Almost Famous

ALMOST FAMOUS

Written by

Pamela Padros

Edmonton, AB, Canada

pamela13padros

780-699-0928COLD OPEN

INT. DEAN'S OFFICE - DAY

A laptop fills the frame.

A TikTok plays. Vertical, low-resolution. The @ handle

flashes: @val.wtf. Caption: COMMUNITY COLLEGE FROM HELL.

TIKTOK FOOTAGE - HALLWAY

VALENTINA (18, confident, chaotic) walks down the hall like

she owns the place, talking to the camera with mock

seriousness.

VALENTINA

Welcome to Stratford Community

College where hope retires and the

Wi-Fi never existed.

ALLORAH (19, Australian, clueless) giggles off-screen,

filming.

A SKATER KID (18) rolls past on a skateboard. Val calls out.

VALENTINA (CONT’D)

How would you rate your college

experience so far?

SKATER KID

Uh... good? My prof cancelled class

today because of his "spiritual

exhaustion.

"

He hits his vape and swooshes away.

CUT TO:

TIKTOK FOOTAGE - CLASSROOM

Valentina records from a hidden angle. MR. THOMPSON (40s,

belly poking out) is dead asleep at his desk as students

write a test.

VALENTINA

Mr. Thompson- currently in a

medically induced nap.

Allorah snorts.2.

Valentina pans to BEN (18, uptight), locked in on his test.

He cracks a smile, leans toward the camera and whispers:

BEN

Community college... the place your

dreams go to take a nap.

Muffled laughter.

CUT TO:

TIKTOK FOOTAGE - HALLWAY

A smug Valentina walks past the fire alarm. Allorah films.

VALENTINA

Let's see if this wakes up Sleeping

Beauty.

Valentina pretends to pull the alarm.

Ben fills his water bottle nearby and sees this.

BEN

Val, stop. Seriously.

Valentina does another fake-out.

Ben lightly shoves her.

BEN (CONT’D)

Quit it.

Val shoves him back- playfully but harder.

A beat.

Ben loses balance and falls backward.

His elbow slams the fire alarm.

SIRENS ERUPT.

All three freeze.

Then- chaos.

Allorah's phone drops, filming the ground and frantic

footsteps as they RUN.

BACK TO DEAN'S

OFFICE3.

The TikTok ends. We pull back to reveal: the DEAN (50s)

horrified, a CAMPUS SECURITY OFFICER (arms crossed), a

COUNSELOR taking notes aggressively, and Mr. Thompson from

the TikTok.

Ben, Allorah, and Valentina are in the hot seat across from

them.

DEAN

Almost half a million hits.

VALENTINA

Views.

Allorah elbows Valentina to be quiet. The campus security

officer clears his throat like it's a criminal case. Ben

looks like he might throw up.

DEAN

This is not a joke. You disrupted

the academic environment and caused

a building-wide evacuation.

(then)

Do you understand the impact this

could have on the faculty?

TEACHER

Not to mention my self-esteem?

He looks like he's been crying for hours.

DEAN

You are all assigned mandatory

community service hours. You will

report to The Remand Center

starting Sunday. You are on

academic probation, if your grades

fall beneath a 70%, you will be

expelled.

Allorah's mouth drops. Ben stays seated with his head down.

DEAN (CONT’D)

(to Ben)

I expected more from you.

BEN

(nods, dying inside)

Yes, sir.

VALENTINA

So... no suspension?DEAN

Get out.

Valentina shrugs, already checking her phone.

END COLD OPEN

4.5.

ACT ONE

INT. VALENTINA'S BASEMENT – MORNING

Valentina slumps in an oversized hoodie, half-awake, eating

cereal straight from the box. The room is dim except for the

glow of the TV.

The View plays on TV. WHOOPI GOLDBERG leads the panel's

discussion.

WHOOPI GOLDBERG

This week, once-beloved standup

comic Dax is under fire over old

jokes resurfacing online.

Valentina sits up. She turns up the volume.

WHOOPI GOLDBERG (CONT’D)

He has now come online to issue an

apology to his fans, take a look at

this.

