The Garden of Living Flowers: Pg.5

INT-LOFT-NIGHT

 

Zach walks up the stairs and is greeted by a long hallway of doors. He walks to the first door, fluttering his hand along, fascinated by it’s movement. The sound of the music’s bass booms, muffled, from somewhere in the house. He opens the first door.

The door opens to a room with three people wearing flowers and masks. They sit around a table under a pale light. They are in various levels of dress, playing a card game. Smoke hangs heavy in the light. There are empty bottles all around them in a ring as well as their discarded clothes. One of the girls notices him. She jumps up, wearing yoga pants and a bra. She still has her socks on and the mask. Pinned to her bra is a purple iris. Her nametag on the other cup reads: Shawna Iris.

 

SHAWNA

ZACH! YOU CAME!

 

Zach slams the door. He moves quickly to the next door. Opens it and jumps inside.

 

INT-HOLLY’S BEDROOM- NIGHT

 

The room is dark with moving shadows. Flashing colored lights from party machines, a large burning fire in the fireplace, and candles are the only light source. The music is heavy with bass. A full band is playing in the corner of the room, illuminated by a cluster of candles burning at different levels.

Everyone in the dark of the room wears a mask. There are people dancing, and people on the couch intermingled. Zach notices that two of these people are Tessa and Patrick. They are kissing, still wearing their masks.

 

ZACH

Tessa! Is that you?

 

TESSA

Zach! I tried to call you but your phone was off.

 

ZACH

You’re sucking Pat’s face off! Patrick, man! What the hell?

 

PATRICK

I have been trying to tell you for a while now buddy, you just haven’t listened to me!

 

ZACH

I have spent the whole night looking for you Tessa! I have journeyed all night to tell you goodbye! I am moving tomorrow.

 

TESSA

I know Zach, Patrick told me. Don’t be mad at him! I’m sorry I should have waited.

 

SCENE CUT

 

INT-LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT-DAY

 

Zach stands in the same position as when he discovered Patrick and Tessa. He has the handle of a rolling piece of luggage in his hand and a large hiking backpack on his back. There is a large window before him with planes taxiing. Flight announcements can be heard above his head.

To his right there is a table with a vase of flowers, knocked over and spilling water over the edge and onto the floor. The flowers from the vase are one of each: Rose, Lily, Carnation, White Daisy, Pink Daisy, Iris, Violet, and Aster.

Close up of Daffodil as the only flower still in the horizontal vase. The stem of the Daffodil is touching the remaining inch of water in the vase while it slowly drips empty.

 

ZACH

We are all weeds, fighting for an inch of canopy. I leave the garden for pastures a plenty.

 

Fade out on Zach watching the last of the water drip from the vase.

Close up on his sneaker taking a step toward the gate. He steps on and crushes the Lily.

The Garden of Living Flowers: Pg.4

INT- KITCHEN- NIGHT

Zach walks into a well lit kitchen. There are people drinking and playing party games. The music is louder in this room. He moves to the refrigerator. There are magnets on the fridge that spell out AMNESIA in different colors.

Zach yanks the refrigerator open and is greeted by a packed fridge of food and drink. He screams in frustration and begins pulling different items out of the fridge to make room for his drink.

He piles a 2-liter of coke, eggs, a pitcher of lemonade and some carrots on the counter. Sticks his malt liquor in the fridge.

Zach swings the refrigerator door closed. A toll blond guy is leaning against the counter, staring at him. He is reveled when the door swings closed as though he appeared from thin air.

He is wearing a mask, a nametag on his shirt: Tyler Gerbera. Tyler has a white daisy pinned to his chest.

 

TYLER

(Exhales smoke into Zach’s face)

Whaaaaaat’s up? You want a grav hit? Just packed a fresh’un.

 

ZACH

What’s the point of these masks? We all know who everybody is.

 

TYLER

It’s your worst nightmare?

 

ZACH

Have you seen Tessa?

