Following on from “Promises” Part Two…
19 (continued) INT. CAB. NIGHT
GBG, Spider and Rat are just ten meters away from Blue, frozen in terror. GBH clenches his fists like a villain in a B-Grade movie.
Matt glances at his watch again.
MATT
Fuck!
GBG, Spider and Rat are almost on Blue when Matt leans over, opens the passenger door and shouts at him:
MATT
Get in.
Blue leaps in. Matt activates the locks. GBG, Spider and Rat are in front of the cab now, blocking Matt's escape. Standoff!
Matt looks in the rear vision mirror. No escape route behind!
GBH gives instructions to Spider and Rat. They move to the passenger door, try to open it. No luck.
GBH, mobile hand, gestures to Matt that if he unlocks the door, gives up Blue, GBH will get out of the way; let him drive off.
Matt shakes his head. GBH snarls at Matt, raises his fist aggressively. Matt breathes deeply, puts a lot of effort into not responding but the temptation is too great. He eventually flips a bird at GBH, who then recognizes Matt; flies into a rage.
GBH(SHOUTS)
You're dead motherfucker!
Spider and Rat, at Blue's window, try to force the door open. Blue is scared shitless.
Matt revs the engine, gestures to GBH his intention to drive forward; that GBH should get out of the way.
GBH
You slimy fucking thieving piece of shit cunt…
With the clutch pressed down, Matt revs the engine; shouts:
MATT
If you don't get out of the fucking way…
Matt indicates with his fingers: 5-4-3
MATT
Five, four, three…
Matt releases the clutch, jolts forward a few feet, bumps GBH backwards. GBH's anger ramps up further. He hurls his mobile at Matt. It explodes into fragments as it bounces off the window. GBH is apoplectic now.
Spider and Rat join him in front of the taxi.
Matt finishes his finger countdown: 2-1, shakes his head (“I warned you!”), puts his foot on the accelerator, drives fast backwards about five meters, shifts gears, drives straight at them.
GBG, Spider and Rat leap out of the way.
20 EXT. ROAD ADJACENT TO‘GLUTTONS’. NIGHT
Matt drives fast out of the fast food outlet, swings onto the main road.
21 INT. TAXI. CITY STREET. NIGHT
Matt drives fast - the purple sedan a couple of hundred meters behind him. There is a curve in the road. The purple car disappears from Matt's rear vision mirror. He sees a driveway, switches the taxi lights off.
22 INT DRIVEWAY. SUBURBAN HOME. NIGHT
Matt swings into the driveway, tires screeching; stops. Lights at the front of the house turn on.
MATT
Shit!
Matt's eyes are focused on the rear vision mirror. Nothing. More nothing and then…the purple car drives past the driveway. Blue, in a state of shock, breathes a sigh of relief - his face breaking into a smile.
BLUE
That was fucking awesome!
Matt ignores Blue, tries to calm his breathing - his left hand on his racing heart. Blue notices Matt's bleeding knuckles and is about to say something when Matt holds his hand up to shut Blue up.
A MAN IN PYJAMAS opens the front door with a cricket bat in one hand and his mobile phone to his ear in the other.
MATT
Shit!
Matt switches his lights on, backs fast out of the driveway. Tracy’s mobile phone rings: “I Love You Baby Doll”. He ignores it.
23 INT. TAXI. CITY STREET. NIGHT
Back on the main road Matt turns in the opposite direction to the one taken by the purple car, drives off fast. Tracy’s mobile stops ringing.
BLUE
Thanks bro!
Matt shakes his head, looks at his watch.
BLUE
It's just a bit of a…
Matt holds his had up: 'shut up!'
BLUE
…a misunderstanding.
Matt pulls over to the side of the road, puts his foot on the brake, skids in the gravel.
MATT
Shut the fuck up, Blue, give me my phone and...
Matt holds out his hand.
BLUE
I don’t have it, bro...
