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Subject: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 21:23:38 01/03/05 Mon FADE IN INT. SUBURBAN TOWNHOUSE - LATE NIGHT DONNIE, an average-looking shmo in his late twenties, is sitting at his computer racking his brain for ideas for his latest project. He looks very distressed and, in fact, quite disturbed. DONNIE Oh dammit - I can't think of shit! Donnie starts pulling his hair, gets up and stomps around on the floor. He picks up a small architectural model in the corner of the room and smashes it against the wall. DONNIE Bahhh, it's crap! It's all crap!!! Donnie begins throwing paper drawings. Across the room, there is a picture of Frank Lloyd Wright on the wall. Donnie spots it. He slowly approaches the picture of the master architect posing in front of one his most renowned works of art. Donnie makes an obscene gesture in the direction of the picture. DONNIE This is all your fault, you old bastard!!!!!!! Donnie drops down to his knees in resignation and begins to sob. After a moment, the phone on his desk begins to ring. Donnie ignores the phone, and the answering machine picks up. MACHINE Hello this is Don, please leave message - BEEP. A hesistant woman's voice can be heard as Donnie's head tilts up in curiosity. WOMAN (VO) Um... Hey there Donnie. It's Kate. Um... listen, I don't think we should see each other anymore - things have just gotten way too complicated for me. ....I'm sorry. ....Good bye, Donnie. ....Please don't call me - CLICK Donnie slowly gets up and walks over to the blinking answering machine. He presses a button and erases the new message. He wipes away a tear from his cheek. DONNIE Well then, there you have it. Donnie grabs a bottle of Scotch from inside his desk drawer and tries to down the whole bottle before gagging on it half way. Donnie falls off his chair as he chokes. When he finally catches his breath, he bellows a deep menacing laugh, lying in a sea of drawings, broken pieces of carboard and spilled Scotch. DONNIE I ...hate ...Scotch. CUT TO [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: SS [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:30:04 01/03/05 Mon INT. SUBURBAN TOWNHOUSE, LIVING ROOM SOFA - LATER THAT SAME NIGHT Donnie still has a quarter of the bottle of Scotch glued to his hand. He has moved over to the couch by now and is slouched over. Lights are off and the Heat soundtrack is blasting Moby on the stereo. The CD has been on repeat for 5 hours now. DONNIE (looking and pointing at the bottle in hand) I still hate you. There is a knock at the door. CUT TO [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: B Otch [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 19:10:46 01/04/05 Tue INT. SUBURBAN TOWN HOME, SAME NIGHT Sara, a beautiful brunette, is laying on a couch in front of a TV. She is cozily tucked under a blanket, but you can see her legs slowly rubbing up and down against each other. A diminished buzzing sound fills the room. She tilts her head back slightly and lets out a short moan followed by a long, drawn out breath and a big smile. The door suddenly opens and Sara quickly turns her attention to the figure coming in. It's Leia. She looks edgy but is still as gorgeous as Sara, with short blonde hair that is flipped at the end and its tips dyed red. Loud music suddenly fills the room, then disappears again when Leia slams the door shut. LEIA Mother fucker! SARA Give it up, Lei. He's been playing that CD for like five hours. LEIA Insensitive, mother fucker! SARA Language. LEIA Wake up, Sara. The guy's an asshole. Everything he does is loud: the music, the video games, the porno! Come on! How many more weekends are we going to tolerate listening to him and his ONLY two friends talk about the same shit over and over again? They're so loud in that damn balcony you'd think they're putting on a play. SARA Oh. You're cranky. You can barely hear it in here. LEIA Well, unfortunately, my bedroom is over there and we share the same wall. I am not going to get any sleep tonight. SARA You wanna call the cops? LEIA No. I'm not a snitch. I mean, he's not a bad guy. Just an asshole. SARA I ran into him over the weekend, you know, while I was getting the mail. He looked like a decent guy. I mean, he didn't say a word to me; but I did feel like he kept staring at me when I wasn't looking. LEIA One of his friends did that to me, too. He was sitting in his truck waiting for the guy next door to come out. I had just gotten home from work. I swear he was staring at me from the time I left my car to the time I got into the house. SARA I heard him come home, but no one else showed up. LEIA He's by himself then? SARA He should be. You think he's okay? LEIA I don't know. SARA Huh. Maybe we should call the cops. LEIA I'm not a snitch. SARA Fine. I'll call 'em. LEIA Okay. SARA peels herself from the blanket and walks toward the kitchen to grab the phone. LEIA Hey, I'm going to un-pause the movie, okay? The TV is making a buzzing sound. That can't be good. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: JJ [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 20:27:04 01/04/05 Tue KITCHEN OF THE GIRLS' TOWNHOME The buzzing sound is clearly much louder in the kitchen. Sara stands next to the phone with her arms crossed, waiting for Leia to realize this. She is behind the wall adjacent to the living room, and out of view. She has no intention of calling the police tonight. This will surely make Leia forget about that noisy nosy neighbor. Leia is trying several things with the remote, before her heightened frustration causes her to turn off the TV in disgust and throw the remote to the floor. After a moment, she realizes the mysterious noise is still present. A smile appears on her face, and it's clear she's forgetting about the noise next door. LEIA (walking toward the kitchen) Oh Saaarrrra, that wouldn't happen to be Mr. Crotchy humming our favorite tune, would it? Sara spins away from the wall and meets face to face with Leia at the entrance to the kitchen. She immediately lands on her lips with a big wet French kiss. After about 30 seconds, they both come up for air. SARA You know it is. I tell you what? Why don't we worry about our little problem in the morning? I've got a quieter place for you to be tonight. They start walking towards Sara's bedroom. SARA Leia? LEIA Yes my dear? SARA No, you misunderstood... Lay ya? LEIA But of course. It's their long-running joke since first experimenting back in college. They enter Sara's room and the door closes behind them. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: G [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:45:13 01/04/05 Tue INT. SUBURBAN TOWNHOUSE - MORNING The sun has come up, and yet Donnie remains passed out on the couch. We hear a buzzing noise similar to the one in the girls' place. This time however, it's Donnie's cell phone, and is buzzing away in his pants. Donnie is finally jolted awake and fishes the phone out of his pocket. DONNIE (into phone) Um, hello? JAKE Donnie, goddamn it! Where are you? What the fuck is wrong with you? We have the presentation this morning remember? Donnie checks the clock. It reads 10:25 am. DONNIE Shit Jake, I overslept! JAKE Sounds to me like you overdrank. DONNIE Jake, I need you to cover for me... JAKE It's too late Donnie. Old Man Vickers is turning three shades of purple he's so pissed off at you. He says your toast. He says your history. He says he's gonna fire your ass this time. I'm just calling to give you the heads up. There is a beeping noise on the cell phone. It is Donnie's call waiting. DONNIE Look Jake, I have to call you back, I have another call. Donnie presses the appropriate button. DONNIE Hello? OLD MAN VICKERS Donnie? Listen here you son of a bitch, you are fired! And with that last word there is a gigantic explosion. Donnie hears a thunderous boom and his apartment actually trembles a bit. The phone connection is dead. Donnie slumps down on the couch. He picks up the bottle of Scotch. DONNIE Well, you really did it this time, Scotch. Donnie now hears faint screaming and commotion outside. A fire truck screams down the street. Then another fire truck and another. He shrugs his shoulders and turns on the TV. A news achorman stands before a building completely reduced to rubble. Firefighters try to keep the flames under control. ANCHORMAN This is Chet Lewis reporting from the E.D.S. building in downtown Chicago. The building has been completely destroyed. A terrorist attack has not been ruled out. The building contained two law firms, an eye clinic, and a prominent architecture firm as well. Donnies eyes are wide open, as well as his mouth. His eyes quickly shoot to the corner of the room, where he smashed his model the night before. He looks at the model reckage and then the chaos on TV. ANCHORMAN We have some witnesses who claims they saw what happened. The Anchorman stands before a group of three black youths. YOUTH #1 Yo man it was whack! YOUTH #2 It came from the sky! YOUTH #3 It was a fireball, yo! YOUTH #1 Seriously, yo, a fiery rock came down through the clouds and blew up that building, knowwhati'msayin? YOUTH #2 Oh my god it was awesome! YOUTH #3 It was a meteor, yo. A meteor. Donnie is stunned. He picks up the bottle of Scotch, and gives it a kiss. DONNIE You saved me, Scotch. You saved me. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: B Otch [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 13:12:25 01/05/05 Wed INT. SARA and LEIA's apartment LEIA is sittin on the couch with her eyes are wide open as she slowly goes into shock. Her mouth is open and the milk is spilling from her cereal bowl. LEIA Oh...my...God... SARA comes up from beneath LEIA. Her head is drenched in milk and bits of Cheerios. SARA What's wrong? LEIA (Points at TV) I am so glad I called in today. SARA Was that your building? LEIA nods hesitantly as she pushes SARA's head back down. LEIA Those poor bastard lawyers... CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 20:16:42 01/05/05 Wed One week earlier (before Donnie’s firm blew up)... INT. OFFICE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AREA - MIDDAY A group of construction workers are standing around a makeshift table in the middle of an empty open office area that is obviously being renovated. One man, PROJECT MANAGER, is dressed in business attire and wearing a hardhat. He looks up from the table and sees a frazzled Donnie quickly walking into the room. PROJECT MANAGER There you are! DONNIE (out of breath) Sorry I’m late. PROJECT MANAGER So glad you could make it. Listen Don, we have some issues that need to be addressed immediately before construction is delayed any further. DONNIE Further? I didn’t know there were any problems. What exactly is the hold up here? A grizzled man in his mid-forties wearing a pair of dusty old coveralls, ELECTRICIAN, leans up from the table and addresses Donnie matter-of-factly. ELECTRICIAN Look here, we can’t hang these lights on the ceiling the way it’s shown on the drawings. DONNIE The light fixtures? Wait, we went over this last week. Just extend the rods down from the deck – you don’t have to fasten it to the grid the way it’s shown on the drawings. ELECTRICIAN Huh... well architect, how do you propose we do that??? DONNIE (tension in voice) Look, we talked about this before. I even drew a sketch. PROJECT MANAGER (calming) Oh yes, that’s right – you did. I remember we worked this out quickly on a napkin. ELECTRICIAN (impatiently) Well the next time you’re having drinks maybe you can invite me, eh? DONNIE (frustrated) Look, it’s a simple solution...I faxed a hard copy of it to the general. ELECTRICIAN Well I don’t have it. Listen boy-wonder, why don’t you get your Etch-A-Sketch out and do us the honor of drawing a new detail so we can all get back to work, okay? Donnie is steamed by the electrician’s condescending tone and is about to fly off the handle... he thinks better of it for a moment, but then unleashes a completely unprofessional verbal assault on him anyway. DONNIE Hey, I have a better idea. Why don’t you give me your goddamn tools and I’ll fucking show you how to install the light fixtures myself! Oh wait, that’s right, you don’t have any tools!!! Jesus Christ, you’re the only tradesman I’ve ever seen who doesn’t carry any tools! No wonder you can’t get shit done around here. All you do is walk around and bitch about how you can’t do this and you can’t do that. Just read the fucking drawings and stop questioning how -- ELECTRICIAN I don’t have to listen to this shit!!! DONNIE You’re a goddamn electrician for chrissake – act like you’ve installed a fucking light before!!! PROJECT MANAGER Don!!! That’s enough!!! ELECTRICIAN (to Project Manager) You better talk to him, or I’m walking – you hear?! PROJECT MANAGER Don, go get some coffee and I’ll be over in a minute to talk to you. ...I’m sorry Hank, I’ll get you the detail right away. Donnie pours a cup of stale coffee into a paper cup, and then oddly downs it as he eyeballs the electrician. He then tosses the cup next to a pile of debris where a LABORER had been sweeping. LABORER What da fuck, bro? Donnie kicks the cup into the pile of debris and gives the laborer an “are you happy now?” kind of look. He then looks back over to the electrician who is now talking to another worker – TINY. Tiny is a man of huge proportions – he could easily be an offensive lineman for an NFL team. He is very intimidating. The electrician makes a “cut his throat” motion to Tiny and then looks back over to Donnie. Tiny just smiles and nods. CUT TO [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: B Otch [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 05:50:29 01/06/05 Thu INT. Portable bathroom DONNIE is sitting on the toilet. He lays a clipboard on his lap and smooths the surface facing him. He digs out a small cylindrical container from his right pants pocket. It was cocaine. He is sweating profusely now, battling himself internally whether or not to do it. He knows he's been so good quitting cold turkey. DONNIE (to Himself) Fuck it. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 15:36:55 01/14/05 Fri INT. Portable bathroom (cont'd) Donnie leans over to snort his cocaine when he suddenly hears the sound of a drill gun. He looks up from his powder and notices a series of screws beginnning to penetrate the side of the portable bathroom door. DONNIE (to himself) Uh-oh. Not wanting to get caught with the drugs, Donnie momentarily stays quiet until he can figure out what's happening. When the screws have finally stopped appearing, Donnie quietly tries to open the door. The door has been drilled shut. Donnie is trapped. Donnie begins to panic. DONNIE Hello??? Suddenly the portable bathroom is jolted and Donnie feels as though he is being elevated. He looks outside through the ventilation grill holes and sees that he is being lifted onto a portable bathroom delivery truck. DONNIE Oh shiiittt! No, no, no! Through the lifting process, Donnie is getting splashed with blue droplets coming up from the toilet. His white dress shirt is becoming a mess. As Donnie struggles to free himself from his toilet-prison, he drops his vile of cocaine into the abyss. DONNIE Noooooooooooo!!!!!!!! CUT TO: INT. Truck Cabin. Tiny is at the wheel and chomping on a cigar. He revs the engine and puts the truck into gear. He hears the faint sound of Donnie's cry and begins laughing as he drives off the construction grounds. CUT TO: INT. Portable Bathroom - Moments later. Donnie is sitting down now. He has his cell phone out and is scrolling through the phone numbers. DONNIE C'mon, where the hell is his number?? CUT TO: EXT. Portable Bathroom Storage Yard - Hours later. Jake is attempting to pry the door off of a portable bathroom. JAKE (grinning) Hey Donnie, this is the last time I help you escape from a port-a-pottie - okay? It's getting old, my friend. DONNIE (VO) Just shut up and get me out of here! It really smells man!!! Jake pries off the last of the screws and the door pops open. Donnie is standing inside, dripping with blue liquid - and basically looks ridiculous. Jake blankly stares at him. JAKE You fart? CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 16:43:05 01/14/05 Fri INT. Architecture Office Building - Afternoon Old Man Vickers is nosily walking up and down the vast aisles of the his architecture firm around a sea of small cubicles. He barks out orders every now and then to his workers. OLD MAN VICKERS Johnson - draw faster! ... You call that a wall detail Smith? Where are the key notes? ... Perkins, I told you I wanted more wide flanges dammit!!! ... C'mon people I demand productivity!!! Each worker looks nervous and scared as Old Man Vickers passes by them. Old Man Vickers turns to another aisle and stops cold. He raises one eyebrow. There is an extremely messy but empty cubicle in front of him, the desktop computer is not turned on. He looks to a nearby wall clock and sees the time is 3:17pm. OLD MAN VICKERS (furious) Donnie!!!!!! CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 17:19:10 01/14/05 Fri EXT. Suburban Townhouse Driveway - 3:17pm Donnie and Jake are pulling into Donnie's driveway in Jake's truck. At the next driveway over, two women are washing a nice sports car. They are scantily dressed, of course. JAKE Look at the asses on those girls Don! You have to be the luckiest sonuvabitch to have neighbors like that. DONNIE (staring) Yes ... they are. JAKE Huh? That doesn't even make sense. DONNIE What? Jake laughs at Donnie's distraction. JAKE Hey Don, it's too bad you're with Kate, otherwise I'd bet they'd totally party with you. DONNIE True dat, brudda ...