‘The Conversation’ is about two young roommates living in Melbourne, both attend the same university but share different lives. One seemingly has his life
together, a girlfriend, a part time job, studies hard at a top tier university. While his roommate is the opposite, cynical, crude and messy. ‘The Conversation’ entails a simple conversation between two young Aussie blokes, which helps them reflect on their lives.
The process behind this piece was simple. I found inspiration within characters who I felt a personal connection to. such as ‘The Big Lebowski’, to juxtapose the two character types, which ends up helping each other in how they view their lives and the next choices they’ll make. I view it as a conversation between my two different personalities, which is why writing as both of them made it so easy. It’s sort of like an argument in my head, lecturing myself about dumb decisions I’ve made.
Experiment Screen Sensation
Assignment #4
Jade Coyle s3779972
‘A conversation’
Characters:
- JAY – Age 20, Male, olive skin, dark brown hair, tall, lean
- Lazy, cynical, “Aussie bogan” type, vulgar lacks a lot motivation in life, despite studying at one of the best universities in Melbourne studying psychology
- DANTE – Age 20, Male, Caucasian, tall, skinny
- “type a” personality, neat, organized, has goals, a controlling girlfriend, a part time job which he balances between university, also studies at the same university and degree as Jay
FADE IN:
INT. APARTMENT
The scene opens with Dante entering the tiny apartment that only contains two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen that connects to the living room where Jay, Dante’s roommate sits.
Dante closes the door behind him and sees Jay on the couch, wearing nothing but his underwear and sipping a beer.
DANTE
How long has the power been out? It’s like 40 degrees in here, and why are you in your underwear?
JAY
How many questions are you gonna ask me? It’s hot as balls in here that’s why I’m in my boxers.
DANTE
And the first thing you do is crack open a beer? Why don’t you be productive, we both have a 3000-word essay due.
JAY
It’s too hot to do essays… beer is better
(JAY takes a sip)
DANTE takes off his shoes and joins JAY on the couch. JAY offers him a swig of his beer, he accepts. The two sit in silence for a short time while they sip the beer, all that is heard is the sound of a portable fan whirring that turns off occasionally.
DANTE
I take it you haven’t even started the assignment yet (swigs the beer)
JAY
It’s an essay discussing Freudian’s theory about how we want to fuck our parents in strict detail. Look mate, I’d rather fuckin’ not take time out of my day to write about that. (Takes a long swig)
DANTE
Yeah nah fair. (in between sips) not like Freud was a huge part in psychology.
JAY
Not like I can write anything with the power gone. It’s why I’m on this couch, in my jocks, drinkin’ piss, which, by the way, get your own.
(he takes the beer from DANTE’S hands. DANTE gets up and walks to the kitchen, we hear the clanging of bottles)
(From the kitchen we hear DANTE, slightly muffled)
DANTE
You act like you paid for these beers, tough talk for someone who can barely keep a job
JAY
(Yelling)
Hey, screw off, I don’t need a job if I’m studying full time. I get benefits from the government and I plan to take full advantage of it
DANTE
Your parents send you money every fortnight, asshole
(He walks back to the couch with a beer in one hand and his phone in the other, he reads a long paragraph on his phone, his face concerned)
JAY
(sarcastic) Oh no, you upset the missus again, Dante?
DANTE
(He sighs)
She sent a massive message about how she expects better from me…
(Pauses, then drinks his beer, making eye contact with Jay as he does. Jay looks as if he already knows what Dante’s about to say)
We had a slight argument before I left her house this morning. She was going off at me because I apparently don’t show enough interest in the things she likes. When in reality, I just don’t give a shit about the stupid shows she watches.
(Jay opens his mouth to speak, Dante continues)
She makes it out like I’m such a bad person because I can’t keep a conversation about the latest Netflix original and because I–
JAY
Because you can’t stop lookin’ at her tits, yeah?
(Dante, shocked, struggles to reply)
DANTE
Wh-what… Why would you… That’s MY girlfriend, that’s not cool…You’re such a creep
I hate it when you talk about girls like that, dude.