Matt’s anger and frustration is closely followed by stoic acceptance. He calms his breathing, regains his composure, leans over Blue, opens the passenger door, speaks calmly: passive/aggressive!
BLUE
Let me explain...
Matt holds up his hand to stop Blue; shakes his head.
MATT
Out, Blue.
Blue looks at him in shock.
MATT
Now. Please Blue. Thank you.
Blue starts to get out. Tracy's phone rings: “I Love You Baby Doll”.
23 EXT. TAXI. CITY STREET. NIGHT
Blue leans in through the passenger window; smiles.
BLUE
Thanks bro, I really appreciate ya help.
Matt nods; presses ‘answer’ on the phone in its cradle as Blue walks off. The mobile is on ‘speaker’:
TRACY'S VOICE
You got Blue?
MATT
He's safe…
TRACY'S VOICE
Thanks, can you…
MATT
Tracy, I need my phone. And Juliet's number. Now!
TRACY'S VOICE
Okay, hang on…can ya put the dumb prick on?
MATT
Tracy, for fuck’s sake...
TRACY'S VOICE
Gotta tell him something.
Matt shakes his head, calls out:
MATT
Blue!
Blue turns. Matt lifts up the mobile; points to it.
Blue runs back to the car, takes the mobile from Matt through the driver's window.
BLUE
Hey, babe! You're right. Matt is awesome. If it hadn't been for him...
Matt leans close to the phone, speaks loudly.
MATT
Juliet's phone number, Tracy! I’m not going to...!
TRACY'S VOICE
Don't get ya knickers in a twist, Tubba.
MATT
Tubba!
TRACY'S VOICE
I googled you, Matt Patterson. I know everything about you now. Footie star! Wow! Can I get your autograph? And, hey, that’s a cool photo of you...
MATT
Photo!? What...!?
TRACY'S VOICE
You with a six pack, holding that big silver trophy while ya team mates spray champers all over you. What’s that all about!? Blue, I need to talk to you. In private.
Blue nods, walks up the road. Matt watches him as he listens to Tracy; nodding.
Matt looks at his watch; runs his fingers through his hair, inspects the crack in the windscreen (it seems to have stabilised); looks at his damaged hand, then at his watch; raps his fingers on his knee impatiently; looks at his blue thumb; takes the cigarette from behind his ear; looks at it lustfully.
After a good deal of nodding, Blue smiles, walks back to the cab, hands the mobile to Matt through the driver’s window. He takes it, replaces the cigarette behind his ear.
BLUE
Tracy wants to...
JULIET’S VOICE
Hey Tubba, there's club called 'Stardust', do you know it?
MATT
Of course I know it. I'm a fucking taxi-driver, Britney.
BLUE
Britney!
TRACY'S VOICE
Matt, if ya want ya phone back, come to ‘Stardust’ and...
MATT
No. I don't care about my phone. You can keep my phone. Just give me Juliet's phone number.
TRACY'S VOICE
Meet me at ‘Stardust’ and I'll give it to you.
MATT
Don't try and blackmail me, Britney.
TRACY'S VOICE
I'm not trying to blackmail you, GQ. I am blackmailing you! (A BEAT) Just kidding, GQ. Chill. Serena’s cool with the change of plans - long as you talk to her about ‘stuff’ (A BEAT…and get to light her candle before the sun comes up.
Matt sighs; shakes his head.
TRACY'S VOICE
And I haven’t mentioned your google search history to her…(A BEAT)…in case you’re wondering.
Matt’s eyes widen in shock.
BLUE
Google search!?
TRACY'S VOICE
Now here's the plan…
Matt drives. Blue is eager to talk. Matt is not.
BLUE
Google search!? Britney?
(Silence)
Love’s a bitch, ay?
(Silence)
‘Light her candle’ is a oopamism, right?
(Silence)
For, you know...
Blue makes a crude attempt as female orgasmic moaning.
MATT
Euphemism!
BLUE
Yeah, that word. I’m a bit dyslexic and that’s one of the words... So you lighting your girlfriend’s candle’s like euphemism for having sex, right? You and Serena?
