ON THE ROCKS - Deadline Hollywood

Blue (5/8/19)1714.CONTINUED:JENNA (CONT'D)Sorry, I don’t know what to talkabout, I mean, I’m not a mom.(shrugs)Laura looks at her -- did she really just say that?Laura looks around.Dean is with a group engaging them.The lights go out - and Fiona comes out with more tequila andsparklers and a cake - everyone cheers. Fiona is charming andanimated. She tosses her hair as she touches Dean’s arm withfamiliarity. She has a great laugh that cuts through theroom.CUT TO:18INT. TAXI - NIGHTLaura and Dean ride home, he’s excited form work and feelingconnected to her.DEANWe hit 500k active users!LAURAThat’s great. Can I ask yousomething?Sure.DEANShe hesitates.What?DEAN (CONT'D)LAURAI found a woman’s toiletry casewhen I was unpacking yoursuitcase.Dean riffles through his memory - then remembers.DEANOh, that’s Fiona’s.Laura looks at him.He laughs it off.(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)1815.CONTINUED:DEAN (CONT'D)She couldn’t take it in her carryon, so I put them in my suitcase.I forgot about them.Really?LAURADEANI’ll bring them to the officetomorrow, thanks.Uh huh.LAURAHe looks at her, she is uptight about it.as no big deal.Oh, come on.He laughs it offDEANCUT TO:19EXT. LAURA & DEAN’S APARTMENT - NIGHTWe follow them as they walk towards their door.He puts his arm around her, as he opens the door, giving hera kiss. His phone makes a SOUND, and he checks it. The doorcloses.CUT TO:20INT. LAURA'S BATHROOM - MORNINGLaura splashes water on her face, trying to wake up. She putseye cream on.CUT TO:21EXT. LAURA & DEAN'S APARTMENT - DAYLaura is behind the wheel of their car, the kids in car seatsbehind her. Dean leans down to Laura’s window.DEANHave fun with your sister.(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)2116.CONTINUED:Ha, thanks.LAURADEANI’ll be at the office if you needme.She smiles.They kiss goodbye.She drives off.CUT TO:22EXT. CONNECTICUT HOUSE - DAYLaura drinks ice tea with her perfectionist sister, AMANDA,and their elegant mother, DIANE. She is well-traveled andbohemian, a former Halston model, wearing a collection ofnecklaces.Theo sits on her lap, playing with her bracelets. Diane playswith her, kisses her head.There are some kid birthday gifts on the tableLaura’s daughters run around and play with their cousins.(They are wearing colorful, mismatched clothes)DIANEHow’s your book coming along?LAURAI need to get back to it.GRAN, their thin Waspy grandmother joins them.LAURA (CONT'D)Hi, Gran, how are you?GRANOh, I laid on the terrace lastnight looking at the stars, it wasglorious.That’s nice.LAURA(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)2217.CONTINUED:She sits down, and lights a thin Vogue cigarette.at Laura, who’s wearing a loose sweater.She looksGRANYou know Laura -- if you’re goingto dress like that, you might aswell just give up and throw in thetowel. Your figure is one of yourbest features.LAURAUm, I don’t think that’s the bestthing about me.GRANWell, you could make more of aneffort.DIANEPlease, Gran, she looks terrific.LAURAThanks. I talked to Dad theother day, he’s in Paris.Oh.DIANEHow is Felix?Gran with a brow raised, gives a skeptical look.LAURAHe seems like his usual chipperself.AMANDAI wonder what he’s up to.GRANWell, he does keep himself amused,I’d say. he was always a handfulsince he was a little boy.DIANEHe never could stay put for verylong. I never knew what he wasreally thinking.AMANDA(to Laura)I don’t know how you can deal withhim.