Melaleuca (2026) Movie Script
(WATER SPLASHES)
()
There is no one you need to be.
There is nothing you should be doing.
There is nowhere you need to go.
()
You are in a state of arrival.
The destination.
()
You are not lost.
You are not lost.
You are not...
()
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(ROCKING CHAIR CREAKING)
(FIRE CRACKLING)
Him. Right there.
- This guy?
- PATRICK: Mmhmm.
Takes your black piece. King me.
(ROCKING CHAIR CREAKING CONTINUES)
You know, you take out that back wall,
extend it 20 feet, open up the kitchen,
you get the marble top
island, high back stools.
Just one bathroom here?
- Yeah, just the one.
- Yeah, I figured.
Add an en-suite, lose
the Jesus fan club shit,
and yeah, you might
have had something here.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(WOMAN SIGHS)
I should probably check on her.
Oh, no, none of that
says, "Hey, let's chat."
What the hell is happening?
This is like actually insane.
Yeah, I never took you as
being so wet behind the ears, doc.
What the hell does that mean?
Well, I always thought it meant nave,
but I guess in this context it could al...
No! I know the expression,
but in... in what way am I being nave?
That I didn't predict the
end of the fucking world?
Hey, hey, I get it, man.
I just guess I kind of
saw it coming, you know?
So I don't really feel like I was caught
with one foot off the curb.
Now, look, I know you
have a lot to process,
but as far as you and I are concerned,
this arrangement right now is untenable.
We need to talk next steps.
You're not gonna kill me, right?
()
WOMAN 1: (VOICE OVER) It
was said that she was unique once,
an achiever, though lately more often
described as a pariah, an outcast.
Like the melaleuca tree, she was perceived
as an invasive species, a
thing that didn't belong to...
Wait, don't pariah and
outcast mean the same thing?
(PHONE RINGING)
- Hey, girl!
- CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Misha.
How's it going?
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) I've been calling.
- Oh, you did?
- CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Yes.
I'm like horrified to check my voicemail.
It gives me total anxiety, you know?
Did you email me?
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Many times.
Jesus, fuck. What day is it?
I've like been totally immersed in writing.
I lost track.
MISHA: No, yeah, it...
It's coming along great.
Yeah, it's um, expanded.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Expanded?
MISHA: Its scope is wider.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Huh.
MISHA: But it... it's still
in the same story vein.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) So first looks?
MISHA: For sure.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Second
book, Misha. Everyone's waiting.
MISHA: Yeah, I... I know.
I know it's a bit behind.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) A lot.
MISHA: Okay, yeah. A bit. A lot behind.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) We've
given you a sizable advance, Misha.
MISHA: Of course.
MISHA: No, you're right.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Two weeks.
MISHA: Two weeks?
For the first four?
Five chapters.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Is that doable?
Yeah. Yeah. No, totally, you got it.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Great. Can't wait.
Okay. Bye, girl.
(DROPS PHONE)
(DEEP BREATHS)
Oh my God.
Like Christ, I wish it was lice.
At least with lice you shampoo them,
you comb through their hair,
you send 'em back out, right?
This is like forced confinement.
ROBBIE: (ON VIDEO CALL)
Who is it, man? Who's the culprit?
Tell us, come on.
They just send a blanket
email saying a kid that's
in the same homeroom
as your kid has tested
positive, yada, yada, yada.
It's bullshit.
(BABY CRYING)
JAMIE: (ON VIDEO CALL) Knock it off!
They're fucking biting each other.
It's a new game.
Dude, you don't know how
good you have it, you know?
Wait until they start
talking back, you know?
They get boners.
You pulled ahead in the
smart department, you know?
Doctor, hot wife, no kids.
Well, yeah, how's that
going, the kids thing?
(SLURPS DRINK)
JAMIE: (ON VIDEO CALL) Whoa, who
picked mango stout? Fucking horrible.
WOMAN 2: (ON TV) Oh,
really? That's wonderful news.
WOMAN 3: (ON TV) Girl, did you...
MAN 1: We uh... we talked about it.
It's... it's... it's... it's taking shape.
ROBBIE: (ON VIDEO CALL)
What the fuck does that mean?
MAN 1: She's in the
middle of writing a novel
and it's going good.
So we just decided
it's not the best time for us is all.
We? We? Jay, are you hearing this?
Watoosh!
That is so sad. So sad.
The juice in those berries
doesn't stay fresh forever, man.
(JAMIE CHUCKLES)
JAMIE: (ON VIDEO CALL) Yeah,
you don't want to be that old dad,
at the kiddie pool.
(CHUCKLES)
MAN 1: Hey, Tux.
JAMIE: (ON VIDEO CALL) What do
you want? You need to go back to bed.
Let's go! Back to bed.
I'll be right back.
Fucking Tuxley. It's like
the worst name, right?
Hey, did Jay tell you?
Mom's uh, selling the cabin.
What?
Before the uh, real
estate agent lists it, so.
Yeah, but like dad built it.
ROBBIE: (ON VIDEO CALL) Oh,
hey, look at this dipshit realtor I found.
More like king of cock country.
Anyway, I got to go take a
piss. You hold down the fort.
()
(DOOR SHUTS)
Hello?
Meesh?
(DISHES CLATTERING)
(WATER RUNNING)
So how was your day?
Fine, great.
Hey, so my mom's selling the cabin, eh?
I was thinking it might be
cool to go back one more time
before she sells.
- Back implies having been.
- MAN 1: Right.
MAN 1: (SIGHS) That's what I meant.
I'm... I'd love for you to see
the place before it's gone.
It sort of feels like an
afterthought for Beverly
to invite me now.
MAN 1: Mom won't be
there. It'll just be you and me.
What do you think?
A little romantic working holiday?
Might be good for you,
too. Get out of the city.
Yeah. Sounds like something.
Chutney?
Yeah, it's uh...
What's that?
Don't know. It was in the hallway.
(RIPPING)
MAN 1: What is it?
MISHA: Ce's book.
(SIGHS)
"First edition of my third novel.
Can't wait for us to be book
touring the world together.
Forever and always, fuck the d-bags
from creative writing. Love, Cece."
Okay, yeah. Fuck it. Let's go.
Awesome.
I can clear my schedule next month.
No, let's go now, tonight.
What?
I have surgeries booked.
Can't you tell Joy that...
That something came up
with your mom and we have to leave town
for a bit to help out?
Come on. Let's be spontaneous.
Let's put our knees before the knees
of everyone else.
What about your deadline?
MISHA: There's power. I
can work from there, right?
Hi, mom.
Hi, mom!(CAR DOOR SLAMS SHUT)
Ah, You're on my leg.
Um, I missed you, obviously.
Um, I just wanted to call to say Arn and I
are gonna go out of town for a bit
and he thinks there won't be
much in the way of reception.
No, there isn't.
Everything's good. Talk soon.
(CAR DRIVING PAST)
()
(GROANS)
()
(SIGHS)
Right. So it's a shithole.
(FOOTSTEPS)
(PAPER CRACKING)
(MUNCHES)
Sour Patch. Jelly Beans.
Ha-ha! Gutbusterz!
I haven't seen these in...
Dotte, the place hasn't changed a bit!
MAN 2: (ON RADIO)
Those first cases in Toronto...
What's that?
ARN: I said the place is
exactly as I remember it, as a kid.
Yippee.
I used to come here all the time.
Me and my brothers. Uh, Beverly's boys?
You're the one who
pissed at my ice machine!
No! No.
I was the one they locked in there.
(DELL COUGHS)
DOTTE: That it?
That's what they had.
Oh, jeez.
(CHUCKLES)
Oh, also, very random question,
but I found an old typewriter
and the ribbon's dried up.
(TYPEWRITER BELL RINGS)
(TYPING)
MISHA: (VOICE OVER) She was, it
turned out, nothing like the fucking tree.
In fact, she was just a
woman. A very stupid woman
who'd forgotten the time-worn,
if a little overused parable,
wherever the fuck you go, there you are.
(TIPS)
(FLICKS SHEET)
(COUGHS)
Fuck.
Yep. Yep. There you
go, a typewriter ribbon.
Huh.
DELL: We used to have a guy, writer type,
used to come in here
every morning for a coffee
and a crossword, you know, right at the end
of the counter there.
And he'd go on and on
about how he'd write things
in longhand, you know?
And then he'd complain
because they made him switch
to typing, yeah.
So now he has to go to the town
and get his ribbon and all that.
He keeps whining.
So finally, I get some for him, you know?
And damned if he doesn't
punch his ticket that same week.
(SCOFFS)
Jeez. Freaky.
Yeah. Cancer. Yeah.
They took out his bladder,
but he couldn't stand the indignity
of pissing in a bag. So
he blew his brains out.
(LAUGHS)
Yeah. Yeah, he did.
You have a nice day.
()
(DOOR OPENS)
- Morning!
- Morning.
ARN: Ready for the tour?
I think I took it already.
And?
It's cute.
I told you, it's a fixer-upper.
So you want to go whack some nails?
Um, I'm sort of on the
clock, so I should probably
get back to it.
()
(LEAVES RUSTLING)
(SQUEAKING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(MUNCHING)
(HAMMERING)
(BANJO PLAYING)
(WOOD HITTING THE GROUND)
(LEAVES CRUNCHING)
(VACUUM WHIRRING)
()
Still can't believe mom
is selling this place.
Oh yeah, by the way, can you stop calling
both our moms, mom?
It makes it sound like
we're siblings who fuck.
Oh, come on! You know what I mean.
Yeah, I know what you mean,
but you know what I mean.
Let's not be those people.
15 for two.
I just loved, love this place.
Figured it'd be kept in the family.
You know, passed down
to me, Jamie, and Robbie.
Our future kids?
(FIRE CRACKLING)
Go.
15-2, 15-4, and a run of three is seven.
You don't have to count
your hand out loud, you know.
Well, that's how I was taught,
so that I don't miss any points.
ARN: Except you did.
Your jack is the same suite as the cut.
Ugh, ugh, I hate that stupid rule.
What are you doing?
You missed the point and I caught it.
It's called, "muggins".
Yeah, I know it's called, "muggins".
Nobody plays that way.
If you were in a crib tournament,
that's the way, everybody would be playing.
I would kill myself from embarrassment.
I didn't make up the rule.
So, don't follow it.
Okay.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
You wanna read?