MATT
I don't want to talk, Blue! About anything! Okay?
Blue nods, thinks a moment, looks at Matt.
BLUE
You pre-menstrual or something? I mean menopausal...men can get menopause too, ya know? When ya testosterone levels drop. (A BEAT) My dad, when...
MATT
There's nothing wrong with my testosterone levels!
Blue nods, holds up his hands in a playful gesture of surrender; looks at Matt's bloody knuckles.
BLUE
I talk too much, ay?
Matt nods. Blue’s mobile announces the arrival of a message. He ignores it; takes a small note-book out of his pocket, writes in it.
Matt watches him; curious.
BLUE
How do you spell ‘euphemism’?
MATT
E U P H E M I S M…I think!
Blue writes in his book. Matt looks at him; intrigued.
BLUE (SMILES)
I collect words.
MATT
Like Tracy?
BLUE
Yeah, that’s how we met....coz of words.
Matt is tempted to enquire further but decides against it. Blue checks his mobile; his eyes light up.
BLUE
Wow! Tracy’s right. That’s some six pack, Tubba. Sorry...Matt.
MATT
Show me?
Blue holds up his mobile. Matt glances at the photo; smiles.
BLUE
I loved footie when I was a kid. (A BEAT) But I was a skinny little cunt and... That's what my friends called me before 'Blue' - 'Skinny'. My dad said “sticks and stones will break your bones but names will never hurt ya.” But it did hurt. Heaps.
Blue touches his heart; a pained expression on his face.
BLUE
Still hurts.
Matt looks at Blue; registers his hurt. Blue turns to Matt.
BLUE
Know what I mean?
(Matt nods)
Yeah!? (A BEAT) Really?
Matt does not want to pursue this topic further.
MATT
What other words you got in that book?
BLUE
Heaps. ‘Ebullience’, ‘demure’, ‘ephem...’ fuck! ‘ephemeral’... ‘serendipity’. My favourite.
(MATT NODS)
You know what that means?
MATT
Of course. (A BEAT) Remind me.
BLUE
Well, I was at ‘Glutton’s’ one night eating a whopper with the works and googling a new word I’d just discovered, ’melliflouous’... and writing it in my book when Trace appeared out of fucking nowhere leaning over my shoulder and she says “Wothca doin’?” And I didn't know what to say coz I thought she'd think I was weird if I told her I collected words so I mumbled something, then she grabbed my notebook and flicked through it and smiled...a fucking beautiful smile...and said, "You collect words too." And I just... fucking nodded...couldn’t believe this cool chick...like a supermodel she was, was talking to me and she said, “You know ‘serendipity’?” And of course I didn’t but said “name of a band, right?” And she laughed and said. (HE MIMICS TRACY) “This is serendipity! You and me meeting like this!” And I just nodded like I understood, but all I could think of was “Hey, this chick thinks I’m worth talking to - skinny little cunt that I am” and...fuck! I was smitten. That’s a cool word, too, ay? ‘Smitten’. (A BEAT) From the bible. To smite, you know...Anyhow, Tracy was having a whopper with the works too...serendipity...there was this song playing...'Ships in the night', and it was...some fucking thing at first sight. Love or whatever...soul mates or something, I don't know and Trace and I disagree on it but…
Blue starts singing. He has an awful singing voice!
BLUE(SINGS)
“Like ships in the night You keep passing me by, Just wasting time, trying to prove who's right…” Yeah, I know, shouldn't give up my day job, ay? It's like… our song, know what I mean? Me and Trace.
Matt laughs, looks at Blue in amazement.
MATT
What is your day job, Blue?
BLUE
Furniture removalist. You got anything needs moving, I'm your man...
MATT
Furniture removalist? (A BEAT) Who collects words!?
BLUE
Yeah, and it all started with porn.
(Matt laughs; shakes his head)
You should of seen my own Google search history.
