BEAUTY QUEEN

Written by
Annie Neal

Paradigm
Ida Ziniti & Christopher Smith
(310)288-8000

Benderspink
Jake Wagner & Daniel Vang
(323)904-1800
“No object is so beautiful that, under certain
conditions, it will not look ugly.”

- Oscar Wilde
FADE IN:

EXT. RUDYARD, MONTANA - NIGHTFALL - DEAD OF WINTER

Down a long country highway on the Montana Highline is a city

sign for RUDYARD, MONTANA. It’s mostly covered by an icy
snow drift but enough can be seen to make out the city’s
population.

275.

It’s January and Rudyard is cold. Barren. Hollow. Endless.

Thousands of acres of shivering cattle and frozen ground.

Off in the distance, the soft glow of a ranch house just

barely lights the landscape. It’s a small, humble house on a
never ending piece of land.

The kind of house you might drive by and think “Who lives
there?”.

INT. KITCHEN OF THAT RANCH HOUSE - SAME TIME

VIVIAN HUNTSMAN is 36. She’s pretty but you can see the
long, hard, quiet minutes of life creasing the corners of her
eyes, dulling the sheen of her skin.

She opens the oven and pulls out a pitch-perfect roast that
would make any chef proud.

But Vivian could give two shits less about it.

She jabs a carving knife and fork into the hunk of meat and
carries it out.

INT. DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Vivian lays the roast on the table.

Her three sons LUKE (18, senior football star), RYDER (14,
middle-school-most-popular), JACKSON (11 naughty country boy)
and Vivian’s only daughter SUMMER (13 going on thirty,
morbidly overweight and aware) are at the table waiting for
the vittles.

Vivian looks at the lone empty chair at the head of the

table.
 2.

INT. DEN - CONTINUOUS

Vivian’s husband LEONARD, late 30’s, wrangler-wearing-racist-

cowboy, scratches his crotch as he watches an Elk Hunting
Video on the VCR that’s held together by electrical tape.

VIVIAN
Supper.

Leonard doesn’t turn from the TV.

LEONARD
Better be beef. I’m growin’ tits
we been eatin’ so many god damn
vegetables lately.

ON THE VIDEO: The HUNTER SHOOTS AN ELK DEAD IN THE EYES.

LEONARD (CONT’D)
Man, I gotta get out there more. I
ain’t hit a fucker dead in the eyes
like that in ages.

INT. DINING ROOM - A WHILE LATER

The family eats dinner together in quiet unison. The sounds

of Kool-Aid being chugged and forks hitting plates the only
noise that fills the air.

LEONARD
(without looking up from
his food)
Got a bill today from the dentist.
What you gettin’ done that cost
two hundred dollars?

VIVIAN
A root canal. I got a good deal.
It normally would’ve been five
times that much, at least.

Leonard looks up from his plate for the first time.

LEONARD
Well, next time just have it
pulled. No more of this fancy
Hollywood dentist crap.

A moment of sorry life passes.

VIVIAN
It was a root canal.
 3.

Summer looks at her teeth in the reflection of her fork.

SUMMER
I wanna get braces to improve my
alignment.

VIVIAN
(smiles)
Summer, you have perfect teeth.

She does.

LUKE
She just wants braces cause Katie
and Destinee both got em.

SUMMER
Nuh uh, Luke! That’s not true!

LUKE
Yes it is. You’re always tryin’ to
be like them. You’re never gonna
be popular Summer. May as well
stop tryin’.

Ryder and Jackson laugh. Summer gets up from the table and
runs to her room.

Vivian is white hot.

VIVIAN
(to Luke)
Don’t you ever talk to your sister
like that again, do you hear me?

Vivian gets up and goes after Summer.

INT. SUMMER’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Vivian knocks lightly on the door and walks in.

VIVIAN
You ok?

Summer is on the bed, buried under the covers and crying

loudly.

SUMMER
Yes.

The octave of her wails increase with every breath. Vivian

sits on the edge of Summer’s bed and pulls the covers from
over her head.
 4.

SUMMER (CONT’D)
(tripping on her breath)
I...hate...all...humans...with...Y.
..chromosomes.

Vivian couldn’t agree more. She strokes Summer’s face to

calm her.

VIVIAN
Oh, sweetie. You love your brothers
and they love you. They’re just...
(cutting the B.S.)
Acting like stupid boys because
boys are stupid.

Summer smiles through her tears.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
You’re a a very special girl
Summer. You know why? Because you
are both kinds of beautiful. You’re
beautiful on the outside but more
important than that you’re
beautiful on the inside. That’s
the most important kind of
beautiful you can be.

Vivian kisses her on the forehead and heads toward the door.

SUMMER
Mom?

VIVIAN
Yeah?

SUMMER
You’re both kinds of beautiful too.

VIVIAN
Thanks baby.

INT. VIVIAN AND LEONARD’S BEDROOM - LATER

Vivian is in bed, her eyes glued to an OLD VHS VIDEO of DIANE

SAWYER being INTERVIEWED ON LARRY KING LIVE.

ON THE TV:

LARRY KING
What was it like to go back?
 5.

DIANE SAWYER
After months of searching for them,
trying to find them... and after
the fall of the Taliban, once
again, our cameras in position, and
the door opened...

Leonard comes in the bedroom, and without a word, ejects the

tape from the VCR to watch SPORTSCENTER.

VIVIAN
(stern, for Vivian)
I was watchin’ that.

LEONARD
You’ve seen it like a billion
times. It’s gettin’ weird. Like
you got some kinda weird lesbian
love on her or somethin’.

Vivian doesn’t respond. Her eyes fixed on the wall.

LEONARD (CONT’D)
You know what? If you’re gonna be
all pissy I’m goin’ out.

Leonard grabs a hat and his Carhart jacket and walks out.
Vivian lets a moment pass, hears the door slam and puts the
tape back in the VCR.

ON THE TV:

LARRY KING
Diane, what a feeling that must
have been?

DIANE SAWYER
It was, it was. Flying in, same
mountains, same terrain, same
beautiful people, and the
completely... well...
(takes a moment)
Hope changes everything, doesn't
it?

Vivian presses pause and stares at Diane, studies her. And

then rewinds.

DIANE SAWYER (CONT’D)

Hope changes everything, doesn’t
it?
 6.

EXT. SCHOOL BUS STOP - SUNRISE

Vivian drops the kids off at the remote end-of-the-road bus

stop. They pile out of the mini van bundled from head to toe.

VIVIAN
(shouts after them)
Be good!

INT. WALMART - MORNING

Vivian strolls the cereal aisle. She grabs a box of Post

Raisin bran but looks at the shelf and sees that the generic
store brand is fifty cents less.

She stares at the two boxes, torn.

She puts the Post back and throws the store brand in the
cart, like always.

INT. DINING ROOM - LATER

Vivian sits at the dining room table eating a huge bowl of

raisin bran. She stares at the box, wishing with every bite
it wasn’t generic.

INT. KITCHEN - A WHILE LATER

Vivian hides the box of raisin bran way up high on top of the
refrigerator behind a bunch of jars of disgusting looking
pickled vegetables.

Vivian doesn’t see her but DARLEEN a thirty something, robust

ranch wife with eighties hair, elastic waist pants and a
great big smile stands just below her with a plate of cookies
in hand.

DARLEEN
I made you Snickerdoodles!

Vivian loses her balance and just short of topples over.

VIVIAN
Jesus, Mary and Joseph! You scared
the living shit out of me, Darleen!

DARLEEN
Happens to me every morning when I
look in the mirror.
(then)
(MORE)
 7.

DARLEEN (CONT'D)
Came by to see if you wanted to
grab lunch in town? It’s buy one
get one at Pork Chop John’s! On me.
Man I love those chops.

VIVIAN
Thanks but I already did the two
hour round trip to Walmart and I
need to get something going for
supper soon.
(re: hidden box)
Plus I already ate two bowls of
raisin bran.

DARLEEN
I don’t know how you eat so much of
that stuff. Runs through me like a
(whispers)
Kenyan
(full voice)
in a marathon!

VIVIAN
You whisper Kenyan like it’s a bad
thing. I think Kenyan people like
being Kenyan.

DARLEEN
And as for supper, that’s why our
father in heaven created KFC.

VIVIAN
You know I could never.

DARLEEN
Life is too short for nevers. I
think today is as good a day as
any, don’t you think?

VIVIAN
Next time, Dar.

Vivian raises her pinky, ala pinky swear.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
Promise.

EXT. SCHOOL BUS STOP - ALMOST DUSK

The kids pile into Vivian’s mini-van from the blustery, bleak
bus stop.
 8.

INT. KITCHEN - A WHILE LATER

Vivian pulls out a white paper package that had been

defrosting in the fridge. “ELK” written on it in thick, black
marker.

She flops it on the counter, opens it and stares at the

bloody, gamey meat.

INT. LUKE, RYDER AND JACKSON’S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

The boys lay around playing video games. Homework’s not much
of a focus around here.

VIVIAN
Boys, I’ll be right back.

Summer walks in behind her.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
You and Luke hold the fort down for
a little bit, ok?

SUMMER
Ok. Where are you going?

VIVIAN
Just gonna run a quick errand.

EXT. GAS STATION/KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN COMBO STOP - MINUTES

LATER

Vivian pulls the mini van into the Gas Station KFC, the only
fast food restaurant within thirty miles.

A BANNER that reads “BUCKET OF CHICKEN AND ALL THE FIXIN’S

FAMILY MEAL $12.99!” flaps in the blustery, sub zero wind.

FADE TO:

FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER....

Vivian is still in the car. Mulling it over.

Desperate to take the dive and go in but swirling with

uncertainty and fear.

A sudden wave of confidence rushes over her.

And she rides it.

 9.

VIVIAN
(feigned mantra)
Life is too short for nevers.

She gets out of the car and heads into the KFC.

INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Vivian brings the BUCKET OF CHICKEN AND CONTAINERS OF SIDES

out to the dining room. The kids swoon for the chicken and
mashed potatoes.

Leonard looks at Vivian, raging, speechless.

LUKE
I wish we were rich and could eat
like this every night for the rest
of our lives.

RYDER
Me too.

LEONARD
Well we’re not rich.
(pushes his empty plate
away)
I ain’t eating this shit.

Leonard gets up and grabs his Carhart jacket and hat.

VIVIAN
But Leonard, it’s...

LEONARD
(cuts her off)
Vivian, I don’t want to hear it. I
do my job. You do yours. End of
discussion.
(then)
I’ll be late. Don’t lock the door
in case I lose my keys again.

VIVIAN
(under her breath)
My birthday.

INT. VIVIAN AND LEONARD’S BEDROOM - LATER

Vivian folds a seemingly endless basket of laundry. She

grabs a stack of the folded clothes and puts them in the
closet.
 10.

She sees an old TONY LAMA BOOT BOX and pulls it down.

Vivian sits on the bed and opens the box, carefully. She
pulls out AN ACCEPTANCE LETTER to the University of Montana’s
School of Journalism, A PHOTO of her giving the valedictorian
address in high school, a SCHOLARSHIP OFFER...

VIVIAN
(sighs, to herself)
The box of what coulda’ been.

EXT. FRONT YARD - 3 AM

Leonard pulls his truck into the driveway, clipping the

mailbox on his way in. He parks and spills out.

His KEYS FALL FROM HIS HAND into the snow.

Leonard gets to the front door and searches all of his

pockets.

LEONARD
(baffled, wasted)
It’s like they disappear into the
god damn thin air.

EXT. BACKYARD - MINUTES LATER

Leonard GRABS A SAW from beside a pile of logs in the yard.

EXT. BACK DOOR - CONTINUOUS

Leonard SAWS A HOLE AROUND THE DOORHANDLE until the handle

pops off. He reaches his hand in the newly formed door-hole
and unlocks the door.

LEONARD
(so proud)
There. Now I don’t even need a
stupid ass key!

INT. VIVIAN AND LEONARD’S BEDROOM - LATER

Vivian is sound asleep with the contents of her “what coulda

been box” scattered around her, like a life collage.

Leonard, piss drunk and horny-as-a-mutha-fucka barrels in and

wakes her.
 11.

VIVIAN
(startled)
Leonard! You scared me.

Vivian lays back down and curls into the covers. Leonard
undresses. He’s stumbling and fowl.

LEONARD
I thought I said not to lock the
door.
(then)
Get naked.

VIVIAN
It’s three in the morning. You’ll
be passed out before you could get
it up anyway.

LEONARD
(buck naked machismo)
Hey, don’t say that. I can get it
up like a light switch, baby doll.

VIVIAN
Fine then.

CUT TO:

TEN MINUTES LATER...

Offensively naked and gyrating in an oddly fast humping

motion, Leonard is still trying to get it up. With each
gyration, his knees crushing the letters and photos from
Vivian’s “what coulda been” box.

LEONARD
(to Vivian)
C’mon! Help me out! It’s like you
did some kinda voodoo on it.
(to his penis)
Do your thing fucker!

Vivian lays underneath him and stares at the ceiling with a

look in her eyes that says only one thing...

“Is this really my life?”

EXT. HOUSE - BACK DOOR - MORNING

There’s a blizzard outside. It’s horrible and status quo.

 12.

Vivian dutifully covers the HOLE LEONARD SAWED with

electrical tape.

INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER

Vivian eats a bowl of her generic Raisin Bran as she admires

an old black and white PHOTO OF DIANE SAWYER on the computer.

Diane is wearing a sash and tiara.

THE CAPTION UNDER THE PHOTO READS:

“Diane got her first big break after winning the Junior Miss
pageant”

VIVIAN
(jokes to herself)
Well, maybe that’s what I should
do.

Vivian, just for fun, GOOGLES: “beauty pageants for married

women”. She gasps when MRS. MARRIED AMERICA PAGEANT pops up,
right up at the top.

She clicks on the “BE A CONTESTANT” tab and scrolls down the
page. She reads the CONTESTANT CRITERIA section.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
(reads aloud to herself)
Must be a natural born citizen of
the USA and currently married.
Previous titles should be noted and
will be considered and weighed
heavily during our selection
process. Please fill out the form
below and we will mail you an
application.
(thinks)
I’ve got two of the three.

INT. DARLEEN’S KITCHEN - LATER

An excited buzz in her grin, Vivian sits at Darleen’s Kitchen

table while Darleen PULLS THE INNARDS OUT OF A GOOSE she’s
about to cook.

DARLEEN
What’s the smile all about?
(pulls the neck out of the
goose)
Ah, there it is.
(MORE)
 13.

DARLEEN (CONT'D)
(then)
Did you kill Leonard?

VIVIAN
(bursting with pride)
I’m gonna be in a beauty pageant!
Well, I think I am. I want to be.
To try to be.
(whispers like it’s top
secret)
Mrs. Married America!

Darleen cracks up.

DARLEEN
Mrs. Married America?

Darleen laughs even harder.

VIVIAN
I’m serious!

DARLEEN
I’m sorry, it’s just...
(through her laughter)
I have this image of a bunch of
women bustin’ outta their old prom
dresses, covered in meat grease and
baby puke.

VIVIAN
(caught in her dream)
It’s my ticket Darleen. This is
what I need to do.
(sighs)
But they have to choose me first.
Do you think a lot of women from
Montana will apply?

Darleen puts her goose innard covered hand on the hip of her
oversized ankle gathered sweatpants.

DARLEEN
Well, I can’t see why they wouldn’t
but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t
try.

