Beautiful Boy

Beautiful Boy
Screenplay by Luke Davies & Felix van Groeningen
Current Revisions by Felix van Groeningen
based on the books

Beautiful Boy by David Sheff
and Tweak by Nic Sheff
November 2016
Copyright © 2016
Plan B / New Regency Productions
All rights (by all media) reserved
1 EXT. BACK YARD AND SWIMMING POOL, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 1
A glorious, sunny day.
NIC (18), JASPER (7) and DAISY (5) are playing in a swimming
pool, set in a lush green garden. Bright colors, sunlight
piercing the ropes of water splashing through the air, the
children’s skin glistening.
DAVID - in his 40’s and still a great looking guy - sits at a

table. He is trying to read the New Yorker, but keeps looking
up at his kids with a big smile.
Daisy climbs out of the pool. Although she is sometimes one

of the boys, she is also a real girl.
DAISY
Dad, I’m hungry.
DAVID
You are? Me too. Will you fix me
something to eat?
DAISY
No.
DAVID
Why not?
She laughs.
DAISY
Cos I’m a kid.
DAVID
Oh, that’s convenient. So cos I’m
your dad, I need to give you food?
DAISY
Yes!
He gives her a kiss. She runs off.
2 INT. KITCHEN, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 2
David opens the fridge. Almost nothing in there. Only

carrots. A lot of carrots actually.
He thinks for a moment, then takes the carrots and starts

peeling them. He loves cooking and is good in it. Once and a
while he looks outside sees his kids playing.
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
2
Nic enters, still dripping. He takes a glass of water from

the tap, drinks with big gulps. Nic is a funny, playful young
man on the verge of becoming an adult. He has a great smile,
looks lanky thin.
Daisy enters too, she’s telling Nic a story.
DAISY
So and this meany potato head boy
pushed my friend Alana.
NIC
Yeah? You know what? I’m gonna come
to your school and make him a
mashed meany potatohead!
Daisy laughs.
Jasper enters too, he is a thoughtful kid.
JASPER
Hey guys, what are you doing
inside?
DAISY
And, and... Daniela, she fell off
the climbing structure and broke
her toe.
NIC
Ouch.
DAISY
And now she has a cast.
David is following the conversation while cutting and rasping

the carrots.
DAVID
A cast on her toe?
Daisy nods.
DAVID (CONT’D)
It must be teeny.
JASPER
They'll cut it off with a hacksaw!
DAISY
No!!
The guys giggle.
(CONTINUED)
3
KAREN enters. She is the mother of the 2 younger kids, and

stepmother of Nic. A dog (BRUTUS) is following her. It seems
this kitchen is filling up entirely.
KAREN
Hey, shouldn’t we eat something
guys?
Another dog - MOONDOG - enters, he barks.
KAREN (CONT’D)
Shhhhttttt... Moondog, shut up.
Karen is a beautiful and artistic woman, self assured and a

little neurotic at the same time.
DAVID
The fridge was empty.
KAREN
Yeah sorry. I’ll order pizza.
DAISY
Yes!! Pizzzzaaa!
Jasper cheers too.
DAVID
No way, I’m cooking, it’s fine.
KARE
What are you making?
DAVID
Just carrot stuff.
Everybody looks at him.
KAREN
Carrot stuff?
DAISY
(repeating Karen’s tone)
Carrot stuff?
DAVID
Yes.
He chuckles.
CUT TO:
Daisy and Karen are bringing plates and cutlery to the table.
Nic and Jasper still fooling around.
(CONTINUED)
4
KAREN
Guys please sit!
David brings the food to the table. He starts filling plates.
DAVID
So guys: carrot tempura, fresh
carrot salad, and carrot pancakes.
DAISY
Pancakes!
Cool! Everybody takes a seat while continuing talking. Nic

tastes and likes, Jasper too. They all applaud David. They
chat while eating. Cozy chaos.
We slip into a conversation mid meal.
NIC
I might not go to graduation.
David registers, but doesn’t say anything.
KAREN
Are you serious?
NIC
Of course I’m serious.
DAISY
(mimicking Nic)
Of course I’m serious!
NIC
I’m really serious, Daisy.
DAISY
I’m also really serious Nic.
NIC
The class chose to wear caps and
gowns. It’s ridiculous.
The phone RINGS. The dogs stand up and start barking around
the house. It’s loud.
DAVID
Moondog!
KAREN
Shhhh... Brutus. Sushhhh.
(to David)
Pick it up.
(CONTINUED)
5
DAVID
It’ll be nothing.
KAREN
Stop Brutus!!
The phone stops ringing. The dogs stop barking. A lot calmer
again. David turns to Nic.
DAVID
Nic, we are all gonna be there for
you. Before you know it, you’re off
to college. So... You should go.
David downs his cup of coffee and refills. He looks at Nic,

who sits there a bit down and annoyed suddenly.
DAVID (CONT’D)
OK?
NIC
Sure...
A little awkward father - adolescent situation. David smiles,

gets up.
DAVID
Ok then. That’s settled.
3 EXT. MARIN ACADEMY, SAN RAFAEL - DAY 3
It’s Nic’s graduating class on the lovely grounds of Marin

Academy. 80 KIDS, waiting in the wings. PARENTS, FRIENDS,
LOVED ONES, STUDENTS are taking seats.
Amongst them the whole Sheff-family. David, Karen, Jasper,

Daisy. David is talking to the FATHER of one of Nic’s fellow
students.
DAVID
I think he can do better at a small
liberal arts college. Although he’s
been accepted to most of the major
colleges.
FATHER
And where is he going?
DAVID
He chose Hampshire, which is like a
college made with Nic in mind. It’s
an amazing place.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
6
DAVID (CONT'D)
Vibrant atmosphere, beautiful
setting. A former apple orchard,
and it retains feelings of that
farm. Impressive stimulating arts
program...
David is prodded by VICKI, Nic’s mom.
VICKI
(to the father)
I’m sorry to disturb you... Hey
David.
DAVID
Hi!
Hey Vicki.
David and Vicki separated a long time ago, and Vicki is

always a little uneasy when confronted with David. They hug a
little awkwardly.
Vicki notices Karen and the kids. Karen waves. Vicki just
nods back, a little cold.
VICKI
Oh, the whole family is here?
DAVID
Yeah...
VICKI
Jasper and Daisy got big.
DAVID
Yeah, we feed them.
Hey... How’s Jack? Didn’t he join?
VICKI
Nicolas wouldn’t really appreciate
it. You know that.
DAVID
Well...
(getting out of there)
Good to see you on this important
day for Nic. Happy you could make
it. And you’re welcome at the BBQ
at our house this afternoon.
VICKI
Of course.
The ceremony is about to start. David makes his way to Karen.

Vicki takes a seat.
(CONTINUED)
7
David takes a seat next to Karen.
CUT TO:
The PRINCIPAL (woman, 50s) moves down her list; students are
called, step up, cross stage, receive their certificates,
smile for the camera, step down. Every time families cheer
and it all builds up to:
PRINCIPAL
Nic Sheff...
David and the whole family cheers now as Nic goes towards the
stage. Even other people are cheering for Nic. Little Daisy
is enraptured. David is really really proud.
DAVID
Go get’em!
Nic steps up - kisses the Principal - looks out and grins

wickedly to his family. David laughs.
While making his way down the stage, Nic shakes hands with
teachers standing in line with a big smile, he even hugs one
of them, the teacher is surprised.
As other student’s names are called, OTHER FAMILIES are

cheering too. For David it feels like everybody is cheering
for Nic.
Before he steps off the stage, Nic waves to his family one
more time.
4 INT. BEDROOM DAVID & KAREN, SHEFF HOUSE - NIGHT 4
David wakes up suddenly. He was sleeping badly. He looks at

the clock, it’s 1 am. Silently he gets out of bed.
5 INT. HALLWAY, SHEFF HOUSE - NIGHT 5
David is walking in the hallway and peeks inside Nic’s room.

The bed is unmade, Nic is not there.
6 INT. KITCHEN, SHEFF HOUSE - MORNING 6
A couple of hours later, morning light is coming through the

windows.
It’s actually a great house. Very tasteful, wood and lots of

glass, bustling nature surrounding it.
David is on the phone, he’s holding a little notebook with

phone numbers, dialing a number. Waiting.
(CONTINUED)
8
DAVID
Hi, this is David Sheff.
Hi Monica. Sorry to call this
early. Oh, sorry.
Listen, I was wondering if Nic
spent the night with you guys?
OK.
Yeah, well, not yet, I will.
No, I don’t understand.
Yeah, it’ll probably be fine.
Thanks.
CUT TO:
David is going through a phone book. Calling another number.

Listening. No answer. He calls yet another number.
CUT TO:
We enter mid conversation.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Do you know with whom he was
hanging out a lot lately?
Do you have a number?
7 INT. DAISY’S ROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - MORNING 7
Karen is helping Daisy to get dressed.
8 INT. HALLWAY, SHEFF HOUSE - MORNING 8
Jasper is ready and walking through the hallway. He sees that

Nic is not in his room.
11 INT. DAVID'S STUDY, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 11
David on the phone in his workspace.
POLICE DISPATCHER
Can I have a name?
DAVID
His name is Sheff - S-H-E-F-F.
First name Nic, N-I-C. Not with a
K, just N-I-C.
POLICE DISPATCHER (O.S.)

Please hold sir.
David waits. This is excruciating. It takes like forever.
David’s study is the kind of space you’d love to live a

creative life.
(CONTINUED)
9
David is a senior writer for Rolling Stone, Playboy, Wired,

Vanity Fair. On the walls, artwork mixed with family photos -
Nic at various ages - mixed with framed magazine covers,
including David’s own holy grail, the Playboy-cover featuring
John Lennon’s final interview from 1980.
POLICE DISPATCHER (O.S.)(CONT’D)

Mr. Sheff? No one of that name sir.
Maybe you should call the jails and
hospitals directly.
JUMP CUT:
David is calling another number. It’s ringing.
HOSPITAL FRONT DESK (O.S.)

Marin General Hospital, how may I
help you?
DAVID
Hi, my son went missing and I
wanted to check if he was maybe
brought in. Maybe an accident
happened or...
HOSPITAL FRONT DESK

Can I have name and a description,
sir?
DAVID
Nic Sheff. N-I-C. Nic. Sheff. He‘s
18, just over six feet tall. He
weighs about 130 pounds. Maybe
less, I’m not sure. He has brown
hair, shoulder length. Blue eyes.
HOSPITAL FRONT DESK

Thank you, please hold.
David waits.
And for the first time, we hear David’s voice over. It is a

calm inner monologue, or at least tries to be that.
DAVID (V.O.)
I contend with two simultaneous,
opposing monologues, one reassuring
me that I’m foolish and paranoid,
the other that something is
dreadfully wrong.
10
12 INT. LIVING ROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - NIGHT 12
David is walking in circles wearing his pajamas. It’s late at

night. The living room is filled with Jasper and Daisy’s
toys. David starts clearing away the toys.
DAVID (V.O.)
Nic is out and having fun and
forgot about us. He is young and
irresponsible sometimes. Or...
We HEAR a car approaching the house. David walks to the

window, watches. A moment it sounded like the car was
stopping, but no, it’s just passing by. He watches it drive
by.
13 INT. NIC’S BEDROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - NIGHT 13
David enters Nic’s room. Turns on the light. What is he

looking for? He doesn’t really know.
DAVID (V.O.)
Nic is gone 3 days.
A little nervous he goes through some stuff, opens the

drawers and checks them.
On Nic’s desk he sees a couple of books. He takes one, ‘The

Beautiful And The Damned’, by Fitzgerald. He takes the book
and flips it open at some random places, reads snippets here
and there.
David turns and we’re looking at the back of his head.
CUT TO:
14 INT. NIC’S BEDROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY (FLASHBACK) 14
Close up on David, facing the camera now, but more or less at

the same place in the room.
DAVID
Why are you always in your room?
Why do you hardly come out of it?
Silence.
DAVID (CONT’D)
You’re not seeing that girl,
anymore? What’s her name, Lauren?
NIC
Nah...
(CONTINUED)
11
DAVID
It’s not healthy. What do you do
here all day?
A beat.
NIC
I read. I draw.
We just hear Nic, do not get to see him just yet.
DAVID
That’s great, but... what about
running? Surfing? We used to go
surfing all the time. I loved it
too.
NIC (O.S.)
Yeah, well. I’m into other things
now.
DAVID
Yeah, reading misanthropes and
seriously depressed writers...
NIC (O.S.)
They’re kinda great though.
David smiles, he is reminded of his own young years.
DAVID
I get it. It’ll pass, you know.
Silence.
DAVID (CONT’D)
It really does.
David looks at Nic. We see him now. He’s sitting on his bed,
with a notebook in his hands. He wears a faded red T-shirt,
saggy jeans, red All Stars.
NIC
What?
DAVID
The feeling of being alienated and
isolated.
Nic chuckles.
NIC
That really helps. Thanks for the
advice.
(CONTINUED)
12
David understands Nic wants to be alone.
DAVID
OK.
He exits Nic’s room.
NIC
Sorry, dad, that came out stupid.
A little smile. He closes the door.
CUT TO:
Back to the present time. David puts the book back on the
desk. He starts to clean up the room a little, just tidying
the mess a little.
When done he turns off the lights, exits the room and closes
the door.
David is walking in circles, with a phone in his hand. He is

girding himself up to make a phone call.
DAVID
Hi Vicki. It’s David.
INTERCUT WITH :
17 INT. VICKI’S OFFICE - DAY 17
Vicki works in an office overlooking LA, she picks up her

phone. Vicki works as an writer for a lifestyle magazine.
VICKI
Oh, hello.
DAVID
I was wondering if you’ve seen Nic,
or heard from him...?
INTERCUT WITH :
David is walking around with his phone in his garden.
VICKI
No. He’s not with you?
(CONTINUED)
13
DAVID
No. He...
(a beat)
He’s been gone for four days.
VICKI
What?! What do you mean, he’s gone?
What’s going on?
DAVID
Well, I don’t know. He’s being a
typical teen lately I guess. But
this, this is next level. He took
the car and is off.
VICKI
Didn’t you see this coming?
DAVID
Uh, no.
VICKI
What?
DAVID
(a little upset)
No, I didn’t see it coming.
(even more)
Would have done something if I had.
VICKI
It was just a question David,
Jesus! You know, I just haven’t
seen him that much lately.
In a split-second this conversation has turned into a fight,

as many times before, probably.
DAVID
Well, that’s why I don’t think I
need lessons in parenting from you,
OK? Fuck, Vicki. Can we please not
blame each other?
VICKI
Who’s blaming who here? If I hardly
ever see him, it’s because he’s
supposed to come to LA for the
holidays, but doesn’t come because
he doesn’t want to miss his brother
and sister and friends.
DAVID
Well that’s not my fault, is it?
(CONTINUED)
14
VICKI
You certainly didn’t help.
(a beat)
And now he is gone?
Vicki is only just now realizing what this means. Tears well
up, she sniffles. David hears it. Although conversations with
Vicki often go this way and David hates it, hearing her cry
over their son breaks his heart.
DAVID
It’ll be fine. He’ll show up and...
VICKI
So what now?
DAVID
Wait, I guess. I talked to the
police too.
VICKI
Let me know when you know?
DAVID
Yes.
They both hang up.
David watches Karen through the windows of her studio. She

works as a painter and illustrator and she has a great
studio in their garden. She’s working on a painting.
Karen notices David, they look at each other. Karen walks

towards the door, opens it. David walks to Karen. They hug.
19 I/E. CAR / ROADS TO INVERNESS/ DRIVEWAY, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 19
David is driving, the kids are in the back. They’re driving

back from school. The radio is on, playing HOT IN HERRE by
NELLY or something alike, pretty explicit-lyrics-hip-hop.
David hates it, turns it down.
JASPER
No turn it up.
DAVID
You like this?
JASPER
Of course. This is swag.
David turns it back up. Jasper starts singing and rapping

along.
(CONTINUED)
15
JASPER (CONT’D)
It’s getting hot in here, so take
off all your clothes
Japser looks at Daisy, now she joins...
JASPER AND DAISY

I am gettin so hot, I wanna take my
clothes off
David watches them being goofy but his mind is somewhere

else.
They come home, David sees the Volvo parked on the driveway.
He parks the Honda behind it, gets out and takes a closer
look at the Volvo. Nobody in the car. Daisy and Jasper get
out of the car too, but don’t notice the car being home as
something special.
They enter the house.
20 INT. LIVING ROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 20
David, Jasper and Daisy enter the living room. David looks
around, nobody there. The kids go into the kitchen and open
the fridge to get some juice.
David walks up the stairs.
21 INT. HALLWAY, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 21
David approaches Nic’s bedroom door. It’s closed. He opens

it.
22 INT. NIC’S BEDROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 22
David sees Nic curled up in his bed. A moment of relief. He

watches him, goes nearby, sits down next to him. Nic looks
pretty bad. He’s shivering.
DAVID
Nic. What have you been doing?
Nic opens his eyes.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Where have you been?
NIC
I just need to sleep, dad.
David notices Jasper and Daisy standing in the door and

watching.
(CONTINUED)
16
DAVID
Could you guys go downstairs? I’ll
be right with you.
They hesitate a little, want to see what is going on.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Please.
They turn around. David looks at Nic again, his eyes are
closed again.
David looks at him for a moment...
DAVID (CONT’D)
(gently)
You can’t do this. You just can’t.
... then leaves the room.
23 INT. DAVID'S STUDY, SHEFF HOUSE - EVENING 23
David is pacing around the room. Karen is watching him,

waiting for David to say something.
24 INT. LIVING ROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - EVENING 24
David, Karen, Jasper and Daisy at the kitchen table.
DAVID
Your brother feels sick. Very sick.
But he’s OK. He will be alright.
OK?
They nod.
JASPER
He has to go to the hospital?
DAVID
We’re gonna bring him to a special
kind of hospital, yes. It’s called
a rehab.
JASPER
Why is it a special kind of
hospital?
DAVID
Well. He just needs to get better.
And that is a good place to do so.
Everybody is worried, but David tries to cheer them all up.
(CONTINUED)
17
DAVID (CONT’D)
He’ll get there. No worries.
25 I/E. CAR / ENTERING SAN FRANCISCO / OHLOFF REHAB - DAY 25
David and Nic are driving. Nic watches the road and the
clouds. He feels sick.
They arrive at a driveway to the rehab centre. David parks.

