CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND

Pilot Episode

"West Covina"

Written by

Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna

CW Rewrite

May 6, 2015
 ACT 1

OVER BLACK WE HEAR THE STRAINS OF A SHOW TUNE

FADE IN

INT. AUDITORIUM -- CAMP CANYON GROVE -- DAY

The theater of a summer camp. Hand painted sets, vintage

costumes.

A row of 16-year-olds perform Im In Love With A Wonderful

Guy from South Pacific.

CAMP CHORUS
FLATLY I'LL STAND ON MY LITTLE FLAT
FEET AND SAY/ LOVE IS A GRAND AND A
BEAUTIFUL THING!/ I'M NOT ASHAMED
TO REVEAL/ THE WORLD FAMOUS FEELIN'
I FEEL...

We focus on a girl in the chorus: REBECCA BUNCH, 16, awkward,

not quite grown into her skin. She is very enthusiastic about
her small role.

Rebecca throws a look into the wings.

ANGLE ON: A jocky Asian teenager working backstage. This is

JOSH CHAN, also 16.

Rebecca winks. Josh gives a half-smile and a little bro wave.

CAMP CHORUS (CONTD)

...IM AS CORNY AS KANSAS IN
AUGUST/HIGH AS A FLAG ON THE FOURTH
OF JULY...

Rebecca looks for someone else, this time in the audience.

We move across a row of eager parents snapping photos to find

one woman, arms folded, judgmental, annoyed to be there.

This is Rebeccas mother, JANICE BUNCH, 30s, ex-housewife,

now divorced, living in an apartment, keeps busy by being
bitter.

Rebecca makes eye contact with her. Smiles. Janices

expression does not change.

GIRL PLAYING NELLIE

IF YOULL EXCUSE AN EXPRESSION I
USE/IM IN LOVE/ IM IN LOVE, IM
IN LOVE (etc)...
 2.

Finally, Rebecca has a line. She sings with excessive gusto,

out of tune. Janice flinches.

REBECCA
SHES IN LOVE!

CAMP CHORUS
IM IN LOVE WITH A WONDERFUL GUY...

INT. AUDITORIUM -- LATER

Rebecca emerges from backstage, out of costume, looking even

younger and more vulnerable.

She looks around eagerly until she spots Josh, standing with
his friendly-faced parents who are doting on him.

Rebecca walks over, beaming.

REBECCA
You must be Mr. and Mrs. Chan, so
wonderful to finally meet you.

She hooks her arm through Joshs.

REBECCA (CONTD)
I have to tell you, Josh has been a
dynamo this summer. Color war
champion, Tidiest Bunk three weeks
in a row and then slinging the
props back stage. You know,
technical theater is so important.
I always say if it werent for the
the people behind the scenes, we
talent would be on stage, naked, in
the dark. I always say that.

Josh looks at his parents, completely confused. They speak

English, but not whatever language Rebecca just spoke in.

JOSH
(to his parents)
Ill explain all of that later.
(to Rebecca)
Can I talk to you for a sec?

REBECCA
Sure.
(looking around)
Where is my Mom? I wonder if she
has flowers. Do you think she knows
its customary to give flowers
after a performance?
 3.

JOSH
I dont know, So, um, Rebecca,
since this is the last day of camp--

At this, Rebecca turns to Josh with an Ingrid Bergman smile.

REBECCA
Yes. Yes, it is. Where does the
time go?
(sighs)
Oh, Josh Chan, Josh Chan, my lil
Joshy Chan, Session B has been a
whirlwind and you... youve been my
rock. And youve awakened my sexual
being for the first time.

JOSH
It has been a great summer, but--

Just then Rebecca spots her mother. No flowers. Her mother

taps her watch. Time to go.

Rebecca holds up a finger. ONE MINUTE.

REBECCA
So lets talk schedule. I can use
my dads frequent flyer miles to
visit you during Yom Kippur break--

JOSH
--what I was gonna say was, um, I
got a lot of commitments coming up.
Fall soccer, lacrosse, baseball,
spring soccer.

She nods, not getting the gist of this at all.

JOSH (CONTD)
Also, I just think were really
different. Youre like... um,
really dramatic and like, weird?
Maybe we should take a break...

REBECCA
But... but I love you.
(whispering)
I put it in my mouth.

Just then Janice walks over to her, really annoyed.

JANICE
Whats going on? Time to go. Im
not going to just wait around like
Im your chauffeur, Miss Daisy.
 4.

REBECCA
Mother, hold on. Conversation in
progress.

JOSH
Thats okay, I gotta go.

REBECCA
No, no. You dont gotta go. SHE
gotta go.

JOSH
Youre a great kid. Take care.

He walks away. She stands there, stunned.

REBECCA
What? What is he talking about--
(shouts after him)
Im not a kid. WERE THE SAME
@#%$%ING AGE! Josh! Wait!

She stands there a moment, blown to bits. Looks over. Her

mother is staring at her.

JANICE
Did you have sex with that boy?

REBECCA
What? No.

JANICE
Because Im going to check your
underwear when we get home.

REBECCA
OH MY GOD. Ew. Can we just go?

They start to walk away.

JANICE
...well, I hope you got this whole
thing out of your system. I never
got to do things like this as a
kid, in the summers I worked, in a
shoe store, touching feet. This was
your fathers gift to you because
he feels guilty about leaving us
for that whore, but next year, its
all about Model UN.

They exit, passing the Chans on their way out, happily

ensconced with Josh. Mr. and Mrs. Chan wave goodbye. Rebecca
waves wanly, looking at them with longing.
 5.

JANICE (CONTD)
We need to think about your future.
Your real future. I made a lot of
sacrifices for you and it wasnt
for this baloney...

As Janice continues ranting, we push in on Rebeccas face.

MATCH CUT TO:

INT. BEDROOM -- NYC -- MORNING

REBECCAS FACE. Tired, staring into space. Janices voice

continues.

JANICE
...anyway, did you win the Corcoran
case? You want that promotion, it's
very important, it's what we've
been working so hard for. Ive said
that a MILLION times...

Rebecca opens her mouth, pulls out her retainer. Title up:
TEN YEARS LATER.

JANICE (CONTD)
..but I guess you don't care what I
think. I'm sure you told your
father and the WHORE at Tucker's
7th birthday party, anyway, I gotta
go. Today the dermatologist is
telling me if its cancer. Bye.

INSERT: an iPhone. The screen says: MOM. The call is on

speaker. Rebeccas hand reaches into screen and hangs up.

We widen to see grown up Rebeccas apartment. Pre-furnished

and lonely. No curtains, no wall-coverings, no one bothered.
The TV crackles in the background. Rebecca is in an unmade
bed, facing away from us.

On Rebeccas night stand is a vibrator, an empty bottle of

dessert wine and a row of prescription meds.

In the bed is: a half-eaten pastrami sandwich, a stretched

out bra and her computer, nestled where a person might go.

She looks over at the computer which is open to a dating

profile with a forced smile photo of Rebecca, the rest of it
blank. She closes the page, revealing a medical site: How
long can a person go without sleep?.

Then she hears angelic music, looks over at the television.

On the screen, an ad. A dreamy blue sky.
 6.

VOICEOVER
Silky ribbons of butter with only
90 calories an ounce...

A giant knife spreads butter on a bagel.

VOICEOVER (CONTD)
What are you waiting for? Spread
it... Indulge... Ask yourself...
When was the last time you were
truly happy?

