Cruel Inventions By Roger Kumble

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CRUEL INVENTIONS

                           by Roger Kumble

             based on the novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses

                        by Choderlos De Laclos

                                                 February 10, 1998

1    EXT. MANHATTAN SKYLINE - DAY                               1

     We circle around the island of Manhattan moving closer and

     closer till we're looking down on Fifth Avenue. As the

     melody continues to play we MOVE towards a building and ZOOM

     into a window.

2    INT. THERAPIST'S OFFICE - DAY                              2

     A fifty-year old female therapist (DR. GREENBAUM) sits at

     her desk, frowning as she takes notes. Books of Jung and

     Freud line the shelves.

     A young man (SEBASTIAN VALMONT) sits in a chair in front

     of her looking impatient.

     The therapist continues to write notes.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               Jesus. We've been at this for six

               months.

                              SEBASTIAN

               I know.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               And you haven't made an ounce of

               progress.

                              SEBASTIAN

               I know.

     Sebastian takes out a cigarette.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

                    (not looking up)

               There's no smoking in my office.

     Sebastian sneers at her then puts the cigarette away. Dr.

     Greenbaum finishes her notes and looks up at him, shaking

     her head.

                              SEBASTIAN

               What do you want me to say? That I'm

               supposed to feel remorse because I act

               the way I do? The truth is I don't.

     Dr. Greenbaum shakes her head and takes notes.

                              SEBASTIAN (cont'd)

               Look, I'm not like all the other kids

               in high school. I don't care about book

               reports and extra-credit. Teachers

               are idiots anyway. The only challenge

               out there for me is women. You see a

               girl you like. You pursue them. You

               conquer. You move on. It's exciting.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               But you said you have the worst

               reputation.

                              SEBASTIAN

               I do.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               Don't you want to change that?

                              SEBASTIAN

               Let me tell you something, doctor.

               Chicks love a guy with a bad rap.

               They say they don't, but they don't

               mean it. They all think that they're

               the ones that are going to "save me."

               The trick is to let them think it's

               true.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               I think that's all the time we have

               for today.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Same time next week?

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               No. This is going to be our last

               session.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Why? I like spending time with you.

               You know, you're quite attractive for

               a woman your age. You have killer legs.

               Killer.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               This isn't a joke. Your parents spend a

               lot of money to send you here. I'm

               trying to help you.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Don't be insecure, Doc. You're a big

               help.

     Sebastian picks up a book of Freud.

                              SEBASTIAN (cont'd)

               He was a coke addict, you know.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               You think you can come in here with that

               cute little smirk on your face and try

               and flirt with me. It doesn't work,

               Sebastian.

                              SEBASTIAN

               It works a little.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               No it doesn't. I see right through you.

                              SEBASTIAN

               You do?

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               I hope for your sake you grow out of

               this immature phase. It's going to get

               you into trouble.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Well, you don't have to get nasty about

               it.

     Sebastian approaches a photo on her desk and picks it up.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               My daughter, Rachel.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Yummy.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               Don't even think about it. Rachel is an

               exceptionally well rounded young

               woman, who happens to be attending

               Princeton this fall. She's way too

               smart to fall for your line of b.s.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Really? Care to make a wager on that?

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               Good luck, Sebastian.

                              SEBASTIAN

               What, nervous I'm going to win?

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               Would you please leave.

     Sebastian puts on his glasses and leaves.

                              DR. GREENBAUM (cont'd)

               Asshole.

     The doctor stews for a moment, then reaches into her

     desk, sifts through some papers where she finds a pack of

     Benson & Hedges and lights one up. She looks at the photo

     of her daughter, then hits the speaker phone and dials.

                              DR. GREENBAUM (cont'd)

               Rachel, it's mom.

                                                  INTERCUT WITH:

3    INT. RACHEL'S BEDROOM - DAY                                3

     RACHEL, Doctor Greenbaum's daughter sits at her desk,

     crying while holding the phone.

                              RACHEL

               Hi, mom.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               Honey, is something wrong?

     Rachel cries for a moment.

                              RACHEL

               He told me he loved me and I believed

               him.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               Who told you?

                              RACHEL

               You don't know him. I'm so stupid.

