100% of Steem Dollars Received Will Be Used in the Making of the Film
"Better Left Unsaid"
Story and Screenplay by
Original Music by
Working Title by
Scenes 11, 12, 13
(The following script is formatted for desktop viewing only)
INT. RESTAURANT TORONTO - NIGHT
Charlie and Harriet, at quiet table, finished eating.
CHARLIE
Thanks for helping me out.
(Angry)
Christ! All that paperwork... just to
die right!
HARRIET
It's done now. Everything's in order.
Forget it.
The server approaches, returns Harriet's Credit Card and
receipt.
HARRIET
(To server)
Thank you.
Server smiles, exits.
HARRIET (CONT'D)
Come on.
(Beat)
Let's get out of here. There's a cafe
around the corner.
She leans in.
HARRIET (CONT'D)
The coffee here is shit.
Charlie smiles, goes to finish drink, second thoughts.
CHARLIE
Hold on.
Pulls out prescription pill bottle, washes two pills down
with remainder of scotch.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
OK.
Harriet waits. Puts pill bottle away, they get up, exit.
EXT. STREET TORONTO - CONTINUOUS
Charlie and Harriet enter onto sidewalk.
HARRIET
This way.
Walking side by side slowly, Charlie works up courage.
CHARLIE
I checked out his website.
(Beat)
He's still in Hamilton.
Harriet stops. But before she can speak.
CHARLIE
Hold on. I know what you're going to
say... "Just leave it alone".
He collects his thoughts.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
But I can't. It's my last chance.
I've got to try and help him out at
least.
Harriet begins walking again. She's frustrated.
HARRIET
Do you really need to put yourself
through this... now?
CHARLIE
(Enthusiastically)
But it looks like he's doing OK. He
sings. Plays guitar. Writes!
(Pauses)
And he has a regular gig in a bar...
and get this... a bar I played in the
early days.
HARRIET
Look. I'm happy for him. But, can't
you just be satisfied with knowing
that and let him be?
They continue walking, Charlie mulls it over.
HARRIET (CONT'D)
You're not still thinking of meeting
him are you?
CHARLIE
I might. Maybe just a leg up... from
a stranger.
Walking on, Harriet shaking head intensely. Charlie stops
her.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
Why are you so against it? What, am I
bad for him or something?
HARRIET
No. I don't! But showing up after 25
years... you have to be prepared for
the worst... and you're not!
CHARLIE
So, what's the worst?
(Sarcastically)
He tells me to fuck off?!
HARRIET
No. It's the damage you could cause
him!
Charlie's taken aback, the thought never crossed his mind.
HARRIET (CONT'D)
It could be too much for him... both
of you.
(Sincerely)
Charlie. Like it or not, the time for
making it right may have run out.
Just let things be.
Charlie's upset.
CHARLIE
Look... can we pass on coffee? I need
some time alone... to think.
HARRIET
Charlie, I'm sorry if I...
CHARLIE
No. No. Good advice.
Charlie's confused, wind taken out of him.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
I never... Yeah, I just need time to
think.
(Beat)
I should go.
(Beat)
Can I call you a taxi?
Harriet nods no. Charlie hugs her, kisses her cheek.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
Good night.
Charlie walks away. Suddenly Harriet's concerned.
HARRIET
Charlie?!
He stops, no looking back. Harriet's emotional.
HARRIET (CONT'D)
Why do I feel this is good-bye?
He looks back, looks her in the eye.
CHARLIE
I just need some time.
Charlie turns, walks away. Harriet's left remorseful.
INT. GAY BAR TORONTO - NIGHT
The club's packed, dance music playing. Charlie's standing in
dark corner, upset, takes a couple of pills, washes them down
with beer. A hustler cruises, Charlie's waves him off
politely.
Eugene enters. Charlie sees him. Eugene gets beer, starts
circulating, he's popular, sees Charlie, lights up, heads
straight for him, man-hug.
EUGENE
You're back! You good?
CHARLIE
Yeah!
EUGENE
You scared me man!
CHARLIE
Sorry.
(Beat)
Have to cut back on the Scotch.
Sticking to beer now.
A favourite dance tune plays, Eugene dances in place, a good
dancer, he knows it, attracting attention.
EUGENE (CONT'D)
(to Charlie)
Come on!
Grabs Charlie's arm, Charlie resists.
CHARLIE
Not tonight.
Eugene stops.
EUGENE
What the fuck?! You never say no.
Charlie's awkward about it.
EUGENE
You sure?
Eugene persists.
EUGENE (CONT'D)
We've been friends a long time.
(Beat)
What's wrong?
Charlie's smiles. Shakes head no.
CHARLIE
Nothing.
Charlie continues to put him off.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
Just trying to figure some shit out
over a beer. That's all.
An awkward pause. Charlie pulls cash from his pocket. Peels
off a couple of bills. Tries to slip them into Eugene's
pocket. He refuses. Charlie tries again, acts fatherly.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
Go have some fun. I just need to be
alone for a while.
Charlie tries again and again Eugene refuses.
EUGENE
Look. I know you're trying to help.
But it's never been about money. That
was your idea.
(Anxious)
Now what's wrong?
(More anxious)
Did I do something?!
CHARLIE
Hell no!
(Sincerely)
You saved my friggin' life!
(Smiling)
Come to think of it, maybe I should
be pissed off!
Eugene smiles. Pause.
CHARLIE
Look. I'm just trying to find a way
to... fix something I screwed up.
EUGENE
What that?
CHARLIE
It's complicated.
EUGENE
Try me?
Looks Eugene in the eye, pauses.
CHARLIE
I have... a son.
Eugene's mind, tripping, putting pieces together.
EUGENE
Whoa! Now it makes sense.
(beat)
And?
CHARLIE
Well... the last time I saw him... he
was a baby. He doesn't know I exist.
It gets difficult.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
And, I'd like to see him again... but,
scared I might fuck him up.
He feels stupid.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
Aah shit! Forget it. Never should
have brought it up.
EUGENE
You are full of surprises! First, I
find out you're a Rockstar and you
don't want me to tell nobody. And now
you got a son and keeping that secret
too!
Eugene moves in closer.
EUGENE
Look. I hated my Dad for throwing me
out at 16. I told him I was gay.
Then, I'd be asking myself, "How
could he do that"? He's my Dad! I'm
his son!
Holding back anger.
EUGENE (CONT'D)
But, I never got my answer. He died.
The son of a bitch.
(Beat)
Now, I bet your son's asking himself
the same question. "Why"? And
Charlie, you know why.
(Beat)
So, you need to tell him. He deserves
to know.
Puts arm around Charlie's neck. Pulls him close.
EUGENE (CONT'D)
Love you man.
Plants a kiss on Charlie's forehead.
EUGENE (CONT'D)
Come on. Let's get out of here.
Eugene leads him across dance floor, arm across Charlie's
shoulder, Charlie's now calm, they exit.
Follow 
to find out what happens next!
to find out what happens next!