EXT. WEST HOLLYWOOD - HOTEL - DAY
James and Anthony watch Edith and Perry put their last bags of luggage into a taxi. Kevin's already inside their backseat.
EDITH - Well, alright...
JAMES - You guys all set?
PERRY (to Edith) You got all your bags?
EDITH - Yeah.
James goes and hugs Edith. They share a loving embrace.
JAMES - I'll miss you.
EDITH - I love you so much, James.
James turns and shakes Perry's hand. Edith begins to cry.
PERRY - We're proud of you.
EDITH - You have no idea.
She composes herself and then whispers to James...
EDITH (re: Kevin) - What happened between you two?
JAMES - Just a misunderstanding.
James looks out to see Kevin in the backseat, morose.
EDITH - You should say something... I mean after all -- he did help you get that first agent.
James puts on an exaggerated smile for Edith. He shuffles to the taxi. Kevin pretends he doesn't see James coming.
JAMES - Can we talk?
Kevin regards this and eventually steps out. James puts his arm around Kevin and takes him to talk in private. Anthony begins to talk with Edith and Perry to occupy them.
JAMES (CONT'D) - Listen...
(sighs)
I'm sorry.
This is all Kevin was waiting for. He immediately opens up.
KEVIN - No, I'm sorry. I --
JAMES - Stop.
An emotional beat between two long-time friends.
JAMES (CONT'D) - I'm sorry for what I said about you not helping me get this opportunity. That's simply not true.
KEVIN - I know. And truthfully, I --
JAMES (sinister) - Cause the truth is... I. Made. You.
Kevin stops. He looks perplexed.
JAMES (CONT'D) - I was -- and will always be -- the most exciting and relevant thing in your life.
James turns back around, leaving Kevin alone -- stupefied. Edith and Perry say their goodbye's to Anthony and head to the taxi... James opens Edith's door for her.
JAMES (CONT'D) - Get home safe guys!
EDITH - Love you!
Edith gives James a final hug and enters the taxi. Kevin finally makes his way into the backseat... He gives James a disgusted stare -- one that says more than he ever could.
JAMES - Love you all. Bye!
The taxi drives off and HONKS. James waves goodbye and then returns to Anthony.
ANTHONY (instigating) - Too bad about Kevin, huh?
JAMES - Fuck him. He stayed the same, while I changed for the better.
ANTHONY - I've been doing this for years now, the whole agent thing. And I've found that once you've made it in this industry, "home" is no longer homer anymore.
(and)
I see it all the time. People from your past quickly remind you of why you wanted to get away in the first place.
Anthony puts his arm around James and smiles.
A light-red hue fills the border of the SCREEN.
ANTHONY (V.O) - Like it or not... You could never leave LA. You're too far gone.
SERIES OF SHOTS:
EXT. RED CARPET - EVENING
SUPER: ?? YEAR(S) LATER
James (not appearing much older) walks the red carpet for Closed, his latest film. He's more dapper than ever.
He walks by the FLASHING LIGHTS of the Paparazzi when an Interviewer yells out...
INTERVIEWER - James Ritter!
James slows his pace down to listen, but never fully stops... Interviewer follows along with him.
INTERVIEWER (CONT'D) - Will Closed finally give you your first nomination come award season?
JAMES (winks) - It better.
EXT. WEST HOLLYWOOD - CATCH - NIGHT
An exclusive restaurant. James exits with Morgan (covering their faces) toward his LUXURY CAR.
PAPARAZZI #1 - James! Over here!
PAPARAZZI #2 - So it is official between you two?
CELEBRITY PRESENTER (PRE-LAP) - And the award for "Best Supporting Actor" goes to...
INT. AWARD SHOW - NIGHT
In front of the world's best members of the entertainment industry, a CELEBRITY PRESENTER opens a card on stage... All eyes on her, eagerly awaiting the results.
CELEBRITY PRESENTER - ... James Ritter, Closed.
Everyone stands and applause.
END SERIES
YOU ARE READING
LA Monster (Screenplay)
General FictionAfter visiting Los Angeles for just four days, I knew I had seen enough to write -- what I believe -- is an eerily accurate depiction of what this place means to a lot of people. LA Monster is a screenplay about an aspiring actor that moves to Los...
