PLOT: A recently separated couple tries to rekindle their relationship; with the help of a marriage counsellor...76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmb9aBe4gh
CHARACTERS:76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWdeTDJsWW
- BARNEY: brown hair; blue eyes; 27 years; love interest of JOY; homebody76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJTEPJ8LhP
- JOY: blonde hair; blue eyes; 27 years; love interest of BARNEY; office manager76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhZ5C37EMQ
- ASTRID: 57 years; marriage counsellor; curly brown hair; blue eyes
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LOCATIONS:76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5R7yGEVdR
- JACKSON: fictional city; cars; trams everywhere; emerald-greenery surrounds city
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INT. INSIDE - ASTRID’S MARRIAGE COUNSELLING CLINIC
(FADE INSIDE ASTRID’S MARRIAGE COUNSELLING CLINIC. The door knocks; ASTRID makes her way to the door; and opens it. She smiles as she notices the young couple BARNEY & JOY... and greets them...)
ASTRID76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKq856HTEc
(smiles to BARNEY & JOY) Now hello you two... how are you both today?
(BARNEY & JOY hating each other; look annoyed at each other then back at ASTRID. ASTRID gets the picture.)
ASTRID76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKXbZD4m3z
(worried to herself) Oh.. I get the picture... the marriage of yours is crumbling... well that’s why I’m here to help... go on... have a seat..
(ASTRID remaining positive and optimistic; smiles and encourages the two to sit down at the two-seater sofa beside her chair..)
ASTRID76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EQQcbcwjh
(to BARNEY & JOY) Please.. please.. HAVE a seat... the BOTH of you..
(ASTRID & BARNEY sit down beside each other; refusing to look at each other; overcome with hatred and anger. ASTRID sits down on her chair; opposite the toxic couple overcome with tension... she speaks..)
ASTRID76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdQqNLap7W
(calms BARNEY & JOY) Okay.... you two... we need to breathe... and calm.... you are both obviously here for marriage counselling... and it’s only going to work through the art of communication... not through ignoring each other and creating so much tension... now... please... both of you look at each other... and BREATHE..
(BARNEY & JOY breathe and look at each other calmly; though still hateful of each other in the inside. BARNEY & JOY breathe and continue looking at each other as by ASTRID’s instruction... ASTRID worries..)
ASTRID76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMuHoFx6iE
(worried to herself) So much tension... (to BARNEY & JOY) Breathe again... release that tension... please..
(ASTRID & BARNEY breathe once again; relieving the tension finally.... and both look back at ASTRID. ASTRID smiles and is relieved...)
ASTRID76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WzS8ShCHD
(smiles to BARNEY & JOY) Okay... good... but damn... if we are really here to fix the art of communication between you two... we need to breathe, remain calm and communicate... (pleads) Please.
(BARNEY & JOY look at each other and breathe; making themselves clear they will cooperate)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG20lCvlxw
(to ASTIRD) We will... JOY and I will communicate... our..
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNaBxNQNPp
(to ASTRID) Barney and I really do want to fix our marriage... it truly is off the rails..
ASTRID76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO03NgzDAV
(to JOY & BARNEY) Yes... well let’s get started..
(THE SCENE FADES TO A FLASHBACK)
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## FLASHBACK - 2 YEARS BEFORE - THE WEDDING OF BARNEY & JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkG0hqiEs6
INT. NIKES PARK - JACKSON
(FADE IN NIKES PARK at the city of JACKSON. The wedding vows between BARNEY & JOY has taken place; with the rings on their ring fingers. The celebrant announces the husband-and-wife to kiss)
WEDDING CELEBRANT76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dMhXAbj5j
(Smiles to BARNEY) You may kiss the bride..
(BARNEY kisses JOY.... the young couple jump in excitement for their newly-wed status...)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOZtDZSioI
(excited TO JOY) Oh yes.... I can’t believe we are now husband and wife... oh yes.. I can’t believe it.
(JOY leaps onto BARNEY’s arms... they kiss as BARNEY is handing her...)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek2mST2CDS
(loving to BARNEY) Oh I love you... I love you my handsome man... oh I love you..
(The scene closes with JOY & BARNEY kissing...)
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(FADE OUT: END OF SCENE)
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INT. MOTEL 44 - JACKSON MOTEL INN
(THE FLASHBACK CONTINUES; AN HOUR HAS PASSED. FADE IN MOTEL 44; BARNEY walks in the room carrying the happily JOY; kissing her as he holds her... BARNEY closes the door behind himself and lays JOY down on the bed.... JOY & BARNEY kiss on the bed...)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyzuDFqicw
(loving to BARNEY) Oh BARNEY... newly-weds we are... I just... can’t believe it..
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jEhGRVLSx
(romantic to JOY) Believe it HONEY.. believe it....
(JOY squeals in sexual desire. JOY smiles and giggles; with BARNEY)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN4eh5MYJc
(romantic to BARNEY) Now ah... that..., (points at shirt) has to come off... come on..
(BARNEY smiles as he removes the shirt... dropping it on the ground... JOY squeals in excitement as she takes her pink tank off; following the purple bra.... exposing her breasts. They continue to squeal...)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eg9W0yCmZ
(romantic to JOY) Oh I love you..., I love you my pretty woman.... PRETTY.... just stay there and don’t move..
(BARNEY & JOY kiss for 20 minutes straight..)
# 20 minutes pass
(BARNEY & JOY both lay topless on the bed; holding hands and talk..)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFRJxPofGj
(loving to BARNEY) Oh BARNEY... this is the dream... the dream..
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC05J9O8O6C
(loving to JOY) Yes... yes... what every couple dreams of.
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6lBl7eb0n
(loving to BARNEY) Yes.... yes... now that is right... that is right...
(JOY TILTS TO THE SIDE; LOOKING AT BARNEY; PUTTING HER HAND ON BARNEY’S CHEST. BARNEY SMILES AS HE LOOKS DOWN; THEN LOOKS BACK UP AT JOY)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0BwwOb3F1
(romantic to BARNEY) Oh I love you BARNEY... promise to never leave me... you promise... YOU PROMISE...
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4r7uE7dkB
(smiles to JOY) I promise... I PROMISE... never forget it..
(JOY & BARNEY continue to kiss with love; and begin a kissing spree thereafter... the scene ends and the camera pans out on the kissing couple...)
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## BACK TO PRESENT76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwbcoKdvNf
INT. INSIDE _ ASTRID”S MARRIAGE COUNSELLING CLINIC
(FADE IN; ASTRID talks...)
ASTRID76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeHjBuTtGy
(questions BARNEY) Barney... when do you remember the most loving time you had with JOY?
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo9I2fBxIY
(to ASTRID) Well... the most loving moment... where I had the most sexual arousement... has got to be our honeymoon...
(BARNEY chuckles...)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hWpwe7nez
(chuckles to ASTRID) I mean... any couple would say that..
ASTRID76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcLvPeadwE
(questions JOY) And you JOY?
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7LHMzAbCL
(to ASTRID) yes... yes... I have to agree... that is the time I remember we were truly happy..
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ASTRID76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAPcYHtcn8
(questions JOY) Well what happened? (to BARNEY) What happened to you two? What was the massive conflict?
(JOY & ASTRID look at each other...)
(THE SCENE CLOSES and opens with another flashback...)
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## FLASHBACK - 2 MONTHS BEFORE76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIinSu1B0tL
INT. KITCHEN - BARNEY’s APARTMENT
(FADE IN the KITCHEN of BARNEY’s APARTMENT. CUT TO BARNEY; washing dishes. A very unhappy JOY enters the scene. The house is a pigsty; with scraps of food everywhere; with rats running amuck; with the whole kitchen cluttered in boxes and cockroaches...)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPF8n4TbeV
(annoyed to BARNEY) Oh damn BARNEY... I come home from work... and you just leave this house a pigsty... oh my GOD... damn BARNEY... I’m getting sick of it...
(BARNEY ignores JOY; though is getting annoyed... JOY continues whinging in annoyance..)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5WKePBzBx
(annoyed to BARNEY) All I ask.. is you vaccum... just keep the house clean whilst I work... DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I HATE coming to work to a messy house? Damn.... FUCKIN damn... I’m getting sick of it... SO SICK of it..
(JOY annoyed; breathes. BARNEY continues to remain silent)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF6VhNT3Cn
(ANNOYED TO BARNEY) I JUST CAN’T BELIEVE IT... YOU DON’T DO ANYTHING... YOU SIT ON YOUR ARSE.. WHILST I WORK TO PAY THIS FUCKIN APARTMENT RENT... I’M SICK OF YOU... WHAT DO YOU DO? WHAT DO YOU DO?
(JOY screams as she pushes BARNEY... BARNEY grows aggravated and shouts at JOY...)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagacnKm2n6
(shouts to JOY) STOP PUSHING ME... STOP.
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8FcPCp2id
(shouts to BARNEY) Why won’t you HELP VACCUM? Why? I don’t have time to clean this place up? I don’t have time... all the stress I put up with work; I just want to come home and relax... but I can’t.... YOU WON’T VACCUM this place... why can’t you FUCKIN HELP...?
(BARNEY remains silent... JOY grows enraged even more...)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVtNLMLCpN
(Shouts to BARNEY) FUCKIN TALK TO ME... TALK TO ME YOU FUCKIN ARSE-
(BARNEY grows enraged..)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tbcilu662
(shouts to JOY) STOP FUCKIN YELLING AND CURSING ME... YOU FUCKIN BITCH... YOU FUCKER...
(BARNEY enraged; glasses JOY in the face. JOY screams from the glassed face; and cries...)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hGwfZNl1H
(crying to BARNEY) Barney... why.... I... I..
(BARNEY regrets his action and speaks up..)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXSgyck2dB
(worried to JOY) Joy.... JOY... I... I’m sorry...
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqstGO3PRA
(shouts to BARNEY) YOU... You just committed DOMESTIC VIOLENCE... we’re over... WE ARE OVER..
(BARNEY remains hurt; and calms down..)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs71tD0on2
(worried to JOY) No JOY... no... PLEASE DON’T GO.... please... I...
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e3RwKD0uW
(shouts to BARNEY) I hate YOU... STAY AWAY FROM ME... you ABUSER... FUCK this... I’m out of here.
(BARNEY starts to beg JOY to stay; seriously regretting his physical decision..)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXZE57ylYm
(pleads with JOY) Joy... no.. please... sorry... sorry I shouldn’t have DONE THAT..
(JOY makes her way out the front door... the scene CONTINUES)
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INT. LOUNGE ROOM - BARNEY’S APARTMENT
(FADE IN THE LOUNGE ROOM at BARNEY’S APARTMENT. JOY prepares to open the door; BARNEY grabs JOY’s hand; preventing her escape..)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRJ55ibD6q
(begs JOY) Joy... JOY... I shouldn’t have... I shouldn’t have... i'm sorry..
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfUkdSpQmi
(shouts to BARNEY) YOU FUCKIN ARSEHOLE... you are a FUCKIN ABUSER... you HURT YOUR WOMAN... I HATE YOU.... WE'RE OVER... I want a divorce...
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kNMpvaH6E
(begs JOY) No.. no please JOY... I lost my temper.. I’m sorry... no.. please.
(BARNEY continues to restrict JOY’s escape; JOY grows annoyed and speaks firmly to BARNEY)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8oA28Orqt
(Shouts to BARNEY) LET ME GO... GET your HAND off ME.... GET YOUR HAND OFF ME..
(JOY with force; forces her hand back and opens the door; leaving with force; slamming the door behind her... BARNEY in shock and frustration screams...)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp5QO4taUB
(Shouts to himself) I’m AN IDIOT... AN IDIOT.. A FUCKIN IDIOT...
(THE CAMERA PANS out with the screaming voice of BARNEY)
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(FADE OUT: END OF SCENE)
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# BACK TO PRESENT76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkyF4Wpz8n
INT. INSIDE ASTRID’S MARRIAGE COUNSELLING CLINIC
(FADE INSIDE ASTRID’S MARRIAGE COUNSELLING CLINIC. ASTRID listens to JOY speak...)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJu8U5oWSl
(To ASTRID) And so we divorced.. and here we are...
(JOY looks at BARNEY; then back at ASTIRD)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lrdtOnaGu
(To ASTRID) Barney.... desperately wants us back together.. so I am doing this for him..
