"[Door Creaking]" "[Pencil Scratching]" "[Man Clears Throat]" "First of all, I'd like to thank you for this hearing." "If my request has taken you by surprise, I fully understand." "To say good-bye after so many rewarding years together... years that have brought honor and acclaim to this great institution... is very hard, indeed." "But, sadly, it is time for me to move on." "The realm of literature no longer fulfills me." "How could it be otherwise?" "Young people have moved away from books." "The printing press is obsolete." "If I am to communicate with a new generation..." "I must find a new messenger." "Fortunately, that messenger exists." "Moreover, it thrives." "I'm speaking, of course, about motion pictures." "The greatest storytelling medium the world has ever known." "So I beseech you... grant me this release." "My words yearn to break free... to peel themselves off the printed page... and dance freely across the silver screen." "I know that some of you will find this request unusual... perhaps even absurd." "Nevertheless, I submit that my record at this institution... has earned your thoughtful and sympathetic consideration." "You want to become a screenwriter?" "That is correct." "## [Indistinct Singing]" "[Ominous Drumbeats]" "[Woman] Ben?" "Miramax called." "They said thank you... but they're not in the market for a 52-minute experimental film." "L-I can make it longer." "Did you tell 'em that?" "Trust me, it wouldn't have helped." "[Gulps]" "## [Man Singing Ballad]" " ## [Continues]" " No wonder they threw you out of film school." "No, they threw me out of film school because Dad's check bounced." "[Woman] Is this like all your others, or does it have a story?" "It's about saying no to violence." "That's a message, not a story." "What can I say?" "I don't feel compelled to follow the rules of narrative filmmaking." "Maybe that's why your audiences don't feel compelled to stay in their seats." " ## [Singing Continues]" " Mom, I'm an artist, okay?" "An artist shouldn't degrade himself by pandering to the lowest common denominator." "Just out of curiosity... how does this artist expect to support himself?" "Well, ideally, through a system of patronage." "Patronage?" "Yeah, it's..." "it's like in the Renaissance." "A patron, someone with wealth and power, sponsors the artist... and pays his way." "Now, relieved of his financial burden, this artist is free... to devote himself entirely to his work." "You see, his creativity is nurtured, and society reaps the benefit." "I consider you my patron." "Mom, stop!" "Someday you'll thank me for this.!" "[Siren Wailing]" "[Woman] Excuse me?" "Jack, you haven't answered my question." "Would you mind salivating in this direction for a moment, please?" "Oh, I'm sorry." "What did you say?" " Your wife, Jack." " I'm gonna tell her, Heidi." "I'm just waiting for the right time." "Come on." "You know how it is." "Yeah, I think I do." "I think I'm beginning to see exactly how it is." "I don't blame you for being impatient." "I know how difficult it's been." "Give it up, Jack." "You're a shitty actor." "Well, takes one to know one." "Come on, Heidi." "Let's be honest." "If I've used you, you've used me right back." "Who else is gonna give you work?" "You've got about as much range as a block of wood." "Meryl Streep couldn't find range in the crap you produce!" ""Oh, Sven, look out!" "Sven, behind you!"" "I mean, what in the hell am I supposed to do with dialogue like that?" " Play the subtext." " What subtext?" "Look, if you're not up to a few creative challenges... you're obviously in the wrong business." "Creative challenges?" "That's good." "You know what my creative challenges were, Jack?" "Deciding whether the scene was about my tits or my ass." "[Snickers] Don't flatter yourself." "You're a loser, Jack." "You'll never stop lying." "You'll never be faithful to anyone." "And you will never make a good movie... because it's just not within you!" " [Sighs]" " Well, isn't it nice to finally clear the air?" "Yeah." "I forgot my wallet." "[Machine Gun Firing]" "[Man Groaning]" "Wait!" "Sven!" "I thought I told you to stay behind!" "Sven!" "[Sven] Heidi, stay behind.!" "No!" "Please, Sven!" "[Heidi] Don't leave me, Sven.!" "Sven.!" "Sven, look out!" "[Gasps, Groans]" "[Gasps]" "She loved children..." "and animals." "But then she never met an animal like you." "Shame it had to end like this, mate." "[Gun Clicks]" "[Woman] Garbage?" "Your garbage." "Oh." "Here." " Lupe?" " Yeah?" " What do you think of my movies?" " Your movies?" "Yeah." "You must have some opinion." "It's just you and me now." " Well..." " Be honest." "[Man On TV] Well, here we go then." "The characters are shallow, the dialogue is flat... the sets look cheap and the lighting is bad." "Oh, come on." "There must be something you like about 'em." "They're short." "Remind me to fire you sometime, will ya?" "One more thing." "The macho action movies are just so '90s." "Thank you, Lupe." "I mean, they're totally uncool." " You're saying my movies are uncool?" " Mm-hmm." " That means you're saying I'm uncool." " Okay." "[Sven On TV] Hey, villain, your pink panties are showing." "## [Ominous Drumbeats]" "## [Man Singing Ballad]" "Dude, that is really awesome." "Yeah." "But I can see how your mom might not really connect with it, you know." " ## [Continues]" " She said I had no discernible talent." "But the key word is "discernible."" "You're an unrecognized genius, like van Gogh before he was dead." "Dude, look." "We've known each other a long time, and I gotta tell you... that this experimental stuff you're doing, it's not playing to your strengths." "I just wanna contribute to society, you know?" "Well, congratulations." "Meanwhile, you gotta make some bank if you wanna eat." "You ever heard ofJack Yeager?" " The schlockmeister?" " I shot second unit with him a couple times." "He's always looking for new directors." "Of course he is." "One movie with him, and they all hang themselves in shame." "Hey, don't write him off." "Word on the street is he's tired of making "B" pics... wants to make cutting-edge independent films." "You think your conscience could handle that?" "My conscience may not have a choice." "Dude, those are my Pops." " Sorry, bro." " Don't "bro" me, dude." "It's gotta be Ginger." "She was so hot." "Mary Anne would never leave, man." "[Laughing]" "[Laughing, Chattering]" "[Engine Starts]" "[Man] Dude, there goes your car." "[Man #2] That sucks, man." "[Coughing]" "## [Heavy Metal]" "## [Indistinct Singing]" "Savages." "[Lupe On Phone] I'm telling you, Heidi, he's turning over a new leaf." "Jack?" "Pwew." "Pwew." "Huh!" "He's talking about a new legacy." "Plus he took down your posters of Death Blow 3, so you know