(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)2218.CONTINUED:GRANYour father owes me a visit.She ashes the cigarette in a small crystal ashtray.LAURAHow’s your apartment, did youfinish your bedroom?GRANThey just finished, and it is SOgay and cheerful, I could spendfive blizzards there and not getdepressed.LAURAOh, that’s good.GRANYes. It’s so cozy. I got adelicious cream rug from Cogolin.DIANEI ran into Lilly Hopper’s daughterthe other day.GRANThey had a nanny for each child,one more unattractive than thenext. She really found the mostunattractive nannies.Laura is amused by her.DIANEWell, there are so many stories ofa husband marrying the nanny.GRANYes, but she took it too far -greasy hair and glasses, they werea sight.AMANDAIs Dean still traveling a lot withthe new assistant?LAURAAccount manager.Yes, it’s fine,she seems nice.(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)2219.CONTINUED:Amanda raises a brow.GRANIs she very attractive?LAURAI don’t know, yes, she’sattractive, but New York is filledwith attractive women.Well, ok.AMANDAThe cousins run by, screaming.Amanda looks at the kids.AMANDA (CONT'D)Laura, you know you could teachthem something about aesthetics.Do you really want them growing upwith pink lycra all the time?Laura is ready to leave.LAURAThey’re little, so what if theypick out their clothes. It’s notworth fighting with them about.AMANDADon’t give up. you need to teachthem. Stick to one or twopalettes per season so they canput their clothes together in away that makes sense.Laura looks at her like she’s an alien.LAURADoes it really matter?AMANDAYes, it’s your responsibility toteach them about taste and anaesthetic.LAURAWhat five-year-old would choose towear something tasteful?(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)2220.CONTINUED:AMANDAShe would if that’s all she knows.LAURAOk, thanks, I’ll think about that.Laura eats some fries off a kid’s plate.Gran notices with a raised brow.Laura offers the plate of fries to Amanda.AMANDANo, thank you.CUT TO:23INT. L&D APARTMENT - EVENINGLaura is relieved to be home, throwing down all their stuffin the hall.The kids run to their room.INT. LAURA & DEAN'S BEDROOM -EVENINGLaura falls back on her bed -- alone for a moment.She hears something and looks over -- a little ROBOT vacuumdisc enters the room buzzing around.She watches as it glides around the floor around her bed.CUT TO:24INT. LAURA'S ROOM - MORNINGSun streams in the window, birds chirp.We see Laura and Dean in silhouette. He leans over her, theykiss romantically. She smiles at him.We HEAR a SCREAM down the hall.MAYA (O.S.)MOM!! She pulled my hair!CUT TO:

Blue (5/8/19)2521.INT. BATHROOM - MORNINGFrantic music starts as Laura, and kids, all in the bathroom,get ready for the day. She braids Maya’s hair, Theo watchesher electric toothbrush spin, a plastic kid cup is thrown tothe floor. Dean passes with a coffee as we see Laura in themorning rush to get the kids ready.CUT TO:26EXT. NEW YORK STREETS- MORNINGLaura and her daughters rush through the busy street to getto school.27INT. SCHOOL - MORNINGLaura, lost in thought, waits with her kids in the crowdedhall. The noise bounces off the walls around her.VANESSAMy therapist says I have no selfcontrol.Laura fakes it.Oh, no.LAURAVANESSAI know every text I send ispushing him away, but I just keepdoing it?! I’m afraid he’s goingto ghost me.Vanessa tells her about the designer hardware business theywere starting together, etc.CUT TO:28EXT. NYC STREET - DAYLaura pushes Theo home in her stroller, lost in thought.29INT. L&D APARTMENT - DAYLaura hears a message and picks up her phone.(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)2922.CONTINUED:Close on text:“Lunch at the Sentinel?”CUT TO:30EXT. L&D APARTMENT - DAYAn older black Mercedes sedan with tinted windows pulls upoutside of Laura’s building.The window begins to lower.Laura says goodbye to her baby sitter, who pushes herdaughter off in a stroller.SITTER 1Bye,(to Theo) Should we go to theslide?!Laura approaches the car, as the door swings open for her.FELIX, a silver fox in his early 60’s, in a slightly rumpledseersucker suit and white Bucks, looks at her.FELIXHello, Kiddo.He motions her in with a nod.She gets in and hugs him like a kid, it’s so hard andaffectionate that it cracks her back.31INT. FELIX’S CAR - DAYAs they drive off, he looks out the window.FELIXYour nanny has a good figure.Seriously?LAURAFelix smiles.Laura says hello to his driver, MUSTO.Hi Musto.LAURA (CONT'D)(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)3122A.CONTINUED:MUSTOHi Laura, nice to see you.(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)3123.CONTINUED:FELIXDid you know she was named afterthe song-Felix sings a few bars of the classic song.FELIX (CONT'D)Laura is the face in the mistylightFootsteps that you hear down thehallThe LAUGH that floats on a summernightThat you can never quite recall.She’s heard this many times before.He starts to whistle.FELIX (CONT'D)Come on, join in.LAURAI can’t whistle.FELIXWhat, sure you can.LAURAI can’t anymore, since havingkids?FELIXYou can’t lose your whistle, we’regoing to have to work on that.He makes her practice, giving tips.Felix grabs her wrist to see a gold bangle.FELIX (CONT'D)Nice bracelet.Thanks.LAURAFELIXA bangle. you know that’s areminder that women were oncemen’s property.(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)3124.CONTINUED:LAURAI’m sure that’s what Dean had inmind.He gives her a look.FELIXMusto, we’d like to go to theSentinel Association.MUSTOSentinel it is.Felix’s car drives through Manhattan.CUT TO:32EXT. THE SENTINEL ASSOCIATION - DAYFelix and Laura get out of the car in front of an old statelyNew York Club with flags overhead.They pass a swollen, very pregnant woman who looks miserable.Felix compliments her with sincerity as they pass.FELIXYou look beautiful.She smiles in grateful appreciation.Laura walks a few paces ahead of Felix as they approach theclub.Felix catches up to open the door for her.FELIX (CONT'D)You know, in Japan, the women walkbehind the men.She gives him an incredulous look as he holds the door openfor her with a devilish smile.CUT TO:33INT. THE SENTINEL ASSOCIATION - DAYAs Felix signs in, he greets the SECURITY ATTENDANT warmly.(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)3324A.CONTINUED:ATTENDANTHello, Mr. Keane.(CONTINUED)