(sighs)... Look Jake, I appreciate you bailing me out back there. JAKE Yeah, you owe me big time fool. You know we're already on Vicker's shit-list! DONNIE Fuck Vickers man, he's a novice. He's nothing. JAKE He's our boss. He writes our checks. DONNIE Fuck him Jake - there are bigger and better things on the horizon. Donnie gets out of the car. JAKE Whaddya mean? DONNIE Oh, I've got a little something up my sleeve. JAKE Da hell you talkin' about? Donnie looks over to his sexy neighbors and smiles. DONNIE Afternoon ladies. The ladies are Sara and Leia. That look at him with great disgust. Donnie is still a filthy mess from his portable bathroom incident. He smiles at them revealing his blue teeth. JAKE Dude, you are such a creep. DONNIE Thanks for the lift Jake! See ya at the office! Bye-bye now!!! Donnie slams the truck door and walks to his front door. Jake looks towards Sara and Leia and rolls down the passenger side window. JAKE Hey honey, would you mind hosing him off please? Sara smiles, but Leia looks annoyed. Donnie has already gone inside his house. Jake continues to stare at the women waiting for a reply. Leia grabs the hose out of Sara's hand and sprays water though the window into Jake's truck. JAKE Ahhh, bitch!!! CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: Greg [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 13:55:12 01/20/05 Thu Donnie unlocks hit apartment door and enters. He turns back towards the door and makes sure it is locked again. When he finally turns back around again there is somebody waiting for him right in the hallway. Donnie screams in surprise. It turns out to be Donnie's mother. Donnie's mother is dead, however, and this is her ghost. MOTHER Donnie dear you look terrible! After the initial surprise, Donnie settles down. It is apparent this is not his first encounter with his mother's ghost. DONNIE Ma! What are you doing here? His mother floats about the apartment with a ghostly feather-duster, attempting to dust his stereo. MOTHER I'm trying to clean, dear. Your place is a disaster! DONNIE You're not alive anymore Mother! You can't clean... you can't do anything... except pester me! MOTHER Seriously dear, these dishes look like they have been in the sink for weeks. I think I saw a cockroach. DONNIE Listen to me Ma, you need to get out of here. You are freaking me out! Do you know I've started drinking because of you? Scotch is the only thing that makes you disappear. MOTHER And look at your clothes, Donnie! What's all this blue stuff? And it's in your hair and... is it in your teeth too? DONNIE You need to walk towards the light, Ma. Didn't you see a light when you died? A tunnel of some sorts? You need to find that tunnel, and you need to go into the light! MOTHER I can't believe you can keep a girlfriend living like this. Does she know what a slob you are? Donnie walks into the kitchen, opens a cupboard, and removes a bottle of scotch and a shot glass. He quickly poors a shot. While his mother keeps going on and on about his messy lifestyle, Donnie downs the shot and pours another. His mother's ghost seems to fade a bit. He downs another shot and the ghost becomes barely visible. DONNIE Bye bye, Ma. Donnie downs a third shot of scotch and his mother disappears. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 16:58:43 01/20/05 Thu INT. Donnie's Townhouse. Donnie puts down his bottle of scotch and glass. He walks over to the bathroom. He looks at himself in the mirror. He takes a deep breath and slaps himself on the face a few times. DONNIE C'mon Don, get it together. Get it together man! Donnie turns on the shower and begins to disrobe. Again at the mirror. DONNIE Damn it - I'm trippin' balls! I need something more. The sound of the front door opening and then closing can be heard in the background. DONNIE Finally! She's gone! Bye Ma! ...stupid ghosts ... always messing with my head. Donnie opens a drawer underneath the sink and pulls out a small vile of "medication." DONNIE There, this is what I crave. Donnie snorts a line of white powder off the counter. DONNIE (calmy) Ohh yeaahhhhhh! All better. Donnie jumps into the shower. He closes his eyes and begins to space out. DONNIE(under his breath) (Sighs) I'm a fuckin' mess. After a moment of peace, the shadow of woman can be seen through the foggy shower curtain. Donnie senses her presence. DONNIE Godammit Ma, I thought you left! Suddenly the shower curtain swings open - it's KATE. KATE Hey you - you always shower in your underwear? DONNIE What the---!!! Jesus Kate, you scared the hell out of me. Dammit! What are you doing here??? KATE Ummm ... I'm sorry. I just came over to surprise you with dinner - but you were already home. What happened? DONNIE It's a long story. I don't want to talk about it right now. KATE Okay - are you alright though? DONNIE Yes, baby I'm fine. Donnie turns off the water. Kate grabs a towel and seductively wraps it around him. She looks at him with a mischievious smile. KATE You know Donnie, we haven't been alone together for a while. DONNIE We haven't? Kate begins to slowly unbutton her blouse. KATE I have something I want to show you. Kate's blouse opens exposing her black bra (and a nice rack). KATE(Cont'd) Do you like it? DONNIE Yeah, uh, it's pretty good. KATE I have a matching thong ... want to see it? DONNIE I dunno. Kate slips off her skirt and is looking mighty tempting. DONNIE Whoa, okay - but where's the thong? KATE I lied. Kate jumps onto Donnie and straddles him. She begins to kiss him passionately. Donnie is having trouble. DONNIE Yeah ... uh, you see ... the thing is ... listen Kate ... I'm high as a kite right now ... you said something about dinner? Kate drops off and stands in front of Donnie in disbelief. CUT TO [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: B Otch [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 20:26:08 01/20/05 Thu EXT. Suburban Townhouse Driveway - 3:17pm Jake parks his truck on the street in front of Donnie's driveway. JAKE Yo! Are you listenting to me, man? You are the luckiest sonovabitch I know. DONNIE Who's what now? JAKE Damn, man. Are you high? DONNIE Oh, man. I zoned out. JAKE What was it this time? Yo mama or the dinner instead of sex? DONNIE Both. JAKE Shit. DONNIE Why didn't you drop me off in my driveway. JAKE Cause I'd look stupid looking at those two honeys when I'm only five feet away. From here, it looks more natural. DONNIE Buy my door is all the way over there. JAKE Get the fuck out of my truck. DONNIE sucks in his stomach and sticks out his chest. JAKE Yeah, that's gonna help. DONNIE gives JAKE the finger as he gets out of the truck. DONNIE Don't forget to pick me up tomorrow. My car is still at the site. JAKE Go, man. Your face is turning purple. DONNIE strolls up his driveway passed the women washing their car. JAKE (to himself) Come on, you pussy... DONNIE slows down as he makes it halfway to his door. He turns to the girls and takes a deep, long breath. He looks back at JAKE who throws him a nod back. DONNIE looks at the girls again. DONNIE Hey. The girls do not hear him. They continue washing the car. DONNIE glances back at JAKE, but JAKE has started to peel off on his truck. DONNIE (to himself) Bitch. The two girls look up at him. DONNIE (embarrassed) Oh. Uh. Um. He smiles and walks away. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 15:31:14 01/21/05 Fri INT. Donnie's bedroom - Late evening Donnie violently wakes up from a deep drug-induced sleep drenched in a cold sweat. DONNIE Buhhhaaa!!! ....ohhh man ....What happened? Donnie is laying in bed. A half-naked Kate is sleeping next to him and is woken up by his groaning. KATE You passed out asshole. DONNIE What? ...I did? KATE Uh-huh. DONNIE Whoa ... I just had this weird dream - it was sort of like a flashback or something. It was like I came home twice tonight - except when I came home the second time, nothing happened. KATE You were halucinating from whatever shit you took. You would have been better off had nothing happened. DONNIE Oh... Kate listen... Kate gets out of bed and begins to dress herself. KATE No Donnie, you listen! You promised me you'd stop taking the drugs! DONNIE Hey wait a second - I can explain! Kate pauses. KATE Oh really? Well then go ahead. Donnie searches for an excuse, but he's got nuthin'. DONNIE ...Look, all I can say is I'm sorry - it wont ever happen again. I promise, I'm done with it. KATE That's what you said before! Kate is all dressed now and is heading for the door. DONNIE But- Kate pauses. KATE I'm not in this relationship to take care of you every time you fall off the wagon. You need to get your shit together! You're a disaster Donnie! DONNIE Please Kate, listen to me. I'll make it up to you. Kate scoffs at him in disbelief and then is gone. DONNIE Don't leave like this. C'mon! Donnie struggles to get out of bed, but he is hurting. DONNIE (to himself) I'll make it up to you ... you'll see ... everything will be different soon. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 15:51:53 01/21/05 Fri INT. Donnie's Office - mid-morning. Jake is sitting in his cube busily working away at his computer. A hand drops onto his shoulder and startles him. DONNIE Thanks alot for picking me up this morning jackass. JAKE Oh, hey man - you still work here? DONNIE Very funny. Seriously though, what's the deal? You're killing me - I had to take public transportation to get here. Has it come to this? JAKE I'm sorry bro, but I hooked up last night. I couldn't get over by you. DONNIE You hooked up? ... well, I must say, I've never heard that excuse from you before. But seeing as that's only excuse I would have accepted, I forgive you ... now if you can please offer up some details so I can verify the authenticity of --- OLD MAN VICKERS --Pardon the interuption fellas. Donald, might I have a word with you in my office? Jake loosens his shirt collar and tie in discomfort. DONNIE Sure thing Mr. Vickers. Just let me grab a cup-a-joe and I'll be right with you sir. VICKERS Tell you what - skip the cup-a-joe and get your ass in my office right now! CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 16:30:06 01/21/05 Fri INT. Old Man Vicker's office - moments later. Old Man Vickers sits in a plush leather chair at his gigantic desk. Donnie sits across from him on a seemingly miniature wooden chair. Donnie struggles to find a comfortable posture. DONNIE I just love this conceptual office furniture Mr. Vickers. Is this a Rammstein design? Whoever said form follows function was full of shit. Hoo boy! OLD MAN VICKERS Yes ... very amusing. DONNIE So ... is there something you wanted to talk about sir? VICKERS Yes Donald. I understand there was a confrontation at the contractors meeting at the 111 project yesterday? DONNIE No sir. Not at all. No confrontations what-so-ever. VICKER Well, that's not what I heard. DONNIE Sir, I can assure you that project is progressing rather nicely and will be completed as scheduled. Any disputes that may have occurred were settled in the field in a professional manner. VICKER Cut the bullshit Don. I pulling you from the job. DONNIE What? VICKER You heard me. I'm pulling you. There have been several complaints about your attitude from the client and frankly, your performance here has been nothing short of embarrassing. DONNIE What are you talking about? You can't pull me off that job - it's my design! VICKERS Your design??? Look here boyo, you work for me. That's my name out there on the marquee, on the business cards, on the paychecks...understand? DONNIE This is unbelievable! The 111 project? I put the last 8 months of my life into that project. You're seriously pulling me? VICKERS You're done. DONNIE I'm fired then? VICKERS Don't be so melodramatic. I'd be stupid to fire you. You've got too much talent kid. What you need is an attitude adjustment. I believe these high-profile jobs are going to your head Donald. You're not some hot-shot designer. DONNIE This is ridiculous. VICKERS Didn't anyone ever tell you architecture is an old man's profession? I'm putting you on the Larabee Industrial job. DONNIE Larabee? The cheese warehouse? VICKERS That's correct. I know you'll do well. Anyone would do well. And if you don't .......then you're fired. DONNIE Are we done here? VICKERS Why yes. Donnie gets up to leave Vicker's office. VICKERS Oh Donald. Could you please send me all your sketches and documentation for the 111 project? Donnie is furious. DONNIE (sarcastically) Right away sir. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 16:53:39 01/21/05 Fri INT. Office (Cont'd) Donnie storms out of Old Man Vickers office in the direction of Jake's cube. People's heads momentarily pop up from the sea of cubicles to spy on the commotion. JAKE Shit Don, what happened? Did he fire you? DONNIE (smiles) Nah man, he promoted me. JAKE Huh??? He promoted you? DONNIE That's right. I'm in charge of Larabee now. JAKE The cheese warehouse? But what about 111? That project was golden. DONNIE Not mine no more. JAKE Fuck Don. That sucks. Well, if it makes any difference I'm working on Larabee too. I can help you get started. Donnie grabs his coat and brief case and walks towards the lobby. JAKE (Cont'd) Where you going Don? DONNIE I'm going on a nice long weekend bender. Donnie disappears around the corner. JAKE(to himself) But it's Tuesday. Jake shakes his head in disbelief. Donnie pokes his head back around the corner towards Jake. DONNIE You coming with me? JAKE Hell no, I happen to like my job. DONNIE Don't get too comfortable in that cube my friend - you might end up missing the gravy train. It's a passing you by... JAKE Whatever. Donnie leaves again. DONNIE(OS) All aboard!!! JAKE(to himself) Gravy train my ass. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 17:35:15 01/21/05 Fri INT. Donnie's house - Late evening. Donnie is sitting at his drafting table sketching with one hand and holding a glass with the other hand. DONNIE (to himself) There, pretty as a picture! Donnie puts his mechanical pencil down and drinks the last of his glass down. He looks over the work he has just completed. DONNIE (Cont'd) Sometimes I even amaze myself. This is too beautiful. Ha ha ha! Donnie gets up from his chair, goes to the kitchen and pours himself another glass of, you guessed it, scotch. DONNIE (Cont'd) Look there's even time to catch the news still. Donnie walks to the living room and turns on his tv. He makes himself comfortable on the sofa. It appears Donnie is feeling good for the first time in a while. NEWSCASTER (TV) ...and his name will be permanently added to the state's database for sexual offenders. We now turn it over to Brandt for a look at today's local news. BRANDT (TV) Thanks Benevinstanciano. Today billionaire and philanthropist Pierre Dubois cut the ribbon on his latest real estate venture - the 111 Esquire Office building in the city's revitalized south loop area. Donnie sits up from the sofa with great interest. DONNIE What-the??? BRANDT (TV) On hand for the ceremony, was the building's principal architect and chief designer O.M. Vickers who had this to say... OLD MAN VICKERS (TV) This project is a labor of love for me. I am very proud of what has been accomplished here and believe this office tower will attract many prominent businesses back to this once-active and storied community... On the television, the crowd is gathering around Vickers and congratulating him. Then the television is suddenly smashed. Donnie has thrown his glass of scotch right into the picture tube. DONNIE You fucking bastard!!!!!!! CUT TO: INT. Sara and Leia's adjacent townhouse - same time. Sara and Leia are casually sitting around their own living room. They have some music playing softly. SARA ...Do you hear that? LEIA ...Yeah ... what's wrong with that guy? SARA ...I dunno ... it's always something with him. LEIA (chuckles) ...I know right? ...He needs to lighten up. SARA ...Totally ... hey ... LEIA ...What? SARA ...Pass that doobie over here, will ya? Leia reaches over and passes a joint to Sara who have been smoking up the whole time. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:02:55 01/21/05 Fri INT. Conference Room - Mid Afternoon Donnie, well-dressed, is at the head of a long conference table. There is a project on the table hidden by a cloth. There is an easle on the floor with drawings next to Donnie. The room is filling with a number of members of the Larabee Corporation. DONNIE Thank you ladies and gentlemen for your time this afternoon. We here at OMV Associates have some exciting things to show you today. The small crowd takes their seats and looks towards Donnie with mild interest. DONNIE I've recently had the pleasure of working side-by-side with the esteemed O.M. Vickers on the finishing touches for the new Larabee Industrial Cheese Warehouse. On behalf of Mr. Vickers, this afternoon I have some beautifully rendered schematics and an intricate architectural model that I will be presenting to you, followed by a breakdown of the M.E.P. requirements and an overall cost estimate, as well as, a construction timetable. The Larabee Cheese Corp. owner himself, MR. LARABEE, who is in attendance at the conference table interupts. MR. LARABEE Um, excuse me please. I apologize for interupting. But this is sounding quite elaborate for what we've contracted OMV to do. DONNIE Come again? MR. LARABEE It's just that ... well, to be honest, we're a modest company. We're not looking to do a major renovation. What type of scope of work are we talking about here? DONNIE Well sir, that of course is an important question. If you'll let me continue I'm sure I can set your mind at ease. MR. LARABEE (gratiously) I beg your pardon. DONNIE As I mentioned, working alongside the renowned O.M. Vickers, we have developed plans for a brand new facility for the Larabee Industrial Cheese warehouse. Donnie places a large-size rendering onto the easle. It is quite elaborate, as suggested, but also quite ridiculous. The room begins to stir with whispering. DONNIE As you can see here in elevation, Mr. Vickers is recommending the current Larabee Cheese warehouse to be completely demolished, as it is quite obsolete as you might all agree.... More commotion at the table. DONNIE (Cont'd) ...in its place, a brand new state of the art facility....constructed entirely of Swiss cheese. Of course, the underlying structure will be of steel, but the building envelope would consist of a hybrid of cheeses and galvanized mesh composition. Donnie momentarily pauses, trying not to laugh, as the table looks on incredulously. DONNIE(clears throat) If you'll consider the overall facade of the building, you'll notice the fine detail Mr. Vickers has incorporated. Yes, that's correct - those irregular circular shapes resembling that of the texture of Swiss cheese function as windows. Of course, the windows will NOT be made of cheese and have industry standard double-insulated glass. The table is not amused. MR. LARABEE Is this some sort of joke??? DONNIE Please sir, if you'll just let me continue... I see concern on some of your faces over what you're seeing. But rest-assured, Mr. Vickers took every precaution in providing this fabulous structure with state of the art ....mouse traps! So, you will never have to worry about potential mice infestation. Donnie then unveils the model on the table. It is a wheel of Swiss cheese on a small cardboard box with a number of mouse traps placed around it. DONNIE Ladies and gentlemen - the new Larabee Industrial Cheese Warehouse! Are there any questions at this point of the presentation? MR.LARABEE This is a downright outrage! We flew all the way from Pittsburgh to be presented with this nonsense? DONNIE I'm sure Mr. Vickers would be very disappointed to hear your distaste for this work. MR. LARABEE You can tell Vickers we're ripping apart our contract with OMV Associates! DONNIE Well then, I will definetly let him know this. Thank you very much for your time today. Have a safe flight back to Pittsburgh everyone. Good day. Donnie slips out the side door. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 08:49:48 01/22/05 Sat INT. Office - Moments later. Donnie hurriedly walks through the building up the stairs and around the corner, through the lobby and over to his cubicle and starts to gather up some of his belongings. Jake approaches. JAKE Hey man... DONNIE (startled) Whoa, oh hey Jake. JAKE So...how'd the meeting go? DONNIE ...Fantastic! They were truly blown away. JAKE Is that right? How come I wasn't invited to the presentation Don? DONNIE Ohhh, are you feeling left out Jakey? Look, don't take these shit projects so personally okay? It's just work man. I can handle those fools myself. You should be thanking me for freeing up your afternoon...instead you're still here worrying. JAKE But, that's not the point-- DONNIE (interrupting) Tell you what - let's go out for drinks - on me. I'll tell you all about how the presentation went, so you can feel more "involved." JAKE You're such a pompous ass. DONNIE I'm serious man, let's go! JAKE Nah man, I'm gonna stick around here for a while. DONNIE Jake, the working day is done. Look around you. Do you want to become one of these drones? You follow my lead and maybe you'll be somebody someday. JAKE I know what you're saying, but it's not even like that. DONNIE What is it then? JAKE Maybe I have date tonight. DONNIE (laughing) You do? Sheeeeit, that's all you had to say... Is she hot? Ooo, I want to hear all about her. JAKE (pauses) ...yeah, I'd say this is a good one......you'd probably dig her the most. Donnie is not really listening as he is distracted by the group of people walking at the far end of the building. DONNIE Ok well, I'm outta here then. Good luck tonight! Donnie, hands full, casually slips out the back door of the office. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 09:06:44 01/22/05 Sat INT. Woman's apartment - Late night. It is dark in the room, but a small bedside table can be seen. There is a phone/answering machine blinking on this table. The phone rings a number of times. ANSWERING MACHINE Hi, this is Kate - please leave a message at the...BEEP DONNIE (VO) ....Kate......it's Donnie again. I guess you're still mad. I've left you about 20 messages the last couple of days. I'd really like to talk to you. Are you there??? A hand reaches out from the bed and switches on the table lamp, revealng a man and woman in the middle of doing the nasty. JAKE Can I please unplug this damn phone? It's really hard to concentrate when he keeps calling. KATE No, then he'd think something was wrong and come over here. DONNIE (VO) Yoo-hooooo! Please pick up.... Kate.... Jake and Kate continue their grinding as Donnie unknowingly supplies the soundtrack. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 17:23:26 01/27/05 Thu EXT. Donnie's garage - Late Night Donnie is working in his garage, building a large scale architectural model out of plexiglass and foam board. The model is very intricate and well-designed. The garage is cluttered with model-building supplies and what appears to be a number of earlier versions of the same building he is trying to perfect. Donnie is wearing a wife-beater shirt and smoking a cigarette. The garage door is halfway open. A small radio quietly broadcasts a Cubs game in the background. RADIO ANNOUNCER ...Oh-no!!! Martinez drops the ball! DONNIE Goddammit Martinez! You suck-ass. Donnie continues working, but then notices and pair of very long and sexy legs standing on the opposite side of the garage door. DONNIE Is that you, Kate? LEIA No... it's your neighbor. The woman crouches over and does a reverse-limbo into the garage. It's Leia and she is looking damn fine. DONNIE Hello neighbor. LEIA It's Leia, actually ...and you are? DONNIE I'm Darth - you know, like-- LEIA(interrupting) --That's fucking hilarious. DONNIE Sorry, couldn't resist... I'm Donnie. LEIA Oh how gay, like from the New Kids. DONNIE Touche. LEIA Did I just hear Martinez drop the ball? DONNIE Yep, but I expect no less from that piece of shit. Leia smiles in agreement. DONNIE(CONT'D) I'm sorry, is this radio too loud? LEIA No, not tonight at least. What exactly are you doing in here anyway? DONNIE Yeah, it's a mess I know. LEIA What is that? DONNIE It's the skyscraper of the future. LEIA Really? Aren't you a little old to be building models? DONNIE Well yes, as a matter of fact I am, but I had to fire my intern because he was coming on to me. LEIA Your intern? DONNIE It's a joke. I'm an architect and this is a prototype for a building I'm designing. LEIA Get the fuck out! DONNIE No really. I'm trying to win the contract for a public competition for a new high-rise in the city...well, in my spare time that is. Right now I'm just a corporate puppet down at OMV. But that'll all be over soon enough. My freelance efforts are about to pay off. LEIA Damn boy, I'm impressed. You know, my roommate Sara works in the OMV building. DONNIE Is that right? ... How bout you? LEIA(laughs) No, not me. I could never handle the 9-5 scene. I freelance too. DONNIE Excellent, what's your trade? LEIA Exotic dancing. DONNIE Fantastic! The radio announcer becomes excited. RADIO ANNOUNCER There's a drive to left field, it's got a chance, it's gone! A homerun! LEIA Yeah - go Cubbies! DONNIE Damn, a stripper and a Cubs fan, huh? Leia fakes like she's going to smash Donnie's model. LEIA Exotic dancer, jerk! DONNIE Okay, okay I'm sorry, I meant exotic dancer - please don't break my shit. Leia and Donnie have a laugh, that becomes an awkward romantic moment. LEIA So, who's Kate? DONNIE Kate? How do you know about...? LEIA You said, "Is that you Kate?" when I was standing over there... DONNIE Oh yeah, I forgot already. Kate's nobody really. LEIA Is that right? Leia is getting closer to Donnie and his project now. DONNIE That IS right. LEIA So tell me more about your giant phallus... DONNIE (surprised) My what? LEIA Your tower. DONNIE Oh that. Well basically, I can tell you that it is very tall, and very erect. LEIA Oooo...that's hot. DONNIE It is? Donnie grabs the garage door openner from the work bench and presses the button to close the door. Leia jumps onto Donnie's lap and they begin to kiss. From the outside of the townhouse, the garage door is seen going down. Only seconds later it goes back up and Donnie and Leia can be seen buttoning up their pants. LEIA Let's keep this on the down-low if you don't mind. I don't want Sara to find out. DONNIE (dazed) Who's Sara again? LEIA