he's serious." "He did?" "All right, I'm confused." "How can someone have a crisis of conscience if they have no conscience?" "He's starting a new company." "Strictly independent films." "Very la-di-da." "Yeah, right." "So it's got the same sex and violence, only better lighting?" "Wait, wait." "Here's something, Heidi." ""Tuesday, 3:00, meet with Ben Steinman and Pat Connors to discuss new project." "Emphasize respect for artistic and moral integrity."" "[Laughs] Moral integrity?" "That's what it says." "All right, Lupe, I've heard enough." "I'm gonna talk to you late..." "¿Hola?" "Heidi?" "Yes." "I'd like the phone number for Creative Artist Agency in Los Angeles, please." "Thank you." "You're looking for an agent, are you not?" "No, it's for a friend of mine." "Your friend might be interested to know that I carry many excellent books and magazines..." " devoted to motion pictures." " Hmm." "By coincidence, I too am writing a screenplay." "It's a love story with a strong undercurrent of food." " Food?" " Yes." "Imagine Like Water for Chocolate but with curry." " Curry?" " Yes." " You don't like curry?" " Oh, I love curry." "Ah, very good, very good." "My wife thinks I'm cutting off more than I can chew." "She says if I want to make films, I should start with a mockumentary." " A what?" " You know, a mock documentary." "All you need is a video camera, a couple of actors, and there you are." "My wife thinks I'm silly to waste time on a script." "Your wife's not a writer." "Quite frankly, I don't think you are, either." " No?" " No." "Otherwise you wouldn't doubt yourself." "You'd know that all good films start with the written word." " Yes, I think you are right." " That's not good enough." "You have to know I'm right." "You have to feel it in your bones!" "You have to know that a story doesn't happen by accident." "You have to create it." "You have to put it there." "Yes!" "You empower me." "You are filling me up with confidence." "Repeat after me:" "There is nothing without the written word!" " There is nothing without the written word!" " Do you believe it?" " Oh, I believe it!" " Are you a writer?" " Yes, I am a writer.!" " Good!" "Now give me all the money you have in the cash register." "[Heidi] Rachel, watch out!" " What?" " Turn up your hearing aid before you get us killed." "[Indistinct Muttering]" "Wait." "No." "Okay, so what are we doing here?" "Well, I wanted to bug his office, but I can't afford those surveillance people." " So I got you." " Uh, what are we trying to find out?" "Anything we can to get me into this movie." " I thought you guys weren't talking." " We're not." "So you think he's gonna cast you in his movie even though he can't stand your guts?" "Well, see, that's where you come in again." "See, I'm not gonna be auditioning as myself." "Ahhh, yeah, I get it." "I get it." "[Changing Radio Stations]" "[Radio Newscaster] Described as a psychopath and aspiring screenwriter... the escapee is thought to be headed to Los Angeles... in what the police call a bizarre quest for representation." " Roadblocks are..." " Oh, shit!" "[Tires Screeching]" "I am not a psychopath!" "I'm a writer." "Lupe." "Uh, don't forget the bottom shelf." "[Woman On Intercom] Your 5:00 is here." "Just a second." "Send 'em in." " Hey." " Hey." " So, Pat tells me you're a real artist." " Is that good or bad?" ""Is that good or bad?" I love this kid." "Sit down." " Hi." "I'm Lupe." " Lupe was just leaving." " Lupe's not finished dusting yet." " Lupe can finish later." "Lupe doesn't want to finish later." "Lupe's forgetting thatJack can always have Lupe replaced." "Jack is forgetting that he'd be lucky to find a 60-year-old with a harelip for what he pays Lupe." "Just get us some iced teas, and you can finish dusting later." "So, where were we?" ""Lupe, clean." "Lupe, do that." "Lupe, clean the trash."" "[Grumbling In Spanish]" "I want this movie to be intelligent, provocative." "Most of all, I want it to be honest." "As a matter of fact, honesty is my favorite virtue." "Well, there you go." " Oh, thank you." " Thank you." " [Rachel] Oh, my God.!" " [Heidi] What?" "That woman is wearing the wrong shoes with that purse." "Hey, lady, wedgies are out!" "There's just one thing I'm concerned about, though." "Um, what's that?" "Well, I don't want to outsmart the audience." "Now, the three of us, we like to have our films with substance." "But your average guy... he's just looking for pure sensation." "I think you got something there." " What?" " No, no, no, um, Jack." "See, that's it." "That's-That's our movie." "It's the eternal struggle." "Civilization versus barbarism." "Reason and intellect on one side and man's primal urges on the other." "See, it gives us a great opportunity to make a bold statement against violence... and yet still be entertaining." "I like it." "I like it!" " [Chuckles]" " Bear in mind... if we're gonna make a good argument against the primitive lifestyle... we can't be afraid to show its most degrading aspects." "I'm sorry." "Come again?" "Well, film is a visual medium." "I mean, you can't just say rampant carnality is bad." "You have to show why it's bad." "In detail, if necessary." "All right." "What's he saying?" "Uh, he's saying he wants some sex in it." " Really?" "Surprise!" " That's a shocker." " So, you'll get to work on the script?" " Script?" " No!" "Shit sticks!" " What?" "I got cigar interference." " Well, just go around!" " This was not covered in the lip-reading video!" "Well, I assumed you're a writer." "I mean, all the hot independent directors write their own scripts." "Yeah, sure." "Ben is a great writer." "See, I'm-I'm just thinking." "A script might be an unnecessary expense here." "[Chuckles] I wish." " Oh, wait." "Okay." " Yeah, Lupe.!" "Yeah.!" "Okay, we're golden." "We're good." "Have you ever heard of aleatorism?" " Alea..." "What?" " Aleatorism." "Aleatoric means chance." "So, basically, if I'm making an aleatoric film..." "I'm letting external forces guide my hand." " Uh, I don't follow." " Okay, the idea is... we have a catalytic incident that sets everything in motion." "And after that, we just record what happens." "You see, the film writes itself." " No script?" " Think of the savings, right?" "Of course, we're gonna need actors who can improvise well, but that shouldn't be a problem." "This catalytic incident that gets the film in motion..." "Could it involve women?" "Let's say..." "With large breasts." " Right?" " I don't see why that'd be a problem." "Oh, that won't be necessary." "This is a Jack Yeager production, isn't it?" " You'reJack, right?" " Yes, but..." "Come on." "I know how it works." "Yeah, but the thing is, this film is different." "Whatever you say." "Are you familiar with the