 

TYLER

You know she and I don’t talk anymore. A nerve askin’ me a thing like that.

 

Zach

You guys dated a year ago.

-Uh, but. I was just wondering. Fine gimme a hit.

 

The Sound of a gravity bong filling is percussed to the flic of a Bic. The rush and the rip of the smoke is heard. There is a huge exhale and loud unrelenting coughing.

 

ZACH

OOH MY GOD! What is wrong with that water?

 

 

Tyler

I filled it with Tanqueray.

 

Zach suddenly feels incredibly stoned.

The music vibrations coming through the ceiling begin to seep into his blood. He can feel the sound vibrations stuck to his skin, turning to blood cells and cascading through his body.

Tyler cracks a smile that seems too big for his face. He steps aside to reveal a little girl sitting on the counter behind him. Her legs swing with white stockings, she wears a white skirt. She has a colorful Adventure Time Band-Aid on her knee. She is also wearing a white daisy. A name tag on her dress is relative to her size and is illegible.

 

ZACH

What’s your name?

 

PENELOPE

Penny.

 

TYLER

My sister, I’m looking after her.

They didn’t expect her so we had to make her a nametag.

Better here than home, naw what I’m saying?

 

ZACH

Tyler! She’s like, ten. Look at her!

 

PENELOPE

I’m thirteen!

 

Holly and Stephen float in from the party.

Holly is drinking a tall can of Pabst Blue Ribbon and Stephen is drinking from a new bottle of Jack Daniels.

Holly sets her beer down on the counter next to Penelope. Penelope grabs the can and chugs the last remains. She crushes the can, cheers violently and tosses the metal puck into the party. Someone shouts that they were just struck in the head with Another one.

 

TYLER

HAHAHAHA! She has been doing that all night.

 

HOLLY

HEY! My beer!

 

Zach opens the fridge and grabs his last Colt 45. He closes the fridge and hands the drink to Holly.

He stops for a moment, staring at the door of the refrigerator at the magnets.

AMNESIA, the words begin to vibrate as though they threat to slide all around the refrigerator.

 

STEPHEN

It’s my favorite word. Comes from the Greek meaning “without”; referring to memory.

It’s a deficit in memory, usually caused by brain damage or a stressful psychological trauma.

It can also be caused by various hypnotic drugs.

 

ZACH

Stephen. Stay in school.

I’ll be heading to grad school in Boston tomorrow. Have I told any of you this?

 

Tyler grabs at Holly and they start to hug and kiss.

They get cozy against the counter, nearly knocking into Penelope.

 

PENELOPE

Gross!

 

ZACH

OK, I’m gonna go find the washroom.

Where is it? It’s not like anyone’s listening anyway.

 

HOLLY

There’s two, but you wont get into the one down here.

Go upstairs, I have one in my room.

On the right.

 

ZACH

Where did Pat get off to? Here Holly, take my last drink.

 

Stephen reaches out and gives him a quick slap for saying the word “drink”.

Zach says nothing. He reaches out and takes the bottle of Jack Daniels from Patrick. He chugs a double shot and hands it back.

He slaps Stephen across the face and leaves.

The Garden of Living Flowers: Pg.3

INT-HALLWAY-NIGHT

 

Zach and Patrick approach Holly and Stephen. Holly is leaning her back on the wall smoking a cigarette. The some sends a long tendril up to the ceiling. She has her head turned from the approaching boys, talking to Stephen with an upset tone.

 

HOLLY

I know! She comes to my birthday dressed like that and I’m all like-

 

ZACH

Hi Hollywood.

 

HOLLY

Zach! Thank’s for coming! I didn’t even recognize you- Mr. Narcissus.

 

Holly curtseys, She holds her cigarette up and the smoke traces the air.

Stephen stands silently, arms crossed at his chest.

Zach and Patrick stare at him for a moment not knowing who he is.

 

HOLLY

This is Stephen (She pauses a moment to read his nametag). Stephen-uuuh, VIOLA! Haha!

 

PATRICK

Hi Stephen, I’m Pat. How do you fit into this game of reservoir dogs?

 

Patrick extends his hand for a shake.

Stephen ignores Patrick’s outstretched hand. He takes Holly’s cigarette and takes a drag.

 

 

STEPHEN

I came with Tyler.

 

ZACH

Tyler? You mean Tyler-

 

HOLLY

AAAAAAH! NO NAMES ZACHARY! He is Tyler Gerbera tonight. I know, I made all your nametags personally.

 

Holly perks at this bit of information with pride. She takes the rest of the cigarette from Stephen and gives them a grin.

 

STEPHEN

And they look lovely like you hun.

 

ZACH

Aaaaaanyway, have you seen Tessa, Holly?

 

HOLLY

You’re gonna have to find her stud. I’ll give you a hint. I think I saw her last near the keg.

 

ZACH

Where’s the keg?

 

HOLLY

You really don’t know how to play games do you?

 

ZACH

What’s that supposed to mean? You know I’m leaving tomorrow? I am heading backpacking around Europe. Gonna sample the absinthe, take a train, maybe take in a bull fight.

 

HOLLY

Impressive.

 

STEPHEN

Hey stud, you wanna play a game?

 

PATRICK

Can I get one of those smokes Hollywood? It’s cool if we smoke in here?

 

HOLLY

Well, I am. Cause it’s my party and my place. But, I like ya sweetheart so smoke away.

 

Holly produces a fresh cigarette for Patrick and gives it to him with a wink.

Patrick places the cigarette between his lips and leans into the lit candle on the table next to them.

He moves over and stands in line on the wall with Holly and Stephen.

 

ZACH

Did you just call me stud?

 

HOLLY

Yep!

 

ZACH

Not you.

Stephen reaches out with a black marker and slashes a black line on Zach’s hand.

 

STEPHEN

Now anytime you say the word “drink” you get a slap. The only way you can turn it around is to do a double shot. Welcome to the game.

 

ZACH

Are you insane? A double shot of what?

 

STEPHEN

Liquor, obviously. Stud.

 

PATRICK

Like, a proper slap? Hey! You really are friends with Tyler, I used to play this same game in High school but it dealt with farts and doorknobs.

 

ZACH

Patrick, be quiet. Holly, let’s all take a hit of that Vodka you got there. Get this ass off my back.

 

Holly picks up the bottle and shakes the liquid, it is just enough for them all to take one swig.

 

STEPHEN

Doesn’t look like enough stud.

 

HOLLY

Let’s have a toast! You first Patrick.

 

She hands him the bottle. Patrick sticks the smoking cigarette, ember side up in the Lilly on his shirt.

 

 

PATRICK

I DRINK TO A GOOD FRIEND LIKE ZACH- ER (reads his nametag) ZACH NARCISSUS. YOU WILL BE MISSED BUD!

 

Patrick takes a huge drink and hands the bottle to Holly.

 

HOLLY

I drink to ALL of YOU! And, making my party such a wonderful garden of live flowers!

 

She laughs and takes a drink, passing the bottle to Stephen.

 

STEPHEN

I drink to Lewis Carroll for making that reference possible.

 

He drinks with everyone looking on in confusion. He passes the empty bottle to Zach. Zach takes the bottle not noticing it is empty. He thinks deeply at what to toast.

 

ZACH

TO HOLLY! For throwing such a lovely Birthday party, and an excellent going away party. I drink-

 

Stephen slaps him for saying the word “drink”. Zach cries out in shock and the bottle goes flying out of his hands.

 

ZACH

YOU! I’m gonna beat you! Everyone has said dr-

 

Stephen raises his flat hand at the ready for him to finish the word.

 

ZACH

What gives? I’m gonna sock you the next time you touch me.

 

STEPHEN

It’s the rules stud, you’re marked.

 

Patrick and Holly’s snickering fuel Zach’s fury. Zach grabs the bag of 40’s from Patrick.

