Kevin Hohenberger

There Stands The Glass written by Kevin Hohenberger Address Phone E-mail FADE IN: EXT. BUCKY'S BAR - NIGHT An old fashioned biker bar off a country highway. A bright neon sign sits on the roof, illustrating a smiling cowboy hanging on tight to a bucking bull. A wet, disheveled looking man, with gauze wrapped around his right hand, wanders up to the front door, but doesn't open it. Instead, he stands and stares at the glass door. He sticks his bandaged hand into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small BRONZE CHIP, with the Roman Numeral "V" placed inside the middle of a triangle, with the word "Recovery" underneath it. He glares at the chip for a beat. Then he puts it back into his jacket pocket and walks inside. This is FRANK. INT. BUCKY'S BAR - NIGHT Frank trudges his way through the crowded bar. It's busy and loud, neon lights and license plates cover the walls; girls in short shorts strut around with trays of greasy food and cold beer; while drunks line the bar, half of them already passed out on the counter. Just another typical Friday night. As Frank approaches the bar, one of the older patrons, clearly hammered out of his mind, stumbles out of his seat and BUMPS into Frank. FRANK Hey watch it, old timer. OLD MAN Fuckkkk youuuu! Frank eyes the Old Man down. He forms a fist with his bandaged hand. The Old Man can't even stand up straight. Frank releases his fist and pats the drunk on the shoulder. FRANK Take it easy next time, old man. Frank brushes past him. The old man gives Frank a peculiar look then stumbles his way over to the bathroom. 2. Frank takes a seat in the middle of the bar. TRUDY, a veteran bartender, approaches Frank from behind the bar. TRUDY Sorry about Ralph. FRANK He a regular? TRUDY Every night. FRANK Eh, don't worry about it. TRUDY So, what can I get ya? Frank peeks over behind Trudy's shoulder to see all the bottles of liquor resting on the shelves. FRANK I uh -- I don't know. TRUDY How about a whiskey? You look like a whiskey man. FRANK Uh sure. Whiskey it is. TRUDY Coming right up. Trudy pours Frank's drink. Frank rests his bandaged hand on the bar and takes a thorough look at it. A mini pool of blood forms at his knuckles. He places his good hand on top of the bandages as Trudy comes by with his whiskey. She notices. TRUDY (CONT'D) Rough night? Hmm? FRANK Trudy nods to his hand. 3. FRANK (CONT'D) Oh. Yeah -- something like that. Frank doesn't make eye contact with Trudy, only keeping his eyes trained on the four fingers of whiskey in front of him. Trudy can see he doesn't want to talk. TRUDY Well I'll keep your tab open then. Thanks. FRANK Trudy returns to the other customers. Frank sits and stares at the whiskey. He doesn't sip it, nor does he even touch the glass, he just sits with his eyes glued on the whiskey. He sticks his bandaged hand back into his jacket pocket and fumbles around with the chip, but never takes it out. Frank trails off for a bit, just staring at the glass and rubbing his chip. His daydreaming comes to a sudden halt when several DRUNKS, at the other side of the bar, start cheering and jumping, as their favorite team gets an interception on the TV. Frank looks over at the men as they hug and cheer. He watches them all order a shot, then down the liquor together. Frank glances at his untouched glass and shakes his head. Trudy walks over to him. TRUDY You want some ice? Huh? FRANK TRUDY Ice. Ya know on the rocks? I didn't put any in yours. FRANK Oh. Uh, sure. Trudy takes his glass then kneels down under the bar and pulls out a bag of ice from the freezer. She pulls out two small balls of ICE and plops them into Frank's whiskey, then slides it over to him. Frank catches it and holds up the glass. 