VIVIAN
They’re sending me a packet in the
mail. I gotta fill it out and put a
bunch of pictures in it and send it
in and then they’ll decide.
 14.

DARLEEN
That’s it? That’s all you gotta
do?

VIVIAN
Well, there’s one other thing.

DARLEEN
What’s the one other thing?

INT. LIVING ROOM - TWO WEEKS LATER

Leonard and the kids are lethargically laid out in front of

the TV watching AMERICAN IDOL. Vivian walks in from the
bedroom, dressed in jeans and a coat, carrying a large purse.

She’s wearing make up, not much, but some.

Leonard sees her. She looks pretty and he knows it.

LEONARD
You don’t usually wear make up.

VIVIAN
Thanks for noticing.

LEONARD
Hey kids, don’t Mom look kinda like
a clown with all that make up on?

The boys laugh.

SUMMER
I think you look pretty Mom.

VIVIAN
Thanks baby.
(to Leonard)
I’ll be back in a few hours. These
PTA meetings can run real long.

Leonard belches loudly.

LEONARD
Can you grab me one of them
leftover deer sausages out of the
fridge before you go?

INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Vivian gags pulling the grey, homemade, barely cooked sausage

out of the Ziplock bag in the fridge.
 15.

INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Vivian hands Leonard the sausage on a plate. He takes a huge

bite of the cold greasy link.

LEONARD
(mouth full, re: American
Idol)
The only reason that black girl’s
still around is cause they gotta
keep her on there cause of that
damn affirmative action. She can’t
sing worth a shit.
(to the kids)
That’s what we get for having a
black president.

Vivian takes a deep breath, composing herself as to not say

the million things she’d like to.

VIVIAN
Ok, well, I’ll be back later.

SUMMER
(only one to look up)
Bye Mom.

EXT. BLUE SKY COUNTY K-12 SCHOOL - LATER

Vivian and Darleen stand before a LARGE SIGN THAT READS: “4H
INDOOR COUNTY CARNIVAL”.

VIVIAN
(nervous)
Well, here goes nothin’.

DARLEEN
I still don’t get it.

VIVIAN
It said on the Mrs. Married America
website that previous titles are
weighed heavily when they’re
reviewing applications to be a
contestant.

Darleen looks at Vivian, sincerely confused.

DARLEEN
And you think this counts.

VIVIAN
It’s all I got.
 16.

INT. BLUE SKY COUNTY K-12 SCHOOL - 4H INDOOR COUNTY CARNIVAL -

CONTINUOUS

Vivian and Darleen walk into the school.

DARLEEN
Viv?

VIVIAN
Yeah.

DARLEEN
I think this is a little girls
pageant.

REVEAL: Little girls and toddlers in jaw dropping amounts of

make up and ridiculous, cheap sparkly dresses meander through
the halls with their parents.

VIVIAN
Don’t be silly. It’s for everyone.
There are three age groups. This
is probably just the little ones
getting ready to go on first.

DARLEEN
Oh.
(beat)
What age group are you in?

INT. 4H INDOOR CARNIVAL - SCHOOL AUDITORIUM STAGE - LATER

BRYTNEE ANDREWS, 12, twirls on the stage in a way-too-short-

for-her-own-good mini dress.

The PAGEANT ANNOUNCER (who likely also ran the cattle auction
earlier), is in her 50’s, has a bad frizzy hair-do and is
sporting waist high, pocket-less dungarees.

ANNOUNCER
Brytnee is twelve years old and a
sixth grader. Her three favorite
things in the world are Justin
Bieber, Spaghetti O’s and Jesus.
When she grows up she wants to be a
Mommy, a wife and a part time hair
stylist. Brytnee Andrews everyone!

BRYTNEE’S MOM, late 20’s and a meth-addict with few remaining

teeth shouts from the meager crowd.
 17.

BRYTNEE’S MOM
WORK IT BABY GIRL! YOU GO BRYTNEE!
SHOW THE JUDGES WHAT YOUR MOMMA
GAVE YOU!

The PANEL OF JUDGES, comprised of CREEPY OLD RANCHERS take

notes.

INT. BACKSTAGE - SAME TIME

Vivian, a ball of nerves, paces back and forth in her 1994,

purple, puffy sleeve prom dress.

ON THE STAGE:

ANNOUNCER
Our next and last contestant in the
twelve and up category is Vivian
Huntsman!

Vivian walks out onto the stage. She’s clearly embarrassed

but steadfast in her determination to win.

Awkward really doesn’t even cover it.

ANNOUNCER (CONT’D)
Vivian is thirty six years old.
Her three favorite things are her
kids, Raisin Bran and the internet.
When she grows up...
(awkward pause, silence)
She wants to be just like Diane
Sawyer.

Brytnee’s Mom thrusts her fist in the air (like any meth
addict mother would).

BRYTNEE’S MOM
THIS AIN’T RIGHT! THAT FUGLY OLD
BITCH IS OLDER THAN ME!

DARLEEN
(yells)
GO VIVIAN!

BRYTNEE’S MOM
(to Darleen)
I’LL PUNCH YOU IN THE FACE BITCH!
I’LL PUNCH YOU IN THE FUCKING FACE!

The equally METH ADDICTED MAN with Brytnee’s Mom holds her
back from climbing the chairs to get to Darleen.
 18.

Darleen looks around, surveying the scene.

DARLEEN
(to herself)
Don’t do it Darleen.

Darleen stands up, with gusto.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
(still to herself)
And I’m doing it.
(to Brytnee’s Mom)
I’LL PUNCH YOU IN THE FUCKING FACE
BITCH!

Fearful, Brytnees’s Mom sits down, silent.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
(to herself)
Well that worked better than I
thought it would.

ON THE STAGE:

ANNOUNCER
Thank you Vivian. Next up swimwear
and crowning! But first we’ll have
a look at some prize winners from
earlier today!

A GIRL comes out with a BABY GOAT, which POOPS on the stage
and a BOY comes out with a BABY PIG.

MINUTES LATER:

Vivian, in a too-matronly-for-her-age ONE PIECE bathing suit

and Brytnee in a SUPER SLUTTY SEQUINED STRING BIKINI, stand
on stage.

ANNOUNCER (CONT’D)
Before we announce the big winner,
we’ll announce the Miss Fuzzy Bunny
award for the contestant with the
fuzziest, nicest personality. And
that goes to... VIVIAN HUNTSMAN!

A BOY IN A WHEELCHAIR rolls out, very slowly, to present

Vivian with her prize of A BABY BUNNY IN A CARDBOARD CAGE and
A HEADBAND WITH SPARKLY BUNNY EARS.

Vivian accepts the bunny graciously and puts the bunny ears
on her head.
 19.

IN THE AUDIENCE:

Darleen tries desperately to quell her laughter as she takes

a photo of Vivian.

BACK TO:

ANNOUNCER
Ok, everybody! I know we’re
gettin’ anxious to get on over to
the pig roast next door, does that
barbecue smell good or what! So
with no further ado, the winner,
of this year’s 4H Indoor Carnival
Pageant is...
(takes a moment to
process)
BRYTNEE ANDREWS!

Crestfallen, Vivian smiles graciously.

Brytnee takes center stage. The ANNOUNCER places a small,

plastic TIARA on her head and hands her a bouquet of grocery
store daisies with the NEON $3.99 price tag clearly visible.

INT. THE LUMBERYARD BAR - LATER

Vivian and Darleen are bellied up to the old, hole-in-the-

country-wall bar.

VIVIAN
I can’t believe I lost to a twelve
year old girl.

Darleen places her hand on Vivian’s back, lovingly.

DARLEEN
Viv. You didn’t lose. You won Miss
Fuzzy Bunny! That is extremely
prestigious.

They both crack up.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
(through her laughter)
I think I actually risked my life
tonight cheering for you. You know
my Momma always told me not to
fight with people with less teeth
than I do fingers and looking at
that woman, I know why she said
that.
 20.

VIVIAN
Well, I gave it my darn best.

DARLEEN
I’d cheers to that but we don’t
have drinks! I hear the new
bartender here is cute. He’s an
adopted son of that big Mormon
family that has that ranch down by
the creek.
(whispers)
He’s Mexican.

VIVIAN
Darleen, you gotta stop that! It’s
not like it’s a secret he’s
Mexican.

The BARTENDER, indeed both cute and Mexican, comes up to the

ladies.

BARTENDER
What can I get you ladies tonight?

DARLEEN
Peach schnapps, neat.

Vivian hesitates.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
You are the current reigning Miss
Fuzzy Bunny of the 4H! This is
something to celebrate.

Darleen plops Vivian’s sparkly bunny ears on her head.

VIVIAN
Fine. Make it two.

DARLEEN
Now, that’s what I’m talking about.

VIVIAN
(laughs to herself)
What am I even thinking. Mrs.
Married America?
(sighs)
Right? I mean, you don’t think I
should do it, do you? Go for it?
Just tell me I’m being crazy.
Clearly I need to hear it.

DARLEEN
Honestly?
 21.

Vivian isn’t sure she wants to hear the answer.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
I think you can do anything you
want to do.
(then)
Only problem with you is, you gotta
believe it first.

VIVIAN
It says if I get in I have to have
a talent.
(thinking)
I don’t have any talents. I mean I
took piano lessons when I was nine.
But that’s it.

DARLEEN
Just tape record Leonard for an
hour and then tell everyone you
live with him everyday.
(then)
Now, THAT is a talent.

VIVIAN
(half-laughs)
You know he wasn’t always such...

DARLEEN
An asswipe?

VIVIAN
Yeah, that. I mean was he ever a
prince charming? No. But back in
high school, he had such a big
heart. He handled me getting
pregnant with Luke like a real man.
But then...
(beat)
It’s like each day he just got a
tiny bit more angry at the world
and now, that’s all he is. Angry.
At me, the kids, the car. The back
door.

The bartender slings their schnapps and slides them down the
bar.

DARLEEN
Tonight isn’t about him.

Darleen “clinks” Vivian’s glass.

 22.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
It’s about you. Bottoms up!

EXT. LUMBERYARD BAR PARKING LOT - MANY DRINKS LATER

Darleen and Vivian make their way out of the bar. Darleen is
shit canned and Vivian is well on her way.

Just as they walk out, DR. RYAN TAYLOR, late thirties,

handsome local dentist, is on his way in.

VIVIAN
Ryan!

RYAN
Vivian?

Ryan is as shocked as he is happy to see her.

RYAN (CONT’D)
Wow, wasn’t expecting to run into
you here.

VIVIAN
Yeah, I don’t get out much.

RYAN
How’s the tooth we did the root
canal on feeling?

VIVIAN
It’s perfect. All the pain is
gone.
(smiles)
Thanks again for giving me such a
great deal.

RYAN
Anytime.
(re: bunny ears)
Celebrating Halloween a little late
this year?

Embarrassed, Vivian quickly takes them off.

VIVIAN
Forgot I had them on. I was just in
a beauty pageant. Just a small one
next county over. But I’m tryin’
to be in a bigger one. I won a pet
rabbit but I gave it away.
(beat)
Kinda stupid, right?
 23.

RYAN
Well, I’m not surprised you won.

VIVIAN
I didn’t exactly win but thank you.
(nervous)
Well, we should go.
(looks around)
Right Darleen?
(shouts out, looks around
more)
Darleen?
(horrified)
DARLEEN!

REVEAL: Darleen squatted down peeing behind a dumpster, not

nearly as inconspicuous as she thinks.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
What are you doing!

DARLEEN
No more toilet paper inside!

VIVIAN
Well, there’s none out here either!

DARLEEN
Now that is a good point!

Darleen cracks up and FALLS OVER.

RYAN
Maybe I should give you guys a ride
home.

VIVIAN
We’re fine.

DARLEEN
(shouts over)
I ALMOST FELL IN MY OWN PEE! BUT I
DIDN’T. DON’T WORRY! I DIDN’T!

INT. RYAN’S TRUCK - MINUTES LATER

Ryan is at the wheel, all three of them squished in the front

cab of his truck. Their big winter coats taking up nearly
every available inch.

VIVIAN
It’s freezing out there!
 24.

DARLEEN
I need to go on vacation where it’s
hot as Hades.

RYAN
If you dig a hole deep enough you
can go to Kerguelen Island.

Vivian and Darleen look at him, confused.

RYAN (CONT’D)
You guys don’t know we live on an
antipode?

DARLEEN
Sounds like somethin’ a doctor
would stick up your ass.

VIVIAN
Dar!

RYAN
We here in little ole’ Rudyard
Montana have the distinction of
being the only people in the entire
United Stated that have the
pleasure of living on an antipode,
where there is something directly
below us that isn’t water.
Kerguelen Island. It’s somewhere in
the Indian Ocean.

VIVIAN
I think I heard about that in
school and forgot about it. Like
everything else.

DARLEEN
Well, we should go there. Hank and
I’ve been saving forever for some
kind of vacation. Be the perfect
excuse to break out my thong
bikini.

Vivian and Ryan laugh.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
(dead serious)
I look better in a thong than you’d
think.

They pull in front of Darleen’s house and she hops out.

 25.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
All I know is, I hope Hank’s up.

She rolls her hips feeling groovy and sexy.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
Cause I feel like some action!
(sings, ala Marvin Gaye)
Let’s get it on.

VIVIAN
You are somethin’ else.

MINUTES LATER:

Ryan and Vivian are alone in his truck. It’s quiet and
awkward and you could cut the sexual tension with a knife.

RYAN
She’s a piece of work that Darleen.
Hasn’t changed a bit since high
school.

VIVIAN
Don’t know what I’d do without her.

Vivian looks at Ryan and smiles.

RYAN
You’ve changed a little. You used
to be vivacious Vivi! Always
looking for life’s next great
adventure!

Vivian smiles and puts her sparkly bunny ears on her head.
They both break into a much needed but quiet laughter.

Feeling too silly, she peels them back off.

VIVIAN
Life sure has a way of making you
change even when you don’t want to.

A heavy moment passes.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
I’m sorry about Laura. I couldn’t
bring myself to come to the
funeral.
 26.

RYAN
It was a horrible time in my life.
I’m not over it, don’t get me
wrong. But it’s been a few years
and I feel ok about it now. It was
too soon for sure but it wasn’t
then versus never, you know?

VIVIAN
Yeah.

EXT. FRONT OF VIVIAN’S HOUSE - MINUTES LATER

Vivian and Ryan sit for a moment in the parked car.

VIVIAN
Well, I should get in. I haven’t
been out this late in I don’t know
how long. House is probably a
disaster.

RYAN
Good night, Vivi.

VIVIAN
Good night, Ryan.

Without a kiss, a hug or even a shake goodbye, Vivian hops

out of his truck and waves goodbye.

EXT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Vivian turns the key, quietly and tip toes into the house.

INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Desperate not to wake anyone, Vivian sneaks in. Leonard is

awake in the living room, beer in hand, several empties
littered on the floor around him.

LEONARD
Well, there she is. How was the
PTA meeting?

VIVIAN
Leonard! What are you doing up?

LEONARD
Waitin’ for the celebrity
appearance.
 27.

VIVIAN
What are you talking about?

Leonard gets up and steps face to face with Vivian. He grabs

her ass and talks into the deep of her ear.

LEONARD
It’s a small town Vivian. You lied
to me.

Vivian doesn’t say a word.

LEONARD (CONT’D)
What the hell are you doin’ in a
beauty pageant anyway?

VIVIAN
No reason. Just for fun.

