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KIEFER SISON

TWO THREE
THOUSANDS
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

2
CHARACTERS

JON

Late 30s.

AUDREY

Mid-20s.
TWO THREE THOUSANDS
A rented apartment.

A window down right.

A sparse mix of classic and modern furniture. Trash and


bottles are all over the floor. The home is lit mostly by
lamps and sconces. Smoke from Jon’s tobacco fills the
room.

The turn of summer to autumn. Just before the darkness


is being overtaken by day.
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

2
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

JON
I still do.

AUDREY
What does?

JON
Drive? An enjoyment, perhaps; a temporary numbing of
the conscious mind.

AUDREY
And that pleases you?

JON
Bitter as it is, yes.

AUDREY
I’m not exactly certain that I’m comfortable hearing that.

JON
Still, it remains sweet beyond my senses.

AUDREY
Does it matter? Does the thought give you pleasure?

JON
Rather, the lack of thought. It’s a skill, my dear. Having
nothing will give you everything. Casey knows that, I’m
surprised you don’t.

AUDREY
Doesn’t that worry you?

1
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

JON
What?

AUDREY
Doesn’t that worry you? The fact that you’ve nothing?

JON
Driving. Very- driving

AUDREY
Certainly, it must stir at least a memory or two,

JON
Don’t you have a home to go to?

AUDREY
I can wait.

An expectant pause.

AUDREY
Memories?

JON
Uh- yes. Yes.

AUDREY
Bits and pieces.

JON
More like fragments. Definitely.

AUDREY
So you don’t forget things.

2
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

JON
Not in particular. Things don’t slip very often.

AUDREY
Don’t you? I always thought that you just paid no
attention at all.

JON
I do.

AUDREY
So you do remember.

JON
More than I please

AUDREY
Feelings, then?

JON
Not necessarily.

AUDREY
Sounds impossible.

JON
Why so?

AUDREY
Memories aren’t just pictures in your head.

JON
No. They’re definitely not.

3
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

AUDREY
More. People always attach themselves to memories.
They’re sewn- woven in.

JON
Certainly. You’ve memories, haven’t you?

AUDREY
Do you feel things?

JON
In what context?

AUDREY
A thought is a recollection. Memories are made of
feelings.

JON
I don’t know.

AUDREY
You?

JON
Never asked that.

AUDREY
Probably should.

AUDREY walks over to the camera,


picking up a few photos beside it and
scanning.

4
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

AUDREY
I don’t seem to remember you telling me that you did
this professionally.

JON
Haven’t I?
I mean, yes. I was.
I still am.
Successfully.
Though, that did come as a surprise.

JON walks over and picks up the


camera, brushing closely past
AUDREY. He looks at AUDREY.

JON
Wait. What are you wearing?

AUDREY
Me?

JON
Yes. Your perfume, I mean.

AUDREY
Why?

JON
Just. What is it?

AUDREY
Yves Saint Laurent. 

JON

5
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

Opium?

AUDREY
Yes. Why?

JON
I like it.
I remember it.
Compliments the autumn.
Your dress
It suits you.
Shows your form
nicely.

AUDREY
Not often that a man compliments me, but thank you.

JON
Would you mind?

JON gestures to the camera.

AUDREY
How?

AUDREY poses for a shot.

JON
However you like.
Left.

AUDREY
I never thought you’d ever have the audacity.

6
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

JON
It’s dark.

AUDREY
Do you like taking photos?

JON
It’s not an easy living.

AUDREY
Then why do it?

JON
Because I know that, every time that shutter goes off,
I’m capturing a feeling. Memory. Emotion. Every photo
there’s happiness, passion, love, pleasure.

AUDREY
Isn’t that rather grand of a description for a photograph?
Have you travelled?

JON
Yes.
Quite a lot. Mexico, Paris, Vienna, Brussels. I have to be
very picky about where I go. I need to be able to impress
people when I tell them. See, if I tell them that a good
third of my pictures comes from Amsterdam-
They think oddly of me.
They think I’m pretentious
The women do.
The men just stare.
They enjoy it.