Rebecca stares at the ad, head to the side, like a dog thats
heard a funny noise. And from the next scene we hear:

REBECCA (O.S.)
Thank you for meeting me so
early...

INT. COFFEE SHOP -- DAY

A Midtown diner near Rebeccas office. She has pulled herself

together. Hair neat, fitted dress, very professional look.

REBECCA
...I know breakfast is weird for a
date, my schedule is just--

Rebecca is sitting across from a Tinder DATE, late 20s,

pleasant-looking. They have just finished breakfast.

DATE
Hey. Im just happy you look like
your photo.

REBECCA
--oh I know, a rarity on Tinder. I
had a date with a guy who posted a
picture of a panda and then he was
most assuredly NOT a panda.

DATE
Oh, thats funny. Thats a funny
story. Youre funny.

REBECCA
Thanks!

He looks at her with a romantic spark in his eye.

 7.

DATE
You know what, this was great, why
dont we just blow off work today,
rent a Zipcar, go to, I dont know,
Six Flags--

REBECCA
Oh, wow, that sounds really fun...
but I cant. I have work to do. And
this WAS great, so lets do this
again soon.

He crosses his arms, glowering. Beat.

REBECCA (CONTD)
So, what else you got going on
today?

He says nothing.

REBECCA (CONTD)
Look, Im really sorry--

DATE
No, its fine, I just carved my
heart out and put it on the table,
and you were just like, Waiter, I
didnt order this gross heart.

REBECCA
I cant blow off work--

He takes cash out of his wallet, drops it on the table.

DATE
Here. I am nothing if not a
gentleman.
(exits, turns back)
Oh, and a word of advice? If youre
gonna be such a bitch to guys, lose
a little weight.

He walks out. Rebecca picks up the money.

REBECCA
This is two dollars.

INT. LAW OFFICES -- MORNING

Rebecca strides briskly into the office towards her

ASSISTANT, nervous, overeager, 30s. They walk through the
office together.
 8.

REBECCA
Morning. Have the guys from
Corcoran called back about the loan
approval yet?

No answer. Rebecca looks up. Her assistant is beaming.

REBECCA (CONTD)
What? Whats wrong?

ASSISTANT
(too wound up)
Laura wants to see you.

REBECCA
Oh God, why?

ASSISTANT
(giving up)
Youre getting promoted. To
partner. RIGHT NOW.

Rebecca looks over at the glass walls of a conference room.

Sees a WOMAN and a FEW MEN standing there waiting for her.

REBECCA
NOW?

ASSISTANT
Its a surprise.

REBECCA
Wow! This is so great! This is
fantastic, RIGHT? I mean, this is
just objectively fantastic-- Like,
on paper fantastic, right?

All of a sudden she freezes. Seeing an ad on the back of the

magazine the assistant was reading.

When was the last time you were truly happy?

REBECCA (CONTD)
Im sorry. I just need to get a
smoothie.

ASSISTANT
Where are you--

REBECCA
Didnt eat breakfast. Need a little
quick protein--
 9.

EXT. BUILDING -- MORNING

Rebecca strides away from the building...

REBECCA
Im happy. Im so happy. Moms
gonna be so happy. This is what
happy feels like. Its great. Happy
feels great and amazing.

She runs into the nearest alley, hiding, trying to breathe.

The sounds of New York blend, a RUSHING NOISE in her ears.

She takes a pill bottle out of her jacket. Her hands are
shaking so badly she cant open any of them. She stops. Takes
a deep breath.

REBECCA (CONTD)
Dear God, I dont pray to you,
because I believe in science. But I
dont know what to do. Give me
guidance. Please. Please!

She waits. Nothing happens.

Rebecca looks up. And suddenly she sees something silhouetted

against the buildings at the end of the alley:

A GIANT BILLBOARD THAT SAYS:

When was the last time you were truly happy?

REBECCA (CONTD)
What a weird ad campaign.

She stares at it. Below the billboard is an old sign that

says Outdoor with an arrow.

The sign loosens and falls. The arrow now points down
directly to: A MAN.

Backlit, he looks like an apparition. Suddenly she realizes

who it is. A handsome, jocky Asian guy in his mid-20s.

REBECCA (CONTD)
JOSH CHAN?

Suddenly, we hear a CHORD from Im In Love With A Wonderful

Guy, the song she was singing in her last happy moment.

Rebecca cocks an eyebrow. What was that sound?

 10.

EXT. STREET -- MORNING

Rebecca trots over to Josh.

REBECCA
JOSH!

He turns. Grown-up Josh is friendly, affable, very laid back.

JOSH
Rebecca Bunch. Oh my God.

REBECCA
Josh Chan, appearing outta nowhere
after ten years.

JOSH
Wow...

REBECCA
That is SO weird. So weird, right?
So WEIRD!

JOSH
You know, I always hoped Id run
into you one day. We had such a
great time that summer. You
probably dont even remember it...

REBECCA
I remember some... all of it. I
remember all of it. Of course I
do!

They beam at each other. From the next scene we hear Josh.

JOSH (O.S.)
Are you sure you have time for
coffee?

INT. COFFEE SHOP -- DAY

The same Midtown diner she was at earlier. Rebecca fires off
an email, thumbs flying at the speed of light.

REBECCA
Oh yeah, yeah. I am just telling my
assistant to chill out, Ill get
there when I get there.

We see the text: SO SORRY!!!! RACING OVER.

 11.

REBECCA (CONTD)
So great to see you. How are you?
How are your parents? They were so
adorable.

JOSH
Oh theyre great. The same.

REBECCA
Mine too, my mother is still awful,
though she might have cancer so--

She puts up her hands, fingers crossed.

REBECCA (CONTD)
So... you live in New York?

JOSH
Yeah, for the last year or so.

REBECCA
I cant believe that. I had no idea
you were here, we could have been
hanging out...

Now her phone RINGS. She presses ignore.

JOSH
Yeah, we totally couldve been.

REBECCA
So lets carpe that diem. The firm
gave me tickets to the premiere of
Rigoletto on Thursday--

JOSH
Oh, man, I love plays but Im...
this is kinda weird, Im actually
moving, like, this week.

REBECCA
New apartment, cool--

She gets another TEXT. Ignores it.

JOSH
No, Im actually moving back home.

REBECCA
What?
 12.

JOSH
Yeah, I have been trying to make it
work here in the Big Apple and its
been so tough, then one day I
realized, why get stuck in a rat
race. I mean, whats the point,
right?

We see this land on her. And now another text and another.
She finally turns off the phone completely.

REBECCA
Im sorry, ignore that. You were
saying--

JOSH
Thing is, its so awesome back
home. So chill, so relaxed. Out
there, everyone is like... I dont
know, its like theyre....
(searches for right word)
Happy.

The word HAPPY reverberates in Rebeccas brain.

REBECCA
Happy... Where are you from, again?

JOSH
West Covina, California, 91791.

REBECCA
West Covina. I remember that. Its
near the beach, right?

JOSH
Yeah, only two hours, four in
traffic. Psyched to kick back, get
beers with my buds, skateboard...

REBECCA
Skating on boards, fun.

JOSH
Man, if Id known youd turn out to
be so successful and hot...
(grins)
I let a good one get away, huh?

She stares at him.

JOSH (CONTD)
We really did have a lot of fun
that summer, didnt we?
 13.