4. Thanks. Anytime. FRANK (CONT'D) TRUDY Frank sets the glass back down without sipping it. Trudy notices but ignores it. RALPH, the old drunk, returns from the bathroom and sits down at the corner of the bar, to Frank's right. RALPH Trudy! Get me another! TRUDY Coming right up, Ralphie. Frank switches his gaze between Ralph, his full glass of whiskey on the rocks, and the football game on the TV. It's a fairly close game, and all the drunken fans sit at the edge of their seats. Frank chuckles to himself at their exaggerated drunken comradery. Then their beloved team finally scores a touchdown and the Drunks go WILD; laughing and cheering, beer flying, with tight bear hugs all around. The Drunks order another round of shots and down them like it's water. Frank looks back at his glass. The ice cubes floating neatly above the surface of the bronze liquid. He sighs then sticks his hand inside his jacket and fumbles around for his pack of smokes. He pulls out a single cigarette and places it in his mouth. He then digs in his jeans, looking for a lighter, finding a ZIPPO in his back pocket. He flicks open the lighter and tries to ignite the flame. TRUDY (O.S.) (CONT'D) Hey! What the hell are you doing? Trudy rushes over to him. FRANK Lighting a smoke. What's it look like? TRUDY Not in here you ain't. FRANK Why the hell not? 5. TRUDY You can't smoke in here. FRANK This is a bar ain't it? TRUDY Look around. You see anyone smoking? Frank takes a quick survey of the room to see not a single soul smoking. FRANK Well that's just downright unamerican. TRUDY Rules are rules, friend. FRANK That's a stupid ass rule if you ask me. The owner agree to this? TRUDY Ain't up to the owner. It's the law. FRANK The law? Since when? TRUDY Since three years ago. FRANK What kind of bullshit is this? So you're telling me, that I, as an American, born free to do as I please, can't even smoke in a bar no more? TRUDY Like I said rules is rules. FRANK Well it's a dumb fucking rule. TRUDY Well it's been a rule for awhile now, where the hell have you been, mister? 6. FRANK (mumbles) Away. I guess. TRUDY Well if you wanna smoke. You gotta do it outside. Frank scoffs and shakes his head. Whatever. FRANK Trudy rolls her eyes and returns to the other patrons at the bar. Frank, agitated, sticks the single cigarette back into the pack and stuffs the pack back into his jacket. He keeps the zippo out, and continues to flick the top open and shut, open and shut; staring at his full whiskey glass. Finally he gets up and walks outside, leaving his lonely glass of whiskey on the bar. Trudy watches him exit out the front. EXT. BUCKY'S BAR - NIGHT Frank walks out into the cold winter night and pulls out his pack of cigarettes and zippo. He sticks a cig in his mouth then tries to light it, but the flame won't spark. He tries flicking it again and again, but to no avail. The lighter's empty. Frank's pissed now. He takes the old zippo and tosses it across the parking lot. FRANK Fuckin' piece of shit! Frank drops to the ground with his head in his hands. He takes the cigarette in his mouth and crumbles it up. He lets the wind blow the smashed tobacco off of his palm. He looks up at the neon sign of the bull rider and shakes his head. Why the hell is he here? Frank doesn't really know that himself. He drops his head back in his hands. Footsteps approach and stop right in front of him. 7. FRANK (CONT'D) (not looking at person) Can I help you assh... (sees its Trudy) Oh, hey I was gonna pay for that drink. Trudy looks down at him with a smile. TRUDY You better. She then pulls out her pack of cigarettes and lights one. She then holds up the lighter in front of Frank. TRUDY (CONT'D) Need a light? Frank gets to his feet, pulls out another cigarette, then leans forward as Trudy lights it for him. Thanks. Anytime. FRANK TRUDY They both smoke in silence for a beat. TRUDY (CONT'D) So -- bad day, huh? Frank chuckles. FRANK Uh -- yeah you could say that. TRUDY You know it's just because most people start throwing their shit after they've already had a few. FRANK Heh yeah -- I uh, I don't know why I did that. A beat. TRUDY You know I never got your name. FRANK Frank. Name's Frank. 