LEONARD
Heard you almost won.
(laughs in her face)
Don’t get me wrong. You were hot
when you were young. Remember
fuckin’ in the back of my truck?
You were all pretty and tight down
there.
(Mr. Macho)
I got you pregnant the first time.
(stumbles onto her)
Takes a man to make a man.

He sticks his hand up her shirt.

VIVIAN
You’re drunk Leonard. Stop it.

Leonard grabs her crotch and kisses her neck.

LEONARD
I ain’t fucked a beauty queen
before. Now I got one in my own
house.

Vivian sees ALL OF THE KIDS STANDING IN THE HALLWAY and

pushes Leonard away.

INT. DINING ROOM TABLE - A WEEK LATER

Vivian folds a WRITTEN ESSAY and slides a PHOTO OF HERSELF

FROM THE 4H CARNIVAL PAGEANT into her finished application
packet and seals it.
 28.

INT. POST OFFICE - AFTERNOON

Vivian cradles the application package in her hands.

VIVIAN
(to herself)
Dear Jesus. If you ever wanna do
me right? This is the way.

She opens the lever door on the mailbox and tosses it in.

FADE THROUGH A SERIES OF DAYS:

-- Filled with anxious hope, Vivian CHECKS THE MAILBOX AT THE

END OF THE DRIVEWAY. She pulls out a stack of junk mail and
bills.

-- Still brimming with hope, Vivian checks the mailbox. It’s

empty. She looks at the paper still laying in the driveway
and realizes it’s Sunday.

-- Vivian waits at the mailbox for the POSTMAN. He hands her

a meager stack of more junk mail and bills.

INT. HOUSE - EARLY MORNING

Vivian is in her pajamas, eating Raisin Bran.

Another day.

Same reality.

There’s a knock at the front door, she sprints to get it.

I/E. FRONT DOOR -CONTINUOUS

Vivian opens the door to a FED EX DELIVERY MAN standing on

her steps with a large envelope in hand.

FED EX DELIVERY MAN

Vivian Huntsman?

VIVIAN
That’s me!

He hands her the envelope. It’s from the MRS. MARRIED

AMERICA PAGEANT.

FED EX DELIVERY MAN

Have a good day, mam.
 29.

VIVIAN
You too.

BACK INSIDE.

Vivian sits down on the couch and takes a deep breath. She
opens the envelope.

Cautious. Doubtful. Desperate.

Reactionless, she reads the letter inside and then folds it

back up and places it in the envelope.

EXT. DARLEEN’S HOUSE - MINUTES LATER

Darleen opens her front door to find Vivian, STILL IN HER

PAJAMAS.

VIVIAN
I’M GOING!

DARLEEN
(re: her pajamas)
Where? To Crazytown in your
Crazymobile?

Vivian pulls the letter from Mrs. Married America from her
pocket.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
NO!

VIVIAN
Yes mam!
(huge smile)
Wanna come? It’s in VEGAS!

DARLEEN
Well of course I do.
(without hesitation)
But what did Leonard say?

VIVIAN
Nothing!

Darleen looks at her suspiciously.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
Because I didn’t tell him yet. I
will. I’m just too damn happy to
think about that right now!
 30.

Darleen gives Vivian a huge hug. The two of them jump up and
down and cheer in ecstatic union.

Darleen stops and looks Vivian dead in the eyes.

DARLEEN
I’m really proud of you, Viv.

VIVIAN
Thanks.
(smiles)
I think I’m proud of me too.

INT. KITCHEN - DINNER TIME

Vivian, a bit more dolled up than normal and looking very

nervous, piles the last of SEVERAL TYPES OF ROASTED GAME MEAT
onto a huge platter and carries it out to the family.

AT THE TABLE:

The kids dig into the food and Leonard looks quite pleased.

LEONARD
Now, this is a supper!

Leonard piles his plate with meat and potatoes.

VIVIAN
So, I got a letter from the Mrs.
Married America pageant today!

LEONARD
The Mrs. What?

VIVIAN
Mrs. Married America. A beauty
pageant for married ladies.

LUKE
Like people’s Mom’s n’stuff? Who
would watch that?

LEONARD
Nobody is who.

VIVIAN
Anyway, they want me to be in it!

Leonard looks up from his plate and stares at Vivian.

 31.

LEONARD
Why the hell they want you in it?
How’d they even know who you were?

VIVIAN
Well, I sent in an application.

Silence blankets the room.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
And they chose me! Can you believe
it? All I have to do is get a few
things together, dresses and stuff
and get myself to Vegas but I
figure I can get that all worked
out somehow.

Vivian’s nerves set in. She instantly starts to backpedal.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
You know, on second thought. It’s
just too crazy an idea. Forget I
even brought it up. I don’t even
know what I was thinking.

More silence fills the air.

LEONARD
Better not cost us a dime. Not a
red penny.
(then)
And make sure your Aunt Jeannie
comes and keeps after the kids so I
can get some huntin’ in.

Vivian bites her lip desperate to contain the bursting

excitement she’s feeling.

INT. DINING ROOM - DAY

Vivian reads through the letter from the pageant outlining

everything she’ll need.

VIVIAN
(reads)
Most contestants get local sponsors
to cover fees and expenses.
(thinks)
Local sponsors?

She looks up and sees Summer standing beside her.

 32.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
This is gonna be a lot harder than
I thought.

Summer rests her hand on Vivian’s shoulder.

SUMMER
Life’s a lot harder than I thought.

EXT. DOWNTOWN RUDYARD - DAY

It’s a postage stamp of a western town, with a clearly

depressed economy.

INT. RUDYARD HARDWARE - SAME TIME

Vivian, wearing a suit and carrying various pageant

materials, smiles brightly. She’s just finished her pitch to
the SHOP OWNER (60’S, cheerful ole’ chap).

HARDWARE SHOP OWNER

Well, I’d love to help!

He opens the register, grabs five dollars and hands it to

Vivian.

VIVIAN
(as polite as possible)
Thank you!

HARDWARE SHOP OWNER

And my MeeMaw can help you learn a
song on the piano, she’s taught in
Rudyard for over seventy years!

Vivian looks behind the counter and sees MEEMAW, A

BREATHTAKINGLY OLD WOMAN in a chair, half asleep.

VIVIAN
Yep! She taught me when I was
nine.

INT. RUDYARD LADIES WEAR SHOP - MINUTES LATER

Vivian walks in the local ladies wear shop. It’s a tiny,

dusty time warp.
 33.

VIVIAN
Hi Betty! I wanted to see if you
might be interested in sponsoring
me for my pageant?

SWING TO:

BETTY (70’S, smoking a cigarette, blueish bouffant hair).

BETTY
Of course sweetie!

Excited, Vivian takes out her clipboard ready for her pitch.

BETTY (CONT’D)
(before Vivian says
another word)
Take your pick!

Vivian smiles as best she can as she looks over to the measly
rack of horrendously dated dresses.

INT. RUDYARD PET AND FEED - MINUTES LATER

Vivian looks at the PET AND FEED SHOP OWNER (50’s, rancher
mustache) quizzically.

VIVIAN
Thanks for your support! I didn’t
know you were a photographer!

PET AND FEED SHOP OWNER

Sure am! I’ll get you some real
great shots for your pageant. Got
a studio right out back in the
shed!

EXT. DOWNTOWN RUDYARD - MINUTES LATER

Vivian looks up and down Main Street, crestfallen.

INT. RUDYARD FAMILY DENTISTRY - SAME TIME

Ryan looks out of the window of his office and sees Vivian.

EXT. DOWNTOWN RUDYARD - MINUTES LATER

Vivian heads for her mini-van.

 34.

RYAN
Vivian!

She turns around, surprised.

VIVIAN
Ryan!
(calms herself)
Hi.

RYAN
Just wanted to see how your tooth
was feeling.
(nervous)
Again.

VIVIAN
Great! Really great. Even better
than before it hurt!

Vivian laughs, embarrassed at her obviously nonsensical

comment. Ryan looks at her clipboard full of pageant info.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
(embarrassed)
Oh. Just that silly pageant I was
thinking about doing.

RYAN
Doesn’t sound one bit silly to me.

Their eyes connect for a moment but Vivian quickly changes

gears, nervous.

VIVIAN
Well, I should go. Need to get the
kids from the bus stop.

RYAN
(re: pageant stuff)
Good luck with all of that. I
think it’s really great you’re
pursuing your dreams. The older we
get, the harder than can be to do.

VIVIAN
(all smiles)
Thanks.

INT. BATHROOM - MORNING

Vivian is on her hands and knees scrubbing the family toilet.

There’s a KNOCK AT THE FRONT DOOR.
 35.

I/E. FRONT DOOR - SECONDS LATER

OLLY the local POSTMAN (60’s, ruddy cheeks) hands Vivian a

letter that she has to sign for.

OLLY THE POSTMAN

Must be important. Sent certified!

VIVIAN
Thanks Olly!

INSIDE:

Vivian RIPS OPEN the Envelope. Inside is a check for FIVE

HUNDRED DOLLARS and a congratulatory letter from the CITY OF
RUDYARD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE for her pageant participation.

At the bottom of the letter is a list of local businesses in

the chamber. RUDYARD FAMILY DENTISTRY IS RIGHT DAB SMACK AT
THE TOP.

VIVIAN
(to herself)
Ryan Taylor, what did you do?

MOMENTS LATER:

Vivian, on the phone, paces back and forth as the other end
rings and rings. Her heart nearly stops when the other line
picks up.

WOMAN’S VOICE (V.O.)

Patty Lane, Mrs. Married America
Nineteen Ninety Nine, how may I
help you?

Vivian fans her face to calm her nerves.

VIVIAN
Hi, my name is Vivian Huntsman from
Montana. I’m calling to let you
know I’ve officially raised all of
me fees and I’m coming to Vegas!

PATTY LANE
Well, that is wonderful news!
Welcome to the Mrs. Married America
family!

VIVIAN
Thank you very much. I am so
honored to have been chosen.
 36.

PATTY LANE
Well Vivian, we’ll look forward to
meeting you and your hubby in Las
Vegas! What did you say his name
was?

VIVIAN
I’m sorry, did you say my husband?

PATTY LANE
Why yes of course! This is Mrs.
Married America. What good’s a
wife without her husband there?

Vivian is shell shocked and crestfallen.

VIVIAN
Right! Of course. What was I
thinking. His name is Leonard. The
both of us will be there.
(total b.s.)
We can’t wait!

PATTY LANE
See you at the pageant!

INT. DEN - AFTERNOON

Vivian does her best to hold it together as she walks away

from Leonard. He’s clearly just broken her heart and told
her he’s not going to come.

EXT. DARLEEN’S HOUSE - LATER

Vivian, in tears, knocks on Darleen’s door. Darleen opens

the door and gives her a motherly, loving hug.

INT. RUDYARD FAMILY DENTISTRY - A WHILE LATER

Vivian tries to hand the check back to Ryan.

RYAN
Keep it. Even if you don’t cash
it. Just keep it.

Vivian smiles meekly, sad but appreciative of his gesture.

 37.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

Vivian, swollen eyes and a sunken heart puts THE LETTERS FROM
THE PAGEANT AND THE CHECK FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INTO
HER “WHAT COULDA BEEN BOX”. She puts the box on the shelf
and closes the closet door.

EXT. CATTLE RANCH - DAY

Darleen pulls up beside a large cattle ranch in her 1997 F-

150.

OUT IN THE FIELD:

Leonard, tossing bails of hay onto the field from an old pick
up truck, is startled to see Darleen.

DARLEEN
Hey Leonard!

LEONARD
Darleen. What are you doing here?

Darleen hands Leonard an envelope.

LEONARD (CONT’D)
What’s this?

DARLEEN
It’s a plane ticket. To Vegas.

Leonard looks at the ticket and tries to hand it back.

LEONARD
I ain’t goin to no beauty pageant.
But thanks.

With a robust and cocky smile, Darleen refuses to take it

back.

DARLEEN
Oh you’re going. You know how I
know you’re going?

Leonard looks at her, taken aback and curious.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
I know you’re going because if you
don’t? I’ll spend all the money I
got puttin’ up a big ole billboard
that says Leonard Huntsman gets
drunk and can’t get it up.
(MORE)
 38.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
(then)
Viva Las Vegas Baby.

Darleen walks away, leaving a stunned and speechless Leonard.

EXT. DRIVEWAY - SUNRISE

Vivian rolls down the window and WAVES TO THE KIDS AND
LEONARD as she and Darleen drive away in Darleen’s pick-up,
which is packed full of pageant wear and duffle bags.

VIVIAN
(shouts out to them)
BYE GUYS! I LOVE YOU!!!

INT. DARLEEN’S PICK-UP - CONTINUOUS

Vivian looks back and waves one last time as they pull away,
all four kids waving good-bye.

VIVIAN
Darleen, I don’t know what you said
to him but I could tell you thank
you every day for the rest of my
life until I died and it wouldn’t
cover how much I appreciate that
you got him to come.

DARLEEN
Never tried so hard to get someone
I can’t stand to come to something
in my life.

VIVIAN
(big smiles)
We are on the road baby! MRS.
MARRIED AMERICA HERE WE COME!

EXT. WIDE OPEN COUNTRY - DARLEEN’S PICK-UP - DAY INTO NIGHT

Vivian and Darleen wind through MONTANA.

The red rocks of UTAH.

The hot desert plains of NEVADA.

I/E. CIRCUS CIRCUS HOTEL - DARLEEN’S PICK UP- LATE NIGHT

They pull into the cheesy, dated Vegas strip hotel.

 39.

VIVIAN
We’re here! I can’t believe it!
(looks around in awe)
It’s beautiful.

Darleen looks up to the TOWERING CIRCUS CIRCUS SIGN. IT’S A

LARGE CREEPY CLOWN.

DARLEEN
(horrified)
Yeah if you’re not scared to death
of clowns. Why do all clowns have
to look so evil!
(looks away, panicked)
SO GOD DAMN EVIL!

INT. CHECK IN - CIRCUS CIRCUS HOTEL - MOMENTS LATER

Vivian and Darleen wait as a WOMAN AND HER HUSBAND in front

of them are helped. The woman has at least ten pieces of
KNOCK-OFF LOUIS VUITTON LUGGAGE beside her. Her nails long
and red, her hair perfectly done.

WOMAN
I’m here with the pageant. Amberr
with a double R Lakes, the second R
is silent. AKA Mrs. Texas!

She canoodles with her husband.

FRONT DESK MANAGER

Well, we’re glad to have you here
Mrs. Texas.

His hands type furiously into the reservations computer.

FRONT DESK MANAGER (CONT’D)

I see you’ve booked our Golden Tent
Suite.
(smiles, hands her a key)
Dolly Parton once stayed in it.

AMBERR
I love me some Dolly!
(then, to her husband)
Thanks for letting me book such an
expensive suite.

Amberr turns around, wearing a SWAROVSKY CRYSTAL PIN SHAPED

LIKE THE STATE OF TEXAS and a bitchy snarl of a smile. The
scratched red of her Louboutin's flipping up with every step
as she walks away.
 40.

FRONT DESK MANAGER

Next!

Vivian and Darleen approach the front desk. The Front Desk
Manager eyes them with incurious judgement.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - CIRCUS CIRCUS - CONTINUOUS

Darleen and Vivian walk into the room. It’s likely one of
the least impressive rooms in the entire hotel.

Vivian is really excited about it.

VIVIAN
It’s like I’ve died and gone to
hotel heaven!

