thank you Ms. Paul, it’s a pleasure to be here. (then) Sorry to hear about the recent turn of events, I hope Mr. Bradley is okay. (then) (MORE)
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53.
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SENATOR CORY BOOKER (CONT'D) Hopefully, this will draw additional attention to the fact that over two hundred school girls are still missing.
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MARY JANE That’s a great point Mr. Booker. Two months ago, social media was ablaze with concerns and clever hashtags. Most celebrities felt it was their duty to comment and sympathize with the cause. But, prior to this latest incident, America seemed to not care anymore. Aside from SNC anchor Mark Bradley, there are no other U.S. networks reporting from Nigeria.
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SENATOR CORY BOOKER Unfortunately America has short attention spans when it comes to crisis. We want the crisis and it’s resolution to fit neatly within a week to two week time frame so we can apply our energy to the next crisis. It’s like drinking a cup of coffee, which you know I’m an expert at. How so?
MARY JANE
Ca n
SENATOR CORY BOOKER There’s nothing like the first sip of a hot, steamy cup of coffee. The way it warms your chest as it works its way to your stomach. But the longer the cup sits there, the colder it gets. Sometimes the last swallow isn’t even worth it because it’s cold. That’s our country’s attention span when it comes to crisis. (then) The crisis is the coffee in the cup. The cup represents our attention span. And the person drinking the coffee represents America. We only like our coffee when it’s hot and steamy. And we know how quickly a cup of coffee gets cold, right?
Ea t CUT TO:
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54.
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - MARY JANE’S FISHBOWL - LATER THAT EVENING
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She’s on her phone.
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MARY JANE Look. You need to stop treating me like a bad date and give me the courtesy of a return phone call. Avoidance has never been your game, so man up and call me back.
Just as she hangs up, Kara pops her head in.
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MARY JANE (CONT’D) Please tell me we’ve made contact with Mark.
Kara shakes her head -- no.
KARA We have made contact with local authorities, though, and they informed us Mark was not among the casualties. MARY JANE How many casualties?
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KARA At least a dozen dead and twenty injured.
Mary Jane’s SNC security guard shadow interrupts them.
MARY JANE What’s his name?
SNC SECURITY GUARD
He looks down at his clipboard.
Ea
Eric --
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SNC SECURITY GUARD Excuse me, Ms. Paul, uh... there is a man here to see you. He’s, uh... not on your approved visitors list, but said you know him.
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55.
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MARY JANE Oh my God, Eric! Yes. (then) Where is he? CUT TO:
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - DOWNSTAIRS LOBBY - MOMENTS LATER
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Candice’s SONG kicks back in. Mary Jane bolts out of the elevator followed by the SNC security guard and Kara. She scans the lobby, sees ERIC waiting at the security desk. He’s a mess.
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She stops in her tracks.
Candice’s haunting cover punches us in our gut with emotion... Music swells. Mary Jane runs to him. They fall into each other’s arms. Mary Jane remains strong for him. ERIC (sobbing) I didn’t want him to go. But, he was so excited... kept talking about how he was going to finally get back to real news reporting.
Ca
MARY JANE It’s okay. Everything’s going to be okay.
Eric notices Kara. Gathers himself quickly. Mary Jane notices he sees Kara.
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MARY JANE (CONT’D) She knows. She’s cool.
MARY JANE (CONT’D) Eric... is... (under her breath) Mark’s... Kara gets it.
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KARA Oh. Right. Yes.
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Kara’s confused. Mary Jane gestures towards Eric with an exaggerated head lean.
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56.
She extends her hand to shake his -- Eric pulls her in for a tight hug.
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ERIC (blubbering) I’m so scared.
Kara reluctantly half comforts him, then gives in one hundred percent. She looks at the SNC security guards.
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KARA (to SNC security guards) He’s with us. Put him on whatever list he needs to be on. We’re taking him upstairs.
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CUT TO:
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - KARA’S CUBICLE - LATER It’s really late, the lights are dimmed, most of the office is gone -- except for essential personnel. Eric sits in Kara’s chair. Mary Jane sits on her desk. The mood is a bit lighter as they reminisce. ERIC Those dark chocolate peanut butter cups from TJ’s might as well be labeled as crack.
MARY JANE (CONT'D) ... so bad for you.
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ERIC So bad for you.
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MARY JANE Oh my God... yes! Those are so good. (then) But...
They both LAUGH. Kara joins them. She’s smuggled in a bottle of Woodford Reserve.
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KARA I snagged this from Greg’s secret stash.
MARY JANE How do you know where Greg’s stash is?
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Kara pours each of them a double shot.
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57.
KARA It’s what I do.
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Mary Jane notices Greg approaching from across the room -- he looks sick with stress and in need of sleep. MARY JANE Greg’s coming for his bottle.
Greg keys in on Kara and Mary Jane.
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GREG (yelling across the room) We need you both on set immediately!
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Eric stares at Mary Jane, looking for a reaction. Mary Jane looks at Kara. They all know Greg’s tone was a negative urgent -- the stagnancy lingers. KARA (fake positive) I’m sure Mark’s okay.
Mary Jane doesn’t believe Kara -- knocks her drink back. Eric follows suit. Kara downs hers. KARA (CONT’D) (throat burning) Let’s go.