8. TRUDY Nice to meet ya, Frank. I'm Trudy. FRANK Good to meet ya. TRUDY You're not much of a drinker are ya, Frank? FRANK Heh. I'm that easy to figure out huh? TRUDY (shrugs) I deal with drunks every day. Easy to spot the ones that aren't. Plus leaving a full glass behind is a pretty big clue too. FRANK Yeah I guess you got a point. TRUDY (half kidding) What you taking the steps or something? FRANK Actually uh yeah. TRUDY (shocked) Really? FRANK Yeah. Yeah I'm uh going on -- five years now. Almost six. TRUDY Wow. Impressive. Yeah. FRANK A beat. TRUDY Can I ask you a question, Frank? Sure. FRANK 9. TRUDY Why the fuck are you at a bar if you're coming up on your six year? Frank takes a long drag before he answers. FRANK I uh, I've been wondering that myself. TRUDY You know we do serve pop too, or water even. Maybe a nice lemonade. FRANK Don't think those will do the trick. For what? TRUDY FRANK For -- well, let's just say I don't really wanna remember tonight. At all. TRUDY Oh wow, six years dry and now you wanna go on an all out bender, huh? You must be having a worst day than I thought. FRANK You got no idea. TRUDY How about you tell me about it? Trudy finishes her cigarette and flicks it into the snow. Frank takes one last drag then does the same. He turns and looks at Trudy. FRANK I -- I don't... TRUDY Hey I promise I won't judge. FRANK Eh, I don't know. 10. TRUDY Oh come on. Trust me, you aren't the first sad sap to spill all of his sorrows to me. Well -- FRANK TRUDY So you coming or what? Frank looks at Trudy then up at the sky. He lets out a long sigh. FRANK Sure, why not. TRUDY Great. Let's do it inside though. I'm freezing my ass off out here. Frank chuckles. The two walk back inside. Frank opens the door for Trudy. TRUDY (CONT'D) Such a gentleman. FRANK I aim to please. INT. BUCKY'S BAR - NIGHT Frank returns to his spot. Trudy returns to hers behind the bar. The bar itself has died down a bit. Most of the people that were there just for food have left by now. Only Ralph, the avid football fans, and Frank remain. Frank plops down on his stool and stares at his glass, which has now diluted into a watery-brown color, due to his melting ice cubes. Trudy walks over and grabs the glass. TRUDY How about I get ya something else. Frank reaches out and grabs her hand. FRANK No. Don't. Keep it. But you -- TRUDY 11. FRANK Just -- keep it. Trudy shrugs and sets the glass back down. TRUDY Okay, if you say so. You sure you don't want a pop or nothing? FRANK I'm good. Thanks though. Trudy smiles then bends down and rests her elbows on the bar, giving Frank her full attention. TRUDY So where were we? Oh that's right you were just about to pour your heart and soul out to me. Trudy smiles. Frank smiles back. FRANK I don't know about all that. TRUDY How about you just start with how you got here. My car. FRANK TRUDY Ha ha. I meant why you're at a bar. Frank doesn't respond right away. Instead, he stares at his full glass -- thinking. FRANK My daughter. TRUDY You got a daughter? FRANK (smiles) Yeah -- Amy. EXT. AMY'S HOUSE - NIGHT (RAINY) AMY, late 20's, slightly opens her door just a crack. Only half of her face is visible, most notably her big, sad, blue eye. 12. AMY What are you doing here, Frank? How'd you find me? Frank stands out in the pouring rain. FRANK Just want to talk, Ame. That's all. Please go. AMY INT. BUCKY'S BAR - NIGHT Frank stares off. Trudy lets him take all the time he needs. A beat. TRUDY You got a picture of her? Frank snaps out of his daydream. FRANK Huh? Oh yeah, yeah. Frank sticks his hand in his jeans and fumbles around for his wallet. He pulls it out and opens it up, inside is a small PICTURE of Frank holding up a YOUNG AMY (6) on his shoulders, both with big, bright smiles on their faces. He shows it to Trudy. FRANK (CONT'D) She's uh a lot older now. TRUDY She's adorable. Yeah -- FRANK Trudy hands Frank back his wallet. TRUDY Were you uh boozing back then? FRANK No. Not back then. Frank trails off again, staring at his whiskey. TRUDY When'd you start? 