Matt does not want to pursue this topic.
BLUE
Yeah, so I went online looking for porn, see...
MATT
For porn?
BLUE
Yeah, I’m an addict. (A BEAT) Was...I found the cure...
MATT
The cure!?
BLUE
Words!
MATT
Words!?
BLUE
Fucking words. They can take you all sorts of places, like sitting here talking to you about serendipity. Fucking serendipity! (A BEAT) Like...you picking up Tracy...you rescuing me back there and now...
MATT(SUSPICIOUS)
Now? Now what?
BLUE(EVASIVE)
Going to meet Trace at ‘Stardust’.
MATT
To get my phone back, right?
Blue hesitates for a moment; he is not a good liar!
BLUE
Yeah. Of course. (A BEAT) Can I ask your advice on something, Matt? Something personal? Seeing as how you're...well, old and everything?
MATT
I'm not that old…
BLUE
You've been in love, right?
(Matt nods; smiles)
Well, when a boy and girl are in love and, like, soul mates, and only one of them wants to have sex...
MATT
The porn addict?
BLUE
Not any more, Matt. Not any more. I cured myself.
MATT
With words?
BLUE
Yeah, well sortov, ya see, one night I went to type p-o-r-n into google like I had heaps of times before...
Tracy's mobile rings in the cradle.
BLUE
Want me to…(answer it)?
Matt nods. Blue takes the mobile from the cradle, presses ‘speaker’.
BLUE
Yo.
SERENA'S VOICE
I can see what you're up against! What planet is that girl from?
Blue speaks in an American (gangsta) voice:
BLUE
I is Blue, who is you?
(In his own voice)
She's fucking amazing, ay, Serena?
SERENA'S VOICE
Is that Blue?
BLUE
'Blue', 'Skinny', call me anything you like but just not late for fucking dinner, ay! ‘Scuse my French!
SERENA’S VOICE
Tracy’s ex?
BLUE(CHIRPY)
Not ‘ex’ for long, Serena.
SERENA'S VOICE
You got Matt there?
MATT
It's more like he's got me. Tracy and...I've been kidnapped.
(Serena laughs)
Help! Blue’s been telling me about being a porn addict.
BLUE
Recovering, Serena. Recovering. I found the cure!
SERENA'S VOICE
You want a job? Half my clients are porn addicts.
BLUE
Google.
SERENA'S VOICE
Google!?
BLUE
Best cure there is!
SERENA'S VOICE
Google! How's that?
BLUE
Well, when I’m feeling horny and I’ve got an urge to...you know...
MATT
You can spare us some details, Blue...
BLUE
Oh, OK...and I start thinking about …interacting…with some porn...
SERENA'S VOICE
Hang on, Blue...Got another call coming in...Tracy again!
MATT
Jesus! You mean Britney?
SERENA'S VOICE
Britney!?
MATT
What are you two talking about?
SERENA'S VOICE
Secret women's business.
BLUE
Me and Matt's talking secret men's business.
SERENA'S VOICE
Hang on, I’ll just tell Tracy...
Serena puts the call on hold.
BLUE
Britney!?
Matt waves the question away.
BLUE
So, how’d you get to be called Tubba?
Serena comes back on.
SERENA'S VOICE
What’s that girl up to?
Matt glances at Blue; who looks away sheepishly.
MATT
I’m just about to get my phone back and...
(He looks at Blue)
...that’s right, Blue, right?
(Blue nods)
And I’ll be on my way.
BLUE
To light your candle?
(Silence)
Just joking, Serena.
SERENA’S VOICE
Not funny, Blue.
Blue grimaces; gestures ‘sorry’ to Matt.
MATT
Be there soon, OK?
SERENA'S VOICE
Yeah right!
MATT
Promise.
BLUE
To talk about ‘stuff’.
SERENA’S VOICE
Um...
Matt looks at Blue questioningly.
BLUE
Tracy might of said something about...you know...
