The Illusion of Sincerity
FADE IN.
INT. ALLISON’S HO– USE – DAY
SERIES OF SHOTS
A.) A delicate, feminine hand slowly draws a razor up a half shaved, glistening calf that is perched on the edge of a sparkling white tub.
B.) A comb is slightly dragged through breast length half-dry-and-half-wet brunette tresses.
C.) A fairly new pair of skinny blue jeans is wrestled to fit a curvaceous form.
D.) Close up shot of right eye paying very close attention to plucking the right eyebrow.
E.) An average looking woman, ALLISON, stands in front of the full length mirror, wearing a pair of blue jeans, black knee-high boots and a silky black vest over a lightweight black sweater.
F.) ALLISON’S POV: a picture frame on a wooden nightstand of her with a young Vietnamese man, smiling with his arms wrapped tightly around her in some smoky bar.
INT. SMALL COFFEE SHOP – DAY
ALLISON enters a dimly lit, mostly deserted coffee shop. She scans the room once, and then breathes deep as she approaches a table in the farthest corner. She takes her vest off and places it around the chair before ordering her drink.
At that moment, in enters RENATO. He is Italian with short curly brown hair, a natural tan and wearing a gold chain necklace, nice black sweater and blue jeans. He is very handsome, but looks a little exhausted. He walks up behind ALLISON and leans in.
RENATO
(Whispers)
Miss me?
ALLISON jerks a little and spills some of her drink. RENATO’s smile widens. The barista, who is a plump, ruddy-faced, disheveled middle-aged woman, is captivated by his looks. ALLISON barely manages to smile his way before going back to the table. RENATO joins her a little later with his own drink.
RENATO
May I join you?
ALLISON tenses, but then shrugs.
RENATO sits down and places a hand over her own to stead her fidgeting. He sips his tea with the other and stares her, even though she refuses to look at him.
ALLISON’S face had gone red.
ALLISON
So.
RENATO
Hmm?
ALLISON
What did you want to tell me that you couldn’t over the phone?
RENATO
Ally- I wanted to see you and catch up! So? What’s new with you? How are things going with SEAN?
ALLISON
Good. Now, tell me what’s the catch?
RENATO
Good? That sounds kinda boring dontcha think? I know that’s now what you’d describe our last time together as.
ALLISON
I am fine with how things are turning out with SEAN.
RENATO
(Rolls eyes)
Mmm, I bet.
ALLISON
(Sighing)
Don’t you ever get tired of this?
RENATO
Excuse me for enjoying being the one always on top.
ALLISION
Yeah, well it’s wasting my time today.
RENATO
What could you possibly have planned on a Saturday afternoon?
ALLISON
You’d be surprised
RENATO
Oh yeah?
ALLISON
I do. As a matter of fact, I have a ton of things I’ve got going on today.
RENATO
Mmmmhhhhmmmmm.
ALLISON looks like she’s about to answer back, but stops and snorts unladylike.
RENATO looks at her with a predatory smile.
ALLISON looks down as her cell phone lights up to display that SEAN is calling. She presses the ignore button, but closes her eyes as she rubs her face.
ALLISON
(Quietly)
Look… his parents are coming over tonight and I have to start making dinner early.
RENATO’s relaxed, happy continence changes in that instant and he is angry.
RENATO
Well then, I won’t keep you any longer than I need to.
ALLISON
(Breathes a sigh of relief)
Finally.
RENATO
I… learned something pretty awful about myself recently… And, unfortunately it might affect you.
RENATO begins to choke up a little, but ALLISON does not take the bait.
ALLISON
(Sarcastically)
I’m sure
RENATO
(Coldly)
I’m glad you give so much of a damn.
ALLISON
Oh! I’m sorry that my life doesn’t revolve around you anymore. I’m done dropping everything just for you.
RENATO
Screw you too,Ally.
ALLISON
If memory serves me right, you’ve already done that… more than enough literally and figuratively.
Silence ensues.
(CONTINUED)
ALLISON
I d0-
RENATO
I’m HIV positive.
ALLISON’S jaw drops and she doesn’t blink for a bit while RENATO leaves.
FADE IN.