They cut to a video of DAX (late 20s, controversial comic)

addressing his audience. Disheveled, dark circles under his

eyes- like he hasn't slept in days.

DAX

Either you die a hero or you live

long enough to see yourself become

the villain.

(chuckles to himself)

I have made a severe and continuous

lapse in my judgment.

They cut back to Whoopi.

WHOOPI GOLDBERG

I think I speak for all of America

when I say, Dax- we're done with

your bullshit.

Back to Dax's apology.

DAX

I will be stepping back from

content-

Real-time comments flood the sidebar:

@dadbodsupremacy is he crying or sweating??6.

@tubetoker his PR team quit mid-apology, I JUST KNOW IT

VALENTINA

He literally gave us free content

for years.

DAX

I'm sorry if I offended anyone-

I...

He rubs his face, lost.

INT. ALLORAH'S HOUSE – MORNING

A BRIGHT, showroom-level kitchen. Upbeat pop music plays.

YOGA DAD (40s, zen, Alo tank top) flows through sun

salutations in the middle of the living room.

PANIC DAD (40S, HIGH-FUNCTIONING ANXIOUS, DESIGNER APRON)

flips pancakes with militant precision.

Allorah walks in wearing lounge shorts and a messy bun.

PANIC DAD

Darling!

He slides a plate stacked with pancakes toward her like he's

unveiling a wedding cake.

ALLORAH

Dad, I'm not running a marathon.

I'm picking up garbage or... wiping

something?

Panic Dad GASPS.

PANIC DAD

Your whistle!

He grabs a tiny pink safety whistle on a lanyard, rushes

over, and dramatically hangs it around Allorah's neck.

PANIC DAD (CONT’D)

If an inmate approaches you, you

blow. Twice.

(beat)

If they're cute, once.7.

Yoga Dad drops into a deep warrior pose.

Panic Dad hands Allorah her tote bag.

YOGA DAD

(poses in yoga stretch)

Remember: you are light, you are

love, you are Queen energy. But

also—

(beat)

don't touch anything.

ALLORAH

Okay, okay.

She kisses both dads on the cheek. As she heads out, Yoga Dad

whispers to Panic Dad:

YOGA DAD

Should we follow her?

PANIC DAD

Absolutely.

CUT TO:

INT. BEN'S HOUSE – MORNING

Complete tonal shift.

Dim. Still. The hum of the refrigerator.

Ben packs his notebooks neatly into his backpack. He checks

the wall clock. Then his phone. Then his watch. All read

7:21. He still seems unconvinced.

WIDE SHOT - the living room is a quiet disaster: prescription

bottles, half-empty wine, a makeshift bed on the couch.

Ben pointedly doesn't look at any of it. He steps over a

fallen bottle without reacting and slips outside like a guest

trying not to wake anyone.

EXT. BEN'S HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER

Ben steps onto the porch. A single envelope sticks out from

the mailbox.

He stops. Scans the return address. Tears off the sender's

info, pockets it, drops the rest like it's radioactive.8.

He heads to his slightly dented Honda and pulls away.

CUT TO:

INT. THE REMAND CENTER – MULTIPURPOSE ROOM – DAY

A bland, echoey multipurpose room. The Remand Center

SUPERVISOR (40s, calm, intimidatingly professional) stands in

front of a whiteboard labeled VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION.

Ben and Allorah sit nervously in plastic chairs. Other

volunteers are scattered around.

SUPERVISOR

Welcome to The Remand Center- a

mental health unit for low-risk

inmates.

(then)

Our primary program is something we

call Buddy Time.

(beat)

You'll be paired with an inmate to

meet weekly and monitor mental

health and emotional regulation.

Ben straightens; Allorah slumps deeper.

SUPERVISOR (CONT’D)

You are not therapists. You are not

friends.

(beat)

Think of yourselves as… emotional

hall monitors.

Allorah raises a hand.

ALLORAH

So we're like guidance counselors?

SUPERVISOR

Absolutely not.

