Maxwell's Frontline - Joe and Angela near break up Scene

Excerpt from the Original Screenplay Maxwell's Frontline by Brad Havens

(format adjusted for this blog post)


Silence swallows the gulf between them as JOE grasps for words. Lost, he drops his head in his hands. 


                                                            JOE 

                    I’m... I don’t know what to tell youwhat to say. 

                                                            ANGELA (quietly) 

                    You don’t have to say anything. 


JOE winces at the coldness in her voice. He cautiously touches her shoulder. When she doesn’t react, he withdraws. 


                                                            JOE 

                    It’s not like I don’t want to be with you, I do

                                                            ANGELA 

                    Then what is it? 

                                                            JOE 

                    I’m just... I don’t know. Tense, I guess. I want to be with you, I really want to, 

                    but my body


JOE searches for words, then throws up his hands, defeated. 


                                                            ANGELA 

                    Your body doesn’t lie, Joe. 


JOE slides closer to her, taking her by the shoulder. 


                                                            JOE 

                    Wait a second, don’t say that

                                                            ANGELA 

                    Why not? You’re not even drunk this time. 


ANGELA sits up, facing him for the first time. She searches his eyes, hard. JOE can’t help but slink back a little. After a long moment, ANGELA speaks very deliberately, making each word heard. 


                                                            ANGELA 

                    I don’t know who hurt you, or what happened to you that could have been 

                    so bad, but right now I don’t know who I hate more: them for making you 

                    so weak, or you for letting them. 


JOE begins to cave. He quickly sits upright, and slides his legs off the opposite edge of the bed. He rubs tears from his eyes as he controls himself. ANGELA watches JOE pull it together. She looks away. 


                                                            ANGELA 

                    Maybe you shouldn’t stay here tonight. 


                                                            JOE (silence) 

                    I hate myself... 

                                                            ANGELA (quietly) 

                    And how can you expect me to want to be a part of that? 


JOE sags, letting his head drop into his hands. Taking a deep breath, he reaches for his pants. ANGELA glances at him, then focuses her eyes on a spot on the bed. JOE stands up, sliding his pants on and buttoning up. 


                                                                ANGELA 

                    You should let yourself cry. You’d feel better. 


JOE pulls his shirt over his head. He picks up the rest of his clothes and his shoes. He moves to the door and looks back at her. She seems small and frail hugging her knees, staring at the sheets in front of her. He stands ashamed. 


                                                            JOE 

                    I’ve forgotten how. 


Silence. 

She glances at him and looks away. 

He leaves.


Copyright Brad Havens, 2020. All Rights reserved.

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