(They sit in silence again, sipping their beers, the fan turns on and off again)
JAY
I didn’t say it because I’m a disgusting pig. I mean I am… But I meant that I think you need to reevaluate why you’re in a relationship with your misso–
DANTE
Like you’re the one to talk, you can’t even commit to a relationship – you can’t even commit to uni! Maybe you should reevaluate your career goals.
JAY
Dude don’t get so bloody defensive. I was just hoping to give you some brotherly advice as to why your girlfriend is a bit of a cu-
(DANTE cuts Jay off, angry and shocked. The two begin to speak quicker)
DANTE
You’re really gonna lecture ME? You’re literally sitting here in your FUCKIN’ underwear drinking a VB, you pathetic piece of shit
JAY
HEY!RELAX. Don’t attack me-
DANTE
Don’t attack my girlfriend-
JAY
Can I just say what I was gonna say? Please?
(DANTE relaxes)
DANTE
If you say one more thing-
JAY
Jesus, you think you were planning to marry the girl
(The two suddenly make eye contact as he says this, Dante opens his mouth, but no words come out)
JAY
Don’t. Get. Me. Started. Dante.
(JAY finishes his beer, clears his throat)
So, as I was saying. Your girl, I’ve met her quite a few times, she’s come over to our humble abode, sleeps in your bed, does our dishes, washes AND folds your clothes, buys you a calendar with important dates circled on it already. It’s all sweet stuff, but the way I see it-
DANTE
Jay, you knock a girl up and you pretend you don’t know her, how are you about to give ME relationship advice?
JAY
That never happened, but if it did (shrugs his shoulders) I’d give her abortion money (waves his hands) anyways, she’s clearly the type of girl who has a lot of expectations. She wants marriage, a house, a baby, all while you take care of it all with your shitty little part time job in retail. But that won’t be enough, she’ll tear your head off.
DANTE
Are you done insulting me and my girlfriend, dick?
JAY
Almost, you see, I think that you think that you want the same things as she does, you think that you’re so in love with her, that it’s just you two against the world. But listen, I think…that you…don’t really even like her.
(DANTE, widens his eyes in shock. JAY pats DANTE’S back)
Go get me another beer, and I’ll tell you some REAL Freudian philosophy.
(To his surprise, DANTE gets up and goes to the kitchen, silently. He comes back with two beers, and twists the tops off, he takes a drink.)
DANTE
We’re studying psychology, dumbass. “Philosophy” I don’t know how you got accepted by one of Australia’s top universities, what was your ATAR? 20?
JAY
Besides the point, I got an 89.
DANTE
Bullshit, how?
JAY
A N Y W A Y S, it’s clear to me that you feel pressured to be in a relationship with this woman in order to feel a sense of purpose in your life. And what’s that purpose? Marriage, a life with someone, not dying alone but also to procreate, pass on the family name, all so you won’t feel like you’ve lagged behind in life. Unfortunately, Dante… you’ll be stuck with her forever, unless she files for divorce after she’s popped out a few babies, and you’ve worked your ass off to buy a house that fulfills her needs, to which she will then take full custody of the kids, the house, and more than half of what you’re worth…
(JAY stops and takes a deep breath, then continues)
Which she most definitely will
(The two drink. JAY continues)
And how does this theory all relate back to my initial comment on your misso’s tits? Well Dante, I’ll tell you
(DANTE finishes his beer, then sits upright to face JAY better)
DANTE
I can’t believe I’m actually humoring this conversation right now
JAY
You need to hear it, trust me, it’ll better you
DANTE
Oh, like you’re not the one who needs bettering
JAY
Lemme finish my theory. So, here you are, a 21-year-old man, who lives in a shared apartment, you’re smart, you’re handsome, you go to a prestigious university and study a prestigious degree, you work and you study, all while balancing a needy, control-freak girlfriend who you hate to admit to yourself that you don’t love. You’ve found that you have nothing in common with her because all she ever wants to talk about are shit you’re not interested in. What do you do when you go over to her house? Watch bad rom-coms while she tries to talk to you about what the Kardashians posted on Instagram, all while you try to pay attention… you try to throw in some words to make it seem like you’re paying attention… when all you can think about are those fine pair of breasts that she has.
