NARRATOR (V.O.)
The story of Red Star is one we all know. Whether we would like to admit it or not, we all imagine things. We all wish we could be someone else. This, is that story.
FADE IN:
INT. MAMMA VICTORIA - NIGHT
A woman named RED STAR, alias FIONA, sits across from a man named ROCKY, in an Italian restaurant late at night.
RED STAR
Mania, as I understand it, implies that, at some point, there will come a calm. But what about an everlasting chaos? Is that itself... nirvana?
Rocky stares at Red Star for a moment.
ROCKY
Where do you come up with this shit?
RED STAR
Do you ever feel adjacent to your own life?
ROCKY
You mean psychosis?
RED STAR
Sure.
ROCKY No.
Red Star looks around the restaurant.
RED STAR (exaggerated) Can we stay on track?
ROCKY
Well it depends.
RED STAR On?
ROCKY You.
RED STAR
Oh for heaven's sake, don't let me distract us.
ROCKY ...From what, exactly?
RED STAR Him. This... is all about him.
ROCKY Name?
RED STAR Irrelevant.
ROCKY Time?
RED STAR Relative.
Red Star laughs.
RED STAR
I'm kidding! As soon as possible, Rocky. Rocky shakes his head in reluctant agreement.
RED STAR Here's his picture.
Red Star slides over a picture of a young man.
RED STAR
I don't ever want to walk past him again.
ROCKY Understood.
RED STAR
I know... I know, you understand... _ _ He's a surf instructor.
ROCKY Gnarly... Are you sure you're sure
about this?
RED STAR
Like Eve under an apple tree.
ROCKY
Was she sure?
RED STAR
Maybe, maybe not. But she took a bite right?
ROCKY
Right. Then it's settled. Consider it done.
They share a glance. Red Star smiles wide.
RED STAR
This is where it starts.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Red Star walks down a street alone, late at night. It appears as if she is wrestling against her own body.
RED STAR
Stop, just... shut up! Please, please, just stop.
She hears a voice in her head: her own.
FIONA (V.O.)
Honey...
RED STAR
Not here. here. Not ___
FIONA (V.O.)
Let go. It isn't so bad.
RED STAR
Let's just make it home, okay?
FIONA (V.O.)
Where's home? Where's home, baby?
RED STAR
This isn't real. This isn't happening.
FIONA (V.O.)
...You belong with me.
RED STAR
No I don't. I just need to... go to sleep.
FIONA (V.O.)
I won't let you sleep.
RED STAR (smiling)
Oh, I'll sleep.
Red Star's smile fades away, as she begins to hold back tears.
FIONA (V.O.)
You can't keep doing this...
RED STAR
I'm not... trying to.
FIONA (V.O.)
Call her.
RED STAR
No.
Call her!
FIONA (V.O.)
RED STAR
Stop!
CALL HER!
FIONA (V.O.)
RED STAR (screaming) FINE!
EXT. STREET - NIGHT (LATER)
Red Star, suffering from a panic attack, squats down on the street alone. She holds her phone up to her head, and it rings.
BEEP, BEEP.
Her breathing quickens.
BEEP, BEEP.
She closes her eyes.
BEEP, BEEP. Someone answers the phone.
VOICE (V.O.)
Hello?
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Red Star enters her bedroom, a disheveled living space which reeks of instability. Laundry, tissues, and different bottles of alcohol litter the ground.
Red Star leaps onto her bed, and cuddles with her pillow. Slowly, she begins to fall asleep.
Right as she is about to enter REM, she hears a voice.
Fiona...
She quickly jerks her body, and looks around her room.
RED STAR
Who's there?
The lights begin to flicker.
Fiona...
She looks around her empty room, puzzled.
Fiona...
Red Star stands up, and stares at her closet.
RED STAR
Is someone in there? ...Hello?
Red Star slowly approaches her closet. She grabs a silver knife off of her desk.
Fiona...
RED STAR
I have a knife! Just... I'm warning
you! ? Fiona...
Red Star, knife in hand, slowly opens her closet door.
Out of the darkness of the closet, a figure looms... it is... RED STAR!
There's two of her!