They look at the building. SOME GUYS - presumable addicts or
ex-addicts - are smoking on the stairs leading to the
entrance. Nic looks at them. They look back.
NIC
I can’t do this. I won’t.
DAVID
Then what we are supposed to do?
This got out of hand, no?
No reaction...
DAVID (CONT’D)
What drugs have you been using?
A beat.
DAVID (CONT’D)
You gonna tell me?
NIC
Crystal Meth.
David stares at Nic in disbelief. This is bad.
DAVID
Who have you been doing it with?
Akira?
NIC
You don’t know these guys.
I’m sorry dad. I fucked up. It was
stupid. And I will never touch that
shit again. It was a mistake. A one-
time-mistake. I learned my lesson.
David looks at Nic, feels for him.
DAVID
Let’s go in and check this place
out. These are professionals. Let’s
listen to them.
(CONTINUED)
18
NIC
It’s bullshit. You know what? I’m
18? You can’t force me.
David is taken aback for a moment. Nic’s right, he no longer

has a legal right to force Nic into rehab.
DAVID
What is this? You agree to go, but
now that we’re here, you don’t want
to? Please, Nic. Come on Nic. It’s
hard, I realize. But we will get
through this.
Nic sometimes in a split-second just changes, and becomes

angry and aggressive.
NIC
This is stupid. I’ll just run away.
You fucking think you know me?! You
don’t know anything about me.
David bursts out in return, exposing some of his underlying

anxiety.
DAVID
No I don’t! And I fucking HATE it,
Nic! Come on Nic. What is this??
What is happening? Do you want to
kill yourself?
Nic screams out of frustration. His voice is hoarse. He calms

down, while still heavy breathing.
David calms down too. Then tries another way to get to Nic.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Look, you can’t stay home like
this. You’re out of sorts. You’re
scaring your brother and sister.
NIC
Fuck you! You have always tried to
control me.
DAVID
Come on Nic.
NIC
I’m... fuck. OK. Whatever. I’ll do
it. I’ll do it.
19
26 INT. WAITING ROOM, OHLOFF REHAB - DAY 26
David sits in an austere waiting room. He is flipping through

a magazine. The DIRECTOR of the program, an imposing woman,
comes out of an office followed by Nic.
DIRECTOR
Mr Sheff. Can you come with me?
David and Nic share a look. Nic sits down, David gets up and
goes into the office.
27 INT. ADMISSIONS OFFICE, OHLOFF REHAB - DAY 27
David and the director enter and sit down.
DIRECTOR
He needs treatment and fast. There
is still a lot of drugs in his
body. He’s pretty hardcore. Worst
thing, he is in denial.
David is watching Nic through the glass of the door.
DAVID
Can you help him?
DIRECTOR
Look, it’s all right. Many people
here don’t come by choice. They
have as much chance of getting and
staying sober as someone who crawls
in here, begging to be treated.
Although all of this is alarming, David stays cool. ‘We will

fix this’.
DAVID
OK.
DIRECTOR
We have one free bed, so yes, if
you want we can check him in for
our 28 day treatment. Then we
evaluate.
David nods.
DAVID
Do you have special attention for
crystal meth users?
(CONTINUED)
20
DIRECTOR
We have our experience, yes, of
course. But within the program, we
don’t want to make distinctions.
Clients are clients. One substance
isn’t worse than another.
DAVID
OK. What’s your success rate?
DIRECTOR
It’s fair. Between 25 and 80
percent.
DAVID
What? Could you be more vague?
This doesn’t make sense.
DIRECTOR
(quick)
It depends on so much, you know...
do you look at it over a longer
period or not? Look, we have daily
consultations with staff physicians
and a psychiatrist. Daily AA and NA
meetings. He’s gonna be followed
closely, ok?
David thinks, nods.
CUT TO:
Papers need to be filled in / Social security numbers /

Credit card information / Nic enters, he needs to sign too.
CUT TO:
David and Nic say goodbye. They hug.
DAVID
Everything.
David takes Nic in his arms, looks him straight in the eyes
and repeats:
DAVID (CONT’D)
Everything.
Clearly some reference loaded with history - though we don’t

know what it means.
Nic looks at David. A little grumpy, ashamed too.
(CONTINUED)
21
NIC
Everything.
Nic looks away, and walks off with a NURSE. The director and
David watch them walk away.
29 E/I. GROCERY STORE / CAR - DAY 29
David, Jasper, Daisy exit the local store with some

groceries, they get in the car. We see David’s back, and his
eyes in the rearview mirror. The kids close the back doors.
They put on their seat belts. We’re on the back of David’s
head.
30 INT. CAR/ GROCERY STORE - DAY (FLASHBACK) 30
Camera more or less at the same position, in the back of the

car, frame is empty. The doors of the car open and David and
Nic step in and sit down.
The atmosphere is good, Nic’s talking freely, David is

enjoying.
NIC
So we divide our clientele in
different categories. There are
‘smarges’. Smarges ask for a small
coffee in a big cup... knowing that
we will fill it up to the top
anyhow, so they save an extra
quarter.
DAVID
People actually do this?
NIC
Of course. Then there are the ‘Why
bothers’, they want decaf-fat-free-
milk cappuccinos. And ‘Quads’ that
are maniacs who ask for quadruple
espresso’s.
David laughs.
NIC (CONT’D)
And people better be nice to me,
cos, otherwise if they ask decaf,
they get double shot espresso’s,
and vice versa.
David starts the car, and is about to reverse...
NIC (CONT’D)
Hey dad, do you want to smoke this?
(CONTINUED)
22
Nic takes out a joint.
DAVID
What?
NIC
I think we should smoke this
together.
David turns and looks at Nic.
DAVID
This is crazy. No.
NIC
I know you smoke.
DAVID
That’s been a while. Maybe at a
party I’ll take a hit, or two.
Nic keeps eyeing David.
DAVID (CONT’D)
You’re a character, man.
Nic doesn’t get a yes or a no, as David is too surprised, so

Nic puts it to his lips and takes out a lighter.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Stop that. You’re crazy, here in
the village?
NIC
Let’s smoke it together, or I’ll
light it here.
DAVID
Let’s just get out of town.
He starts the car, backs up.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Put it away...!
Nic puts it away, just when they see the local SHERIFF. David
smiles to the sheriff, and drives off. They’re both giggling
like kids.
31 EXT. POINT REYES SHIP WRECK - EVENING (FLASHBACK CONTINUED)31
The car is parked at Tomales Bay and they sit on the hood of
the car. Sunset. A bit further lies a stranded shipwreck.
(CONTINUED)
23
Nic takes a hit from the joint...
NIC
I know I’m fucked up. I know I’m
weird. Dark -
Passes it to David. He takes a couple of hits.
DAVID
You’re amazing, Nic. You applied
for 6 colleges and were accepted to
all of them! It’s all gonna work
out fine. Stop doubting. I mean you
have everything. Look at you.
David looks at Nic. Nic thinks about it, is somehow comforted

by what David says.
DAVID (CONT’D)
And it could be worse, you know. I
grew up in Arizona, with
Republicans all around me, parents
I was not in touch with...
NIC
(intrigued, asking
something he never asked
before)
You did a lot of drugs, right?
DAVID
I had my share. Sure. Experimented
with different kinds of drugs. And
had fun sometimes. I guess it
allows you to feel more and less at
the same time. Which is helpful,
sometimes.
David chuckles.
DAVID (CONT’D)
But not harmless, I had a friend
that...
NIC
(undercuts David)
Is this the lecture part?
It makes David smile.
NIC (CONT’D)
You worry too much. Everyone does
it.
(CONTINUED)
24
DAVID
Yeah, well... Just be careful.
NIC
It's just pot. It's just once and a
while. I'm just partying a little.
I worked hard this year...
DAVID
Well, to be honest, I don’t think
you worked that hard. You’re just
really smart.
NIC
Well, I will really work hard next
year. I’ll have to. So I deserve to
party a little now, right?
Nic is laughing, a bit stoned. David watches Nic with a

smile. He’s also a bit stoned, we notice now.
Nic takes a last hit of the joint, throws the butt away.
NIC (CONT’D)
It just takes the edge of things,
you know. Of stupid all day
reality.
David thinks about this. All of a sudden changes his

attitude. Instead of the pot-smoking buddy, he’s the worrying
father again (but also, slightly stoned).
DAVID
What’s stupid about reality?
Nic looks at David, wants to argue...
NIC
Well you know, like daily stupid
things, that don’t matter...
DAVID
Come on Nic, you shouldn’t say dumb
shit like that! You’ll start
believing it too.
Nic looks at David, is really hurt. His look becomes rigid.
NIC
Ok, whatever.
Nic stands up, and goes in the car. David doesn’t realize he
was too harsh...
(CONTINUED)
25
DAVID
Come on Nic.
Nic slams his door.
NIC
Let’s just go. This was ridiculous.
David nods... He steps into the car, closes the door.
33 INT. DINING ROOM, OHLHOFF REHAB - MORNING 33
Back to the present.
Nic, in PJ’s, looking really bad and down, steps into the
rehab dining room and kitchen. 15 or so other OHLOFF CLIENTS
are serving themselves breakfast. All kinds of different
people. Men, boys, women, girls. Some look as down as Nic,
others are pretty up. It’s a mixed atmosphere.
For the first time we also hear Nic’s voice over, it sounds
soft and frail.
NIC (V.O.)
I sleep 20 hours a day. Nurses wake
me up to take medication. I tell
them to go away but they force me
to get up and eat.
Nic takes a plastic cup with his name on it, it contains

medication. He swallows them. JOHNNY is a squat little man,
40-ish, with a dyed black mohawk, he sits in front of Nic and
smiles gently. He has lost most of his teeth. Nic looks down.
NIC (V.O.)
It is like someone came in with a
vacuum cleaner and sucked out my
brain...
34 EXT. GARDEN, OHLOFF - DAY 34
Nic sits by himself in the garden, stares in front of him.
NIC
...leaving me with nothing but this
overpowering hopelessness.
36 INT. OFFICE, OHLOFF - DAY 36
David and Karen sit with the director.
The door opens. VINCE - one of the Ohloff counselors - and

Nic enter. He looks a little better.
(CONTINUED)
26
DAVID
Hey.
NIC
Hi dad.
David and Karen stand up and hug Nic. It’s a little awkward.
Vince takes some chairs, they all have a seat. Vince starts
talking to break the ice.
VINCE
So, we feel he’s made great
progress. Right Nic?
NIC
Yes.
DAVID
That’s great.
KAREN
That’s great, Nic.
David pats Nic on the shoulder and leaves his hand there.
VINCE
So we should maybe talk about the
coming weeks. Nic?
NIC
Yes.
David is surprised: where is this leading to? Nic takes a

moment, then turns to David and Karen.
NIC (CONT’D)
I think I need more time in rehab.
So I was wondering if I could go to
the halfway house here.
DAVID
OK... Sure, that sounds like a
plan.
VINCE
The halfway house is an open living
facility, with follow-up every
night. And we’d help him find a
job.
A beat. David is trying to figure out what this means... He

looks at Nic.
(CONTINUED)
27
NIC
I don’t want to go to college, dad.
David didn’t see this one coming.
DAVID
And do what? Be a barista? Make
coffees the rest of your life?
NIC
(takes his time, soft)
I was going for you, but I’m not up
for it, dad. I want to work. I
think I need to be independent.
David doesn’t know what to say. A long silence.
37 INT. CAR - DAY 37
David is angry. He slams the dashboard.
DAVID
Fuck!
Outside a strong wind plays with the branches of the trees

aligning the street.
KAREN
Frederic told me they have friends
that have a son who did a 4 week
program, but it wasn’t enough. He’s
doing a year program now.
DAVID
So?
KAREN
I’m just saying, he’ll need time.
David is still pissed. He doesn’t know what to say...
DAVID
(stung)
I wish you wouldn’t talk to
everybody about it.
KAREN
What? What’s that got to do with
it?
(CONTINUED)
28
DAVID
To protect Nic you know. At some
point he’s gonna go on with his
life, and maybe it’s good not
everybody knows about this.
Karen thinks about it, OK, point taken.
KAREN
OK.
(but back to the issue at
hand)
But everything will be fine,
darling, he’ll just need some more
time.
She takes his hand. A beat.
DAVID
You’re right. A lot of people
postpone college. This is gonna be
good for Nic.
KAREN
He’s only 18. He’ll get there.
DAVID
Of course he will.
David sits in his study, he’s settled into his work. The
phone rings, and immediately the dogs start barking very
loud. David, a bit annoyed, looks around but cannot find the
portable phone, so it keeps on ringing, and the dogs keep on
barking. Finally he finds the phone and answers.
DAVID
David Sheff.
One last bark by Moondog.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Shhht.
DIRECTOR (O.S.)
Hi Mr. Sheff. This is Annie
Goldblum from the Ohloff Center.
DAVID
Hi, hello.
(CONTINUED)
29
DIRECTOR (O.S.)
I’m sorry to disturb you, but I
need to inform you about Nic.
DAVID
Yes?
DIRECTOR (O.S.)
He left the facility today, during
some free time, and he has not
returned since.
DAVID
Oh no.
DIRECTOR (O.S.)
I’m sorry Mr. Sheff. But don’t
despair, this happens.
DAVID
But, you said he was doing so well.
DIRECTOR (O.S.)
I know. But this happens all the
time and you should see it as part
of the process. Relapse is part of
recovery. It’s part of Nic’s
learning process.
DAVID
That’s insane, what you are saying.
It’s like saying crashing is part
of pilot training?
DIRECTOR (O.S.)
Look, he’ll be back. Probably
really quick.
DAVID
Is somebody out looking for him?
DIRECTOR (O.S.)
It’s not our responsibility when he
leaves the facility. But he’s
welcome to come back.
Of course. David hangs up angry.
David is walking in circles with the portable phone by his

ear. Waiting, MUSIC on the other side of the line. It takes
like forever, again.
(CONTINUED)
30
While waiting he cleans up some of Daisy’s toys that are

spread out in the living room. Suddenly the music stops.

Mr. Sheff?
No one by that name sir.
A beat.
POLICE DISPATCHER (O.S.) (CONT’D)

What you should do, is call the
jails and hospitals directly.
DAVID
Yes, OK, thank you.