No, I'm tired.
()
You don't think your mother
wants you to succeed?
I don't think she'd equate
attention with success.
You do have an audience, right?
People who care about what you have to say.
Maybe. I don't know.
Maybe she's right. Maybe I fluked it.
Has she said any of this to you?
Okay. Pivot. If you weren't a writer...
I'm sorry, did you just say pivot?
If you weren't a writer or
even perceived as a writer.
How would you see yourself?
I'm not sure I understand the question.
Well, I think that's worth thinking about.
Have you tried the meditation app yet?
Um, no. I haven't had time.
THERAPIST: (ON VIDEO CALL) We make
time for things that we care about, Misha.
Keep putting the work in.
And remember, there's
nothing you need to be.
(WAVES CRASHING)
(HAMMOCK CREAKING)
MAN 3: (ON EARPHONES)
You are in a state of arrival.
The destination is wherever you are.
Your existence is distinct.
(CROWS CAWING)
(GUNSHOT)
Well, that answers that.
Answers what?
Does ammo expire.
I don't remember you asking that.
This is nuts to me. How
did Hemingway do this?
Pull the trigger with his toes?
Hey, don't do that!
What? It's not loaded!
(CLICKS GUN)
I'm sorry. It's how my dad taught me.
The second you don't respect this thing...
So this time.
(COCKS GUN)
Butt it up against your shoulder.
Blade your body.
Line up the dot between the two sites.
MISHA: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I've seen enough Mark Wahlberg movies.
Hold your breath. Buck your rectum.
Squeeze the trigger.
(GUNSHOT)
- Fuck!
- Here, let me see.
(COCKS GUN)
So, I butt it up right
here. Just kind of plug it
into my shoulder, right below the clavicle.
Now, when you go to squeeze the trigger,
your nervous system is primed to the hilt.
Your adrenaline's pumping.
'Cause you know there's gonna be a bang.
But just stay steady, solid and...
(GUNSHOT)
Surgical.
(COCKS GUN)
Here, try again.
(SIGHS)
Question.
If you lost your medical license tomorrow,
what would you do?
What? That would be devastating.
For what?
I don't know, malpractice.
You cut off the wrong leg or something.
(GUNSHOT)
That's not how it works.
An amputation is an extremely planned...
Yeah, okay, I know.
It's just a hypothetical.
Well, we'd talk.
And we'd figure out what my options are.
Whether I could appeal it or...
No, no, no, no, you're not getting it.
Okay.
What are you doing?(COCKS GUN)
You get up, you make
a coffee, and you go to...
Insert answer here.
(GUNSHOT)
(COCKS GUN)
I don't know.
I think I'd still be helping
people in some capacity.
Because it makes you happy?
ARN: Yeah.
I guess in a roundabout way it does.
Gives me a sense of purpose.
Purpose?
(GUNSHOT)
- (CAN RATTLES)
()
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
No, no.
Oh, come on, man.
I love this shirt.
Misha!
What do you know?
Uh, you're gonna have to be more specific.
How bad is it?
About five days ago.
I come up to Harbor's Inlet for a showing.
It's a nice place, half cab, three bed.
Asking is a bit high, but you know,
they seem motivated.
Except, they never show.
So there I am.
And I get a news alert.
And another, and another.
So I call my assistant to figure out
what the fuck is going on, and...
(SIGHS)
So? What did they say?
Well, what's in it for me?
You're our prisoner!
Hm, in a way.
()
(BANJO PLAYING)
Is that your to-read pile?
Already read.
I should probably check in with work
and mom, and... and your mom.
(BOOK THUDS)
Um, everything okay?
Its... it's just, it's really fucking good.
It's fucking. Wow, Jesus.
Do you need...
Like, with a title like that,
it's primed to be pure masturbatory tripe.
Do you want to sit down maybe?
I always thought Cece
was full of shit, you know?
Like, like being a
writer was an affectation.
(LAUGHS)
What is it? What's that shit they say
about... about people in glass houses?
Sit. I'll get you some water, just breathe.
(MISHA SIGHS)
ARN: You okay?
What Cece does has
nothing to do with you, okay?
It's not a competition.
(GRUNTS)
Hey, do you want some good news?
(KEYS JINGLE)
ARN: I'm gonna tell
mom not to list the cabin,
because I'm buying it for us.
Why?
Why what?
Why would you do that?
I thought you liked it here.
I... I love this place
and I want us to have it.
I want our kids to have
it, it's the next step.
What kids?
So, what you told me last year...
I said I might be ready in a year.
Who in their right mind would bring a kid
into the world right now?
Then when?
Then when what?
ARN: When are you gonna be ready?
Look, I know you're focused
on your career, but people manage
to have careers and kids.
- They do.
- Yeah, men do.
Look, all I'm saying is,
maybe there won't ever
be a time when the stars align.
I'm ready, you know I am.
This could be really good for us.
I don't want to be that couple
that has kids to save their marriage.
(FOOTSTEPS)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
I'm going into town, do you want anything?
You mumble when you sleep, Meesh.
Told my mom I'd check in.
Okay.
(DOOR CLOSES SHUT)
()
(WINGS FLAPPING)
(PANTING)
(LEAVES RUSTLING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(GRUNTS)
- (GLASS BREAKS)
(SCREAMS)
(GRUNTS, GROANS)
(DOOR CLOSES SHUT)
(KNOCKING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(DOOR SWINGS OPEN)
(ARN SHRIEKS)
You got three seconds
to turn your ass around
or I'll paint my porch with it!
(SPITS) -D... don't, don't shoot!
You're here to raid our supplies!
What are you talking about?
You think because Dell's laid off
I'm a pushover?
We met in desert storm, you shit!
We fucked with Saddam!
I was here a few days ago, the candy guy!
Please I can help!
Who do you think you are, Jesus Christ?
I'm a doctor, if he's... if he's sick,
I can... I can look at him
(LAUGHS)
The only help for Dell's a quick death,
Lord knows I can't do it.
Please. Let me try.
(DOOR CREAKS)
Don't you come around
here no more, candy man.
(CAR DOOR SHUTS)
()
Hello?
()
(SIGHS)
(TWIG SNAPS)
(CHUCKLES, SIGHS)
(PANTING)
What the fuck. She's
outta her fucking mind.
(PANTING)
(PHONE RINGS)
Oh God.
(PHONE CONTINUES TO RING)
ARNOLD: Hello.
BEVERLY: (ON PHONE)
Arn... are you Arnold? Arn?
Mom? Mom. Mom.
BEVERLY: (ON PHONE)
Arnold! You're alive! Are you sick?
Where have you been?
Why didn't you call me?
I have been praying nonstop that you,
you know your brothers are here.
Where are you right now?
Mom. Slow down.
Just... just tell me what's happened.
BEVERLY: (ON PHONE) Tuxley, put that down!
Everything's gonna be fine, sweetie.
We're going down to the
bunker for a year to be safe.
Just like Noah's Ark.
When can you get here?
What... what... what bunker?
BEVERLY: (ON PHONE) The bunker, Arnold.
The one Pastor Dan built
in the church basement.
Remember the bake sale
that we put on to raise funds?
I made those snicker doodles. The bunker.
Are we sure that's necessary?
Wait, are we sure that's necessary?
BEVERLY: (ON PHONE) Jamie,
will you get your son off that?
Robbie, here talk to your brother.
Okay.
ROBBIE: (ON PHONE) What's
up, dipshit? Where the fuck are you?
Robbie, Robbie,
things aren't really that bad, right?
Mom's just overreacting.
O... okay. Okay. Okay.
Look, I'm already a
little bit freaked out here.
You guys are just messing with me.
Right? Right?
Listen, get here before Wednesday
when they seal it up, okay?
Robbie, Robbie, wait.
ROBBIE: (ON PHONE) And
avoid contact with anyone.
Wait, just, hang on.
ROBBIE: (ON PHONE) I
mean it. Don't trust anybody.
Oh! One more thing.
Whatever you do, don't...
What? What? Robbie? Robbie? Robbie?
(PHONE CHIMES)
()
(TYPEWRITER TYPING)
One second. Oh my God.
(GROANS)
Okay, just. Actual craziness.
Huh?
And I had this surreal soul session
with a fawn or doe and we locked eyes
and I just feel like, I get it.
I... I... I don't know how to describe it.
It's... it's beyond words,
but I just feel like I can't stop.
Is that... do you mind?
Okay.
Oh, hey, um...
I just want you to know
that I didn't forget about last night.
And we can talk about it soon. I mean that.
But I'm just finally out
of my goddamn head,
and I'm sort of on a tear,
so I don't wanna lose it,
you know?
Yeah, yeah.
Go. I'll be here.
(KISSES, SIGHS)
(TYPEWRITER TYPING CONTINUES)
Fuck. What the fuck are you doing?
Fuck are you doing? She's
happy. She's on a tear.
Yeah, yeah, maybe we...
We could just stay out here.
(GIGGLES)
ARNOLD: Oh fuck.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
MISHA: (VOICE OVER) But
there was always the exit ramp
for if things ever got sticky, too real,
she could fall back
on his, except that door
was closed now.
There was only the leap
into the great unknowable.
"There is no future. No past."
She said.
She didn't need to know
where it was all going,
and for once... You fucking kidding me.
(VOICE OVER) That didn't scare her.
(LAWNMOWER RUMBLING)
Hey, Arnold!
(INDISTINCT SPEECH)
MISHA: Yeah? Cool.
(LAWNMOWER RUMBLING CONTINUES)
(ALARM RINGS)
Misha?
MISHA: One second.
- Hey.
- Hey.
We have to talk.
Okay, yeah. Oh, your tea's ready.
Um, okay, I have something to say
and I... I don't know if it's
gonna make any sense.
- Okay, keep up the, uh.
- Yeah, yeah, okay.
(CHUCKLES)
- (SLURPS DRINK)
(GULPS)
(MISHA LAUGHS)
(GRUNTS)
Are you gonna eat it?
Ugh, what?
Suit yourself.
Wait.
Ooh, fuck, that's good.
Sorry. Was that shrooms?
MISHA: Yup. You got it.
Are you on mushrooms right now?
Um, I am currently beginning to peak.
So yeah, that is a correct fact.
Oh, I was gonna wait
for you to finish mowing,
but then, I...
Feels good, right?
Seriously though.