Red Star, jumps out of the closet, lunging at herself, screaming!
RED STAR (shrieking) AHHHHHHHH!!!!!
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Red Star wakes up on the ground of a city street, alone. She looks around, confused.
She stands up.
Suddenly, a ringing sound begins to pierce her ears.
She covers her ears with her hands, and closes her eyes.
A bright light shines in front of her, and she squints to see what it is.
An animatronic bear slowly materializes in front of her.
She opens her eyes completely, and looks at the bear.
The ringing sound slowly fades, and she removes her hands from her ears.
THE BEAR
The bear... says... yes.
Red Star listens.
THE BEAR
The bear... says... yes.
Red Star tries to speak, but she can't.
THE BEAR
Do you desire the tranquility of sleep?
Red Star looks around at her surroundings. She is alone.
RED STAR
Yes. I do.
THE BEAR
Then... the bear must say yes.
Red Star blinks.
Yes!
THE BEAR
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
A woman snorts a line of cocaine off of a bathroom sink. Her name is MS. MAROON, a night-time Youtube reporter/vlogger, interviewer/influencer.
After her bump, she looks into the mirror, and wipes the residue off of her nose. She smiles.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Ms. Maroon and her camera-crew stand in Times Square, waiting to shoot.
CAMERAMAN
Quiet on the set.
Ms. Maroon takes a bite out of an apple, then throws it on the ground.
CAMERAMAN
Roll sound, roll camera, and... Action!
MS. MAROON
Hello, New York. It's Ms. Maroon, reporting live from Times Square, and tonight-
A man walks right past the camera, and Ms. Maroon serves him a death stare.
CAMERAMAN Cut!
EXT. STREET - NIGHT (LATER)
Ms. Maroon and her camera-crew attempt to shoot, again.
CAMERAMAN
Roll sound, roll camera, and... Action!
MS. MAROON
Hello, New York! It's me! Ms. Maroon! And... fuck it, just cut, cut! Jesus, fucking Christ.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT (LATER)
Ms. Maroon and her crew attempt to shoot, one last time.
MS. MAROON
Hello, New York! It's Ms. Maroon here, reporting live from Times Square, and tonight we'll be asking New Yorkers your burning questions! Does my Tinder date want to murder me? What's the best bar to go to if you like the smell of cigarettes? Those questions will be answered, and along with that, we'll be sharing three helpful tips to help you sleep at night.
Ms. Maroon looks over her shoulder. A man is about to walk by.
MS. MAROON
But first, let's ask this New Yorker, what makes New York home, for them?
Ms. Maroon gets the attention of the man walking by.
MS. MAROON
Excuse me, sir.
The man takes the Air Pods out of his ears.
MS. MAROON
What makes New York home, for you?
MAN
The subway.
MS. MAROON
Interesting. Do you appreciate how
public transportation makes the whole city accessible to everybody?
MAN
No, I just sleep on the subway.
MS. MAROON
Oh, okay.
MAN
Thank you.
The man puts his Air Pods back in, and walks away.
Ms. Maroon exhales.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT (LATER)
Ms. Maroon stands next to Red Star, who is about to be interviewed. They are waiting for the cameraman's cue.
CAMERAMAN
And... action!
MS. MAROON (overly excited)
Hello!
Ms. Maroon smiles uncomfortably wide.
RED STAR
Hello.
MS. MAROON
Tonight we're interviewing real New Yorkers, like yourself, to get to the bottom of what makes this city so special. Why don't you tell us your name?
RED STAR
Red Star.
MS. MAROON
Into the microphone, please.
RED STAR (louder)
Um, Red Star.
MS. MAROON
Red Star! We're so happy to have you on our show tonight!
RED STAR
Well, anything for a quick buck, right?
Ms. Maroon laughs insincerely.
MS. MAROON (smiling)
Oh sweetie, no, no, we're not paying you.
RED STAR
What the fuck? I thought you said-
MS. MAROON (still smiling)
No cursing! This is a national broadcast, let's try to be professional!
RED STAR
Oh, oh... kay.
MS. MAROON (into Red Star's ear)
Stand up straight. The camera loves good posture.