And maybe the morgue too, you know.
I hope not but you never know, you
know. And if he shows up again,
send him to one of these boot
camps. That’ll teach him.
David is disgusted, he hangs up.
The family, David, Karen, Jasper and Daisy are having

breakfast. One empty chair. David is zoned out. No sound.
DAVID (V.O.)
Nic is gone 3 days. Again.
CUT TO:
David is at his computer: pulling up websites, gathering

information, writing. He looks exhausted.
DAVID (V.O.)
6 days. Still no sign.
David startles when the phone starts RINGING. A lot of noise

throughout the house because the dogs start BARKING too, as
always. David picks up.
DAVID
David Sheff.
A silence.
CUT TO:
31
43 I/E. CAR / PARKING AND ALLEYWAYS, SAN RAFAEL - DAY 43
David is driving through San Rafael. The rain is pouring

down. David has opened his window and is looking left and
right, then turns and drives up on a parking lot...
A KITCHEN HELP is smoking outside at the back door of a

restaurant under an umbrella.
DAVID
Hey man, have you seen a kid
hanging around here?
The guy shakes his head.
David backs up, doesn’t see a lot because of the rain. David
is nervous. He drives into an alleyway, looks left and right,
then slows down as he sees a shape appear.
It’s Nic. He’s in jeans and T-shirt and is soaking wet. He

looks bad, has bruises on his face.
David walks over to Nic and when he reaches him, Nic almost
goes limp in David’s arms. He half carries him, opens the
passenger door, drops him in the seat, closes the door.
David gets in at the other side, looks at Nic for a moment -

he’s shivering, almost passed out. What to do, what to say?
Nic turns and vomits, soiling himself and the seat.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Oh damn.
David finds something in the back of the car to wipe the

vomit off Nic’s chin. Nic is still shivering. David takes his
jacket and puts it over Nic, tucks him in. Nic passes out.
David starts the car and drives off. We stay on David for a
while. From time to time he glances at Nic.
45 INT. MEETING ROOM, ST. HELENA - DAY 45
A couple of weeks later, St Helena is a clean and upscale

rehab in Napa Valley. A packed meeting room of St. Helena
CLIENTS and their FAMILIES. A LECTURER is talking in front of
the room.
LECTURER
Addiction is genetic, at least the
predisposition to addiction.
Roughly 10 percent of people have
it.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
32
LECTURER (CONT'D)
When they do drugs the disease is
activated, and once it is
activated, it cannot be
deactivated. Pandora’s box is open.
A BIG GUY (50) interrupts.
BIG GUY
You’re letting people off the hook.
I mean, what other diseases include
the participation of the victim?
Each time my son does speed, he has
a choice. Doesn’t he? No one forced
him to go to a drug dealer.
The SON - 30, losing his hair - is very upset.
SON
Do you think I want to be this way?
(starts screaming now)
I hate myself, I HATE MYSELF.
The son starts crying, the father almost, but withholds his
tears.
LECTURER
No, no one did. He did it himself.
But nonetheless he has an illness.
It’s a tricky illness.
David looks at Nic.
46 INT. NIC’S BEDROOM, ST. HELENA - DAY 46
Nic enters his bedroom followed by David and Karen. It’s a

simple, clean, white room with twin single beds and night-
stands. David and Karen look around. Nic takes a pile of
folded clothes out of a bag he carried and puts them in his
dresser.
NIC
Thanks for bringing this.
He indicates the left bed.
NIC (CONT’D)
My roommate Stephen. Great guy. He
was a chef, he’s an alcoholic.
He picks up a photograph in a bamboo frame, of STEPHEN (40),

and his WIFE and BABY, and shows it to David.
NIC (CONT’D)
She told him, it’s his last chance.
(CONTINUED)
33
David looks at Nic, then looks out of the window, vineyard

view. Karen sits on the bed and notices an ‘Alcoholics
Anonymous Big Book’ on Nic’s bedside table.
Silence for a little while.
DAVID
Did we miss the scope of this
problem, Nic? Is that what’s going
on? When did this all start?
You said a couple of weeks ago you
did meth just one time, but the
story has got to be bigger than
that. It has to be.
Nic looks away, doesn’t want to answer.
DAVID (CONT’D)
No?
Still no answer. David’s mood changes.
DAVID (CONT’D)
(firm)
Nic, we have to get through this.
KAREN
David.
DAVID
We need to know. He was lying to
us.
Karen gestures to David - behind Nic’s back - to give Nic

time, to not go so rough on him. It makes David calm down a
little.
A beat. Nic is thinking, where to start?
NIC
I think I always liked it.
DAVID
What?
NIC
Anything. Pot. Alcohol. Ecstasy.
Cocaine. LSD. Mushrooms.
A beat.
DAVID
You’ve been doing all that, for
what, years?
(CONTINUED)
34
NIC
A couple of years, yes.
DAVID
And crystal meth?
NIC
The last couple of months.
DAVID
But why?
NIC
I don’t know... When I tried it, I
felt, I felt better than ever
before in my life... So I kept on
doing it.
DAVID
And how did we not know that? I
mean, while I was worrying you were
doing too much pot, you were using
every existing drug on this planet?
Nic doesn’t know what to answer. David is coming a little too

strong at him. David goes on.
DAVID (CONT’D)
And hiding it and lying. And why?
Tell me.
KAREN
Go easy, Dave.
NIC
I don’t know.
Nic starts crying.
DAVID
I thought we were close. Closer
than most fathers and sons.
Nic tries to defend himself...
NIC
You’re just always disappointed in
me. You’re disappointed I don’t go
to college, you’re...
...but this makes David really angry.
(CONTINUED)
35
DAVID
Well can you blame me? Not long ago
you were an editor of the school
newspaper. Acting in the spring
play. Reading. Writing. On the
waterpolo team. And look where we
are now!
DAVID (CONT’D)
This is not who we are, Nic. This
is not who we are!
KAREN
Dave, calm down!
Nic starts sobbing.
David does calm down. He takes a moment to reset himself.

Silence. Karen comforts him.
NIC
I’m, I’m really sorry about
everything.
Another silence.
DAVID
You have something incredible, Nic.
And you’ll find that again.
Nic looks up. They look at each other. David takes Nic half
in his arms. Nic lets it happen. Karen watches, smiles.
47 INT. HOTEL ROOM NEW YORK - NIGHT 47
Some time later. David enters a fancy hotel room. He puts his
stuff down. Sits on his bed. Takes his cell phone and calls.
NIC (O.S.)
Hey dad. How’s New York?
DAVID
Yes, good interview today. How are
you?
NIC (O.S.)
Good. Good.
DAVID
Yeah. You sure?
NIC (O.S.)
Yes I am.. It’s just... Uhm...
(CONTINUED)
36
David becomes a little nervous. Gets up and stares through

the large window overlooking the NY skyline.
DAVID
What?
David hears some chuckling on the other side.
DAVID (CONT’D)
What’s that sound?
NIC (O.S.)
That’s Stephen who’s here making
fun of me.
DAVID
Why?
CUT TO:
48 INT. KITCHEN, ST. HELENA - EVENING 48
Nic and Stephen sit in the huge St. Helena kitchen, which -
apart from them - is totally empty. Nic is calling with a
cellphone, Stephen is sitting next to him. They just
finished a home-cooked meal.
Nic turns to Stephen.
NIC
Why are you making fun of me
Stephen?
STEPHEN
Because you look funny when you
need to ask a favor.
DAVID (O.S.)
What?
Stephen comes closer to Nic’s phone and yells so David can

understand.
INTERCUT BETWEEN DAVID AND NIC FROM HERE ON
STEPHEN
BECAUSE HE LOOKS FUNNY WHEN HE IS
ABOUT TO ASK A FAVOR!
DAVID
You want to ask for a favor?
(CONTINUED)
37
NIC
Well.. I don’t know. Maybe. Today I
was calling around a little.
Catching up with a couple of
friends and classmates.
DAVID
OK.
NIC
They’re all really excited to go to
college. And... I don’t know. It’s
just crazy. I realized I shouldn’t
stay behind. I love writing. And
I’m doing it a lot. But... Gosh
there is so much I still need to
learn. I really want to be a
writer.
STEPHEN
(into phone)
HOPE HE WRITES BETTER THAN HE
COOKS!
David laughs, Nic too, then turns serious again.
NIC
I would love to go... if you would,
you know, still be up to pay for
it.
A beat. We see David’s excitement, which he doesn’t express

audible to Nic.
DAVID
Yeah. I’ll talk to Karen. And your
mom.
Nic hangs up. We stay on David who is still watching the NY

skyline, with a big smile now.
49 INT. PLANE SFO / BRADLEY AIRPORT - DAY 49
Nic takes a seat in a crowded plane. David stands in the

aisle, looks at his boarding pass.
DAVID
Oh, I’m further down. I’ll ask to
switch.
A STEWARD comes by in a rush, closing the overhead bins.
STEWARD
No time sir, please take your seat.
(CONTINUED)
38
DAVID
OK.
David takes his seat. Nic waves and smiles. David smiles back
and settles in his seat.
Between the seats he sees Nic, he watches him for a while, he

looks way better. Nic is talking enthusiastically to the
person next to him.
DAVID (V.O.)
Bright eyes filled with light. A
stronger person. Lucid. Sitting up
straight.
50 EXT. HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE GROUNDS - DAY 50
FAMILIES are dropping off their FRESHMEN KIDS at their

dormitories. They’re unloading suitcases and sometimes bigger
stuff from vans and station wagons. Some people are excited,
others feel awkward.
We now see Nic and David among them. David is helping Nic
with a suitcase.
DAVID
Where to?
Nic points at a building. They start walking.
51 INT. NIC’S BEDROOM, HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE - DAY 51
Nic is getting settled in his room, unpacking. David enters.
DAVID
How’s the roommate, did you see
him?
NIC
Yeah, he seems nice.
DAVID
I feel for you, though.
David points at a stack of CD’s. We notice George Michael,

Celine Dion. They both laugh.
NIC
No worries, I’ll educate him.
Before you know it he’ll be
listening to John Zorn.
DAVID
OK...
(CONTINUED)
39
They look at each other for a moment. Big moment. They hug.
NIC
Everything.
DAVID
Everything.
52 I/E. CAR/HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE GROUNDS - EVENING 52
David is driving away. He watches the buildings disappear in

his rearview mirror. He puts on his sunglasses.
MUSIC RISES
53 INT. VOLVO - DAY (FLASHBACK) 53
Young people exiting middle school. A younger David is

waiting in the car for Nic. He spots him. 12 year old Nic
looks like a typical nineties teen: grungy, a Primus T-shirt
that is way too big, long hair covering his eyes, some
pimples.
Nic stands out, cos the guys who are walking next to him all
seem just a little older, they all have short hair, everybody
is dressed the same. Nic steps into David’s car.
DAVID
Hey... how ‘d it go?
NIC
OK, I guess.
DAVID
Yeah? Tell me.
NIC
Well, just different compared to
San Francisco. The kids there were
more into drawing and art and
reading and stuff. It’s not really
cool here to be smart. But that’s
ok. I’ll just get lesser grades.
David laughs.
NIC (CONT’D)
I made a friend, so. It’s cool.
DAVID
That’s great. You’ll do great.
(CONTINUED)
40
NIC
Yeah... I’m gonna get a haircut
though.
David is surprised.
DAVID
A haircut? Oh Nic... That’s... sad,
I guess. I like your hair.
NIC
Well, it’s scary to be different.
DAVID
Yeah. Yeah...
What to say to that... David drives off.
Nic puts a CD in the CD-player and turns the volume up. We

hear the beginning of the song “Territorial Pissings”, which
is just Kurt Cobain shouting.
KURT COBAIN
Come on people now, smile on your
brother and...
Nic knows it by heart and joins Kurt Cobain’s voice.
KURT COBAIN + NIC

...everybody get together, try to
love one another right now!
David watches Nic, it’s funny. David drives off, while the
intro kicks in: very wild drums, very wild guitar, build up
to song starting.
DAVID AND NIC AND KURT COBAIN

When I was an alien... !!! Etc.
Etc...
They’re both head-banging and screaming along with the song.

It’s really wild. David is having fun, Nic too... (although
he’s screaming along so wild, it becomes a little scary).
54 EXT. REMOTE BEACH - LATE AFTERNOON (FLASHBACK, CONTINUED) 54
David and Nic paddle out into the ocean with surfboards.
The ocean has become pretty wild all of a sudden. It seems

it’s also foggy all of a sudden. David looks around to then
realize he does not see Nic.
(CONTINUED)
41
David starts paddling along the shore to get to where he

thinks Nic is, but it’s a strong current. David needs to
paddle hard. Meanwhile it gets darker, and there’s more fog.
He’s getting exhausted and is panicking a little. Big waves

everywhere. David needs to rush to avoid another big set of
waves coming down on him.
Then it gets quieter. He pushes himself up his board to try

and spot Nic again. But it’s really getting too dark by now.
Also, there is even more fog.
DAVID
Nic? Nic?!
And all of a sudden a gust of wind opens up the fog a little

and there is Nic, standing atop a wave, and carving up and
down. Coming into David’s direction, eventually almost
passing David, and hooting for joy when he sees his dad.
NIC
Woo-hoo!
David watches Nic. Wow, he looks amazing.
55 I/E. HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE GROUNDS - MONTAGE 55
Back to the present. Books under his arms, Nic walks across
the lovely campus grounds. Pale autumn sunlight. A confidence
in his stride.
56 INT. TUTORIAL ROOM, HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE - MONTAGE 56
20 STUDENTS (19, 20) and PROFESSOR MC KAY (woman, 40) around

a table.
Nic is a little shy amidst all these new people.
PROFESSOR MCKAY
Nic?
NIC
So, this is a poem by Charles
Bukowski. The man saved my life
multiple times.
Some laugh.
CUT TO:
Nic is reading.
(CONTINUED)
42
NIC (CONT’ (CONT’D)

I changed jobs and cities,
I hated holidays, babies,
history, newspapers, museums,
grandmothers, marriage, movies,
spiders, garbagemen,
english accents, Spain, France,
Italy, walnuts and the color
orange.
People are listening, sometimes chuckling. JULIA (18, a sweet

girl) thinks Nic is cool. Nic notices, goes on.
NIC (CONT’D)
Algebra angered me, opera sickened
me, Charlie Chaplin was a
fake and flowers were for
pansies.
57 INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY 57
Nic and Julia sit by the window in a coffeeshop and are

having coffee and pie, finishing each other’s sentences.
58 EXT. HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE GROUNDS - DAY 58
Nic and Julia are fooling around in the snow. Throwing

snowballs etc.
60 INT. LIVING ROOM, JULIA’S HOUSE - EVENING 60
They’re sitting at the table, having dinner. JULIA’S MOTHER

and FATHER and 2 younger BROTHERS.
They’re all really nice and the atmosphere is pretty relaxed,

yet we get the sense Nic doesn’t fit 100% in this average
middle class family, with his wild hair, torn jeans, worn
sneakers.
Julia’s family is chit-chatting away, going back and forth,