aleatoric technique?" "No." "Does it hurt?" "Have you done much improvisation?" "I don't get paid enough to make up my own dialogue." "I mean, that's your job, right?" "You do have a script, don't you?" " Uh..." " Do you validate?" "[Feminine Voice] Whoever you are..." "I've always depended upon the kindness of strangers." "[Masculine Voice] Damn!" "I did it again!" "It was too big, wasn't it?" "I always do it too big.!" "[Feminine Voice] I'm sorry." "Can I try that again?" "I must be getting a cold." "Uh, actually, no." "You can go, sir." "Nice legs, though." "Cut it off." "All of it." "Okay, Heidi." "I just..." "This is your trademark." "I know." "That is why I've got to get rid of it." "Go!" "Off!" "All of it!" "## [Women Singing]" "## [Singing Continues]" "[Squeals]" " ## [Continues, Indistinct]" " So, would you recognize me?" "I might run screaming, but I wouldn't recognize you." " I'm gonna throw up." " Yeah, me too." "[Woman On Phone] Good afternoon." "Creative Artists Agency." "Hello." "I'd like to speak to Mike Ovitz, please." "I'm afraid Mr. Ovitz no longer works here." "Oh, I didn't know." "I've been institutionalized for some time." "May I redirect your call?" "Um, yes." "Uh, I'd like to speak to an agent." "Uhhh, an important one." "Powerful." " I need a name." " Well, I'll tell you." "I got a better idea." "You give me their names, and I'll send them all a copy of my script... and the one who gets me the best deal will be my agent." "Sir, our policy doesn't allow us to accept unsolicited material." "What do you mean, you don't accept unsolicited mat..." "If I could solicit my own material, I wouldn't need an agent, now, would I?" " I'm afraid I have other calls." "Good-bye." " Wait." "Wait." "Ah, Jesus!" "[Panting]" "So, do you have something to show us?" " Like what?" " Well, a monologue would be nice." " Uh, what's that?" " Listen." "I'm curious." "Do you have any acting experience at all?" "[Panting] Um, just this." "Well, thank you." "Thank you." "We'll be in touch." " That wasn't so bad." " No." "I feel the piss and vomit run down my face." "I try to move, but I can't." "Then I realize I am happy here." "This is where I belong." " Are you finished?" " Yes." "So, do you have any other special skills... or training we should know about?" "I have a cock ring." "Thank you." "We'll be in touch." "Oh, okay." "Thank you." "You know, I'm concerned." "When you put the ad in the paper... did you clearly specify that we wanted to see every single freak in L.A.?" "Because there must be two or three we haven't auditioned yet." "You get what you pay for." "Oh, gee." "You know, you're right." "Maybe I oughta just step aside and let you produce this picture." "You obviously know so much more about it than I do." "And while you're at it, you can get your own financing!" "Oh, one more thing." "Oh." "Ah." "You know, this is not my first barbecue." "I've been in this business since your shit looked like mustard." "You show me some respect, or I'm gonna fire your ass." "Is that understood?" "Yeah, it's understood." "Good." "Here." "Have a cigar." " No." "That's fine." " Oh, come on." "It's a good one." "Good." " Fiona Quinlan." "Nice to meet ya." " Hi." "Oh, don't let the look put you off." "I've been playing this street punk in a BBC program." "Just haven't had a chance to, you know, switch gears, as it were." "BBC?" "That's impressive!" "Thanks." "But, uh, I don't have a union card in the States." "Is that a problem?" "Well, uh, as it happens, no." "Huh!" "Beauty!" "Wow!" "You worked with Mike Leigh?" "Oh, he's brilliant!" "I love improvisation." "You know, I did a few aleatoric films when I was in drama school." "Aleatoric films, really?" "Mm-hmm." "I'd have done more, but I had to get back to Belfast." "My brother was killed." "Yeah, he was mistaken for an I.R.A. Man, so the police say." " We never really got the full story." " That's awful." "Ah, so much violence in this world." "So many families like ours who are suffering' and grieving'." "I just wish I could do somethin' about it, you know?" "Like make a statement with my acting or somethin'." "I love Bono." "I tell you, this woman was incredible." "She understands the aleatoric method." "She loves to improvise." "I can't believe how lucky we are." "Whoo!" "You know, I think I'm gonna make all my movies in the desert." "No location fees, no permit problems." "You know, it's..." " Hey, doesn't your uncle own a motel out in Quartzite?" " Yes, he does." "Which means that you get to put the cast and crew up for free, right?" " Yes, it does." " [Laughing]" "What do you mean I'm too old?" "I've got a lifetime of experience." "Well, no." "This is my first screenplay... but I've done a lot of writing for the entertainment industry." "Actually, I'm a..." "I'm a technical writer." "Instruction manuals... uh, VCRs, laser disc players." "But I pride myself on the clarity of my prose." "If you'll just read my script, I think you'll..." "Hello?" "Hello?" "Yeah, I think we're gettin' close." "Pull the map out of the glove box, will ya?" "Jack, there's a gun in here." "Sure, there is." "I wave it at the crew whenever they start complaining." " What?" " [Scoffs] No." "I'm joking." "I would never do that." "Actually, I did do it... once." " Is it loaded?" " Well, it wouldn't be much good otherwise, would it?" "Jack, I can't believe this!" "This is totally irresponsible!" "Let me tell you something, kid." "Nobody wants to watch responsible people doing responsible things." "Jack, this isn't a movie, okay?" "This happens to be real life!" "Kid, life's a movie." "There's more acting going on behind the camera than in front of it." "Trust me on that." "What?" "You wanna know if it's loaded?" " Here." "Let's find out." " No!" "Jack, no!" "No, no, no!" " [Gunshots] - [Jack] Whoo-hoo.!" "Oh, yeah, it's loaded, baby!" "Whoo-hoo!" " [Gunshots]" " Ha-ha!" " What, you're afraid of a little gun like this?" " Are you completely insane?" " [Gunshots] - [Whooping Continues]" "[Pat] Hey, lucky us." "There's a vacancy." "[Jack] Look, it's only for a couple of days... and then we'll be out of your hair." "I know it sounds like a lot of people... but it's really a very small crew by Hollywood standards." "Well, you're smart to make reservations early, 'cause it's high season." " Business is good, huh?" " Damn straight." "Once I put them color TVs in there back in '79, it made a hell of a difference." "Well, I'm glad to hear it." "Once I install a few air conditioners... it's gonna be a top-flight establishment." "There's no air conditioning?" "Jack, you can't rush into these things." "If you let success go to your head... bam... you're gonna find yourself overextended." "No, sir." "I'm never gonna be too