REBECCA
Yeah, I was so... whats the
word...

They are smiling at each other. And just then she hears a
pounding. She looks up.

Her ASSISTANT is standing in the window, frantic, gesturing.

LETS GO, GOTTA GO.

REBECCA (CONTD)
All right, I guess I gotta go, but
lets get a drink one night.

JOSH
Yeah!
(realizes)
Oh, wait, Im moving.

REBECCA
Oh, right.

JOSH
But if you ever get out West, look
me up, okay? Heres my number.

He grabs her phone, types it in.

REBECCA
Yeah, yeah, Ill do that... that
would be great.

He stands up, smiles at her. A beat. And then he walks out of

her life. She watches him go. Now the world seems to change.
Its glowing.

The orchestra sweeeelllllls. We hear the camp chorus singing.

CAMP CHORUS (V.O.)

IM IN LOVE...

JOSH (V.O.)
Happy... people are happy...

CAMP CHORUS (V.O.)

IM IN LOVE...

JOSH (V.O.)
Look me up, okay...

In the window, Josh looks back in at her, waves.

CAMP CHORUS
IM IN LOVE WITH A WONDERFUL...
 14.

We push in on Rebeccas happy, glowing face. Weve never seen

her like this. We pull out to find we are...

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM -- DAY

...in the conference room. The PARTNERS beam at Rebecca.

SENIOR PARTNER
Rebecca, you are the hardest
working young lawyer weve ever
seen. You work 24/7, have never
taken a sick day. We know this job
is your whole world.
(smiles)
These are just some of the reasons
wed like to offer you the position
of... Junior Partner.

Rebecca beams at the Senior Partner, shakes her head, sighs.

We see a familiar look on her face. Ingrid Bergman is back.

REBECCA
Laura, you are so kind. Thank you.
You know, time is a funny thing...
Sometimes time itself tells you
its time to move on to other
moments in time... And when that
time arrives you cant really
predict it or explain it, you just
have to obey the ticking clock that
is destiny. And I think that this
is that time.

SENIOR PARTNER
What?

REBECCA
Another opportunity has knocked on
my door, so I respectfully decline,
Im so sorry.

PARTNER #1
Is it another firm?

REBECCA
Its best if we dont talk about
it. Goodbye.

SENIOR PARTNER
Wait, just tell me. Is it Cromwell?

REBECCA
No, its not in New York.
 15.

SENIOR PARTNER
Boston? Chicago?

REBECCA
No, Laura.

She puts her hand on her face, beatific, resolved.

REBECCA (CONTD)
Its where dreams live.

She walks out. A beat.

SENIOR PARTNER
The BLEEP is she talking about?

EXT. BUILDING -- NEW YORK -- DAY

Rebecca bursts out of the office building, singing.

REBECCA
WEST COVINAAAAAA
CALIFORNIAAAAAAAA!

She takes a huge breath. That was a long note to hold. She
begins striding down the street. She takes off her blazer and
hands it to a PASSERBY.

REBECCA (CONTD)
IN MY SOUL I FEEL A FIRE/CAUSE IM
HEADING FOR THE PRIDE OF THE INLAND
EMPIRE./MY LIFES ABOUT TO CHANGE,
OH MY GOSH/

She stands in front of a sign that says Goulash, blocking

out the middle part so it reads, Gosh. She continues.

REBECCA (CONTD)
CAUSE IM HOPELESSLY, DESPERATELY
IN LOVE WITH...

She stops. A sign above her reads: Jos Fish, but Rebecca is
blocking the letters so they read: Josh. Rebecca shakes the
Josh out of her head and continues.

She sings out, arms in a circle.

REBECCA (CONTD)
WEST COVINA.....
 16.

EXT. WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA -- DAY

Rebecca steps out of a cab into WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA. Its

the New Jersey of SoCal, a basically unremarkable suburb.

But for Rebecca its like Dorothy stepping into OZ. She looks
around as if it is the most magical place in the world and
begins to SING:

REBECCA
SEE THE SPARKLE OFF THE CONCRETE
GROUND.

She looks at the ground. It sparkles with a Ding!

REBECCA (CONTD)
HEAR THE WHOOSH! OF THE BUSTLING
TOWN!

Some BORED TEENAGERS zoom by on bikes and BORED TEENAGER #1

knocks Rebecca to the ground. The teens HIGH-FIVE.

As Rebecca doubles over in pain...

REBECCA (CONTD)
WHAT A FEELING OF LOVE IN MY GUT.

She looks at a newspaper on the ground.

Theres a picture of some kids playing in a band with the

headline: And The Band Did Not Play On.

REBECCA (CONTD)
IM FALLING FASTER/THAN THE MIDDLE
SCHOOLS MUSIC PROGRAM WAS CUT.

EXT. MALL -- DAY

Rebecca walks through the outdoor mall.

REBECCA
PEOPLE DINE AT CHEZ APPLEBEE.

She passes an ad for a Cash-For-Gold place. In the ad, a

WOMAN holds a giant wad of cash. She sings.

CASH-FOR-GOLD WOMAN
AHHHH.

REBECCA
AND THE SKY SEEMS TO SMILE AT ME.
 17.

She passes another poster: Not Ready to Be a Parent?. It

features a BABY which comes to life and sings:

BABY
AHHHHHH.

REBECCA
ITS ALL NEW BUT I HAVE NO FEAR.

Now she sees an ad for a Spanish-speaking law firm on the

side of the bus. The MEXICAN LAWYER comes to life and sings:

MEXICAN LAWYER
ACCIDENTES.

REBECCA
AND ALSO, BY COINCIDENCE, JOSH--

She smiles. Beat, beat.

REBECCA (CONTD)
JUST HAPPENS TO BE HERE!

She strides over to a guy who from the back looks like Josh.
She primps herself, walks over, taps him on the shoulder. He
turns. Not Josh.

She sags a moment, then shrugs it off playfully, thats okay.

Onward...

EXT. MALL -- ANIME WIG KIOSK -- DAY

Rebecca glides through the outdoor mall with wonder with a

WOMAN wearing an anime wig.

REBECCA
WHAT A COOL LOOKING ANIME WIG!

A GUY holds a massive pretzel.

REBECCA (CONTD)
AND IVE NEVER SEEN A PRETZEL THIS
BIG!

She looks over and sees a sign indicating a STRIP CLUB.

REBECCA (CONTD)
ITS MY DESTINY, THAT MUCH IS
CLEAR.
 18.

INT. STRIP CLUB -- DAY

Rebecca sits at the front of the stage.

ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Please welcome... Destiny!

DESTINY walks out. She is a stripper. Everyone cheers.

REBECCA
AND ALSO, THIS GUY JOSH JUST
HAPPENS TO BE HERE.

She looks around.

REBECCA (CONTD)
Is he here? Hes not here.

INT. TOWNHOUSE -- DAY

Rebecca tours a townhouse with a REALTOR.

REBECCA
TO BE CLEAR, I DIDNT MOVE HERE FOR
JOSH I JUST NEEDED A CHANGE/CAUSE
TO MOVE HERE FOR JOSH: NOW, THATD
BE STRANGE...

EXT. MALL -- PRETZEL STAND KIOSK -- DAY

Rebecca is talking to the PRETZEL KIOSK OWNER.

REBECCA
BUT DONT GET ME WRONG: IF HE ASKED
FOR A DATE, I WOULD TOTALLY BE
LIKE,
(trying too hard)
That sounds great!