Goodnight neighbor. Leia leaves Donnie's garage and walks over to her townhouse and goes inside. Donnie watches her leave. DONNIE(to himself) Did that just happen? CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: SS [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 22:05:55 01/27/05 Thu INT Control Room, Same night We see a dark room resembling a television production room with a small row of computer consoles and rows of TVs in the front. There is a set of double doors leading into the control room behind where the operator sits. On the televisions appear to be different views of Donnie's apartment, including the garage. We hear the sound of a zipper as the one lone operator (Alberto) on this swing shift pulls his hands out from under the console. ALBERTO (to no one in particular): Now that's some good porn. Hmm... Methinks it's time for Ghost Mom!! Alberto moves his hands over to a panel labelled 'holographic controls' and toggles some dials and switches. He opens a drawer to produce a paper title "Donnie Info...", moves in front of a microphone on the console, puts on a pair of headphones, and at the right moment begins to read from it as if it were a prepared script. ALBERTO: Oh my poor dear Donnie, I know what you've been up to. Now go take a shower and wipe that filth off while I get straightened up out here. PAUSE ALBERTO: Nonsense! And what about poor Kate? What's going to happen when she finds out? PAUSE ALBERTO: You know dear, I suspect she might be doing naughty things behind your back. PAUSE ALBERTO: Honestly, your life is such a mess. You're no good at anything. Now, do as I say and take a shower to rinse off the smell of that filthy filthy whore! I'll tend to the dishes as usual. Alberto has a cup of coffee sitting on the small protruding desktop in front of the holographic controls. He is too involved in the conversation he's having with himself as he tries to grab for the cup, and it spills. The liquid saturates the controls. ALBERTO: Oh SHIT!!!! SHIT SHIT SHIT!!! Old Man Vickers is going to kill me now! He stands up away from the mike now, removes the headphones, and looks around to retrieve a towel or something to clean up the mess. He turns back and notices it is too late. The liquid is seeping into the crevices of the knobs and switches. The sound of short circuiting devices can be heard and one TV flickers to a black screen. Luckily this is the only one. However, Alberto begins to sniff the air. ALBERTO: Oh shit, that smells like burnt-out computer chips. No, no, no... dammit! He frantically moves about the room, but there is obviously nothing he can do. All of the lights on the holographic instrument panel go dead. The double doors burst wide open and an irate Old Man Vickers walks in. We can see that his office is just outside the control room. OMV: What the hell is going on here Mr. Grasranson!!! I thought you had everything under control. That is why I gave you the late shift is it not? Alberto is standing stunned, surprised to see Mr. Vickers. ALBERTO: Old Man Vick... I mean Mr. Vicker... I mean... I mean... What are you doing here sir? OMV: Tonight is a critical moment in the Diminishing Skills Project, so I decided to stick around for tonight's episode. Looks like you're about to fuck up the whole operation! I'm extremely disappointed Mr. Grasranson. OMV: We have the boy almost completely under our control - the drinking, the drugs, the fucked-up women in his life all because of us!! I explained to you the significant progress that was made today when you came in, and now you go and do this!! We cannot afford mistakes at this time. The kid is too good for his own good. In fact he's the best I've ever seen. He needs us to keep him down!! If you ruined anything tonight by your clumsy mistakes, we'll all be ruined... do.. you... understand? Old Man Vickers looks at the damaged console. OMV: Oh, you and your stupid Ghost Mom. That was the most expensive addition to DSP and now she's dead for real. I just hope for your sake that none of the holographic transmitters in the house start acting up. Keep an eye on what's left of the cameras and make sure no other damage has been done. I'll take care of you in the morning. ALBERTO: Y... y... yessir. I'll keep close watch and be much more careful sir. Good night Mr. Vickers. Alberto reaches his right arm out to shake Old Man Vickers' hand. Mr. Vickers looks down in disgust. OMV: I know where the hand's been Mr. Grasranson. Alberto looks at his hand for a second and then gives it a sniff. He shrugs. Old Man Vickers turns to leave, and as he closes the double doors behind him... OMV Don't forget, we'll deal with you in the morning. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: SS [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 22:16:36 01/27/05 Thu INT - Donnie's house, immediately after the encounter in the garage. Donnie is seen coming in from the garage and as he enters the living room, he sees a familiar sight. He immediately moves toward the bar for Mr. Scotch. DONNIE: MOTHER!! How many times have I told you... MOTHER: Oh my poor dear Donnie, I know what you've been up to. Now go take a shower and wipe that filth off while I get straightened up out here. DONNIE: Mother, you couldn't possibly know what I've been up to. And even if you did, it was nothing, and the girl was not a whore. MOTHER: Nonsense! And what about poor Kate? What's going to happen when she finds out? DONNIE: Kate's not around much anymore mother. Besides, you're dead and it's none of your business. Donnie starts to chug the scotch furiously to make the vision disappear. MOTHER: You know dear, I suspect she might be doing naughty things behind your back. DONNIE: I'm ignoring you, and my friend here is going to help make you go away. Would you like Mr. Scotch to help you see the light? Speaking of light mother... Donnie sits on the couch and takes another swig. MOTHER: Honestly, your life is such a mess. You're no good at anything. Now, do as I say and take a shower to rinse off the smell of that filthy filthy whore! I'll tend to the dishes as usual. DONNIE: You go do that Mother. You go do that. Do what you gotta do... I'll do what I gotta do. Donnie holds up the bottle, then closes his eyes, ready to pass out, thinking of the intense encounter with his new stripper friend. Then he hears something strange. Mother's ghost is now shouting. MOTHER: Oh SHIT!!!! SHIT SHIT SHIT!!! Old Man Vickers is... Donnie opens one eye in time to see the ghost of his mother flicker out and the voice fall silent. He uses the one eye to look at his bottle. DONNIE: That ain't right. Are you foolin' me, or did I just hear some shop talk? CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 17:04:56 01/28/05 Fri INT - OMV Office - morning. Donnie is strolling into the office almost on time and just a little hung over. A young worker approaches him as he nears his cube. ALBERTO My man, my man - how you livin'? DONNIE Oh hey ... I'm doing well, and you? ALBERTO (smiling) Sheeeeeeeeet, playa... Donnie gives the stranger a weird look. ALBERTO (Cont'd) (clears throat)...I am fine as well. Donnie leans over to Jake's cube as Alberto walks away. DONNIE (laughing) What's up with that guy? JAKE (serious) Yeah, I don't know who that is. DONNIE Well okay then. So... how is OMV's most dedicated workaholic? JAKE Excuse me? DONNIE One of these days you might want to step away of that cube and take a walk outside. You have your whole life to draw toilets and urinals Jake - your whole life. JAKE Very funny. At least I didn't blow the Larabee job. DONNIE What??? Did you hear something about Larabee? JAKE I overheard Old Man Vickers say Larabee actually tore up the contract with the firm. DONNIE Hmmm....well, you can't win 'em all Jake. That project was a dud from the start - c'mon, a cheese warehouse renovation? Tell me, where's the profit in a job like that? JAKE I dunno. But you are screwed. DONNIE Hell, I'm glad we lost that job. JAKE Hey work is work. At least it brings in some revenue. Besides, who are you to decide which projects the company pursues? When did you all of a sudden become partner? DONNIE Relax man, it's not like I sabotaged anything. I presented the design and Larabee obviously wasn't happy. What more am I supposed to do? I'm not gonna dwell on it. Alls I was saying is that there's bigger and better work out there. JAKE Yeah well, I guess the goldenboy ain't so golden anymore. DONNIE What's your problem man? You seem to be taking an awful lot of pleasure in my failure. Go get laid or something and ease up on this competitive bullshit you have with me. JAKE What competitive bullshit? DONNIE C'mon - you're so jealous of me. All I've ever tried to do is help you - show you how to lighten up. You take this shit so serious and where has it gotten you? JAKE Fuck off Don. Believe me, I am so not jealous of you. DONNIE I'm telling you man, if you'd just follow my lead you could make a name for yourself. You think I'm gonna stick around here forever? There's no future here with Vickers in charge. You know how much credit he's taken for my shit? He's a celebrity in this city, but you know what? Before I started here, he was a washed up hack. JAKE You're unbelievable Don! Are you actually taking sole credit for this firm's success? DONNIE Well... I have done my part. JAKE(pissed) You are delusional. Just remember you couldn't even hack the Larabee job. ...I got work to do. DONNIE Me too. Donnie sits down in his chair and looks around his empty cubicle. DONNIE(Cont'd) I think. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 19:06:21 01/28/05 Fri EXT. Outdoor Cafe - lunch time Donnie and Kate are seated at a table at an upscale outdoor cafe on Michigan Avenue. DONNIE Thanks for agreeing to see me Kate. KATE (uncomforatble) Donnie, we need to talk- DONNIE (interrupting) Now I know I've fucked up a few too many times lately, but I want to let you know- KATE -Donnie, let's not go through this again- DONNIE -Please Kate, listen. It's just that I've been under so much pressure lately at work. You know my job is demanding. KATE You make it so. DONNIE But there's a reason. I'm trying to achieve something here that not many people my age can accomplish. KATE I know you're talented, but you're also very reckless. Believe me, I've seen you at your worst. DONNIE I know I've made a mess of things, but what I'm doing right now is for us Katie. When my building is selected, it's going to change everything. KATE How is that going to change everything? DONNIE Don't you see? I'm going to be rich and famous. I'll be published in magazines. I'll be able to start my own firm. Clients are going to be lined up down the block. KATE Really? DONNIE Trust me, baby. KATE (contemplating) Donnie, you need to know that I came here today to break up with you. DONNIE Over the drugs? Please Kate, I only did it to take the edge off, but I promise I quit - for real. KATE And the drinking? DONNIE Let's not get carried away. KATE (hesistant) Donnie, there's something else you need to know. DONNIE What's that? KATE (embarrassed) I don't know how to tell you this... DONNIE Go ahead Katie, what is it? KATE Donnie... I'm late. DONNIE Late?....Late? Dear god! Are you serious? KATE Yes... DONNIE (frantic) This is crazy! But we've always been carfull! How can this be? You're late??? KATE I'm late for work Donnie. DONNIE What??? KATE I only get 30 minutes for lunch. I have to go. DONNIE (confused) What the ... but ... I thought ... KATE Ha! You're such an ass. Donnie is clutching his chest as if having a heart-attack. DONNIE (catching his breath) Waiter! Scotch! Quickly! Kate gets up from her seat, places her napkin on the table and starts to walk away. KATE See you later Donnie. DONNIE Does this mean you'll take me back? KATE We'll talk. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 19:51:08 01/28/05 Fri INT - OMV Office - afternoon. Donnie is casually strolling back to work after his lunch with Kate. When he gets to his cubicle, Jake pops up. JAKE (fake) So, how did your lunch with Kate go??? DONNIE It went fine thank you. Are we talking again? JAKE (confused) Fine? She took you back??? DONNIE As a matter of fact she did. Don't look so surprised. OLD MAN VICKERS (interrupting) Good afternoon Donald! DONNIE (startled) Bah! ....Hello sir - snuck up on me there. OLD MAN VICKERS My apologies. Donald, I was just wondering if you were planning on working today. DONNIE Yes? OLD MAN VICKERS Oh that's excellent. DONNIE It is? OLD MAN VICKERS Indeed. I just spoke with Mr. Larabee. DONNIE You did huh?...About that, uh, I can explain. OLD MAN VICKERS What's to explain? They have advised me to go ahead and proceed with the design. DONNIE (surprised) You're kidding? OLD MAN VICKERS Of course I am. Thanks to you we almost lost a national contract with the Larabee Corporation. DONNIE Almost? OLD MAN VICKERS I spent the last 48 hours trying to convince Mr. Larabee to reconsider. DONNIE And he agreed? OLD MAN VICKERS Only after I agreed to waive our fee. DONNIE Makes sense. OLD MAN VICKERS The fee, however, will be coming from your salary. DONNIE What??? OLD MAN VICKERS You don't expect the firm to take a loss over your foolishness do you? ...Jake, I'm putting you in charge of the Larabee project. ...Donnie, you will report to Jake. JAKE Yes sir, Mr. Vickers sir! DONNIE (dumbfounded) I got nuthin'. OLD MAN VICKERS Surprised? I'm a firm believer in second chances Donald. I suspect you wont let me down again. Old Man Vickers walks away. Jake looks over to Donnie. DONNIE Was that a threat? JAKE Who's your daddy now, bitch??? CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 20:11:44 01/28/05 Fri INT. EMD Building elevator - after work. Donnie jumps into his office elevator and frantically presses the Lobby button. DONNIE C'mon, c'mon - need to get out of this hell-hole. The elevator stops on the 32nd floor. DONNIE Dammit! There's always one! The elevator door opens and an attractive woman enters. Donnie perks up and smiles at her. She looks at him closely, and Donnie nervously looks away. SARA Um ... don't you live on Chestnut? Donnie can't help but chuckle at his street name. DONNIE Uh, yeah - I do actually. SARA I thought so. DONNIE Why do you ask? SARA Oh, you don't recognize me, do you? Donnie looks the woman up and down. DONNIE ...You were washing a car the other day? SARA That's right. And you were covered in blue dye or something and have the pervert friend? DONNIE That's right! SARA You work in this building? DONNIE Yup? ...OMV. SARA Wow ...architect? DONNIE You got it. SARA Hmmm... I had you pegged for something much less. DONNIE Well thank you. SARA Oh, I'm sorry - did I hurt your feelings? DONNIE ..You're quite stuck-up aren't you? SARA You think so? DONNIE Little bit. SARA I didn't mean anything by it. The elevator opens to the lobby. Donnie gestures for Sara to exit first. SARA (Cont'd) Wow, a gentleman too. DONNIE The total package darlin'. The two are now walking through the lobby. SARA Wanna grab a drink with me? Donnie stops and smiles. He checks his watch as if he has somewhere to go. DONNIE Well neighbor, why the hell not? CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 20:31:45 01/28/05 Fri INT. Leia's bedroom - Night Leia is laying awake in the dark in her bed all alone. There is a loud thumping noise coming from the wall adjacent to her room. The faint sound of moaning and grunting can be heard. A muffled duet by Ice Cube and Lil Kim can be heard coming from a radio next door. SONG ...You can do it, put your ass into it / You can do it put your back into it... Leia reaches into her nightstand and grabs something that begins making a buzzing sound. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 20:40:49 01/28/05 Fri INT. Leia and Sara's house - morning Sara is at the counter fixing breakfast. Leia stumbles into the room looking quite groggy. SARA Morning sunshine! LEIA Did you come home last night? SARA I crashed at my brother's actually - got too drunk to come home. LEIA (somewhat suspicious) Really? ...Well you missed out on some action. SARA What was it this time? LEIA That asshole next door was going at it with some hoochie-mama last night. It was so fuckin' loud. SARA (embarrassed) Oh....really, you could hear him? LEIA How could you not? SARA gross.......he's a prick. We should really file a complaint with the association. LEIA Yeah, but that's too much work. SARA Agreed. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:17:10 01/28/05 Fri INT. City Hall - afternoon Donnie is wrapping up his presentation for "the skyscraper of the future" proposal to a number of important city officials in a small auditorium. DONNIE As you can see, ladies and gentleman, the tower design that I am proposing is both efficient and economical, practical and bold -- it will be a high-tech facility that pays homage to this city's grand architectural history, providing both aesthetic and cultural benefits, and will ultimately become a new iconic symbol, or treasure, if you will. Are there any questions? Donnie stands proudly in front of his presentation materials. MAYOR Is this some sort of joke? DONNIE I beg your pardon, sir??? MAYOR How old are you kid? DONNIE Well ... 