INT. ALLISON’S APARTMENT – EVENING
SERIES OF SHOTS
A.) ALLISON, SEAN and his family are seen through a window eating dinner. ALLISON is staring off into space while everyone else is talking and laughing.
B.) ALLISON is sitting at the edge of the bed in pajamas with her face i her hands. SEAN walks out of the bathroom, and puts his arms around her.
C.) ALLISON is at her job staring off into space. Her eyes are blood shot, her face splotchy and her hair a little bit of a mess. Her clothes are slightly wrinkled.
D.) ALLISON and SEAN are seen through a window fighting. He walks out and slams the door. She falls to her knees crying hysterically.
E.) ALLISON waits at her gynecologists, looking more withdrawn.
INT. DOCTOR’S OFFICE – MID-AFTERNOON
ALLISON is back in the office, sitting on a pristine grey table top, waiting for her doctor. She appears a little more put together,but her eyes have bags underneath them. She repeatedly wrings her hands.
DR. SALARIO knocks on the door,and then walks in. She is a beautiful, middle-aged woman with flawless ivory skin, shiny black hair, and startling blue eyes behind a pair of sharp-rimmed glasses. She smiles at ALLISON and sits down on the stool next to the medical equipment.
DR. SALARIO
So…? How are we doing today?
ALLISON
As good as anyone can be in my position.
DR. SALARIO
That is understandable. Well, I come bearing nothing, but good news today. Everything came back normal.
ALLISON
I don’t understand… How is that possible if I was exposed?
DR. SALARIO
According to the results, you weren’t. Unless you had sex with someone within the three month time frame who came forward recently about having it. Then I’d be concerned, because the testing that we just did for you would mean nothing. Have you had inter-
ALLISON
Not in the last fourth months.
DR. SALARIO
Okay, when were you made aware that he has contracted it?
ALLISON
About a few weeks ago.
DR. SALARIO
Hmm… well… there is a chance he may have contracted it after yo two were together. But, in your case, if you have not slept with him since your last time, then you’re in the clear. Is this someone that you see yourself in a long-term relationship with?
ALLISON
God no!… I’m engaged to someone else.
DR.SALARIO
Ah… does your fiancee know?
ALLISON
No, and he doesn’t need to now. Thank you.
As she is leaving, ALLISON pulls out her cell phone and fumbles through her recent call history. When she finds the number she is looking for, she dials it.
A MALE VOICE
Hutchins Psychiatric Center, JOHN BLAYNE speaking?
ALLISON stops, confused and staring at the phone. The voice continues to inquire about who is calling. She says nothing and hangs up.
FADE IN.
EXT. HUTCHINS PSYCHIATRIC WARD – MID-DAY
ALLISON stands outside the gates, looking into the court yard where patients are doing random activities. RENATO is nowhere to be seen, but she continues to look until a nurse monitor walks over to where she is standing.
NURSE
Can I help you?
ALLISON
Oh no, I’m fine.
NURSE
So, you just feel like watchin’ my patients?
ALLISON
Uh…
NURSE
Don’t you have a job or something?
ALLISON
Uh… yeah… yeah you’re right I should go.
ALLISON steals one last glance as she turns to leave.
NURSE
Who yah lookin’ for?
ALLISON turns back and looks back at the patients in the court yard.
(CONTINUED)
NURSE
It’s okay, you can tell me.. it’s not like I’m going to think you’re crazy or anything.
They smile at each other.
ALLISON
Well.. honestly, I’m not quite sure if I’m in the right place really…I mean someone I know mighta called me from a pay phone here… maybe by mistake I don’t know.
NURSE gives ALLISON a look that says she knows she is not being totally honest.
NURSE
What’s this someone that you knows name?
ALLISON
RENATO GO-
NURSE shows signs of recognition, and ALLISON’s shoulders slump a little.
NURSE
Would you like me to tell him he has a visitor? He’s –
ALLISON
No, no, no, no, no thanks, but no.
ALLISON turns and runs, clutching her purse close to her body.
FADE IN.
INT. ALLISON’S PARENT’S HO– USE – AFTERNOON
ALLISON is visiting her parents, and she is sitting on her old bed, calling her old best friend LOE.
LOE
Sup, girly?