INT. STRIP CLUB -- DAY

Rebecca asks the STRIPPER for advice.

REBECCA
DID IT SOUND COOL WHEN I SAID THAT
SOUNDS GREAT!? HOW ABOUT NOW?

EXT. MALL -- ANIME WIG KIOSK -- DAY

Rebecca is now wearing the anime wig.

 19.

REBECCA
HOW ABOUT NOW?
(she puts on an even more
desperate tone)
That sounds great!

INT. STRIP CLUB -- DAY

Destiny bends down for a dollar. Rebecca tucks a dollar into

Destinys cleavage.

REBECCA
YES, I HEARD OF WEST COVINA FROM
JOSH

INT. TOWNHOUSE -- DAY

Rebecca moves in. A HISPANIC MOVER lugs her stuff as she

follows him back and forth, talking.

REBECCA
BUT I DIDNT MOVE HERE BECAUSE OF
JOSH.

Rebecca continues to talk to the mover who ignores her.

REBECCA (CONTD)
DO YOU GET THOSE THINGS ARE
DIFFERENT?

MOVER
No hablo ingles.

REBECCA
ENTIENDES QUE SON DIFFERENTES?

EXT. MALL -- PRETZEL STAND KIOSK -- DAY

Rebecca continues talking to the PRETZEL VENDOR. Theres a

line of people behind her.

REBECCA
LOOK, EVERYONE, STOP GIVING ME THE
SHAKEDOWN. I AM NOT HAVING A
NERVOUS--

EXT. MALL -- DAY

Rebecca in front of the mall, arms pinwheeling with joy.

 20.

REBECCA
WEST COVINAAAAA CALIFORNIAAAAA!!!

As she continues to spin, everyone from the song bursts out

of the mall -- the stripper, the wig kiosk owner, pretzel
vendor, the realtor, the people from the ad posters, and the
entire MIDDLE SCHOOL MARCHING BAND.

REBECCA (CONTD)
WEST COVINAAAAA CALIFORNIAAAAA!

Now everyone joins together and forms a line. Everyone from

the song is dancing joyously a la 76 Trombones:

The music turns into a Sousa-esque march.

REBECCA (CONTD)
HEAR THE BAND PLAYING IN MY HEART!
MY NEW LIFE IS ABOUT TO START!
TRUE HAPPINESS IS SO NEAR!

As she holds a note, the music builds and the middle school
band plays their hearts out. Rebecca turns to the band.

REBECCA (CONTD)
Aw, you guys are good. Bye-bye.

PEOPLE IN SUITS walk on and brutally take the bands

instruments. The kids struggle, but its no use.

The music comes back in again, full force. Everyone goes back
to being happy and sings:

REBECCA AND COMPANY

AND ALSO, BY COINCIDENCE, SO
RANDOM, JUST BY CHANCE, WHOD A
THUNK IT, SO REMARKABLE AND WEIRD,
RIGHT? ITS SO CRAY...

Arms out, on her way to the finish.

REBECCA
THAT THIS GUY JOSH..... JUST
HAPPENS... TO BE...

Rebecca hops on a 7 foot tall pretzel. It flies up into the

air. She sits in it, like Betty Boop sitting on the moon.

REBECCA (CONTD)
...HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!
(spoken)
Only two hours from the beach!

SONG OVER.
 21.

END OF ACT 1
 22.

ACT 2

INT. TOWNHOUSE -- NIGHT

Rebecca in her new place. Very little furniture. She is a

small person in a large space wearing big pajamas. She looks
about eleven.

She takes out a cosmetic bag filled with pill bottles and
opens each one into the disposal in the kitchen area,
grinding them to bits. She WHISTLES while she works.

Her phone rings. Mom. She picks it up.

REBECCA
Yello!

JANICE (O.S.)
Rebecca, I just checked the
Facebook. You moved to California.
What are you doing? I hope this
isnt another stunt like your
little suicide attempt in law
school, you didnt even break your
skin and you inconvenienced a lot
of people, your Aunt Nancy was...

Cheerfully, without saying a word, Rebecca hangs up. No time

for that. She walks over, sits on the couch.

She takes a deep breath, straightens herself, her face screws

up with intense concentration.

She begins to text Josh. As she does, the text appears

onscreen.

REBECCA (V.O.)
Hey dude! Rebecca Bunch here.
Member you said if I was ever in
SoCal I should give you a buzz?
Well... Buzz! Bee emoticon.
(bee emoticon pops up)
Anyway, was thinking we could have
dinner...
(delete delete)
Coffee...
(delete delete)
Breakfast...
(delete delete)
Whatevs. Anywho gimme me a shout...
SO WEIRD, RIGHT??? LOL.

She smiles. Good.

 23.

INT. BATHROOM -- LATER

She brushes her teeth. Hears a sound, runs out, leaving her
electric toothbrush buzzing on the sink.

INT. TOWNHOUSE -- CONTINUOUS

She runs in and checks her phone. It says: NEW DATA USEAGE
PLAN! SAVE 3$/MONTH TEXT YES FOR MORE INFO!

She sits on the couch. Fuck.

INT. TOWNHOUSE -- A FEW MINUTES LATER

Laying on the couch. Phone in her lap. She picks it up,

checks it. Nothing.

THE NEXT MORNING

She wakes in the same position, clutching the phone. Looks at

it. Nothing.

And from the next scene we hear:

DARRYL (O.S.)
I hope you dont mind, but I handed
out copies of your resume.

INT. WHITEFEATHER LAW OFFICES -- MORNING

The offices of Whitefeather and Associates. Everyone is

staring at Rebecca, who is standing with DARRYL WHITEFEATHER.

DARRYL
Were just so honored... and
confused, frankly... to have an
attorney of your caliber here...
Stephanie, your emotional support
cat got out again.

Distant MEOW sound. Meanwhile, everyone in the office is

staring at Rebecca like shes the prize pig at a fair.

REBECCA
So, Darryl WhiteFeather... Thats
an interesting name.

DARRYL
Oh, Im what they call a full one-
eighth.
(MORE)
 24.

DARRYL (CONT'D)
(off her look)
One-eighth Chippewa. Thats why
everyone around here calls me
Chief.

REBECCA
Oh, got it. Hey, I have a question.
Is there a problem with cell phone
service in West Covina? Like some
kind of mountains or... magnetic
clouds?

DARRYL
Ive got Sprint and its da BOMB.
Sorry, Ive got kids.

REBECCA
Right--

DARRYL
But I am divorced.

REBECCA
Oh, sorry.

DARRYL
(overly touched)
Thank you. I dont like to talk
about it.

REBECCA
Okay, we dont have to.

DARRYL
Its been very painful.

REBECCA
Sorry.

DARRYL
Thank you for that.

An ASSISTANT comes over with a clipboard.

DARRYL (CONTD)
Just a few things for you to sign.
Make it official. Sign your life
away.

REBECCA
Thats what being a lawyer is,
right?
 25.

DARRYL
Or being married.

REBECCA
Aww.

DARRYL
I dont wanna talk about it.
Anyway, youre from New York, huh?
Spent a little time there myself.

REBECCA
Oh, yeah?

DARRYL
Yeah, a week after college with my
buddies. They still have that great
pizza place?

REBECCA
Theres a few...

DARRYL
Thin crust.

REBECCA
Yes. Yes, they have it.

DARRYL
Something tells me you and I are
gonna have a lot in common.

