"The femme fatale is one of the most alluring characters in a novel, comic or film. [...] She flaunts, flirts and switches between seductress to damsel in distress at the drop of a hat. More than capable of changing the tyre on her car, but would rather wait by the roadside and let some man run to the rescue and do the dirty work. She looks on, powdering her nose and contemplating what other uses the hapless fool may have." Source: www.Peom.co.uk
50. BRENDAN (shrugs, steps up to her) I’m convinced.
JODI That was close, thought I’d have to sap you or something—
He kisses her, just lips, no tongue no arms.
JODI (cont’d) (breaking the kiss, flushed) So much for wiles. When you move it’s straight for the kill, isn’t it?
BRENDAN Just following your lead.
JODI (tugging his hand) Well come on then, let’s go—
They head over to her car and climb in.
INT. JODI’S SEDAN MOVING – NIGHT Jodi drives well, Brendan watches her. She bites her lip, distracted.
JODI (finally) Would it be too much of a tease if I just dropped you off tonight?
BRENDAN No. Someplace you need to be?
JODI What? No, no, I just... don’t want to rush it, you know?
BRENDAN Yeah, fine.
JODI Are you sure? I’ve been pretty forward—
BRENDAN It’s okay, really.
She gives him a grateful look, he smiles at her reassuringly. 51. EXT. BRENDAN’S HOUSE – NIGHT Jodi’s sedan pulls to the curb, the engine shuts off. Brendan opens the car door to get out, Jodi grabs his hand.
JODI Hey— She pulls him close and kisses him, long and hot.
JODI (cont’d) (coming up for air, breathing hard) So... is tomorrow too soon to see you again?
BRENDAN (also breathing hard) No.
JODI Good. You know what they say about girls on a second date—
BRENDAN What?
JODI (her sly smile) Guess you’ll have to wait and find out. (Brendan grins, climbs out) Bye.
He closes the car door, she starts the engine up and drives off, he waves, she turns the corner and is gone. Brendan’s face changes, like a mask falling away to something grim.
INT. BRENDAN’S BEDROOM – NIGHT Brendan enters and shuts the door, agitated. He pulls off his tie, balls it up and tosses it on his desk. It lands near the list of contact numbers Nelly gave him for Steve.
Brendan picks up the list, sits on his bed, thinks. He pulls his phone over, dials, it rings at the other end.
STEVE’S VOICE (a recording) Hi! You’ve reached Bendix Reality, I’m not here to take your call right now, but if you leave a message—
Brendan hangs up. He dials the second number, it rings.
57. STEVE Sure, that’s okay, that’s entirely okay, Brendan. It’s hard keeping your feelings inside, sometimes you just need to get it all out, you know what I mean?
BRENDAN Yeah, I do.
STEVE Listen, I was thinking...
BRENDAN Uh-huh—
JIMMY SMITH (O.C.) Hey—
Brendan turns and Jimmy punches him in the face. Brendan drops to the pavement, the phone receiver swings free, we hear little Steve sounds coming from it. Jimmy has wild eyes, whatever’s cooking him he’s barely keeping a lid on it.
BRENDAN (fingering his lip) Jimmy Smith.
Brendan notices two other boys standing lookout behind Jimmy, all three wear letterman’s jackets.
BRENDAN (cont’d) And crew. Swell.
JIMMY Got a message for you, punk. From Brad. BRENDAN He couldn’t deliver it himself?
JIMMY (hunkering down and reaching for Brendan) You’re gonna be way worse off than him in about two seconds—
The receiver has stopped swinging, just dangling now, Jimmy’s head is right near it and we hear—
STEVE Brendan? What’s happening, Brendan? Brendan can you hear me—
58. Jimmy freezes. He stares at the receiver, awestruck. He looks at Brendan, awe and fear and hate swirling together. Jimmy stands abruptly and backs up, his boys look confused, he turns and walks away and his boys trot after him. Brendan stares at the would-be goon squad, his eyes burn with anger. He stands, grabs the receiver – it’s still making Steve noises. Brendan shakes his head, racks the receiver on its hook, he’s about had it with not knowing the what’s going on. A heavy finger falls on his shoulder, he turns.
TRUEMAN My office. If you can spare the time.
INT. TRUEMAN’S OFFICE – DAY Brendan and Trueman sit across from one another, Trueman gets right to it.
TRUEMAN I want to know what you know, and I want it now.