Pink (06/6/2019)3325.CONTINUED:FELIXHow’s your mother’s new hipworking?ATTENDANTGood, thanks, she’s doing muchbetter.Laura and Felix walk through the wood-paneled hall of theclassic club. A host nods as they pass.HOSTGood afternoon.FELIX(proud)He probably thinks you’re mygirlfriend.She looks at him.Right.LAURACUT TO:34INT. THE SENTINEL ASSOCIATION LIBRARY - DAYThey sit in a corner of the dark room.The WAITRESS gives them menus, and Felix gives her a charmingsmile.Thank you.FELIXHe watches the waitress walk away, checking her out.FELIX (CONT'D)You know, it’s interesting, whenhumans walked on all fours, it wasthe sight of a woman’s rear endthat excited them, and so whenthey stood up on two legs, thewomen with rounded breasts thatlooked like buttocks excited themales, so they had babies withthose females and over time thisshape evolved into the modernhuman female.(CONTINUED)

Pink (06/6/2019)3425A.CONTINUED:Laura’s heard this before.(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)3426.CONTINUED:LAURAOh, huh. really?Felix continues to impart more wisdom.FELIXYes, and men preferred theadolescent females as they wereeasier to catch and ultimatelymate with, so slowly thesequalities, smaller size, smoothskin, no beard, high voicesevolved into what is desirabletoday.LAURAThey preferred no beard? -- goodto know.Felix is oblivious to her irony.The waitress returns. Felix looks at the way she’s standing.FELIXBallet dancer?She looks down at her feet, turned out.WAITRESSOh, ha, yes, I studied at theBolshoi.Laura gives him a look.Felix looks at her turn out.FELIXLet me guess, size eight?Yes.WAITRESSLAURADad, can we order? I’ve got toget back in time to pick up thekids.He shoots her a look.(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)3427.CONTINUED:FELIXYes, of course. I’ll have a Cuttyon the rocks, and a. BombayMartini for the kid here.He looks at Laura.Ok?Sure.FELIX (CONT'D)LAURAThe waitress leaves with their drink order.LAURA (CONT'D)Can you ever be normal around anywoman?FELIX(innocently)What?! She was standing like adancer.Felix puts on his glasses and looks at the menu.FELIX (CONT'D)If you look at menus today,there’s kale everywhere. I don’tknow where kale came from. We usedto eat spinach.She looks at him -- really?Does it matter?LAURA(who cares)I don’t know.He puts his glasses away, and looks at her.FELIXSo fill me in, how are things?Fine.LAURAFELIXYou look beautiful.She doesn’t feel like it at all, but takes the compliment.(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)3428.CONTINUED:Thank you.LAURAFELIXWell, if your father doesn’t thinkso, then it’s a problem.She laughs.LAURAYeah, I guess so.FELIXHow’s writing?LAURAI haven’t had time to get muchdone.FELIXWriters always find time.LAURAMaybe ones that aren’t mothers ofyoung children.FELIXAlice Munro, the Nobel Prizelaureate, changed the shape ofshort fiction in between raisingthree children.LAURAIt took her thirty years to writeher first book!He shrugs.FELIXWhat is Dean’s job again, whatdoes he do?Laura struggles to answer, repeating bits of what she’s heardhim say.(CONTINUED)

Pink (06/6/2019)3429.CONTINUED:LAURASomething to do with analyzingtrends and social media metricsbased on marketing sub groups -they work a lot with mediacompanies.Felix looks at her blankly.LAURA (CONT'D)(trying to showenthusiasm)It’s going really well -- they’vejust launched some new aspect ofit and are opening more offices,so he has to travel a lot.Uh huh.FELIXLAURADo you miss having the gallery?FELIXNo, I still have a few deals goingon here and there. I got a newassistant a few days, did I tellyou?No.LAURAThat’s good.FELIXYou know what’s great about her?She doesn’t talk. She justlistens.LAURASounds perfect for you.The waitress brings their drinks, and takes their lunchorders.FELIXI’ll have the steak -- well done.With spinach.(to Laura)My LDL is down.(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)3430.CONTINUED:LAURAOh good. I’ll have a choppedsalad, please.The waitress leaves.Felix lifts his glass to Laura.Prost.FELIXThey clink glasses.FELIX (CONT'D)So, Dean’s been away on a lot ofbusiness trips lately, huh?LAURAYes, but, not everyone’s like you.He looks at her, like -- that hurts.FELIXWhere was he coming back from whenhe was acting strange?London.LAURAIt’s nothing.FELIXOk. Huh, London. What hotel didhe stay at?LAURAUmm. Blakes, I think.Blakes?FELIXLAURAYeah, I think so, why?FELIXThat’s a small, cozy hotel, offthe beaten path, not a place you’dgo on a business trip.Oh.LAURA(CONTINUED)

Pink (06/6/2019)3431.CONTINUED:FELIXI have an old friend atClaridge’s, he knows all theconcierges.Felix takes a small notebook out of his pocket and jots downsome notes.FELIX (CONT'D)When was he there?LAURAWhat? Last week, don’t get carriedaway.Laura hesitates, then says:LAURA (CONT'D)I did find something.FELIXWhat?LAURA(regretting)Never mind. Nothing.Felix stares at her, waiting.LAURA (CONT'D)There were some of his co-worker’stoiletries in his suitcase -Sloppy move.FELIXLAURA-- but, he explained that shecouldn’t take them throughsecurity in her carry on, so heput them in his checked luggagefor her. That’s all.Felix’s eyebrows raise.What?FELIXSounds fishy.LAURASorry Dad -- I shouldn’t have.(CONTINUED)