SERENA’S VOICE
Yes, to talk about ‘stuff’, Blue
Blue’s eyes light up.
BLUE
Have you and Tracy been talking about ‘stuff’, Serena?
SERENA'S VOICE
As a matter of fact, Blue, yes. We have.
BLUE
Can you get her to talk to me about ‘stuff’?
SERENA’S VOICE
You could ask her yourself!
BLUE
I have, till I’m blue in the face...’scuse the pun...but she thinks I should be able to figure stuff out and I tell her I’m not psycho, and...
MATT
I think ‘psychic’ is the word you’re looking for, Blue. Us guys are supposed to be psychic.
A long silence from Serena. Matt grimaces.
SERENA’S VOICE
OK, Blue, I’ll mention it to Tracy.
BLUE
Thanks, Serena.
SERENA’S VOICE
You’ll be here before Christmas, I take it, Matt.
MATT
Have you been a good girl?
Serena is in no mood for joking.
SERENA’S VOICE
See you when I see you.
Serena hangs up. Matt sighs; shakes his head. Blue returns the mobile to the cradle.
BLUE
Women, ay!? (A BEAT) What ‘stuff’ do you and Serena need to talk about?
Matt holds up a hand; does not want to talk about it.
BLUE
Don’t like arguing, right?
(Matt looks at Blue.)
But there’s some things you can only say when you argue, ay?
(Tracy’s mobile rings)
When ya fucking mad as hell?
Matt reaches out, presses ‘answer’. On ‘speaker’:
TRACY
Are you on ‘speaker’?
MATT
Yes.
TRACY’S VOICE
I have to talk to you in private.
MATT
Why?
TRACY’S VOICE
Because! Just because. It’s important.
MATT
Fuck!
He reaches out; grabs the mobile from its cradle; switches off ‘speaker’; holds it to his ear.
MATT
What?
TRACY’S VOICE
I’ve been talking to Juliet and I think you and she needs to talk to you about some ‘stuff’ too...serious stuff...like...
MATT
You are not my fucking therapist... Britney! (A BEAT) What kind of ‘serious stuff’?
TRACY’S VOICE
I’m not your ‘fucking therapist’, Matt. You ask her...
The sound of a police siren. Matt and Blue are suddenly awash in red flashing light.
MATT
Fuck!
Matt sees the police car in his rear vision mirror.
TRACY’S VOICE
Fuck.
BLUE
Fuck.
Matt pulls over; stops; drops the mobile into his lap; shakes his head; can’t believe how his night is turning out; sees POLICEMAN #1 in the rear-vision mirror; walking towards him.
Matt winds down his window as Policeman # 1 walks up:
POLICEMAN #1
Driver.
Matt nods, looks at him quizzically: 'What's this all about?'
POLICEMAN #1
Driver's license please?
Matt hands his driver's license to the Policeman #1.
As Policeman #1 looks at it, Matt glances down, sees Blue' hand between his legs, grabbing his mobile.
POLICEMAN #1
Mr Patterson? (Matt nods) You're aware that it is contrary to the Traffic Act to speak on your mobile phone whilst driving a vehicle on a public road?
Matt nods.
BLUE
He wasn't.
POLICEMAN #1
I beg your pardon!
Policeman #1 leans over, shines his flashlight in Blue's face.
BLUE
He wasn't talking on his phone.
POLICEMAN #1
Think I'm blind, son?
BLUE
Wouldn't let you be a cop if you were blind.
POLICEMAN #1
Son, it might be in your best interests to keep your mouth shut.
BLUE
That’s what my dad...
Matt elbows Blue; gestures to him to shut up.
Policeman #1 indicates the mobile between Matt's legs, holds out his hand.
POLICEMAN #1
Driver?
Matt picks up the decal covered mobile, his eyes meeting Blue's for a moment before he hands it to Policeman #1.