7
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

They buy,
Presumably to take home

AUDREY
You make money off a pair of breasts and a few curves?

JON
I’ve had the pleasure of working with many people.
Many different people.
Some highly respected.
Mostly prostitutes.

AUDREY
Pornographer, then?

JON
I am more dignified than

AUDREY
You sell sex on paper.

JON
Put simply
Yes.

JON, now reminiscent, slowly moves to


the window.

JON
What made up your mind? moving?

AUDREY
Everything you see right now.

8
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

JON
Because you like the city?

AUDREY
Because I hate it.

JON
Then?

AUDREY
The pleasure of distance.

JON
Certainly, people must be concerned about your sudden
disappearance.
Unless, of course, you’ve never enjoyed company

AUDREY
Does that please you?

JON
Does it?

JON puts down the camera.

JON
The breeze is strong.
Does this ever draw you? It certainly would. For hours.

AUDREY
Sometimes.

JON

9
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

Still, Amsterdam happens to draw you in.

A breath.

JON
Do you drink? A glass of red, perhaps.

AUDREY
Rarely.

JON
Rarely? How often is that?
I don’t seem to remember.

AUDREY
Every other day

JON
(smiling)
Youth fades quickly

AUDREY
People change.
Haven’t you?

JON
Not much.

AUDREY
I doubt that.

JON
And to think that you did.

10
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

AUDREY
I’d disagree.

JON
There isn’t much to wean someone off a habit.

AUDREY
Addiction?

JON
Perhaps.

AUDREY
I can say it whatever way I please. Facts still remain.

JON
I’m not debating that.
Why did you move?

AUDREY
I already told you.

JON scoffs.

JON
Just like your sister.
People don’t just move. All the more at your age.

AUDREY
And why not?

JON
too much work.

11
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

AUDREY
It’s just work.

JON
Was it easy moving there?

AUDREY
It took some time.

JON
Was it easy?

AUDREY
No.

Pause. JON looks around at the mess.


He starts to clean up, picking up
bottles and wrappers, placing them in
the bin.

JON
Disgusting.
You invite guests over and expect that they’ll be
responsible for picking up their own shit. They come
over, drink your month’s salary away then leave it like a
hole. People don’t give a shit.
Friends.

AUDREY
Don’t you ever think?

JON
About?

12
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

AUDREY
Think? Things with real purpose. Things that please
you.

JON
Like?

AUDREY
Purpose.

JON
Purpose?

AUDREY
Surely. Have you not had the pleasure?

JON
If time permits,

AUDREY
Don’t tell me you haven’t the time?

JON
I try to

AUDREY
Of all people.

JON
Thought does pleasure me.

AUDREY
I doubt that you don’t.

13
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

JON
Scheduling isn’t easy.

AUDREY
Well, do you?

JON
Yes. I do.

AUDREY
Well?

JON
Well?

AUDREY
What do you think about?

JON
Isn’t that rather intrusive?

AUDREY
I’m just asking for what you think about.

A long pause.

AUDREY
Are you thinking?

JON
What?

AUDREY

14
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

Are you thinking of what you’re planning to tell me of


what you’re thinking?

JON
No.

AUDREY
So you can actually tell me about what you think about

JON
No.

AUDREY
without incriminating yourself?

JON
No.

A very long pause.

AUDREY
Do I ever cross your mind?

JON
Yes. Definitely.

Pause.

AUDREY
And?

JON
And?

15
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

AUDREY
What do you think about?

JON
Schedules, people, agenda-

AUDREY
Those are your thoughts?

JON
Excuse me?

AUDREY
Well, after all, you said that thought pleasures you.

JON
It does.
You don’t have many friends.

AUDREY
I’m sorry?

JON takes the plates and starts


scraping off the food into the bin.

JON
When was the last time you’ve gone out?

AUDREY
Some time ago.

JON
With whom?

16
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

AUDREY
I have friends.

JON
Who?

AUDREY
Sarah.

JON
Sarah?