Vivian runs to the bed on the far side of the room and sits
on it, taking it all in.

She smiles and grabs a PHOTO OF DIANE SAWYER from her purse
and tapes it to the wall just above her bed.

INT. BATHROOM - LATER

The shower running, the bathroom filled with steam. Vivian,

in a towel, wipes a circle clear in the mirror and stares
into her own reflection.

She smiles and “waves to the crowd”, one hand over her heart
in a mark of sincerity.

VIVIAN
I can’t believe I won! Thank you
everyone for choosing me as Mrs.
Married America. This is the
greatest honor I could ever imagine
for myself. Thank you, thank you,
thank you!

SMASH TO:

EXT. CIRCUS CIRCUS HOTEL - BALLROOM - MORNING

A welcome sign beside the door reads:

WELCOME BREAKFAST FOR MRS. MARRIED AMERICA PAGEANT

CONTESTANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Vivian is BURSTING with excitement.

 41.

INT. CIRCUS CIRCUS HOTEL - BALLROOM - CONTINUOUS

Vivian and Darleen head for the CHECK IN TABLE.

Vivian is mesmerized by all of the other PAGEANT CONTESTANTS

checking in, she is among the most modest and BY FAR the
palest.

VIVIAN
(under her breath to
Darleen)
Everybody’s so tan!

AT THE CHECK IN TABLE:

A SUPER BITCHY WOMAN is in charge of sign ins at the table.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
Hi there! I’m Vivian Huntsman, Mrs.
Montana.

WOMAN AT THE CHECK IN TABLE

Here’s your name tags, sign the
check in sheet over there.

Vivian grabs her name tag from the check in table, her
HORRIBLE photo from the Rudyard Pet and Feed Photographer is
on it. She’s WEARING A BIKINI AND A COWBOY HAT AND SITTING
ON AN OLD SADDLE.

Vivian looks at the other photos on the name tags, they tend
more toward “local realtor” vs. Vivian’s which tends more
toward “local hooker”.

SUPER BITCHY WOMAN

Nice photo! So...
(cutting, petty pause)
...professional.

VIVIAN
(happy and oblivious)
Thank you!

Attached is also a name tag that says “Leonard Huntsman” she

hands it to Darleen.

DARLEEN
(whispers to Vivian)
Are you sure I’m supposed to be
here?
 42.

VIVIAN
It said family could come.
(smiles)
And you are family.

DARLEEN
Well, then let’s do this. Oh,
except one thing.

Darleen grabs a pen from the desk, scribbles out Leonard and
writes “Darleen”.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
I know he’s your husband but I’d
rather gouge my eyes out with a
blunt butter knife at a slow
painful pace than wear his name
tag.

Vivian doesn’t bat an eye at Darleen’s comment. She looks

out to the large bustling banquet room FILLED WITH
CONTESTANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

VIVIAN
(without hesitation)
Let’s go find table six!

MOMENTS LATER, AT TABLE SIX:

It is stone cold silent. Everyone has their eyes glued to

Vivian and Darleen. They are all very confused.

MRS. IOWA, 40’s, potentially leading a double life as a

lesbian, finally speaks up.

MRS. IOWA
I didn’t realize it was legal in
Montana.

VIVIAN
What?

MRS. UTAH, 19, blonde hair, cherub faced wife and likely
still a virgin.

MRS. UTAH
(meek, scared)
Lady lady marriages.

VIVIAN
(confused)
Oh, you mean us?
 43.

DARLEEN
We’re not LESBOS! Not that there’s
anything wrong with being a LESBO!
We’re just not LESBOS!

VIVIAN
(under her breath)
Darleen! Why are you yelling?

DARLEEN
(also under her breath)
You said to stop whispering things
so I’m over-correcting for awhile
until I get it right.

Vivian smiles nervously, the entire room seems to have

quieted in on their conversation.

PATTY LANE, the director of the pageant, 50’s and a violent

mix of Botox, Restylane and Juvederm, takes the podium.

PATTY LANE
Good morning everyone! Welcome! I
am Patty Lane director of the Mrs.
Married America pageant. Where we
celebrate and honor the AMERICAN
MARRIED WOMAN!

Roaring cheers flow through the room.

PATTY LANE (CONT’D)

I believe in the power of marriage
because it is a power sent to us
directly from the good Lord above.

Patty points up to the ceiling, robustly. More applause

echoes through the room.

PATTY LANE (CONT’D)

I also believe in the bible. And
in the bible it says Eve came from
Adam’s rib. A lot of women in
these modern, end of days times,
say they have a problem with this
idea. With this concept. You know
what I say? Comin’ from a rib is
not a bad thing.
(smiles)
I live in Texas and let me tell you
I have had some delicious ribs!

Even MORE applause.

 44.

PATTY LANE (CONT’D)

I look out at this room and I get a
little misty eyed. Seeing you all
here with your families. Your
support network. Your handsome
hubbies! This...

Patty Lane gestures to the room.

PATTY LANE (CONT’D)

THIS is America. This is what we
are about. Family. God.
(smiles)
And BEAUTY PAGEANTS! Look around
ladies. Look to your right, to
your left, across the table, across
the room.

Everyone looks around at each other.

PATTY LANE (CONT’D)

Mrs. Married America two thousand
and thirteen is in here somewhere!
That’s right. She’s in this very
room! Congratulations to all of
you and may the best wife win!

Everyone rises to give Patty Lane a standing ovation.

CUT TO:

TABLE SIX:

Darleen and Vivian stand and clap with everyone else.

DARLEEN
I feel like that thing about the
rib was kinda weird, right?

Vivian is too caught up in applause and excitement to hear

her.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
Like now all I can picture is that
lady is a cannibal.

VIVIAN
(confused/just caught the
tail end)
What?
 45.

EXT. POOL - CIRCUS CIRCUS - LATER

Darleen in a skirty-dress bathing suit and Vivian in a one

piece, both horrifically pale and wearing sunglasses venture
out to the COMPLETELY EMPTY pool area.

VIVIAN
Well, time to work on my tan! I
can’t believe the color brown some
of these people are.

CUT TO:

TEN MINUTES LATER:

Darleen is bundled in several towels. Vivian is in her

bathing suit, tanning oiled up, sunglasses on.

DARLEEN
You sure you’re not cold?

VIVIAN
(lips almost blue, teeth
chattering)
Nope! I’m good. So warm. Balmy!

Darleen buries her face under yet another towel to shield

from the cold.

INT. GOLDEN TENT SUITE - SAME TIME

The golden tent suite is exactly as gold, big and ridiculous

as one might imagine.

Amberr/Mrs. Texas, IN PASTIES AND A THONG, gets the finishing

touches of her SPRAY TAN by her assistant DAVINE, a late 20’s
black man wearing leopard print leggings and platform heels.

DAVINE
Girl, you stay your ass still. I
made you Africa dark so any streak
is gonna show like the dickens.

AMBERR
Thanks Davine. You’re the best.

Waiting to dry off, Amberr peers out the window to the POOL
AREA DOWN BELOW and sees Vivian and Darleen.
 46.

AMBERR (CONT’D)
Davine, you gotta come here. You
are not gonna believe what I’m
lookin’ at.

Davine comes over and looks out the window.

DAVINE CONT’D)
Oh, child. Layin’ out in their
Walmart clothes in sixty degree
weather.

AMBERR
You know what they say. You can
take the girl out of Montana.

DAVINE/AMBERR
(in evil unison)
But you probably shouldn’t!

INT. HALLWAY - LATER

Vivian paces back and forth as she listens to ring after ring
on her phone.

LEONARD (V.O.)
Hi, this is Leonard, leave a
message and I’ll maybe call you
back.

VIVIAN
Hi, it’s me. Just makin’ sure
you’re all ready to get on that
plane tomorrow like you promised
you would. I really need you to be
here.
(deep breath)
So see you soon.

INT. STAGE - CIRCUS CIRCUS - LATER

The contestants are gathered on the stage for rehearsal.

Most are in sexy boy shorts and sports bras.

But not Vivian.

She’s in gathered ankle sweats and an oversized T-shirt that

says “RUDYARD HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ALL-STARS”.

Amberr is just one row up from her.

 47.

AMBERR
(shouts for everyone to
hear)
Well, don’t you look comfortable!

All eyes in ear shot, instantly cut to Vivian who smiles

nervously.

Patty leads the women in rehearsal.

PATTY LANE
Ok ladies! Grab your lyrics and
let’s run through the song a few
times first before we add the
choreography! Big smiles!

Patty CUES the PIANO PLAYER. All of the women SING THE
PAGEANT ANTHEM IN UNION.

EVERYONE
I’m so proud to be an American!
So proud to be red, white and blue.
I’m so proud to be married!
Because I know that love is true.
I make casseroles and change
diapers!
I lead a crazy busy life!
But I’m proud most of all to say,
I’M A WIFE!

LATER ON:

The CONTESTANTS follow the CHOREOGRAPHER (a thirtysomething

fierce and bitchy gay man with a faux-hawk).

CHOREOGRAPHER
Five, six, seven, eight!

The women do their best to follow his moves. Some great,

some average and then Vivian.

Vivian has two left feet and almost trips over herself and
anyone within a five foot radius around her.

Meanwhile, Amberr looks like she’s the current reigning

captain of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.

INT. AUDITORIUM SEATS - AFTER REHEARSAL

The contestants are gathered in their seats as Patty

addresses them.
 48.

PATTY LANE
Great job everyone!
(smiles)
Although God didn’t grace us all
with the talent like he did Mrs.
Texas over there!

Amberr scoots up a couple inches in her seat, so proud of

herself.

PATTY LANE (CONT’D)

Tomorrow this room will be
filled...
(aside)
Well mostly filled, tickets are
still available at thirty five
dollars a piece for any of you that
may need or want them for family or
friends.
(moving on)
With people here to support you!
But they also want to be
entertained. So work on those
steps tonight ladies! And for one
of you, this will be your last
night going to bed as just a
regular wife because for one of
you, tomorrow you will be the new
Mrs. Married America!

Everyone gathers their things. Vivian and Amberr leave at

the same time.

AMBERR
I saw you and your friend laying
out by the pool earlier.
(insincere)
Looks like it was lovely.

VIVIAN
It was a little chilly but I think
I got a tan.

Amberr and Vivian both look at Vivian’s arms. She didn’t get
any sort of tan.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
You’re a really great dancer! You
must take a lot of classes.

AMBERR
Not really. Like she said, God
given I guess.
 49.

Amberr extends her hand, with a bitchy grin.

AMBERR (CONT’D)
Amberr. With a double R. The second
R is silent.

Vivian smiles.

VIVIAN
Vivian. All the letters have a
sound.

Amberr raises an eyebrow at her quip.

AMBERR
So, Montana? Is this your first
pageant?

VIVIAN
No. Technically one other, a local
4H pageant just a few weeks ago.
(smiles, nervous)
First runner up!

Amberr is transparently dismissive of everything Vivian is

saying.

AMBERR
Isn’t that cute. Myself, well, I’m
a lifelong title holder. I even
won a pageant in utero when my
Momma won Miss Texas State Fair!
No one knew she was knocked up,
obviously. Then I won twelve
before I could walk and I was
almost Miss Texas. Third runner
up! Once I got married I thought
my pageant days were over but no,
no, no! I’ve found plenty more to
win. Nine to be exact. This is my
first national married pageant
though. Unlike Montana the
competition coming out of Texas is
incredibly fierce. I won Mrs.
Chardonnay Hills right before I
came here. It’s the gated
community we live in. All semi-
custom homes. You’d think it’d be
a small pageant being just one
little subdivision but it was over
eighty women! We even had a
celebrity judge. Kirk Cameron.
Isn’t he just the cutest!
(MORE)
 50.

AMBERR (CONT'D)
I could just eat him up. Well,
that is if my husband wasn’t so hot
himself.

VIVIAN
Wow. That’s a lot of pageants. Do
you have kids?

AMBERR
Three daughters. Makynzie,
Makynley and Makayla. We have a
full time nanny and housekeeper to
make things easier while Mommy is
out being busy winning pageants!
The girls have a Daddy that likes
to keep all his ladies happy.

Amberr non-so-subtly flashes her EIGHT CARAT DIAMOND RING

Vivian’s way. Vivian, twists her Walmart purchased mini-
diamond wedding set to face the inside of her palm and
smiles.

VIVIAN
Sounds like you sure hit the
jackpot!

AMBERR
I really feel like Jesus sent me
himself incarnate sometimes he’s so
perfect.

VIVIAN
That would be weird.

AMBERR
What?

VIVIAN
If you were married to Jesus.

AMBERR
(miffed and confused)
Well, we should get to our rooms!
Beauty sleep is essential if you
want to be a...

Amberr runs her eyes up and down Vivian, transparently

unimpressed.

AMBERR (CONT’D)
...winner.
 51.

INT. ELEVATOR - CIRCUS CIRCUS - LATER

Vivian, Amberr, MRS. OHIO (30’s, mid-western and pretty) and

MRS. NEBRASKA (late 20’s, athletic and cheerful) are on the
elevator.

MRS. NEBRASKA
My little girl has a cold and my
husband has been taking such great
care of her while we’ve been here.
Don’t you just love being married?
Husbands are the best!

MRS. OHIO
I know, my husband has been giving
me foot massages and even surprised
me last night by telling me that
when I’m done with all this we can
start trying for baby number seven!
He’s such an amazing man, always
wants me to be happy!

AMBERR
Vivian, I’ve noticed your husband
isn’t here. He is coming, right?

VIVIAN
Yes! Of course he’s coming. He’s
just such a hard working man.
Didn’t want to take more time off
from work than he needed too.

AMBERR
(super fake)
Oh, I am SO glad to hear that.
(then, to everyone)
A little birdie told me that the
husband and wife portion of the
pageant weighs a lot more heavily
in the judging than you’d think. I
mean, it is after all what this is
all about. Being a married woman,
right?

The elevator doors open, Amberr steps off.

AMBERR (CONT’D)
Speaking of husbands, I’m gonna go
find that little hubby of mine for
some cuddle time! Bye ladies!
 52.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - LATER

Vivian goes over her dance moves, still no where near getting
them right. Darleen walks in, wearing a LAS VEGAS T-SHIRT and
a FANNY PACK.

DARLEEN
I wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer
when I was little.

VIVIAN
This stupid dance we gotta do for
the pageant is going to be the
death of me. I’m awful.

DARLEEN
I’m sure you’re not awful.

VIVIAN
Trust me.
(then)
What’ve you been up to?

DARLEEN
Oh just out doing some sightseeing.
Wax museum, took a gondola ride at
the Venetian. Just like Venice!
Not that I’ve ever been there but I
can’t imagine how it could possibly
be more beautiful.

VIVIAN
Sounds nice.

DARLEEN
(re: her two left feet)
Viv, it’s not a dance competition.

VIVIAN
I know. I just want everything to
be as perfect as I can make it.
Seems like everybody here is a
professional dancer, always know
the perfect thing to say, they all
have these fancy stylists and hair
people and assistants.

DARLEEN
Hey now, I went to cosmetology
school for a semester and a half.

Vivian smiles.
 53.

VIVIAN
(convicted)
All these other women, they really
want this. But me? I need this.
This is the only way I can ever
change my life!

Vivian looks over to the PHOTO OF DIANE SAWYER taped above

her bed.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
Be who I want to be. If I don’t
win tomorrow, I’ve run out of
options. Plain and simple.

DARLEEN
Viv, don’t put that much pressure
on yourself.