Ca
CUT TO:
INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - CONTROL ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
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The room is gearing up for an urgent broadcast and alive with energy. Various angles of Mary Jane can be seen on all of the monitors as the make up woman and Larry make final adjustments. Greg shows Kara something on a computer screen.
Ea
KARA And this has been authenticated.
CU on computer screen: We see an image of Mark Bradley seated in front of two armed, Boko Haram terrorists. He’s holding up a newspaper displaying the date.
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GREG (O.C.) Yes. It was sent to our U.S. Embassy in Abuja. It’s been authenticated.
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58.
DIRECTOR Twenty seconds.
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KARA (into microphone) MJ, you good? INTERCUT WITH:
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INT. SNC NEWS NETWORK OFFICES - LIVE SET - CONTINUOUS Mary Jane scans the tele-prompter. MARY JANE I’m too close to the story.
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KARA You’re going to be fine. MARY JANE Seriously. (holding back her tears) Mark is one of my best friends.
Greg leans over to Kara.
GREG I’m pulling her. Cynthia should be covering this.
Ca
DIRECTOR Fifteen seconds. Let’s get on the same page people.
Kara covers the mic -- shoots a barrel of daggers into Greg’s soul.
Greg backs off.
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KARA Mary Jane is bringing this home.
Ea
KARA (CONT’D) (into microphone) MJ, you are one of the, if not the, strongest woman I know. You can and will do this. (then, on the down low) Look at Eric.
t
Mary Jane looks over at Eric, he’s just off stage -- locked onto Mary Jane’s eyes.
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59.
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KARA (V.O.) (CONT’D) He deserves to hear it from you. The country needs to hear it from you. (then) Mark would want you to report this.
Mary Jane SIGHS. She regains control of her emotions -focusses -- business as usual.
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MARY JANE Okay guys and girls, show time. DIRECTOR Okay. Let’s count her in.
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She’s counted in by a STAGE MANAGER: STAGE MANAGER Five, four, three, two --
The stage manager points to Mary Jane on the ‘one’. ANGLE ON: Mary Jane live.
MARY JANE I’m Mary Jane Paul. Thank you for joining me at this hour. We have conformation that SNC anchor, Mark Bradley, has been abducted by the terrorist group, Boko Haram.
Ca
Eric passes out off stage, momentarily distracting Mary Jane. KARA You’re doing great MJ. Bring us home.
n
MARY JANE According to U.S. embassy officials in Nigeria, Mark Bradley and his camera man, Aaron Ruby, were abducted after a bloody gun battle, where thirteen have been confirmed killed and over twenty injured. At this point, we know Mark Bradley has not sustained any injuries, however, we do not know the status of Aaron Ruby.
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CUT TO:
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60.
INT./EXT. MARK BRADLEY’S HOUSE - LATER
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Mary Jane and Eric share an extended, cathartic hug in the doorway. It’s the middle of the night. No words are exchanged as Mary Jane leaves. We follow her taking the short, lonely walk home. CUT TO:
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INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - FOYER - MOMENTS LATER Mary Jane closes the door and shuffles towards the kitchen. Her doorbell RINGS.
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She turns around and opens the door, expecting Eric, but it’s David. They share an awkward moment of silence. MARY JANE The last time you showed up unexpectedly, you demanded I take a pregnancy test.
David softens.
DAVID May I come in?
Another awkward silence.
Ca
MARY JANE You lost your I can show up whenever I want and come in privileges a long time ago.
MARY JANE (CONT’D) Why are you here?
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DAVID I saw what was going on... (then) With Mark.
Ea
MARY JANE So, why are you here?
Mary Jane exaggerates looking around him, outside.
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MARY JANE (CONT’D) Where’s the blonde beast? You tranquilize her? Put her back in her cage?
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61.
David doesn’t appreciate the dig, but keeps a poker face. Another stagnant moment passes. Neither wants to give in.
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DAVID Look. I came here because I know you and Mark are close and...
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MARY JANE And what? You want to be my friend? (then) My besty? (then) Did you get permission from... DAVID Really? I mean, this isn’t cute.
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MARY JANE Cute? You think this is an attempt at being cute? I’m still trying to figure out, why you are here? DAVID I guess this was a bad idea. MARY JANE Thank you. You’re finally making some sense. DAVID What the hell is wrong with you?
Ca
David’s glare pierces her soul. He starts to speak, but stops himself just short of any utterance leaving his lips. MARY JANE I’m crazy. Remember?
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His gaze disconnects. A slight smile eases over his face. Without another word, he turns and leaves. Mary Jane watches him become absorbed by the darkness of the night.
Ea
She calmly shuts the door. The weight of her life falls on her like a truckload of bricks. She leans against the door, and slides down it in a heap of emotions. She pinches her arm, but the pinch is in vain. Mary Jane breaks down.
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INT. MARY JANE’S HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM/BATHROOM - THE NEXT MORNING
Mary Jane wakes up. She doesn’t feel good. It takes her a few restless moments to realize she really doesn’t feel good.
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62.
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She scrambles to her bathroom and makes it to the toilet just in time to vomit. After she finishes, she rests on the cool tile floor for a few moments, wondering maybe it was something she ate. A couple moments pass. Something dawns on her. She gets up, takes a moment to steady herself on the sink, opens up the medicine cabinet. Removes a box. Quickly turns it around to look at the instructions.
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She turns it back around to reveal it’s the pregnancy test David had brought over to her previously. On her SIGH, we:
FADE OUT:
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END OF SHOW
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