Red Star begrudgingly stands up straight.
RED STAR
What the f... okay, are you gonna ask me a question?
MS. MAROON
Yes! Yes, yes. Of course. Where is the best place to honeymoon in New York?
RED STAR
I wouldn't know, I'm not married.
Ms. Maroon laughs.
MS. MAROON
No, of course not. But, for someone else, what would you suggest?
RED STAR
I would suggest... never succumbing to an emotion as feeble and fleeting as love. Don't get married, but if you do, just know you're absolutely fuc-
MS. MAROON
Oh my! Someone sounds a little heartbroken. What's the tea there?
RED STAR
There's no... tea. I'm not heartbroken. What are you talking about?
MS. MAROON
Don't be silly, Red Star! Everyone knows that Amy broke your heart!
Red Star looks at the camera, then back at Ms. Maroon.
RED STAR
What did you just say?
MS. MAROON
I was just saying everyone knows it gets rainy in Central Park. What do you do when you don't have an umbrella?
Red Star loses her focus.
RED STAR
I... I have to go. I'm... I'm late for my party.
Red Star runs away from Ms. Maroon and her camera-crew.
MS. MAROON
Well, that was our time with Fiona! What an interesting, young woman!
Ms. Maroon rolls her eyes.
INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHT
Two young men walk up a stairwell, while party music blares in the background.
YOUNG MAN #1
So it's on the roof?
YOUNG MAN #2
Yeah, she has one here every month.
YOUNG MAN #1
Hm. You don't go every time, do you?
YOUNG MAN #2
No, of course not. I mean, it's somewhere to drink. I barely know her.
YOUNG MAN #1
Why does she have so many?
YOUNG MAN #2
Beats me.
The two young men reach the top of the staircase, and walk through a door.
EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
The two young men walk into a rooftop party, and dissolve into the crowd. Neon lights illuminate the space, while drinks are poured and smoke is inhaled.
A table is set up for beer pong, and a couple is making out against the wall.
Sitting in the corner, twitching and breathing heavily, is Red Star.
She looks around at everyone having fun, besides her.
She closes her eyes, and begins to hear people chanting.
ALL
Kill Fiona. Kill Fiona. Kill Fiona.
She opens her eyes, and sees the entire party staring at her, chanting in unison, slowing moving towards her.
ALL
Kill Fiona. Kill Fiona. Kill Fiona.
She's startled, and tries to stand up as her body shakes.
She looks around the corner and sees... herself! Again!
As her doppelgänger approaches with the rest of the crowd, Red Star manages to run past them, out of the party.
INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHT
Red Star races down the stairs, while her doppelgänger follows, laughing.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Red Star turns a corner, and hides against a building. Her doppelgänger searches for her, looking around aimlessly.
Red Star looks to her left, and sees an entrance for a subway station. She looks back at her doppelgänger, and they make eye contact.
Red Star sprints to the subway station, with her doppelgänger chasing after her.
INT. WEST FOURTH STREET STATION - NIGHT
Red Star runs as fast as she can into the subway station, with her doppelgänger approaching fast behind her.
As a train approaches, Red Star runs and jumps onto the tracks, shocking her doppelgänger.
Her doppelgänger watches as a trains flies by, without making a stop.
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
INT. MAMMA VICTORIA - NIGHT
RED STAR, with a new alias, WINONA, sits across from Rocky, at the same Italian restaurant, late at night.
ROCKY
Wow.
RED STAR
Yeah. Whole time, I was just trying to get myself out of there.
ROCKY
Makes sense.
Red Star takes a sip of her drink.
ROCKY
What does it feel like, when you're in
that state?
RED STAR
Every idea feels like a stroke of genius, and, you just can't stop thinking. You're on Mt. Everest until you burn out, which, happens pretty quickly.
ROCKY
Right.
Rocky takes a sip of his drink.
ROCKY So you're sober?
RED STAR
Yup.
ROCKY Are you medicated?
RED STAR
No, when I say I'm sober, I'm sober.
ROCKY
And how's that working out for you?