13. Frank doesn't answer. Frank? TRUDY (CONT'D) Frank stares at the glass. It almost feels like the glass is staring back. INT. FRANK'S CAR (MOVING) - NIGHT (SNOW STORM) Frank drives cautiously through a blinding blizzard. Frank can barely see two feet in front of him. Only white fills his vision. Heavy clumps of snow pile up on his windshield. KELLY, Frank's wife, clutches at her seat. KELLY Frank, slow down. Frank! Little Amy, 6, fumbles around with her car seat in the back. LITTLE AMY Dad, my seat belt's stuck. Frank tries his best to ignore the two and keep trudging on through the snow. Mom. LITTLE AMY (CONT'D) KELLY Hang on sweetie. LITTLE AMY Dad. My seat belt. Not now. But my -- FRANK LITTLE AMY FRANK (turns to her) Not now! Click! Amy's seat belt fastens. KELLY Frank. Frank! What!? FRANK 14. Before Frank could even see it, LARGE HEADLIGHTS appear out from the white fog on the passenger side. Frank tries to swerve out of the way but he's too late. The headlights RAM into the side of Frank's car. It SPINS out of control, into a giant PILE OF SNOW at the edge of the road. Frank's head hits hard on the steering wheel. Blood drips from his forehead. He sits up in a daze, his head's pounding, his vision's blurry and slow. He turns back to Amy. FRANK (CONT'D) Amy? Amy? Are you okay? Amy rubs her head, but there's no blood or wounds on her. AMY (scared) I think so. FRANK Oh thank god. Frank turns back to look at his wife. FRANK (CONT'D) Kelly, are you alright? Kelly doesn't respond. Her head rests on the deflated airbag, turned away from Frank. Frank reaches out to her and taps her shoulder. FRANK (CONT'D) Babe? Kelly? Kelly! Frank turns her head toward him to see her face covered in glass and blood. Her wide eyes staring back at him. Kelly! FRANK (CONT'D) INT. BUCKY'S BAR - NIGHT Frank abruptly SNATCHES up his glass and puts it to his lips, but doesn't drink it. He stops himself. He knows he shouldn't but god does he want to. TRUDY Hey, Frank. Frank! Frank snaps out of it and looks at Trudy. 15. TRUDY (CONT'D) It's okay. It's alright. Okay? Why don't you just set it down. Frank looks down at the glass, shakes his head and sets it back down. He then drops his head in his hands. FRANK (to himself) Why am I here? I shouldn't fucking be here. Trudy reaches out her hand and rests it on Frank's. TRUDY You don't have to keep going, Frank. Frank sniffles then takes his head out of his hands and takes in a deep breath. TRUDY (CONT'D) Why don't I get you that lemonade huh? Trudy grabs the glass of whiskey. FRANK (angry) No! I said keep it. Trudy lets go of the glass. FRANK (CONT'D) (calmed down) I'm sorry. I -- I shouldn't -TRUDY It's alright. I'm sorry about your wife -- for what's it worth. FRANK (somber) Thank you. Awkward silence. TRUDY So is that when -- you started hitting the bottle? FRANK Yeah -- yeah that's when it started. 16. MONTAGE: --Frank sits on his couch, flipping through channels, while chugging down a six pack with ease. Amy walks by in the b.g. to grab a drink from the fridge. Frank pays her no mind. --Frank walks through the liquor aisle in a grocery store and grabs just about every bottle he can fit in his hand basket. --Frank pours himself three fingers of whiskey in his kitchen. He downs it in one gulp. He pours another. Amy watches him from down the hall, but he doesn't notice. --Frank sits up at a bar and orders shot after shot. --Frank drunkenly sings and dances with the bar patrons. --Frank stumbles inside his dark home and CRASHES on the couch. --Amy cleans up empty bottles and half eaten takeout in the living room, while Frank's dead asleep on the couch. END MONTAGE INT. BUCKY'S BAR - NIGHT Frank shakes his head and rubs his eyes. FRANK I -- I uh -- I need another smoke. Frank gets up out of his seat. TRUDY I'll join ya. Frank smiles and nods as his sign of acceptance. Trudy walks to the edge of the bar, but is stopped by the obnoxious yelling of the drunken fans on the other side of the bar. DRUNK #1 Hey we're empty over here, bartender. We need refills! Trudy rolls her eyes. She looks to Frank and shrugs. Frank nods then walks away. Hey wait! TRUDY 17. Frank turns. Trudy pulls out her lighter and tosses it to him. TRUDY (CONT'D) Won't get far without this. Thanks. FRANK Frank turns and walks outside. Trudy walks back behind the bar and pours three glasses