     She continues to cry.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               Alright honey, just calm down, take a deep

               breath, and step out of the circle.

                              RACHEL

               Would you cut the psycho babble bullshit,

               mom. There's pictures of me on the internet.

     WE PAN OVER TO HER COMPUTER CONSOLE. CLOSE ON: COMPUTER

     MONITOR - A nudie web-sight. The title reads "Ivy League

     Bound." Beneath the caption is a photo of Rachel tied to

     a bed and smiling with a Princeton banner covering her

     privates.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               What kind of pictures?

                              RACHEL

               Nudie pictures, what do you think?

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               Jesus Christ, how can you be so

               stupid?

                              RACHEL

               I don't know. He was just so charming.

               All he did was talk about how I had

               killer legs and how we wanted to

               photograph them. Things just got out

               of hand from there.

                    (she hears the phone drop)

               Mom? Are you there? Mom?

                    (screaming)

               Mother!!!!

4    INT. THERAPIST'S OFFICE BUILDING - HALLWAY - DAY           4

     Doctor Greenbaum bolts out of her office and spots

     Sebastian standing in the elevator.

                              DR. GREENBAUM

               You son of a bitch.

     Doctor Greenbaum races down the hall pushing several

     people out of her way. Sebastian stares at her

     expressionless as the elevator doors close.

                              DR. GREENBAUM (cont'd)

               You're gonna pay for this you little

               shit. You hear me.

     A DENTIST peers outside of his office to see what's

     going on. He exchanges looks with Doctor Greenbaum.

                              DR. GREENBAUM (cont'd)

               Fuck off, Harold.

     He gasps.

5    EXT. VALMONT TOWNHOUSE - DAY                               5

     A METER MAID is writing a ticket on a car when a Porsche

     pulls up in front of the townhouse and parks in a red

     zone. Sebastian steps out of the car and walks up the

     steps to the townhouse.

                              METER MAID

               You can't park there.

     Sebastian turns to her and sneers. He takes out a wad of

     money and shoves it in her breast pocket before entering

     the townhouse.

6    INT. VALMONT TOWNHOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY                     6

     A SERIES OF SHOTS

     CLOSE ON:  A tuna on a chopping board. WHACK! A butcher

     knife comes down on the tuna cutting it's head off.

     CLOSE ON: Two hands ripping open the fish.

     CLOSE ON: Two hands rolling a chunk of tuna into a rice

     roll.

7    INT. VALMONT TOWNHOUSE - HALLWAY - DAY                     7

     CLOSE ON: Two hands which carry a lavish tray of sushi

     through several doors until we enter the final door

     leading into -

8    INT. VALMONT TOWNHOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY                 8

     An enormous living room by Manhattan standards, with a

     view that overlooks the park. Eclectic art from around

     the world emphasize the Valmont's passion for travel.

     SOOK-HEE, the Valmont's housekeeper sets a tray of sushi

     in front of -

     KATHRYN MERTEUIL, a seventeen year old porcelain

     skinned WASP with all the grooming you could want in an

     East Coast child. She sits with a forced smile on her

     face and listens attentively as -

     BUNNY CALDWELL, a forty year old nouveau-riche socialite

     talks incessantly. CECILE CALDWELL, her beautiful

     teenage daughter, sits by her side. She wears a T-shirt

     with a Koala Bear on it.

                              MRS. CALDWELL

               I can't tell you how happy we are that

               Cecile is going to be attending Oakwood with you

               this fall. You've always been an

               inspiration to Beau and I on raising

               her. We just hope she can rise to the

               high standards which you've set for

               her.

                              KATHRYN

               I'll do my best.

     Sook-Hee pours a dish of soy sauce in front of Kathryn.

                              KATHRYN (cont'd)

                    (to Sook-Hee, in Vietnamese)

               Thank you, Sook-Hee. That will be

               all.

     Sook-Hee leaves.

                              CECILE

               What was that?

                              KATHRYN

               I was thanking her. Vietnamese is such a

               beautiful language.

                              MRS. CALDWELL (cont'd)

               Kathryn is a straight A student at

               Oakwood as well as being President of

               the French Club. Listen to whatever

               she has to say and you'll go far.