REBECCA
Law. Our love for law.

DARRYL
Let me show you around.

ANGLE ON: Paula, who is at her desk, looking at Rebeccas

resume.

Paulas cubicle is decorated with a mix of angry cubicle art,

puppy and kitten photos, sexy vampires and office-themed
cartoons.

PAULA
I dont get it. You see this
resume? Harvard, Yale, special
skills: Mandarin? She get this out
of a resume book? What the hell is
she doing here?

Mrs. Hernandez shakes her head, shrugs.

 26.

PAULA (CONTD)
Exactly. Makes no sense.

Rebecca and Darryl pass Paulas desk. They stop.

DARRYL
Rebecca, this is Paula.

REBECCA
Oh, great, hi. Are you my
assistant? Im gonna need a ton of
help getting my computer set up,
Im a total spaz about that.

She notices Paula is glaring. And Darryl is afraid.

DARRYL
Actually, Paula is our head
paralegal.

REBECCA
Oh, Im so sorry.

She extends her hand. Paula shakes it.

PAULA
Two years of training, six months
of night school, fifteen years of
experience, but never mind.
(checks out Rebecca)
Those are some good knockoff
(in French)
Louboutins. I know how to say it.

REBECCA
Oh, thanks! Actually, theyre real,
but I got them on sale.

PAULA
Lindsey Lohan wears those. Shes
been to jail six times and has fake
hair. Did you know that? Everyone
knows that. Right, Mrs. Hernandez?

Mrs. Hernandez nods. For sure.

DARRYL
Oh, sorry, this is Mrs. Hernandez.
She is our communications director.

REBECCA
Pleased to meet you.

She shakes hands with Mrs. Hernandez, who crushes her hand.
 27.

PAULA
Careful there. She went to a Women
in Business seminar a couple of
years ago, came back with that
death grip. So, what brings you to
our lovely West Covina?

REBECCA
Just looking for a change.

PAULA
Oh, I see. Well welcome aboard.

DARRYL
(to Rebecca)
Let me show you to your office.

They walk away. Paula turns to Mrs. Hernandez.

PAULA
(imitates Rebecca)
Theyre real, got them on sale.
Who is that person?

She eyes Rebecca who walks into her office with Darryl.

INT. REBECCAS OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

Darryl waves Rebecca into a chair.

DARRYL
Listen, I didnt want to say
anything out there because, you
know how offices are, so gossipy --
but Im in the middle of a divorce--

REBECCA
Yeah, you hinted at that.

DARRYL
And my wife, shes got this real
pitbull lawyer, hes amazing, one
of those real smart Jewish guys--

REBECCA
Oh, you know, Im Jewish--

DARRYL
(excited)
Really? I had no idea... thats a
very small nose.
 28.

REBECCA
(conflicted)
Thank you.

DARRYL
So you see, Im in a bind because,
well--

He starts weeping. Like, weeping. She sits for a moment,

looking around.

REBECCA
This decor is very nice. This is
like a Santa Fe type of thing...

DARRYL
(crying)
I cant live without her. I cant.

REBECCA
Darryl, come on. Theres other fish
in the sea who are... age
appropriate. Dont fixate on one
person. Thats not healthy.

DARRYL
What? Im not talking about my
wife, its my daughter. Shes
trying to take her away from me, so
Im wondering if youd represent me
in my case, because I really need
to bring in the big guns.
(looks at her boobs)
I dont mean those.

REBECCA
Darryl, I do real estate law. You
know that. Im not qualified--

DARRYL
Oh I would just love to see her
face. Because her Jewish lawyer
went to CSU LONG BEACH. My Jewish
lawyer went to Harvard and Yale.

REBECCA
I really am not sure--

DARRYL
(sincere)
Ill die without her. You have to
help me.
 29.

REBECCA
Ill think about it. Because I can
see that youre a great dad. Shes
lucky to have you. Some people have
dads who only communicate with them
via Edible Arrangements. See, this
is one of the things I like about
West Covina. Fathers who care. I
care too and I promise you, whether
I take this case or not, Ill be
here for you--

Suddenly she hears an alert. Glances at her phone. She sees

that Josh has checked in at: Home Base, West Covina. She
looks up, smiles at Darryl.

REBECCA (CONTD)
--but right now I gotta thing. So
lets touch base later, yeah? And
when we do, lets circle back on
the Jew thing, thats a
conversation--

She gives him a thumbs up, strides towards the door.

END OF ACT 2
 30.

ACT 3

EXT. PARKING LOT -- DAY

Establishing.

EXT. HOME BASE SPORTS FACILITY -- DAY

Rebecca looks around. Astroturf baseball diamonds everywhere.

She sees a sign that says: Home Base Sports Facility. She
stares at it. WTF? Then she hears MUSIC from a small building
in the middle of the facility.

INT. HOME BASE BAR AND GRILL - DAY

Rebecca walks in. To her surprise, she finds a full-blown

party in progress. MILF-Y moms and jock-y dads flirt, drink
booze and ignore their children. She passes a kid, asleep on
his baseball bat as his mother does a shot. Rebecca circles
the room. No sign of Josh.

ANGLE ON:

The bartender, GREG SERRANO, notices Rebecca. She looks

forlorn, pretty and out of place. Irresistible.

GREG
You lost? The wine bar is over on
Foothill.

She sits, but is looking around, ignoring him.

REBECCA
Im just here for some baseball.

GREG
Sounds good, what can I get you?

REBECCA
Beer. Any kind.

As he gets her a beer...

GREG
You from around here? Never seen
you before.

REBECCA
I actually just moved to town From
New York.
 31.

GREG
(impressed)
Seriously? I love New York. What
brings you here?

REBECCA
Work and... Im actually here
because Im meeting a friend, but I
dont see him...

GREG
Great, maybe I know him. Is he 8-
years-old? Or an alcoholic? Cause
thats what we got here.
(shes not listening)
Youre a good listener.

REBECCA
(not listening at all)
Hmmm?

GREG
Exactly. You know, a buddy of mine
just moved back from New York, guy
I grew up with.

And NOW shes interested. Head pivots over to him.

REBECCA
Really?

GREG
Yeah. But theres no way you know
him. Its a big city, right?

REBECCA
I might. Whats his name?

GREG
Josh Chan?

REBECCA
Oh my God? Are you kidding? THATS
CRAZY. I know him!

GREG
Seriously? Thats crazy. He was
JUST here. You JUST missed him.
Thats his beer.

REBECCA
Ahhhh, goshbedarnedit.
(choking back frustration,
then, very fast)
(MORE)
 32.

REBECCA (CONT'D)
Yeah, its actually a funny story.
I was living in New York, looking
to relocate to Los Angeles cause
Im a beach gal, run into Chan, he
tells me how GREAT West Covina is,
I file it away... then, boom, THAT
SAME DAY, I get a rando call from a
one-eighth Chippewa who is VERY
prominent in my field asking me to
start a position. Here. Crazy,
right?

She smiles, happy with how that bullshit sounded now that
shes said it aloud.

GREG
Wait, so you left a job in New York
to live near the beach?
(she nods)
Were four hours from the beach.
People say two, but thats
bullshit. Those people are dumb.

REBECCA
Yeah, but its such a great place.
I mean, the town motto is live,
work, play.

GREG
We have a motto?

REBECCA
Yes, on the website.

GREG
We have a website?