Policeman #1 takes the phone, looks at the screen, presses an icon. Matt looks at Blue - who winks conspiratorially. Matt looks back through the window at:
Policeman #1, eyebrows raised, looking with some surprise at the mobile screen. He leans down, looks past Matt at Blue for a moment. He then turns, signals to POLICEMAN #2, standing beside the patrol car, to join him.
Policeman #2 walks up, looks at the mobile phone screen, exchanges glances with POLICEMAN #1.
POLICEMAN #2
Could you step out of your vehicle please, driver.
Matt opens the door, gets out. As he does so, Blue glances at the slim parcel tied with a ribbon on the seat beside him.
25 EXT. TAXI. CITY STREET. NIGHT
Policeman #1 and #2 look at photos on Blue's mobile, exchange glances.
Policeman #2 leans down, looks through the window at Blue, holds up the mobile to compare Blue with the photo of:
Blue, naked, his hands joined at his crotch
Matt glimpses the photo. His heart sinks.
Policeman #2 flips through other photos of Blue in his elephant-cod-piece naked state. Clearly Blue has done several similarly posed photos. Policeman #2 presses 'play' on one of them. Onscreen:
Blue, removes his hands with a
flourish, holds them wide, revealing his elephant's head codpiece.
BLUE
Surprise! Love you heaps.
Policemen #1 and #2 look in through the window at Blue, then at Matt, then back at Blue - Matt's slim parcel in his lap.
POLICEMAN #2
How old are you, son?
BLUE
Eighteen.
Policeman #2 nods, looks at Matt, then down at his feet - one green, one red sock.
POLICEMAN #2
You aware of the traffic regulations regarding appropriate footwear for taxi drivers, Mr. Patterson?
As Matt tries to formulate an answer, Policeman #1, checking out photos on the mobile, taps Policemen #2 on the shoulder.
Together, they look at a particular photo for a long moment, exchange glances. Matt's attention has been caught by:
Blue, in the cab, has taken the greeting card out of Matt's slim parcel and is reading it. Matt is not happy about this.
POLICEMAN #1
This you?
He holds the mobile up to Matt.
Onscreen:
A photo from the sporting pages of an old newspaper with the caption:
TUBBA TOPS
Matt, mid 20s, and his team, on a football field, surrounded by footie fans, smiles triumphantly. Wearing football shorts only (with a six-pack to die for!) he holds aloft a huge silver cup as his team mates shower him with champagne.
Matt nods.
POLICEMAN #1
You're the Matt Patterson who played for Roosters right? Tubba?
Matt nods. Policeman #1 smiles.
POLICEMAN #1
Hey, awesome! You signed my football for me. You wouldn't remember me of course. I was just a kid but I thought you were...hey... do you mind if I ask you something? There was this one game against the Sea Eagles with only a minute to go and...the Roosters...
Matt smiles and nods as Policemen #1 remembers.
POLICEMAN #1
...were one point behind and you intercepted this pass, and ran the length of the fucking field and...
26 INT. TAXI. CITY STREET. NIGHT
Matt, smiling, settles back into the driver's seat, fastens his seat belt.
POLICEMAN #1
Great to meet you, Tubba.
(He points at cracked windscreen)
And you'll get that windscreen fixed first thing tomorrow, right?
Matt nods. Policeman #2 leans in a little closer, glances in at Blue again, speaks sotto voce to Matt.
POLICEMAN #2
He really is eighteen, right?
He winks at Matt conspiratorially.
27 EXT. TAXI. CITY STREET. NIGHT
Policemen #1 and #2 get back into their patrol car as Matt pulls back onto the road and drives off.
28 INT. TAXI. NIGHT
Matt drives, Blue in the passenger seat. The police car passes them. Policeman #1 waves from the passenger window.
MATT
Thanks, Blue.
BLUE
No worries, Matt.
Matt looks at the slim parcel on the seat between them with the envelope attached, then up at Blue.
BLUE(SHEEPISH)
Yeah, sorry, I know I shouldn't of, but…
MATT
You don't read other people's private...’stuff’...ever!
Blue nods, but his mind is on something else.
