Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Two Three Thousands
Two Three Thousands
TWO THREE
THOUSANDS
TWO THREE THOUSANDS
2
CHARACTERS
JON
Late 30s.
AUDREY
Mid-20s.
TWO THREE THOUSANDS
A rented apartment.
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.
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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.
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
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
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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?
AUDREY
How?
JON
However you like.
Left.
AUDREY
I never thought you’d ever have the audacity.
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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.
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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
What made up your mind? moving?
AUDREY
Everything you see right now.
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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
The breeze is strong.
Does this ever draw you? It certainly would. For hours.
AUDREY
Sometimes.
JON
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TWO THREE THOUSANDS
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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
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TWO THREE THOUSANDS
JON
No.
AUDREY
So you can actually tell me about what you think about
JON
No.
AUDREY
without incriminating yourself?
JON
No.
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
When was the last time you’ve gone out?
AUDREY
Some time ago.
JON
With whom?
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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
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TWO THREE THOUSANDS
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
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TWO THREE THOUSANDS
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
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
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TWO THREE THOUSANDS
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.
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.
AUDREY
Passion runs in the blood.
You like her like that, don’t you?
24
TWO THREE THOUSANDS
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TWO THREE THOUSANDS
AUDREY
Is she pleasurable?
JON
Of course. But.
AUDREY
Really?
JON
Why-
AUDREY
How about Casey? Does she enjoy as well?
JON
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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.
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TWO THREE THOUSANDS
JON
Shit.
JON
(to himself)
Pigs.
JON
Stop.
You’ve had enough.
AUDREY
Temporary numbing.
JON
I said stop.
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TWO THREE THOUSANDS
JON
How many times do I have to tell you to stop?
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
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TWO THREE THOUSANDS
AUDREY
Do you know?
JON
Where?
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?
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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.
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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?
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TWO THREE THOUSANDS
JON
In the drawer. Under the box.
JON
Stop that.
AUDREY
Which drawer?
JON
Stop.
34