Sides for Lisa, Chuck, Charlie, Zoey, Gemini Casting Call, April 15th, 2009, Downtown Lansing Library Auditorium

Charlie looks up at Lisa. He’s finally dialed in, but rubbing his head.

CHARLIE
It’s not your cooking. And nobody
Loves meatloaf.

Chuck watches Zoey shovel some more meatloaf mostly in her mouth.

CHUCK
I don’t know, I think Zoey loves
meatloaf.

LISA
(to Charlie)
It’s your head again, isn’t it?
Did you take your pills today?

CHARLIE
Of course.

CHUCK
(turns to Charlie, concerned)
What’s been going on with your
Head? Have you NOT been taking
Your pills?

CHARLIE
No, Dad, I’ve been taking my pills.

CHUCK
Son, with your family history, you
Can’t forget-

CHARLIE
I’m taking my pills!
I’ve been taking my damn pills
Everyday for 25 years, I’m not
Gonna forget!

ZOEY
Awww...Daddy said, “damn!”

LISA
Charlie...

CHUCK
No, Lisa, it’s fine.

LISA
Honey, you’re Dad’s just concerned-

CHARLIE
I know, I’m...I’m sorry, Dad.

CHUCK
I know...it’s okay.

CHARLIE
No it’s not, I shouldn’t’ve
Snapped. It’s just that I can’t
Even piss in the morning if I haven’t
Taken those pills, I’m so trained.

ZOEY
Awww...Daddy said, “piss!”

LISA
Zoey.

CHUCK
So what’s going on with your head?

CHARLIE
Nothing, I’m fine.

LISA
(sighing)
He’s been having headaches for the
Last six months or so. And drifting
Off like he just did.

CHARLIE
I’ve just been stressed out about
Finding a job.

LISA
Something will come up, you’re a pencil
Pushing stud. We have time.

CHARLIE
It just doesn’t feel right being at
Home all day.

LISA
You identify yourself too much with
Work, honey. Think of it as a well-
Deserved vacation.

CHUCK
Maybe you should up your dosage.

Charlie and Lisa look at Chuck.

CHARLIE
It’s not that.

LISA
Did his mom ever have to up her
Dosage? Or his brother?

CHARLIE
Leese, let’s not talk about this,
Today of all days!

CHUCK
It’s okay, your mom’s stroke
Is relevant-

CHARLIE
(exploding)
Jesus! She died today! And I barely
Knew her, so let’s not maybe dwell
On what killed her tonight! And I’m
Not my brother! How many times do I
Gotta say that?!

A beat. Everyone’s a little shocked.

ZOEY
Awww...Daddy said, “Jesus.”

They look at Zoey. They start to chuckle.

CHARLIE
(to Zoey)
Yeah, he sure did. I’m sorry, honey.

ZOEY
It’s okay. I forgive you.

CHARLIE
(smiling)
Thanks. And stop tattling.
Especially on Daddy. On Mommy’s
Okay.

Zoey smiles.

LISA
He’s joking.

CHUCK
Charlie...I just want you to be okay.
You’re all I have left. Believe me,
If I could make us both just forget
The Past, I would.

Chuck stares off into the past.

CHUCK
I can’t describe how...horrible...
it was finding your Mother dead.

3. FLASHBACK

Quick, almost surreal shots. A YOUNGER CHUCK in a police uniform walks in the front door and sees his wife’s legs on the kitchen floor. He hurries around the corner, his face full of horror.

Cut to him cradling his wife’s head, sobbing.

4. END FLASHBACK

CHUCK
And then watching your
Brother...deteriorate...with the
Insomnia and the migraines...and
Then the...acting out...and
Mental breakdowns.

5. FLASHBACK

Quick, surreal shots again. A scared little boy in pajamas, JIMMY, runs up to YOUNGER CHUCK while he’s watching TV in a daze. Jimmy’s nose is bleeding badly, all over his pj’s.

6. Cut to YOUNGER CHUCK opening a bedroom door at night and seeing a child’s room in shambles, everything destroyed. Jimmy, again bleeding from his nose, sit’s among the debris, holding and pounding his head.

7. Cut to Jimmy, again bleeding from his nose, fighting a little boy and little girl on a sidewalk, everyone dressed for school.

8. Cut to YOUNGER CHUCK finding Jimmy in the kitchen sitting in a puddle of blood, a knife in his hand and a gash on his arm.

9. END FLASHBACK

CHUCK
If you’re having problems
With your head, it could be very
Serious. You share the same body
As your twin brother, you’re gonna
Have the same issues.

CHARLIE
I know, Dad, but I’m not him. I
Always took the medication. For
Some reason, god knows why, he didn’t.
And then before anyone realized it,
he went and...he was gone. I’ve
heard the story.

Chuck’s eyes drop.

CHUCK
I know you have. And I’m sorry.

CHARLIE
I’m not my brother. Honestly, we
were so young when he left, I barely remember him.
(with a laugh)
I barely remember my own twin brother.

Lisa reaches out and holds his hand. Chuck swallows hard.

ZOEY
My friend Arianna has sisters
Who are twins. They’re kinda creepy.
When we play house, we make them the
Maids.

Charlie and Lisa fail to stifle a laugh. Chuck half smiles.

10. INT. DOORWAY – LATER

The family says goodbye, hugging and whatnot, as Chuck leaves.

CHUCK
Well, thanks for having me again,
I know it’s not the most joyful
Anniversary.

LISA
Don’t be silly, Dad.

CHUCK
Next year we’ll do it at my place.

LISA
Dad, stop. This is still
Your place. We can’t thank you
Enough for letting us have it.

CHUCK
A family needs a house,
I don’t anymore.

CHARLIE
When the market’s better, it’ll sell.

CHUCK
Nonsense, it’s your’s. My police
Pension is more than enough for me.

CHARLIE
Yeah, yeah, I’m paying you back, Dad.

CHUCK
I don’t need money, and I don’t need
Thanks, I just need to know you’re okay
and taken care of. And Lisa’s Cooking
once in a while.

LISA
I promise next time, no meatloaf.

CHUCK
I love your meatloaf.

LISA
You’re a terrible liar.

Chuck gives Zoey a hug.