Like this fucking cabin,
I can really see us here.
Like this is ours.
Oh.
(FIRE CRACKLING)
MISHA: No, no, no, no,
you're not getting it, okay.
The game is to make
up a flavor that doesn't...
It shouldn't exist.
Like um
ketchup, banana.
(CHUCKLES)
Okay, got it.
Sriracha marshmallow.
That's the money.
(MISHA LAUGHS)
MISHA: How are you eating right now?
I can't even swallow my own spit.
You know, I wrote like 20 pages today.
I can't wait to give it to Candice.
So she can cram it in her cram hole
and shut up, 'cause I'm Misha fucking Dias.
And they're gonna put on a book tour,
and I'm gonna do book readings.
Lemon meringue hummus. Yeah.
(MISHA LAUGHS)
Oh, I thought they were
ants. But it's just stubble.
Oh, but they are moving, just so you know.
When are you back at the hospital?
- Where?
- Work.
Work.
When... when are you...
Oh God. The hospital.
All the people.
I have to help them.
You're essential, babe.
Without you the world spirals out.
No days off.
Essential.
Non-essential. 'Bout says it.
()
Hey.
Hey, yo, what's up?
You're up early.
It's past 11:00.
Oh.
How's your head?
Oh, not great.
Yeah, mushrooms and a dozen oranges
will do that.
You need something?
You look busy, I'll um...
Come find me when you're done?
Yeah, just wrapping up.
Oh, wait, I boiled some eggs if you want.
Okay.
(DOOR CREAKS, SHUTS)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(KEYS JANGLING)
Oh! Hey.
- Hey.
- How's it coming?
Great, actually.
I wanted to see if we needed anything.
Oh, you need something from town?
I'll go!
Actually, I... I need to
talk to the old mums,
face to face.
Can it wait?
Not really.
Remember that deer I told you about?
Uh-huh. Yeah. You saw a deer.
So I think I know what's blocking me.
You know, it's like, I didn't think
my voice mattered, but
I was making excuses.
You got all that from a deer?
Sure. Why not?
It's like a deer doesn't ask itself.
"Am I doing this right?
Am I being the best deer I can be?"
It just fucking does. Just knows.
I don't see what all that
has to do with your mom.
Well, see I've been
projecting, using her as a proxy
to like break me down.
Tell me I can't do it.
But that's not her voice in my head.
It's mine.
Anyways, it's put up this wall between us
and I just want to tell her, we're okay.
Also, I got to get these pages to Candice,
so she can stop blowing
steam out of her cartoon cat ears.
Hey, Misha. Listen, uh, look,
I uh, love that you've experienced clarity
out here or whatever, but
uh, you... you can't go back.
(SCREAMS)
- What the fuck, Arnold!
- ARNOLD: Ah!
Okay. I'm gonna...
ARNOLD: Don't touch it,
don't touch it. Oh, I'm stuck.
Ah! Go get a saw.
- A saw, saw?
- A saw.
Hey, I'm... I'm gonna go get help.
No, no, no, it's too far.
- What about the neighbors?
- Barb and Clem?
They're just up the road, right?
Yeah, but no, wait. Wait!
Yeah, I won't be long. I won't be long.
No, Misha! Wait!
We don't know what's out
there, it could be dangerous.
(PANTING)
Hello!
Clem!
(KNOCKING)
Barb! Oh, come on.
Hello! I need help!
(GRUNTING)
(PHONE CHIMES)
I know!
(DOOR RATTLING)
Fuck. Fuck. Come on, fuck! Fuck!
Wait.
- What the hell are you doing?
- (SCREAMS) Jesus.
Okay, uh, sorry, it's an emergency.
I didn't think anyone was here.
Are you all right? Is somebody after you?
What? No. It's my husband.
He... he got his leg caught.
We... we need a saw.
You're gonna amputate his leg?
MISHA: Jesus Christ. No!
I don't know exactly...
He told me to get a saw. So
like please can I borrow one?
MAN 4: You're not infected, are you?
What?
How long you been out here for?
Honestly, man, I have
no fucking clue. A while.
Why?
I'm just renting this cabin.
I don't actually have a key to the shed.
So, come on.
(BANGS)
- Whoa, whoa.
Okay.
Okay. Let's grab a selection.
I don't know what I'm walking into here.
You're coming with?
Well, yeah, you look like
you could use some help.
You know what? Just grab whatever you need.
I'll get a bag.
So you said, you've been out here,
for a while?
What you been up to?
Um, I'm writing a book.
Oh, no shit. Hey, I'm a writer, too.
ROBBIE: (VOICE OVER) Listen get here before
Wednesday when they seal it up, okay?
Avoid contact with anyone.
I mean it, don't trust anyone.
MISHA: Arnold!
I'm back!
Don't take another step!
Whoa, whoa.
What the fuck, Arnold?
You know this guy?
He's Patrick.
Who the hell's Patrick?
So does that relic even work?
Oh, it works. Used it just the other day.
I can't believe you
pointed a loaded gun at us.
I was worried about you.
Worried, why?
How do you unload this?
(CLICKING GUN)
Uh, let... let me do
that. Don't worry about it.
Oh, actually, you might know this.
Arnold was wondering, does ammo expire?
ARNOLD: I was just kidding, Meesh.
No, you weren't you asked me...
You know, it's odd.
I've never known Clem and
Barb to rent out their cabin.
Well, you haven't been
up here for a few years.
Yeah, and with Clem's health and all,
they come out here less and less.
Holy shit. Look at that.
(CHUCKLES)
Gutbusterz. Wow!
I haven't had one of these in years.
He can't stop shoving them down his throat.
They... they still sell them
down at Dell and Dotte's.
You know the place?
Well, yeah, of course.
(CHUCKLES)
So You're a writer, huh?
I am. Yeah.
Sling and Snare, it's a
hunting and fish mag.
You ever heard of it?
No. Not my taste.
What is your deal?
Anyways, thanks for stopping by.
Yeah. Yeah, I guess I
better be getting back to it.
Thanks again for all your help.
Yeah, of course. Yeah,
good luck with your book.
Yeah, you as well. Good luck with your...
(THUDS)
What the fuck, you psycho!
- He's not who he says he is!
- Is that, 'cause I was flirting?
What do you mean he's
not who he says he is?
You were flirting with him?
So, who is he?
The King of Cottage Country.
The fuck does that mean?
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
I was going to tell you, I swear.
You're kidding, right?
This is just you with your
fucking Onion articles?
Arnold.
How are you only telling me this now?
You were just happy for
the... for the first time in,
I swear, I meant...
We have to go back. We have to go.
There's... there's nothing to go back to.
It... it's everywhere.
There is a place we can go.
(GRUNTS)
(LAUGHS)
Ah, it really takes the wind
out of your fucking sails,
doesn't it?
(LAUGHS)
()
(STATIC)
(INDISTINCT SPEECH ON RADIO)
(PHONE ALERT CHIMES)
I should probably check on her.
Oh, no, none of that
says "Hey, let's chat."
We need to talk next steps.
Next steps, um,
well, we have a place.
A safe place um, a bunker.
Damn, I thought I was a prep
per. That's legit, you build that?
No, my um, mom's pastor.
Hmm, okay. That's good.
Yeah.
Look, I know we got off to
a bit of a rocky start here,
but I'm just gonna throw this out there,
I... I think we can let bygones be bygones,
you know, you go your way and all that.
You're not gonna kill me, right?
What? No, I would never kill you.
Jeez!
(LAUGHING)
Wait, were you gonna kill us?
- Oh my God!
- Look, doc.
I want to shoot straight with you, okay?
Man to man, but we got to be able
to trust each other. Okay, you feel me?
Okay.
Okay, cards on the table.
Yeah, yeah, no, I was gonna kill you.
When I found out that you were hurt,
I was gonna follow her
back, take care of you,
and then you know,
figure shit out with her.
She's a decent-looking girl.
She's got some
childbearing years left in her.
Seriously?
But why kill me, for God's sake?
Why not help me? I'm a... I'm a doctor.
We could band together like logically...
PATRICK: Band together?
Would you listen to yourself, man?
You know who fucks people over? People.
You know who stabs people in the back?
People.
You know who drags people's
name through the mud on Twitter
after a messy divorce?
My fucking bitch of an ex-wife Janine.
That's who. Who apparently is people.
At the end of the day, people
look out for numero uno.
So what, I'm the asshole now
for beating them to the punch?
For murdering people? Um, yeah.
- Oh.
- You kind of are.
And... and what's the point of it all,
to be the last man standing? Then what?
Oh, I never said that.
Then what are you saying?
You know on airplanes,
how they say to put your mask
on before you help someone else?
That it?
What the hell are you talking about?
PATRICK: I'm the investment
of the human race, doc.
To get to the other side of this thing.
Now, I know for a fucking
fact that I don't shoot blanks.
Now I got to protect that
investment and outlast this way.
So it's that whole,
"Let's all band together
and do our part", beta cock bullshit
that's gonna dilute the
future of the species.
Not everyone is meant to survive.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
ARNOLD: Did you get a hold of her?
I spoke to my Aunt Rosa,
my mom died yesterday.
Rosa's sick.
I don't think she's gonna make it.
Why didn't you tell me?
Don't give me that "You
looked so happy" horseshit.
I... I was scared.
I didn't want to lose you.
But that's not you.
You look at a problem
and you find a solution.
I'm the one that's
supposed to hide from reality.
Can't be both of us.
I'm sorry.
You robbed me of my chance to say goodbye.
You took that from me.
The cities are fucked.
There's nothing to go back to.
There's a place.
I heard.
Where are you off to in such a hurry?
I gotta make a phone call.
We're gonna be leaving shortly.
Aw, but we were just getting
to know each other. Shucks.
(FIRE CRACKLING)
(CREAKS)
(MANUSCRIPT THUDS IN FIREPLACE)
That bad, huh?
You smoke?
I do.
(SNIFFS, CLEARS THROAT)
(LIGHTER FLICKS)
You mind?
So why'd you junk it?
Who the fuck's gonna read it?
So you... you were gonna kill him,
and fuck me, that it?
Or raise a brood of little monsters
and live happily ever after?
(CHUCKLES)
Married long?
Hmm.
How long were you planning on milking it?
Excuse me?
Well, it's obvious you don't like the guy.
Blind man galloping on a
camel could see that shit.