RED STAR
Great, honestly. Alcohol lowers inhibitions that, frankly, I need to keep, and, I find that drugs numb you, until they eventually just snuff you out.
ROCKY
Mhm. So, how do you take the edge off?
RED STAR
Well, sometimes I go up to my roof and watch the sun rise. I think about how lucky I am to have survived it all. That always puts things into perspective.
ROCKY
That's not exactly a vice though.
RED STAR Right, yeah.
ROCKY
So what is it?
RED STAR
Let's just say I'm on a one way train to lung cancer.
ROCKY
Any plans of getting off?
RED STAR
In a couple stops, maybe.
Red Star coughs, and recognizes the irony of the moment.
RED STAR
More than anything, I feel like I've gained a certain amount of wisdom.
ROCKY
How so?
RED STAR
I've lived lives, man. They should do a study on how time affects people like me.
ROCKY
I'm sure they have.
Rocky leans back in his seat.
ROCKY
Do you have any regrets?
RED STAR
Sure... sure, tons. I've lost a lot of people being the way I am. Anyone who left me probably had their reasons, but I can't think about that. It's just one day at a time from here on out.
Red Star sits back in her chair.
ROCKY
You know, one day someone will remember you for the last time.
RED STAR
Yeah. That's true.
ROCKY
Do you care what that person thinks?
RED STAR
No. Definitely not as much as the people who knew me.
ROCKY
So you care about what the people who knew you thought?
RED STAR
Of course. Of course I do.
ROCKY
Well, okay. Then try not to disappoint us again. Take care of yourself. You scared us.
Red Star smiles.
RED STAR
Rocky! That's so sweet!
ROCKY
I'm serious though.
RED STAR
I'll try my best, which is pretty good these days.
ROCKY
That's all I can ask.
They both take a sip from their drinks.
RED STAR
Did you do that thing I asked?
ROCKY
The surf instructor?
Red Star nods.
ROCKY
I wasn't sure if I should, given your situation, but... yes.
RED STAR
How'd it go?
ROCKY
Like any other job.
RED STAR
Right, but can you give me any details?
ROCKY
It'd be best if I didn't.
RED STAR (smiling)
Oh god, he probably felt so scared.
ROCKY
Well, he'll never be feeling anything again.
RED STAR Cheers to that.
Their drinks clink together.
BEGIN FLASHBACK:
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Red Star, alias Fiona, sits on the couch, with her girlfriend AMY lying in her lap.
Holding a drink in her hand, Red Star is clearly drunk. Holding a book in her hand, Amy is busy reading.
While she reads, Red Star puts her fingers through Amy's hair.
With nothing to do or say, Red Star looks around the room, and begins to tap the fingers of her other hand on the arm of the couch.
After about thirty seconds of aimless thought, Red Star grabs Amy's book.
AMY (exaggerated) Why?
RED STAR (opening the book)
I'm jealous.
Why?
AMY
RED STAR
Your book. It seems more interesting than me.
AMY
No piece of literature could ever keep my attention like you do.
Amy grabs her book back.
AMY
Except maybe Order of the Phoenix.
Red Star gasps.
RED STAR
J.K. Rowling? Over me?
AMY
No, no. Her books exist outside of herself. I'm choosing over Hermione you.
Red Star makes a mean face, and sticks her tongue out at Amy. Then, Red Star smiles.
She finishes the rest of her drink, and Amy closes her book.
AMY
How many is that?
RED STAR
I lost count.
Red Star walks over to the fridge to grab another.
AMY
Don't you think you should slow down?
RED STAR
Well, you were saying they're taking up too much space in your fridge, so, I might as well finish them all.
AMY
That's not what I meant and you know it.
RED STAR (shrugging it off)
Yeah, well.
Amy sits up, and looks over at Red Star longingly.
AMY
Don't you ever think you were meant for more?
RED STAR
What do you mean?
AMY
I mean like, the drinking. You must know you're over doing it.
RED STAR
Okay, but how was I meant for more?
AMY
I don't know, I think a lot of you. And all I'm saying is... maybe there are better ways to spend your time than drinking from the moment you wake up until you pass out.
RED STAR
You know how people say it's five o'clock somewhere?