(beat)

Guidance counselors require

degrees.

She hands out clipboards.

SUPERVISOR (CONT’D)

Ask questions, take notes, and

report any concerning behavior

immediately.

(smiling)

(MORE)9.

SUPERVISOR (CONT’D)

And in return, you get community

service hours instead of expulsion.

Ben nods. Allorah tries not to cry.

SUPERVISOR (CONT’D)

Do not ask them what they did to

end up here. If they want to tell

you, they will.

(beat)

And whatever you do- do not hug

them.

(another beat)

No matter how sad they look.

Suddenly:

SUPERVISOR (CONT’D)

Shouldn't there be three of you?

Ben and Allorah exchange a look.

CUT TO:

INT. VALENTINA'S BASEMENT - SAME TIME

Valentina is still glued to DAX's cancellation. Her phone

BUZZES: 13 missed texts, 6 missed calls.

ALLORAH (TEXT)

Where are you?

(beat)

Hello???

VALENTINA

Shit.

INT. THE REMAND CENTER - LATER

Valentina rushes in, out of breath. She sees a BULKY WOMAN

(late 30s) standing alone. Her hair is disheveled, eyes

intense. Valentina walks up to her.

VALENTINA

Sorry I'm late. You must be Sandra.

The woman stares at her then smiles sweetly.

BULKY WOMAN

Oh, yes. Sandra.

(beat, conspiratorial)

I've been expecting you.10.

The woman looks her up and down like she's inspecting

livestock.

BULKY WOMAN (CONT’D)

Poor posture... cereal residue...

(clicks tongue)

Tell me something.

She steps closer, lowering her voice.

BULKY WOMAN (CONT’D)

Do you ever hear voices at night? I

do. They hate my hair.

SECURITY MAN

THERE SHE IS!!

Three SECURITY MEN (40s, strong) burst into the room and

tackle the woman to the ground.

VALENTINA

Sandra!!?

SECURITY MAN

That's not Sandra.

(beat)

That is.

He gestures up. Standing behind them is the real SANDRA (the

supervisor from earlier) with a clipboard in hand.

SANDRA

(yelling to guards)

Keep her on the ground.

(to Valentina)

Sorry you had to witness that. I

don't know how she keeps getting

out.

VALENTINA

Out?

Sandra walks off like nothing happened.

Valentina stands frozen, then hurries after her.

They walk down the hallway. Sandra hands her a folded

uniform.11.

SANDRA

You missed orientation. Change and

meet us out back.

Valentina nods, still processing what she just saw.

END OF ACT ONE12.

ACT TWO

INT. REMAND CENTER – COURTYARD - AFTERNOON

The STAFF (all ages) are lined up at the courtyard outside

The Remand Center listening to Sandra give instructions.

The RESIDENTS are lined up on the other side, eyeing the

staff.

The day is gloomy and windy. The worst possible conditions

for today.

SANDRA

We will be doing lice checks.

Sandra walks down the line and hands her staff hairnets and

gloves.

Valentina, now in her uniform, joins the staff.

Allorah leans in to whisper to Val as Sandra continues

explaining.

ALLORAH

What took you so long?

VALENTINA

I forgot we started today.

Allorah looks miserable.

ALLORAH

My Dads nearly fainted when they

found out I'd be working here. They

actually asked if I could serve my

hours at Sephora instead.

Valentina snorts.

VALENTINA

Must be nice. My mom just said

"figures"

. I'm like... the family's

cautionary tale.

ALLORAH

Honestly though Val... everyone

here is kind of weird

VALENTINA

Like the woman who asked if I hear

voices at night?13.

ALLORAH

I mean the staff.

Allorah leans in, lowering her voice dramatically.

ALLORAH (CONT’D)

They're... intense. They make us do

things that feel like... not in the

job description.

Sandra's voice cuts through.

SANDRA

I will be watching how you interact

with our residents and at the end

of the day, I will be assigning

your Buddy for the month.

(then)

Work in pairs and be efficient. The

wind makes them restless.

The residents circle the staff like sharks until they each

find one to their liking and sit across from them.