VIVIAN
But it’s true. I mean, what am I
gonna do? Move my whole family
somewhere so I can go to college
and get a degree in journalism?
Darleen, this is it. This is my
one and only shot at getting
anywhere close to my dreams.

Vivian’s eyes gaze toward the sad dress she got from the
local clothing shop, hanging on the back of the door.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
I just have so much working against
me.

Darleen doesn’t know what to say. Vivian does have a lot

working against her.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
It’s weird, this feeling. Needing
something so much you can almost
taste it. I’ve never felt this way
about anything.

DARLEEN
You know what? I think you should
put those two left feet to work and
I’m gonna go hunt down this crepe
place I saw over at the Paris
hotel.

VIVIAN
Are you sure? I can practice
somewhere else.
 54.

DARLEEN
I’m sure.
(smiles)
You can work this out. I know you
can.

VIVIAN
Thanks.

Darleen grabs her room key and heads out.

INT. CASINO - SAME TIME

Darleen walks through the casino, casing the various tables

and machines.

She watches a few rounds of Black Jack and sits at the table,
lays a hundred dollars down and almost as quickly as she put
it down, loses it.

Darleen finds a QUIET CORNER to make a call.

DARLEEN
(on the phone)
Hey Hank, it’s me...no,
everything’s ok.
(then)
I want to talk to you about that
money we have in the vacation fund?

INT. HOTEL ROOM - SAME TIME

Vivian, in front of the mirrored sliding closet doors, works

on her dance.

She watches herself fail time after time. Step after step.

INT. VERSACE STORE - MINUTES LATER

Darleen, in her Las Vegas T-shirt and fanny pack strolls

through the store. She is TOTALLY ignored by the snickering,
ironically snotty sales staff.

A WEALTHY LOOKING WOMAN WITH A LITTLE DOG walks in and is

instantly offered a glass of champagne from a silver tray.

There are several glasses on the tray and they do not offer
one to Darleen.

Darleen pulls A GORGEOUS BRIGHT PURPLE DRESS off the sale

rack.
 55.

DARLEEN
(smiles)
Like it was made for her.

EXT. HOTEL ROOM - SAME TIME

Vivian, on her phone, paces back and forth with each ring.

SUMMER
Hello?

VIVIAN
Summer! Hey baby. How’s
everything there?

SUMMER
Good. I made dinner last night
because Aunt Jeannie’s food was too
yucky.

VIVIAN
It was? What did you make?

SUMMER
I made sloppy joes and then I’m
making macaroni and cheese tonight.
From the box but I’m adding frozen
peas for added flavor and
nutrition.

Vivian smiles.

VIVIAN
That sounds delicious. You’ll have
to make it for me when I come home.
Is Daddy there? He’s not pickin’ up
his phone.

SUMMER
No, he’s out.

VIVIAN
Well, tell him I called and make
sure he packs and gets to the
airport tomorrow.

SUMMER
I will.

VIVIAN
I love you.
 56.

SUMMER
Love you too. Oh and Mom?

VIVIAN
Yeah sweetie?

SUMMER
I know you’re gonna win. I just
know it.

VIVIAN
Thanks baby girl.

Vivian hangs up the phone and stares at the wall, unsure,

uncertain.

INT. VERSACE STORE - AT THE REGISTER - CONTINUOUS

Darleen hands the evening gown to the SNIFFY SALES ASSOCIATE,

20’s, gay, wearing eye liner.

He is convinced she’s there in ignorant error and makes that

abundantly clear.

SNIFFY SALES ASSOCIATE

This dress is on sale but it’s
still twelve hundred dollars. As
in one thousand two hundred
dollars.

Darleen hands him cash. Dumbstruck, he rings her up.

INT. BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Vivian looks into the mirror and waves. But this time as she
smiles, it’s hollow. Empty.

For the first time, in a long time, Vivian crumbles,

completely.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Vivian crawls onto the bed and curls under the covers,
weeping.

INT. VERSACE STORE - CONTINUOUS

The Sales Associate hands Darleen the dress in a garment bag.

 57.

SNIFFY SALES ASSOCIATE

(tries to repair)
Thank you for shopping at Versace.
We hope to see you again very soon.

Darleen grabs the garment bag AND A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE AND

THE BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE from the tray.

DARLEEN
Fat chance fuck face.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - LATER

Darleen walks in and finds Vivian, on the bed, in the fetal

position and a puddle of tears.

A room service tray on the bed beside her. A SMALL BOX OF

RAISIN BRAN AND A WATER ON IT. Darleen lays the garment bag
over the TV and sits beside Vivian on the bed.

DARLEEN
Viv?

VIVIAN
(through her tears and
stuffy nose)
I’m fine, just a little stressed
out.

DARLEEN
I’m sorry, are you speaking
bullshit? Because that’s a
language I don’t understand.
(loving)
Tell me what’s wrong.

VIVIAN
I’m gonna let everyone down.
(then)
I’m gonna let myself down. I’m
being a fool. I don’t belong here.
Not with all these happy people
with regular lives.

DARLEEN
What are you talking about? You
have just as good a chance as
anyone.

VIVIAN
I’m not like these women. I’m not
prepared. I’m not polished, I
don’t know what I’m doing.
(MORE)
 58.

VIVIAN (CONT'D)
I’m just a boring housewife from
the middle of nowhere who had so
little interaction with the rest of
the world that I was able to kid
myself into thinking that I was
capable of doing something more.
Being something more.

Vivian LOOKS AT THE PHOTO OF DIANE SAWYER above her bed.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
Now that I’m here, out of my safe
little bubble and around all these
other people it’s abundantly clear
who I am.
(then)
Who I’m always going to be.

DARLEEN
I think you’re right.

Vivian, surprised, looks back at Darleen.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
If you keep thinking this way. If
you keep putting so much pressure
on yourself. This isn’t the only
way you can make a difference in
your life. It’s your life and you
can do whatever the hell you want
with it.

VIVIAN
DARLEEN, YOU JUST DON’T GET IT!
You’re too happy to get it! You
don’t know what it feels like to
live in a cage. To wake up
everyday wondering why you bothered
to. If it weren’t for my kids...
(then)
You’re one of the lucky ones.
Lucky people always think they know
how to fix everyone else. Well
guess what? You don’t. So quit
trying. Quit pretending you know
what I’m going through because you
don’t. You have no god damn idea
what it’s like.

Darleen stands up and heads for the door.

DARLEEN
I guess I don’t.
 59.

Darleen grabs the dress, hangs it up in the closet, and

leaves.

Vivian lays quiet for a moment. Static. Cold.

SMASH TO:

INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Vivian runs for the elevators.

VIVIAN
DARLEEN! WAIT!

She sees Darleen in the elevator and gets to the doors just
as they are about to close and thrusts her arm between them.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean what I
said... it wasn’t fair... knowing
you could never... that you’ve
never...

DARLEEN
Had kids of my own?
(then, smiles)
I know you didn’t.

VIVIAN
You’re the best friend any girl
could have and some days I feel
like you’re the Mom I never really
had. I love you Darleen and I
thank god every damn day for you
cause I don’t know where I’d be if
you weren’t in my life.

DARLEEN
You’re not so bad yourself.
(smiles)
I’ll be right back.

VIVIAN
Where are you going?

DARLEEN
Just gonna run and grab something I
think might help take your mind of
things.

CUT TO:
 60.

INT. HOTEL GIFT SHOP - MOMENTS LATER

Darleen is in line with a GIGANTIC bottle of PEACH SCHNAPPS.

As she waits in line she sees AMBERR BUYING A BOTTLE OF WINE.

DARLEEN
(friendly)
Night in with the husband? Sure
miss mine.

Amberr looks at Darleen, the tears streaming from her overly

made up eyes.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
Oh, crap. Not another one.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - MINUTES LATER

Vivian answers a knock at the door. It’s Darleen....

... and AMBERR.

VIVIAN
(re: Amberr)
What are you doing here?

Amberr raises her bottle of White Zin with teary eyes and a
smile.

CUT TO:

THIRTY MINUTES LATER:

Amberr is a total wreck. Mascara streaming down her face in

a river of failure.

She takes a swig straight from the almost-empty-bottle of

pink wine.

AMBERR
You wanna know the best part?

Vivian and Darleen look on in horror and nod.

Amberr wipes the mascara river with her hand, spreading black
all over her face.

AMBERR (CONT’D)
He’s already planning on marrying
the cunt. The divorce was just
finalized last week and he’s
already moving on.
(MORE)
 61.

AMBERR (CONT’D)
So not only am I here like a total
fraud because we’re not even
married anymore but I got the joy
of overhearing them talking about
wedding flowers this morning while
I was taking a poop!

VIVIAN
I’m really sorry Amberr. That’s
awful.

DARLEEN
How’d you get him to come here?

AMBERR
I told him I’d sign the papers and
settle out of court if he came.
(then)
Yes, I’m really that stupid. I
gave up my house to be in a fucking
beauty pageant.

Amberr takes the last swig from her bottle and looks over to
Vivian.

AMBERR (CONT’D)
Your husband cheat on you?

VIVIAN
Oh, I think he’d love to.
But he gets so piss drunk I think
he forgets to actually do it.
(giggles to herself)
That is if he even could.

She looks at Darleen and Amberr sheepishly. All three of

them break into desperately needed laughter.

AMBERR
I’m sorry I was such a bitch to you
Vivian.

VIVIAN
It’s ok.

Vivian really starts to crack, the laughter spilling out.

AMBERR
What?

VIVIAN
You know, I came here because I
want to be the next Diane Sawyer?
 62.

Amberr and Darleen sit in a moment of silence.

And then, again, all three careen into a seemingly endless

stream of giggles.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
I swear. I did! I wanna be
everything she is. In my eyes,
she’s the most perfect person that
ever was.

AMBERR
She does have great hair.

VIVIAN
The best hair. It’s so good.

AMBERR
You know, even though my life feels
like a big Texas sized tornado
right now, I’m really having fun
with you guys.

The devil shines in Amberr’s eyes.

AMBERR (CONT’D)
But somethin’ tells me we could
have even more fun.

Amberr pulls an American Express card from her purse.

AMBERR (CONT’D)
Asshole is so caught up with his
new chickadoo he forgot to take me
off his credit cards.

VIVIAN
I don’t know if...

DARLEEN
(cuts her off)
Let her do it. LET THE GIRL DO IT!

SMASH TO:

A SERIES OF QUICK CUTS IN THE HOTEL ROOM:

-- ROOM SERVICE arrives with A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE, Amberr

signs for it.

-- Thirty minutes later Room Service arrives with A BOTTLE OF

TEQUILA, Amberr signs for it.
 63.

-- Vivian, Amberr and Darleen DOING SHOTS OF TEQUILA.

-- Amberr stumbles over to her purse and MAKES A CALL ON HER

PHONE.

I/E. DOOR - MOMENTS LATER

Davine is at the door. He hands a SMALL VILE to Amberr with

a wink.

DAVINE
You have fun with that girl.

Amberr opens the tiny vile and sees THREE TABS OF ECSTACY.
She smiles and puts the vile in her bra.

AMBERR
You’re the best, Davine.

BACK IN THE ROOM:

Vivian and Darleen are both on the floor, cracking up as they

take yet ANOTHER SHOT OF TEQUILA.

AMBERR (CONT’D)
Alight girls, I say we get
ourselves all prettied up and go
out there and paint that town red,
whattaya say?

Amberr reaches over and grabs her ENORMOUS make up bag from
her purse and smiles.

SMASH TO:

INT. BATHROOM - A WHILE LATER

The harsh, cheap, fluorescent lighting of the hotel bathroom

only further enhances the garish, awful, tranny-like make up
on all three of them as they stare, blankly, at their
reflections in the mirror.

DARLEEN
Wow. I don’t really know what to
say.

Vivian lightly caresses the thick layer of paint like blush

upon her cheek.

VIVIAN
Yeah. Wow.
 64.

DARLEEN
I mean, I look...
(takes a moment, smiles
proudly)
HOT!

Darleen swirls her hips like a stripper.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
Like hold the hot sauce cause I’m
ALREADY TOO SPICY HOT!

Amberr smiles, so proud of her work.

VIVIAN
At first I thought the make up was
a tinch heavy but the more I stare
at myself the more beautiful I
feel.
(sincere, drunk)
Thanks for making me have so much
beautifulness Amberr.

AMBERR
My pleasure.
(smiles devilishly)
You guys up for a little...
(winks)
...extra kick before we go out?

Vivian and Darleen are totally oblivious to what Amberr is

talking about.

VIVIAN
(smiles)
Sounds great!

CUT TO:

As Vivian and Darleen admire their grotesquely over made up

images in the mirror, Amberr pours three shots of Tequila.
She pulls the TINY VILE FROM HER BRA and drops a tab in each
one of their shot glasses.

Amberr hands Darleen and Vivian their shots.

AMBERR
Bottoms up!

Darleen and Amberr toss theirs in a flash. Vivian hands hers

off to Darleen.
 65.

VIVIAN
I lied. I’m too drunk. I can’t do
it.

Darleen grabs it from her.

DARLEEN
Well, that’s what friends are for.

AMBERR
I don’t know if you want to do
that.

DARLEEN
I’m from Montana, sweetie. This is
how we roll.

And with that, she throws it back.

AMBERR
Well then. Let’s show this town
what we’re made of!

EXT. VEGAS STRIP - MOMENTS LATER

Amberr, Vivian and Darleen bust trough the hotel door and out
onto the Vegas strip.

The chaotic world around them swirls into a vacuum of slow

motion the minute they enter it. Stares of confusion and
muted laughter, from most everyone they pass, go completely
unnoticed by the three of them.

Their confident swagger unbreakable.

EXT. CLUB MOONBLUE - MINUTES LATER

The line to get into this white-hot-for-the-moment Vegas

nightspot is HUNDREDS OF HIPSTERS DEEP. Amberr, Darleen and
Vivian look ANCIENT and COMPLETELY out of place. Everyone
else is in up-to-the-minute club wear.

VIVIAN
I don’t know guys. That’s a really
long line. Do you think it’s worth
it?

AMBERR
Of course it is!
(winks)
I’ll be right back.
 66.

Amberr toodles off toward the BOUNCER.

SMASH TO:

SECONDS LATER:

Amberr, Darleen and Vivian are whisked past the red velvet
rope.

AMBERR
(to Darleen and Vivian)
Amazing what a lil’ Texas charm
will do!

INT. CLUB MOONBLUE - CONTINUOUS

Amberr, Darleen and Vivian stare in awe. The blue hued club
is dripping from top to bottom with sexy clubsters.

It’s powerful and intense. The strong, downtempo club-beats

have the entire room bouncing in almost perfect unison.

A group of HOT TWENTY SOMETHING GUYS walk by.

HOT GUY
DUDES, CHECK IT!
(laughing, re: Amberr)
THAT’S THE CHICK THAT SHOWED HER
PUSSY TO THE BOUNCER AT THE DOOR!

They all wince and laugh as they walk past. Horrified,

Vivian turns to Amberr and Darleen. They are both in a trance
like state of blissful oblivion as they stare out to the
enormous, loud, pumping, dance floor.

VIVIAN
(shouting over the loud
music)
DARLEEN, ARE YOU OK?

DARLEEN
I’M GONNA BE REAL HONEST WITH YOU
GUYS. RIGHT NOW? MY BRAIN FEELS
LIKE IT’S HAVING SEX WITH ITSELF.