Now what I can't figure
out, and for the life of me,
I can't see what would have brought
you two together.
You act more like brother and sister.
Now the way I see it...
He was different than
the other guys I dated.
He was kind to me.
And I was different for him too, I guess.
Hmm. Mm-Hmm. Opposites attract.
Deadbeat hipster chick
with ambitious career man.
I see it pretty often. Beauty and the geek.
At least, those girls feign liking the guy,
they know where their
meal tickets at, but you,
you're like some wannabe princess
who's tired of having her
broken carriage strapped
to the prize pony.
And what are you?
The caveman looking for a sperm bank?
Congrats. Your worth is measured in cum.
Oh, still worth. White gold. Texas Tea.
Hooah.
Yeah, sure, we're all sad
that your little diary there
is not gonna make Oprah's book club.
Now him, I could see a use for.
Yeah, he's a bit of a pussy,
but the world needs doctors,
so I can let that slide.
What's your contribution
to this brave new world?
Hmm?
Maybe it's staying around long enough,
so that it's not run by
assholes like you again.
(LAUGHS)
Oh, you stuck up faux trophy wife bitch
who won't even spread her
legs to take one for the team.
The world doesn't need you.
Never did.
()
There is nothing you should be doing.
There's nowhere you need to go.
MAN 3: (ON EARPHONES)
You are in a state of arrival.
The destination is wherever you are.
You are in a state of arrival.
Destination.
MAN 3: (ON EARPHONES) You are not lost.
Your existence is distinct. Singular.
You are not lost.
You are not lost.
You are not.
(SIGHS)
You are.
I am.
(CAR PULLS UP)
(CAR DOOR SHUTS)
ARNOLD: Meesh? You okay?
Uh-huh.
ARNOLD: Got a hold of mom.
Of course, you did.
I... I told her that we're on our way
that we'd be there and...
I'm not going.
Look, I get it. It's not ideal.
I know my mom is not
your favorite person...
It's not that.
Then what? Stay here.
I think you should go.
I'm not leaving you here. Listen...
There's nothing there for me.
There are still people,
survivors, that we can help.
You can, should.
There's still hope. We
just have to push through.
You're gonna make me say it.
I want you to go.
It's okay.
I want for once in my life
to feel some sense of control.
That I go out on my terms.
Maybe you have hope for the future.
But I don't, not mine anyway.
(MISHA SNIFFLES)
I've been fighting and fighting
to make my life mean something
and maybe this is I don't know, a sign
to just fucking stop.
But I love you.
I know. I do.
I'm sorry, that's just not enough for me.
(SNORING)
()
So what's the prognosis here, doc?
Are we saying our fond farewells?
I'm taking you with me.
What do you mean?
What do you mean like back to the city?
Well, I can't leave you
here with her now, can I?
Oh, what the fuck, baby dick?
Who's calling the shots around here?
I'm not gonna force her to come with me
- against her will.
- Oh, but you'll force me?
That's different. You're my prisoner.
And you're her prisoner.
Oh, you don't know anything about it.
Yeah, but we had a fucking deal!
You think I wanted this?
I'm losing my wife! Fuck our deal!
Oh, you sad cow-eyed little bitch.
One of the last men on Earth,
and she'd rather be alone than with you.
(GRUNTS)
(LAUGHS)
Ah, you classic beta cock pussy!
Pussy.
(PATRICK MAKES SMOOCHING NOISES)
PATRICK: Here, pussy, pussy, pussy.
()
PATRICK: Tell him to let me go.
Why are you asking me?
Because you got his nuts in your purse.
Why is it that every man
who meets a strong woman
assumes she's a ball breaker?
I mean, you see yourself
as strong, do you? Hmm?
(SCOFFS)
Anyways, I don't want you here.
So fuck off, and be someone else's problem.
This is my territory
Okay? I fought for this.
I earned this.
You know, this whole
king of the hill shtick,
it's sad, man.
Okay? Nobody needs you.
Yeah.
You said that already.
Don't you fucking...
(GRUNTS)
ARNOLD: Got him? Fuck.
Now I know why serial
killers chop these up.
(GRUNTING)
- Ready?
- Uh-huh. Yeah.
(GRUNTS)
Ready means go.
Ready means ready. Go means go.
Ready, set, go.
MISHA: This isn't a fucking
high school track meet.
Okay, whatever, let's do it your way.
On three.
Ready, set, go.
(GRUNTING)
(TRUNK CLOSES)
MISHA: Please, don't.
We don't all have to make it.
I made a commitment to
you, till death do us part.
Why were you even with me?
What? I love you.
No, why did you stay with me?
What did you get out of it?
Because you looked at me.
You made me feel strong.
Like I can... I can do anything.
You could do anything, Arn. I can't.
I don't know if I can, Meesh.
(SOBBING)
Yeah, you can.
You're Arnold fucking Schmidt-Mueller.
I hope you'll stick around.
The world is better with you in it.
()
Good luck, Arn.
Arnold?
(GUNSHOT)
Run!
(GUN COCKS)
What do we do?
(PANTING) Um, Clem
and Barb's, they have a car.
Here we go.
()
(SCREAMING)
MISHA: What a fucking maniac!
ARNOLD: Keys? Keys?
Maybe they're on her.
Right.
- Check!
- Why me?
- You're a doctor.
- So?
So you're not afraid of blood!
(BOTH PANTING)
Uh.
(SHUSHES)
He's coming.
PATRICK: Hey, kids.
What are we playing, huh?
Hide and go seek? Marco Polo?
There.
No, he'll hear.
(GRUNTS)
PATRICK: Marco.
Anybody home?
(PANTING)
What the hell are we gonna do?
Okay.
(THUDDING) -MISHA: (INDISTINCT SPEECH)
(LAUGHS)
(DOOR BANGING)
I'm not leaving you here with him!
Thank Christ, I don't
wanna become a skin lamp.
Look, we got the place surrounded,
so why don't you just come
on out with your hands up?
We? What the hell is he talking about?
I don't know with this fucking guy!
(GUNSHOT)
Our best hope is to make a run for it
while it's reloading.
(LAUGHS)
Could you fuck off?
I'm trying to get one last screw in!
Yeah, well, why don't
you save a piece for me?
Hah! I don't know if
I'd feel that micro dick
after Arnold's done railing me.
You cunt!
(GUNSHOT) -What? Don't enrage him!
Oh, good idea!
(COCKS GUN)
Yeah! You've got a tiny dick!
Dude? Dig deeper!
Did your mom even feel it
when you were fucking her
in the ass?
Yeah, mom's dead. Just
like you're about to be.
(GUNSHOT)
- (SCREAMS)
Go!
(COCKS GUN)
Hey, doc?
Should've honored your word on our deal,
and gotten the fuck out of here.
Right on, Barb.
But no, no, no, you had to let
nut-vice there get to ya.
See, I keep my word.
So, you can believe me when I say.
(BREAKS DOOR)
I'm gonna kill the fuck out of you.
(LAUGHS)
(BREAKS DOOR OPEN)
Motherfucker.
(ARNOLD AND MISHA PANTING)
Fuck!
Do we have a spare?
ARNOLD: Yeah, one.
Goddammit!
Okay, new plan. New plan.
Okay. What do you got?
We can't run forever.
Oh Arn, no.
He's got no claim on this place.
My dad built it. It's ours!
That's a great idea actually,
what if he comes back
the whole thing's on fire?
- What?
Yeah, it's a solid diversion.
He'll never be expecting it.
No, no, no, no. Look, I'll figure it out.
Just... just go to the
highway. I'll take care of it.
Okay, Arnold.
I've got a plan.
()
(FIRE CRACKLING)
What the fuck?
(ROCK THUDS)
(PANTS)
(GUNSHOT)
(GRUNTING)
Fuck was the plan here, doc?
- We didn't have a ton of time.
- Yeah.
(GRUNTS)
Speaking of we, where is she?
Is she gonna pop out
and brain me with a mallet?
Or is an anvil gonna fall on my head?
You know, the two of you together
are cartoon-fucking-stupid, you know that?
(GROANS)
You win, okay?
You're the King of Cottage Country.
Isn't that what you wanted?
Yeah, I know that is what I wanted,
but then you went and
ruined my favorite shirt,
so.
(COCKS GUN)
I think you just enjoy killing.
No shit.
What do you think there might be something
wrong with me?
(EMPTY GUN CLICKS)
PATRICK: Empty?
Well, I wanted to play nice with you.
Come here.
(SCREAMS, GRUNTING)
You know, this could have
been just quick and easy, but no.
Oh?
(COCKS GUN)
PATRICK: Sure you know what you're doing?
Let me help you, sweetie.
Just breathe. It's okay.
There you go. Hold it steady. Aim.
Now squeeze the trigger.
(GUNSHOT)
(GRUNTS)
(WHIMPERS)
(COCKS GUN)
Hey? Hey, Arnold? Arnold? Arnold?
Come on, come on, come on. Oh my God.
Misha?
(GRUNTING)
Okay. Arnold, we can still get you there!
Come on! Come on, come
on. Come on, come on.
(PANTING)
ARNOLD: You're so much
stronger than you think.
MISHA: Arnold.
Stay with me.
ARNOLD: I need an ending. Tell me a story.
Uh.
Misha watched the sun go down,
at the Schmidt-Mueller family cottage.
The days get shorter this time of year.
And she worked on a garden
purged the place of Christ,
made it her own.
Even worked on the typewriter now and then.
(VOICE OVER) In those
times that she felt lost,
alone in the world,
she thought of the melaleuca tree.
An invasive species in Florida's wetlands,
unwanted, even harmful in it's displacement
of native growth.
She felt a kinship with the tree.
A species that didn't
ask to be where it was,
that was seen as a parasite
simply because it didn't belong.
And one day she left.
She didn't know where she was going.
But along the way to
nowhere, she found others.
(SNIFFLES)
And to their dismay, they didn't remember
what the world was like before.
And so she said,
"Don't worry, I wrote it all down."
(WOOD SIZZLES)
MISHA: (VOICE OVER) "But if
I could do it again", she thought,
"I wouldn't be a tree. I'd be the soil."
"Pure potential."
(WAVES CRASHING)
MISHA: (VOICE OVER) And maybe the
sense of hope that gave her would fade.
Maybe the metaphor would
sound stupid tomorrow.
But for today, it was enough.
(WAVES CRASHING)
()
There is no one you need to be.
There is nothing you should be doing.
There is nowhere you need to go.
()
You are in a state of arrival.
The destination.
()
You are not lost.
You are not lost.
You are not...
()
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(ROCKING CHAIR CREAKING)
(FIRE CRACKLING)
Him. Right there.
- This guy?
- PATRICK: Mmhmm.
Takes your black piece. King me.
(ROCKING CHAIR CREAKING CONTINUES)
You know, you take out that back wall,
extend it 20 feet, open up the kitchen,
you get the marble top
island, high back stools.
Just one bathroom here?
- Yeah, just the one.
- Yeah, I figured.
Add an en-suite, lose
the Jesus fan club shit,
and yeah, you might
have had something here.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(WOMAN SIGHS)
I should probably check on her.
Oh, no, none of that
says, "Hey, let's chat."
What the hell is happening?
This is like actually insane.
Yeah, I never took you as
being so wet behind the ears, doc.
What the hell does that mean?
Well, I always thought it meant nave,
but I guess in this context it could al...
No! I know the expression,
but in... in what way am I being nave?
That I didn't predict the
end of the fucking world?
Hey, hey, I get it, man.
I just guess I kind of
saw it coming, you know?
So I don't really feel like I was caught
with one foot off the curb.
Now, look, I know you
have a lot to process,
but as far as you and I are concerned,
this arrangement right now is untenable.
We need to talk next steps.
You're not gonna kill me, right?
()
WOMAN 1: (VOICE OVER) It
was said that she was unique once,
an achiever, though lately more often
described as a pariah, an outcast.
Like the melaleuca tree, she was perceived
as an invasive species, a
thing that didn't belong to...
Wait, don't pariah and
outcast mean the same thing?
(PHONE RINGING)
- Hey, girl!
- CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Misha.
How's it going?
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) I've been calling.
- Oh, you did?
- CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Yes.
I'm like horrified to check my voicemail.
It gives me total anxiety, you know?
Did you email me?
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Many times.
Jesus, fuck. What day is it?
I've like been totally immersed in writing.
I lost track.
MISHA: No, yeah, it...
It's coming along great.
Yeah, it's um, expanded.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Expanded?
MISHA: Its scope is wider.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Huh.
MISHA: But it... it's still
in the same story vein.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) So first looks?
MISHA: For sure.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Second
book, Misha. Everyone's waiting.
MISHA: Yeah, I... I know.
I know it's a bit behind.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) A lot.
MISHA: Okay, yeah. A bit. A lot behind.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) We've
given you a sizable advance, Misha.
MISHA: Of course.
MISHA: No, you're right.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Two weeks.
MISHA: Two weeks?
For the first four?
Five chapters.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Is that doable?
Yeah. Yeah. No, totally, you got it.
CANDICE: (ON PHONE) Great. Can't wait.
Okay. Bye, girl.
(DROPS PHONE)
(DEEP BREATHS)
Oh my God.
Like Christ, I wish it was lice.
At least with lice you shampoo them,
you comb through their hair,
you send 'em back out, right?
This is like forced confinement.
ROBBIE: (ON VIDEO CALL)
Who is it, man? Who's the culprit?
Tell us, come on.
They just send a blanket
email saying a kid that's
in the same homeroom
as your kid has tested
positive, yada, yada, yada.
It's bullshit.
(BABY CRYING)
JAMIE: (ON VIDEO CALL) Knock it off!
They're fucking biting each other.
It's a new game.
Dude, you don't know how
good you have it, you know?
Wait until they start
talking back, you know?
They get boners.
You pulled ahead in the
smart department, you know?
Doctor, hot wife, no kids.
Well, yeah, how's that
going, the kids thing?
(SLURPS DRINK)
JAMIE: (ON VIDEO CALL) Whoa, who
picked mango stout? Fucking horrible.
WOMAN 2: (ON TV) Oh,
really? That's wonderful news.
WOMAN 3: (ON TV) Girl, did you...
MAN 1: We uh... we talked about it.
It's... it's... it's... it's taking shape.
ROBBIE: (ON VIDEO CALL)
What the fuck does that mean?
MAN 1: She's in the
middle of writing a novel
and it's going good.
So we just decided
it's not the best time for us is all.
We? We? Jay, are you hearing this?
Watoosh!
That is so sad. So sad.
The juice in those berries
doesn't stay fresh forever, man.
(JAMIE CHUCKLES)
JAMIE: (ON VIDEO CALL) Yeah,
you don't want to be that old dad,
at the kiddie pool.
(CHUCKLES)
MAN 1: Hey, Tux.
JAMIE: (ON VIDEO CALL) What do
you want? You need to go back to bed.
Let's go! Back to bed.
I'll be right back.
Fucking Tuxley. It's like
the worst name, right?
Hey, did Jay tell you?
Mom's uh, selling the cabin.
What?
Before the uh, real
estate agent lists it, so.
Yeah, but like dad built it.
ROBBIE: (ON VIDEO CALL) Oh,
hey, look at this dipshit realtor I found.
More like king of cock country.
Anyway, I got to go take a
piss. You hold down the fort.
()
(DOOR SHUTS)
Hello?
Meesh?
(DISHES CLATTERING)
(WATER RUNNING)
So how was your day?
Fine, great.
Hey, so my mom's selling the cabin, eh?
I was thinking it might be
cool to go back one more time
before she sells.
- Back implies having been.
- MAN 1: Right.
MAN 1: (SIGHS) That's what I meant.
I'm... I'd love for you to see
the place before it's gone.
It sort of feels like an
afterthought for Beverly
to invite me now.
MAN 1: Mom won't be
there. It'll just be you and me.
What do you think?
A little romantic working holiday?
Might be good for you,
too. Get out of the city.
Yeah. Sounds like something.
Chutney?
Yeah, it's uh...
What's that?
Don't know. It was in the hallway.
(RIPPING)
MAN 1: What is it?
MISHA: Ce's book.
(SIGHS)
"First edition of my third novel.
Can't wait for us to be book
touring the world together.
Forever and always, fuck the d-bags
from creative writing. Love, Cece."
Okay, yeah. Fuck it. Let's go.
Awesome.
I can clear my schedule next month.
No, let's go now, tonight.
What?
I have surgeries booked.
Can't you tell Joy that...
That something came up
with your mom and we have to leave town
for a bit to help out?
Come on. Let's be spontaneous.
Let's put our knees before the knees
of everyone else.
What about your deadline?
MISHA: There's power. I
can work from there, right?
Hi, mom.
Hi, mom!(CAR DOOR SLAMS SHUT)
Ah, You're on my leg.
Um, I missed you, obviously.
Um, I just wanted to call to say Arn and I
are gonna go out of town for a bit
and he thinks there won't be
much in the way of reception.
No, there isn't.
Everything's good. Talk soon.
(CAR DRIVING PAST)
()
(GROANS)
()
(SIGHS)
Right. So it's a shithole.
(FOOTSTEPS)
(PAPER CRACKING)
(MUNCHES)
Sour Patch. Jelly Beans.
Ha-ha! Gutbusterz!
I haven't seen these in...
Dotte, the place hasn't changed a bit!
MAN 2: (ON RADIO)
Those first cases in Toronto...
What's that?
ARN: I said the place is
exactly as I remember it, as a kid.
Yippee.
I used to come here all the time.
Me and my brothers. Uh, Beverly's boys?
You're the one who
pissed at my ice machine!
No! No.
I was the one they locked in there.
(DELL COUGHS)
DOTTE: That it?
That's what they had.
Oh, jeez.
(CHUCKLES)
Oh, also, very random question,
but I found an old typewriter
and the ribbon's dried up.
(TYPEWRITER BELL RINGS)
(TYPING)
MISHA: (VOICE OVER) She was, it
turned out, nothing like the fucking tree.
In fact, she was just a
woman. A very stupid woman
who'd forgotten the time-worn,
if a little overused parable,
wherever the fuck you go, there you are.
(TIPS)
(FLICKS SHEET)
(COUGHS)
Fuck.
Yep. Yep. There you
go, a typewriter ribbon.
Huh.
DELL: We used to have a guy, writer type,
used to come in here
every morning for a coffee
and a crossword, you know, right at the end
of the counter there.
And he'd go on and on
about how he'd write things
in longhand, you know?
And then he'd complain
because they made him switch
to typing, yeah.
So now he has to go to the town
and get his ribbon and all that.
He keeps whining.
So finally, I get some for him, you know?
And damned if he doesn't
punch his ticket that same week.
(SCOFFS)
Jeez. Freaky.
Yeah. Cancer. Yeah.
They took out his bladder,
but he couldn't stand the indignity
of pissing in a bag. So
he blew his brains out.
(LAUGHS)
Yeah. Yeah, he did.
You have a nice day.
()
(DOOR OPENS)
- Morning!
- Morning.
ARN: Ready for the tour?
I think I took it already.
And?
It's cute.
I told you, it's a fixer-upper.
So you want to go whack some nails?
Um, I'm sort of on the
clock, so I should probably
get back to it.
()
(LEAVES RUSTLING)
(SQUEAKING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(MUNCHING)
(HAMMERING)
(BANJO PLAYING)
(WOOD HITTING THE GROUND)
(LEAVES CRUNCHING)
(VACUUM WHIRRING)
()
Still can't believe mom
is selling this place.
Oh yeah, by the way, can you stop calling
both our moms, mom?
It makes it sound like
we're siblings who fuck.
Oh, come on! You know what I mean.
Yeah, I know what you mean,
but you know what I mean.
Let's not be those people.
15 for two.
I just loved, love this place.
Figured it'd be kept in the family.
You know, passed down
to me, Jamie, and Robbie.
Our future kids?
(FIRE CRACKLING)
Go.
15-2, 15-4, and a run of three is seven.
You don't have to count
your hand out loud, you know.
Well, that's how I was taught,
so that I don't miss any points.
ARN: Except you did.
Your jack is the same suite as the cut.
Ugh, ugh, I hate that stupid rule.
What are you doing?
You missed the point and I caught it.
It's called, "muggins".
Yeah, I know it's called, "muggins".
Nobody plays that way.
If you were in a crib tournament,
that's the way, everybody would be playing.
I would kill myself from embarrassment.
I didn't make up the rule.
So, don't follow it.
Okay.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
You wanna read?