(Brendan rolls his eyes) I just witnessed a fight between you and that other boy, and that’s an easy one-week suspension.
BRENDAN What?! That’s a trumped-up charge and you know it, I’d be back in class in a day, two tops.
TRUEMAN But it would go down on your permanent record. Last time I checked, it’s not a very admissions-friendly document you have there. (beat) I know you haven’t dropped this... whatever it is that’s going on, it’s not in your nature. Maybe we can help each other out. What have you got?
BRENDAN Nothing. Yet.
TRUEMAN That’s it? That’s all I get?
BRENDAN I’ve got hooks in the water, I’m getting nibbles but no bites.
59. TRUEMAN Was what I saw today a nibble?
BRENDAN ... maybe.
TRUEMAN (shaking his head) Yets and maybes, yets and maybes. You’ve done good by this office before, Frye, I’ve let you have your leash and you’ve made your moves. But let’s be clear: there’s no leash now. Nine out of ten doesn’t cut it, not on this one. Not for anybody.
BRENDAN (snapping to it) Your neck’s on the block, isn’t it?
TRUEMAN It’s not about that, it’s about two students—
BRENDAN Yes it is— TRUEMAN Two students committing suicide on school grounds, and that’s unacceptable. Look, I’m sorry for your friend—
BRENDAN (rising) We’re done.
TRUEMAN (also rising) We’re done when I say so—
Brendan moves to the door.
TRUEMAN (cont’d) You go out that door and you are done here, the suspension will just be the beginning.
Brendan opens the door, turns back to Trueman.
BRENDAN Jump it. Harvard wouldn’t know what to do with me anyway.
61. LAURA I wondered if you’d ever show, your name’s been on the list since day one.
BRENDAN I need your help.
Laura laughs, then laughs some more. Brendan stays flat affect, she finally stops.
LAURA You’re serious. Just like that. No greeting, no inquiring after my health. Something must be really pushing you, to come here.
BRENDAN What’s perfection?
LAURA A rumor. At least when I heard of it. (shrugs) Why should I tell you? BRENDAN I’ll change my story, give a new deposition. I’ll say what I did.
Laura laughs again, quietly.
LAURA Wow. You’re really something, you know that?
BRENDAN They can’t do anything to you if I tell them I planted the brick— LAURA They can’t do anything to me now. Why do you think I’m still here and not tried, convicted, and Sing-Singed? Daddy may not be speaking to me, but he buys me the best attorneys. Worst case scenario, I get two years’ probation. And that’s if they don’t toss the case entirely. A jilted lover’s tale, a locker anyone could crack, and little old A-student me. I could get sprung tomorrow – got any plans? She smiles a wicked smile at him, Brendan’s façade cracks, his brows knit with furious thought.
62. LAURA (cont’d) You looked shocked. I can’t help it if you don’t read the papers. Brendan takes out the scrap of paper and holds it to the glass: the complete list of names is written out, Laura glances at it.
LAURA (cont’d) I read the papers. You want to know what they have in common, what links them. (studies the names) Brad and Jimmy are on the football team, the baseball team, etcetera. May is major royalty. Heidi was royalty till she dropped out of school. Pete. (sighs) Pete had a crush on me in fifth grade, I used to walk past his house, make him crazy. His little sister would say, shame on you. Scamp. (leans back, done) I don’t know about any of the rest.
BRENDAN (pushing) What else?
LAURA You want a lot for your nickel. (ponders, shrugs) Brad has two brothers, both younger. Jimmy has a little brother too, or is it... May is one of four girls, one older, two younger. I don’t know what good family histories will do you, these kids are from all over the map, unless you’ve got something else—
Brendan takes out the rubber ball, holds it up, turns it so she can see. Laura’s eyes glitter like a slot machine coming up cherries.
BRENDAN What’s perfection? Why is it worth dying for? LAURA Perfection is sex, kind of, but it’s not the why. It’s what you have to do—
Laura stands and knocks twice on the door to the cells.
64. She holds the door open, Brendan enters.
INT. THE BRAIN’S HOUSE – CONTINUOUS Brendan steps inside the foyer, Chloe closes the door.
BRENDAN Thanks.
CHLOE Um, can I get you anything? Coffee—?
BRENDAN I wanted to ask you a favor.
CHLOE Yes?
BRENDAN Could I... could I see his room, please?
A beat, Chloe tries to process this, fails.