Amberr smiles with intoxicated euphoria.

AMBERR
ISN’T BEING ON E THE BEST?
 67.

VIVIAN
(jaw agape)
E, LIKE THE ILLEGAL DRUG?

Amberr smiles devilishly.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
OH MY GOD! DARLEEN, YOU’RE ON
DRUGS! HOW DO YOU FEEL?!

Darleen takes a moment.

DARLEEN
SO FAR, IT’S A FUCKING FIRST RATE
EXPERIENCE.

THE DANCE FLOOR:

Amberr and Darleen are in wonderland.

They’ve joined in the unified SEA OF SEXY CLUB GOERS. Their

hands in the air. Hitting the beats. Their eyes swirling
with the lights.

The music and their souls pulsing as one.

Vivian dances along side them but she’s out of step with the
collective energy of the moment. Her dance moves feel more
“teenage cousin’s banquet hall wedding” than “hot Vegas
club”.

But she’s drunk and loving it and that’s what matters.

VIVIAN
(shouts to Amberr and
Darleen)
I BET PATTY LANE WOULD HAVE A HEART
ATTACK IF SHE KNEW WHAT WE WERE UP
TO RIGHT NOW!

AMBERR
FUCK PATTY LANE IS WHAT I SAY!

Vivian gasps, deals with it and then cracks up.

VIVIAN
HONESTLY GUYS? THIS IS THE BEST
NIGHT EVER!

Amberr smiles and grabs Vivian and Darleen’s hands pulling

them off the dance floor.
 68.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
WHERE ARE WE GOING?

SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. OLD WAREHOUSE WAY (WAY) OFF THE STRIP - HALF HOUR LATER

Amberr, Vivian and Darleen look ahead to the old, dilapidated

warehouse in front of them.

A small door with swirling lights emanating from it and a

SCARY LOOKING, HEAVILY INKED BOUNCER the only signs of life.

VIVIAN
(re: scary looking club
and bouncer)
Are you sure we should go in there?

AMBERR
Davine said this place was divine.

INT. CLUB X - MINUTES LATER

Amberr, Vivian and Darleen walk through this tripped out,

packed to the walls club. IT’S DECORATED LIKE A FOREST BUT
EVERYTHING’S MADE WITH CARPET.

CLUB GOERS, MANY IN TRIPPY COSTUMES and all of whom appear to

be on E, rub their bodies against the carpeted walls, trees
and each other.

VIVIAN
(horrified)
Guys, I think we might be at a
naked sex party or something.

No response.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
Guys?

Vivian turns around and sees AMBERR AND DARLEEN admiring the
TRAY of GLOW STICKS and CANDY that a GIRL DRESSED LIKE
SLUTTY WONDER WOMAN is carrying around.

Amberr grabs a GLOW WAND and swirls it around, mesmerized by

the neon color and toodles off into the crowd.

Darleen grabs a PACK OF POP ROCKS CANDY.

 69.

DARLEEN
(so happy)
I haven’t had these since I was a
kid!

She rips open the package and pours them in her mouth. The
MINUTE THE FIRST ROCK POPS, SHE SPIRALS INTO HYSTERIA and
tries to spit them out, CREATING A SMALL RIVER OF MULTI-COLOR
DROOL.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
(PANIC STRICKEN)
IT’S LIKE VIETNAM IN MY MOUTH!

Even though she feels badly, Vivian can’t help but laugh.

MOMENTS LATER:

Vivian and Darleen rest up against a carpet tree, exhausted.

Vivian sips on her drink and Darleen’s hands rub up and down
the carpeted tree trunk, orgasmically engaging with the
fibers.

DARLEEN
(almost angry)
Man, being on drugs is lot to deal
with.

VIVIAN
Oh my god, look!

Vivian points across the room. AMBERR IS LAID OUT AND MAKING
OUT WITH A GUY IN A NEON BUNNY COSTUME.

DARLEEN
In a weird way, it kinda makes me
miss Hank.

VIVIAN
(thinks, smiles)
You know what? I’ll be right back.

DARLEEN
Where are you going? Because I
don’t want to leave this tree. I
really love this tree.

Darleen rubs her arms up and down the trunk.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
I love it so GOD DAMN MUCH!
 70.

VIVIAN
(laughs)
Stay put. I’ll be right back.

EXT. IN FRONT OF CLUB X - MOMENTS LATER

Still sipping on her yard of margarita, Vivian pulls her

phone from her purse. Without any hesitation, she dials.

INTERCUT WITH:

Ryan, asleep in his dark bedroom wakes from his ringing

phone. He looks at the clock, it’s 4:00 AM. He instantly
picks up.

RYAN
(groggy, confused)
Hello?

VIVIAN
(drunk, cheerful, nervous)
Ryan! Hey, it’s me Vivian! What
are you up to?

RYAN
Well, it’s four am. I was sleeping.

VIVIAN
(so embarrassed)
Right. That makes sense! I
probably should be too.

RYAN’S VOICE
Everything ok?

VIVIAN
Yeah.
(then, nervous)
I just wanted to say thank you
again for making this happen for
me. I don’t have a lot of
experience with that. You know,
with people doing things for me.
It was really nice of you.

RYAN
I think what you’re doing is great,
Vivi. Glad I could help.

VIVIAN
Well, I should probably get back
into the club and check on Darleen.
 71.

RYAN’S VOICE
(laughs)
The club?

VIVIAN
If only you could see where I was.
(laughs)
It’s been one heck of a time so
far.

RYAN
Well, enjoy yourself.
(then)
And be safe. Good night Vivi.

VIVIAN
Good night.

INT. A “COVE” IN THE CLUB FOREST - FIVE A.M.

Darleen, now with glow stickers on her face and silly putty
in her hands rests on a carpet tree stump as she comes down
from her E high.

Amberr, also coming off her high, sits nestled in the Neon
Yellow Bunny’s lap, who is playing with her hair.

Vivian, deep in thought, cracks herself up.

VIVIAN
You know what?

DARLEEN
Huh.

VIVIAN
I’m glad I met you Amberr. You
have helped me realize that I’m not
the only one here whose life is
screwed up.

Amberr and Vivian laugh at their weird realities.

AMBERR
I learned a lot of things tonight
but number one is, I am going to do
more drugs. I love being on drugs
so much.

VIVIAN
I bet we’re not the only ones.
 72.

AMBERR
That love drugs?

VIVIAN
(laughs)
No! I bet we’re not the only ones
that are this screwed up. I mean
think about it? What kind of
happy, loved woman who has a great
life would enter a beauty pageant
when she was married?
(laughs at the thought)
She wouldn’t need the validation.
The only women here are women who
need to have other people tell them
they are beautiful. Other people
tell them that they’re great or
smart or talented or whatever.
(yawns)
That’s why we’re all here.

Vivian’s eyes begin to fade. The last thing she sees is

Darleen making an imprint of her nose with silly putty.

THE NEXT MORNING:

MAN’S VOICE (OVER BLACK)

Time to go. Party’s over.

Vivian peels her eyes open and looks around, dazed.

Hungover. Confused. She looks up to see the SCARY BOUNCER.

SCARY BOUNCER
8 am. Party’s over.

Vivian panics as it all comes flooding back.

VIVIAN
Oh my god!

She runs over to Darleen and shakes her awake. Darleen has
her and Vivian’s purses tied around her ankle.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
DARLEEN! Wake up!

Darleen’s eyes slowly open. Vivian unties the purses.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
WAKE UP! We gotta go! The
pageant, oh my god! What did I do!?

Vivian looks around as Darleen slowly comes to.

 73.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
Oh no. Where’s Amberr?

Darleen looks at her arm which has “VENETIAN RM. 808” written
on it in marker.

DARLEEN
(confused slur)
I don’t know.

SMASH TO:

I/E. DOOR TO BIG FANCY SUITE, #808, AT THE VENETIAN - MINUTES

LATER

Amberr, in a tiny white babydoll answers the door with a

bright and cheery smile.

AMBERR
(like everything is
completely normal)
Good mornin’ sleepy heads! I was
wonderin’ when y’all were gonna get
here!

A MAN (40’s, Indian, slight in build) pops out from under the
covers, startling Vivian and Darleen.

AMBERR (CONT’D)
I got a second wind last night
after you two went nighty nite.
(so excited)
Davine got me some more drugs. I
just took a lil tabbie. Y’all want
some?

DARLEEN
Meh, I think I’m good.
(almost sad)
Forever.

VIVIAN
(whispers, re: Indian man
in the bed)
Who’s that?

AMBERR
Pardeep.
(big smile)
We got married last night!

Darleen and Vivian see the HEAD OF THE NEON BUNNY COSTUME on
the floor by the bed.
 74.

VIVIAN
Oh.
(then)
Ok.

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. CIRCUS CIRCUS HOTEL - LOBBY - A WHILE LATER

Vivian, Darleen and Amberr do a group-walk-of-wasted-shame

through the hotel’s revolving front doors.

They walk through the casino which is already buzzing with

the beeping, clinking sounds of slot machines. They’re still
sporting their slutty make up and look very worse for wear.

VIVIAN
(sudden panic)
Oh, no.

AMBERR
What?

All of them turn their heads to where Vivian is looking and

see PATTY LANE GALLOPING THEIR WAY.

PATTY LANE
Looks like you girls are...
(confused)
...up ready for the day?

AMBERR
Actually we’re just--

DARLEEN
(cuts Amberr off)
Yes, they are up and ready for the
big day! I took it upon myself to
get them up early for a work out.

Patty thinks about this for a moment and clearly abandons

reason.

PATTY LANE
Now, that’s what I call commitment!
If I had gold stars to give out, I
would give them to the two of you!

AMBERR
I love gold stars.

Amberr hugs Patty aggressively. Patty is wearing a CASHMERE

SWEATER. It feels really good on Amberr’s hands.
 75.

Amberr continues the hug, well past normal time limits, her
HANDS RUNNING UP AND DOWN PATTY’S BACK. Patty, awkwardly,
peels Amberr off and steps away.

PATTY LANE
(confused, smiles)
Amberr, are you feeling alright?

AMBERR
I feel fantastic!

PATTY LANE
Well, that was a very long hug.
(to Vivian)
I noticed your husband still hasn’t
signed in at the husband check in
table. He’s the only one not here.
He is coming isn’t he?

VIVIAN
Just spoke to him not a minute ago.
He’s on his way!

PATTY LANE
Oh, well that’s good news. It
would be so terribly awkward if he
wasn’t here. In fact, aside from
one contestant whose husband was
called to duty overseas at the last
minute...
(does the sign of the
cross)
...may he rest in peace.
(then)
It would be a pageant first.

VIVIAN
Well, he’s coming and looking
forward to it! Said he could
hardly sleep last night he was so
excited.

PATTY LANE
Guess what they say is true!
Behind every great woman is an even
greater man.

AMBERR
(under her breath)
That’s a bunch a’ bullshit.

PATTY LANE
What was that Amberr?
 76.

DARLEEN
She’s got that cough that’s going
around. Better get her upstairs to
rest!

PATTY LANE
Sounds like a plan! See you ladies
later!

Patty walks away.

AMBERR
(to Vivian)
You haven’t heard from him, have
you?

VIVIAN
Nope.

AMBERR
Are you sad?

VIVIAN
Disappointment is my normal.

FADE THROUGH:

INT. BACK STAGE OF PAGEANT - MOMENTS LATER

The only contestant there, Amberr, high and wasted stares at

her mangled reflection in the mirror.

Her assistant Davine walks in with his crates full of hair

falls and glittery make up.

DAVINE
(startled, re: her hair
and make up)
Oh honey child. You need help.

AMBERR
Yes I do Davine.
(a beat)
Yes I do...

EXT. POOL AREA - CONTINUOUS

Darleen, on her phone, paces back and forth crying.

HANK (O.S.)
Hello?
 77.

DARLEEN
I did drugs Hank. I did illegal
drugs and I didn’t even hate it as
much as I should have.

INT. HALLWAY - SAME TIME

Vivian struggles with her room key. Just as she’s about to

give up, the door opens.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Vivian walks into the room.

VIVIAN
OH MY GOD!

REVEAL: Leonard laying on the bed, drinking a beer and

watching ESPN on the flat screen.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
Oh thank god! You’re here!
(shell shocked)
I can’t believe you actually came.

Leonard’s eyes stay glued to the TV. Vivian sits down next
to him on the bed.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
I know you don’t like it when I get
all emotional so I’m just gonna say
this real plain and simple. It
means more to me than you’ll ever,
ever know that you came here today.
I know what I big deal it is. This
is the first time you’ve ever left
Montana.

LEONARD
I’ve been to Wyoming.

VIVIAN
Right, I forgot.

Somehow, deep in the dysfunction of their relationship, they

share a moment of awkward care between each other.

A very brief moment.

LEONARD
Where were you? You look kinda
slutty.
 78.

VIVIAN
(thinking on her feet)
Uh... rehearsing and stuff. It’s
been real busy here. Did you bring
a suit like I told you?

Leonard nods.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
Ok, well we better get you ready.

CUT TO:

Vivian, showered and refreshed, tugs at the suit jacket

Leonard is wearing. No matter what direction she pulls, it’s
way too small and he looks ridiculous.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
I told you the black suit from your
grannie's funeral.
(catches herself)
But you look very handsome in this
one.

LEONARD
Thanks. I’m sure once you get your
fancy dress on and stuff you’re
gonna look real pretty too.

VIVIAN
Thanks Leonard.
(smiles)
Ok, so all you gotta do is walk me
across the stage and then they’ll
ask you a question and you answer
it. That’s all and you’re done!

LEONARD
What are they gonna ask me?

VIVIAN
I don’t know. That’s part of it.
That you’re supposed to answer on
the spot, to see what you really
think.

LEONARD
Well, what if I don’t know what to
say?

VIVIAN
You’ll just have to think of
something.
(MORE)
 79.

VIVIAN (CONT'D)
You’ve known me since I was
thirteen. Shouldn’t be all that
hard, right?

Vivian grabs her dress and her duffle bag full of make up and
hair stuff.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
Not to mention, you’re only gonna
have to go up there if I make it
into the top five.

LEONARD
Right.
(thinks)
Just in case they ask, what’s your
favorite color.

VIVIAN
Uh, green I guess.

LEONARD
Right, like your eyes.

VIVIAN
Yeah.
(shocked)
Like my eyes.

Vivian heads for the door.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
You should be in your seat fifteen
minutes before it starts. Someone
will come get you when it’s time to
come backstage with me. Everything
will be really easy. I promise.

Vivian looks Leonard in the eyes, connecting, at some level,

with him for the first time in a long time and then heads
out.

LEONARD
Vivian?

Vivian stops in her tracks.

VIVIAN
Yeah?

LEONARD
Good luck or break a leg or
whatever it is I’m supposed to say.
 80.

VIVIAN
Thanks.

INT. ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS

Vivian is alone. Nervous but determined.

En route, in her mind, to the last-stop-on-the-life-changing

train.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Darleen swipes her key and walks in.

DARLEEN
Well, Hank took that a lot better
than I thought he would.

She looks up and sees Leonard, he’s already cracked a mini JD

from the mini bar.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
Leonard!

LEONARD
Darleen.

DARLEEN
I came up here looking for Vivian.
I guess she already went down.

LEONARD
Yep.

DARLEEN
I’m real proud of you that you
came.

Leonard is silent. He takes a swig from his mini-bottle.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
Hittin the mini-bar already are ya?