A BIG WOMAN (40s, covered in tats, has a beer gut) sits

across from Valentina with her arms folded.

BIG WOMAN

They call me Big Bertha.

Valentina swallows.

GRETCHEN (70s, tiny, looks like she died last week and came

back out of spite) pairs with Allorah.

GRETCHEN

I had a vision of you.

(beat)

You die in beige.

Allorah panics.

A shadow appears behind Ben, PETER (late 20s, looks

dangerous) and gives Ben a faint nod.

EXT. COURTYARD - LATER

Sandra walks behind the staff, supervising. She stops at Ben.

BEN

Hold still.

He goes through Peter's hair with a metal comb.14.

BEN (CONT’D)

All clear.

(smiles)

Not too bad, huh?

Sandra pats Ben on the back.

SANDRA

You're going to do great here.

Allorah and Valentina side-eye this.

They continue combing through hair, almost barfing when a

HUSH falls over the courtyard. Everyone turns.

SAM (19, kind-eyes, criminally wholesome) steps out carrying

a giant tray of cookies, juice boxes, and muffins- treats for

the inmates. He is wearing big bulky glasses with his hair

meticulously combed back.

He moves slowly through the courtyard, sunlight haloing him

like a biblical figure. The inmates brighten, a few reach out

towards the snacks like disciples.

Valentina stares, stunned.

VALENTINA

Holy...

Allorah catches this.

ALLORAH

That's another thing, these aren't

normal guys. They're not easily

persuaded by the fact that we're

girls with holes and therefor sex

is always somewhat on the table.

They care about things like the

environment and fighting against

ignorance.

(makes a face)

Our slogan is,

"you are not your

mental illness!"

VALENTINA

But I feel like some people are

their mental illness... and that's

kinda all they are.

Big Bertha coughs.

Sam hands a muffin with reverence.15.

SAM

Here you go Mr. Douglas. Fresh

chocolate chip, just like you said.

The resident smiles like he has been blessed by God.

Valentina is transfixed. She forgets she's holding a lice

comb and drops it on the ground. Ben overseeing this mutters:

BEN

Great. She's finally found

religion.

INT. THE REMAND CENTER CAFETERIA - AFTERNOON

Valentina weaves through the crowded cafeteria, listening to

complaints about the portions.

Big Bertha sits at an empty table, one eye on the TVs

throughout the room.

NEWS ANCHOR (TV)

DAX has lost over 2 million

followers in the last 12 hours...

could this really be the end?

Bertha scoffs and shakes her head.

BIG BERTHA

The world's full of cowards. They

kick people when they're down.

This gets Valentina's attention. She slides into the seat

across from Bertha.

VALENTINA

Right? People love drama more than

nuance.

BIG BERTHA

Nuance won't get you followers.

Balls do.

VALENTINA

(laughs)

Guess they'd rather watch a crash

than a comeback.

BIG BERTHA

Every time.16.

INT. REMAND CENTER – LOCKER ROOM – SAME TIME

Allorah and Ben sit on the benches, gathering their

belongings from their lockers. The room smells faintly of

disinfectant and old sneakers.

ALLORAH

(sighs, zipping up her

bag)

Well, that was intense.

Ben shrugs.

BEN

I counted four minor meltdowns. I'd

call that a win.

ALLORAH

I'd argue there was at least six.

Sandra walks past them

SANDRA

Not bad today.

BEN

Same time tomorrow?

Sandra nods and walks off. They gather the rest of their

things and head out together.

INT. CAFETERIA - LATER

Back to Big Bertha and Valentina's bromance, Bertha is

catching Valentina up on how she got herself into this mess.

BIG BERTHA

I was trying to help a friend, one

thing led to another... next thing

I know, I'm on the wrong side of

customs with a duffel full of

trouble.

She shares between mouthfuls of cafeteria food.

VALENTINA

Snitched on while smuggling for

your man... what a woman!

(catching herself)

... Is that okay to call you?17.

BIG BERTHA

Depends. You call me what I am, I

call you what you are.