cocky." "Because it's an aleatoric film, it's vital that we get honest reactions." " Mm-hmm." " If they're tipped off in any way..." " it's gonna kill this project." " You've seen Candid Camera, haven't you?" "See, nobody knows they're being filmed." "That's why it's candid." " I love Candid Camera." "That's one funny show." " Yeah." "Great." "So you won't breathe a word to anybody?" "Silence is golden." "Loose lips sink ships." "A man stalking a ten-point buck should never..." "We get it." "Yeah." "Yeah." "You sure we can't give you a ride?" "No." "I'll call you." "All right." "[Russian Accent] What'd these men say to you?" "Talkin' about makin' some kind of movie." "Ahhh, movie." "Mmm." "Ain't you got some work to do out back there, Sasha?" "Yes, but, you know, I can leave all this behind." "I know." "I got it." "Do I look all right?" "[Horn Honking]" "Here." "Call sheets for tomorrow." "See you at the motel." " May I be of assistance?" " What?" "Oh." " Do you need help with anything?" " Oh." "No." "No, I just..." "The batteries in my hearing aid are crapping out." "Sometimes I feel like such a gimp." "I've been told when one sense is diminished, the others are heightened." "You know what?" "That's just something that, uh... is the God's honest truth." "Pleased to make your acquaintance." "Hi." "Thanks." "[Clears Throat]" "It's too bad about the air conditionin' giving out on the first day." "You kidding me?" "It came like this." "Who'd hire a caravan with no air conditionin'?" "Oh, that'd be our beloved producer." "Especially when he gets a price break, you know?" "Ah, Jack." "Well, typical." "You know him?" "Oh, no." "No." "Just by, uh, reputation." "You know, penny pincher, skirt chaser, that sort of a thing." "I remember." "Now I know." "I saw you on Mexican TV." " ¿Hablas español?" " No." "No, I don't." "I just..." "I really love Latin guys." "And-And the women as well." "You know, I love all Latins." "[Sighs] Oh, don't." "No." "They're so ugly." "I have to keep them short, you know, for work and everything." "It's a total drag. 'Cause most guys like 'em long, you know?" "I don't." "Women with long nails are philosophically repugnant." " Really?" " Their hands are decorative, nothing more." "Women with short nails, they're different." "They view their hands as tools of self-expression;" "paintbrushes of sensuality, if you will." "Wow." "[Chuckles]" "[Heidi] You know, he was the first boy my mom could actually tolerate." "So I followed him here to the States, and a week later we split up." "Really?" "What happened?" "He said I was too grief-stricken over me brother to be emotionally available." "Of course, I found out that was a bunch of shite." "He was already seeing someone else." "[Scoffs] Jesus." "I should have seen it coming." "Thought he was God's gift to women, he did." "You know, any guy who thinks he can do better than you... has got a screw loose." "Well, it's very sweet of you to say that." "Just..." "Just being honest." "Whoa!" "What's up with this?" "What's the problem, Officer?" "I'm afraid we've got an escaped mental patient in the vicinity." " Where are you all comin'from?" " Uh, L.A." " L.A.?" "Makin' a movie?" " Yes, sir." " What's it about?" " "What's it about"?" "What's the story?" "Well, um, it-it's about man's destructive impulses... and the necessity for the rational mind to keep it in check." "Hell, that sounds more like a theme than a story, son." "Well, uh, it-it's an aleatoric film." "An aleatoric film?" "Yeah." "I mean, yes, sir, Officer." "Okay, I'm gonna ask you a question." "I want for you to be real straight with me." "You don't have a story, do you?" "Well, um, sorry, Officer." "I didn't know I was doing anything wrong." "Well, I suppose it can be real hard work to come up with a good story." "So I'm gonna let you go with a warning this time." "But if I see y'all in these parts again, better have a script." "You're free to go." "Whoa." "Whoa, whoa." "Great shades!" "Oh, man, those are beautiful!" "I've been looking for a pair of these for years." " How do I look?" " Good." "Hey." "Here." "Get yourself something nice, huh?" "A.C. Goes in my room..." "number two." "Okay." "I love making movies." "[Chuckles]" "My God, it's so hot out here." "I don't get how people survive." " You have to know how to stay cool." " Yeah." "I have an "especial" method... one that renews both the mind and body." "Well, go on." "I remove my clothes and stand naked in my room." "At first, the perspiration trickles slowly down my chest and back." "Then, as it begins to evaporate, my skin becomes alert to the faintest breeze." "My organs of manhood, now free of restrictive garments... hang low and unencumbered." "My heart, she beats a gentle rhythm... that is almost audible in the silence." "It is then that I summon the spirits of my Aztec ancestors... men who endured the steaming heat of the jungle... with strength and dignity." "As their male power courses through my body..." "I feel serene and refreshed... yet enormously potent." "That is my method." "Wow." "I just turn on the air conditioner." "Ah." "You're gorgeous." "[Water Splashes]" " Hi." " Hi." " Were you watching me?" " When?" " Just now." " Why?" "What, uh..." "What were you doing?" " Skinny dipping." " Really?" " Mm-hmm." " And I missed it." "Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go kill myself." "All right." "Forget it." "I don't much care." "Well, uh, if it'll make you feel any better..." "I could take off my shorts and swim a couple of laps." "Well, it might, actually." "Uh, do you mind if I finish this chapter first?" "Coward." "You're awfully dedicated, doing your homework this time of night." "Oh, no." "I couldn't sleep." "Actually, that's not it." "Uh, I'm kinda anxious about tomorrow." "Ah." "You don't think we're ready." "No, no, no." "We're ready." "I mean, we're as ready as we need to be." "Not so sure I like the sounds of that." "[Laughs] Don't get me wrong." "You're gonna be great." "Really." "It's just..." "It's what the cop said." "It's been eating me all night." " Ah, about good stories being hard?" " Yeah." "Maybe I go in for this non-narrative stuff... because I'm afraid to put myself on the line." "I mean, you write a script with real characters and real emotions." "It's like you're exposing yourself." " Is that so bad?" " If you're a coward, yeah." "You're not a coward, Ben." "But I know what you mean." "It's the same thing for me." "If I get a bad review, I feel like they're criticizing me, you know, not the performance." "Yeah." "Rejection pretty much sucks, huh?" "Well, artists have to be very brave." "Or completely mad." "I'm not sure which." " [Chuckles]" " Uh, you realize I just broke the first rule of directing." " What's