REBECCA
It takes a few minutes to load, but
its very informative.

GREG
Live, work, play. Wow. All they
left out was shitting and
eating. This is where I live. Yay
for me.

REBECCA
(ignores this)
--so do you know where he went by
any chance?
 33.

GREG
No, no idea. He said he was going
out, but didnt say where. But I do
know where hes gonna be tomorrow
night.

REBECCA
Yeah?

GREG
Yeah, this guy Beans -- we call him
Beans, hes Mexican, sounds racist,
but he named himself that and makes
us call him that -- hes throwing a
house party, should be fun, Josh is
going, Im going... you wanna go?

REBECCA
Great, so like, youll come to me
in a car?

GREG
Yeah, like a date. Cause youre
pretty and youre smart and youre
ignoring me, so obviously youre my
type--

Shes already lost in fantasy about the Josh party.

REBECCA
Im sorry, what were you saying?

GREG
Perfect.

REBECCA
Party, a big party...

And now shes done with him and his voice is fading out,
replaced with SEXY R&B UNDERSCORING.

EXT. WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA -- ESTABLISHING

Morning in the Cov. A new day dawns.

INT. WHITEFEATHER LAW OFFICES -- DAY

UNDERSCORING CONTINUES as we see Rebecca sashaying through

the office, still on cloud nine. She moves her hips a little,
matching the beat of the song.
 34.

INT. KITCHEN -- DAY

The music fades down but Rebecca keeps humming, doing a

little dance.

When she turns around something is RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER,

like a creature appearing in a horror movie.

Paula, arms crossed, staring at her.

REBECCA
Wow, you were RIGHT behind me.

Rebecca laughs, rooting through the kitchen looking for

something, still humming.

PAULA
(suspicious)
Youre in a good mood today.

REBECCA
Yeah... ever just have a great day?

PAULA
No.

REBECCA
Awwwww.

Rebecca picks out a tea bag, smells it, inhaling deeply.

REBECCA (CONTD)
This is incredible. What is this,
Chai?

PAULA
Are you stoned?

REBECCA
Nah, Im just high on life, as the
kids say -- in 1982.

She gets hot water from the Arrowhead, starts making tea.

REBECCA (CONTD)
Want one?

PAULA
Nah, tea is coffees gimp cousin,
but knock yourself out.

Rebecca shrugs, makes her tea. Paula studies her, like a

snake contemplating a mouse for breakfast.
 35.

PAULA (CONTD)
So, Ive been meaning to ask you...
what brings you here to our lovely
little burg of West Covina?

REBECCA
Me? Here? Why am I here?... Just
was looking for a change.

PAULA
So, you dont have any friends or
family here, thats intriguing...

REBECCA
Nope, dont know a soul, just came
for the job. What about you? Are
you a California native?

PAULA
Hell, no. Grew up in Buffalo, so
did my husband Artie. Were from a
real place, with weather and
depression.

Just then Paulas phone rings. She holds up a finger.

PAULA (CONTD)
Dont move. Im not done with you.
(into phone)
No, you listen to me, Tyler... I
got that text and you cant cancel
speech therapy today, I paid for a
package, and you still sound like
Elmer Fudd... And tell Brendan I
refilled his prescription and Ill
bring it home tonight and there is
NO screen time until he takes his
anti-psychotics.
(hangs up)
Sorry, my kids are garbage.

REBECCA
Oh, Im sure they are wonderful.
They have a smart, sassy mom who
clearly is the real boss of this
office--

PAULA
Okay, okay, enough with the blowie.
Let me put this on the table:
Somethings off about all of this,
this whole thing--
(she indicates ALL of Rebecca)
(MORE)
 36.

PAULA (CONT'D)
And its gonna drive me crazy until
I find out what it is... its like
when you cant remember... the name
of the guy who played Chachi.

REBECCA
I can google that.

PAULA
Thats not the point, its a
metaphor, follow along. One day Im
gonna look at you and say, BAM, I
got you figured out, Scott Baio.

REBECCA
Okay, I didnt follow all of that,
but I also look forward to learning
more about you, Paula. You and
Artie, Tyler and--

She hesitates, but only barely. Paulas eyes widen. She is

NOT going to remember all those names.

REBECCA (CONTD)
Briiiiaaaa... Brendan. Its
Brendan. Whoo! Now I gotta run, but
you have a great weekend, okay,
Boss Lady?

She starts singing and dancing again. The underscoring

resumes. Paula stares at Rebecca as she leaves.

The SEXY MUSIC builds.

EXT. PARKING LOT -- DAY

Rebecca walks to her car, doing a little sexy sashay as the

MUSIC CONTINUES.

INT. REGULAR BATHROOM -- NIGHT

A late 90s style R&B song begins. Rebecca wears a kimono and
sexily saunters into the bathroom.

REBECCA
Hey Josh. I wanna look good for you
tonight. So Im gonna get in touch
with my feminine side.
 37.

INT. SEXY BATHROOM -- NIGHT

The bathroom is softly lit, candles all over.

REBECCA
ITS THE SEXY GETTIN READY SONG.
THE SEXY GETTIN READY SONG.

Four BACKUP DANCERS appear behind her. They pose.

REBECCA (CONTD)
PRIMPIN AND PLUCKIN
BRUSHIN AND RUBBIN
THE SEXY GETTIN READY SONG.

INT. BACK AT THE OFFICE -- NIGHT

Paula walks into Rebeccas office, trailed by Mrs. Hernandez

who looks at her disapprovingly. Dont snoop.

Paula gives her a look like, Step off, Bitch.

Mrs. Hernandez looks at her, Fine, Im out. She leaves.

Paula sits at Rebeccas computer. Snooping. Her eyes widen.

INT. REGULAR BATHROOM -- NIGHT

Rebecca enters the bathroom which is realistically lit with

harsh, unforgiving lighting.

REBECCA (V.O.)
FIRST I MAKE EVERYTHING SHINY AND
SMOOTH.

INT. SEXY BATHROOM -- NIGHT

The backup dancers pose near the fantasy bathtub.

BACKUP SINGERS
OH YEAH.

INT. REGULAR BATHROOM -- NIGHT

Rebecca plucks her eyebrows, wincing with each pluck.

REBECCA (V.O.)
CAUSE I WANT MY BODY TO BE SO SOFT
FOR YOU.
 38.

In the bathtub, she violently exfoliates the heels of her

feet. Dead skin everywhere.

INT. SEXY BATHROOM -- NIGHT

BACKUP SINGERS
BYE-BYE, SKIN.

INT. REGULAR BATHROOM -- NIGHT

REBECCA (V.O.)
I WANNA MAKE THIS A NIGHT YOULL
NEVER FORGET.

Rebecca steels herself, then waxes her butthole. The pain is

horrific. She looks at the wax strip, horrified. Then reaches
her other hand back and looks. Theres blood on her hand.

INT. SEXY BATHROOM -- NIGHT

BACKUP SINGERS
ASS BLOOD!

INT. REGULAR BATHROOM -- NIGHT

REBECCA (V.O.)
AND BOY I KNOW YOU LIKE AN
HOURGLASS SILHOUETTE.

Jump cuts as Rebecca tries to pull on some Spanx but its too
difficult. Finally one of the backup dancers walks into the
regular bathroom and helps jerk it up.

Rebecca looks at the camera.

REBECCA
Lets see how the guys get ready!