of beer. She takes the beer over to the drunks and sets it in front of them. DRUNK #1 Thanks baby. TRUDY (annoyed) It's Trudy. DRUNK #2 How come you don't like us, Trudyyyy? TRUDY I like ya fine. Trudy turns her back to them. DRUNK #3 Not enough to be talking to us all night like that old creep. DRUNK #2 Yeah come on Trudy. We're fun. DRUNK #1 Come on talk to us. Why not? Trudy turns back around. TRUDY (angry) Maybe because I don't have the time or the patience to listen to grown men piss over themselves on whether or not a stupid ball crosses a fuckin' painted line. 18. The drunk's stare at her dumbfounded for a beat then BURST OUT LAUGHING. DRUNK #3 (exaggerated) Well sorryyyyyy. (turns to others) Who shit in her cornflakes? The Drunks laugh even harder. Trudy rolls her eyes and walks away. EXT. BUCKY'S BAR - NIGHT Frank smokes his cigarette. He stares off, looking up at the starry, country night sky. EXT. AMY'S HOUSE - NIGHT (RAINY) Frank stands drenched on Amy's porch. AMY Just please go. Amy tries to close the door but Frank sticks his foot in the door. FRANK I'm off the booze, Ame. Honest. Going on five years now. Frank fumbles around his jacket pocket. He pulls out his 5 Year Chip and shows it to Amy. AMY That's -- that's good. I'm glad. Thanks. FRANK AMY Now please go. FRANK Wh-wait, can't we talk? AMY I don't wanna talk. FRANK (angry) Please Ame! Come on. 19. Frank aggressively steps forward. Amy jumps back, frightened. Frank can see the terror in her eyes. He steps back. A DEEP VOICE calls from inside the house. DEEP VOICE Everything alright? We then hear the sound of approaching footsteps. RICK, a muscle-head, gym rat, who stands a foot taller than Frank, walks up and blocks the doorway. RICK There a problem? EXT. BUCKY'S BAR - NIGHT Frank takes a long drag then exhales. Trudy walks outside and joins him. TRUDY Thought I'd never escape. Trudy walks up beside Frank and pulls out a cigarette. Frank lights it for her then hands her back the lighter. FRANK Thanks for the light. Anytime. TRUDY The two smoke in silence for a beat. Frank looks up at the stars, Trudy looks at Frank. FRANK (points to the sky) You see that star right there? Trudy looks up at the sky and squints. Which one? TRUDY FRANK The big bright one right there. Trudy steps closer to Frank so she can line up where his finger is pointing to. She sees it, a bright star twinkling in the night. TRUDY Yeah. I see it. 20. FRANK That's the north star. Oh. TRUDY FRANK If you look above that you'll see the Little Dipper. The north star is at the tip of the Dipper's handle. TRUDY Oh -- yeah I see it now. (looks away from the sky and back at Frank) You gonna tell me you're an astronomy professor or something now? FRANK (chuckles) Uh no, no nothing like that. Space just always fascinated me. Same with Amy too. We used to look up at the stars all the time when she was little. She loved it. It's sorta humbling, you know? Knowing there's so much out there, that here on earth we're just a tiny piece of a much greater whole. I don't know it makes you stop and think how important all your bullshit really is. Or if it's even worth it half the time. TRUDY It's important if it matters to you. Yeah -- FRANK Frank finishes his cigarette and flicks it into the snow with his bandaged hand. Trudy peeks at the bandages. TRUDY I've been meaning to ask -- what happened to your hand? Frank looks down at his hand like he forgot it was ever wrapped up. 21. FRANK I uh -- I was stupid. EXT. AMY'S HOUSE - NIGHT (RAINY) Rick stands tall, his figure filling the entire doorway. RICK I think it's time you leave, mister. FRANK Get the fuck out of my face. RICK Just get out of here, man. FRANK Don't tell me what to do. Amy! Amy please, I just wanna talk! RICK I think you should go. Rick puts his hands on Frank. Frank SMACKS them away and PUSHES Rick backward not even two inches. FRANK Get the fuck off of me. Amy cries inside. AMY Just leave dad! Rick steps outside. Frank backs up. RICK I don't wanna do this, man. Frank comes to the edge of Amy's porch and plants his foot down; he's