that?" " Always show confidence." "You don't have to be afraid to let your guard down with me, Ben." "As far as I'm concerned, your honesty is your greatest asset." "That and those cute little boxer shorts that you got on there." "Little?" "[Sighs] I think I might actually be able to get some sleep." "Well, I'm sorry I bore you." "No, no." "You relax me." "The best directors always know how to relax their actors." "And you can, uh, expose yourself to me anytime." "I'll bear that in mind." " Fiona?" " Yes." "I, uh..." "I was watching you." " Pardon?" " Before... when you were swimming, I was watching." "I know." "You..." "You looked beautiful." "Good night, Ben." "[Clears Throat]" "Well?" "What do you think?" "Wow!" "Y-Your hair!" "And-And your..." "Uh, okay." "Uh, let's see." "[Clears Throat]" "So you've just driven off into a ditch... so you're probably gonna be a little disheveled." "Ah, right." "Oh!" "I know!" "Here." "Smear my makeup." "Actually, uh, no, no." "Your makeup's perfect." "Hmm." "Oh!" "I know!" "My dress." "You could tear it." " Really?" " Mm-hmm." "Oh!" "[Giggles]" " You okay?" " Mm-hmm." " You could tear it some more." " Hey.!" "Hey, hey, hey, hey.!" "Come on." "You guys wanna play Lady and the Tramp, don't do it with the production wardrobe." " [Scoffs]" " Go make a movie, or whatever it is you should be doing." "Scoot.!" "Hello.!" "Now.!" "Ya-ya.!" "Let's go.!" "Go.!" "You know, those things are too damn small." "They just don't look professional." "Yeah, but video is 80% cheaper than film." "Oh." "Can I help you somehow?" "Here they come.!" "Get that thing rolling.!" "Come on.!" "Let's go.!" "Let's go.!" "Shit!" "Pimp-mobile, American bullshit!" "[Grunts] Superfly fuck!" "You almost killed us!" "You should have run it over!" "We have just come from a funeral!" "Are you consumed with death, you heartless bastard!" "I'm heartless, am I?" "Have you forgotten that I bought you this car?" " The car you drove into a ditch!" " I told you..." " I didn't do it on purpose!" " Are you sure?" "Perhaps you did it just to spite me!" "Honey, if I wanted to spite you, I wouldn't be coy about it." "I'd give Tony a 911, and have him meet me in Acapulco!" "Bitch!" "I told you never to mention his name again!" "Excuse me." "Is something I can do for you folks?" "Yes!" "Get me a new girlfriend." "One who..." "who knows how to steer." "[Stammering] Perhaps it's not her fault." "Um, do you have problems with your steering?" "Well, do not put up with it for a moment longer." "A wheel alignment or a new set of front tires... is just a quick trip away." "And you would be surprised at how inexpensive it can be." "Keep it going!" "Well, I am just mad as hell!" "And I'm..." "not gonna take it anymore!" " That's my car!" " I am not a victim." "Without me, you'd be nothing!" "When I met you, you were a waitress in a cocktail bar!" " That much is true." " [Sasha] Okay, okay, okay." "So don't forget, is Imperial Auto." " 6227 West Magnolia..." " I think they're on to us." " Exit 131 off the main highway." " Aw, gee." "Ya think?" "Come on by." "Ask for Sasha." "[Chuckles]" "Wave to camera." "No, no..." "Hey, don't push!" "You like push, tough guy?" "Why don't you go back where you came from, you foreign..." " Why don't you go back where you came from?" " You leave him alone!" " ## [Man Singing] - [All Shouting]" " [Grunting]" " Get off of me!" " Get off of me!" " Get off of him!" "Ow!" "Ow!" "Ow!" "Ow!" "[Sasha] Now I have to move very slowly." "You literally kicked my ass." " You keep hitting the same spot!" " ## [Singing Continues]" " ## [Singing Continues] - [Groans]" " [Groans] - [Groans]" "You can kill me now." "There's something in my eye!" "[Crying]" "[Rooster Crowing]" "It's Ben." " Hey." " Hi." "Uh, Jack and I, we're gonna go for a run... uh, maybe brainstorm a little." " You wanna come?" " Oh, I better not." "I'm avoiding the sun." " You sure you're not avoiding Jack?" " Why would you say that?" "Well, I'm observant." "It's just whenever he's around, you tend to disappear." "Hmm." "Has he, uh, said anything or noticed?" "No, not at all." "Jack tends to pride himself on his insensitivity." "Hmm, well, he's got a lot to be proud of." " [Chuckling] - [Chuckling] Right, right." "So, uh, you sure you don't know him?" "The less I see of him, the better." "That a problem?" "No." "No, not at all." "I don't need the competition." "So I'll see you later, then." "Oh, uh, there's one other thing." "I'm sorry I had to tackle you yesterday." " Oh!" " No, it's just I thought you were gonna hurt that guy." "And I was worried about lawsuits and stuff." "No, I'm sorry." "I'm sorry too." "I guess I shouldn't have, you know, kept swinging'." "[Chuckles] No, forget it." "I like strong women." "I'll see ya." "[Giggles]" "So what we need is another catalytic incident." "I'll tell you one thing..." "We're not shooting another inch of film in Quartzite." "The place is full of weirdos." " [Inhaling]" " Well, how about this?" "We dress Hector and Fiona up like a couple of Buddhists and send them to an N.R.A. Meeting." " Just see what happens." " Buddhists." " They're the ones in the yellow robes, right?" " Yeah." "Nah." "I hate yellow." "It's not a marketable color." "Wait a minute." "Here's something better." "You know how everybody's always squawking about... violence in the schools, violence in the media?" "Well, they're missing the number one source of violence in America." "Which would be?" "Our highway system." "It's a river of blood, gushing at 70 miles an hour... from coast to coast, border to border, 24 hours a day!" "So you're suggesting that we come out against traffic fatalities?" "Kind of a no-brainer, isn't it?" "You got something better?" "Uh, well, no." "After all, it is a national disgrace." "Yeah." "Yeah." "I can see it now." "A long, lonely highway." "The dead of night." "Your world goes only as far as your headlights." "And then... blackness... the unknown." "Suddenly, up ahead... through a cloud of dust... the wreckage of a car crash... a crash that happened only moments before you got there." "[Gurgles]" "Ooh." "Guess I shouldn't have touched him." "Live and learn." "This guy makes me nervous." "You wanna be on the cutting edge, you gotta take chances." "Young and beautiful." "Whole life ahead of her." "What a waste." "No." "Hey, wait." "What's he..." "No, no, no, no, no." "Wait, wait, wait." "Yeah, there's nothing I can do." "A bright light has been extinguished... never to shine again." "What a babe." "Too bad I'm not into necrophilia." "Still, why knock something if you haven't tried it?" " Easy." " No!" " No, wait." "Stop!" " No, no!" "Stop.!" "Stop.!" " I thought that would get a response." " What the fuck is going on?" "You groped my