PLOT: A recently separated couple tries to rekindle their relationship; with the help of a marriage counsellor...75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoXHZ3fytq
CHARACTERS:75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiXMYajVFb
- BARNEY: brown hair; blue eyes; 27 years; love interest of JOY; homebody75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn0sKmtS6k
- JOY: blonde hair; blue eyes; 27 years; love interest of BARNEY; office manager75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlkQJx063d
- ASTRID: 57 years; marriage counsellor; curly brown hair; blue eyes
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LOCATIONS:75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVT3cFxtRrU
- 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...)
ASTRID75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR58tx8mJK
(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.)
ASTRID75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9teI0ijYCg
(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..)
ASTRID75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0dsdHWEhR
(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..)
ASTRID75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQRYkEm1T1
(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..)
ASTRID75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9EyGofjYH
(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...)
ASTRID75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAm63gUMBW
(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)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6PCk6iHBE
(to ASTIRD) We will... JOY and I will communicate... our..
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wyfhc0WId
(to ASTRID) Barney and I really do want to fix our marriage... it truly is off the rails..
ASTRID75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLxn9bwqQ0
(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 & JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgwi6zvh9a
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 CELEBRANT75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7kmKqvpnD
(Smiles to BARNEY) You may kiss the bride..
(BARNEY kisses JOY.... the young couple jump in excitement for their newly-wed status...)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA61aOhxeg
(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...)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzNvF6xpKh
(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...)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE2bMuJLes
(loving to BARNEY) Oh BARNEY... newly-weds we are... I just... can’t believe it..
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QEIurIGwQ
(romantic to JOY) Believe it HONEY.. believe it....
(JOY squeals in sexual desire. JOY smiles and giggles; with BARNEY)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCHHVEtjtd
(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...)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHefIzt2pG
(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..)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiwRXEN12L
(loving to BARNEY) Oh BARNEY... this is the dream... the dream..
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOsdco8bj1
(loving to JOY) Yes... yes... what every couple dreams of.
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsNY3WEkt8
(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)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl4V89l3eJ
(romantic to BARNEY) Oh I love you BARNEY... promise to never leave me... you promise... YOU PROMISE...
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyioSM8HKI
(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 PRESENT75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpydFtjkR9
INT. INSIDE _ ASTRID”S MARRIAGE COUNSELLING CLINIC
(FADE IN; ASTRID talks...)
ASTRID75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGHOvkpOMD
(questions BARNEY) Barney... when do you remember the most loving time you had with JOY?
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BTqkYWxAT
(to ASTRID) Well... the most loving moment... where I had the most sexual arousement... has got to be our honeymoon...
(BARNEY chuckles...)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ECBHdJ9se
(chuckles to ASTRID) I mean... any couple would say that..
ASTRID75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMZidbJbRO
(questions JOY) And you JOY?
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUngO51wqy
(to ASTRID) yes... yes... I have to agree... that is the time I remember we were truly happy..
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ASTRID75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZQYzsFyWk
(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 BEFORE75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ89EO6ksnW
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...)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA4Gf6ZGfH
(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..)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqDQG8t05Z
(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)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhigA5ZItY8
(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...)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraKDapk946
(shouts to JOY) STOP PUSHING ME... STOP.
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCZlqq2dkL
(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...)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52Xbmnv004
(Shouts to BARNEY) FUCKIN TALK TO ME... TALK TO ME YOU FUCKIN ARSE-
(BARNEY grows enraged..)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ688jFNhHpW
(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...)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHyg7AJzwz
(crying to BARNEY) Barney... why.... I... I..
(BARNEY regrets his action and speaks up..)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWaSEJE7IK
(worried to JOY) Joy.... JOY... I... I’m sorry...
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iDxw8GVsA
(shouts to BARNEY) YOU... You just committed DOMESTIC VIOLENCE... we’re over... WE ARE OVER..
(BARNEY remains hurt; and calms down..)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA3h6Ilfor
(worried to JOY) No JOY... no... PLEASE DON’T GO.... please... I...
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj08S0C2wE
(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..)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuluhtEKmRW
(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..)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaVwRugwnp
(begs JOY) Joy... JOY... I shouldn’t have... I shouldn’t have... i'm sorry..
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYuSFZscsy
(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...
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jwv3zulz6
(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)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdYF9ewglR
(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...)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLaI8AQOEB
(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 PRESENT75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A7mBP8FWa
INT. INSIDE ASTRID’S MARRIAGE COUNSELLING CLINIC
(FADE INSIDE ASTRID’S MARRIAGE COUNSELLING CLINIC. ASTRID listens to JOY speak...)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pPpZFGkRc
(To ASTRID) And so we divorced.. and here we are...
(JOY looks at BARNEY; then back at ASTIRD)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMl96dkfus
(To ASTRID) Barney.... desperately wants us back together.. so I am doing this for him..
(ASTRID looks at BARNEY)
ASTRID75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPjGkUFa9J
(To BARNEY) So did you apologise to JOY for physically hitting her?
(BARNEY nods his head; with the memory haunting him...)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQHCd7f3x1
(worried; to ASTRID) Yes.... yes I did... I really regret it... it is something I seriously regret...
(A PAUSE... ASTRID speaks...)
ASTRID75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRGvBrBKCG
(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?
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSQ2bg9dIR
(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..
ASTRID75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIpb77jkH9
(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...)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiVfV0D7NS
(to ASTRID) I see... I see.. I uh..
(BARNEY LOOKS AT JOY AND HOLDS HER HAND...)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9ZgAo2HEp
(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..)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IrM7Scu9Q
(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..)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuaaK5KwWd
(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)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoXRlf0nRt
(smiles to JOY) I understand...
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbuzSpSeNj
(smiles to BARNEY) Good... good man.... GOOD...
(JOY & BARNEY kiss... and smile back at ASTRID)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKpFr4co2A
(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...
ASTRID75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7QsV3jtyE
(smiles to BARNEY) No worries... keep the relationship healthy... any other worries or concerns... contact me once again...
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCKFwfsijH
(smiles to ASTRID) Thanks... thanks...
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS3W68uWeM
(smiles to BARNEY) Let’s go BARNIE-boy... let’s go for a shot of coffee.
(BARNEY smiles at JOY...)
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoWNZpxChv
(smiles to JOY) Okay... actually... I need to tell ASTRID something personal... just wait outside..
(JOY seems annoyed...)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIH8SXdY9W
(Annoyed to BARNEY) Tell ASTRID what... secrets I ought to know that you won’t let me know..
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdr3a9L0Co
(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..)
JOY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn6BKQV1Lt
(worried to BARNEY) Okay then.. okay... better not be any secrets... i won't be happy...
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufB66OUqGY
(assures JOY) I promise JOY... no secrets..
(JOY SMILES AT BARNEY; THEN LEAVES; exiting the scene... ASTRID SMILES AT BARNEY)
ASTRID75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV9MnttS1p
(Chuckles to BARNEY) Does the BITCH ever shut up?
BARNEY75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIX7tLqHMA
(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)75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqvIzqgg84