LEONARD
(softens)
I get nervous in front of people.
If she gets in the top five I gotta
talk about her to the whole place.
 81.

DARLEEN
I get that.
(then)
I get that. Just take it easy, ok?

Darleen grabs her things and heads out.

INT. BACKSTAGE - MOMENTS LATER

Vivian sits at her spot at a vanity mirror, her modest

collection of cosmetics laid out in front of her.

Darleen toodles in.

VIVIAN
I can’t believe he actually came.

DARLEEN
I think I’d have been less
surprised if I opened my shower
door this morning and saw Garth
Brooks standing in there naked and
waitin’ for me.

Darleen hands her the dress bag.

VIVIAN
What’s this?

Darleen shrugs. Vivian unzips the garment bag, revealing,

inch by inch, the STUNNING PURPLE GOWN INSIDE.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
Oh my god! Darleen.
(beat)
I can’t accept this! It’s the most
beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,
but I just can’t.

DARLEEN
Well, you better. Cause I’ll spend
more on god damn Jenny Craig trying
to fit into the thing than I did on
the dress itself. Not to mention
I’d rather drink rat poison than
give the little twat-head that sold
it to me the satisfaction of me
returning it.

VIVIAN
Thank you so much.
(eyes filled with tears)
(MORE)
 82.

VIVIAN (CONT'D)
It looks just like a box of Raisin
Bran.

DARLEEN
That’s why I knew it had to be
yours. You are literally the only
person that would ever wear it.

VIVIAN
(laughs)
It’s perfect.

DARLEEN
All I ask in return is that you
just go out there and do me proud,
like I know you can.
(big smiles)
Now let’s get this hair and make up
done!

CUT TO:

INT. BACKSTAGE - FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE PAGEANT TIME

Vivian, in the pageant issued red, white and blue one piece
bathing suit, high heels and a glittery MRS. MONTANA sash
paces backstage.

Her hair is big and sprayed.

Her make up heavy and shimmery.

INT. AUDITORIUM - SAME TIME

Darleen makes her way through the auditorium.

FAMILIES AND FRIENDS flood in, most carrying SIGNS WITH

CONTESTANT’S PHOTOS, MESSAGES OF SUPPORT. Large groups of
people for each woman.

Darleen looks at LEONARD’S SEAT.

It’s empty.

INT. STAGE - MOMENTS LATER

LOUD MUSIC begins, the CURTAINS LIFT, LIGHTS SWIRLING.

A LIT UP “MRS. MARRIED AMERICA” SIGN graces the entire back

of the stage.
 83.

The CONTESTANTS, IN MATCHING RED WHITE AND BLUE ONE PIECE

BATHING SUITS FLOOD ONTO THE STAGE.

They’re singing and dancing with ridiculous amounts of

charisma.

CONTESTANTS
(singing)
I’m so proud to be an American!
So proud to be red, white and blue.
I’m so proud to be married!
Because I know that love is true.
I make casseroles and change
diapers!
I lead a crazy busy life!
But I’m proud most of all to say,
I’M A WIFE!

When they finish their number the HOST, male, 50’s,

alarmingly tan and plastic, takes the stage.

HOST
Well, that was something wasn’t it!
Good evening and welcome to the
fifty fourth annual Mrs. Married
America Pageant! The pageant that
celebrates the American Married
Woman! Let’s meet our contestants
one by one as the judges tally the
first round of scores for swimwear.
After that the very first cut of
the evening will be made and we’ll
announce our top ten!

FADE THROUGH:

The CONTESTANTS step through, one by one for their

introduction, we get to:

MRS. MISSISSIPPI, a bit overweight and in her 40’s.

MRS. MISSISSIPPI
From the home of the Mud Pie I am
Deelynn Frank and I am Mrs.
Mississippi!

MRS. MISSOURI, looks WAY too young to be married.

MRS. MISSOURI
As a cardinals fan, I plan to knock
this one out of the park. I am
Heather Stevens and I am Mrs.
Missouri!
 84.

Vivian takes center stage. Confident. Poised.

VIVIAN
From the Big Sky state, I am Vivian
Huntsman, Mrs. Montana!

INT. LOBBY OF AUDITORIUM - SAME TIME

Darleen, on her phone, paces back and forth as she waits for
Leonard to answer.

LEONARD (V.O.)
Hi, you’ve reached Leonard, leave a
message and I’ll maybe call you
back.

DARLEEN
Leonard, it’s Darleen. I know we
don’t see eye to eye on a single
damn thing and this is the last
time I’ll ever ask anything of you.
But you gotta get your ass here.
She needs you.

INT. ON THE STAGE - CONTINUOUS

The CONTESTS are all POSED on the stage. Huge hair. Bigger
smiles.

HOST
Alright, ladies and gentleman!
You’ve just met fifty of the most
beautiful married women in America!
Now for the brutal part. We need
to make out first cut of the
evening. I know it comes sooner
than we’d all like but we’ve
compiled our first round of scores
from a combination of application
essays, photographs, and
congeniality among contestants.

Patty Lane, in a grotesquely sequined evening gown, delivers

AN ENVELOPE to the Host.

HOST (CONT’D)
Thank you Patty!
(opens the envelope)
When I call your name, please come
to the front of the stage. The
first of our top ten finalists
is...
 85.

As he calls their name, the contestants make their way to

their marks at the front of the stage.

HOST (CONT’D)
Mrs. Ohio, welcome to the top ten!
Next up, we’ll see more of Mrs.
Oklahoma sooner than later!
Followed by a big ray of sunshine
from Mrs. California! Well, they
say everything’s big in this state,
let’s see if we’ll get a big win
from Mrs. Texas!

Amberr, lit up like a Christmas tree on crack makes her way

to her spot.

HOST (CONT’D)
Eight US presidents were born here,
let’s see if we can add Mrs.
Married America to that list of
dignitaries, congratulations Mrs.
Virginia! Aloha to Mrs. Hawaii!
Well, why don’t you gallop on down
here like a horse in the derby Mrs.
Kentucky! Looks like we’ll get to
see more of those peaches from Mrs.
Georgia! Alright ladies and
gentleman, our second to last
finalist is Mrs. Montana!

Vivian gasps when her name is called and makes her way to her
spot at the front of the stage.

HOST (CONT’D)
And last but not least Mrs.
Florida! Audience, please give a
big round of applause for our top
ten finalists in the running to be
Mrs. Married America two thousand
and twelve! Up next, we’ll see
these lovely ladies perform their
talents for our esteemed panel of
celebrity judges!

THE JUDGES TABLE:

A MOTLEY MIX OF C LIST OR LOWER CELEBRITIES, maybe some super

old ice skaters, an ex playboy model and at least one vintage
TV star.
 86.

INT. BACKSTAGE - CONTINUOUS

Vivian scans her SHEET MUSIC as Darleen powders Vivian’s

face.

VIVIAN
I’m so damn nervous. What if I go
out there and forget how to play
the piano or something?

DARLEEN
That would be really embarrassing.
(then)
And weird. And funny.

Vivian rolls her eyes and laughs at Darleen.

INT. STAGE - TALENT COMPETITION

THROUGH A SERIES OF QUICK CUTS WE SEE:

-- AMBERR in a FLAME INSPIRED UNITARD, JUGGLING BALLS OF

FLAME. She loses MORE THAN ONE OF HER BALLS and STAGE HANDS
have to put them out with fire extinguishers.

-- MRS. OHIO doing an assultingly MACABRE MODERN DANCE

DRESSED AS A FLAMINGO.

-- VIVIAN at the piano, she plays the theme song from “LITTLE
HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE”. A simple song but she plays it
beautifully and totally nails it. (Albeit, with the dramatic
enthusiasm that one might express playing something more
along the lines of R. Strauss: Burleske).

Vivian rises from her “concerto” performance and takes a lady

like bow to her audience as they applaud mightily.

INT. STAGE - SAME TIME

The Host makes his way back on the stage, the ten finalists
behind him. Nervous. Holding hands. Anxious.

HOST
Wow, I don’t know about you but
that flame thrower had me on the
edge of my seat! If I could
welcome back the ten finalists, I
have a little envelope here and in
it are the names of five of the
luckiest married women in the
world. With no further ado...
first up, Mrs. Texas!
 87.

Amberr, looking just-to-the-left of normal, smiles and makes

her way to the front of the stage but not without TRIPPING ON
THE TRAIN OF HER DRESS on the way.

AMBERR
I’m ok!

HOST
Good to hear.
(reads the card)
Our next finalist is Mrs. Ohio!

Already in tears, Mrs. Ohio makes her way to the front of the
stage.

HOST (CONT’D)
Mrs. California!

Mrs. California confidently swaggers her way to the front of

the stage.

HOST (CONT’D)
Mrs. Hawaii!

Mrs. Hawaii graciously waves as she takes her place.

HOST (CONT’D)
And last but certainly not least we
have a history making finalist.
For the first time ever, her state
will be represented in the top
five, Mrs. Montana!

Stunned and stunning in her Versace gown, Vivian makes her

way to the front of the stage.

HOST (CONT’D)
Well, congratulations ladies!
(to the losers)
And to you for making it to the top
ten. You may officially leave the
stage now.

The Host makes his way over to Amberr.

HOST (CONT’D)
Hi Amberr. How are you feeling,
nervous?
 88.

AMBERR
(tipsy, slurry mess)
No, in fact I’ve never felt so
strongly that I was standing in the
right place at the right time in my
whole life! I’m so happy for
myself!

The audience applauds. The Host looks at Amberr

suspiciously, her wasted-ness not going unnoticed.

HOST
We are happy for you too!
(moving on)
So! We will now begin the question
and answer portion of the evening.
(re: fishbowl on a table)
I will randomly draw judge created
questions from this bowl and ask
each of you for your thoughts on
things ranging from the political
to the personal. Amberr, you’re up
first!

The Host SWIRLS HIS HAND AROUND IN THE FISHBOWL and pulls out
a card.

HOST (CONT’D)
(reads)
How would you define the perfect
husband?

Amberr smiles.

AMBERR
That’s easy! A man who has
character, who is loving, caring,
present and a provider. Someone
that you want to walk through life
with everyday and in the eternities
beyond. Oh, and he has to be able
to tell a good joke too.

HOST
Wow, well that sounds like a great
man.

AMBERR
May I say one more thing?

HOST
You still have thirty seconds on
the clock!
 89.

AMBERR
Essentially a man that is the exact
opposite of my piece of shit poor
excuse for a human ex husband.
That’s right I said ex. I’m a
fuckin’ divorcee. I may be a little
drunk still and I may or may not
have taken some Ecstasy last night
but that doesn’t change the fact
that my ex husband has a small
penis and got caught looking at gay
porn once when we were in college.
Honestly, I’d love to stab him in
the asshole for treating me the way
he has but I won’t because he has
chronic diarrhea. You can have him
Susie-what-ever-the-hell-your-name-
is.

INT. AUDIENCE - SAME TIME

A spotlight on him, AMBERR’S EX-HUSBAND GETS UP AND STORMS

OUT OF THE AUDITORIUM.

INT. BACKSTAGE - SAME TIME

Everyone backstage (various contestants, stylists etc) come

to a COMPLETE STAND STILL, TOTALLY SHOCKED by what Amberr has
said.

Darleen STARTS A SLOW CLAP.

DARLEEN
(to anyone that will
listen, re: her slow clap
for Amberr)
Am I right?

No one else joins her.

INT. STAGE - CONTINUOUS

Vivian smiles proudly. She can’t believe her ears, but she
smiles.

HOST
Wow, so much to address! First and
foremost, if you’re no longer
married you’ll unfortunately be
immediately disqualified.
 90.

AMBERR
I said I was divorced.
(smiles)
I didn’t say I wasn’t married.

A collective gasp is heard from the audience.

AMBERR (CONT’D)
I have a new husband. I LOVE YOU
PARDEEP! I WANT TO HAVE YOUR ARAB
BABIES!

Pardeep, who is not Arab, stands up in the audience proudly.

Amberr, on her way back to her spot, trips over the train on
her dress again. Fed up she RIPS THE TRAIN OFF and tosses it
to the back of the stage.

HOST
(to the audience)
Mrs. Texas everybody!

The crowd applauds with confusion.

HOST (CONT’D)
Up next, Mrs. Hawaii!

We fade through the next few contestants as they nervously

answer their questions.

Mrs. Ohio, is at the tail end of her answer.

MRS. OHIO
In closing, like the seven layers
of a delicious seven layer dip,
those are the seven key elements to
an exciting intimate life with your
husband without sacrificing your
Christian ideals!

The crowd roars with applause.

HOST
Well, ladies and gentlemen, this
has been one interesting question
and answer round. Our final
contestant is up next, Mrs.
Montana!

The Host steps beside Vivian.

 91.

HOST (CONT’D)
Vivian, has it settled in yet that
you’re making history being the
first contestant from Montana to
make it to the top five?

VIVIAN
(smiles)
It hasn’t settled in yet that I’m
even here. This is like a dream to
me.

The crowd laughs and applauds.

HOST
Alright, for your question.

EVERYTHING MOVES TO SLOW MO AS HE SWIRLS HIS HAND AROUND THE

FISHBOWL.

He pulls out a card and reads it to himself.

HOST (CONT’D)
This is an interesting one.

Small beads of sweat accumulate on Vivian’s browline as the

magnitude of this moment settles in.

Flashes of reality.

The lights.

The audience.

The other contestants.

HOST (CONT’D)
Do you believe that clearly
defined, stereotypical male female
roles can help or hurt a marriage?
And why?

Vivian’s mind is racing. Say what she thinks?

Say what she should?

The host smiles out to the audience as Vivian takes a moment.

VIVIAN
Well...

It’s only a handful of seconds but to everyone watching it

seems like forever.
 92.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
(swallows)
...like most things in life I’d say
moderation is the key to happiness.
Finding a balance.

Vivian looks out to the eager audience and smiles nervously.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
But that doesn’t mean I do. It’s
hard to find that balance. For
example, I, personally, hate to
cook. In fact, I loathe it.

A few gasps pop up throughout the audience.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
Yep. I do. Can’t stand it.
Cleaning and laundry? I dread
knowing those things are on my
daily to do list. But I do those
things everyday because I have
children that I love so much that I
would die for them. So even if it
means making a tuna casserole when
I’d rather be travelling the world
as a journalist, I do it. Because
I’m a Mom and that’s what being a
Mom in my household means. Whether
it was what I signed up for or not.
It is what it is and I’m good at
it. I just hope that someday I can
make a tuna casserole after also
being able to do something I’m
passionate about. Which quite
frankly, is a lot more than just
being a wife.

Raucous applause flows through the auditorium.

HOST
Well, clearly you’ve struck a chord
with our audience. Thank you
Vivian!

INT. BACKSTAGE - MOMENTS LATER

As Darleen polishes Vivian’s curls, Vivian looks in the

mirror, blank.

Withdrawn.
 93.

VIVIAN
You’re sure he’s not out there?
Maybe he’s in the wrong seat.

Beat.

DARLEEN
He’s not out there, Viv.

INT. STAGE - SAME TIME

HOST
Up next, the finalists walk the
stage for in the traditional
husband wife parade! This is a
tradition that has been a part of
Mrs. Married America since our
first pageant in 1957. The
husbands of these lovely women will
escort them across the stage and
then answer a question about their
beautiful bride. Before we do,
let’s give a warm welcome to last
year’s winner, the current
reigning Mrs. Married America Lisa
Daniels from Des Moines Iowa!

