The Hookups- Unformatted Screenplay

FADE IN:
EXT. THE STREETS- NIGHT

FRANK stands on the sidewalk, no specific emotion, just another night at work. H a customer.
FRANK
Hey there, you want some service done?
(pause)
Yeah, well fuck you and you're husband, too!
JASON walks up very meekly

JASON
Hi there, I'm Jason.
Jason holds out his hand, Frank doesn't acknowledge it.

FRANK
You want something? You a narc or something? Cuz if so I'm not doin nothin' illegal. Just breathin' in the nice city air.
Frank breathes in the air with a gargantuan breath-- slightly coughing at the end.

JASON
No, I'm not a cop. I'm---

FRANK
Oh, so you came for some "help", right? Alright (looks around), it's 20 bucks for the basics. Any kinky shit is extra.

JASON
20? I charge 30.

FRANK
Excuse me?

JASON
Well for ladies I do 15. but if I have to blow, snow, or be a 'mo I charge double. Just on ethical purposes.

FRANK
Who are you?

JASON
(excitedly)
Jason, it's very nice to meet you.
Shakes his hand vigorously.

FRANK
Frank shakes him off
I'm Fra--

JASON
Frank, I know. Also known as "42 Frank" because of your reputation on 42nd Street. The actual street, not the musical. You're--- a legend!

FRANK
Well-- not really but okay. Did you want an autograph?

JASON
An autograph? Absolutely! Well, actually I'm working so I don't have a paper just a pen and-- Oh! Wait!
Jason reaches into his pants and pulls out a dollar bill and hands it to Frank. He starts to sign the bill.

FRANK
What are you, a stripper?

JASON
No, I work the streets.

FRANK
Oh? Where at?

JASON
Here
Frank tears through the bill
FRANK
What?

JASON
Yeah, here. I just came from Central North but the cops started doing lookouts so I headed here. Not so many crack-heads.

FRANK
(interrupting)
No, no, no-- I work here. This entire BLOCK is mine.

JASON
Why can't we share? It's a whole block.

FRANK
Share? You must be new. Let me explain one little rule: You're a hooker! You don't share!

JASON
I'm a new generation of hooker. I share AND just last night I gave money to an orphan boy.

FRANK
What? You just don't GIVE money to people they just spend it on drugs.

JASON
(pause)
It was a ten year old boy.

FRANK
Ten, twenty-one, thirty-five; it's all the same out here.
Jason notices a customer and starts talking to her.

JASON
Hey honey, you looking for a good time?

FRANK
No, lady love you want a REAL man.
They both start flex posing to impress the lady but proves no use. Frank snaps and pushes Jason
Who the fuck do you think you are? This is MY street, and I'm not going to let some prissy-pansy-puss fuck it up!

JASON
(shocked)
I-- can't believe this.

FRANK
What?!

JASON
How pessimistic you are. I didn't think you would be.

FRANK
(calming down)
Yeah well welcome to the streets. You have to be if you ant to survive out here.

JASON
Says who?

FRANK
That's just the way it is.

JASON
(pause)
I was forced on the streets when I was 12; kicked out, actually, because my mom wanted more money for her smack.

FRANK
Aw, poor you.

JASON
(continuing)
At first, I was scared. Not sure where to go, why I was where I was. But then I was angry. Thought that the world and--w ell--- God did this to me. I hated everything and everyone. But, I realized that you can't be angry forever. It'll consume you.

FRank
(in a kind of empathy)
Well, I'm glad YOU can see it that way.

JASON
You can, too.

FRANK
No, I can't.
(overlapping lines)

JASON
Yes, you can.

FRANK
No--

JASON
Of course you--

FRANK
NO, I CAN'T!
(pause)
No I can't. Not after you've seen what happens out here. I'v seen people die--killed-- for nothing. Just because they wanted to bring some money home to feed their kids. Children die cuz noone out there cares. People like you-- so optimistic-- lose all faith in life. Oh I've seen it. People just like you. So don't feel so special. You're not the first. and you certainly won't be the last. You'll get over it. All the others did, this place'll consume you.

JASON
Only if I let it.

FRANK
Yeah, well give it time.

JASON
(pause)
You probably don't remember this moment-- but when I was fifteen-- it was my fifteenth birthday. Back in the winter of '98. You remember that?

FRANK
Ah yeah. Coldest winter ever.

JASON
Freezing! You remember at all what you did?

FRANK
(pause)
It was a long time ago.

JASON
You gave a freezing cold fifteen year old your only jacket.

FRANK
Well, I wasn't going to let some child die.

JASON
See? I know you care. It's just up to you if you want to let it be apart of your life.
(pause)
Frank looks down. No response. Jason feels abandoned.
Or, you can let it stay tucked away. Have a nice night.
FADE OUT: