Logline:
A lonely widower
befriends the adolescent son of his alcoholic neighbors.
Director: Forest Olinger
Writer: Joshua A. Cohen (screen story by Richard Baldomero,
based on a true story.)
Producer: Joshua A. Cohen
Produced for
the 48 Hour Film Project 2009.
------------------------------------------------
FADE
IN:
EXT. TOWNHOUSE - DAY
PAT (10, lonely) plays catch with himself. He tosses it in
the air and against the wall. We can hear STAN and MARGARET
(40ish) arguing inside o.s.
JAMES SWITZER (middle-aged, electrician) drives up to the
neighboring unit. He gets out, carrying his tool belt and a
smoothie, and sees Pat tossing the ball. Pat looks to him,
silently asking him to play. James considers him, then goes
inside.
We finally see Stan and Margaret arguing through the window.
PAN OVER to the door/staircase, and Pat comes down the
stairs, shoulders hung low, as his outfit changes over
subsequent days.
He starts playing with himself again as James drives up.
James sees him playing again, but Pat doesn't look at him.
James puts down his tool belt and comes over.
JAMES
Hey, kid. Toss it here.
Pat looks at James, then back at his house, then back at
James, and tosses him the ball.
PAT
You're Mr. Switzer, right?
JAMES
Yep. That's me.
PAT
I'm Pat.
They play catch. Stan & Margaret's arguing gets louder.
JAMES
They fight like that a lot?
Pat shrugs.
JAMES (CONT'D)
It's okay. You can tell me.
PAT
Just when mom drinks.
JAMES
And is that often?
PAT
Just about every day. Just
remember, you didn't hear it from
me.
JAMES
She's sounds like she's kind of a
bitch. But just remember, you
didn't hear it from me.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE - DAY
James drives up again, gets out carrying his tool belt and
smoothie. He's tired as hell. He sees Pat playing by
himself again.
James grudgingly puts down his stuff and plays ball again.
He then gets to enjoying it.
MONTAGE:
* James & Pat play chess on his porch
* James brings home a pair of baseball mitts and a baseball
* James shows Pat how to repair an electrical outlet
* They play hide-and-seek
END MONTAGE with them playing chess again. Pat hands James a
small drawing.
PAT
Here. I made this for you in
school.
JAMES
Well, thank you, Pat. That was
very thoughtful of you. And here.
I want you to have this.
James hands him an old pocketwatch.
PAT
Wow! Cool! Thanks, Mr. Switzer
(beat)
So... can I ask you... why aren't
you married?
JAMES
Oh, I was once. A long time ago.
She died before you were even born.
PAT
Oh, that's too bad. Was she nice?
JAMES
(reminiscing)
She was the best friend a man could
ever ask for. I didn't think I'd
ever need another friend... or that
I'd ever find one as good as her.
PAT
I know what you mean.
JAMES
Do you?
PAT
Maybe. I guess so. I don't know.
No, probably not.
JAMES
Don't worry. You will some day.
They hear the parents arguing again
MARGARET (O.S.)
Pat! Pat! Where the hell are
you?!
PAT
I gotta go.
JAMES
Okay. Enjoy your dinner.
James watches Pat walk back to his house, then considers the
chess board.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE - DAY
James drives up again, but doesn't see Pat. He looks around
for a moment, then walks inside.
After a moment, he leaves his house and walks over to James's
house, carrying a plate of brownies. He knocks on the door.
Margaret answers.
MARGARET
What you want?
JAMES
Good afternoon, Ma'am. My name is
James Swi --
MARGARET
-- You're that creepy old guy next
door keeps playin' with my son...
who's way to young for a man your
age be playin' with, ask me.
JAMES
Ma'am, I assure you --
MARGARET
-- You assure me what? That you
can take better care him I can?
What you know about raising kids?
Stan comes up behind her.
STAN
Who is it, bitch?
MARGARET
Shut up! I'm talking to that
creepy neighbor guy.
STAN
Creepy guy? What are you doing
here?
JAMES
Actually, I came over to give you
this. It was my wife's recipe. I
thought you folks and Pat might
enjoy them. Also, I noticed that
one of your lights was flickering,
and I thought I'd come take a look
at it. Might be a fire hazard.
Margaret and Stan stare at him. She then takes the plate and
throws it into the garbage can with a CRASH.
MARGARET
You ain't never gettin' in this
here house.
You will never be able raise my son
the way I can. And you will never
talk to him again! I ever catch
you talkin' to him or me or this
asshole or CPS, I'll tell everyone
and the evenin' news that you been
touchin' him ways you ain't
supposed to.
JAMES
Maybe I'll come back another time.
STAN
Don't bother, asshole. Let our son
alone.
They slam the door on his face, then begin arguing agian.
He's about to knock again, thinks better of it, then walks
away.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE - DAY
James drives home again, gets out with 2 smoothies. He sees
Margaret and Stan loading boxes into a van.
He walks around to the side of their house, knocks on Pat's
window. Pat opens it. James gives him a smoothie.
PAT
Thanks, Mr. Switzer.
JAMES
You can call me James.
They drink for a bit.
PAT
I don't want to move.
JAMES
I know, pal. I don't want you to
either.
PAT
You think we'll ever get to hang
out again?
JAMES
I know we will. Here.
He finds one of Pat's balls, deflated, by the window. He
writes his phone number on it, then hands him the ball.
JAMES (CONT'D)
If you ever need anything --
someone to talk to, somewhere to go
-- you call me.