INT. GREGS APARTMENT -- NIGHT

Music cuts out. Greg is lying in his apartment, asleep on the

couch, TV on, half eaten burger on his lap.

INT. SEXY BATHROOM -- NIGHT

Music back in. Rebecca rejoins the BACKUP DANCERS. They are
all wearing Spanx.
 39.

One dancer has bleach on her lip, another has her hair in hot
rollers, another has a green mask and the last one has Bior
nose strips.

REBECCA AND GIRLS

ITS THE SEXY GETTIN READY SONG.
THE SEXY GETTIN READY SONG.
FLUFFIN AND FLOUNCIN
GIGGLIN AND LADY-IN

INT. REGULAR BATHROOM -- NIGHT

Quick cuts of Rebecca:

1. Putting eyeliner on her tear line by turning her lower

eyelid inside out. 2. Using a Clarisonic-type face scrubber.
3. Accidentally burning her neck with a curling iron.

REBECCA AND GIRLS

THE SEXY GETTIN READY SONG.

Just then a funky bass kicks in and a RAPPER appears.

RAPPER
HOP ON MY BLEEP WITH THAT TIGHT
LITTLE DRESS AND...

He looks around, sees the blood, the gore, the skin.

RAPPER (CONTD)
Oh God, this is what you do to get
ready, girl? This is horrifying.
Like a scary movie or somethin.
This is some nasty-ass patriarchal
BLEEP... You know what? I gotta go
apologize to some bitches. I am
forever changed by what I have just
seen.

The rapper exits.

INT. SEXY BATHROOM -- NIGHT

The girls dance, doing body rolls. Individual close-ups of

Rebecca singing into a curling iron, a dancer fanning herself
with wax strips and another using tweezers as castanets.

REBECCA AND GIRLS

ITS THE SEXY GETTIN READY SONG.
THE SEXY GETTIN READY SONG.
ITS THE SEXY GETTIN READY SONG.
BODY ROLLS ARE REALLY HARD.
(MORE)
 40.

REBECCA AND GIRLS (CONT'D)

THE SEXY GETTIN READY SONG. THE
SEXY GETTIN READY SONG.

EXT. TOWNHOUSE -- NIGHT

A beautiful night in the Cov. Greg leans against his Toyota

waiting for Rebecca. She walks out of her building. Whatever
she did fucking WORKED. Greg stares at her.

GREG
You look... amazing.

REBECCA
Oh, I totally just woke up from a
nap.

END OF ACT 3
 41.

ACT 4

INT. BEANS HOUSE -- NIGHT

Rebecca and Greg hold beers.

GREG
...so I had gotten accepted to
business school at Emory, but then
my dad got sick and my parents are
divorced so...

REBECCA
Oh, mine are divorced too. Like,
really divorced.

GREG
Huh. That makes us peas in a pod.
(raises his beer)
To broken people.

REBECCA
To broken people!

They laugh, clink. A nice moment, but she cant help it--

REBECCA (CONTD)
You know, its so weird. I havent
seen Josh yet--

GREG
Whats the deal with you and Josh,
because weve been talking about
him A LOT--

REBECCA
What? Come on. I told you, hes an
old friend. I just want to see him
and surprise him.

GREG
Are you sure, because if you were
into him, I would totally get it.
He is a good-looking guy... he
speaks Mandarin, he knows magic...

And suddenly she leans in, kisses him.

GREG (CONTD)
Okay, I will shut up about that.

They make out for a couple more seconds. She scans the room
while theyre kissing.
 42.

REBECCA
Hey, wanna go outside?

EXT. BEANS HOUSE -- BACKYARD -- NIGHT

They kiss as Rebeccas eyes search the yard. No Josh.

REBECCA (CONTD)
Actually, Im cold. Lets go
inside.

INT. BEANS HOUSE -- DEN -- NIGHT

Kissing and scanning. No Josh.

REBECCA
Im hungry. You hungry?

INT. BEANS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NIGHT

Kissing, scanning, kissing, scanning. No Josh. GODDAMMIT.

GREG
Is something wrong?

REBECCA
No.
(sexy)
Wanna find a bedroom?

GREG
No, not at all. Yes.

INT. BEANS HOUSE -- BEDROOM #3 -- NIGHT

She finds a bedroom.

GREG
This room work for you?

REBECCA
Yeah, its fine.

GREG
Is it okay that Josh isnt in here?

REBECCA
Yeah, its fine...

They sit down on the bed, Greg pulls his phone out of his
back pocket, glances at it.
 43.

GREG
Speak of the handsome devil
himself, Chan just texted. Not
gonna come tonight. His
girlfriends making him go to her
sisters quincieara.

She stares at him. The word GIRLFRIEND reverberates in her

ears. The bottom of the world falling out.

REBECCA
Oh, thats weird that Josh has a
girlfriend because his Facebook
says hes single.

GREG
Okay, Im getting the Josh vibe
from you again. Maybe we should
just go back to the party.

Rebecca reaches up and pulls him back, firmly. She laughs.

REBECCA
No. Thats crazy. Cmere, Crazy.

She kisses him. Pretty passionately.

REBECCA (CONTD)
If you must know, Josh is not my
type. But what types his
girlfriend? Im just curious.

GREG
Yeah, I should go...

He goes to get up again, but Rebecca unzips his pants.

REBECCA
Come on, now...
(babytalking)
Where you going?

She kisses him again. Then she reaches into his pants. He
reacts, turned on, though a little discomfited too. But
Rebecca just keeps the passion going. She starts rubbing up
against him. He is helpless. He responds.

REBECCA (CONTD)
Does this feel good?

GREG
Yes, of course...

Beat. Rebecca keeps diligently working on him.

 44.

REBECCA
While Im doing this, I like to
talk, I hope thats okay, just
keeps me in the moment...

GREG
Do what you gotta do...

REBECCA
So Beans house is really cool...
Beans house is awesome...

GREG
Yeah, it was his grandmas house...

REBECCA
(keeps going)
Cool, good to know. Does she still
live here or is she out for the
night?

GREG
She died last week...

REBECCA
Oh my God. Hows he feeling?
Hows he holding up?

GREG
Uh... what?

REBECCA
Just to circle back to Josh, howd
he meet his girlfriend...

Things intensify for Greg.

GREG
Um, they dated all through high
school. He moved... back... to be
with... her.

A death blow. Rebecca is DEVASTATED. Tearing up.

REBECCA
Oh? He moved back for her... good
to know.

To cover her tears, she dips down out of frame. Able to enjoy
for a millisecond, loses the inner argument with himself.
 45.

GREG
All right, I cant believe Im
doing this, because I really need
this, but while I dont know much,
I know its not a good idea to hook
up with a crying girl.

REBECCA
Im not crying. Im fine.

GREG
Nah, youre not. Whatever it is, I
dont think you should be here.
Come on.

They get up and walk out.

END OF ACT 4
 46.

ACT 5

EXT. BEANS HOUSE -- BACKYARD -- NIGHT

Rebecca walks out of the house with Greg, devastated.

Something distracts her. Paula, picking her way through the
PARTY GUESTS who are dancing, smoking weed, kissing, humping.
Paula is excited. She even dances a little. Then she spots
Rebecca and Greg, walks over.

REBECCA
What are you doing here?

PAULA
Just stopped by to chat with you.

GREG
Who are you?

REBECCA
Paula, Greg. Greg, Paula.

PAULA
Hi there... you half Italian?