No, I'm tired.
()
You don't think your mother
wants you to succeed?
I don't think she'd equate
attention with success.
You do have an audience, right?
People who care about what you have to say.
Maybe. I don't know.
Maybe she's right. Maybe I fluked it.
Has she said any of this to you?
Okay. Pivot. If you weren't a writer...
I'm sorry, did you just say pivot?
If you weren't a writer or
even perceived as a writer.
How would you see yourself?
I'm not sure I understand the question.
Well, I think that's worth thinking about.
Have you tried the meditation app yet?
Um, no. I haven't had time.
THERAPIST: (ON VIDEO CALL) We make
time for things that we care about, Misha.
Keep putting the work in.
And remember, there's
nothing you need to be.
(WAVES CRASHING)
(HAMMOCK CREAKING)
MAN 3: (ON EARPHONES)
You are in a state of arrival.
The destination is wherever you are.
Your existence is distinct.
(CROWS CAWING)
(GUNSHOT)
Well, that answers that.
Answers what?
Does ammo expire.
I don't remember you asking that.
This is nuts to me. How
did Hemingway do this?
Pull the trigger with his toes?
Hey, don't do that!
What? It's not loaded!
(CLICKS GUN)
I'm sorry. It's how my dad taught me.
The second you don't respect this thing...
So this time.
(COCKS GUN)
Butt it up against your shoulder.
Blade your body.
Line up the dot between the two sites.
MISHA: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I've seen enough Mark Wahlberg movies.
Hold your breath. Buck your rectum.
Squeeze the trigger.
(GUNSHOT)
- Fuck!
- Here, let me see.
(COCKS GUN)
So, I butt it up right
here. Just kind of plug it
into my shoulder, right below the clavicle.
Now, when you go to squeeze the trigger,
your nervous system is primed to the hilt.
Your adrenaline's pumping.
'Cause you know there's gonna be a bang.
But just stay steady, solid and...
(GUNSHOT)
Surgical.
(COCKS GUN)
Here, try again.
(SIGHS)
Question.
If you lost your medical license tomorrow,
what would you do?
What? That would be devastating.
For what?
I don't know, malpractice.
You cut off the wrong leg or something.
(GUNSHOT)
That's not how it works.
An amputation is an extremely planned...
Yeah, okay, I know.
It's just a hypothetical.
Well, we'd talk.
And we'd figure out what my options are.
Whether I could appeal it or...
No, no, no, no, you're not getting it.
Okay.
What are you doing?(COCKS GUN)
You get up, you make
a coffee, and you go to...
Insert answer here.
(GUNSHOT)
(COCKS GUN)
I don't know.
I think I'd still be helping
people in some capacity.
Because it makes you happy?
ARN: Yeah.
I guess in a roundabout way it does.
Gives me a sense of purpose.
Purpose?
(GUNSHOT)
- (CAN RATTLES)
()
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
No, no.
Oh, come on, man.
I love this shirt.
Misha!
What do you know?
Uh, you're gonna have to be more specific.
How bad is it?
About five days ago.
I come up to Harbor's Inlet for a showing.
It's a nice place, half cab, three bed.
Asking is a bit high, but you know,
they seem motivated.
Except, they never show.
So there I am.
And I get a news alert.
And another, and another.
So I call my assistant to figure out
what the fuck is going on, and...
(SIGHS)
So? What did they say?
Well, what's in it for me?
You're our prisoner!
Hm, in a way.
()
(BANJO PLAYING)
Is that your to-read pile?
Already read.
I should probably check in with work
and mom, and... and your mom.
(BOOK THUDS)
Um, everything okay?
Its... it's just, it's really fucking good.
It's fucking. Wow, Jesus.
Do you need...
Like, with a title like that,
it's primed to be pure masturbatory tripe.
Do you want to sit down maybe?
I always thought Cece
was full of shit, you know?
Like, like being a
writer was an affectation.
(LAUGHS)
What is it? What's that shit they say
about... about people in glass houses?
Sit. I'll get you some water, just breathe.
(MISHA SIGHS)
ARN: You okay?
What Cece does has
nothing to do with you, okay?
It's not a competition.
(GRUNTS)
Hey, do you want some good news?
(KEYS JINGLE)
ARN: I'm gonna tell
mom not to list the cabin,
because I'm buying it for us.
Why?
Why what?
Why would you do that?
I thought you liked it here.
I... I love this place
and I want us to have it.
I want our kids to have
it, it's the next step.
What kids?
So, what you told me last year...
I said I might be ready in a year.
Who in their right mind would bring a kid
into the world right now?
Then when?
Then when what?
ARN: When are you gonna be ready?
Look, I know you're focused
on your career, but people manage
to have careers and kids.
- They do.
- Yeah, men do.
Look, all I'm saying is,
maybe there won't ever
be a time when the stars align.
I'm ready, you know I am.
This could be really good for us.
I don't want to be that couple
that has kids to save their marriage.
(FOOTSTEPS)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
I'm going into town, do you want anything?
You mumble when you sleep, Meesh.
Told my mom I'd check in.
Okay.
(DOOR CLOSES SHUT)
()
(WINGS FLAPPING)
(PANTING)
(LEAVES RUSTLING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(GRUNTS)
- (GLASS BREAKS)
(SCREAMS)
(GRUNTS, GROANS)
(DOOR CLOSES SHUT)
(KNOCKING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(DOOR SWINGS OPEN)
(ARN SHRIEKS)
You got three seconds
to turn your ass around
or I'll paint my porch with it!
(SPITS) -D... don't, don't shoot!
You're here to raid our supplies!
What are you talking about?
You think because Dell's laid off
I'm a pushover?
We met in desert storm, you shit!
We fucked with Saddam!
I was here a few days ago, the candy guy!
Please I can help!
Who do you think you are, Jesus Christ?
I'm a doctor, if he's... if he's sick,
I can... I can look at him
(LAUGHS)
The only help for Dell's a quick death,
Lord knows I can't do it.
Please. Let me try.
(DOOR CREAKS)
Don't you come around
here no more, candy man.
(CAR DOOR SHUTS)
()
Hello?
()
(SIGHS)
(TWIG SNAPS)
(CHUCKLES, SIGHS)
(PANTING)
What the fuck. She's
outta her fucking mind.
(PANTING)
(PHONE RINGS)
Oh God.
(PHONE CONTINUES TO RING)
ARNOLD: Hello.
BEVERLY: (ON PHONE)
Arn... are you Arnold? Arn?
Mom? Mom. Mom.
BEVERLY: (ON PHONE)
Arnold! You're alive! Are you sick?
Where have you been?
Why didn't you call me?
I have been praying nonstop that you,
you know your brothers are here.
Where are you right now?
Mom. Slow down.
Just... just tell me what's happened.
BEVERLY: (ON PHONE) Tuxley, put that down!
Everything's gonna be fine, sweetie.
We're going down to the
bunker for a year to be safe.
Just like Noah's Ark.
When can you get here?
What... what... what bunker?
BEVERLY: (ON PHONE) The bunker, Arnold.
The one Pastor Dan built
in the church basement.
Remember the bake sale
that we put on to raise funds?
I made those snicker doodles. The bunker.
Are we sure that's necessary?
Wait, are we sure that's necessary?
BEVERLY: (ON PHONE) Jamie,
will you get your son off that?
Robbie, here talk to your brother.
Okay.
ROBBIE: (ON PHONE) What's
up, dipshit? Where the fuck are you?
Robbie, Robbie,
things aren't really that bad, right?
Mom's just overreacting.
O... okay. Okay. Okay.
Look, I'm already a
little bit freaked out here.
You guys are just messing with me.
Right? Right?
Listen, get here before Wednesday
when they seal it up, okay?
Robbie, Robbie, wait.
ROBBIE: (ON PHONE) And
avoid contact with anyone.
Wait, just, hang on.
ROBBIE: (ON PHONE) I
mean it. Don't trust anybody.
Oh! One more thing.
Whatever you do, don't...
What? What? Robbie? Robbie? Robbie?
(PHONE CHIMES)
()
(TYPEWRITER TYPING)
One second. Oh my God.
(GROANS)
Okay, just. Actual craziness.
Huh?
And I had this surreal soul session
with a fawn or doe and we locked eyes
and I just feel like, I get it.
I... I... I don't know how to describe it.
It's... it's beyond words,
but I just feel like I can't stop.
Is that... do you mind?
Okay.
Oh, hey, um...
I just want you to know
that I didn't forget about last night.
And we can talk about it soon. I mean that.
But I'm just finally out
of my goddamn head,
and I'm sort of on a tear,
so I don't wanna lose it,
you know?
Yeah, yeah.
Go. I'll be here.
(KISSES, SIGHS)
(TYPEWRITER TYPING CONTINUES)
Fuck. What the fuck are you doing?
Fuck are you doing? She's
happy. She's on a tear.
Yeah, yeah, maybe we...
We could just stay out here.
(GIGGLES)
ARNOLD: Oh fuck.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
MISHA: (VOICE OVER) But
there was always the exit ramp
for if things ever got sticky, too real,
she could fall back
on his, except that door
was closed now.
There was only the leap
into the great unknowable.
"There is no future. No past."
She said.
She didn't need to know
where it was all going,
and for once... You fucking kidding me.
(VOICE OVER) That didn't scare her.
(LAWNMOWER RUMBLING)
Hey, Arnold!
(INDISTINCT SPEECH)
MISHA: Yeah? Cool.
(LAWNMOWER RUMBLING CONTINUES)
(ALARM RINGS)
Misha?
MISHA: One second.
- Hey.
- Hey.
We have to talk.
Okay, yeah. Oh, your tea's ready.
Um, okay, I have something to say
and I... I don't know if it's
gonna make any sense.
- Okay, keep up the, uh.
- Yeah, yeah, okay.
(CHUCKLES)
- (SLURPS DRINK)
(GULPS)
(MISHA LAUGHS)
(GRUNTS)
Are you gonna eat it?
Ugh, what?
Suit yourself.
Wait.
Ooh, fuck, that's good.
Sorry. Was that shrooms?
MISHA: Yup. You got it.
Are you on mushrooms right now?
Um, I am currently beginning to peak.
So yeah, that is a correct fact.
Oh, I was gonna wait
for you to finish mowing,
but then, I...
Feels good, right?
Seriously though.
Like this fucking cabin,
I can really see us here.
Like this is ours.
Oh.
(FIRE CRACKLING)
MISHA: No, no, no, no,
you're not getting it, okay.
The game is to make
up a flavor that doesn't...
It shouldn't exist.
Like um
ketchup, banana.
(CHUCKLES)
Okay, got it.
Sriracha marshmallow.
That's the money.
(MISHA LAUGHS)
MISHA: How are you eating right now?
I can't even swallow my own spit.
You know, I wrote like 20 pages today.
I can't wait to give it to Candice.
So she can cram it in her cram hole
and shut up, 'cause I'm Misha fucking Dias.
And they're gonna put on a book tour,
and I'm gonna do book readings.
Lemon meringue hummus. Yeah.
(MISHA LAUGHS)
Oh, I thought they were
ants. But it's just stubble.
Oh, but they are moving, just so you know.
When are you back at the hospital?
- Where?
- Work.
Work.
When... when are you...
Oh God. The hospital.
All the people.
I have to help them.
You're essential, babe.
Without you the world spirals out.
No days off.
Essential.
Non-essential. 'Bout says it.
()
Hey.
Hey, yo, what's up?
You're up early.
It's past 11:00.
Oh.
How's your head?
Oh, not great.
Yeah, mushrooms and a dozen oranges
will do that.
You need something?
You look busy, I'll um...
Come find me when you're done?
Yeah, just wrapping up.
Oh, wait, I boiled some eggs if you want.
Okay.
(DOOR CREAKS, SHUTS)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(KEYS JANGLING)
Oh! Hey.
- Hey.
- How's it coming?
Great, actually.
I wanted to see if we needed anything.
Oh, you need something from town?
I'll go!
Actually, I... I need to
talk to the old mums,
face to face.
Can it wait?
Not really.
Remember that deer I told you about?
Uh-huh. Yeah. You saw a deer.
So I think I know what's blocking me.
You know, it's like, I didn't think
my voice mattered, but
I was making excuses.
You got all that from a deer?
Sure. Why not?
It's like a deer doesn't ask itself.
"Am I doing this right?
Am I being the best deer I can be?"
It just fucking does. Just knows.
I don't see what all that
has to do with your mom.
Well, see I've been
projecting, using her as a proxy
to like break me down.
Tell me I can't do it.
But that's not her voice in my head.
It's mine.
Anyways, it's put up this wall between us
and I just want to tell her, we're okay.
Also, I got to get these pages to Candice,
so she can stop blowing
steam out of her cartoon cat ears.
Hey, Misha. Listen, uh, look,
I uh, love that you've experienced clarity
out here or whatever, but
uh, you... you can't go back.
(SCREAMS)
- What the fuck, Arnold!
- ARNOLD: Ah!
Okay. I'm gonna...
ARNOLD: Don't touch it,
don't touch it. Oh, I'm stuck.
Ah! Go get a saw.
- A saw, saw?
- A saw.
Hey, I'm... I'm gonna go get help.
No, no, no, it's too far.
- What about the neighbors?
- Barb and Clem?
They're just up the road, right?
Yeah, but no, wait. Wait!
Yeah, I won't be long. I won't be long.
No, Misha! Wait!
We don't know what's out
there, it could be dangerous.
(PANTING)
Hello!
Clem!
(KNOCKING)
Barb! Oh, come on.
Hello! I need help!
(GRUNTING)
(PHONE CHIMES)
I know!
(DOOR RATTLING)
Fuck. Fuck. Come on, fuck! Fuck!
Wait.
- What the hell are you doing?
- (SCREAMS) Jesus.
Okay, uh, sorry, it's an emergency.
I didn't think anyone was here.
Are you all right? Is somebody after you?
What? No. It's my husband.
He... he got his leg caught.
We... we need a saw.
You're gonna amputate his leg?
MISHA: Jesus Christ. No!
I don't know exactly...
He told me to get a saw. So
like please can I borrow one?
MAN 4: You're not infected, are you?
What?
How long you been out here for?
Honestly, man, I have
no fucking clue. A while.
Why?
I'm just renting this cabin.
I don't actually have a key to the shed.
So, come on.
(BANGS)
- Whoa, whoa.
Okay.
Okay. Let's grab a selection.
I don't know what I'm walking into here.
You're coming with?
Well, yeah, you look like
you could use some help.
You know what? Just grab whatever you need.
I'll get a bag.
So you said, you've been out here,
for a while?
What you been up to?
Um, I'm writing a book.
Oh, no shit. Hey, I'm a writer, too.
ROBBIE: (VOICE OVER) Listen get here before
Wednesday when they seal it up, okay?
Avoid contact with anyone.
I mean it, don't trust anyone.
MISHA: Arnold!
I'm back!
Don't take another step!
Whoa, whoa.
What the fuck, Arnold?
You know this guy?
He's Patrick.
Who the hell's Patrick?
So does that relic even work?
Oh, it works. Used it just the other day.
I can't believe you
pointed a loaded gun at us.
I was worried about you.
Worried, why?
How do you unload this?
(CLICKING GUN)
Uh, let... let me do
that. Don't worry about it.
Oh, actually, you might know this.
Arnold was wondering, does ammo expire?
ARNOLD: I was just kidding, Meesh.
No, you weren't you asked me...
You know, it's odd.
I've never known Clem and
Barb to rent out their cabin.
Well, you haven't been
up here for a few years.
Yeah, and with Clem's health and all,
they come out here less and less.
Holy shit. Look at that.
(CHUCKLES)
Gutbusterz. Wow!
I haven't had one of these in years.
He can't stop shoving them down his throat.
They... they still sell them
down at Dell and Dotte's.
You know the place?
Well, yeah, of course.
(CHUCKLES)
So You're a writer, huh?
I am. Yeah.
Sling and Snare, it's a
hunting and fish mag.
You ever heard of it?
No. Not my taste.
What is your deal?
Anyways, thanks for stopping by.
Yeah. Yeah, I guess I
better be getting back to it.
Thanks again for all your help.
Yeah, of course. Yeah,
good luck with your book.
Yeah, you as well. Good luck with your...
(THUDS)
What the fuck, you psycho!
- He's not who he says he is!
- Is that, 'cause I was flirting?
What do you mean he's
not who he says he is?
You were flirting with him?
So, who is he?
The King of Cottage Country.
The fuck does that mean?
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
I was going to tell you, I swear.
You're kidding, right?
This is just you with your
fucking Onion articles?
Arnold.
How are you only telling me this now?
You were just happy for
the... for the first time in,
I swear, I meant...
We have to go back. We have to go.
There's... there's nothing to go back to.
It... it's everywhere.
There is a place we can go.
(GRUNTS)
(LAUGHS)
Ah, it really takes the wind
out of your fucking sails,
doesn't it?
(LAUGHS)
()
(STATIC)
(INDISTINCT SPEECH ON RADIO)
(PHONE ALERT CHIMES)
I should probably check on her.
Oh, no, none of that
says "Hey, let's chat."
We need to talk next steps.
Next steps, um,
well, we have a place.
A safe place um, a bunker.
Damn, I thought I was a prep
per. That's legit, you build that?
No, my um, mom's pastor.
Hmm, okay. That's good.
Yeah.
Look, I know we got off to
a bit of a rocky start here,
but I'm just gonna throw this out there,
I... I think we can let bygones be bygones,
you know, you go your way and all that.
You're not gonna kill me, right?
What? No, I would never kill you.
Jeez!
(LAUGHING)
Wait, were you gonna kill us?
- Oh my God!
- Look, doc.
I want to shoot straight with you, okay?
Man to man, but we got to be able
to trust each other. Okay, you feel me?
Okay.
Okay, cards on the table.
Yeah, yeah, no, I was gonna kill you.
When I found out that you were hurt,
I was gonna follow her
back, take care of you,
and then you know,
figure shit out with her.
She's a decent-looking girl.
She's got some
childbearing years left in her.
Seriously?
But why kill me, for God's sake?
Why not help me? I'm a... I'm a doctor.
We could band together like logically...
PATRICK: Band together?
Would you listen to yourself, man?
You know who fucks people over? People.
You know who stabs people in the back?
People.
You know who drags people's
name through the mud on Twitter
after a messy divorce?
My fucking bitch of an ex-wife Janine.
That's who. Who apparently is people.
At the end of the day, people
look out for numero uno.
So what, I'm the asshole now
for beating them to the punch?
For murdering people? Um, yeah.
- Oh.
- You kind of are.
And... and what's the point of it all,
to be the last man standing? Then what?
Oh, I never said that.
Then what are you saying?
You know on airplanes,
how they say to put your mask
on before you help someone else?
That it?
What the hell are you talking about?
PATRICK: I'm the investment
of the human race, doc.
To get to the other side of this thing.
Now, I know for a fucking
fact that I don't shoot blanks.
Now I got to protect that
investment and outlast this way.
So it's that whole,
"Let's all band together
and do our part", beta cock bullshit
that's gonna dilute the
future of the species.
Not everyone is meant to survive.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
ARNOLD: Did you get a hold of her?
I spoke to my Aunt Rosa,
my mom died yesterday.
Rosa's sick.
I don't think she's gonna make it.
Why didn't you tell me?
Don't give me that "You
looked so happy" horseshit.
I... I was scared.
I didn't want to lose you.
But that's not you.
You look at a problem
and you find a solution.
I'm the one that's
supposed to hide from reality.
Can't be both of us.
I'm sorry.
You robbed me of my chance to say goodbye.
You took that from me.
The cities are fucked.
There's nothing to go back to.
There's a place.
I heard.
Where are you off to in such a hurry?
I gotta make a phone call.
We're gonna be leaving shortly.
Aw, but we were just getting
to know each other. Shucks.
(FIRE CRACKLING)
(CREAKS)
(MANUSCRIPT THUDS IN FIREPLACE)
That bad, huh?
You smoke?
I do.
(SNIFFS, CLEARS THROAT)
(LIGHTER FLICKS)
You mind?
So why'd you junk it?
Who the fuck's gonna read it?
So you... you were gonna kill him,
and fuck me, that it?
Or raise a brood of little monsters
and live happily ever after?
(CHUCKLES)
Married long?
Hmm.
How long were you planning on milking it?
Excuse me?
Well, it's obvious you don't like the guy.
Blind man galloping on a
camel could see that shit.
