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 66, 67
(The following script is formatted for desktop viewing only)
INT. STOKERS' UPSTAIRS - LATER
Charlie sitting in the chair, head resting, eyes closed.
Light knock on lower door, a moment later.
HARRIET (O.S.)
Charlie?
Charlie doesn't wake. Footsteps on stairs. Harriet enters to
the mess.
HARRIET (CONT'D)
Charlie?
He awakens, stands.
CHARLIE
You made it. Thank God!
They embrace.
HARRIET
What the hell happened?
CHARLIE
Boston found out I'm gay, somehow.
(unbelievable)
And he freaked out!
Looking over the broken furniture.
HARRIET
Did he do this?
CHARLIE
No. I did. He ran out. He's a mess.
(Beat)
I lost it.
They sit. Charlie's getting worked up.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
Look, he got this idea, I don't know
where, that I'm grooming him for sex,
all because I didn't come out to him.
Harriet listening closely, no response.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
It's crazy!
Charlie looks for approval.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
Now I've thought about it and what we
need to do is find him and you can
convince him I wasn't. He's got it
all wrong.
HARRIET
Did you tell him you're his Dad?
Charlie rages.
CHARLIE
Hell no! He hates me now because I'm
gay! no telling what he'd do if he
finds out I'm his dead-beat Dad?! No
way! He doesn't need to know.
(Beat)
We were getting along great until
this. Just fix this and we'll be
fine.
Harriet tries to restrain herself.
HARRIET
Charlie, you've betrayed Boston
twice! And now you want me to help
you do it again?! And for what? To
benefit you at his expense?!
Charlie is speechless. Her anger boils over.
HARRIET (CONT'D)
Christ Charlie! You are one selfish
cunt.
Charlie's shocked.
HARRIET (CONT'D)
Do you ever listen to yourself? You
want me to make things better just
enough so you can play Dad with your
son without him knowing you are!
Harriet ramps up sarcasm.
HARRIET (CONT'D)
I take it back! You're not just a
selfish cunt. You're a selfish
cowardly cunt!
Charlie jumps up.
CHARLIE
I don't need this.
Harriet stands, face to face.
HARRIET
Shut the fuck up, sit your ass down
and listen!
Charlie sits.
HARRY
That kid, your son, needs you. So,
for once in his life, start thinking
about him first and stop trying to
save yourself!
Charlie collects himself.
CHARLIE
But I'm not!
(Beat)
I'm scared shitless, all right! Not
to mention ashamed. Ashamed of not
only what I did... but the damage
caused by what I didn't do! I've
seen the effect on him. It's painful
to watch!
(Beat)
So, don't you see? If I tell him
now, he'll shut me out forever and
I'll never get a chance to repair the
damage I've done.
(Beat)
Please Harriet. Help me help my son?
I've lost any chance of forgiveness
for myself.
HARRIET
(Compassionately)
Oh Charlie, you still don't get it,
do you?!
(Beat)
That's Boston's decision to make! Not
yours!
Suddenly, it hits home. Harriet has Charlie's attention.
HARRIET (CONT'D)
So, get off your fucking ass, go find
him and give him the chance to be the
son he wants to be.
Charlie's at a loss for words.
INT. APARTMENT HAMILTON - LATER
Curtis sleeping on sofa, a knock at the door.
CURTIS
Just a sec!
Stumbles to door half asleep, looks through peephole, shows
concern, opens it slowly.
CURTIS
Hi Charlie.
Charlie looking past him.
CHARLIE
Hi Curtis. Is Boston here?
Shakes head no, showing anxiety.
CURTIS
Anything wrong?
Charlie's concerned.
CHARLIE
Not sure.
Curtis' concern rises, searches for words,
CURTIS
What time is it?
CHARLIE
Just after 4:00.
(Beat)
Have you seen him tonight?
Curtis' evasive, awkward.
CURTIS
I don't think he's come home yet
tonight.
(Waking up)
Ah, sorry. Come in?
Charlie enters.
CURTIS (CONT'D)
Can I get you a coffee?
Charlie shakes his head.
CHARLIE
He dropped in on me earlier. Tore a
strip off me about me being gay, then
stormed out.
(Beat)
He was very messed up. I'm worried.
Curtis's anxiety piques. Charlie's fearful, keeping it under
control.
CHARLIE
I have to find him.
Afraid to say it.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
He wouldn't hurt himself, would he?
Curtis sits, becomes emotional, tries to own up.
CURTIS
It's my fault. I'm so sorry Charlie.
I told Boston about us.
Charlie sits on arm of sofa, calm. Curtis anxious,
frightened, tries to explain.
CURTIS
I... thought I was doing the right
thing.
(Beat)
I was afraid he might find out from
someone else and...
Curtis stops, sobbing.
CURTIS
No. That's a lie.
(Beat)
I told him because... I was
jealous... jealous of the time you
two spend together.
Charlie quietly listens.
CURTIS
The two of you getting along so good.
The two people I care about most,
doing all the things that I wanted to
do with him.
(Beat)
But I hardly saw him or you after you
came along.
(Beat)
So... I let him think your interest
in his music was a lie. Told him you
were using him.
(Beat)
I thought I had to.
Curtis looks up at Charlie sobbing.
CURTIS
You're such a nice guy!
(Beat)
How could I compete with you?
Curtis looks down again.
CURTIS
And now look what I've done?
Charlie places his hand on Curtis' shoulder.
CHARLIE
Hey. Nothing that anyone but the two
of us ever needs to know about
Curtis.
Charlie stands.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
Can you think of any place he might
go at this time of night?
CURTIS
(Thinking)
Maybe... check out Beach Park. He
goes down there, sometimes when he
wants to be alone.
CHARLIE
OK. I'll try there first.
Curtis stands.
CURTIS
Wait a sec. Let me get dressed and
I'll go with you.
CHARLIE
No. Let me do this alone.
(Beat)
Besides, you need to stay here in
case he comes back. OK?
Curtis agrees. They embrace.
CURTIS
I'm so sorry Charlie!
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
I know.
(Beat)
If you hear anything, call me.
Curtis nods yes, Charlie exits, Curtis shuts the door.
Follow 
to find out what happens next!
to find out what happens next!