boob, you filthy... sod." "Okay, trouper, you can stop writhing now." "The scene's over." " You touch her again, I swear I'll..." " You'll what?" "Mr. Pacifist." "Mr. Anti-violence." " I'll try to talk you out of it." " That's a threat?" " I'll use really strong language." " Now, look." "I may be clinically insane..." " but I'm still a gentleman." " [Zipping]" "I have no intention of dishonoring your girlfriend." "[Ben, Heidi] Girlfriend?" "Well, it seems... that some of us have not yet defined our feelings." "Hey, I've..." "defined my feelings." "Could it be?" "A declaration of love?" "What about you?" "Have you defined your feelings in regard to Mr. Pretentious Auteur here?" "Yes." "And how would you define those feelings?" "Overwhelmingly positive." "My, you're a romantic bunch." "Come on." "Love is a beautiful thing." "You should be proud of it." "Now, do exactly as I say, or I'll blow your heads off." "And that goes for the two of you!" "Come on." "Come on." "Get in." "Get in." "Get..." "Not you!" "You stay right here." "You take my keys, get in my car, take Second Unit with you... and don't even think of taking off... because we'll find out how closely his fake blood matches his real thing." "You understand?" "Come on." "Get in." "Go on." "Go on, now." "Where are we going?" "You wanna know where we're going?" "An informed driver is a safe driver." "See that hole?" "Follow it till I tell you to stop." "You're the escaped psychopath, aren't you?" "Please call me Harvey." "I've been monitoring your affairs for quite some time." " We should be on a first-name basis." " What do you mean, monitoring?" "Simple surveillance..." "binoculars, eavesdropping." " Nothing fancy." " Excuse me." "May I ask... why?" "I'm euthanizing..." "your project." " We're shooting this instead." " You wrote this?" "I need a production team." "You need a script." "Fate has brought us together." "Uh, actually, uh, no." "We..." "We don't need a script." "You see, we're making an aleatoric..." "Aleatoric shmaleatoric." "You play nasty little tricks on innocent bystanders... because you haven't got the wherewithal to come up with a story that's worth a damn." " Am I right?" " Well..." "You need someone with talent to rescue you from yourselves." "Whoa." "Wait a minute." "You see, this is my money." "You can't force me to make a film that I'm not passionate about." "I suggest you get passionate very quickly." "And if I catch you skimming, you won't live to see page 120." "Now that's how you get a script read." "What's wrong?" "I am very angry with you." "Yeah, that's kind of obvious." "I was hoping you could tell me why." "We see things differently." "Sorry." "Could you elaborate on that, please?" "It's nice to know if someone were assaulting me, you'd try and talk him out of it." " That's very reassuring." " Are you kidding me?" "I'd rip his head off." "You would?" "Yeah, I'm afraid I would." "Well, that is nothing to be ashamed about." "Well, it's just..." "it's so animalistic, you know?" "We are animals, Ben." "Or at least we should be once in a while." "I mean, this life-of-the-mind stuff, it's got its limits, you know?" "Will you be quiet." "Man's trying to focus on my script." "You're a slow reader." "Anybody ever tell you that?" "I'm savoring it." "He likes it." "He really likes it." " What's the matter?" " I gotta take a leak." " Can't you hold it?" " Prostate problems." " I find that hard to believe." " Oh, no." "Listen, buddy." "Anybody over 40's fair game." "Don't lose your place." "[Touch Tone Dialing, Line Ringing]" "Come on, come on, come on, come on." "Uh, get me the police." "[Harvey] Pissing faster, Mr. Producer?" "Are you off the phone?" "[Harvey] Of course I love you." "I haven't called because I've been busy." "I'm on the run." "Things... are looking up." "Even as we speak, Hollywood producers are fighting over my script." "No, Mom, I haven't got ahold of Paul Newman yet. [Groans]" " I know, you gotta be aggressive if you wanna succeed." " Excuse me." "Um, do you have another copy?" "What do I look like?" "Kinko's with legs?" "Do you wanna do something?" "Get me a beverage." " What?" " You mind if I smoke?" "I like a good cigar when I read." "It's unhealthy, you know." "I'm aware of that." "Well, blow it out the window." "No, not you, Mom." " Everybody hold on!" " [Brakes Screeching]" "[Harvey Groaning]" "No, no, no..." "No, no, no, no, no." "No, no, no!" "No, no, no." "Drop the gun, or I light it!" " Drop the script, damn it, now." " Screw you!" "Drop the gun!" " Don't make me shoot you." " Do you want me to torch this thing?" "Is that what you want?" " Listen, asshole." "Drop the script." " Drop the gun!" " Hey, guys, everything okay in here?" " [Gunshot]" " You almost shot me." " Who says I'm finished?" " You hostile son of a bitch!" " [Harvey Groans]" "[Gunshot]" " [Sizzling] - [Screaming]" "Do you have any idea how hard it is to write a feature-length script?" "Do you?" " Do you?" " [American Accent] Leave him alone, you piece of shit!" " Heidi?" " Who's Heidi?" "So you've at least been to Ireland, right?" "Furthest east I ever got was Bangor, Maine." " [Timer Dings]" " Uh, excuse me... but that would dry quicker if you put it on high." "Are you trying to burn my script too?" "So what, uh, you and Jack were seeing each other?" "Yeah." "Please tell me you never got around to actually..." " There's a mental picture I didn't need." " Nobody asked you." "Well, that's true, but being armed gives me the right to make pithy comments whenever I want." "You know, if I were Mr. Look-At-My-Cool-Bohemian-Harelip... and thank God I'm not..." "I'd have trouble forgiving you." "Let's face it." "He thought you were someone else." "Your relationship was based on a lie." "[Ben] So she fooled you too?" "Well, I had my suspicions, but... she was doing such a good job, I just kinda went with it." "Honestly?" "You thought I was good?" "What can I say?" " You got more range than I thought." " Well, thanks, Jack." "It's nice to hear you say that, even if you don't have any taste." "Anytime." "The motel's coming up on the right." "Turn in there." "Why didn't you just tell us we were going back to the motel?" "And spoil the suspense?" "You have a lot to learn, don't you?" "[Sighing] Okay." "I'm done." "Outstanding piece of work, wouldn't you say?" "I liked it." "I got a few notes." "No, no." "No." "No, no, no notes." "No notes." " Just a few notes..." " No, no, I..." "No notes." " Okay, okay, one note." "One small note." " No." "No..." "A little, teeny, teeny..." "What's your note?" "Well, your main character?" " Yeah?" " He's a traveling salesman." "Yeah." "Well, it just... it doesn't... sing." " What are you talking about?" " What if he was a test pilot?" " Oh, for