                              KATHRYN

                    (in French)

               You're too kind.

                              MRS. CALDWELL

               How do you do it? I mean with all peer pressuring

               that goes on in high school. Where

               do you get your strength?

                              KATHRYN

               I know this sounds corny, but whenever

               I feel temptations of peer pressure,

               I...

                    (takes out her crucifix)

               turn to God and he helps me through the

               problem. Call me an anachronism, but

               it works.

                              MRS. CALDWELL

               That's beautiful.

                              CECILE

               What are the boys like?

                              MRS. CALDWELL

               Cecile, is that the best you can do?

                    (to Kathryn)

               You must forgive her, Kathryn. She's never

               been in a co-educational atmosphere before.

                              KATHRYN

               Don't worry, it's totally understandable.

               Most of the boys that matriculate at Oakwood

               are very upstanding gentleman, however

               there are the occasional bad apples.

                              MRS. CALDWELL

               Like your step-brother Sebastian. I can't

               believe they didn't expel him after what he

               did to the school nurse.

                              SEBASTIAN (O.S.)

               I hear she's recovering quite well.

     Mrs. Caldwell turns to see Sebastian standing in the

     doorway. He walks over and takes a seat.

                              SEBASTIAN (cont'd)

               Nice to see you again, Mrs. Caldwell.

                              MRS. CALDWELL

               You remember my daughter, Cecile.

                              SEBASTIAN

               My, what an adorable shirt you're

               wearing.

                              CECILE

               My father just took me on a trip to Australia.

                              SEBASTIAN

               How are things down under? Blossoming I hope.

                              KATHRYN

               Cecile's attending Oakwood in the fall.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Outstanding.

                              CECILE

               What year are you in?

                              SEBASTIAN

               I'm what you would call a fifth year senior.

                              CECILE

               But I thought high school is only four years.

                              SEBASTIAN

               It is, unless you're a fuck up, like myself.

     He winks at Cecile.

                              MRS. CALDWELL

               I think we'll be going now.

                    (to Kathryn)

               Thanks for all your help.

     Kathryn stands and approaches Cecile.

                              KATHRYN

               I'll call you later and we'll get together

               and plan your curriculum.

                              CECILE

               Thanks.

                    (to Sebastian)

               Nice meeting you.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Ciao.

                              MRS. CALDWELL

               Let's go, Cecile. Now!

     Cecile follows Mrs. Caldwell out the door. Kathryn

     closes the door behind them.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Do you care to tell me what Mrs. White-trash

               and her stupid daughter are doing in my

               house?

                              KATHRYN

               I'm just taking the poor girl under my wing.

     Kathryn sits on the sofa next to Sebastian. She unscrews

     her crucifix. The top part becomes a small spoon and the

     bottom part a small vial of coke.

                              KATHRYN (cont'd)

               The parental units called while you were out.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Lovely. How is your gold digging whore of a

               mother enjoying Bali? Zipping through my

               inheritance per usual?

                              KATHRYN

               Hopefully, though she suspects that your

               decrepit alcoholic father is diddling the

               maid.

     Kathryn uses her crucifix as a coke-spoon and snorts a

     bump.

                              KATHRYN (cont'd)

               What's wrong with you today? Therapy not

               going well?

                              SEBASTIAN

               It was fine.

     He leaps off the sofa and starts to pace.

                              SEBASTIAN (cont'd)

               I'm sick of sleeping with these insipid

               Manhattan Debutantes.

     He walks over to the wall where nude Botticelli hangs.

                              SEBASTIAN (cont'd)

               Nothing shocks them anymore.

     He scratches the nude's pubic area.

                              SEBASTIAN (cont'd)

               I'm beginning to feel like I'm losing my

               touch.

     He kisses it.

                              KATHRYN

               Oh, poor baby. Well you can relax. I have

               a mission for you.

                              SEBASTIAN

               What?

9    EXT. PARK - DAY                                            9

     COURT REYNOLDS, an Aryan seventeen year old preppy, wears

     a Polo sweater with an American Flag.

                              KATHRYN (V.O.)

               You know Court Reynolds, son of Garret

               Reynolds?