VALENTINA

Fair.

Meticulously combed-back hair enters the cafeteria. He sets

up a small workstation.

VALENTINA (CONT’D)

How old do you think he is?

Big Bertha eyes him.

BIG BERTHA

Early 20's.

VALENTINA

He's wearing a wife beater but he

has a scarf over his shoulder which

shows he has a sensitive side.

BIG BERTHA

He'll always remember your

birthday.

VALENTINA

The little things, really.

A beat of tension follows. They lock eyes.

VALENTINA (CONT’D)

Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!

BIG BERTHA

Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!

Valentina wins. Big Bertha slams the table with frustration.

VALENTINA (CONT’D)

I'll be back with more questions

later because a lot of what you

described sounds like things I

could easily slip into.

BIG BERTHA

Before you go, do you happen to

have scissors on you?

There's a pause.

VALENTINA

What about nail clippers?

BIG BERTHA

That'll do.18.

Valentina digs in her bag and hands over the nail clippers,

not thinking anything of it.

INT. OTHER SIDE OF CAFETERIA

With adrenaline rushing through her veins, Valentina takes a

seat across from the boy and says the first thing that pops

into her head.

VALENTINA

So... you got a little...?

Valentina pretends to snort a tasteful amount of cocaine off

her index finger.

SAM

Do you need a handkerchief?

Sam shuffles through his pockets and belongings in a panic,

eager to help.

VALENTINA

Some...

She continues miming the usage of drugs.

SAM

(concerned)

Are you an inmate?

Sam gets up and starts packing up his things.

SAM (CONT’D)

If you see something, say

something. It is my due diligence

to report such behavior.

VALENTINA

No! Sorry, I just say and do weird

things when I'm nervous.

(then)

I just came over here because I

think you're cute.

Sam looks around for cameras.

SAM

Is this To Catch a Predator?

(then)

Are you a Jehovah's Witness?

VALENTINA

Forget it.19.

Valentina stands up to leave.

SAM

No, don't go. I shouldn't assume.

People always assume I'm gay

because of my voice but what they

don't realize is that I strained my

vocal chords from having too many

temper tantrums as a kid.

Sam gestures Valentina to join him again. She does.

SAM (CONT’D)

You're new?

VALENTINA

Today's my first day.

SAM

Hm. New kid.

(then)

I have an extra ticket for a

concert tonight. Is it too short of

notice for you to join me?

END OF ACT TWO20.

ACT THREE

BEN'S POV - CAR

Tight on Ben, panting in his car. His eyes dart between a

house across the street and his hand, aggressively taping his

knuckles. On the passenger seat lies a torn chunk of the

envelope from this morning, the address scribbled on it.

His breath quickens. A car pulls into the driveway.

The door opens. A MAN (mid-40s, briefcase in hand) steps out.

Ben reaches for the door handle.

Two KIDS burst from the house and run toward the man.

KIDS

Daddy! Daddy!

The man kneels, scoops them up, laughing.

Ben lets go of the door handle.

He exhales- a quiet mix of relief and something unspoken.

INT. VALENTINA'S HOUSE - EVENING

Valentina stands in front of a full-body mirror, adjusting

her tight black dress to make it look a little shorter.

DING! The doorbell rings.

She swings the front door open, tossing her hair over her

shoulders as sexily as she can.

VALENTINA

(sultry)

Hey.

Standing there is a balding middle-aged man who looks like he

milks cows for a living and enjoys it- PAUL.

SAM (O.S.)

Did I mention my uncle was coming?

Sam approaches from behind.

VALENTINA

(nervously)

You did not!21.

She quickly adjusts her dress to be less revealing.

VALENTINA (CONT’D)

Nice to meet you.

They shake hands.

PAUL

Paul. Alrighty, I say we heady on

down!

EXT. BEN'S STREET – NIGHT

Ben's Honda rolls down the quiet street, tense, lost in

thought. As he nears his townhouse, he notices movement in

the distance. Valentina is walking toward a car with Sam and

Paul, clearly heading out.