God's sake!" "That's..." " Or a hit man?" " Something sexy." " Don't be ridiculous!" " That doesn't..." " What..." "What are you talking about?" "That's an easy fix.!" "What are you talking about, an easy fix?" "That's not an easy fix.!" " I'm telling you..." " Do you know how hard it is to fix something like that?" "[Arguing Continues]" "Okay, come on out." "[Gasps] Oh, shit, man!" "You better put that thing away." " Uncle Bill sees that, he's gonna go for his shotgun." " Don't worry about Uncle Bill." "Uncle Bill's been neutralized." "[Man On TV] Where's the gold?" " [Chainsaw Motor Revving] - [Woman On TV] What?" "I said, where is the gold?" " I can't hear you!" " [Loud Buzzing]" " [Woman] What?" " Where's the gold?" " [Chainsaw Buzzing]" " What?" " I swear to God, if you hurt him..." " Relax." "Uncle Bill's fine." "I'm fine." "You're fine." "We're all fine." "We're gonna stay fine, as long as we shoot Uncle Harvey's movie... the way Uncle Harvey wants it." "Why don't you just let us go?" "Haven't we suffered enough?" "[Laughing]" "[Stifled Laughter]" "You haven't the first clue about suffering." "I'll tell you about suffering." "Suffering is knowing that at any given moment, day or night... in millions of homes across the English-speaking world... videocassette recorders are blinking "12:00" instead of the exact time... all because no one reads the manuals!" "Manuals I slaved over... poured my life's blood into." "Are you aware that chapter five... of the Kowadachi HS-1000..." ""Connecting Your VCR,"" "is written entirely in iambic pentameter?" "No, I didn't know that." "No, you didn't know?" "It's only a VCR manual." "Hardly anybody reads it." "And that, my friends, is why I have to make this film." "I've gotta find a form of self-expression that doesn't end up in a clear plastic bag... jammed between two chunks of Styrofoam in a cardboard box!" "I crave immortality." "My voice cries out to be heard, and it will be heard... with your help." "So I ask you now, please... help me... lasso my dreams." "Help me... reach for the stars." "[Claps Hands] Okay, uh, why don't we get ready for the first setup?" "[Excited Laughter]" "[Harvey] What'll we start with?" "Uh, something easy." "Doesn't matter what it is." "Just getting something in the can gives people confidence." ""Exterior hotel, morning."" "We have to make do with a motel, but who's complaining?" " Let's shoot it." " Great, so you're directing now?" "Well, excuse me, Mr. Sensitive." "Pardon me for living." "Here, you choose something." "I haven't even read the script yet." "I can't just shoot anything." "I have to figure out how each scene relates to the other as a whole." "This is from the man who stages accident scenes and calls it filmmaking?" "Oh, I'm sorr..." "No, no, no!" "Oh, I am sorry." "You're protecting the integrity of this script." "I'm proud of you." "Unfortunately, we don't have time for extensive preproduction." "Page one." "Read it, shoot it." "I'm really tired of people telling me what to do." "FirstJack, now you." "I'm going to my trailer." "Hey, nobody treats my script like that." "Come back here!" "Come back here!" "I said, pick it up!" "[Coughs]" "Now crawl over there and pick it up!" "Pick it up!" "Shoot me." "No, go ahead!" "Shoot me!" "What the hell do I care?" "My mother throws me out of the house." "I'm too broke to pay off my student loans." "I'm stuck here in the desert, directing a no-budget film... written by an escaped mental patient!" "And did I mention that the girl I thought I was in love with... not only lied to me about pretty much everything right from the get-go... but it turns out she was stupid enough to sleep with... the same slimy-assed producer who got me into this mess?" "So please, please pull this trigger, put me out of my misery!" " You know, I think you're right." " Wait!" "No, don't shoot!" "What, are you crazy?" "Okay." "Okay." "It's fine." "I can read it fine." "And you can too, can't you, Ben?" "It's my fault that he's upset, okay?" "I lied to him." "He opened himself up to me, and I lied to him." "But I am sure that in his heart of hearts..." "Ben would love to take any scene out of your script and just shoot the hell out of it!" "Ben would really, really like it... if you would shut the hell up and leave him alone." "Heidi?" "I'm sorry." "That was just..." "plain insensitive." " You want to die?" "I'm happy to oblige you." " No." "Wait." "Wait." "She's..." "She's right, okay?" "She's right." "Once I found out who she was..." "I felt betrayed, humiliated." "Maybe I overreacted a little." " Does that mean you'll shoot my script?" " Yes." "Because I'm tired of your whiny outbursts." "Now you get with the program and shoot this thing... or I will shoot you." " Understood?" " Yes, I understand." "Good." "Uh, before we... go..." "I have a small request." "[Sighs] It better be small." "Heidi and I have a few issues." "I was hoping we could have a second to talk alone." " On one condition." " What's that?" "Shave off the harelip." "Okay." "[Sighs]" "I never intended to hurt you, Ben." "I think I just preferred being Fiona to being me." "I don't..." "I don't understand that." "The other night by the pool, when you admitted that you'd been watching me... the way you said it... the way that you looked at me..." "I wasn'tjust a struggling actress with a dead-end life." "I was somebody with talent and confidence." "I felt beautiful." "You are beautiful... and intelligent and talented." "No, Fiona was." "Heidi's stupid. [Chuckles] You said so yourself." " I was jealous." "It was stupid of me to ever judge you." " Where are you moving it to?" " I don't know." " What do you mean, you don't know?" "When I auditioned, I pretended to be somebody else because I wanted that job." "But I think I stuck with the lie because, um... well, because I was afraid you'd be disappointed if you met the real me." "I don't think so." " No?" " No." "Ben Steinman." "Heidi Donovan." " [Chuckles] - [Harvey] I'm just delighted." "Your face looks familiar... but there's... something different about you." "[Laughing] Yes, I've made a few changes." "Hmm." "I like it better without it." "You seem more approachable." " More approachable?" " Mm-hmm." "So what are you doing way over there?" "[Harvey] L..." "I don't want to tell you what to do." "I do have a gun, and the gun is very meaningful." " [Both Sigh]" " You know, I hate to be a wet blanket... but, uh, we still got a minor problem here." " This wouldn't include a gun-toting maniac, would it?" " Oh, you're very perceptive." "Is it gonna be high, or is it gonna be low?" "If we could just, I don't know, even the playing field somehow... get the gun away from him or get one of our own." " I thought you had an