DENISE - Scene 6: Problem Child - Suburban Motel

RJ: He said he’d call? You’re sure?

Yeah.

RJ: And you think he … understood.

Yeah…Understood what?

RJ: To call.

I said “Call when you’ve got her.”

RJ: There could’ve been a problem.

Yes…Lots of them.

RJ: The chances are slim he got her out of there.

I thought he could do it. I mean they’re just a nice suburban couple. They’re not the mob or anything. They’re not protected. He shows up. Shows the gun if he has to…Says, “give me the kid”…They should cooperate…It’s human nature to cooperate.

RJ: Yeah? Would you give her over to someone.

I did. Remember? People came into our apartment and I gave her to them. And they didn’t have a fucking gun. They just had a piece of paper.

RJ: Well we’ll see…we’ll see how reckless you’ve been. Why doesn’t he call…Why…It’s been enough time.

Shit … Oh shit. (She stands and heads for the door.) There’s no one in the office to put the call through.

RJ: Is that how it works.

Yes. That’s how it fucking works. (She leaves. Slamming the door behind her.)

RJ: …Well sure she has free will but do you think she expected to be treated like that by her own son. I mean—

(DENISE bursts through the door) Jesus Christ! What is wrong with you!?

(She rushes over. Grabs the phone. Hangs up.)

I mean you left your number with the network? I put the call through because at first I thought…then I thought what the hell was that. Is that all you’ve got on your mind considering the circumstances of our life right now.

RJ: I made the call earlier. Things were okay when I made the call.

You made the call six months ago? ’Cause that’s the last time I remember things being okay.

RJ: No I made the call before you killed the social worker.

Look for the last time. I didn’t kill the social worker. I just buried the social worker.

RJ: You know what though … It’s gonna turn out to be the same thing. I think it’s gonna have basically the same impact on our lives as if you’d killed her. So let’s just say you did. Okay!?

Why? Because it’ll sound better on TV. You thinking ahead ’til when we’re invited on one of those shows. Look I can’t talk to you anymore. I’m waiting for Phillie’s call.

RJ: He’s not calling.

He’ll call. Have faith.

RJ: He was here.

When.

RJ: Just now.

Did he have Christine.

RJ: No he couldn’t do it.

Shit…Shit…Okay okay, we’ll have to do it…We’ll go get her ourselves. Come on.

RJ: No he’s doing it.

You just said he wasn’t doing it.

RJ: He changed his mind. He went to do it. He’s…doing it.

He changed his mind?

RJ: He convinced himself. It’s something he has to do. He says it’ll make him feel better.

It will…It’ll be an accomplishment.

RJ: He’s got a gun.

I know.

RJ: It’s loaded.

So?

RJ: You told me it wasn’t.

I did?

RJ: Suppose he hurts someone.

It’s a risk worth taking. Hey R.J. it’s our life we’re talking about here.

(RJ goes to the phone)

What are you doing.

RJ: I have to call the TV guy back.

You’re kidding.

RJ: You hung up on him. He took the time to call me and you hung up on him…He might never take the time to call anyone again. That would be a shame. Because improvements can be made in how things are done and he’s in a position to make them…Probably all he needs is encouragement… and, you know…input.

You’re too much.