(DANTE almost lunges at JAY, stopping when he continues)
BUT that’s when you realize that the only thing you love about her is her body. You try to replicate your lust for love. When I know that you don’t even like her as a person, dude
DANTE
Where did all of this come from?
JAY
Because I’m doin’ a fuckin’ psychology degree. I can just guess that you’re unhappy and that you don’t even realize because you think it’s the right path to go in life. And I’m telling you, it’s not always that way
DANTE
Holy shit, we’re about to have a heart to heart aren’t we
JAY
You best believe we are, dude. Because, the only reason I can make those assumptions about you and your girl, is because that’s what happened to my parents. They got married and had a baby because that’s what everyone fuckin’ told them what to do, and look, now my bitch of a mum left my dad with nothing after he worked his ass off.
DANTE
Shit…
(JAY gets two beers from the kitchen and sits back down. They drink in silence)
JAY
I’m also an overachiever, that’s how I got into this distinguished school
DANTE
(His head in his hands)
I can’t believe I just let you analyze my life like that
JAY
Am I wrong? Are you denying it?
DANTE
(head still in hands)
I don’t know how to respond, mate…
JAY
You’re just upset because I told you the truth that you weren’t willing to tell yourself, as deep as that sounds. You’d be happier without her, Dante
DANTE
Yeah so, I break up with her and then go clubbing and get with random girls like you do? All you do is slack off and indulge in whatever you feel like, where is the life goal in that? If I’m the one ending up sad, broke and divorced, where will you be?
JAY
I dunno, but there’s nothing wrong with indulging aye?
DANTE
You’re pathetic, mate. You’ve got absolutely no future
JAY
Now, I’m not mad that you’ve said that. You just got told that you can’t stand your own girlfriend, I can’t blame you
(DANTE throws an agitated look at JAY)
DANTE
You’re starting to piss me off! Who the hell talks like that? You can’t just say that when you look like you live in your mum’s shed
(JAY gets up)
JAY
Hey man, tell me you wouldn’t feel a sense of relief if she dumped you right now
(DANTE gets up)
DANTE
Alright, tell me you wouldn’t feel happier if you had more direction in your life
(JAY finishes his drink while making eye contact with DANTE. They stand like that for a few seconds. Then they both leave to go into their rooms)
(We see DANTE enter his bedroom and sit on his bed. His bedroom is neat and organized, his desk has a laptop and a polaroid picture pinned above his desk, it shows his girlfriend, a petite blonde girl smiling into the camera. Other than these features, DANTE’S room is plain and simple)
(He opens his phone again to read the message from his girlfriend, the message reads:
“…. I feel like we never talk about the things I want to talk about, and it really hurts my feelings when you can barely keep a conversation with me, it’s like you don’t care…
…I really think you need to change for this to work…”
He only replies with: “I think it would be best if I were on my own from now.” Then silences her number, and turns off his phone
He sits and thinks for a while)
CUT TO:
INT. JAY’S BEDROOM
The bedroom is dark and messy, the curtains are drawn, cans of energy drinks scattered on the floor, along with dirty laundry and university papers. His walls are covered in cult classic film posters (such as ‘Fight Club’, ‘The Big Lebowski’, ‘The Godfather’, ‘Scar Face’) ‘Star Wars’ Lego sets are displayed neatly on his bookshelf. With the power back on, we see JAY turn on his computer and opens a document titled: “Psychoanalytic Theory” and begins typing.
FADE OUT:
INT. Kitchen – The next morning
Their kitchen is small and clean a part from a few dishes in the sink. JAY sits by the table, eating a bowl of cereal with an unopened can of red bull next to it. Enter DANTE who opens the fridge, deciding what he wants to eat.
DANTE
Bit hectic last night, wasn’t it?
JAY
(Mouthful)
Yeah mate, just a bit. Didn’t mean to offend you
DANTE
Yeah nah, me neither
(DANTE sits by the table)
She is a bit much, now that you point it out
JAY
Who?
DANTE
The misso
JAY
Oh… yeah. Glad you finally realize it
(Long pause while JAY slurps and chews his cereal)
DANTE
Those energy drinks are gonna kill you one day
(Pause)
JAY
…I hope it fuckin’ does
FADE OUT: