Maxwell's Frontline - Joe & Angela near Break Up Scene
Excerpt 2 of 2 from the feature screenplay: Maxwell's Frontline
(format adjusted for this post)
Silence swallows the gulf between them as JOE grasps for words. Lost, he drops his head in his hands.
JOE: I’m... I don’t know what to tell you… what to say.
ANGELA (quietly): You don’t have to say anything.
JOE winces at the coldness in her voice. He cautiously touches her shoulder. When she doesn’t react, he withdraws.
JOE: It’s not like I don’t want to be with you, I do
ANGELA: Then what is it?
JOE: I’m just... I don’t know. Tense, I guess. I want to be with you, I really want to, but my body -
JOE searches for words, then throws up his hands, defeated.
ANGELA: Your body doesn’t lie, Joe.
JOE slides closer to her, taking her by the shoulder.
JOE: Wait a second, don’t say that
ANGELA: Why not? You’re not even drunk this time.
ANGELA sits up, facing him for the first time. She searches his eyes, hard. JOE can’t help but slink back a little. After a long moment, ANGELA speaks very deliberately, making each word heard.
ANGELA: I don’t know who hurt you, or what happened to you that could have been so bad, but right now I don’t know who I hate more: them for making you so weak, or you for letting them.
JOE begins to cave. He quickly sits upright, and slides his legs off the opposite edge of the bed. He rubs tears from his eyes as he controls himself. ANGELA watches JOE pull it together. She looks away.
ANGELA: Maybe you shouldn’t stay here tonight.
JOE (silence): I hate myself...
ANGELA (quietly): And how can you expect me to want to be a part of that?
JOE sags, letting his head drop into his hands. Taking a deep breath, he reaches for his pants. ANGELA glances at him, then focuses her eyes on a spot on the bed. JOE stands up, sliding his pants on and buttoning up.
ANGELA: You should let yourself cry. You’d feel better.
JOE pulls his shirt over his head. He picks up the rest of his clothes and his shoes. He moves to the door and looks back at her. She seems small and frail hugging her knees, staring at the sheets in front of her. He stands ashamed.
JOE: I’ve forgotten how.
Silence.
She glances at him and looks away.
He leaves.
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