     Kathryn steps into frame and embraces him. She is wearing

     the same sweater. He kisses her forehead and messes

     up her hair.

                              SEBASTIAN (V.O.)

               You mean the Nazi who dumped you over Fourth

               of July Weekend?

10   INT. VALMONT TOWNHOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY                 10

     Kathryn throws a sushi at him. Sebastian catches it.

                              KATHRYN

               He didn't dump me. We had a parting of

               the ways.

     Sebastian stares her down.

                              KATHRYN (cont'd)

               Alright he dumped me.

     He smiles, then swallows the sushi.

11   EXT. PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE/INT. COURT' S CAR - NIGHT       11

     A drunk Court sits in the driver's side and takes a final

     swig from his flask. He quickly passes out.

                              KATMRYN (V.O.)

               I went to great lengths to please Court.

               Huge sacrifices were made on my part to

               keep him happy.

     Kathryn rises up INTO FRAME, looks at Court and scowls.

                              SEBASTIAN(V.O.)

               Swallow?

     She spits on him, then wipes her mouth.

                              KATHRYN (V.O.)

               What do you think?

     Kathryn sprays her mouth with Binaca.

                              SEBASTIAN (V.O.)

               Sorry.

12   INT. VALMONT TOWNHOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY                 12

                              KATHRYN

               In any event, my feelings were hurt when I

               learned that he had fallen for someone else.

               Someone chaste... pure... innocent.

                              SEBASTIAN

               You don't mean?

13   EXT. PARK - DAY                                            13

     Cecile turns toward the camera, while eating a double scoop

     ice cream cone and wearing a Mickey Mouse Club hat.

                              KATHRYN (V.O.)

               None other than Cecile Caldwell.

     She takes a lick of the ice cream, which falls off the cone.

     She mouths the word "shoot" and stomps her feet

14   INT. VALMONT TOWNHOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY                 14

     Sebastian snickers.

                              KATHRYN

               I don't find this very funny,

                              SEBASTIAN

               So that's what this is all about.

                    (imitating Kathryn)

               We'll get together and plan your

               curriculum.

                              KATHRYN

               Keep your friends close and your

               enemies closer. When I get through

               with her, she'll be the premier Blow

               Job Queen of the Tri-State area and

               poor little Court's heart will be

               shattered.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Why go through Cecile? Why not just

               attack Court?

                              KATHRYN

               Because if there's an attack made on

               Court it could be traced back to me.

               I can't allow that to happen.

               Everybody loves me and I intend to

               keep it that way.

                              SEBASTIAN

               I see your point... though why should

               I care?

                              KATHRYN

               I need you to seduce our young Cecile.

               Introduce her to your world of

               decadence and debauchery.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Sounds intriguing.

                              KATHRYN

               She's quite cute you know. Young

               supple breasts, a tight firm ass and

               an uncharted pootie.

     Sebastian watches Kathryn rub herself. He licks his

     lips.

                              KATHRYN (cont'd)

               Be her Captain Picard, Valmont.

               Boldly go where no man has gone

               before.

     Sebastian places his hand over Kathryn's as she continues

     to rub herself. He thinks for a moment, then:

                              SEBASTIAN

               I can't.

     Kathryn throws his hand off of hers.

                              KATHRYN

               Why not?

                              SEBASTIAN

               Oh come on, Kathryn. It's too easy.

               "But I thought high school was only

               four years." I mean, please. She knows

               nothing. She's seen nothing. I could

               have her under the table at Au Bar

               sucking me off before the appetizer

               arrived. Go get one of those moron

               friends of yours to do it. I have a

               reputation to uphold.

                              KATHRYN

               Oh but diddling the therapist's

               daughter is a challenge?

                              SEBASTIAN

               That was just simple revenge. What I

               have planned requires sheer genius.

     He takes a magazine and throws it on the table. Kathryn

     picks it up. It's the latest issue of "Seventeen."

                              KATHRYN

               I'm not interested in the latest dating

               tips from Jonathan Taylor Thomas.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Shut up and turn to page 64.

     She turns to the page. INSERT MAGAZINE ARTICLE: The title

     reads: A VIRGIN'S MANIFESTO. "Why I Plan To Wait

     Until Marriage," by Annette Harrison. Age 17. Kansas

     City, Missouri.