aversion to guns." " I do." "I just also have a really strong aversion to getting killed." "I know he's gonna direct the picture, but this is obviously not the place for the camera.!" " Jack's got a gun in his Jaguar." " No." "Ben..." " [Chatter Outside Continues]" " Look." "I am tired of Harvey calling the shots." " I am rewriting this script, starting right now." " Well..." "I'm coming with you." "No." "Listen." "L..." "[Yells]" "No." "I'm the director." "It's my responsibility." " Have you even fired a gun?" " Of course not." "See?" "I'm an action movie veteran." "You need me." "Just stay there." "Director's orders." "Oh!" "[Harvey] The camera is the storytelling device." " [Jack] Don't do that." " I'm just the writer... but I'd put the camera right over here." "[Car Alarm Blaring]" " [Alarm Continues Blaring]" " Hey... what's a collaborative relationship without trust?" "That's funny, if it wasn't pathetic." "[Grunting]" "I thought I told you to stay behind." "Hey!" "Wait." "You have to release the safety first." " [Clicking]" " Oh, wait." "You have to chamber the first round." "It's okay." "[Gunshots]" "Is that gunfire or just my heart pounding... because I am so close to you?" "What?" "Did you say something?" "I'm sorry." "My hearing aid's kind of cacking out right now." "No, my car!" "My car!" "Hey!" "Only when one is close to death... can one understand life..." "and love." " Oh, Hector, I love..." " [Gunshot]" "Your hair." "I love your hair." " Oh!" " [Gunshots]" " Wow!" "It's just like Platoon, man." " Come on." " Gettin' better!" " [Panting] Not bad for a kid from Pacoima, huh?" " [Gunfire Continues] - [Woman On TV] What?" " Gold!" " I can't hear you!" "[Man On TV] I said, where is the gold?" " [Chainsaw Buzzing] - [Woman] I can't hear you!" " Where is the gold?" " What?" " [Grunts] - [Man On TV] The gold.!" "I'm the writer!" "Without me, you've got nothing but blank pages!" "I am the director!" "It's my vision, asshole!" "[Yelling]" " [Chainsaw Buzzing On TV]" " I always knew this day would come." "[Indistinct Shouting Outside]" "[Crunching]" "[Panting]" "Stop... doing that." "Slowly... he crept through the window." " Going to fire at the first thing that moved." " Hey, boy.!" "Didn't think I could defend myself against a home invasion?" "Don't you ever come back, you no-good communist puke!" "Hollywood liberal." " [Water Running]" " Ben?" "I'm okay!" "[Heidi] I didn't know what happened." " [Simultaneous Chatter] - [Cameraman] Dude, check it." "I got some amazing stuff." " That was, like, so politically incorrect, man." " Give me that!" " It was like combat, man." " Creeping over the roof silently..." " I don't know what came over me." " Survival of the fittest, man." "He pointed the gun and said, "I have you now."" "Cliché." "Ben, look out!" "[Grunts]" "I shot her." "I'm so sorry!" "I'm sorry.!" "[Whimpering]" "[Yelling]" "I surrender!" "L..." "I..." "Please!" " [Gasps]" " I'm so sorry." " Okay." "You're not helping." " Oh, sorry." "It doesn't look that bad." "I think it's just a flesh wound." "It's nothing to worry about." "Oh, don't worry." "All right." "It hurts like hell." " Here." " Oh, thank you." "Oh, God." "Hey, Jack." " Yeah?" " I better get my union card out of this." "Huh?" "[Harvey] She..." "She crossed in front of him." "I didn't..." "It was gonna be..." "a love story." "I didn't mean to hurt her." "I got carried away." "I'm a victim of the media." "I've been desensitized." "I didn't mean to shoot her." " What's that?" " It's the guy's script." " [Chuckles] He can really write." " You're not paid to read, son." "[Horn Honking]" "[Screaming]" "## [Background Music On TV]" "[Announcer] In the untamed jungle we call America... the first rule of survival is to kill... or be killed." "Dude, look at that staging." " Well, it's the photography that makes it." " Yeah, yeah." "Like my angle right there." "You see that?" " That was my angle." " It was not." " Was too." "Was too." " [Patrick] It was not." "It was not." "Oh, now the guy barely even returns my calls." "Me, who gave him his big start." "[Snapping Fingers]" "You know Ben." "He finds a good story, he ignores everything else." " It's nothing personal." " Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah." "You're right." "You're right." "L-It's this divorce." "I mean, it's got me all paranoid." "You know, your wife calls you, tells you she's dumping you for a soap opera star." " Oh." " Ah-ah, messes with your head." "You're better off without her." "She never understood you." "Oh." "You know, that sounds like one of my lines." "It's true." "You need someone who knows how to handle you." "Hmm." "Hmm.!" "Cheers." "Hmm." "Baby, you here?" " Ben, where are you?" " I'm back here." "[Gasps] I got the part." " Really?" "Congratulations!" " Mm-hmm." "Thanks." " [Chuckles]" " So the sling didn't bother 'em, then?" "Uh-uh." "They said it made me look gutsy." "It'll come off before we start shooting anyway." "So, can you, uh, take a break?" "Wasn't it you who said, "Never let anything get in between you and your writing"?" "Yep, that was me, but I'm big on persistence." "Yeah." "Well, I know it's not easy." "I know, there are so many... distractions." "Well, no." "See, they, uh..." "they make me concentrate harder." "Mm-hmm." "I can see you are very... very... passionate about your work." "Oh, I am." "I am, uh..." "I am so... passionate." " Mm-hmm." "All that time... and effort." " Mm-hmm." "And then those damn actors just come in... and they... change everything." "Yeah." "Yeah." "Twisting, twisting my... my words... and, um, manipulating the, mmm, writer's voice." " Mm-hmm." " Mm-hmm." "I bet you hate it when they improvise." "Well, it depends on the, uh, skills of that... of that particular..." " Whoa!" "Actor." "Oh, God, yeah." " [Shrieks, Giggles]" "[Harvey] I'm working on a new script." "I've got it all in my head... every piece of description, every line of dialogue." "As soon as I get it all written down, I'll be on easy street." "We're talking bidding war here, seven figures... an office on the studio lot, a parking space." "[Woman] Harvey, do you really believe... these things are possible?" "Okay, no parking space." "Spec market isn't what it used to be." "But..." " I've got prospects.!" " [Sighs]" " No change?" " No change." " Such a shame." " A mind is a terrible thing to lose." "Did you take my pen?" " What, the blue one?" "Here." " No, the red one." "[Whispering] If I could just write this down." "I could do this." "I'm all right now." "[Grunting]" "I will express..." "[Grunting]" "[Grunting]" "Fade..." "[Mumbling]" "Ah, shit!" "Fade..." "[Grunts]" "God..." "Shit!" "F-Fade... in." "Yeah!" "## [Man Singing]" "## [Singing Continues]" "[Song Ends]"