29 sir - why do you ask? MAYOR You expect this city council to accept the plans for a new 500 million dollar high-rise building from a 29 year old? What firm did you say you were with again? DONNIE Well, none sir. I've done the designs myself. I guess you can say I am my own firm. MAYOR That's very admirable son, but get real. We don't go around handing out commissions like this to kids on the street...This is Chicago, not Singapore. DONNIE Singapore sir? MAYOR Well whatever, you catching my drift here? DONNIE But what about the design? MAYOR Yeah, that's a very pretty model you built - congratulations, so you're good with an exacto knife. So's my 10-year-old grandson. DONNIE With all due respect sir, I am a licensed architect, not a ten year boy. MAYOR I'm sorry, I can't help you. Not without proper backing and credentials. This meeting is done. Donnie looks and feels as if he was just steamrolled. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: B Otch [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 14:50:39 01/30/05 Sun FLASH FORWARD MONTAGE Suburban townhome. Donnie toiling over a blank piece of paper on his drafting table. Donnie pacing back and forth in his office. Donnie tossing around some drafts and sketches. Donnie smashing some architectural models. Donnie giving the finger to a picture of Frank Lloyd Wright. Donnie down on his knees. Donnie sobbingly listens to his answering machine. WOMAN (VO) Um... Hey there Donnie. It's Kate. Um... listen, I don't think we should see each other anymore - things have just gotten way too complicated for me. ....I'm sorry. ....Good bye, Donnie. ....Please don't call me - CLICK Donnie grabs a bottle of scotch. Donnie past out on the couch. INT. SUBURBAN TOWNHOUSE - MORNING Donnie's cell phone begins to buzz in his pants. Donnie is jolted awake and fishes the phone out of his pocket. DONNIE Um, hello? JAKE Donnie, goddamn it! Where are you? What the fuck is wrong with you? We have the presentation this morning remember? Donnie checks the clock. It reads 10:25 am. DONNIE Shit Jake, I overslept! JAKE Sounds to me like you overdrank. DONNIE Jake, I need you to cover for me... JAKE It's too late Donnie. Old Man Vickers is turning three shades of purple he's so pissed off at you. He says your toast. He says your history. He says he's gonna fire your ass this time. I'm just calling to give you the heads up. There is a beeping noise on the cell phone. It is Donnie's call waiting. DONNIE Look Jake, I have to call you back, I have another call. Donnie presses the appropriate button. DONNIE Hello? OLD MAN VICKERS Donnie? Listen here you son of a bitch, you are fired! And with that last word there is a gigantic explosion. Donnie hears a thunderous boom and his apartment actually trembles a bit. The phone connection is dead. Donnie slumps down on the couch. He picks up the bottle of Scotch. DONNIE Well, you really did it this time, Scotch. Donnie now hears faint screaming and commotion outside. A fire truck screams down the street. Then another fire truck and another. He shrugs his shoulders and turns on the TV. A news achorman stands before a building completely reduced to rubble. Firefighters try to keep the flames under control. ANCHORMAN This is Chet Lewis reporting... Donnie's eyes and mouth are wide open. He picks up the bottle of Scotch, and gives it a kiss. DONNIE You saved me, Scotch. You saved me. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 19:23:34 01/31/05 Mon INT. SARA and LEIA's apartment SARA is sitting on the couch with her eyes wide open as she slowly goes into shock. Her mouth is open and the milk is spilling from her cereal bowl. SARA Oh...my...God... LEIA comes up from beneath SARA. Her head is drenched in milk and bits of Cheerios. LEIA What's wrong? SARA (Points at TV) I am so glad I called in today. LEIA Was that your building? SARA nods hesitantly as she pushes LEIA's head back down. SARA Those poor bastards... LEIA Oh well, I can't seem to find the quarter I dropped under the couch. Hey thanks alot for dumping your cereal on my head while I was looking. You know, it probably looked like I was doing something else just now...something very dirty. But I wasn't. SARA Shhhh.........I'm sorry, I'm in shock, that's my building! LEIA Oh my god! It's suddenly occurred to me the seriousness of this situation! SARA This is terrible! Is this really happening??? LEIA Well, it is the FOX news channel, they've been known to sensationalize certain situations for rating's purposes. SARA Hell yeah they do! LEIA I'll bet it's not as bad as it seems. SARA Gosh I hope it's not! LEIA You know who might know about what's happening... SARA Donnie? LEIA (surprised) ....yeah. How'd you know that? SARA ...I dunno. Wait! How'd you know that he'd know??? LEIA Oh, cause I slept with him. Didn't I tell you that? SARA You did???? Me too!!! LEIA/SARA Slut! CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: Re: Alternate Screenplay: DIMINISHED SKILLS Author: K [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:04:36 01/31/05 Mon FLASH BACK - Previous night INT. Donnie's house. Late night Donnie is passed out on his couch. The Heat Soundtrack has been blaring for a while. Outside Leia has just come home and looks annoyed by the noise coming from Donnie's place as she enters her doorway. A moment goes by, and then a mysterious black van pulls into Donnie's driveway - the headlights are off. A man gets out of the van and opens the side door quietly. He grabs a duffle bag and a medium size television monitor, and then he walks up to Donnie's door. The man knocks on the door rather loud, but there is no answer. In the light, we recongnize the man as Alberto. ALBERTO (to himself) Just as I thought - this fucker is probably passed out from the Scotch again. Time to make some electronical repairs. Alberto tries the door knob - it's not locked. Alberto slips in with his gear. Alberto walks over to the living room and sees Donnie passed out. ALBERTO (whispering) Wazzup playa??? Alberto quickly replaces Donnie's busted TV with a brand-spankin' new one (same model). Then he does a little jig to the song blaring from the adjacent stereo. ALBERTO (whispering) There. Now Old Ass Vickers can complete his damn Dimished Skillzzzz Project ... except for one little twist he was not expecting. Muhahahah! Alberto unzips his duffle bag and begins to strip naked there in Donnie's living room. CUT TO: Next Morning (AGAIN) INT. Sara and Leia's apartment. Leia and Sara are in the middle of a tickle fight. SARA (laughing) You slut - I can't believe you slept with Donnie! LEIA Shut up! You did too though! SARA I know! Can you believe it? You whore. LEIA Oh my god! You're a whore. SARA Shhhh....wait a minute - what if he was at work this morning? LEIA Oh no! We should totally go see if he's home. SARA Okay - god I hope he wasn't hurt by the meteor. LEIA I know, right? What are the chances a meteor would hit today anyway? SARA I know, seriously. CUT TO: EXT. Donnie's house - moments later Sara and Leia (still in PJ's, by the way) are knocking on Donnie's front door. SARA He's not home. LEIA Yeah the music stopped. He must've left. SARA But who's van is that? LEIA Fuck it, let's just go in - look the door's open anyway. SARA Sweet. Sara and Leia sneak into Donnie's house and walk towards the living room. DONNIE Ladies, ladies, ladies! It's great to be alive! SARA/LEIA Donnie!!! DONNIE I may have lost my girlfriend, my job, my first huge freelance commission - hell, fuckin' buildings are even getting slammed by asteroids this morning... but I'll tell you what - it's great to be alive! LEIA/SARA Hell yeah it is! DONNIE So.... I'm glad you two came over here. LEIA We just wanted to check on you. DONNIE Never been better - you want some Scotch??? SARA Sure, you wanna smoke up? DONNIE Yes. Yes I do. After all, I got nuthin to lose this morning. Pass the dutchie on the left side, mon'. LEIA (to Sara) I told you he liked to party. SARA No - I told you! ...slut. DONNIE Ladies, there's no need to argue. There's plenty of Donnie to go around. Donnie, Sara and Leia are all starting to get a little friendly with one another. The Scotch is flowing and the weed is burning. DONNIE So... just so I understand, you two are bi-sexuals right? LEIA We've been known to experiment from time to time. DONNIE Fantastic! ....so, you ever seen that movie Threesome? SARA You mean the one where the girl does the two guys? DONNIE Damn - that was two guys? LEIA Yup. DONNIE Nevermind... Hey, you guys ever see that mov-- LEIA Donnie, just shut up and take off your pants! DONNIE Yeah girl! ...Life is just too easy! Donnie begins to take off his clothes, and the girls are quickly undressing as well. Suddenly the closet door pops open and a strange figure emerges wearing a shiny full-leather body suit, mask and ball-gag. The figure is moaning. DONNIE Hey, it's the gimp! Leia and Sara scream in horror. DONNIE Look girls, it's the gimp! What are you doing here gimp? LEIA Gross Donnie, I didn't know you were into S & M. SARA Let's get out of here Ley! LEIA/SARA Perverts!!! DONNIE But wait! Come back! I don't know this guy. The gimp walks over to Donnie and does a jig. DONNIE (depressed) Get out of here gimp. CUT TO: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]