LOUDER and LOUDER.
Nic is trying to follow the conversation and wants to make a

good impression, but it all makes him pretty nervous
actually.
NIC
(to Julia)
Can I use the bathroom?
(she didn’t catch it)
Can I use the bathroom?
Julia’s mother heard it.
(CONTINUED)
43
JULIA’S MOTHER
Of course honey. Come, I’ll show
you.
Nic gets up.
61 INT. BATHROOM, JULIA’S HOUSE - EVENING 61
Nic enters a bathroom. He takes a moment for himself, then

takes a piss.
NIC (V.O.)
It’s not hard to stay sober. Sure,
it’s hard as hell to get sober, to
pull yourself out of the cycle of
getting high everyday and going
through the horrors of detox.
While he is slowly washing his hands he sees a couple of

medication bottles in the bathroom cabinet. He goes through
them, sees a bottle of Percocet. He stares at it.
He dries his hands.
NIC (V.O.)
But honestly, once the drugs are
out of your system it isn’t hard to
feel like you never want to go
through that shit again.
He closes the cabinet.
62 INT. LIVING ROOM, JULIA’S HOUSE - LATER 62
Back at the table. It’s after dinner, everybody still

chatting quite loud, Nic is more relaxed.
63 I/E. CAR / DRIVEWAY, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 63
A couple of months later, end of the school year. David went

to pick up Nic at the airport, they’re driving and arriving
home.
DAVID
We’ll be having dinner and Don and
Nancy’s tonight.
NIC
Oh great.
DAVID
And Patrick and Phil are going
hiking tomorrow.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
44
DAVID (CONT'D)
I told them we might join. They
definitely want to see you.
David stops. Nic steps out of the car, and discovers banners
made by the kids to welcome him. One is a hedgehog saying
‘BOOHOO I MISS NIC’.
The kids jump on Nic, he takes ’em both in his arms. They
kinda crawl all over him. He holds them tight.
NIC
You’ve grown so big guys! This is
amazing!!! I can hardly hold you.
But he does hold them and then starts turning around his axe,
like a human merry-go-round. Nic starts going faster and
faster as the kids are cheering. David and Karen don’t know
whether to laugh, because it’s so funny, or to try and stop
them, because it does look a little dangerous. But they’re
all laughing so loud. When Nic slows down he almost starts
losing balance, he’s a little dizzy.
KAREN
Hey big man. Can I get a hug too?
Karen and Nic hug and kiss.
65 EXT. BACK YARD AND SWIMMING POOL - EVENING 65
The Sheffs are having a nice dinner outside. Enjoying great

food. So much to talk about.
NIC (O.S.)
(storytelling voice)
In fairy-tales, witches always wear
silly black hats and black cloaks,
and they ride on broomsticks. But
this is not a fairy-tale. This is
about real witches, OK?
66 INT. JASPER’S BEDROOM - EVENING 66
The kids have their PJ’s on. Nic lies in bed and Jasper and
Daisy are leaning against him.
Nic is reading from Roald Dahl’s The Witches.
NIC
(storytelling voice)
Real witches dress in ordinary
clothes and look very much like
ordinary women.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
45
NIC (CONT'D)
That is why they are so hard to
catch. But the most important thing
you should know about real witches
is this... Listen very carefully.
Are you listening?
Nic eyes both kids, yes, they are listening.
NIC (CONT’D)
Never forget what is coming next.
A real witch gets the same pleasure
from squelching a child as you get
from eating a plateful of
strawberries and thick cream. She
reckons on doing away with one
child a week.
Nic’s performance is a little extreme, but funny. The kids

are enjoying it.
67 INT. HALLWAY, SHEFF HOUSE - EVENING 67
Nic turns out the light in Jaspers bedroom.
NIC
Sleep well guys. Don’t let the
bedbugs bite.
He closes the door. Alone in the hallway, he scratches his

skin.
DAVID
Hey.
NIC
Oh hey.
Suddenly David is there.
DAVID
You good?
NIC
Oh yeah. Yes.
Nic nods.
NIC (CONT’D)
Hey, I was wondering if I could use
the car? I still want to go to a
meeting tonight.
DAVID
That’s courageous. Sure.
(CONTINUED)
46
NIC
I’ll be home by 11, I guess.
DAVID
OK.
68 INT. CAR/ROADS HOME TO INVERNESS - NIGHT 68
Nic is driving. He’s shivering. Feels bad. While he is

driving, he dials a number.
NIC
Hey Akira. This is Nic. Yeah. Can I
come by?
Muffled sounds. Image becomes blurry. Headlights on the

winding roads.
Nic wakes up with a huge hangover. It takes a while before he

realizes where he is, in his bed. He hears the kids fighting
in the room next door.
JASPER (O.S.)
Where is it? Where is it?
We hear Daisy crying.
70 INT. JASPER’S BEDROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 70
Big drama.
JASPER
Give it back!
DAISY
I don’t have it!
They push each other around a little. More crying. David

enters the room.
DAVID
What is going on here?
JASPER
I had 8 dollars. Daisy took it.
Jasper holds his plastic mini-vault in his hands. It’s empty.
DAISY
I didn’t!!
(CONTINUED)
47
DAVID
Calm down guys. Please calm down.
Daisy, can you go down to your mom
please?
DAISY
I didn’t take it, daddy.
DAVID
OK, please go down.
Daisy goes down. David turns to Jasper.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Are you sure it was in there?
JASPER
Yes.
Breakfast, everybody at the table. Nic doesn’t look great.

David stares hard at him, and sees his trembling hands, his
gyrating jaw. It looks like David hasn’t slept a lot either.
KAREN
Guys, we need to go.
Daisy and Jasper finish their orange juice and get up.
NIC
See you after school little
boinkers.
JASPER
Ok, Nickypoo.
Nic gives them gentle hugs. They walk out. Nic wants to get
up and clear his plate, without looking at David, but David
gestures him to sit down again... which he does.
DAVID
Jasper’s savings disappeared.
NIC
Yeah?
DAVID
Did you take his 8 dollars?
NIC
What?
(CONTINUED)
48
DAVID
You heard me.
NIC
Why would I?
DAVID
Well, they disappeared, so someone
must have done it.
NIC
This is ridiculous!!!
DAVID
Nic, are you using again?
Karen is in the hallway putting on her jacket. She hears part

of this conversation. The kids are already outside.
KAREN
Go sit in the car please.
They do.
Karen goes back in, listens in on the conversation.
DAVID
Are you high right now?
NIC
Jesus, no! Fuck you.
Nic runs off to his room. David doesn’t know what to do.
Nic enters and gets dressed. Then just stands there

motionless, thinking for a moment.
Suddenly he starts filling a suitcase and his duffel-bag with

clothes. Grabs some stuff that is lying on his desk. He takes
his guitar and walks out.
Nic - with suitcase, duffel bag and guitar - sees David and
Karen.
NIC
You’re right. I’m using.
(CONTINUED)
49
DAVID
Oh Nic. That’s tough to hear...
NIC
I’ve been using all semester.
David thinks it over. It hits him hard, but he’s thought

about this, and suspected this day might come.
DAVID
Listen Nic, it was a gamble to send
you to college. But every one
supported it, so I’m glad you went.
Relapse is part of recovery. OK?
And that’s fucked up, but we’ll
deal with it.
NIC
Look dad, I’m using, and I am OK
with it.
DAVID
So... What are you saying?
NIC
I don’t want to stop. I can handle
it, but you guys obviously can’t.
So I better leave.
DAVID
And go where?
Nic shrugs. Nic on the streets again? This is David’s worst

nightmare. Now he panics.
DAVID (CONT’D)
This is bullshit, Nic. You can’t
just leave!
KAREN
We’ll get you help.
NIC
(to Karen)
I don’t want help. Don’t you
understand?
(to David)
I cannot be the image you have of
me. I just can’t.
Nic wants to go out. David jumps in front of Nic and

physically holds him.
(CONTINUED)
50
DAVID
Nic, no stop... Please Nic, stay
here... Help me understand.
This makes Nic freak out. Very aggressively he pushes David

away.
NIC
(screaming)
What the hell is wrong with
you!!!!? Jesus!??!! You people
suffocate me!!
And now David loses it. He not only panics, but becomes
furious.
DAVID
Now we’re the problem here!!!!? You
are the one who is doing this!!!
You're the one causing it. You're
the only one who can stop this and
FUCKING solve it!!!
Nic runs out.
David closes his eyes. Fuck, so stupid.
76 EXT. DRIVEWAY, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 76
Nic - completely worked up, and carrying all his stuff -

walks off, passes the car with the kids.
David comes out of the house. Watches Nic walk away. Looks at
his other kids.
77 INT. LIVING ROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - EVENING 77
Jasper is getting ready to go to bed. David tucks him in.
JASPER
I don’t care about the money, dad.
DAVID
This isn’t your fault, OK, Jasper?
JASPER
I know.
DAVID
Nic is not acting normal, because
of this disease.
JASPER
But he didn’t look sick.
(CONTINUED)
51
DAVID
It’s really hard, indeed. Because
he seems like the normal Nic, but
then he acts very different. So
it’s Nic, but it isn’t. Do you
understand?
Jasper thinks it over, he is a little confused.
JASPER
I guess.
DAVID
I’m sorry you had to see this.
JASPER
When will I see him again?
David doesn’t know the answer to that, decides to be honest.

He shrugs.
Jasper is suddenly a little scared.
JASPER (CONT’D)
Is he gonna go to jail?
DAVID
No... of course not.
JASPER
Where does he sleep?
DAVID
I don’t know.
JASPER
Maybe he has a friend and he sleeps
there?
DAVID
I hope so.
JASPER
Can I call him?
DAVID
His phone is disconnected.
Jasper thinks about it.
JASPER
Can I send him a message? Maybe
he’ll get it when he turns his
phone back on.
(CONTINUED)
52
David nods.. takes out his phone, gives it to Jasper. Jasper

composes a message and presses send. Gives phone back to
David.
78 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY (FLASHBACK) 78
Nic (12) enters a hospital room, sees younger David, younger

Karen and the newborn BABY JASPER. He looks at him in awe.
David hands Nic little wrapped-in-Jasper. Nic stares at his

little brother.
NIC
This is amazing, dad.
Nic touches Jasper’s little hands. David watches his two

sons. DON and NANCY enter, Karen’s parents. Hugs and kisses
and congrats.
79 INT. DEPARTURES, SF AIRPORT - DAY (FLASHBACK CONTINUED) 79
David and Nic are in the departures hall, among other MINORS
that will fly unaccompanied and their PARENTS, dropping them
off. The minors are wearing pink paper badges with names
written in Magic Marker. A couple of FLIGHT ATTENDANTS usher
the kids to board the plane.
DAVID
Have a great summer. Say hi to your
Mom. Enjoy LA.
David is a little nervous. They hug.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Everything.
NIC
Everything.
CUT TO:
David watches through the glass, as the plane pulls back. He

looks sadder than before. (he was putting on a show for Nic)
The plane takes off. David walks away.
Present time.
Karen enters the study. She sits next to David, who is trying
to write, but is too nervous. Karen takes out a small slip of
paper. It’s a check, a canceled check.
(CONTINUED)
53
He takes a closer look. It’s made out to NIC SHEFF, and has a
very shaky signature. Obviously forgery.
KAREN
The bank called me this afternoon.
He tried to cash a check.
David is shaking his head in disbelief. He doesn’t

understand.
DAVID
Fuck.
KAREN
Poor Nic.
DAVID
Poor Nic?
KAREN
He wouldn’t do this if he were
right in his mind...
DAVID
Where did he try to cash the check?
CUT TO:
David takes a recent picture of Nic off the wall.
82 I/E. CAR / WINDING ROADS INVERNESS - DAY 82
David drives through beautiful Marin County...
84 I/E. CAR / HAIGHT STREET - DAY 84
Arrives in the famous Haight Street. He slows down, looks

left and right.
We see the colorful shops. Kids with dreadlocks and dogs.

Tourists with dyed hair. Tattoos. Older hippies.
DAVID (V.O.)
The infamous Haight Street. Nic and
I used to live nearby when he was a
kid.
85 INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT (FLASHBACK) 85
A much younger David is at a party with a lot of friends. The

mid 80’s. Hip San Francisco people, some of them are smoking
joints. Open, happy atmosphere. David is flirting with a
WOMAN WITH DREADLOCKS.
54
86 I/E. CAR / HAIGHT STREET - DAY 86
Back to present time. David is walking now. Passes people,

walks by a bunch of people, looks closely.
DAVID (V.O.)
I haven’t been back a lot.
Apparently Nic has.
A guy sitting on the curb, strumming a guitar, it’s funny but

pretty bad. The smell of marijuana. Somebody who looks like
Nic...? No.
89 EXT. GOLDEN GATE PARK - DAY 89
David walks through Golden Gate Park. A BUNCH OF LITTLE KIDS

are playing soccer. A couple of PARENTS are watching. He sees
a group of YOUNGSTERS, obviously drug-users. One of them has
a big SMILEY on the back of his T-shirt.
David watches them, peering for Nic. Then starts walking

over. He grabs his wallet and takes out a picture of Nic.
DAVID
Hi, I’m David... I’m...
SMILEYMAN
A cop?
They all start laughing loud. If he wasn’t so stressed out,

David would probably laugh along.
DAVID
No... No, I’m looking for my son,
Nic.
He shows the picture, they’re not really looking at it.
SMILEYMAN
No idea, man. Could you spare some
change?
DAVID
Ok, thanks.
Sitting a bit apart, David sees a GIRL (DIANE, 19) on a bench

away from the group. David walks over, she shields her eyes,
takes him in. David shows her the photo.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Hi, I’m looking for my son, Nic.
She studies it. Her look is ambiguous. Like maybe yeah, she
does indeed know Nic.
(CONTINUED)
55
DAVID (CONT’D)
Have you seen him?
DIANE
He reminds me of a guy I used to
know. But no, I haven’t seen him.
David thinks about it, wants to go, but something keeps him
there. He looks closely at Diane, she’s still really young,
but has clearly been damaged by the drug abuse too.
DAVID
Hey, I... Are you hungry? You want
to get something to eat?
DIANE
Most guys ask me for a blowjob.
DAVID
Yeah, well, I just want to offer
you a bite. And talk a little. If
you’re up for it.
Pause. Diane, summing him up. Then she shrugs.
DIANE
Sure.
They start walking.
90 INT. MCDONALDS - EVENING 90
They’re waiting in line, amongst some drunk clientele.
DAVID
Are you a meth user?
She nods.
DIANE
That’s my drug of preference, yes.
She chuckles, thinking it is funny.
DIANE (CONT’D)
A boyfriend gave it to me when I
was 14. I’ve been using it since.
CUT TO:
David and Diane sit in a booth. Diane starts eating her

burger.
(CONTINUED)
56
DIANE (CONT’D)
I was in rehab too. 3 times. Ran
away every time.
DAVID
Why?
DIANE
It was hell, I wanted to die.
DAVID
What made it hell?
DIANE
All that God shit. Also, you just
don’t know how good it gets when
it’s good.
DAVID
But what is so good about it?
She shrugs.
DIANE
I don’t know. It’s hard to explain.
Have you ever done cocaine?
DAVID
Uh,... yes.
DIANE
Well, that feeling multiplied by a
thousand. No a million. I know it’s
fucked up, but if I would start
over, I would do it all over again.
DAVID
So you want to be on this drug?
This is your goal in life? To live
like this?
She nods enthusiastically and slurps her Sprite.
DAVID (CONT’D)
What about your parents?
No reaction.
DIANE
What about ‘em?
(CONTINUED)
57
DAVID
Don’t you think they’re worried
about you? Shouldn’t you let them
know...
DIANE
They don’t care...
DAVID
I think they do.
DIANE
What the fuck do you know?
She stares at him. He stares back. It becomes uncomfortable.

David realizes that she’s right, what does he know?
Diane stands up.
DIANE (CONT’D)
I gotta go.
DAVID
Ok. I’m...
DIANE
Maybe you should try the
Tenderloin. Maybe your son is out
there.
And before he can say...
DAVID
Thanks.
...she’s off.
David looks at his untouched burger.
93 INT. NIC’S BEDROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - DAWN 93
David enters Nic’s room. Everything is still the way it was

when Nic left in a hurry, after the 8 dollar fight.
Some clothes scattered around. He sits on the bed, takes the

room in.
Then sees a notebook laying on the ground. David picks it up

and flips through it. We see it’s a journal, with short, and
longer very personal writings.
David sniffs, then starts reading. We hear Nic’s voice as

David reads.
(CONTINUED)
58
NIC (V.O.)
Honestly, once the drugs are out of
your system it isn’t hard to feel
like you never want to go through
that shit again.
94 INT. BATHROOM, JULIA’S HOUSE - EVENING (FLASHBACK) 94
We cut back to scene where Nic stands in Julia’s bathroom.