ALLISON
Not much… in Syracuse for the weekend, what are you doing?
LOE
Same, waiting for the boyfriend to get outta work. His mom and sister are out shopping so I finally have the apartment to myself. Soooo…. why are you in Syracuse? Is SEAN with you?
ALLISON
No, he’s back in Worcester… Okay, so I have a confession.
LOE
If it’s about RENATO I seriously will fly up there and beat you. No, I really mean it, because how many years has it been?! Seven? Eight? It’s time to move on, especially after what he put you through with the fake STD. Not to mention, i’m kinda sick of hearing about him. You have a boyfriend who wants to marry you and have kids, why is that not enough?
ALLISON
I know, I know! It’s wrong, and pathetic, and ridiculous and… pathetic. But, I found out something really… weird.
LOE
Oh my god… fine, I’ll bite, what now?
ALLISON
I called that number back that he phoned at.
LOE
What the hell! ALLY!
ALLISON
I know, I know! God… he called me from Hutchins.
LOE
What…
ALLISON
Yeah, I know… so I… kinda went there.
LOE
Holy shit, you have problems. No, you’re mental you really, really are. Maybe you should check yourself in, too, with that asshole. Why can’t you just let it all go!? You’re in the clear! You cheated and you didn’t get pregnant and by some miracle you didn’t catch anything. Let. It. Go.
ALLISON
I can’t, though. I want to know why he lied.
LOE
No, you shoulda let it go after finding out you’re clean. You actually shoulda let it go a long time ago. But, now that we know he’s in a crazy house, you NEED to let it go. For your own sanity. But, I know you won’t so. Whatever, Ally, I’m sick of this. Call me when you got something ORIGINAL to say.
LOE hangs up before ALLISON can respond, and she sighs tossing her phone on the bed.
FADE IN
INT. HUTCHINSON’S PSYCH WARD – DAY
ALLISON walks to the receptionist desk to talk to someone, but then spots RENATO sitting on a windowsill writing. She is about to walk over to him until he looks up. Their eyes lock, and fear is etched on his face. RENATO closes his notebook and leaves in the opposite direction. ALLISON looks like a deer caught in headlights.
NURSE
You’re back again.
The same NURSE from the day before walks over to her.
ALLISON
Oh, hello.
NURSE
It might have been a little more appropriate for you to call beforehand.
ALLISON
Why? It’s visiting hours, I thought people simply come in to see their friends or relatives.
NURSE
(Raises an eyebrow)
When was the last time you spoke with RENATO?
ALLISON
Recently- a few weeks ago. We met for coffee.
NURSE
Any reason in particular/
ALLISON
That is none of your business. Why is he here?
NURSE
That is none of YOUR business.
The two women stare each other down.
(CONTINUED)
NURSE
You know, a cup of coffee sounds nice right about now. How’s about you join me?
ALLISON looks in the direction RENATO went.
(CONTINUED)
NURSE
Don’t worry, he ain’t going anywhere anytime soon.
FADE IN
INT. DUNKIN’ DOUGHNUTS – MID-DAY
ALLISON sits at a table eating a muffin and drinking chocolate milk, while NURSE is sipping black coffee.
NURSE
You know, for someone who doesn’t seem too uncomfortable visiting a psych ward, you aren’t exactly making any real progress with seeing him. What’s stoppin’ you?
ALLISON
I shouldn’t be here.
NURSE
Isn’t stopping you from at least comin’, and doesn’t explain why you’re only window shoppin’.
ALLISON
I’m doing no su-
(Stops at the look NURSE gives her)
It’s complicated.
NURSE
Nothing’s complicated. You’re happy or you’re sad. You’re crazy or you’re sane. You’re in love of you’re not. Either way, it’s pretty cut and dry to me.
ALLISON
There is so much history between him and I. I guess I’m shocked that he’s in.
NURSE
Are you really?
ALLISON
(Leans in)
Can’t you give me a hint, at least?
NURSE
Scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.
ALLISON
Fine. I’ll give you the synopsis. Met him when I was too young, fell in love with him when I was too naive, and let hm pretty much run me until recently.
NURSE
And?
ALLISON
(Sighs)
He lied to me about being HIV positive.