Pink (06/6/2019)3431A.CONTINUED:FELIXHave you checked his phone?(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)3432.CONTINUED:What -- no!LAURAFELIXLook, do me a favor -- just checkhis text messages. I’m sure it’snothing, but you just want to makesure.LAURADean’s not like you. He’s a nerd,a good guy, a great dad.He winces at the slight.FELIXLook, I know, but he’s a man -it’s nature. The males fight todominate and get all the females.LAURABut, do you believe in true love?FELIXYes, I do, it’s an enchantedstate, but it’s God’s trick tomake babies. I remember thefirst time I saw your mother -- wewere at a pool party out at thebeach. All the girls at that timewere in bikinis, and she steppedout of the pool in a white onepiece swimsuit. And that was itfor me.The waitress brings their food and more drinks.FELIX (CONT'D)But let’s stay on track. Hasthere been any other suspiciousbehavior?LAURAI don’t think so, he’s just beenworking late a lot and takingclients out.FELIXWhat does Dean have planned foryour birthday?(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)3433.CONTINUED:LAURAOh, he’s not going to be here.FELIXWhat kind of man forgets hiswife’s birthday?LAURAHe didn’t forget. He has a worktrip, it’s not a big deal. We’regoing to celebrate when he’s back.FELIXThat’s not the same. I traveled,but I never missed a birthday.LAURAWell, you had othershortcomings.FELIX(innocently)Like what?She looks at him without answering.Felix shrugs.FELIX (CONT'D)I’ll take you to Twenty-One.Just do me a favor and check hisphone, and if you rememberanything else about London -- wecan think about putting a tap onhis phone if we need to.She looks at him.FELIX (CONT'D)Laura, your husband should beworshipping the ground you walkon, and if he’s not it’s better toknow what’s going on. I’m sureit’s nothing, just, do me a favor,and check his phone.CUT TO:

Blue (5/8/19)3534.EXT. NEW YORK CITY - MORNINGThe sun rises over New York City, it’s a new day.36INT. LAURA & DEAN’S BATHROOM - DAYLaura drinks a coffee as she gets ready quickly and walksout.37INT. L&D APARTMENT - DAYIt’s the morning rush to work and school.Dean plays a game with Maya and Theo, they laugh. He has apost it on his forehead with ‘Frog’ written on it.Do I walk?Yes!Do I swim?I think so.DEANMAYADEANTHEOLaura sees Dean’s phone on the console in the hall.She walks over near it, overly casual.Dean walks by, she tries not to act busted.She quickly picks it up and unlocks the code.shakes -- wrong code.The phone faceLAURA(calling out)Can I use your phone, I want tosend that cute picture of thegirls to my mom -- did you changeyour password?Dean comes over to her.DEANWe have all this security protocolat work right now.(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)3735.CONTINUED:He opens it and hands it to her, while he goes to say bye tothe girls.Laura feels dumb, but looks at his texts, types in “Fiona”but nothing comes up.He returns and Laura hands him his phone.LAURADo you want anything for dinner?DEANWhatever you think.He looks at his watch.DEAN (CONT'D)I’m sorry to be away on yourbirthday -- we can celebrate whenI’m back, ok?LAURAOh, yeah, that’s ok.He kisses her goodbye and heads out.CUT TO:38EXT. NEW YORK CITY- DAYWe see the VIEW from Laura’s window, or a city transitionshot.39EXT. L&D APARTMENT - AFTERNOONLaura and Theo come outside to see Felix. He’s in a suitwith a flower in his lapel and tinted Persols.Well, hello.FELIXTheo runs to him and jumps in his arms.Pop Pop!THEOFelix opens the car door for them.(CONTINUED)

Blue (5/8/19)3936.CONTINUED:FELIXWhere to, ladies?LAURABallet class -- 51 Walker Street.He whisks them off.FELIXHow’s the whistle coming along?Laura makes an attempt, a faint sound escapes.40EXT. NYC STREET - DAYFelix’s car cruises through th

Laura passes another MOM in the hall, VANESSA, a stoner, with charms hanging from chains and wavy hair. 9 CONTINUED: (CONTINUED) Blue (5/8/19) 5A. VANESSA Laura, let’s get a coffee this