AMY
Yeah.
RED STAR
It's literally five o'clock. Like right now.
AMY
Yeah! On a Monday!
Red Star laughs.
RED STAR
Wait really? Is it actually Monday?
Amy groans. Red Star laughs, again. Then, Amy puts her head on Red Star's shoulder.
AMY
What am I gonna do with you?
RED STAR
You'll keep me around until someone better comes along.
AMY
Don't say that.
RED STAR
Why not? It's true.
AMY
There isn't anyone out there who's better than you. Not for me.
Red Star blushes.
RED STAR Really?
AMY Really.
Red Star smiles.
RED STAR
I just wish I didn't disappoint you so much.
AMY
You don't disappoint me, I just wish you would take better care of yourself more.
RED STAR
Yeah, well, maybe in the next life.
Amy sighs. Neither of them speak for a moment. Then, Red Star begins to harmonize.
RED STAR (singing)
I was staring at the sky, just looking for a star
To pray on, or wish on or something like that
I was having a sweet fix of a daydream of a boy Whose reality, I knew, was a hopeless to be had.
BEGIN MONTAGE - VARIOUS
RED STAR (V.O) (singing)
But then the dove of hope began its downward slope
And I believed for a moment that my chances were Approaching to be grabbed, but as it came down near, so did a weary tear I thought it was a bird, but it was just a paper bag
A) EXT. FLOWER SHOP - DAY - Red Star buys Amy flowers.
B) EXT. STREET - NIGHT - Red star hitches a cab, while holding Amy's hand.
C) INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT - Red Star covers Amy's eyes while they watch a scary movie.
D) EXT. FIRE ESCAPE - DAY - Red Star and Amy people watch on Amy's fire escape.
RED STAR (V.O) (singing)
Hunger hurts and I want him so bad, oh, it kills 'Cause I know I'm a mess he don't wanna clean up I got to fold 'cause these hands are too shaky to hold Hunger hurts but starving works when it costs too much to love
E) INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT - Red Star and Amy shout at one another, angrily.
F) INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY - Amy reluctantly picks up beer bottles left on the floor by Red Star, who is passed out on the floor.
G) INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT - Red Star and Amy stare at one another bitterly as they sit across from one another, eating.
H) EXT. HALLWAY - NIGHT - Red Star furiously knocks on Amy's door, which is locked.
END MONTAGE. END FLASHBACK.
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
Red Star, alias Winona, rings a buzzer outside of an
apartment building, for apartment #3.
RED STAR (into the intercom) Amy.
She rings it again.
RED STAR (into the intercom) Amy, please.
And again.
RED STAR (into the intercom) I just want to talk.
Red Star steps away from the intercom.
RED STAR (under her breath) Fuck.
Red Star takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. Then, she turns around and begins to walk away.
At the same moment, Amy steps outside. Red Star turns back around.
RED STAR
Amy...
Hey.
AMY
RED STAR
It's good to see you.
AMY
It's good to see you too.
RED STAR
I'm... I'm sorry for barging in on you like this. I... just didn't know how else to reach you.
AMY
It's okay.
They look at one another, then break eye contact.
AMY
So what's up?
RED STAR
I... I have some things to say.
AMY
Ok.
Red Star clears her throat.
RED STAR
Um... I miss you, every day I miss you. And... I shouldn't have pushed you away. I realize now that there probably aren't enough excuses in the world to make you change your mind about me, but... I love you. I always have, as much as I've tried to deny myself of that feeling. You were always the one for me, and I'm not sure how I ever thought otherwise. But that was then. I broke your heart, and your trust, and sorry's not enough but... I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that, and I don't deserve you, but I came here to ask you for another chance.
A beat; a long, long beat.
AMY
You're unbelievable.
Amy walks up to Red Star.
AMY
You don't get to just come here and say that to me. You can't just walk in and out of my life whenever you feel like it. I'm not a TV show you can turn on and off whenever you're feeling bored. Do you know how many nights I've spent crying myself to sleep because you made me believe I wasn't enough for you? I mourned you, I wasn't sure if I'd ever see your face again. I thought you were going to die. I hate to say it, but, I thought you went crazy. Clinically, I mean clinically- crazy. I'm sorry, but
this is too much.