Nic is staring at a bottle of Percocet.
He dries his hands.
NIC (V.O.)
The thing is, as the months go by,
you seem to forget why you needed
to get sober. I tell myself I
wasn’t really out of control.
He opens the bottle and takes a pill. Looks at it for a

moment, then swallows it. Closes the cabinet.
NIC (V.O.)
And hell, I have a headache, what
harm can one Percocet do?
Then, well, what the heck, opens it, and takes another couple
of pills.
95 INT. LIVING ROOM, JULIA’S HOUSE - EVENING (FLASHBACK) 95
Back at the table. It’s after dinner, everybody still

chatting quite loud, Nic more relaxed now, a big smile even.
He’s laughing at Julia’s father’s not-so-great jokes.
NIC (V.O.)
Of course I don’t want to become
like the guys in rehab, the
grizzled, toothless, having lost
everything. But that will never
happen to me. I’m smart. Come from
a good family. This is not who we
are.
96 INT. BATHROOM, JULIA’S HOUSE - DAY (FLASHBACK) 96
The next day. Nic opens the cabinet again, takes another
couple of pills. The bottle is almost half empty.
NIC (V.O.)
But yeah, I really fucking love
drugs. And I love alcohol. I love
what they do for me.
59
David is reading the journal.
NIC (V.O.)
When I discovered them, my world
went from black & white to
Technicolor. I can never give that
up.
David thinks about it, flips a page, reads on.
NIC (V.O.)
So I tell people what they want to
hear.
98 INT. NIC’S DORM ROOM, AMHERST COLLEGE - DAY (FLASHBACK) 98
Nic is on his bed on campus, a little passed out.
NIC (V.O.)
I’m staying sober and doing great.
I’m going to my meetings.
His cell phone rings, it says ‘DAD’. Nic wakes up, and
quickly gets up. He answers the phone, pretending he was
still talking to someone.
NIC
Yeah, yeah... Thank you man. Thank,
sorry, I got to take this...
(into phone)
Hey dad! Thanks for sending me that
money.
Present time : Close on David. He flips another page.

Scribbles, hard to read what is there. Another page. We read
what he reads:
1 1/2 grams speed / Klonopin /

Codeine / Valium / Hard to find
meth here. Scored some heroin
instead.
He flips to next page, which is filled with chaotic small

written text.
David looks closer and the nervous, crazy handwriting. This

is the Disease talking. As if he can experience his son being
changed by the drugs.
60
102 INT. NIC’S DORM ROOM, AMHERST COLLEGE - DAY (FLASHBACK) 102
Back to Nic. Nic is fighting with Julia.
NIC (V.O.)
Things fall apart more quickly.
103 INT. LIBRARY, COLLEGE - DAY (FLASHBACK) 103
Nic sits at a computer and is surfing the web. We see a

website that shows how to shoot yourself up.
NIC (V.O.)
The more I use, the more I do
things I am ashamed of, and the
more I use so I never have to face
that.
104 INT. BATHROOM, DORM ROOM , COLLEGE - DAY ((FLASHBACK) 104
Nic is preparing the drugs, making it liquid, getting it in

the syringe, prepping his arm. It’s all a bit clumsy as he’s
never done this.
105 EXT. HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE GROUNDS - NIGHT (FLASHBACK) 105
Nic is walking outside, it’s snowing. He’s only wearing a T-

shirt. He’s really high. He sits down on the ground, feels
the snow with his hands.
NIC (V.O.)
Going back just seems like too far
a journey.
Closes his eyes.
Back to David. He reads a last sentence.
NIC (V.O.)
So all I can do is move forward...
and don’t look back.
Closes the notebook. David looks terrified.
107 INT. DAVID'S STUDY, SHEFF HOUSE - MONTAGE 107
David is working at his computer. / Drinking coffee. / David

is writing. / David is making calls.
We read ‘35.000.000 users.’ ‘Meth psychosis’. ‘Tweaking’.

‘INTENSE PARANOIA’. ‘ADMISSIONS TO REHAB QUINTUPLED’.
(CONTINUED)
61
David is reading stuff to Karen. / David is pulling up

websites. / Facts and figures.
108 INT. MEDICAL OFFICE AT UCLA - DAY 108
David shakes hands with DR. RAWSON (62), a passionate and

amiable man.
DAVID
Thanks for seeing me.
They both sit.
DR RAWSON
So you are writing for Rolling
Stone Magazine…
DAVID
I do. I do. But this is a personal
matter. It’s my son. Some moments,
I look at him, this kid that I
brought up, that I thought I knew
inside out, and... I just wonder
who he is. He has been using all
kinds of drugs, but is addicted to
crystal meth, which seems to be the
most malefic of them all. So I’m
here because I want to know as much
about meth as I can. There’s power
in the knowledge of my adversary.
So, I guess my question is, what is
it doing to him? How can I help
him?
DR RAWSON
How old is your son?
DAVID
19.
Dr Rawson is extremely precise in his use of language.
DR RAWSON
Meth makes the user feel bright and
shiny.
He smiles. A beat.
DR RAWSON (CONT’D)
But also paranoid, delusional,
destructive and self-destructive.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
62
Like with most other drugs, the
user does unconscionable things in
order to feel bright and shiny
again, but for meth addicts, with
the depletion of as much as 90
percent of the dopamine, it’s no
longer possible. Meth is very
neurotoxic, it physically changes
the brain far more than cocaine and
most other drugs do. No more
dopamine, means needing to up the
doses. They double them, triple
them, just to feel ‘something’,
causing even more nerve damage,
which increases the compulsion to
use. Horrible cycle.
CUT TO:
Dr. Rawson and David are watching a screen with brain scans.
We see a lateral cross-section of a brain, with blue patches
and yellow and red areas. The doctor points out the red
areas.
What is turned on here is exactly
what turns on while people feel
pain. A person stops using
methamphetamine, and this is
awaiting them.
DAVID
OK. So, what...
DR RAWSON
What this shows is that there is a
biological basis, that meth users
may be unable, not unwilling, to
participate in many common
treatments.
DAVID
So it’s not surprising that Nic, in
the first weeks of recovery wanted
to flee.
DR RAWSON
No it’s not. It takes a long time
for the brain to return no normal -
if it ever does.
DAVID
Can it return to normal?
(CONTINUED)
63
DR RAWSON
I don’t have an answer to that.
Yet. We’re researching though.
Look, Mr Sheff. I don’t know who
promised you what, but the success
percentage is in the single digits.
DAVID
Is it?
DR RAWSON
It is. What program is he in?
DAVID
He’s actually on the streets.
DR RAWSON
I’m sorry to hear.
DAVID
He was in rehab twice. Did two 4
week programs. Relapsed.
Dr Rawson is agitated.
DR RAWSON
That’s one of the problems!
109 INT. KITCHEN, SHEFF HOUSE - NIGHT 109
David and Karen at the kitchen table at night. Karen is

drinking wine, David is angrily reading from his notebook to
Karen, citing Dr Rawson.
DAVID
‘Most available addiction
treatments are a haphazard
collection of cobbled together,
often useless, and sometimes
harmful recovery programs based not
on medical science but on
tradition, wild guesses, wishful
thinking and pseudo-science.’
KAREN
That’s terrible.
DAVID
‘What we need for meth users are
long-term programs adapted to the
fact that patients recovering from
meth abuse suffer from severe
cognitive impairments.’
(CONTINUED)
64
He pauses.
DAVID (CONT’D)
So, it was stupid. A 28-day rehab
is bullshit. They don’t mind if you
come back, they make money.
Karen is silent. She thought Nic would’ve needed more time,

but doesn’t want to bring it up.
David gets even angrier as he goes through his notes.
DAVID (CONT’D)
‘Many rehabs employ one-size-fits-
all addicts programs.’ And this
other professor said this : ‘some
are only slightly better than
useless’.
He sighs.
DAVID (CONT’D)
What is wrong with this world!
Silence for a while. The phone rings. David watches the

phone.
112 INT. CAFFE TRIESTE - DAY 112
David alone at the window seat at Caffe Trieste in San

Francisco (landmark coffee shop in North Beach). The empty
coffee cup and glass of water suggest he’s been there a
while. David looks outside.
At length Nic appears, chalk-white, like a ghostly Egon

Schiele self-portrait, debauched, wasted. They hug. Nic sits.
His fingers tremble, his jaw gyrates, he grinds his teeth.
David looks at Nic. Nic can’t look David in the eyes.
DAVID
Nic-
NIC
I’m doing great. OK. I’m doing what
needs to be done. I’ve quit on my
own. OK? Five days now.
A pause. David doesn’t believe it’s true, it just can’t be.
DAVID
What does that mean?
(CONTINUED)
65
NIC
Being responsible for myself.
(pause)
But I could use some money, OK?
It breaks David’s heart. Ok, so that’s why he called. But

David swallows his pride, needs to find a way to get through
Nic. He stares at Nic, who can’t seem to look in David’s
eyes. Nic now stares outside. David fiddles with his cutlery.
DAVID
Nic, I can’t give you any money.
NIC
I just need to get some shit
together. I want to go to New York.
DAVID
New York?
NIC
I need to get out of San Francisco,
too many bad vibes here.
(beat)
I just need a few hundred bucks.
DAVID
I want to help, but please don’t
ask me for money.
This makes Nic a little mad, he gets up and wants to go...
DAVID (CONT’D)
Let’s just talk. Have lunch. We can
do that, can’t we?
Nic sits down. Calms down. He switches between being the old
sweet Nic, and this unreasonable junkie.
NIC
How are Karen... and the kids?
DAVID
OK. They ask about you.
(pause)
Next week is their step-up
ceremony. I’m sure they‘d love you
to be there. I’d love you to be
there...
NIC
See, you’re guilt-tripping me...
Look, dad. Just give me some
fucking money.
(CONTINUED)
66
DAVID
And then what? Where does this end?
NIC
I don’t know. It's kinda working
out for me right now. You know, I
gotta see this through…
DAVID
You don't have to...
NIC
So what then? Therapy?
DAVID
We’ll find a better place. We’ll
help you. Or come back home? We’ll
make it work.
NIC
That wouldn’t... No.
David pulls out a sheath of papers - print-outs from his

research forays.
DAVID
I’m researching and...
NIC
- you’re kidding me -
DAVID
Just read it. It just changes your
brain, Nic. Your neuron ends are
just ‘singed’. And you think you’ve
got it under control, but...Listen,
I understand that you’re scared.
Nic gets mad.
NIC
Fuck therapy. That’s like your
goddamn religion. It doesn’t change
a goddamn thing. I can see why I do
things, but it doesn’t make me any
different. I’m attracted to
craziness. That’s it, and you’re
just embarrassed because I was like
this amazing thing, like your
special creation or something, and
you don’t like who I am.
David looks at Nic... wondering where Nic is heading...
(CONTINUED)
67
DAVID
Yeah? And who are you?
NIC
(defiant)
This is me. Here. This is who I am.
You don’t like what you see?
NIC (CONT’D)
You know, Mom should have gotten
custody. But you fucked it up. You
fucked her up. You fucked me up.
Always controlling everything.
DAVID
Nic, you’re allowed to be mad at
me. I made mistakes. I wish I
hadn’t, but I did. Sometimes I was
too harsh, and sometimes too soft.
I haven’t always paid enough
attention. Even recently. I didn’t
see how much you are in pain. And
I’m sorry. But this, what you’re
saying now... isn’t making any
sense.
NIC
Fuck you!
David stayed calm until now, but loses his cool here...
DAVID
This is not you. This is not you
Nic. This is the drugs talking.
NIC
What do you mean?
DAVID
I’ve read about it. This...
(he points at Nic)
...is what addicts do,
psychological terror.
NIC
Yeah? And what are you doing?
Nic gets up.
NIC (CONT'D)
I gotta go. This isn’t working.
A pause. David looks at Nic, Nic doesn’t dare to look back.
(CONTINUED)
68
DAVID
Can I book you a hotel room for a
couple of nights?
NIC
Nah, I’m fine.
DAVID
We can go buy some food?
NIC
I gotta go.
He turns away from David...
DAVID
Will you say goodbye at least?
NIC
Bye, dad.
Nic turns and rushes out of the cafe. David stays behind.
Suddenly aware that a lot of people are watching him.
113 INT. ROOM, HOUSE KAREN’S PARENTS - DAY (FLASHBACK) 113
A younger David is getting dressed, suit and bowtie. Nic, 8

years old here, sits on the bed, he is wearing a shirt that
is slightly too big, blue trousers and All Stars.
Nic is dandling his legs up and down.
DAVID
Looking great buddy.
Nic doesn’t react.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Are you nervous? Why are you
nervous. I should be nervous.
David hugs Nic.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Don’t worry Nicky, it’s gonna be a
beautiful day. OK?
Nic nods.
114 EXT. TERRACE, HOUSE KAREN’S PARENTS - EVENING (FLASHBACK)114
David, Karen and Nic stand on a terrace, where they have

gathered with some friends and family for a cosy wedding.
(CONTINUED)
69
Mostly mid nineties post-hippies. The terrace has a great

view of hills and trees. It’s a beautiful day.
Karen wears a simple white dress.
KAREN
(to David)
I look forward to sharing this life
with you. Thank you for marrying
me.
People cheer.
DAVID
(to Karen)
Karen, thank you for saving me.
Thank you for loving Nic. Thank you
for marrying me.
They kiss. Karen gestures Nic to come in between them. Nic

holds hands with both of them. He smiles, although still
nervous.
MINISTER
Then it is my pleasure to now
pronounce you husband and wife.
Cheering!
CUT TO:
Drinks afterwards. It’s joyful and informal. A couple of

musicians are playing music on their acoustic instruments.
Talking, laughing.
David, Karen and Nic stand together, David is talking to a

friend about Nic.
DAVID
So Nic was wearing a Keith Haring T-
shirt under a fringed leather vest,
blue tights under a pair of
underpants. And other kids start
teasing him, they go like, ‘Only
girls wears tights’, and Nic, full
of confidence says ‘Uh-uh. Superman
wears tights’.
The friend laughs. David and Nic too. A classic story they
both are proud of. David looks at his son. Karen leans down
and kisses Nic. Then David.
70
115 INT. AL-ANON MEETING, CHURCH BASEMENT - NIGHT 115
David and Karen enter a dingy room. Neon tubes flicker, a fan
is ticking in a corner. A dozen people are there, serving
themselves coffee and donuts.
The meeting is called to order, people take seats in plastic

chairs set in a circle. David and Karen too.
We see people talking, but don’t hear them. David and Karen
are listening while also checking out the people. What to
think of this? Do they belong there? David reads an AL ANON
sign that reads the AL ANON THREE C’s: ‘You didn’t cause it,
you can’t cure it, you can’t control it.’
CUT TO:
We cut to mid-meeting. Someone is talking.
THE GROUP
Thank you Jess.
MEETING LEADER
Rose, would you like to share?
A woman, clearly distraught, sits up straighter in her seat.
ROSE
Thank you. I’m Rose.
THE GROUP
Hi, Rose.
ROSE
Thanks for your share, Jess. You
know we love you, even if your
mom’s not so good at it right now.
Jess sniffles a thank you.
ROSE (CONT’D)
Well, that’s it. Some of you know,
some of you don’t. I lost my
Frances this week -
- a real gasp of dismay in the room -
ROSE (CONT’D)
- she died of an overdose on
Sunday.
(CONTINUED)
71
She herself alternates between being very matter-of-fact and

having great trouble holding it together.
ROSE (CONT’D)
I guess that means I’m in mourning.
But I realized something else. I’ve
actually been in mourning for
years. Cos even if she was alive,
she wasn’t there.
Her friends continue to stroke her. Some PEOPLE are in tears.

David is listening but not looking. Karen closes her eyes.
ROSE (CONT’D)
You mourn for the living. That’s a
hard way to live. So in a way, it’s
better, I guess. She was a dear,
dear young woman. I always felt I
needed to stay strong. There’d be
some future event, and I’d need all
my strength for it. But there are
no events after this one. I hope
she’s not in pain now. Oh, my
Frances.
And now Rose weeps, and weeps. It’s a full-fledged weeping,

the kind you don’t often see, even in meetings. But the room
just lets it happen. Lets it flow. Lets her be.
ROSE (CONT’D)
Well that’s it.
THE GROUP
Thank you Rose.
David who doesn’t know the customs, repeats this now

silently...
DAVID
Thank you Rose.
David sits at the kitchen table, stares blankly in front of

him.
KAREN (O.S.)
Dave, we’re coming out. Close your
eyes!
DAVID
OK!
(CONTINUED)
72
He closes his eyes. We hear some noises, Karen and the kids
are entering the kitchen.
KAREN
OK! You can open them!
He opens his eyes and sees his kids, all dressed up. Jasper
in white oxford, Daisy in a cute little dress.
DAVID
Oh wow... Amazing guys!
He smiles, while the kids make funny poses.
117 EXT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GROUNDS - DAY 117
We’re mid-ceremony of the “step-up” ceremony, a long-standing

tradition at Jasper and Daisy’s elementary school:
- all the CHILDREN are on the outdoor stage, on long tiers of

raked seating. PRINCIPAL DAWSON stands at the microphone.
In the makeshift seating on the lawn, 300 PARENTS and FAMILY -

among them David, Karen, friends. A joyful day.
PRINCIPAL DAWSON
Will this year’s second graders
please stand.
Twenty SECOND GRADERS stand.
PRINCIPAL DAWSON (CONT’D)

Will next year’s third graders
please step up.
Thunderous applause as the twenty step up to the next tier.
Jasper among them, so happy, looking out to his parents.
Karen, Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Don, beaming. David clapping

wildly too. Jasper up there, gangly and free among his
classmates. David waves to Jasper as the principal continues.
PRINCIPAL DAWSON (O.S.) (CONT’D)

Will this year’s first graders
please stand.
(more rapturous applause)
Will next year’s second graders
please step up.
So now there down to Daisy...
(CONTINUED)
73

Will this year’s kindergarten class
please stand.
Daisy and her CLASSMATES stand.

