356. Joy - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• EXT. PORCH - NIGHT


• LEE sits on the broad porch of a California bungalow-style house.


• The porch wraps around the front and side of the house, its wooden floor glowing orange from the lamps within the house, their comfortable light spreading out from the large picture windows that run parallel to the porch.


• The street on which the house sits radiates warmth and safety, its houses displaying neatly arranged Christmas lights in addition to an assortment of antique-looking street lamps.


• Many of the houses have their own unique lamps, all spilling orange warmth onto the street; some hanging above porches, some above gates, which serve more for show than any essential purpose.


• Lee wobbles back in forth in one of the wicker rocking chairs scattered around the porch.


• A small tape recorder sits in his lap.


• He takes a breath and hits play.


• JOY (V.O.)
• Hola, darling; this is me, Joy.


• He stops the tape, rewinds.


• JOY (V.O.)
• Hola, darling; this is me, Joy.


• He stops it and looks out over the street, shivering.


• He pulls his coat and scarf tighter as a stiff breeze pulls dead leaves from the trees lining the street.


• Inside the house, Lee's brother, DAVE watches from one of the windows.


• He purses his lips and heads to the door, only to be restrained by ALI, his wife.


• They wait, concerned, watching Lee through the window.


• He presses the play button again.


• JOY (V.O.)
• I'm so sorry, baby - I didn't want to go this way. Make sure you're on the porch when you play this - I love how - I loved how - is it weird for me to speak about myself in the past tense? I know, you're getting upset now; I shouldn't take this so lightly. I loved how the neighborhood looked at night. That's how a neighborhood should look, inviting, safe. I miss you already. I can hear you in the kitchen right now and I'm wondering what you will do when you find me. I can't joke anymore, not really - and I think that's when it's over. This is all wrong, but I don't know what else I can do. If not now, then my pet monster will take over my brain, and all the treatments will turn me into a living skeleton. There's no need for that. I don't want you to see me like that. So, so I'm going to go now. I'm going to hit stop on this thing, and I'm going to go. I love you, babe. We didn't get enough time together, did we? Next time, ok? We'll do it right next time.


• Lee slumps, then hits rewind and waits.


• The tape clicks to a stop.


• JOY (V.O.)
• Hola, darling; this is me, Joy.


• He stops it, hits rewind again, then play.


• JOY (V.O.)
• Hola, darling; this is me, Joy.


• He stops it and rewinds again.


• FADE TO BLACK.