Ben slows, squinting, trying not to be obvious. Headlights

flash as the trio pulls away.

BEN

(to himself)

Figures.

He parks in his garage next door, still watching the tail

lights fade. He taps his fingers against the steering wheel.

A quiet sigh escapes him.

He sits in his car for a beat longer, processing, then

finally steps out, a mix of curiosity and quiet longing on

his face.

EXT. CONCERT VENUE LINE- LATER

After a quick drive, Valentina, Sam, and his uncle are

standing in line at the Steel Panther comedic glam metal

concert. Sam walks Valentina through what to expect.

SAM

Michael Starr is a legend but ever

since he had kids, he rarely

performs.

Sam opens his backpack and hands out everyone's first round

of Red Bull. Sam and his uncle crush their cans against their

skulls and shotgun the drinks in less than 10 seconds.

SAM (CONT’D)

He likes to play around with the

crowd too, you never know what to

expect.22.

They walk through security, talking over the guards.

SAM (CONT’D)

And then, we're going to try to get

on stage.

VALENTINA

This is so cool!

SAM

No- we, are going to try to get on

stage.

(gestures to himself and

his uncle)

You're not really a fan so that

wouldn't make much sense.

EXT. MOSH PIT - MOMENTS LATER

Valentina, Sam, and his uncle are now past security and

inside the venue packed with mohawk-rocking degenerates in

bright colors. They enter the eye of the mosh-pit.

Retro lights switch on and a beat starts to play. On cue,

MICHAEL STARR and his bandmates take over.

MICHAEL STARR

Are y'all ready to rock!!?

SAM

(screaming)

Hell yeah we are!!

Sam calmly turns to Valentina.

SAM (CONT’D)

I'm sorry for the foul language, I

don't usually swear.

VALENTINA

Don't worry, enjoy yourself!

MICHAEL STARR

Who here loves to domesticate a

woman?

SAM

We do!

Sam turns to Valentina again.23.

SAM (CONT’D)

I have nothing but the utmost

respect for women.

MICHAEL STARR

Throw her out if she talks back!

SAM

Till! She! Can't! Walk!

Sam makes punching motions with every word before turning

back to Valentina.

SAM (CONT’D)

As I said, just a facade.

EXT. MOSH PIT - LATER

The closing number is "Community Property" where Michael

Starr sings about his undying love for his woman while

acknowledging that his penis is a free spirit that cannot be

restrained. It is community property.

The band is notorious for picking a fan at random to join

them on stage for this last song. Sam and his uncle begin

making ridiculous attempts to get their attention, screaming

obscenities, taking their shirts off and climbing on top of

each other.

PAUL

Here! Over here!

Michael Starr carefully scans the crowd.

Sam jumps on top of his uncle's shoulders and screams at the

top of his lungs.

SAM

Me!!! Pick me!

This gets the lead singer's attention. His eyes wander

carefully from Sam to his uncle to...

MICHAEL STARR

You.

He points to Valentina.

Sam goes into full panic mode, he hops off his uncles

shoulders and shoves Valentina out of his way.24.

SAM

I know every lyric! I have an

obsession with you Michael Starr!

Pick me instead!

Freaking out, Valentina uses as much body language as she can

to warn Starr that she is not a fan and doesn't know any of

his music.

Starr gets on his knees, insisting on Valentina. The audience

follows their idol's commands and begin grabbing Valentina by

her body and forcefully lifting her into the air. Before she

is completely out of reach, Sam grabs her by the shoulders

and looks her dead in the eyes.

SAM (CONT’D)

You fucking bitch!

INT. BEN'S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Ben sits on the edge of his bed, still in his clothes. He

removes the torn envelope piece from his pocket. Stares at

it. He walks to his desk. Opens a drawer. Inside: old report

cards, neatly stacked. A participation ribbon. A photo face-

down. He adds the envelope scrap to the pile. He tries to lie

down. Doesn't. He stands, paces once, stops. Finally: he

opens his laptop, types a sentence in a blank doc. Deletes

it. Types another. Deletes it. Closes the laptop. He checks

the time. Then, almost involuntarily, he looks out his window

toward Valentina's place.