 

ZACH

Come on Pat, Let’s go find the fridge.

 

PATRICK

I’m gonna stay and finish this.

 

Patrick plucks the cigarette from the flower pinned to his shirt and relights it on the candle.

 

ZACH

Fine, where’s the kitchen?

 

Holly points down the hallway, over Zach’s shoulder.

 

ZACH

I gotta find Tessa. I have no time for this stupid game. We’re not done Stephen- touch me again. I swear to god.

 

With a growl, Zack turns and takes off down the hall. He bumps passed other groups of people laughing and talking.

The Garden of Living Flowers: PG.2

ZACH

Is Tessa here?

 

THEA

I maybe saw her somewhere. It’s a masquerade boys, as per Holly’s request. I’m sure you detectives can find her. Here, take these.

 

ZACH

A what!

 

THEA

A masquerade?

 

ZACH

Oh good, I thought you said massacre.

 

Thea rolls her eyes and gives Patrick his mask. She hands him a Lilly to pin onto his chest and a nametag reading: PATRICK ALSTROEMERIA.

 

THEA

Here Pat. Everyone gets a genus as their alter identity.

 

She turns to Zach, handing him a Daffodil to pin to his chest and a nametag reading

ZACHARY NARCISSUS.

 

THEA

Yours is self explanatory (She painfully snaps the mask onto his face via rubber bands)

 

ZACH

Well this may be one of the last times I see you Thea, I am heading to Australia to work the ski lifts. It’s their winter starting up.

 

THEA

I’m gonna’ miss you Zach. (no conviction)

 

PATRICK

You got a fridge lovely? (clanks the last remaining 40’s in the bag)

 

THEA

Holly does, ya. Down the hall in the kitchen. Have fun boys.

 

They push past Thea into the party. The boys are met by a staircase, party streamers and the background tinkle of a band playing.

Holly Thompson and Stephen are talking in the hallway. Stephen is wearing a nametag that says STEPHEN VIOLA. He has a violet pinned to his chest. Holly is wearing a very small “sweet sixteen” dress. Her nametag reads HOLLY “HOLLYWOOD” ROSA. She has a white rose pinned to her breast.

They are laughing and chatting, drinking from small glasses of champagne. They are both wearing masks.

The Garden of Living Flowers: Pg.1

EXT-GRASS OUTSIDE HOLLY’S HOUSE- NIGHT

 

The shadow of Patrick taking a piss is illuminated by a streetlamp.

He pees into the grass and talks to Zach who is just off camera.

The laughter and bump of the party is in the distance.

 

ZACH

I just want to get in and out buddy.

 

PATRICK

I know man, I know. I’m here because YOU invited ME. Let’s go in, say happy birthday and get the hell outta here.

 

Patrick’s shadow taps off and turns, showing that he is carrying a shopping bag full of 40 Ounce bottles of malt liquor.

 

PATRICK

Good thing these bags are plastic!

 

He laughs, shaking the bag dry.

 

ZACH

That’s disgusting. Learn to aim bro.

 

Zach reaches into the bag and pulls out a bottle.

The sound of the cap being twisted and a fizz is heard.

He takes a drink and sighs, handing the bottle off to Patrick.

The camera follows the swinging bag and their legs as they make their way up the front walkway of a house.

They ring the doorbell .

The sound of bumping bass and the chatter/laughter of a party is heard as the door opens.

A eighteen year old girl with pigtails opens the door. She is holding a basket of flowers and name tags. She is wearing a light purple party dress with frilly sleeves. She is wearing a light purple mask that matches the color of her dress. Her name tag reads THEA ASTER, pinned to her breast is a New York Aster.

Her excitement at who she thought she was greeting turns to ash.

 

THEA

OH! Hey boys… It’s me, Thea! Welcome to the party!

 

ZACH AND PATRICK TOGETHER

Hey Thea–

 

Zach finishes the 40 and places the empty bottle on the railing.

He belches loudly.