AUDREY
Middleton.

JON
Who else?

AUDREY
Isabelle

JON
Who else?

AUDREY
Just them.

JON
Just two? No one else to talk to? I was certain you had-

AUDREY
They’re all I’ve got. Besides, I prefer keeping my secrets
to myself.

17
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

JON
Were you kept away?

AUDREY
I preferred staying in, pleased myself.

JON
Rather mature of you.

AUDREY
Is it?

JON
Have you been in love?

AUDREY
Once.

JON
Just?

AUDREY
It’s strange what love is, really. You ask everyone and
they all give different answers. I’d be the worst person
to ask. But still, for something so universal, it’s still so
personal.

JON
You’re wise. For your age.

AUDREY
Is that supposed to be an insult?

JON

18
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

No. Not at all. I admire young, intellectual women.

AUDREY
Unlike my sister? With a preference?

JON
Far from your sister.

AUDREY
Funny.
It was the other way around.

JON
Your father liked her more.

AUDREY
He preferred her. Not like I didn’t try to get his favour…
He’d always stand by the door waiting for when sister
came home. He’d always find the time.
It wasn’t quite so with me.

JON
I see. I apologise.

AUDREY
What do you see in a person?

JON
Funny. Everything has sides.

AUDREY
A fair balance.

JON

19
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

Think of it that way,

AUDREY
Think of it that way, you’re not judging her by her
character, but by the things she can do.

JON
The things you do are the only things I can use to
determine character.

AUDREY
If there’s anything I can tell you of what I know, that’s a
lie.

JON
Is there anything you suggest?

AUDREY
People are deep.
You’ll see.

JON
Would you like a walk?
The city is very pretty right before sunrise.

AUDREY
The city?
At this time?
The city is disgusting Jon.

JON
The lights are just coming up.

20
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

AUDREY
The city is filled with whores and hoodlums.
The poor wander the streets.
Dirt on every corner.
The smells are putrid.
Policemen will watch you.
Some disgusting man will call you out.
Then there’s the buildings and the inns
With the windows all watching you
Eyes. Preying.
Yet, you still call this all pretty?

AUDREY
If you’ve grown up the way I did, I’m sure you’d find
pleasure in

JON
Other things?

AUDREY
Other things.

JON
Yes.

AUDREY
I’m sure you’d remember.

JON
Remember?

21
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

AUDREY
Times.

AUDREY returns to the photos.

AUDREY
I’m sure you remember when you began this. Your first?

JON
Yes. I definitely do. I have the photos still with me.

AUDREY
Are they here? Are they with you?

JON
No.

AUDREY
No? Why not?

JON
I don’t want anyone to see them.

AUDREY
Because they’ll

JON
Be embarrassing.

AUDREY
Incriminate?

JON

22
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

No. Not necessarily.

AUDREY
Why? Will it damage your reputation?

JON
No,

AUDREY
Then

JON
but

AUDREY
Why not?

JON
Because they’re mine.
And I get to chose what happens to them.

AUDREY
I didn’t know you were so passionate about this.

JON
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.

A pause.

JON fixes himself a brandy, filled to


the brim, making one for AUDREY as
well. He walks over and offers her the
drink. She drinks it in one quick shot.

23
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

AUDREY
Do you ever lash out like this with Casey?

JON
I don’t know.

AUDREY
You don’t know?

JON
It’s not like I count.

AUDREY
Really?
She likes that.

JON
When I lash out?

AUDREY
Yes. She thinks it’s attractive.

JON takes another sip of brandy.

AUDREY
Passion runs in the blood.
You like her like that, don’t you?

JON rubs his eyes.

Are you tired?

24
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

Will a yes send you home?

He rubs his eyes again.

I doubt that you aren’t.

I can fix myself a coffee.

That will only work for a few more hours.


Then you’ll be down, tired.
You’ll be wishing that you’ve another.

A few hours is all I need, really.

What keeps you busy?


These days?

Not much. I have a trip for Vienna in the next few.