                              KATHRYN

               Jesus Christ, is she for real?

                              SEBASTIAN

               Oh yes. I've read it over and over again.

               This baby's the real deal. Daddy's little

               angel. A paradigm of chastity and

               virtue.

                              KATHRYN

               B.F.D. What do you plan to do? Fly to

               Kansas and woo little Dorothy.

                              SEBASTIAN

               It just so happens we're not in Kansas

               anymore. Our little angel's father has

               accepted the new headmaster position at

               Oakwood. She's staying with my aunt up

               in Connecticut while Daddy sells his

               house. Can you imagine what this would

               do for my reputation? Screwing the new

               headmaster's virginal daughter before

               school starts? It will be my greatest

               victory.

                              KATHRYN

               You don't stand a chance. Even this is

               out of your league.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Care to make a wager on that?

                              KATHRYN

               I'll think about it...

                              SEBASTIAN

               Oh well, duty calls. Time to add another

               chapter to my work of art.

     He holds up a leather bound JOURNAL.

                              KATHRYN

               Oh gee, your journal. Could you be more

               queer?

                              SEBASTIAN

               Could you be more desperate to read it?

     Sebastian stands to leave and heads to the door.

                              KATHRYN

               Oh Sebastian. About that little wager

               of yours.

     He stops.

                              KATHRYN (cont'd)

               Count me in.

                              SEBASTIAN

               What are the terms?

                              KATHRYN

               If you lose, then that hot little Porsche

               of yours is mine.

                              SEBASTIAN

               And if I win?

     She approaches him.

                              KATHRYN

               I'll give you something you've been

               jerking off about ever since our parents

               got married.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Be more specific.

                              KATHRYN

               In English.

                    (whispers in his ear)

               I'll fuck your brains out.

                              SEBASTIAN

               What makes you think I'd go for that

               bet? That's a seventy thousand dollar

               car.

                              KATHRYN

               Because I'm the only person you can't

               control and it kills you.

     Sebastian sneers at her.

                              KATHRYN (cont'd)

               Do we have a deal?

                              SEBASTIAN

               No way, that car means everything to

               me.

     She kisses him and licks her tongue over his lips.

                              KATHRYN

                    (whispering)

               You can put it anywhere.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Even there?

                              KATHRYN

                    (baby talk)

               It would feel so yummy.

     Sebastian hesitates, then shakes her hand.

                              KATHRYN (cont'd)

               Happy hunting.

15   EXT. ROSEMOND ESTATE - AERIAL SHOT - DAY                   15

     WE MOVE across the sky looking down at lush greens and

     stately mansions till WE PASS over the ROSEMOND ESTATE.

     Enormous in size. WE SEE two riders on horseback.

16   EXT. ESTATE - MEADOW - DAY                                 16

     ANGLE ON: The two horseback riders. One, a woman of

     seventy. This is HELEN ROSEMOND, Sebastian's aunt.

     The other rider is a beautiful seventeen year old girl.

     The one and only ANNETTE HARRISON.

                              ANNETTE

               It's a beautiful home you have here

               Mrs. Rosemond.

                              AUNT HELEN

               Thank you, Annette. Chance Hill has been

               with my family for over sixty years.

               Does your family do much riding?

                              ANNETTE

               My mother and I used to ride a lot,

               before she got sick.

                              AUNT HELEN

               I'm sorry about that.

                              ANNETTE

               My Grandpa, used to breed horses on his

               farm so I would come over and ride all

               the time.

                              AUNT HELEN

               I'm familiar with a lot of breeders in

               the mid-west. What's his name?

                              ANNETTE

               Ben Schwarz.

                              AUNT HELEN

               Schwarz. Jewish?

                              ANNETTE

               German.

                              AUNT HELEN

               Doesn't ring a bell.

     Annette throws her a concerned look.

                              AUNT HELEN (cont'd)

               In any event, I want you to consider

               this your home for the time being.

                              ANNETTE

               Thank you. It's so peaceful and quiet

               around here.

     BANG! A shotgun sounds in the distance.