Amy turns around and Red Star grabs her arm.
RED STAR
Wait, please, please. Just hear me out-
AMY
No! No! I'm , I'm fucking and sick sick tired of you manipulating me back into your life, just for you to throw me away again. Why should I give you another chance? Why, why the fuck should I care about you and what you have to say to me?
RED STAR
I'm sober. I'm sober six months now.
They stare at one another.
AMY Really?
RED STAR
Really. And I'm gonna stay sober.
Red Star takes a step closer to Amy.
RED STAR
Can I tell you something?
Amy nods.
RED STAR
I went away for a while. Yeah. And it was really fucking scary. Doctors, came in and out of my life, they told me about what happened to me, and what they thought I should do to get better. I didn't see anyone, and no one really bothered to check up on me. But it doesn't matter. It really doesn't. What does, to me, is that you know how much I love you. I want you to know that through everything I've experienced ever since I moved to this godforsaken city, the most important thing to me... has been you. And if I lost you, I lost you, but if you can
find it within yourself to give me one more chance, just one more chance, I promise I'll make things right.
Amy shakes her head.
AMY
It is exhausting to know you.
Amy turns around, and walks back into her apartment. She holds the door open for Red Star, who, after a moment, follows.
INT. MAMMA VICTORIA - DAY
Red Star and Amy sit across from one another as they wait for their food in a restaurant.
RED STAR
This is nice.
AMY It is.
Red Star takes a sip of her drink.
RED STAR
You know, I changed my legal name.
AMY Really?
RED STAR
Yeah. Legally, my name is Winona, now.
AMY
Fiona to Winona. Huh. Why the change?
RED STAR
I wanted a fresh start.
AMY
Nice, I get that. But... are you still my Red Star?
RED STAR Always.
Amy takes a sip of her drink.
AMY
Can I tell you something, but you have to promise to not get jealous? You really shouldn't, but I know how you get.
RED STAR
I can't promise that.
AMY
Okay, but can I just tell you? It's really not that bad and I should've told you by now.
RED STAR Fine.
AMY
Okay. So, after we broke up I was really hurt, and I started seeing someone else-
RED STAR
I heard something about that.
AMY
Right, I figured you would, but, that's besides the point.
Amy takes another sip from her drink.
RED STAR
What's the point?
AMY
Honestly... it's hard for me to talk about, but... his name was Ryder. Ryder Tazi. And, I just thought about him, 'cause, you know, your name is Winona, and Winona Ryder, but whatever. What we had was very casual, I swear, but...
RED STAR
What? Just get to the point.
AMY
One day I texted him just to say "hi", and his mom texted me back saying that her son had died. He was murdered. Right on the street, on his way back
to his apartment.
RED STAR
Oh my god, Amy. That's awful. Are you okay?
AMY
I'm okay. It's really, really fucked up and sad. But it's been a couple months now, and... I thought you should know.
RED STAR
Well, thank you for telling me. I'm not jealous about you and him or anything like that, I would never make that about me. That's... that's just a tragedy.
AMY
Yeah... I hate this city. Back home, he taught little kids how to surf, and he comes here and just... I don't want to talk about it anymore.
RED STAR
That's okay. Tell me about your job.
AMY
Well, where do I begin? My coworkers are probably the most prideful, idiotic people you can hope to work with-
Amy continues on, as Red Star sips her drink and smiles to herself: a devilish grin.
INT. BEDROOM - DAY
Red Star wakes up slowly, slightly dazed. She looks to her left and finds Amy at the end of the bed.
RED STAR
What- what happened? What's... what's going on?
AMY
You don't know?
RED STAR
No.
AMY
She called you, and you invited her to lunch.
RED STAR
What? Who?
AMY
Sue.
Red Star takes a moment to think.
RED STAR
Who's Sue?
AMY
Goodbye.
RED STAR
What? What? Who's Sue?
AMY
I'm calling your Mom.
RED STAR Who's Sue? WHO'S SUE?
Red Star starts screaming and seizing.
END