not going anywhere. Rick walks up to him, looming large over Frank. RICK (CONT'D) It's time to leave. Frank cocks back his fist and DRIVES it toward Rick's face. Rick easily dodges out of the way, grabs Frank's wrist and arm, and throws Frank on his ass onto the wet grass. RICK (CONT'D) Get the fuck outta here! 22. Frank dusts himself off and gets back to his feet. FRANK (spits) Fuck you, you pussy. RICK Fuck me? Fuck you, you lowlife piece of shit! Rick sends a fist to Frank's gut. Frank responds with a wild right swing. Rick once again easily dodges the swing; forcing Frank's hand to go right into the porch's metal post, shattering his knuckles. Frank drops to the ground and yells out. Fuck!!!! FRANK Rick picks him up by the collar and throws Frank to the curb then walks back inside. He SLAMS the door shut. Frank lies in a puddle on the pavement. Amy watches from her window. Frank makes eye contact with her then she SHUTS the blinds. Frank drops his head in the puddle. EXT. BUCKY'S BAR - NIGHT Trudy holds Frank's bandaged hand, gently inspecting it. TRUDY Is it broken? FRANK (Trudy presses too hard) Ah. Maybe. TRUDY (lets go) Sorry. You go to a doctor? FRANK Fuck no. I ain't got that kinda cash. TRUDY You need to get this checked out. FRANK I need a lot checked out. Trudy smiles. 23. TRUDY Ya know Frank -- you're not such a bad guy. Frank side eyes her then shakes his head. FRANK Come on. Let's not do this. TRUDY I'm serious. FRANK Don't fuck with me right here, okay? I've had a long enough day as it is. TRUDY I mean it, Frank. You seem like a good guy. FRANK Just stop. Really. Frank turns his back to her. TRUDY You know, I -- I was in AA too. Frank looks back, staring into her eyes. TRUDY (CONT'D) I quit about three years ago but I've been sober twelve years now. FRANK Yet you tend a bar? TRUDY I know. Honestly it's what keeps me from going back. Seeing those dumbasses drink their life away -how I was the same way -- it's -well it's humbling. So believe me when I say this -- you're a good man, Frank. You just made some mistakes. I don't -FRANK You know what fuck off. Seriously. I told you what I've done. Who I am. I'm a piece of shit. (MORE) 24. FRANK (CONT'D) My wife is dead because of me, my daughter hates my fucking guts, and all I can think about is having a god damn drink! So don't fucking stand here and tell me you understand me because you took the steps too. That I'm just some misunderstood drunk who hit a rough patch because that's bullshit. It's fucking bullshit and you know it. There ain't nothing I can do that'll make my daughter want to see me again. Nothing! And I gotta live with that. Frank's steaming, pacing around the parking lot. TRUDY (calm) Frank -- it wasn't your fault. You didn't kill your wife. It was an accident. And with your daughter -you still have time Frank. FRANK No, I really don't. TRUDY Yeah, you really do. Now shut up and listen to me for a second, okay? Okay? Frank stops pacing and looks her in the eye. TRUDY (CONT'D) I've been working at this shithole for twenty years, twenty fucking years, and I hear the same god damn sob story bullshit all the fucking time. 'Oh I'm a piece of shit because I drink'. Blah. Blah. Blah. And you know what they do about it? Nothing. Jack shit. They keep drinking till they pass out and piss themselves. They're too busy wallowing in self-pity instead of looking in the fucking mirror and getting their shit together. But not you Frank, you ain't like that, you're different. I see it in you, that look, the same damn look I had. That you want to actually get better -- you're trying, you care, you actually give a god damn! (MORE) 25. TRUDY (CONT'D) You wouldn't have five years under your belt otherwise. So forgive me if I don't take your whiny 'woe is me' bullshit. It's pathetic and it's beneath you. You're a good fucking guy Frank, I knew it the minute you walked in. You're lost Frank, you made some fucked up mistakes, who the fuck hasn't? That doesn't make you the devil. Frank paces again, pondering Trudy's hard truths. A beat. Frank stops and