(ASTRID looks at BARNEY)
ASTRID76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYuShdiXwY
(To BARNEY) So did you apologise to JOY for physically hitting her?
(BARNEY nods his head; with the memory haunting him...)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3yuvMcuhQ
(worried; to ASTRID) Yes.... yes I did... I really regret it... it is something I seriously regret...
(A PAUSE... ASTRID speaks...)
ASTRID76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0KiosheoN
(TO BARNEY & JOY) WELL IT SEEMS LIKE YOU TWO DON’T KNOW TEAMWORK... BY BEING A COUPLE... ONE WORKS... WHILST ONE SHOULD STAY HOME AND COOK... AND DO THE HOUSEWORK... SO BARNEY... WHY DON’T YOU WORK IF YOU DON’T LIKE TO CLEAN SO MUCH?
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiCSiTZCHD
(to ASTRID) I... I’ve had corporate jobs in the past. The stress is... it’s just over the top for me.. I can’t handle it..
ASTRID76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3g6prK2xyE
(to BARNEY) Well... I understand that.. but remember being a couple includes commitment to each other... meaning a house requires one person to work and pay the house off; whilst the other is required to clean the house... commitment and functionality is important to a healthy relationship..
(BARNEy agrees to understand ASTRID; and speaks his mind...)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnHP7o6P5t
(to ASTRID) I see... I see.. I uh..
(BARNEY LOOKS AT JOY AND HOLDS HER HAND...)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfAxQzSjPc
(to JOY) I understand now... I understand... JOY... I’m sorry.... I know the stress you put up with can be much... and I know you are much better at handling stress than I am.... I just want to say... I apologise... and I will do better to be more of a helping-man towards you.
(JOY smiles though looks for reassurance..)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFjcjvw74B
(questions BARNEY) Are you sure BARNEY? Will you HELP ME? Do you promise me? You know I can’t do both... I can’t work and clean...
(A PAUSE..)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmJ6ZdOtLa
(to BARNEY) When I get back from work... all I want to do is relax... that’s all I want to do.. UNDERSTAND?
(BARNEY NODS HIS HEAD AND SMILES AT JOY)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P4ppowvxF
(smiles to JOY) I understand...
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv8ymFeiT8
(smiles to BARNEY) Good... good man.... GOOD...
(JOY & BARNEY kiss... and smile back at ASTRID)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr0dOGO4Kf
(smiles to ASTRID) Thank you... thank you ASTRID... you really have taught me the art of teamwork and commitment in a relationship... as well as contribution... I will contribute more... thanks...
ASTRID76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5YhEUNqS8
(smiles to BARNEY) No worries... keep the relationship healthy... any other worries or concerns... contact me once again...
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxCR0ugSdR
(smiles to ASTRID) Thanks... thanks...
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoifK07Bmr
(smiles to BARNEY) Let’s go BARNIE-boy... let’s go for a shot of coffee.
(BARNEY smiles at JOY...)
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdfxbm0hbq
(smiles to JOY) Okay... actually... I need to tell ASTRID something personal... just wait outside..
(JOY seems annoyed...)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Iw9sPjQ3S
(Annoyed to BARNEY) Tell ASTRID what... secrets I ought to know that you won’t let me know..
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjkTPxfpUj
(annoyed to JOY) No darling JOY... it’s something business-minded... I will tell you later... just... order me a cappuccino and I will meet you there..
(JOY appears worried..)
JOY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjT5IEksxM
(worried to BARNEY) Okay then.. okay... better not be any secrets... i won't be happy...
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3wbmPpaOg
(assures JOY) I promise JOY... no secrets..
(JOY SMILES AT BARNEY; THEN LEAVES; exiting the scene... ASTRID SMILES AT BARNEY)
ASTRID76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxqyxSFYYb
(Chuckles to BARNEY) Does the BITCH ever shut up?
BARNEY76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP06jkJ08Z
(chuckles to ASTRID) No... never.. hate the complaining bitch of a wife... but I... I... I think I love older women instead.
(BARNEY squeals in sexual desire; removing his shirt... the scene ends with the shirtless BARNEY & ASTRID kissing; falling on the floor minutes later...)
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(FADE OUT: END OF SCENE & STORY)76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoRkS33sC5