CHLOE Yes. Of course.
Brendan nods, there’s an awkward silence, he finally turns to go up the stairs.
INT. THE BRAIN’S BEDROOM Brendan pushes the door open, the room is unchanged. He steps inside, his eyes traveling slowly around the small, cluttered space. He moves to the desk, looks over the books and papers scattered across it, opens drawers. Brendan sits on the bed, his gaze still darting all around. Sidney pokes her head in the doorway, her eyes shoot bullets at him. The front door opens and closes, voices carry up the stairs. Sidney doesn’t move but her face changes to pure panic. Slowly, Brendan brings a finger to his lips: quiet. Sidney’s eyes grow big, she nods solemnly and runs off.
STEVE (O.C.) Brendan?
Footsteps sound in the hallway and Steve appears at the door, Brendan looks up at him with puppy dog eyes. Steve steps into the room.
STEVE (cont’d) (concerned) How’re you doing? (IT WILL CONTINUE...)
"MIFFED: Agents, as I’m sure PG told you. The one on the right is Kendra and on the left is Phoebe. Jake’s about to place his order. Watch and learn, kid. JAKE walks up to the counter and smiles at KENDRA and PHOEBE. It’s obvious he’s a regular. By now, it is only the agents and JAKE left in the building. JAKE: I’ll have (pauses dramatically) The Usual. KENDRA: Coming right up. Phoebe? PHOEBE: I got it. KENDRA: Can I help whoever’s next in line? JAKE looks over his shoulder and frowns seeing as how there is no one behind him in line. He sidles over to the counter and watches while PHOEBE makes his drink. He starts talking to her. JAKE: So, you work here long? PHOEBE: A few months. JAKE: You’ve made my drink everyday this week. PHOEBE: Yup. JAKE: You’re really good at your job. PHOEBE: Yup. JAKE: Hey, this is kind of off-topic, but do you know where I could buy some decent socks? PHOEBE: Actually… At that moment two more HENCHMEN (I’ve lost count by now) come charging into the shop in what must be an attempt to kidnap Jake (as previous scenes with Marrakesh would indicate). PHOEBE hands JAKE his drink and shoves him to the side and out of the way. MIFFED pulls a puggle out of her purse and sends it scampering over to JAKE. JAKE is immediately distracted and notices nothing of the intense fight going on around him. PHOEBE and KENDRA beat the HENCHMEN up. As a last resort, KENDRA throws scalding hot coffee on both of the HENCHMEN. They’re incapacitated and fall to the ground in defeat. JAKE, sadly, is in the line of fire and his shirt is ruined. He turns his attention away from the puggle and, not thinking, he takes his shirt off. He suddenly feels self-conscious and throws an awkward look at the sign behind the counter, “No socks, no shirt, no service.” PHOEBE comes over and snatches his coffee cup away from him. The puggle comes trotting back over to MIFFED. JAKE: I’m sorry! I’ll put my shirt back on! KENDRA pulls an “Obey the Puggle” shirt from under the counter. PHOEBE (still holding his drink): It’s OK; I’ll give this back to you when you're dressed. KENDRA: Try this on for size. JAKE puts it on and PHOEBE hands him his cup back. JAKE: Thanks. JAKE turns to KENDRA and nods. JAKE: Kendra. PHOEBE: She’s Kendra. JAKE: No, I know. Phoebe. KENDRA: No, she’s Phoebe. JAKE: Right. That’s what I said. Phoebe. KENDRA: No, I’m Kendra. JAKE: No, I know you’re Kendra. And she’s Phoebe. And I’m Jake. PHOEBE: Oh, is that your name? JAKE: Thanks, girls. See you tomorrow! KENDRA walks over and gives the postage shirt to MIFFED. A couple of customers come in, see the HENCHMEN lying on the floor, and simply step over them. MIFFED: I’d better find a way to get rid of these guys. KITTY looks thoughtfully out the window but jumps back when JAKE and a bunch of cyclists go whizzing by. KITTY: Was that Lance Armstrong? MIFFED rolls her eyes. MIFFED: That’s the fifth time this week. The agent we put in his spa says you wouldn’t believe how in shape he is. It’s, like, inhuman. KITTY (off in her own little world): How did he drink all that coffee so quickly? " This scene belongs tothe PART THREE B of JAKE WATCH THE MOVIE : SCRIPT, GALLERIES, SOUNDTRACK...
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