lets out a long exhale. FRANK So then what the fuck do I do? TRUDY You do the only thing you can do! The only thing we all can do. Keep moving forward. Hope that one day things will get better. Work towards it being better. Things might be shit now but they don't always have to be. Sure, your daughter might not like you now, but how well does she really know you? How much have you let her known? You closed her out Frank. You ever think maybe she's just as lost as you are? Probably even more. Frank swallows hard. Yeah -Call her. FRANK TRUDY Frank shakes his head. FRANK I -- I don't know. TRUDY Fine, text her then. That's all these kids do nowadays anyways. Less emotional commitment. (MORE) 26. TRUDY (CONT'D) Text her and apologize. Tell her you wanna reconnect. FRANK I tried that. TRUDY Then try again for fuck's sake. She's your daughter! Frank scoffs. TRUDY (CONT'D) Listen, do you love her? What? FRANK TRUDY Do you love your daughter? FRANK Of course I do. More than anything. TRUDY Then you keep trying till you can't fucking breath! Because trust me, in the end, it'll be worth it. But you gotta keep trying. Keep pushing forward. That's all we got, Frank. Frank looks at Trudy then up at the sky. He closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath. He lets it out. FRANK I think I'm ready for that lemonade. Trudy can't help but smile, then chuckle a little. TRUDY You want a lemonade? FRANK I would like a lemonade, yes. TRUDY Okay. Okay you can have a lemonade. Frank peers into Trudy's eyes. Looking for a long moment before he speaks so she knows he's serious. 27. FRANK (sincere) Thank you, Trudy. Anytime. TRUDY The two walk back inside the bar. INT. BUCKY'S BAR - NIGHT Frank sits down at his spot. Trudy walks behind the bar and up to Frank's glass. TRUDY What are we doing with this? Keep it. You sure? Yeah. FRANK TRUDY FRANK Trudy smiles and nods then goes and pours Frank a lemonade. She walks back over and sets his lemonade down, right next to his whiskey. TRUDY One lemonade for you, sir. FRANK Thank you very much, madam. Frank looks over to the other side of the bar at the drunken fans. Frank picks up his lemonade and raises it toward the Drunks. They laugh and do the same with their mugs of beer. They all take a swig from their twelfth beer, while Frank takes a long, joyous sip of lemonade. FRANK (CONT'D) (to Trudy) Delicious. Trudy grins wide. TRUDY Glad to hear it. Frank pulls out his cell phone. 28. FRANK You uh, sure about this? TRUDY Just do it, Frank. FRANK What the hell am I even gonna say? TRUDY You'll know it when you do it. Frank sighs. TRUDY (CONT'D) Make it come from the heart. Frank stares at Trudy -- thinking -- then it hits him. He looks down at his phone and types away. He sets the phone down next to his full whiskey glass. He stares at the glass. Trudy drops her hand down on his. TRUDY (CONT'D) She'll respond. FRANK You sure about that? Positive. TRUDY Trudy and Frank smile at each other, exchanging knowing glances. Hey Trud! RALPH (O.S.) Trudy waves to Ralph, who's sitting alone with an empty glass. TRUDY One sec! (to Frank) Duty calls. Frank nods. Trudy attends to her customer. Frank sips his lemonade and watches the football game on TV. Trudy walks past him and pours a beer. Frank keeps his attention on the game. The game's down to the wire. 29. Ten seconds left. Hail Mary play to win it. It's caught! TOUCHDOWN! The Drunks go WILD! CHEERING AND HOLLERING! Even Frank joins in with some loud CLAPS. Then... BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ! Frank looks at his phone next to his whiskey glass. Before he grabs it, he looks over to Trudy, who smiles wide at him. He then picks up the phone and reads the text. Trudy watches intently. Frank puts the phone in his pocket and stands up from his seat. He pulls out his sobriety chip and waves it to Trudy. She gives him a pensive look. He nods to her and grins. She smiles back. He then drops the chip into his glass of whiskey and walks out, leaving behind a half-full lemonade and a full whiskey glass. FADE TO BLACK. THE END.