Mrs. Married America 2011 walks onto the stage.

INT. BACKSTAGE - CONTINUOUS

Patty approaches Vivian, flustered and demanding.

PATTY LANE
Vivian, your husband should be back
here by now. He’s the only one not
here.
(cutting)
I’d hate to think we wasted our
selection for Mrs. Montana.

VIVIAN
Well, I’m sure you didn’t have any
other choices anyway.

PATTY LANE
To the contrary. Twelve women
applied and I’m sure every one of
the other eleven would love to be
in your shoes right now. Husband
in tow.
 94.

The human in Patty Lane emerges. Softening for the first

time.

PATTY LANE (CONT’D)

Your essay about wanting to be like
Diane Sawyer really struck a chord
with everyone and your honesty
about losing that pageant to a
twelve year old girl and having to
wear those bunny ears? We all fell
in love with you Vivian. We
would’ve chosen you from hundreds.

Patty Lane walks away.

Vivian thinks about what she just said. Realizing she was
actually chosen.

VIVIAN
(shouts after her)
How much time do I have?

PATTY LANE
Time? No time. We go back on in
five minutes.

Vivian bolts out of her chair and storms past Patty.

PATTY LANE (CONT’D)

Vivian! You’ll be disqualified!

Vivian doesn’t hesitate for a second, she blasts out the

stage doors full steam ahead.

CUT TO:

INT. CASINO - CIRCUS CIRCUS - CONTINUOUS

In her gown and sash, half curled hair and full make up
Vivian tears through the Casino, scanning the room.

VIVIAN
LEONARD!

INT. BAR - CIRCUS CIRCUS - CONTINUOUS

Vivian sprints into the bar.

VIVIAN
LEONARD!
 95.

INT. STAGE - SAME TIME

MRS. MARRIED AMERICA 2011, saunters across the stage. Her

HUSBAND and FOUR CHILDREN walk out to greet her.

HOST
Let’s give her a big round of
applause as she takes her final
walk across the stage as the title
holder of the most prestigious
honor a married woman in America
can attain. Mrs. Married America!

The audience cheers.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Vivian plows into the room.

VIVIAN
LEONARD!

SWING TO:

LEONARD ON THE BED, NO LONGER IN HIS SUIT, STAINS ON HIS

SHIRT, PASSED OUT IN HIS OWN URINE.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
NO! LEONARD! WAKE UP!!!

Vivian shakes him violently. He comes to, groggy.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
(tears start to fall)
Leonard, please! Please wake up!
I need you, please! I’ve never
asked for anything, not a GOD DAMN
FUCKING THING! PLEASE!!!

LEONARD
What time is it?

Vivian grasps on to just enough delusion to make him worth

her while.

She continues to shake him awake.

VIVIAN
It’s time to go! I’ll grab your
suit, just please get up!

LEONARD
I don’t feel good.
 96.

VIVIAN
Leonard, you came all the way here.
I’ve put my whole heart into this.
If there’s ever one thing. ONE
THING! Can this please just be it?
Please!!!!!!!

Leonard looks her dead in the eyes...

LEONARD
Didn’t figure you’d get in the top
five anyway.

...and then PUKES HIS GUTS OUT over the side of the bed.

Vivian takes a deep breath, regains her composure.

VIVIAN
Fine. Just like EVERY OTHER GOD
DAMN THING I’ll do it ALONE! I’ll
figure out a way. I’ll make it
work.

She makes her way toward the door but stops short. She turns
and faces Leonard.

Faces her reality, her life.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
But Leonard? Just one more thing I
think you should know.

LEONARD
(wiping the puke from his
face)
What?

Vivian smiles, done.

Finally and officially DONE.

VIVIAN
You’re never gonna fuck a beauty
queen.

She adjusts her Mrs. Montana sash and fixes the straps on the
Versace gown that drapes her body like a supermodel.

And walks out the door.

 97.

INT. STAGE - SAME TIME

Cheesy, romantic instrumental music swirls through the air.

Soft pink lighting cascades across the stage. Ghastly silk
flowers and a cheap white gazebo have been added to the set
design.

HOST
Our first couple of the evening is
Janelle Thompson, Mrs. Ohio and her
husband Steve Thompson.

MRS. OHIO AND HER HUSBAND stand in a HUGE spotlight and then
begin their walk across the stage.

HOST (CONT’D)
(reads from card)
Steve is a firefighter and loving
father to their six children. His
dream in life is to one day retire
and start a professional Folf
league.

Mrs. Ohio and her husband approach the microphone, inside the
gazebo.

INT. BACKSTAGE - CONTINUOUS

Patty looks at the empty spot where Vivian and Leonard should
be standing, ready for their walk.

INT. STAGE - SAME TIME

The Host addresses Mrs. Ohio’s husband.

HOST
Steve, like houses and buildings,
marriages need foundations. What
is the foundation of your marriage?

STEVE
You’re looking at her!

INT. BACKSTAGE - CONTINUOUS

Darleen, dumbfounded and unsure of what to do, sits in

Vivian’s make up chair.

HOST (O.S.)
Next up, Mrs. Texas!
 98.

Patty Lane runs up to Darleen, in a tither.

PATTY LANE
If she’s not here in sixty seconds,
she’s disqualified.
(stern)
It’s clearly stated in the rules.

INT. STAGE - SAME TIME

Amberr saunters across the stage, ARM IN ARM WITH PARDEEP.

HOST
Amberr is walking her husband...
Jack?

The Host looks at his card.

HOST (CONT’D)
Something tells me that’s not
right.

AMBERR
(really loudly)
HIS NAME IS PARDEEP!

HOST
Pardeep! I don’t know anything
about Pardeep but he sure looks
like a nice guy. Pardeep, I’ll
just ask you the question we
already had prepared. When did you
first realize that Mrs. Texas was
the woman you were going to marry.

PARDEEP
About four this morning.

HOST
I see. Well, what was it about her
that caught your eye.

PARDEEP
Her body looked very sexual and
fertile.

HOST
Alright! Well, Pardeep and Mrs.
Texas everyone!
 99.

INT. BACKSTAGE - CONTINUOUS

Darleen isn’t sure what to say to Patty.

DARLEEN
I don’t...

Darleen looks across the way and smiles.

DARLEEN (CONT’D)
...think that will be a problem.

SWING TO:

Vivian is on her mark, smoothing her hair and ready to go on

stage. Patty Lane scurries over to her.

PATTY LANE
Where is he? I thought you said he
was here.

VIVIAN
Oh, he is here.

Patty Lane looks at her, befuddled.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
He’s upstairs in the hotel room,
passed out in his own urine and
likely choking on his own vomit.
(smiles)
So, I’m gonna be walking alone!

PATTY LANE
I’ll have to check the official
rules, I don’t know if you can walk
alone.

HOST (O.S.)
Up next Vivian Huntsman and her
husband Leonard!

The bright white of Vivian’s spotlight spills backstage.

VIVIAN
I can do whatever I want to do.

Vivian steps out into her light. Alone. Confident.

Ready.
 100.

INT. STAGE - CONTINUOUS

Rumbles of confusion scatter through the audience as Vivian

DOES THE HUSBAND WIFE PARADE BY HERSELF.

The romantic music, the lights. The other contestants look

on in horror.

It’s awkward and pathetic.

And the proudest moment of Vivian’s life.

She takes her place in the gazebo.

HOST
(confused)
Well, I have a question for your
husband but unless he’s wearing an
invisibility cloak, doesn’t look
like he’s here!

VIVIAN
(into the mic)
No, he’s not.

HOST
Well, the question was going to be
what his favorite thing about you
is. Maybe I should get another
question assigned from the judges?

VIVIAN
(without hesitation)
Is it ok if I tell you my favorite
thing about myself?

The HOST isn’t sure what to do. Patty scurries onto the
stage, smiling at the audience, WHISPERS SOMETHING IN HIS EAR
and then scurries right back off.

HOST
Go ahead, Vivian. You may answer
the question.

VIVIAN
And trust me when I say, I don’t
spend that much time thinking about
what’s so great about myself. I
don’t think most of us women do.
(MORE)
 101.

VIVIAN (CONT'D)
I mean sure we have confident
moments, dare to dream dashes but
most of the time I worry about how
fat I look, even when I’m all by
myself in the bathroom three
hundred miles from nowhere. Or
about my clothes not being right,
even when I’m at Walmart on a rainy
Monday morning. That’s what women
do. But I think, to answer the
question, the thing I like most
about myself is my feet.

A few rumbles scatter throughout the audience.

HOST
Interesting answer. Nicely shaped
toes?
(cheeses it up to the
crowd)
Maybe a foot modeling career is on
the horizon for Mrs. Montana!

The audience laughs.

VIVIAN
Not really. They’re pretty ugly.
Never had a pedicure in my life.
(deep, cleansing breath)
My feet are what keep me on the
ground. My feet run to my babies
in the middle of the night when
they’re sick. My feet are what
walked me across the stage in high
school when I gave my valedictorian
speech. My feet are the first
things that hit ground in the
morning. Another day that I got to
walk on this earth. My feet are
what walked me across this stage
tonight, alone, without my husband.
And my feet are what are going to
take me on the next steps in my
life even though, right now, I have
no idea what those steps are gonna
be.

Vivian looks out to the crowd and smiles demurely. She spoke
so purely, so sincerely, so unsure of what anyone else’s
opinion might be. She quietly walks to her place on stage
and stands beside the other finalists.
 102.

HOST
(taken back)
Mrs. Montana, thank you for your
very candid answer. Now, if you
husbands don’t mind, I’d like to
have these lovely ladies to myself
for the next few minutes. If your
wife is the lucky winner we’ll see
more of you in just a bit.

The husbands leave the stage.

HOST (CONT’D)
Well, ladies and gentleman, this
has been an interesting evening!
The judges have tallied their
scores from throughout the evening.
The moment we’ve all been waiting
for will finally be here. We will
crown the next Mrs. Married
America!

A MAN walks onto the stage and hands the HOST AN ENVELOPE.

HOST (CONT’D)
Alright ladies and gentleman.

The FIVE CONTESTANTS grab each other’s hands. The Host opens
the results envelope.

HOST (CONT’D)
The fourth runner up is... AMBERR
LAKES! Mrs. Texas!

Amberr approaches the host an accepts her modest bouquet of

flowers and small trophy.

HOST (CONT’D)
The third runner up is... Mrs.
California!

Mrs. California accepts her flowers and trophy and waves to

the crowd as she walks off the stage.

HOST (CONT’D)
The second runner up is Mrs.
Hawaii!

Mrs. Hawaii accepts a larger bouquet of flowers and trophy

and waves as she exits the stage.

Vivian and Mrs. Ohio hold hands as they nervously await their
future.
 103.

HOST (CONT’D)
And now, before we crown the
winner, it should be known that if
for any reason Mrs. Married America
cannot fulfill her duties or should
be lucky enough to be crowned Mrs.
Married World, the first runner up
will step into her shoes and become
the new title holder. Either way,
you are both winners and should be
very proud of yourselves as I am
sure your families are very proud
of you.
(to the audience)
Are you ready for this, this is it!
The BIG announcement. The first
runner up in this year’s Mrs.
Married America two thousand and
twelve pageant is... VIVIAN
HUNTSMAN, MRS. MONTANA!

Vivian is draped in a first runner up sash and handed an

enormous bouquet of flowers.

Thunderous applause rolls through the audience.

The applause may be for Mrs. Ohio, who is already in tears,

knowing she’s won.

But as Vivian waves her last good bye and walks off the
stage?

That applause is for her.

Vivian Huntsman.

Beauty Queen.

FADE TO:

MONTHS LATER...

INT. KTMT NEWSROOM - EVENING

NANCY, the local NEWSCASTER, 40’s, sporting a very poor

haircut and even worse make up, delivers the early evening
news.

NANCY THE NEWSCASTER

Thanks for the weather report John,
glad we’re finally seeing some
summer weather.
(MORE)
 104.

NANCY THE NEWSCASTER (CONT'D)

Now it’s time for our new
“Spotlight on Community” segment.
You might recognize our
correspondent, she made history as
the first runner up in the Mrs.
Married America pageant. Let’s go
to her now as she reports from the
Eastern Montana Center for the
Homeless. Vivian?

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. EASTERN MONTANA CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS - SAME TIME

Vivian looks to the camera with nervous confidence. She’s

wearing a simple suit but there’s nothing about her, in this
moment, that isn’t gorgeous.

VIVIAN
Thanks Nancy. Yes, that’s right.
I am here at the Eastern Montana
Center for the Homeless. I’ve got
Randy here. He’s been coming to
the center for a while now.

RANDY, 50’s (but looks 70’s) a very homeless, very toothless

man smiles to the camera.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
Randy, how long have you been
coming to the center?

RANDY
I can’t really remember.

VIVIAN
Wow. That long.

RANDY
Maybe. But also I do a lot of drugs
and drink a lot so I can’t remember
what happened even yesterday.

VIVIAN
(panics)
I see.
(regains composure)
So, why do you come here? What
does the center offer you that
keeps you coming back.
 105.

RANDY
Food for one. Also, there’s just
somethin’ about the people that
work here that make you think
there’s a chance for something
better. Makes me think I should
quit drinkin’. I haven’t yet but
they make me think I should, so
maybe I will. I guess what I could
say is that coming here... it gives
me hope.

VIVIAN
(back to camera)
You heard him. This center is a
place that feeds, clothes and
offers shelter to many in need in
the area. They’re currently
looking for volunteers to help
serve meals. What better way to
volunteer than to give people like
Randy here a dose of hope.

Vivian nods to the camera and smiles, confidently.

VIVIAN (CONT’D)
Back to you Nancy.

FADE TO:

I/E. VIVIAN’S CAR - DRIVING - A WHILE LATER

Vivian, sun kissed and wearing a sun dress drives down the
long Rudyard County Highway.

The sun is just beginning to set, cascading across the

landscape, showcasing the deep golden hues of the plains.

She smiles as she passes the rows and rows of colorful

wildflowers that paint edges of the roadside.

INT. DOUBLE WIDE TRAILER- SAME TIME

Leonard, six pack of beer beside him, sits in an old Laz-y-

boy and watches TV.

Alone.

Drunk.

Without hope.
 106.

A letter, finalizing his and Vivian’s DIVORCE is on the

counter covered in food and beer stains.

INT. BIG FANCY KITCHEN IN A BIG FANCY HOUSE - SAME TIME

Amberr sips on a glass of white wine, fluffs the collar of

her track suit and stirs the pot on the stove.

An photo of HER AND PARDEEP HONEYMOONING ON A PRIVATE ISLAND

displayed on the counter behind her.

EXT. WIDE OPEN FIELD - SAME TIME

Summer, who’s lost a little weight but gained miles of

confidence, plays a game of catch with her brothers.

INT. DARLEEN’S FRONT PORCH - SAME TIME

Darleen and her HUSBAND HANK (late 30’s, short, slight and
caring) sit on the porch swing, sipping iced tea and watching
the day slowly change to night.

Darleen hands Hank a packet from an Adoption Agency.

He’s over the moon.

They continue to swing, blissfully happy.

I/E. VIVIAN’S CAR - DRIVING - SAME TIME

Vivian pulls in front of RUDYARD FAMILY DENTISTRY AND PARKS.

She unbuckles her seat belt, takes a deep breath and smiles
brightly.

VIVIAN
Hope changes everything, doesn’t
it?

FADE TO BLACK.