NURSE
Ah… there it is.. his continuous obsession with death.
ALLISON
What the hell is that supposed to mean!
NURSE
I think you know… He’s never talked to you about it?
ALLISON looks out the front window watching the people walk by and laughing. The sun is shining, and everything outside looks like a perfect world.
ALLISON
I remember when his friend purposely OD’d on something heavy, he told me he was jealous of him. Said that his friend finally achieved peace that none of us would know until it was our time to go. Then… he admitted to me that he had been trying to strangle himself in the shower, but couldn’t get past that part when he realized he really was about to die. I never told anyone before, because I believed him when he said he’d never actually go through with it since he loved his body so much… If that were true, then why put himself through it?
ALLISON aimlessly wipes tears that had formed around her eyes. NURSE gets up to wrap her arms around ALLISON and then sits back down.
NURSE
Do yourself a favor. Go back to your man and forget about RENATO. You won’t find any relief from anything I tell you.
ALLISON
You’re probably right… but I need to know.
NURSE
Technically, I am not allowed to discuss this kind of information, due to patient confidentiality. But, I’m going back on that this once, because I think you’re sweet.
ALLISON
Thank you so much. I know that this could-
NURSE
Have me lose my job? ‘Course, not a big deal or anything. Anyways, RENATO had a psychotic break some time ago, due to his narcissistic sociopathic personality. He created an alternate version of reality to feed his ego. But, something shook that alternate reality and drove him to extreme measures. It triggered a new low for his bi-polar
ALLISON
What happened?
NURSE
From what I remember of that night, when they brought him in covered in blood, he was flying pretty high on Molly and delusional. He doesn’t remember anything, and it’s important that it stays that way until the doc feels he’s ready to.
ALLISON
Oh god… whose blood?
NURSE
A mixture of his parents, sister’s and his own… I’m sorry, honey.
ALLISON
But… that doesn’t make any sense.
NURSE
I don’t think you’d want to make sense of something like that.
ALLISON
But… why did he lie to me?
NURSE
Like I said… you won’t find any relief here, or answers for that matter. I’m not sure why he did that, coulda been a part of his alternate reality, who knows.
ALLISON
I’m sorry, but whe- when did all that happen?
NURSE
Saturday, March 10th. Why?
ALLISON opens her purse to grab her date book. She slips through it, and when she turns onto that weekend, there is a red circle around that day. There is a time scribbled in for when she was to meet RENATO. She breaks down, and NURSE looks at her confused, until she looks at ALLISON’s date book.
(CONTINUED)
NURSE
Oh… oh, honey
NURSE wraps her arms around ALLISON, again, while she cries.
FADE IN.
EXT. ALLISON’S PARENT’S HO– USE – AFTERNOON
By the time ALLISON pulls up to her parent’s house, it has begun raining heavy. There is a blue 2011 Matrix sitting in the driveway, and the sight of it brings on more tears. Her head falls into her hands, and she shakes violently. Then, the driver side door is being opened and a pair of masculine arms helps her out of her seat-belt and out of the car. ALLISON immediately buries her face in the crook of SEAN’s neck. They stand there in the rain saying nothing, but holding onto each other tightly.
FADE IN
INT. HOLIDAY INN – EVENING
ALLISON is finishing up a shower while SEAN is spread out on the bed, flipping through the channels. She comes out with a towel on her head to mask her wet hair, but lets the other towel drop after drying herself off to lay down with him. SEAN sighs as ALLISON snuggles into him. He caresses her back with the tips of his fingers slowly, causing her to have goose bumps.
ALLISON
Mmmmmmm.
SEAN
Hmm? You tired?
ALLISON nods, and SEAN kisses her forehead.
(CONTINUED)
SEAN
Did you find what you were looking for?
ALLISON
I don’t know.
She props her head on his chest to stare into his eyes. He smiles at her.
SEAN
You musta.
ALLISON
Why’s that?
SEAN
Because you ended up back where you started; with me.
They make love for a while, and SEAN passes out first. His head is resting on ALLISON’s chest, and she has a look of peace on her face. She stares down at him, and then takes his hand to rest it on her lower abdomen before kissing the top of his head and drifting off.
FADE OUT.
THE END