BLUE
What about if ya trying to find out something someone's trying to keep secret from you but which they shouldn't keep secret from you?
Matt ponders this question for a moment but before he can think of a response, Blue indicates the slim parcel:
BLUE
For Juliet?
MATT
Blue, you need...
BLUE
For Serena?
MATT
...to learn to mind your own business.
BLUE
For someone you love though, ay? (A BEAT) Ay?
MATT
Yes.
BLUE
Then why've you written, 'you know how much I care about you?'
MATT
Jesus, Blue! It's none of your...! (A BEAT) Because…I do care about her.
BLUE
Who? Serena?
(Matt’s silence is a ‘yes’)
But caring for someone's not the same as loving them, ay? And loving someone's not the same as being in love with them! Or is it?
Matt looks at Blue, shakes his head; laughs.
BLUE
Love's fucking hard, ay?
MATT
You’re not wrong, Blue.
They drive in silence for a moment.
BLUE
So, do you love her? Serena?
(Silence)
OK, OK, mind my own business, ay?
(Matt smiles, looks at Blue)
Then why dontcha just say it? Cross out ‘care about’ and write ‘I love you’? Sorry, none of my business? I’ll shut up now. So, how come ya call Trace, Britney?
MATT
Just a little joke between me and Tracy.
Blue nods, thinks about this; looks out the window.
29 EXT. CITY STREET. CLOSE TO 'STARDUST'. NIGHT
Matt parks his cab a little down the road from STARDUST - a popular night spot for young people. A couple of dozen YOUNG MEN and WOMEN socialize outside.
Matt gets out of the cab, looks around for Tracy. He can't see her; makes a gesture to that effect to Blue - who sits grinning in the front passenger seat.
BLUE
She'll be there somewhere. Maybe you need to take a closer look.
MATT
Is this some kind of joke?
BLUE
No, its some kind of surprise. Live dangerously, Tubba…I mean, Matt. What doesn't kill ya...
Blue gestures to Matt to get out of the cab. Matt, annoyed, heeds Blue's command, gets out, heads along the pavement towards STARDUST.
Matt looks around for Tracy, can't see her, looks at his watch, scans the crowd more closely. He does not notice:
A YOUNG WOMAN, late teens, standing in a darkened doorway 20 or so feet up the road, partly obscured by shadow.
The Young Woman looks at Matt for a long moment before she steps tentatively into the street light. Matt is looking in another direction now. She calls out to him:
JULIET
Dad.
Matt turns, looks at Juliet, surprised; pleasantly so.
Juliet is a young woman now - not at all like the girl with braces on her teeth in the photo on Matt's mobile. She raises her right hand and waves in a girlish gesture similar to the one Tracy used - thumb outstretched and four fingers moving, flapping up and down exaggeratedly: 'ta ta'.
Matt smiles, makes the same gesture, moves through the crowd towards her. Juliet walks towards him also. They both slow down just a couple of meters from each other.
There is a momentary awkward pause before Juliet steps close to Matt as if to hug him. She picks up Matt's hesitancy (his reluctance to hug her) and kisses him on the cheek. He kisses her on the cheek, looks at her, laughs; so happy to see her.
MATT
What...! When...why?
JULIET(LAUGHS)
I flew up this afternoon... yesterday, I guess...Thought I'd surprise you…
MATT(LAUGHS)
I'm surprised. But how...why...(are you here?) Tracy?
JULIET(NODS)
Serendipity.
Matt laughs, shakes his head, looks back to his cab. Blue is standing beside it, smiling broadly; one arm held up, thumb extended.
JULIET
Tracy's sure made good use of your phone.
Matt shakes his head, laughs; surprised by how much Juliet has grown.
MATT
Look at you! What's mum been feeding you?
Juliet laughs, pats Matt's tummy.
JULIET
You've grown too.
Matt laughs, tucks his tummy in, rubs it.
MATT
So, what are you doing...(in Sydney)?