GREG
Um... yeah?

PAULA
I can always tell.

REBECCA
All right, come with me.
(to Greg)
Im sorry. Ill iChat you or
something.

Rebecca pulls Paula with her.

GREG
No, Ill just wait here.

EXT. BEANS HOUSE -- FRONT LAWN -- NIGHT (N4)

Rebecca and Paula walk out onto the front lawn.

PAULA
Is this far enough from the house?

REBECCA
What are you doing here?
 47.

PAULA
You think you are so much better
than me. Harvard, Yale... Im just
as smart as you, Miss
SnootyShoes...

REBECCA
What are you TALKING about?

PAULA
Im talking about Josh. Chan?
Joooooosh Chaaaaaaan?

REBECCA
What? What do you know about Josh?

PAULA
Lets see, well, I know he lives in
town, which is weird because you
told me you didnt know anyone
here. And clearly you know him, you
checked his Facebook 63 TIMES
today. And his Instagram, 18 times.

REBECCA
Have you been going through my
computer?

PAULA
Yes. Yes, I have.

REBECCA
I could have you fired.

PAULA
You lied to me--

REBECCA
Lied to you? I didnt lie to you!
No one shoved a bible under my
hand.

PAULA
--and you lied because whoever this
Josh Chan is, youre OBSESSED with
him--

REBECCA
WHAT?

PAULA
Youre in love with him. Look at
you. Look at those love eyeballs.
 48.

REBECCA
Oh, love eyeballs, yeah.

PAULA
You love him. You moved here for
him. And you wont admit it! Why?

REBECCA
In love with him? Thats
ridiculous. I barely know him. I
dated him for a summer when I was
16. Okay, what are you saying?
Lets unpack it. Youre saying I
uprooted my entire life, left
behind a job that paid me 545
thousand dollars... for some random
boy I havent seen in ten years who
likes to skateboard and thinks
whatever is two separate words?
That makes no sense. Look, its
simple.

We see this hit Paula. Ten years?

REBECCA (CONTD)
What happened was, I was in New
York and I saw him and he made me
feel all warm, like glitter was
exploding inside me, and now Im
here. But I didnt move here FOR
him because that would be crazy.
And Im not crazy.
(dawning)
Am I... crazy?
(starting to panic)
Ohmygod OhmyGod. Is that what I am?

PAULA
Okay, stop. Stop it. Right now.

Rebecca looks at her. Terrified.

PAULA (CONTD)
Youre not crazy, you hear me?
Youre in love. Thats different.

REBECCA
I cant be in love with him. That
would mean Im stupid.

PAULA
Youre not stupid. Youre following
your heart. Thats not stupid. You
just shoulda told me, thats all--
 49.

REBECCA
No, no, I am, Im stupid and
emotional and irrational, Im every
rotten thing my mother says I am...

PAULA
STOP IT. STOP IT RIGHT NOW. Dont
you ever talk like that about my
friend again, you hear me?

This lands on Rebecca. Hard. Been a long time since anyone

said that to her.

REBECCA
Were... friends?

PAULA
Id be proud to be your friend. Now
that I know the truth? What you did
for love? The sacrifices? Youre
brave. Wish Id been that brave at
your age. Plus, you remembered my
kids names, I cant remember their
names half the time. Look, I get
it, its a secret. I wont tell a
soul. But Im here now. Youre not
alone anymore. We are going to win
this, you hear me? We wont let
what happened to Justin and Selena
happen to you, I promise.

REBECCA
You dont understand. It doesnt
matter anymore. Josh has a
girlfriend. Yeah, A GIRLFRIEND.
Also, I texted him 46 hours ago and
havent heard ANYTHING. So clearly
all he cares about is his
girlfriend. And not about me.

PAULA
Oh, bullshit. I dont believe that.
His Facebook status is SINGLE. If
he was into her, would it say that?

REBECCA
Thats what I said!

PAULA
So maybe he doesnt realize his
true feelings right now, but if we
play this right, one day he will.
(MORE)
 50.

PAULA (CONT'D)
One day its gonna hit him like a
ton of bricks and when that
happens, HE WILL TEXT.

At that exact moment, a miracle. A CHIME FROM REBECCAS

PHONE. A TEXT MESSAGE. Rebecca gasps.

REBECCA
Are you a witch?

AND NOW TIME SLOWS DOWN. Slowly, Rebecca picks up the phone.
Reads. Flips it around to show Paula.

PAULA
(reading aloud)
Wanna grab dinner? Smiley face.

REBECCA
IS THERE REALLY A SMILEY FACE???

PAULA
THERES A SMILEY FACE.

HOLY FUCKING SHIT. Rebecca and Paula are blown away. Rebecca
begins to sing. A reprise. The West Covina song.

REBECCA
SEE THE BLOOD RUSHING TO MY
CHEEKS/HEAR ME SHOUT WHEN I TRY TO
SPEAK...

Then, Paula opens her mouth to sing. A strong, powerful,

soulful voice, Broadway belter meets Aretha Franklin.

PAULA
ALL OUR CARES WILL DISAPPEAR...

REBECCA
(a key up)
WEST COVINA...

PAULA
WEST COVINA...

Rebeccas eyes widen as she smiles at Paula. The first moment

of friendship in Rebeccas entire life. They SOAR together.

REBECCA
CALIFORNIA...

PAULA
THATS WHERE WE ARE.
 51.

REBECCA PAULA (CONT'D)

I DONT KNOW WHAT HAPPENS BELLA AND EDWARD, CARRIE AND
NEXT. BIG,
BUT ALL ROADS POINT TO THIS HARRY AND SALLY, JULIA
MAGICAL TEXT. ROBERTS AND RICHARD
ITS TIME TO KICK IT INTO
HIGH

REBECCA AND PAULA

GEAR/GERE.

And from the crescendo, a quieter, sweet a capella harmony:

REBECCA AND PAULA (CONTD)

YES, ALSO, BY COINCIDENCE, SO
RANDOM, JUST BY CHANCE...

And while they sing, we flash to:

DARRYL, in his office, late at night, looking at a picture of

himself with his daughter. Rebeccas resume is on the desk
next to him. We see in his eyes: Rebecca is his last hope.

REBECCA AND PAULA (CONTD)

WHOD A THUNK IT, SO REMARKABLE AND
WEIRD, RIGHT? ITS SO CRAY...

GREG, in bed, in his apartment, in bed, trying to sleep. He

stares at the ceiling. What a weird night. A beat, then he
reaches into a drawer and grabs some lotion.

REBECCA AND PAULA (CONTD)

THAT THIS GUY JOSH...

JOSH, with his parents at a diner. Checking his phone to see

if Rebecca texted back. We see the ID PICTURE on his phone
for Rebecca -- a photo of her when she was 16, smiling
sweetly at the camera, back when things were simpler...

REBECCA AND PAULA (CONTD)

JUST HAPPENS TO BE...

A breathless moment of union. Suddenly Rebecca spots

something in the sky. She points. Paula looks. They look up
at the stars which now spell out: JOSH.

We reverse. Look down at Rebecca and Paula and then fly

further away until they are just tiny specks. Two tiny specks
in a beautiful land called West Covina.

PAULA (O.S.)
Wanna go drive by his house!?
 52.

REBECCA (O.S.)
You found out where he LIVES?

PAULA (O.S.)
Oh, this is gonna be so much fun.

BLACK OUT

FADE OUT. *