Will next year’s first graders
please step up.
The biggest applause for this little bunch as they step up.
We see a tiny tear from David. He’s emotional - struggling
not to break down.
The Sheff family - minus Nic - is eating. The phone starts to

RING, and the dogs BARK. David runs off, picks up.
DAVID
David Sheff...
VOICE ON PHONE (O.S.)

David Sheff?
DAVID
Yes, that’s me.

This is Bridie Ford. I’m the
admissions nurse at at Bellevue
Hospital, New York.
DAVID
(alarm rising)
Yes?
Karen is watching David, she senses something... David turns

away from her and the kids.

Is Nic Sheff your son?
DAVID
Yes.

He was admitted to our facility
tonight.
119 INT. CAR/ROADS HOME TO INVERNESS - DAY 119
David is driving like a maniac.

74
120 INT. SECURITY SFO - MOMENTS LATER 120
David is rushing through airport security.
He’s nervously biting his lips, talking to himself, hoping

everything will still be OK.
121 INT. PLANE BEFORE TAKEOFF - SOON AFTER 121
David is in his seat, the plane almost fully boarded. He

calls a number.
DAVID
This is David Sheff, can I talk to
the Doctor, please?
NURSE (O.S.)
Just a moment, sir.
A little later...
BELLEVUE DOCTOR (O.S.)

Mr. Sheff, hello there.
DAVID
I’m calling to see how Nic is
doing.
A flight attendant comes to reprimand David, as the doors are

closed.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Sir? Sir! You have to switch off
your phone.
David holds his hand up...

Well, he’s a very very lucky boy.
His vital signs are returning.
He’ll have another chance.
OK. David can breathe again. Flight attendant still looking

at him.
DAVID
Can I talk to him?

I’m sorry but that won’t be
possible. He’s sleeping, right now.
(CONTINUED)
75
DAVID
OK, I’m on my way, tell him that
please. Please tell him that.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Sir... Please.
DAVID
Ok. Thank you doctor.
David hangs up.
DAVID (CONT’D)
(out loud)
Thank YOU!
A few puzzled passengers in the cabin turn around.
122 INT. HOSPITAL WARD, NEW YORK - HOURS LATER (DAY) 122
Nervous David walks to a NURSE at a busy nurses’ station.
DAVID
My son. Nic Sheff. He OD’ed.
The nonchalant NURSE runs her finger down the intake sheet.
NURSE
I’m sorry sir. He checked out.
DAVID
What?
NURSE
Against doctors orders.
DAVID
But he OD’ed.
NURSE
I’m sorry sir. He pulled out the
IVs and catheter and left.
DAVID
How could you?
NURSE
He wanted to leave. I know, he’s a
fool. But he’s an adult fool.
David, flabbergasted.
DAVID
How long ago?
(CONTINUED)
76
NURSE
Three, four minutes. We tried to
reason with him.
123 EXT. ENTRANCE, HOSPITAL - DAY 123
David exits. Looks around busy New York. It’s a lost cause.
PEOPLE and LIFE throbbing all around him.
DAVID
Fuck. FUCK!!!!
124 INT. PLANE, JFK-SFO - EVENING 124
David is about to board the plane. His phone rings.
NIC
(quavering voice)
Dad.
DAVID
Nic ...
NIC
I’m sorry.
DAVID
Why’d you leave the hospital?
125 [INTERCUT WITH NIC AT A PAYPHONE NEAR BUS STATION) 125
NIC
(looks the worst we’ve
ever seen him)
I don’t know. I was freaked out. I
had to get out of there.
Silence.
DAVID
If an overdose won’t stop you, what
will, Nic, what will?
NIC
Can you come dad? Please come.
David is bunched between a lot of people on the plane. He

watches and sees a lot of people behind him in the aisle.
DAVID
Nic...
NIC
Please, dad. Please.
(CONTINUED)
77
A beat.
DAVID
All right.
David turns around, trying to go against the flow of people

getting to their seat...
DAVID (CONT’D)
Excuse me. Excuse me.
Yes, I know, sorry.
126 INT. DONUT SHOP - NIGHT 126
David enters a rundown donut shop. He sees Nic sitting at a

table inside, almost falling asleep, unaware of David. David
watches him for a moment, then takes a seat opposite Nic, who
opens his eyes.
David doesn’t know what to say. Tears come down on Nic’s

cheek. David feels for him, he looks sad and vulnerable.
NIC
Look, I’ve thought about it and I’m
done with drugs. Finished. This is
it.
DAVID
Yeah?
NIC
Yeah. I’ve been thinking about it,
I don’t have to go to a rehab. I
can do it myself. I can stop on my
own.
David thinks it’s bullshit, but doesn’t show it. He pauses.

Instead he tries to find a way to get through to Nic.
DAVID
And how would it work? I mean after
what just happened?
NIC
I’m telling you, I’m done.
DAVID
That’s what you’re saying. But do
you hear yourself talking?
Nic thinks about it, realizes his fantasy, starts crying.
(CONTINUED)
78
NIC
(through tears)
I guess this is what it is to be an
addict. You start believing your
own lies.
(a beat)
Yeah, I have to go to a rehab,
you’re right.
Wow, he cracked it, Nic decided himself, for the first time.
David is relieved, but tries to hide it.
131 INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY 131
A bland hotel room. Nic is comatose in bed buried under the

covers. The TV is on without sound. David is on the phone
with Vicki.
132 INTERCUT WITH VICKI IN HER OFFICE 132
DAVID
So at 3 there is a conference call
with the intake people of
Mississippi. And 3:30 one in New
Mexico. At 4 the one in Oregon.
VICKI (O.S.)
I did some research on the New
Mexico one. They charge $40.000 a
month.
DAVID
What?! Assholes!
VICKI
Assholes . . .
DAVID
We can’t do that. It’s not even
that well rated... Ok, we skip that
one.
JUMP CUT TO:
David on the phone.
DAVID (CONT’D)
I’m looking for a program for my
son. Could I get some information
on how you run things, please?
(CONTINUED)
79
David looks at his inbox: more and more emails to promote

rehabs, it’s worse than spam for porn sites.
JUMP CUT TO:
David on the phone again with Vicki, still in the hotel room,
while looking at Nic who is now shivering and raving.
VICKI
How are you doing David?
DAVID
I’m breathing. In and out. And you?
David tucks Nic in again, looks at him. His thin and frail
body. The marks on his arms.
133 INT. REHAB - DAY 133
A new rehab, even fancier than the previous one. Nic -

looking just a little better - is having breakfast with a
couple of timid YOUNGER GUYS. Nic is a rehab sophomore now.
He looks up, sees Vicki standing in the doorway, looking for

Nic. He waves, she doesn’t see him. He walks over to her, she
smiles when she sees him.
134 INT. LIVING ROOM, REHAB - DAY 134
Nic and Vicki sit in sofas and are drinking tea. They’re both
pretty relaxed actually, considering the circumstances.
VICKI
They give you sedatives?
NIC
Yes, I have to take them.
Nic puts up a strange voice...
NIC (CONT’D)
‘If Mr Sheff doesn’t want to take
his medication orally, I’m sure
that we can arrange that he can
have it another way.’
Vicki laughs. Nic chuckles, he loves to make her laugh.
VICKI
Oh Nicolas. I’m so glad you came to
LA. You know that? I really am.
She looks Nic straight in the eyes.
(CONTINUED)
80
VICKI (CONT’D)
You just don’t know what it is to
be a parent. When you were gone...
I... I felt like there was a knife
sticking into my side, every minute
of every day you were gone. I was
so worried. I couldn’t eat, I
couldn’t sleep. I just lay on the
kitchen floor and cried.
Although it IS dramatic, it comes out a bit...

superficial...? It almost makes Nic laugh.
VICKI (CONT’D)
I’m serious!
NIC
Mom, please.
VICKI
All I could think about was you.
NIC
I know this must sound meaningless,
but I’m sorry. I really am.
VICKI
Oh Nicky...
NIC
(mimicking her)
Oh Vicki.
VICKI
You’re such a darling. You know
that, right?
Nic shakes his head. He doesn’t believe it.
VICKI (CONT’D)
Yes you are! And I will always be
here for you. OK? Keep that in your
mind.
She kisses his forehead 3 times, short, longer, longest.
MUSIC RISES.
137 EXT. ROADS, TOPANGA CANYON - DAY 137
Nic appears in the distance, riding his 10-speed through

Topanga Canyon. Although he is drenched in sweat and grunting
he looks pretty great actually.
(CONTINUED)
81
MUSIC is BIG now.
Changing gears, up a hill, down a hill.
We now see he is chasing SPENCER (40’s). He’s pushing it

200%.
As they arrive at a steep hill, Nic, younger and lighter,

overtakes Spencer. CLOSE on Nic who’s in pain but does not
give up. PRIMAL AGONY, pedalling HARD:
NIC
Aaaaaarrrrgggghhhhhhhhh!!
They reach the top. Nic wins. They stop, laugh at each other.
SPENCER
So that’s what I get for helping
you out? Thanks man.
NIC
Sorry old man. I’m ruthless, I
know. Phewww...!
Puffing. Enjoying the view.
138 INT. DOCTOR STEPHEN KISH’S OFFICE - DAY 138
David is talking to Dr. STEPHEN KISH, in this case a more

serious, data-oriented specialist. Another member of the
drugs-rehab-science-complex.
DR KISH
... If the marker is depleted in
meth addicts’ brains, it’s likely
that there is a loss of nerve
terminals, and the brain damage is
irreversible. However, when I
tested for V-MAT2, I found normal
levels.
David listens closely.
DAVID
So there is cause for optimism?
DR KISH
Most probably : yes. To put it
simply, ‘fried’ nerve endings do
grow back. Though it may take as
long as two years.
Tiny smile from David.
(CONTINUED)
82
DAVID
Two years.
139 EXT. GARDEN NIC’S STUDIO - DAY 139
Vicki and Nic are carrying Nic’s stuff towards his studio,
which is located above a garage in the back of a garden of a
large house.
140 INT. STUDIO NIC - DAY 140
They enter the studio. Drop the stuff. Nic looks at his new
place. It’s not huge, but his own. Nic opens a window and
looks outside.
CUT TO:
While Vicki is unpacking kitchen stuff… Nic is arranging his

favorite DVD's and CD's.
When done, Nic sits down and watches his shelf with all his
stuff. Vicki watches him.
VICKI
How does that feel?
He nods.
NIC
It feels good. Really good.
David walks over to Jasper, who is fully immersed in his

video game.
DAVID
I got something for you.
Jasper pauses the game, looks at his dad. David hands him a
letter.
DAVID (CONT’D)
It’s from Nic.
David takes a seat close to Jasper, watches Jasper open the

letter. He takes out a bunch of dollar notes, then a LETTER.
Jasper sits with David, Karen and Daisy at the table holding
the letter. He’s a good reader but of course sometimes
stumbles over words, starts over, etc...
(CONTINUED)
83
JASPER
I'm looking for a way to say I'm
sorry, more than with just those
two words. I also know that these 8
dollars can never replace all that
I stole from you in terms of the
fear and craziness I brought to
your young life. The truth is, I
don't know how to say I'm sorry.
David watches Jasper read. Looks at the rest of his family.
JASPER (CONT’D)
I love you, but that has never
changed. I care about you, but I
always have. I'm proud of you, but
none of that makes it any better. I
guess what I can offer you is this:
as you're growing up, whenever you
need me, I'll be there for you. I
will live, and build a life, and be
someone you can depend on.
143 INT. CHURCH - DAY 143
A 12-step meeting. Quite a lot of people. Lots of young and

hip people here in LA.
SPEAKER
Today our speaker is Nic.
Nic walks up, is a little shy.
NIC
Hi I’m Nic.
Nic waves.
GROUP
Hi Nic.
NIC
I...
He coughs.
NIC (CONT’D)
Sorry.
(starts over)
I’m an addict and an alcoholic. And
today I’m 14 months clean.
Applause! Nic looks good. He takes in the space.
(CONTINUED)
84
NIC (CONT’D)
The first time I tried meth I
thought, oh my god, if I could just
have been breastfed on this.
A couple of people laugh, and Nic notices it, it eases him to

have an audience.
He makes a sound as if being on a rollercoaster. Than a

crashing sound.
NIC (CONT’D)
In no time I became an animal
trying to satisfy a craving that is
perpetually unsatisfiable. You do
anything to get dope. Ever tried
begging for money while trying to
meet a person’s eyes? It is
humbling, in a way few things are.
Yet you do it. To get HIGH. You let
strangers fuck you, in order to get
HIGH. I went to a couple of rehabs.
I detoxed. They talked about
disease. Sure. I always ended back
on the streets. Until I woke up in
the hospital with a catheter in my
dick.
One person laughs.
NIC (CONT’D)
I went back into treatment and
somebody asked me what my problem
was. I told him I was an alcoholic
and an addict. He said, no, that’s
how you’ve been treating your
problem.
(chuckles)
That was 14 months ago.
One or two people applaud again. Nic spots Vicki and Spencer
who are in the back.
NIC (CONT’D)
I know now I need to find a way to
fill that big black hole in me. I
need to learn to deal with emotions
too. Cos when my peers were
learning to deal with expectations
and failure and success, you know,
with LIFE, I was with my head in a
cloud of pot numbing myself. I
never learnt it. I just ran away.
Anyway. I’m 14 months clean.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
85
NIC (CONT’D)
I have a job at a rehab, and it’s
fulfilling to help other people. I
save a little money and can even
buy stuff that I do not shoot up
into my body. Spencer, my sponsor,
shows me how good life can be. I
still have a family. My dad has
been amazing. My mom too. I want
them to be proud of me. And I know
they will be, one day. I’m grateful
to be here.
Applause.
SPEAKER
Thanks for sharing, Nic.
Vicki is applauding too.
145 I/E. MAZDA / DIFFERENT LOCATIONS - DAY 145
Nic is driving his Mazda. Indistinct music on the radio. Nic

drives onto the freeway. Opens the window. Enjoys this so so
much.
Nic arrives home. He parks on the driveway. Steps out of the

car.
David appears. Then Jasper, Daisy, Karen. Everybody is

excited but also nervous. The dogs are BARKING LOUD, a little
aggressive.
Nic hugs everybody separately.
NIC
Dad.
CUT TO:
NIC (CONT’D)
Dayze
CUT TO:
NIC (CONT’D)
Jazzy Jeff. I missed you more than
the sun misses the moon at night.
Jasper hugs him back, but is a little silent. They haven’t

seen each other for such a long time.
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
86
NIC (CONT’D)
KB. So great to see you. Thanks for
inviting me.
Somehow it’s really tense when Nic and Karen hug. They both
have tiny tears.
KAREN
You’re welcome.
148 INT. NIC’S OLD BEDROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - EVENING 148
Nic enters his bedroom, which has been transformed into an

adjunct playroom with lots of LEGO-creations and stuffed
animals.
He puts his bag on the floor, sits on his bed, looks at the
all the toys. David knocks on the open door.
DAVID
You fine?
Nic nods.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Ok. Sleep well.
David closes the door. Nic takes his laptop out of his
backpack, and opens it. He starts typing hesitantly,
sometimes going back, correcting, then continuing.
149 EXT. REMOTE BEACH - DAY 149
The family is walking on a path that leads to a beautiful

remote beach. Everybody is carrying something, stuff they
brought to spend a couple of hours there. Jasper and Nic are
carrying a surfboard. They’re both really excited and teasing
each other as they walk.
They arrive at the beautiful beach, look at the pretty big

waves out there. Jasper and Nic run towards the water and
play a little in the water in the incoming waves.
Meanwhile David and Karen install themselves on the beach.