JULIET(EVASIVE)
Girlfriend's 18th. Remember Harmony?
MATT
From pre-school?
JULIET(NODS)
We connected up on Facebook and...she invited me to her 18th and I thought...hey, why not.
Juliet gestures to a little red sedan parked across the road. In the driver's seat: a YOUNG WOMAN is reading a magazine.
30 EXT. CITY STREET. NIGHT
Blue, standing by Matt's cab, looks at Matt and Juliet talking 30 or so meters up the road. He hears Matt laugh, smiles to himself, takes out his mobile; punches in a number.
31 EXT. 'STARDUST'. NIGHT
Matt and Juliet talk on the pavement a little up the road from the 'Stardust' entrance. Juliet shows Matt her teeth.
MATT
They look great. When did you get the braces off?
JULIET
For my 18th. (A BEAT) Still have to wear night braces, but…
MATT
Sorry I couldn't make it…
Juliet shrugs, tries to pretend that it doesn't matter.
MATT
Thought I had a relief driver but... he cancelled at the last minute, and...
JULIET
It's OK, dad...
MATT
It's hard for me to get to Melbourne weekends and...
JULIET
Dad!
MATT
And I don't think your mother really wanted me there. She more or less said...
JULIET
Jesus, dad! It was my party, not mum's!
Matt holds up his hands: OK.
MATT
Sorry…I've had a shit night. (A BEAT) If you'd told me you were coming...
JULIET
You'd have what? (A BEAT) Taken the night off? Taken me to a movie? Buy me a Jumbo Popcorn? Quality time?
MATT
Why do you do this?
JULIET
Do what?
MATT
You don't see me for...a long time...
JULIET
Six months, dad. Six fucking months...
MATT
And the first thing you do is attack me.
JULIET
No, the first thing I did, remember, was to try and talk to you. You know, conversation… communication...!
MATT
Communication! You're the one who always hangs up on me!
JULIET
Because you don't listen.
MATT
Because you're shouting at me. Like your mother.
JULIET
Because you never listen.
MATT
If you didn't hang up and give me a chance...
Juliet puts her hands on her hips; aggressive.
JULIET
Hey, here's your chance. I'm here now, right! Standing in front of you!
MATT
Your mother’s taught you well.
JULIET
Jesus, dad!
She takes her hands off her hips.
JULIET
Please...
MATT
Can we drop it, Jules (A BEAT) It's nothing worth...
JULIET
It's not fucking nothing. We can’t just pretend there’s not something that...
MATT
What.
JULIET
Something we can't just pretend...isn't...an issue.
MATT(DEFENSIVE)
So what’s the ‘issue’ we’re pretending isn't...?
JULIET
Jesus, dad, are you really stupid or is it just an act? (A BEAT) Sorry. I didn't mean that.
MATT
“You're a useless waste of fucking space, Matt...Sorry, I didn't mean that”.
JULIET
And she didn't...doesn't. You know that.
MATT
Yeah, so why’s she say it?
JULIET
You've never said anything when you're angry you regret?
Matt shakes his head - hurt, wallowing in self pity. Juliet throws her hands up in frustration.
JULIET
Grow up, dad.
Matt looks at her, hurt.
JULIET
And don't give me that 'poor me' look. I'm over it.
Juliet regrets having pushed as hard as she has. She reaches out and touches him.
JULIET
Hey…I should...
She gestures to the car across the road:
Harmony looking at she and Matt.
Matt nods.
JULIET
I'm sorry…I didn't want it to be like this. I hoped...
Matt holds his hand up: 'It's OK, let's drop it'
MATT
You wanted to ask me something?
Juliet bites her lip; nervous; shakes her head.
JULIET
It’s OK.
MATT
Something important?
(Juliet looks away)
Whatever it is.
Tears glisten in Juliet’s eyes. Matt reaches out, touches her face. She takes his hand in hers, holds it tight; looks directly into his eyes.
JULIET
Are you my father?
END PART # 3
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