                              ANNETTE (cont'd)

               What was that?

                              AUNT HELEN

               Sebastian must be here.

     Aunt Helen gallops down the ridge followed by Annette.

17   EXT. ESTATE - GARDEN - DAY                                 17

     Sebastian stands holding a shotgun. A groundskeeper,

     FRANKLIN stands by the trap.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Pull!

     The TARGET soars into the air,

                              SEBASTIAN (cont'd)

               Die motherfucker!

     He fires the gun, missing the target.

                              SEBASTIAN (cont'd)

               Shit, shit, shit.

     Franklin shakes his head. WE HEAR a cat MEOW. Sebastian

     perks up.

                              SEBASTIAN (cont'd)

               Kitty. Kitty.

     He quietly reloads his rifle. WE HEAR the cat MEOW

     again. Sebastian searches for the cat.

                              SEBASTIAN (cont'd)

               Puss Puss Puss Puss Puss.

     He raises his rifle and takes aim.

                              AUNT HELEN (O.S.)

               Sebastian!

     He lowers his rifle and turns to SEE Aunt Helen and

     Annette riding over to him. He waves.

     Aunt Helen dismounts from her horse and they hug.

                              SEBASTIAN (cont'd)

               I've been looking all over for you.

               God, I've missed you.

                              AUNT HELEN

               I've missed you too. How are your

               parents?

                              SEBASTIAN

               They're coming back next week. I write

               them everyday.

     She strokes his cheek, lovingly.

                              AUNT HELEN

               Sebastian, this is Annette Harrison.

               She's going to be staying with me for

               a few weeks.

                              SEBASTIAN

               I guess that makes two of us. Welcome.

     He extends his hand and they shake.

                              SEBASTIAN (cont'd)

                    (to Aunt Helen)

               Why don't you head in and whip us up

               some of that ice tea of yours? We'll

               take care of the horses.

                              AUNT HELEN

               Anything for you, my dear.

     Sebastian climbs on Aunt Helen's horse.

                              AUNT HELEN (cont'd)

               Stay out of trouble you two.

                              SEBASTIAN & ANNETTE

               We will.

     He smiles at Annette and beckons her to follow.

18   INT. ESTATE - STABLE - DAY                                 18

     Sebastian and Annette put the riding gear away.

                              SEBASTIAN

               So what year are you going into?

                              ANNETTE

               Junior.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Got a boyfriend back home?

                              ANNETTE

               No.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Why not?

                              ANNETTE

               I don't know. Relationships seem too

               distracting. I'd rather concentrate on

               my studies.

                              SEBASTIAN

               You a lesbo?

                              ANNETTE

                    (annoyed)

               No.

     She bends over to pick up the saddle.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Nice.

     She sighs, disgusted, then turns toward him.

                              ANNETTE

               Are you often this offensive on a first

               encounter?

                              SEBASTIAN

               I was just being honest. You happen to

               have a nice ass. Sorry.

     She shakes her head and continues with her chore.

                              SEBASTIAN

               I read your teen beat manifesto.

                              ANNETTE

               You did?

                              SEBASTIAN

               I must say I found it rather appalling.

                              ANNETTE

               That's a first. Most people praised me

               for it.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Most people are morons. I mean who are

               you to knock what you've never experienced?

                              ANNETTE

               I wasn't knocking anything. It's just my

               belief that people shouldn't actually

               experience the act of love until they are

               in love and that people our age are too

               immature to be in touch with those

               emotions.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Oh really?

                              ANNETTE

               Take yourself. You've slept with several

               women. Are you happier because of it?

                              SEBASTIAN

               How do you know I've been with several

               women?

                              ANNETTE

               A friend wrote me.

                              SEBASTIAN

                    (pissed)

               Well maybe you should get to know the

               person before you judge them instead of

               listening to some bullshit gossip.

                              ANNETTE

               I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you...

               but you still didn't answer the question.

     An uncomfortable silence falls between them,

                              SEBASTIAN

               Who the hell is taking the time to write

Join now!

               letters, spreading this shit about me?

                              ANNETTE

               It's not really important.

                              SEBASTIAN

               Fine, forget it. It's obvious that we're

               not going to be friends.

                              ...

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