Karen looks a little worried.
Nic and Jasper are strapping on the leaches of their boards

and making their way to go in the water and surf.
KAREN
Jasper, come here.
JASPER
What?
(CONTINUED)
87
KAREN
Come here.
Jasper makes his way to Karen.
KAREN (CONT’D)
I don’t want you to go out there.
It’s too big. It’s too dangerous.
JASPER
Oh come on Mom!
KAREN
Jasper listen...
JASPER
Come on. This is bullshit!
Nic joins the conversation, he is sweet.
NIC
Yeah, we won’t go far and I’ll...
KAREN
Nic you can go, but Jasper is not
going out there and that’s final.
JASPER
Fuck you!
David, who was following this conversation quietly, becomes a

little over-the-top angry.
DAVID
Jasper!!! NIC!!! Goddamnit!!!
What’s this? LISTEN to your mom!!
The boys stop, look up. Surprised, until they realize how
serious David is. Jasper turns quiet.
Nic tries to stay positive.
NIC
Ok, it’s fine. Dad, you’re right.
Jasper is sulking. They all just stand there and look at the
waves. They are indeed quite big.
NIC (CONT’D)
It’s fine.
(to Jasper)
Let’s play a game instead.
(CONTINUED)
88
JASPER
No.
CUT TO:
A little later. Karen Daisy and David are building a castle.

Jasper has turned his mood around, he and Nic are playing a
wordgame.
JASPER (CONT’D)
So I’m a thing that starts with an
H.
NIC
Are you a hurfboard? No? Are you a
hicycle?
It makes Jasper laugh. He shakes his head.
NIC (CONT’D)
OK, uhm, are you edible?
JASPER
Not really.
NIC
Are you a house?
JASPER
Yes. How did you know?
NIC
Just, you know, I can read your
mind.
Jasper laughs. Nic sees David is following their

conversation.
150 I/E. CAR/ROADS HOME/ GROCERY STORE - EVENING 150
Sun going down. The slightly gloomy way back from the beach.
David stops at the grocery store in Point Reyes Station. He
steps out for some groceries. Karen too, the kids stay in the
car.
Nic watches David and Karen go into the store.
The CASHIER of the grocery store - who is looking out of the

window - recognizes Nic, stares for a moment. Then looks
away. It makes Nic feel awkward.
He closes his eyes.

89
151 INT. LIVING ROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - NIGHT 151
David sits at the fire place. He has a book in his hands but
isn’t really reading. He hears a car stopping in front of the
house. He looks up.
CUT TO:
Nic walks in. Takes a seat. Watches David.
DAVID
You’re pretty late.
NIC
Yeah. After the meeting we went to
this guy’s house and watched a
video.
DAVID
No phone?
NIC
My cell was dead.
DAVID
(hates to ask)
Are you OK to do a drug test?
Nic becomes silent and angry too, but swallows his pride.
NIC
Sure dad.
David stands up, goes to the kitchen, takes a plastic cup,

gives it to Nic.
DAVID
You do understand why, don’t you?
NIC
I should’ve called. But...
DAVID
I trust you, but we need some kind
of proof, ok?
Nic is a little down.
NIC
That’s as contradictory as it can
get. But I’ll do it, no worries,
nothing to hide.
A beat.
(CONTINUED)
90
DAVID
You’re doing amazing.
NIC
Yeah...
DAVID
You are. By my count you’re at 485
days without meth.
Nic chuckles.
NIC
Don’t say you wouldn’t have wanted
things to be different.
David pauses. Thinks.
DAVID
I know that lying and stealing is
part of your disease. That - that
doesn’t always make it easier to
deal with it.
David needed to get this off his chest.
DAVID (CONT’D)
I’m sorry, it’s... It’s just all so
fucking irrational, Nic.
David switches, he needs to be as positive as possible.
DAVID (CONT’D)
You’re pulling through. You are.
And that’s amazing. And the scars
are healing. They are healing.
NIC
Yeah... I thought it would be
easier, after all this time.
Anyway, I’m gonna go sleep, dad.
Nic walks away with his plastic cup in his hands.
Next morning. Bright sun through the windows.
NIC
Thanks. It was a great weekend.
DAVID
Take care.
(CONTINUED)
91
Nic nods.
153 I/E. MAZDA / HIGHWAY - DAY 153
Nic is driving on the highway.
David sits in his study. Thinking. Track in on David.
Head buried in his hands.
155 EXT. DRIVEWAY, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY (FLASHBACK) 155
Nic steps into his Mazda. (As just happened some time before)
The family gathers at the door. While Nic drives off, they
wave.
David is watching Nic drive off. And, isn’t there a sad look
on Nic’s face?
Back to David, thinking. He takes his phone. Should he call

or not? Opts against it.
157 INT. ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE - MEETING ROOM - DAY 157
David in a meeting room with a couple of editors. David is

trying his best to not constantly check his phone.
David enters the living room. Daisy and Jasper are running
around the house playing pretty wild.
Karen is reading a book at the kitchen table.
KAREN
Hey hon...
David looks at her. Tries to smile. He looks around: the

house has the signature mess of family life. Karen brought in
work stuff, paintings, drawings. The kitchen unruly. Kids
toys everywhere.
DAVID
Karen, can’t you just tidy up for
once?? I can’t fucking handle this
chaos. OK? Jesus.
Karen is taken aback.
(CONTINUED)
92
KAREN
Dave...
David’s phone rings, he walks outside.
David is on the phone.
DAVID
So you have no idea where he is?
VICKI (O.S.)
Spencer told me he heard from him.
He was having a difficult time but
was pulling through. But, yeah,
he’s not at work. Not at home.
Unreachable on his cell.
DAVID
Damn, Vicki. He left here two days
ago... Why haven’t you checked on
him since? You’re supposed to be
looking after him.
160 [INTERCUT WITH VICKI IN HER LIVING ROOM IN LA] 160
Vicki looks out of sorts.
VICKI
What the fuck, David. Who’s been
taking care of him the last year?
DAVID
You could’ve checked when he came
home... No?
VICKI
What do you think I do all day? And
besides that, we cannot survey him
24/7.
DAVID
(not listening)
He seemed depressed when he left
here.
VICKI
Well, he was fine when he left LA
to come to you!
DAVID
Yeah, well, all that doesn’t
matter, cause we’re fucked Vicki!
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
93
DAVID (CONT'D)
Which might not have happened if
you would’ve checked on him!
VICKI
What?! This is beyond...
DAVID
(not listening to Vicki)
I think you need to go to the
police and file a missing persons
report. OK?!
VICKI (O.S.)
Stop YELLING at me!! I can’t stand
it when you do that! You’re totally
crazy and fucking unfair...
Vicki is grasping for air, it’s too much for her. She starts
crying. She hangs up.
ON DAVID: his eyes like black saucers of rage.
All of a sudden he flings his phone across the lawn, into the
trees beyond the yard.
CUT TO:
David angrily rummages around in the foliage, looking for his

phone.
KAREN (O.S.)
David?
David turns. Karen is standing on the porch.
DAVID
(anguished)
Can you call my phone, please?
KAREN
What’s going on?
DAVID
Nic’s gone. He relapsed. After 16
months. Clean for 16 fucking
months.
David is shaking his head. Karen too. What now?
DAVID (CONT’D)
Let’s not tell the kids. For now.
Karen thinks about it.
(CONTINUED)
94
KAREN
OK.
161 INT. WALK-IN CLOSET - EVENING 161
David enters his walk-in wardrobe, throwing UNDERWEAR,

SHIRTS, a TOILETRIES POUCH and other items into a TRAVEL BAG.
Karen enters, giving David the a ‘what’s-going-on’-look.
DAVID
I’m going to LA in the morning. See
if I can find him.
A beat.
KAREN
This isn’t making any sense. Why
would you go to LA?
David thinks about it, doesn’t know what to answer.
DAVID
Vicki can’t handle it.
KAREN
Who says Nic is in LA? For all we
know he is in San Francisco. He
could be in fucking Mexico.
DAVID
I need to go. I can’t just stay
here, wait till he...
KAREN
And I need you too.
DAVID
I told you, Vicki can’t handle it.
KAREN
Well fuck Vicki!!
DAVID
You’re freaking out. Be reasonable.
KAREN
What? You be reasonable!
DAVID
I AM REASONABLE.
KAREN
Is this reasonable?
(CONTINUED)
95
DAVID
OK. I’m not. How could I be? Nic’s
out there killing himself and
there’s nothing I can do about it.
It sinks in with Karen, hurts her too.
KAREN
(calm)
OK. I get it.
A beat.
KAREN (CONT’D)
Go ahead then, go look for him. It
can’t hurt. Maybe you’ll feel
better for trying.
Karen doesn’t believe it makes sense, but gives in. Her

patience is reaching the limit though.
David doesn’t know what to do.
DAVID
You’re right, he’s probably not in
LA.
A beat.
DAVID (CONT’D)
But I’m gonna go check some
neighborhoods in San Francisco.
Karen is silent for a moment. Then nods.
162 I/E. CAR / SAN FRANCISCO STREETS - EVENING 162
David drives through the Tenderloin, an area with strip clubs

and cheap monthly hotel rooms, panhandlers, hustlers, dealers
and junkies. He cruises the streets and looks left and right.
DAVID (V.O.)
Relapse is part of recovery.
Relapse is part of recovery.
Relapse really is part of recovery.
And we cut back to the moment when Nic gets in his Mazda and
drives off from the Sheff house.
Nic looks a little sad. He watches the family wave in his

rearview mirror.
96
164 I/E. MAZDA / FREEWAY - DAY 164
Nic is driving on the freeway. He’s nervous. He takes an

exit.
165 I/E. MAZDA / PARKING - DAY 165
Nic sits in his car, close to the freeway, cars passing by in

the background.
He’s out of sorts. He takes his phone and dials a number.
VOICE ON PHONE
Hi...
NIC
Hey Spencer...
Nic starts crying.
SPENCER (O.S.)
Hey Nic.
NIC
It’s too hard man. I’m sick of
trying.
SPENCER (O.S.)
Congratulations. Welcome to the
real world, I’m glad you made it.
NIC
I don’t want to live in the real
world.
SPENCER (O.S.)
Yes you do. You called me, didn’t
you?
NIC
It's no use. I know I'm gonna fail.
SPENCER (O.S.)
Bullshit. That's your disease
talking, man. Wanting to isolate
you, so it can kill you.
NIC
Spencer, I don't have a disease.
This is not like fucking cancer.
This is my choice.
(CONTINUED)
97
SPENCER (O.S.)
Your writing is going good, isn’t
it? Someday you’ll be a writer,
like your dad. Once you get high
though, then you've got no more
choices. You get high and you lose
everything. This is your choice.
So what are you gonna do?
Nic seems relieved.
NIC
Thanks Spencer. I’ll do fine.
SPENCER (O.S.)
We’re having steaks tonight, if you
want to come over.
NIC
Thanks man, thanks.
Nic hangs up, but starts crying again. Immediately his phone
starts ringing again. It says ‘Dad’. Nic looks at it,
doubting if he will answer or not. He doesn’t. Instead he
turns the phone off. Opens the backside of the phone and
takes out the simcard. He looks at the tiny simcard, then
let’s it fall out of his fingers.
He steps out of the car, and we now see where he is, he’s at
a parking overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and San
Francisco.
168 I/E. MAZDA / HAIGHT STREET - DAY 168
Nic sits in his Mazda, parked in the colorful Haight Street.

A sixpack on the passenger seat, Nic takes a can of beer and
opens it. His eyes are on fire. He drinks. This is obviously
just the beginning, the beast is loose.
He downs the can of beer. Opens the next. He is looking at

his arms, making a fist, making his veins stand out.
He notices Lauren walking by on the sidewalk (19, thin,

fragile girl). He knows her, but where from? She notices him,
and recognizes him too. She comes towards him.
LAUREN
Nic Sheff!
He opens his window.
NIC
Hi…
Lauren…!
(CONTINUED)
98
There’s something strange about her, but she’s also really

cute.
LAUREN
What are you doing here?
NIC
Well..
Nic is thinking. Should he tell the truth?
LAUREN
What?
NIC
I’ve been clean for a while, but I
seriously want to party right now.
He laughs, Lauren too.
NIC (CONT’D)
I heard you had some trouble like
that too?
LAUREN
Yeah. I’ve been clean for four
months.
NIC
But you’re over it?
LAUREN
I’ve just been waiting for the
right person to go out with.
NIC
Really?
Immediate sexual tension here.
LAUREN
I don’t know.
NIC
You look good.
Nic opens the door of the car. Lauren eyes him for a moment,
smiles and takes a seat.
LAUREN
Thank you, nice to see you too.
Nic offers her a beer, she takes one.
(CONTINUED)
99
DESTINY and GACK, two street kids around Nic’s age arrive at
Nic’s window.
GACK
Yo bro. Destiny here tells me you
wanna hook up?
Nic nods.
GACK (CONT’D)
I can help. We gotta drive to the
Tenderloin.
NIC
Cool.
169 I/E. MAZDA / SAN FRANCISCO STREETS - MONTAGE 169
Destiny and Gack get in // Nic drives off // Everybody gets

introduced //
Although it’s dark, there’s something smooth going on. Nic’s

made a couple of friends in no time.
Nic offers them beers // Music on the radio // Cruising

through the city //
NIC (V.O.)
What would I miss, Spencer? My
shitty job? My shitty apartment? My
non existing girlfriend? Cheeseball
12 step meetings, where I talk
about cheeseball 12 step crap?
Cruising through shady Tenderloin // Giving money //

Laughing, more beers // Getting the dope //
170 INT. LIVING ROOM, LAUREN’S PARENTS HOUSE - DAY 170
They enter Lauren’s house. A fancy place overlooking Baker

Beach.
NIC
Wow! And I can cook up in here?
LAUREN
Sure, my parents are gone for 2
weeks. The place is ours!
Nic prepares the drugs like a pro. Crushing the meth, heating
it up. Pulling it up a syringe. And another one, with a
little less. Lauren is watching, a little nervous.
(CONTINUED)
100
NIC
So?
LAUREN
You first.
Nic finds a vein and shoots up. He coughs, almost choking.