Your sister is coming.
She often spoke of it.
Of going.
She had made plans on her own, actually.
Except I was busy. My work often keeps me away.
Which is why I enjoy my times here.
Perhaps why I wanted to bring her along.
With me.

What makes the choice? Of your subjects?


Certainly, you wouldn’t just go out simply and select by
random on the street. The must be a process.
Yes.

25
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

I’m sure they must be rather affluent. So to say,


aristocratic? It should be expensive.

I have had some wealthy.

Why this subject?

Because it sells. It’s what pays the bills.

What about her? Does she approve?

Do you enjoy her?


JON
Why is that?

AUDREY
Is she pleasurable?

JON
Of course. But.

AUDREY
Really?

JON
Why-

AUDREY
How about Casey? Does she enjoy as well?

JON

26
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

I don’t think

AUDREY
Does she find it pleasurable?

JON
That’s

AUDREY
She said she does.

JON
This is

AUDREY
I bet she loves it.
JON
Uncomfortable.

AUDREY
I bet she moans real loud.
She’s brought a few men home before you.

JON
She

AUDREY
They enjoyed her.

JON
This is not

AUDREY
You enjoy her, for sure.

27
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

JON
Please.

AUDREY
Men love sex
They’ll do anything for it
Jesus
Kiss ass, lick the floor, tie them up, hold them down
God
All the things they do
They beat people just for a sample
Make it worse
The pussies they beat start to enjoy it

JON
Okay.

AUDREY
They tear up, begging for more

JON
Enough.
It’s morning. I need you to go home.

AUDREY
I’m not leaving until the sun is out.

JON
People are expecting you.

AUDREY
Home? No.

28
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

JON takes another sip. He accidentally


steps on some leftover food.

JON
Shit.

JON
(to himself)
Pigs.

JON sets his drink down to pick up a


piece. AUDREY walks over to the
table, taking the drink and downing
the entire glass.

JON
Stop.
You’ve had enough.

AUDREY
Temporary numbing.

JON takes the now empty glass and


b r i n g s i t t o t h e c o u n t e r. A U D R E Y
takes another drink that was left on
the table.

JON
I said stop.

AUDREY walks to a desk by the hall to


d r i n k a n u n f i n i s h e d g l a s s o f b e e r.

29
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

JON
How many times do I have to tell you to stop?

JON takes the empty glass away again.

AUDREY
Stop?

JON
You should go

AUDREY
Stop?

JON
home.

AUDREY
What do you know about stop?

JON
Get your things.

AUDREY
Stop.

JON
Where are they?

AUDREY
Do you really know what that means?

JON

30
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

Fine. I’ll look for them.

AUDREY
Do you know?

JON
Where?

JON searches hastily through the


apartment.

AUDREY
Stop.

JON
Are you not going to tell me?

AUDREY
Stop.

JON
No? Fuck.

AUDREY
STOP. I told you to stop.
You don’t understand what that word means, don’t
you?

JON
I’m fully aware

AUDREY
Then why didn’t you?

31
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

JON
I’m looking for your

AUDREY
Why didn’t you?

JON
I was.

AUDREY
I told you to stop.

JON
A pause.

AUDREY
Nothing? Really? I was expecting you to have learned
by now.
Did you tell her?

JON
No.

AUDREY
No?
She has no

JON
Idea? Yes.

AUDREY
Jesus
You’re just the same.
You should tell her.

32
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

JON
That would ruin

AUDREY
Really? Will it?

JON
Yes.

AUDREY
She deserves to know.

JON
Deserves what?

AUDREY
Definitely not you.

JON
How am I even sure that it’s you?

AUDREY
Memories, Jon.

A deafening silence.

AUDREY
Where are they?

Nothing.

AUDREY
Where are they?

33
TWO THREE THOUSANDS

Where are they?

JON
In the drawer. Under the box.

AUDREY begins searching furiously.

JON
Stop that.

AUDREY
Which drawer?

JON
Stop.

JON takes her hand, keeping it away.


He immediately releases it.
He moves to the couch.

34

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