Lights still on.

He exhales.

INT. PAUL'S CAR - NIGHT

Valentina and Sam sit at the back of Sam's uncle's truck

facing forward, debilitated from the night. We hear the sound

of Paul peeing outside the car off camera.

Paul hops in, turns on the engine, and pulls out of the

parking lot.

PAUL

Did you apologize to the lady?

Paul stares at Sam through the rearview mirror. There is a

long pause before Sam answers. His eyes stay glued forward.25.

SAM

(sighing)

I'm sorry I swore at you.

VALENTINA

You don't have to apologize.

PAUL

Remember Sam, use anger or anger

uses you. You cannot see your

reflection...

SAM

... in boiling water! Yes, I know!

I know!

Sam grunts, finishing off his uncle's self help quote and

turns his body to look at Valentina.

SAM (CONT’D)

(sincerely)

I really am sorry.

INT. VALENTINA'S HOUSE - LATER

Sam walks Valentina to her door. They stop at the front porch

and Valentina tries to dismiss him.

VALENTINA

Thanks for tonight.

SAM

My pleasure.

She waits for him to walk off. Seeing he isn't budging, she

unlocks her door and steps a foot inside. Sam tries to come

in after her and they do an awkward shuffle back and forth.

Finally, she makes her way inside and shuts the door behind

her with him on the other side of it.

She sighs in relief and takes off her heels when the doorbell

RINGS. She opens the door ready to swear off Sam but sees his

uncle standing there instead. He lets himself in.

PAUL

I'm sorry for Sam's behavior

tonight, he's still learning to

pace his Red Bull.

VALENTINA

Yeah that... makes sense.26.

PAUL

But, he is a good guy. So please,

let him down gently.

VALENTINA

Uh yeah, I was just thinking about

gradually ghosting him over the

course of the next few days.

In the distance we hear Sam's voice cut through.

SAM

Uncle? Have you gone?

PAUL

Take care.

Paul lifts off his cowboy hat as a sign of respect and is out

the door. Exhausted, Valentina walks over to her couch and

turns on the TV back to Dax's standup special. The doorbell

RINGS again.

VALENTINA

You've got to be kidding.

She walks to her door and swings it open.

VALENTINA (CONT’D)

WHAT.

It's Ben. He stands in sweatpants and a hoodie. He lifts his

hands in the air, innocently.

BEN

My bad...

VALENTINA

Sorry.

(then)

WHAT.

BEN

I saw you talking to an old man and

thought I'd check up on you. You

know much I hate waking up to amber

alerts.

(looks at TV)

I haven't seen this one yet.

He lets himself inside and spreads on the couch comfortably.

Valentina closes the door and reluctantly joins him on the

other side of the couch. He laughs at something Dax says.27.

VALENTINA

Isn't it strange how we both grew

up watching the same things yet we

turned out so different?

BEN

Yeah. I'm actually funny and

effortlessly sexy and you're drawn

to people like us.

Ben's prestige composure he usually carries himself with is

completely out the window.

BEN (CONT’D)

I saw my Father today.

Valentina jerks her head at him, shocked. She grabs his right

hand and inspects it.

VALENTINA

Why isn't this broken?

Ben laughs.

BEN

Because I didn't hurt him.

VALENTINA

You're telling me you saw your dad

for the first time since he

abandoned you as a small child

leaving you with a million daddy

issues- no offense- and you didn't

beat him up?

Ben makes a face at this.

BEN

I was going to, I wanted to, but

when I got there... I just

couldn't.

VALENTINA

So... are you going to talk to him

again?

Ben thinks for a while.

BEN

All I know is before I saw my Dad

today, forgiveness seemed

impossible. But now I'm not so

sure.28.

Silence follows. We can hear Dax in the back.

BEN (CONT’D)

You did good today.

Valentina scoffs at this.

BEN (CONT’D)

Really. We need someone around to

break some barriers.

They go back to watching Dax.

END OF EPISODE