Now what I can't figure
out, and for the life of me,
I can't see what would have brought
you two together.
You act more like brother and sister.
Now the way I see it...
He was different than
the other guys I dated.
He was kind to me.
And I was different for him too, I guess.
Hmm. Mm-Hmm. Opposites attract.
Deadbeat hipster chick
with ambitious career man.
I see it pretty often. Beauty and the geek.
At least, those girls feign liking the guy,
they know where their
meal tickets at, but you,
you're like some wannabe princess
who's tired of having her
broken carriage strapped
to the prize pony.
And what are you?
The caveman looking for a sperm bank?
Congrats. Your worth is measured in cum.
Oh, still worth. White gold. Texas Tea.
Hooah.
Yeah, sure, we're all sad
that your little diary there
is not gonna make Oprah's book club.
Now him, I could see a use for.
Yeah, he's a bit of a pussy,
but the world needs doctors,
so I can let that slide.
What's your contribution
to this brave new world?
Hmm?
Maybe it's staying around long enough,
so that it's not run by
assholes like you again.
(LAUGHS)
Oh, you stuck up faux trophy wife bitch
who won't even spread her
legs to take one for the team.
The world doesn't need you.
Never did.
()
There is nothing you should be doing.
There's nowhere you need to go.
MAN 3: (ON EARPHONES)
You are in a state of arrival.
The destination is wherever you are.
You are in a state of arrival.
Destination.
MAN 3: (ON EARPHONES) You are not lost.
Your existence is distinct. Singular.
You are not lost.
You are not lost.
You are not.
(SIGHS)
You are.
I am.
(CAR PULLS UP)
(CAR DOOR SHUTS)
ARNOLD: Meesh? You okay?
Uh-huh.
ARNOLD: Got a hold of mom.
Of course, you did.
I... I told her that we're on our way
that we'd be there and...
I'm not going.
Look, I get it. It's not ideal.
I know my mom is not
your favorite person...
It's not that.
Then what? Stay here.
I think you should go.
I'm not leaving you here. Listen...
There's nothing there for me.
There are still people,
survivors, that we can help.
You can, should.
There's still hope. We
just have to push through.
You're gonna make me say it.
I want you to go.
It's okay.
I want for once in my life
to feel some sense of control.
That I go out on my terms.
Maybe you have hope for the future.
But I don't, not mine anyway.
(MISHA SNIFFLES)
I've been fighting and fighting
to make my life mean something
and maybe this is I don't know, a sign
to just fucking stop.
But I love you.
I know. I do.
I'm sorry, that's just not enough for me.
(SNORING)
()
So what's the prognosis here, doc?
Are we saying our fond farewells?
I'm taking you with me.
What do you mean?
What do you mean like back to the city?
Well, I can't leave you
here with her now, can I?
Oh, what the fuck, baby dick?
Who's calling the shots around here?
I'm not gonna force her to come with me
- against her will.
- Oh, but you'll force me?
That's different. You're my prisoner.
And you're her prisoner.
Oh, you don't know anything about it.
Yeah, but we had a fucking deal!
You think I wanted this?
I'm losing my wife! Fuck our deal!
Oh, you sad cow-eyed little bitch.
One of the last men on Earth,
and she'd rather be alone than with you.
(GRUNTS)
(LAUGHS)
Ah, you classic beta cock pussy!
Pussy.
(PATRICK MAKES SMOOCHING NOISES)
PATRICK: Here, pussy, pussy, pussy.
()
PATRICK: Tell him to let me go.
Why are you asking me?
Because you got his nuts in your purse.
Why is it that every man
who meets a strong woman
assumes she's a ball breaker?
I mean, you see yourself
as strong, do you? Hmm?
(SCOFFS)
Anyways, I don't want you here.
So fuck off, and be someone else's problem.
This is my territory
Okay? I fought for this.
I earned this.
You know, this whole
king of the hill shtick,
it's sad, man.
Okay? Nobody needs you.
Yeah.
You said that already.
Don't you fucking...
(GRUNTS)
ARNOLD: Got him? Fuck.
Now I know why serial
killers chop these up.
(GRUNTING)
- Ready?
- Uh-huh. Yeah.
(GRUNTS)
Ready means go.
Ready means ready. Go means go.
Ready, set, go.
MISHA: This isn't a fucking
high school track meet.
Okay, whatever, let's do it your way.
On three.
Ready, set, go.
(GRUNTING)
(TRUNK CLOSES)
MISHA: Please, don't.
We don't all have to make it.
I made a commitment to
you, till death do us part.
Why were you even with me?
What? I love you.
No, why did you stay with me?
What did you get out of it?
Because you looked at me.
You made me feel strong.
Like I can... I can do anything.
You could do anything, Arn. I can't.
I don't know if I can, Meesh.
(SOBBING)
Yeah, you can.
You're Arnold fucking Schmidt-Mueller.
I hope you'll stick around.
The world is better with you in it.
()
Good luck, Arn.
Arnold?
(GUNSHOT)
Run!
(GUN COCKS)
What do we do?
(PANTING) Um, Clem
and Barb's, they have a car.
Here we go.
()
(SCREAMING)
MISHA: What a fucking maniac!
ARNOLD: Keys? Keys?
Maybe they're on her.
Right.
- Check!
- Why me?
- You're a doctor.
- So?
So you're not afraid of blood!
(BOTH PANTING)
Uh.
(SHUSHES)
He's coming.
PATRICK: Hey, kids.
What are we playing, huh?
Hide and go seek? Marco Polo?
There.
No, he'll hear.
(GRUNTS)
PATRICK: Marco.
Anybody home?
(PANTING)
What the hell are we gonna do?
Okay.
(THUDDING) -MISHA: (INDISTINCT SPEECH)
(LAUGHS)
(DOOR BANGING)
I'm not leaving you here with him!
Thank Christ, I don't
wanna become a skin lamp.
Look, we got the place surrounded,
so why don't you just come
on out with your hands up?
We? What the hell is he talking about?
I don't know with this fucking guy!
(GUNSHOT)
Our best hope is to make a run for it
while it's reloading.
(LAUGHS)
Could you fuck off?
I'm trying to get one last screw in!
Yeah, well, why don't
you save a piece for me?
Hah! I don't know if
I'd feel that micro dick
after Arnold's done railing me.
You cunt!
(GUNSHOT) -What? Don't enrage him!
Oh, good idea!
(COCKS GUN)
Yeah! You've got a tiny dick!
Dude? Dig deeper!
Did your mom even feel it
when you were fucking her
in the ass?
Yeah, mom's dead. Just
like you're about to be.
(GUNSHOT)
- (SCREAMS)
Go!
(COCKS GUN)
Hey, doc?
Should've honored your word on our deal,
and gotten the fuck out of here.
Right on, Barb.
But no, no, no, you had to let
nut-vice there get to ya.
See, I keep my word.
So, you can believe me when I say.
(BREAKS DOOR)
I'm gonna kill the fuck out of you.
(LAUGHS)
(BREAKS DOOR OPEN)
Motherfucker.
(ARNOLD AND MISHA PANTING)
Fuck!
Do we have a spare?
ARNOLD: Yeah, one.
Goddammit!
Okay, new plan. New plan.
Okay. What do you got?
We can't run forever.
Oh Arn, no.
He's got no claim on this place.
My dad built it. It's ours!
That's a great idea actually,
what if he comes back
the whole thing's on fire?
- What?
Yeah, it's a solid diversion.
He'll never be expecting it.
No, no, no, no. Look, I'll figure it out.
Just... just go to the
highway. I'll take care of it.
Okay, Arnold.
I've got a plan.
()
(FIRE CRACKLING)
What the fuck?
(ROCK THUDS)
(PANTS)
(GUNSHOT)
(GRUNTING)
Fuck was the plan here, doc?
- We didn't have a ton of time.
- Yeah.
(GRUNTS)
Speaking of we, where is she?
Is she gonna pop out
and brain me with a mallet?
Or is an anvil gonna fall on my head?
You know, the two of you together
are cartoon-fucking-stupid, you know that?
(GROANS)
You win, okay?
You're the King of Cottage Country.
Isn't that what you wanted?
Yeah, I know that is what I wanted,
but then you went and
ruined my favorite shirt,
so.
(COCKS GUN)
I think you just enjoy killing.
No shit.
What do you think there might be something
wrong with me?
(EMPTY GUN CLICKS)
PATRICK: Empty?
Well, I wanted to play nice with you.
Come here.
(SCREAMS, GRUNTING)
You know, this could have
been just quick and easy, but no.
Oh?
(COCKS GUN)
PATRICK: Sure you know what you're doing?
Let me help you, sweetie.
Just breathe. It's okay.
There you go. Hold it steady. Aim.
Now squeeze the trigger.
(GUNSHOT)
(GRUNTS)
(WHIMPERS)
(COCKS GUN)
Hey? Hey, Arnold? Arnold? Arnold?
Come on, come on, come on. Oh my God.
Misha?
(GRUNTING)
Okay. Arnold, we can still get you there!
Come on! Come on, come
on. Come on, come on.
(PANTING)
ARNOLD: You're so much
stronger than you think.
MISHA: Arnold.
Stay with me.
ARNOLD: I need an ending. Tell me a story.
Uh.
Misha watched the sun go down,
at the Schmidt-Mueller family cottage.
The days get shorter this time of year.
And she worked on a garden
purged the place of Christ,
made it her own.
Even worked on the typewriter now and then.
(VOICE OVER) In those
times that she felt lost,
alone in the world,
she thought of the melaleuca tree.
An invasive species in Florida's wetlands,
unwanted, even harmful in it's displacement
of native growth.
She felt a kinship with the tree.
A species that didn't
ask to be where it was,
that was seen as a parasite
simply because it didn't belong.
And one day she left.
She didn't know where she was going.
But along the way to
nowhere, she found others.
(SNIFFLES)
And to their dismay, they didn't remember
what the world was like before.
And so she said,
"Don't worry, I wrote it all down."
(WOOD SIZZLES)
MISHA: (VOICE OVER) "But if
I could do it again", she thought,
"I wouldn't be a tree. I'd be the soil."
"Pure potential."
(WAVES CRASHING)
MISHA: (VOICE OVER) And maybe the
sense of hope that gave her would fade.
Maybe the metaphor would
sound stupid tomorrow.
But for today, it was enough.
(WAVES CRASHING)