(happens when the chemicals reach the brain). His eyes water
up. His breathing intensifies.
NIC
Goddamn.... Godddamn.
CUT TO:
Now Nic shoots up Lauren. She coughs too. A lot. Hard

breathing.
LAUREN
Wow.
Nic smiles at her.
NIC
You see? I told ya.
He starts kissing her. She lets it happen. It’s all so

effortless. Nic lets his hand slide between Lauren’s legs. He
kisses her harder.
NIC (CONT’D)
This is soooo good. No?
LAUREN
Yes. Yes.
171 INT. BATHROOM, LAUREN’S PARENTS HOUSE - DAY 171
Nic and Lauren having sex in the shower. It’s wild and sexy.
Nic looks cool. They go on for a long time. Kissing, moaning,
fucking.
NIC (V.O.)
The world is mine.
All so effortless. So easy.
If only life was always like this.
Lauren comes. Nic keeps on going.
FADE TO BLACK
Sounds of THROWING UP
CUT TO
101
172 INT. BATHROOM/BEDROOM, LAUREN’S PARENTS HOUSE - DAY 172
Nic is throwing up, he looks bad. A week or so of drug abuse

went by. He’s lost a lot of weight.
He walks by Lauren’s bed, looks at her. She’s sleeping, or

passed out? She looks pretty bad too.
173 INT. LIVING ROOM, LAUREN’S PARENTS HOUSE - DAY 173
Nic enters the living room. It’s a huge mess. He sits down in
the sofa, and starts up his laptop. Checks his emails. No new
emails.
Not one.
He cries.
174 EXT. FORT POINT - NIGHT 174
Nic and Lauren are walking around Fort Point. The arrive at
the Golden Gate pillars. They’re both really high, but
somehow look better.
NIC
I love this city. I feel so
grateful, Lauren. Everything is
working out perfectly.
LAUREN
Me too.
He’s high, he kisses her.
NIC
(convincing himself)
I mean, what more is there to life
than this?
LAUREN
And when my parents get home?
NIC
I’ll get a place.
LAUREN
For us together?
NIC
Sure.
LAUREN
What are we, boyfriend/girlfriend?
(CONTINUED)
102
NIC
If you want to be.
Lauren looks at Nic.
NIC (CONT’D)
Yes. I want you to be my
girlfriend.
He looks at her. Lauren is really wasted. His anxiety begins

to grow as he feels sober.
LAUREN
Kiss me!
He kisses her again.
175 EXT. PATHWAY LEADING TO SWIMMING POOL - DAY 175
David, Karen, Daisy and Jasper just parked the car and walk
to the entrance of the swimming pool. A lot of kids and
parents are arriving and entering.
Both Daisy and Jasper have a bag with their bathing suits.
KAREN
(to Jasper)
We’ll be seeing you from the stand
OK? We’ll be cheering!
She looks at Jasper, notices his state.
KAREN (CONT’D)
What’s up?
JASPER
I thought Nic was gonna come today.
KAREN
He couldn’t make it today, honey.
Something came up.
JASPER
Can I call him?
DAVID
That’s not going to be possible.
JASPER
Why not?
DAVID
Because it’s not.
(CONTINUED)
103
JASPER
You won’t let me talk to him!
David is severe.
DAVID
Hey!! No screaming!
JASPER
It’s bullshit.
DAVID
It’s just not possible. And don’t
shout at me. That’s not nice.
Karen comes in between.
KAREN
Cut it out you two. Jas, you go out
there and have fun OK?
Jasper nods. He walks off, takes Daisy along. Karen and David
look at each other.
176 INT. SWIMMING POOL - DAY 176
Karen and David stand in a corridor under the bleachers.

Through speakers we hear ANNOUNCEMENTS about the swimming
competition. People stream by on either side.
DAVID
(defensive)
What do you want from me?
Karen is thinking, David is angry.
DAVID (CONT’D)
I don’t get it... Why have we
switched positions? You were the
one saying Nic was sick.
KAREN
I know.
DAVID
And now... you’re... Well, what are
you saying?
KAREN
We’re all getting sick. The whole
family is going down with him. Look
at yourself.
A pause.
(CONTINUED)
104
KAREN (CONT’D)
You have to let go.
DAVID
Easy for you to say.
KAREN
(a little pissed)
What? Dare to repeat that...
DAVID
I’m just saying...
KAREN
Watch out how you phrase things...
He stalls. Karen gives him time... she’s listening...
DAVID
You say: you didn’t cause it. Well,
how do you know as a parent? You
don’t. You could‘ve done things
differently along the way. So, you
know, ‘letting go’... It’s easier
said than done, when it’s your own
child.
Karen over thinks what she’s about to say. She stays calm,
but firm.
KAREN
Nic may be not my son, but he’s my
stepson and he’s my friend, so
don’t think this is easy for me.
She turns around, and starts walking up the stairs.
177 INT. SWIMMING POOL - DAY 177
The competition is on. BOYS and GIRLS of all ages in their

bathing suits. Different TEAMS, amongst them Jasper’s team
‘Angry Tuna’. Jasper is just about to get on a starting
block, while David and Karen take a seat. Karen waves, but
Jasper doesn’t see her.
Behind Jasper we notice a large banner from the local swim

team that says: ‘Nothing in life is so complicated that it
cannot be achieved by discipline and hard work’.
And GOOOOOOOO! Jasper jumps into the water, and swims as fast
as he can. Karen is watching and cheering. David looks pretty
stressed out.
105
178 I/E. MAZDA / STREET OUTSIDE SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 178
Nic and Lauren are approaching the Sheff house and they drive
by slow. Nic sees there’s only the Volvo in the driveway.
NIC
Doesn’t mean they’re here. Give me
your phone.
Nic dials a number. We hear it ring, five times. (We also

hear it FAINTLY ringing in the Sheff kitchen.) It clicks
through to an answer machine.
Nic hides his car a little further in a bush.
Nic and Lauren arrive at the front door, Nic lifts a pot
plant, nothing there. He tries another pot, again nothing.
NIC
Fuck this. What if I was in an
emergency situation? You know? I’m
not even welcome anymore.
It makes him angry. He throws the pot to the floor. He kicks

the solid door, nothing happens.
NIC (CONT’D)
Ok... Wait here...
180 EXT. BACK YARD AND SWIMMING POOL - DAY 180
Nic goes around the back. He creeps along different doors and
windows, and checks if one of them is open.
He starts banging and pounding on a back door, until it

breaks open. If he weren’t high, his limbs would hurt after
this.
181 INT. SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 181
We follow Nic who walks through the house and gathers stuff
he can take along.
In a storage he takes a jacket, a Nintendo console, some

bottles of wine. An old laptop. From the kitchen a bottle of
Vodka. He dumps some stuff into a cardboard carton.
Meanwhile Lauren is looking at art books etc.

106
Nic enters David’s study. He opens drawers of his desk,

looking for stuff he can take. He’s progressively angrier and
angrier.
On David’s desk Nic sees print-outs of stuff David is

writing. He looks at it, his own name appears quite a few
times.
183 INT. JASPER’S BEDROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 183
Nic stands in Jasper’s room. He sees all Jasper’s toys. Then

notices the plastic mini-vault with Jasper’s savings that he
already plundered once.
LAUREN (O.S.)
Hey Nic, all these pictures of you
here. They’re amazing. So cute!
Nic doesn’t react.
He looks closer and sees a post-it note is glued to it and on

it is written: ‘DO NOT TOUCH NIC’ and a smiley face.
Nic is watching the cardboard carton and the stuff he wanted

to take with him . . . What a stupid idea.
At that moment we hear a car pull up in the driveway.
He rushes to a window. It’s the family arriving. Nic, instant

panic mode.
NIC
(loud whisper)
Lauren!
In the driveway they all get out of the car. Jasper is

wearing a medal around his neck. The back of the car is
filled with bags of groceries. David and Karen pick them up
carry them.
KAREN
Honeys, can you help us out here?
They all take something - David the bulk. They walk to the
front door, Karen opens it. They enter.
107
186 INT. LIVING ROOM AND KITCHEN, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 186
They pass the living room.
Dump the groceries in the kitchen.
Karen starts unpacking. Jasper takes a banana and starts

eating it, just hanging a little in the kitchen.
Daisy goes up the stairs to her room.
David heads back outside.
As David enters the house again with the last groceries, he

notices the broken plant pot at the entrance.
188 INT. LIVING ROOM AND KITCHEN, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 188
Jasper is looking at the broken back door... he notices the

broken deadbolt.
David enters again with the last groceries, Daisy comes down
the stairs
DAISY
I just saw Nic...
KAREN
What hon?
JASPER
Is Nic here?
DAISY
I saw Nic and a girl. Running away.
Dumbstruck for a moment... David rushes outside.
189 EXT. DRIVEWAY, SHEFF HOUSE / AND STREETS SURROUNDING- DAY 189
David runs onto the street, sees Nic and Lauren, but they’re
pretty far away. They’re running.
DAVID
Nic, Nic!
CUT TO:
Nic, white as a sheet, sprinting. Lauren beside him. They go

around a corner into a bush.
(CONTINUED)
108
NIC
Fuck! Fuck!
CUT TO:
David runs on the street now, but doesn’t see Nic anymore.
Karen, Daisy and Jasper come outside, see David running.
CUT TO:
Nic and Lauren clamber into the Mazda, try to be as quiet as

possible, though they’re gasping for breath.
Through the bush they see David running past them.
DAVID
Nic!?
They wait just a little more until David is further along.

Nic starts the engine, hits the gas and rushes into the other
direction.
CUT TO:
David turns around as he sees and hears the Mazda drive off
in the other direction.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Oh no...
CUT TO:
Nic has to drive past the house. Nic sees Karen and the kids,
distraught. They look at Nic, wild and scared at the same
time.
Close on Karen: what now? She jumps in the car, starts the
engine.
JASPER
Mom?
Karen simply gestures - Stay here! - as she reverses it onto

the street, takes off, disappears. It’s wild and loud and
scary.
CUT TO:
Back to David, who is walking back - out of breath - and now

sees Karen in the car speeding off, going after Nic...
DAVID
What the hell...????
(CONTINUED)
109
David loses it, everything just seems to slip out of his

hands.
190 I/E. MAZDA / STREETS OF INVERNESS - DAY 190
Nic driving, looking behind him. And then there’s Karen in

the distance gaining ground.
NIC
Ah, no!
He floors it.
Nic turns a corner. Karen not far behind it.
David walks up to the driveway. Daisy is crying.
Jasper is consoling her.
JASPER
Don’t cry Daisy. It’s all gonna be
fine.
David looks at them... doesn’t know what to do anymore. He

comes closer to his kids. Sits on the ground near them.
DAVID
I’m so sorry guys.
JASPER
We’re OK dad. Don’t worry.
192 I/E. MAZDA / STREETS AROUND INVERNESS - DAY 192
On a stretch of Marin County road, Nic powers along.
LAUREN
(looking behind)
I think we’re losing her...
Karen way back there.
193 I/E. CAR, STREETS AROUND INVERNESS - DAY 193
Karen is slowing down. Suddenly realizing this is crazy. She

comes to a stop in the middle of the road.
She watches the Mazda ahead in the distance. Stares blankly.

Motionless.
And suddenly: she’s weeping. It all comes out, floods of

tears, huge gulping sobs.
110
194 INT. DAVID'S STUDY, SHEFF HOUSE - EVENING 194
David takes his phone and dials a number.
DAVID
I’d like to report a break-in at
our home.
Next day. David is walking through the living room, followed

by a LOCKSMITH. David shows him the door Nic forced open.
DAVID
So we’d like to have this fixed.
The locksmith sits on his knees to inspect it closer.
LOCKSMITH
No problem.
DAVID
And could we go through the house
and check where you can add extra
locks?
The locksmith gets up.
LOCKSMITH
Sure. A lot of problems in this
neighborhood lately?
DAVID
No.
A beat.
DAVID (CONT’D)
It’s my son.
196 EXT. PARKING PRESIDIO - NIGHT 196
Nic is taking a walk and smoking a cigarette by himself. He

drops the butt and walks over to his Mazda on an otherwise
deserted parking lot.
197 INT. MAZDA - NIGHT 197
He steps into his Mazda. As the light turns on, we see Lauren
is lying in the passenger seat, passed out.
Nic watches her a little closer, is she OK? He shakes her.
(CONTINUED)
111
NIC
Lauren?
She actually looks a little blue.
NIC (CONT’D)
Lauren?!
He checks a pulse. None. He slaps her face.
NIC (CONT’D)
Lauren!
He panics, searches her phone, finds it, dials 911. Meanwhile

tilts the backseat, and starts to do some CPR. Mouth to
mouth. Chest compressions.
NIC (CONT’D)
(in phone)
Hello. Yeah, my girlfriend OD’d. We
need an ambulance... Quick!
911 VOICE (O.S.)

Do you know CPR?
NIC
I’m doing it. Please come quick.
911 VOICE (O.S.)

Where are you located?
NIC
Somewhere in the Presidio. I don’t
know. Trace the call.
Nic drops the phone, keeps on doing chest compressions. All

of a sudden:
Lauren gasps, and jerks awake. She blinks twice and bursts
into tears.
Nic is relieved. He holds her.
198 EXT. PARKING PRESIDIO - NIGHT 198
An ambulance has now arrived and routine examinations have

been done.
EMT
We need to take her to the ER.
LAUREN
I don’t want to. I’m OK.
(CONTINUED)
112
EMT
(firm)
We need to take her to the ER.
NIC
Can’t you hear what she’s saying?
EMT
Otherwise I need to inform the
police. Up to you.
Nic and Lauren look at each other. They don’t want police.
NIC
OK.
EMT
We’re taking her in the ambulance.
Come meet her in the hospital. OK?
Nic nods. Lauren is crying.
LAUREN
I love you. Come get me, Nic.
NIC
I love you too.
LAUREN
Please come get me.
NIC
I will.
LAUREN
You promise?
NIC
Yeah yeah, I... promise.
Nic can’t look Lauren in the eyes. This is the end, but
Lauren is too fucked up to see that.
CUT TO:
The ambulance drives off. Nic feels miserable. Worn out,

fucked up, done. Nic still has Laurens phone. He dials a
number. It’s ringing.
DAVID (O.S.)
David Sheff...
NIC
It’s me.
113
199 INTERCUT WITH INT. LIVING ROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - NIGHT 199
David is walking in circles.
DAVID
Nic.
NIC
Please don’t hate me, dad. I know I
did wrong. I... Listen, I want to
stop. But please, please, please no
rehab. Let me come home. I realized
I need to be home. You guys will
give me the strength to stop.
It breaks David’s heart.
He nods. Is silent for a moment.
Then replies, playing ‘tough’...
DAVID
I'm afraid you fucked that up. It’s
out of the question.
A beat.
DAVID (CONT’D)
I wish I could help, but I can't.
NIC
Please help me dad.
DAVID
All I know to tell you is what you
already know. Call your sponsor.
Get help. I love you and I hope you
get your life together.
David hangs up.
We stay on David’s face for a while.
202 I/E. CAFFE TRIESTE - AFTERNOON (FLASHBACK, CONT.) 202
A younger David and Nic (6 years old) settle in at a table.

We recognize this place. Nic is asking questions all the
time. David lavishes his full attention on Nic. He answers
Nic with great dedication.
NIC
Can I have a Coca-Cola?
(CONTINUED)
114
DAVID
No, you know that. But you can have
a juice.
NIC
Can I watch Star Trek tonight?
David nods.
NIC (CONT’D)
Why is Klingon subtitled?
DAVID
So you would understand...
NIC
But why?
DAVID
Like I said, otherwise you wouldn’t
understand what they’re saying.
NIC
Can’t you learn Klingon?
David thinks about it... Good point.
DAVID
Shall we ask in school if you can?
Nic nods.
203 INT. APARTMENT DAVID - DAY (FLASHBACK, CONT.) 203
David and Nic are packing a Hello Kitty suitcase. Clothes and
toys. Now Nic is silent, and David is talking all the time.
DAVID
Didn’t you want to take your
trolls?
Nic shakes his head.
DAVID (CONT’D)
OK, and didn’t you want to take
your new book?
Nic is pretty quiet.
205 INT. DEPARTURES, SF AIRPORT - DAY (FLASHBACK CONTINUED) 205
David and Nic are at the gate. Nic is wearing a pink paper
badge with his name written in Magic Marker.
(CONTINUED)
115
A Delta flight attendant is waiting while David is saying

goodbye to Nic. Other UNACCOMPANIED MINORS start to board.
David kneels to say goodbye to Nic. Nic is sulking.
DAVID
Can I get a hug?
Nic shakes his head.
DAVID (CONT’D)
What no? No hug?
Indeed, no hug.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Are you mad at me? Why, cos you
have to go?
An angry yes.
DAVID (CONT’D)
But you’ll be happy to see your
mommy?
Also a yes. But also close to tears.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Oh Nic. Don’t be mad. Please.
We talked about this, right? Mommy
needed to go to LA for her job. And
daddy needed to stay here. And
that’s sad. But sometimes that
happens and then you have to be
strong. Like you have been. You
have been amazing. And I want you
to know something, I want you to
know you’re the best guy in my
life. You’re the best thing that
happened to me. So I hate it to see
you go. But your mommy loves you
too, right? That's why you're going
down there, cos we gotta share the
love. Otherwise how would she feel?
She'd think I was hogging you!
Watery eyes, but a little laugh from Nic.
The airline attendant is watching, a little nervous, they

need to go, but she doesn’t want to come in between.
(CONTINUED)
116
DAVID (CONT’D)
So remember this: I love you, and I
will miss you, and when you come
back, I will be here for you. OK?
And call me when you miss me. OK? I
will call you too. Do you know that
the first second I saw you, I loved
you? You were just a tiny little
baby, whining, and still, I loved
you.
Another little laugh.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Do you know how much I love you?
Nic shakes his head hesitantly.
AIRLINE ATTENDANT
I'm sorry sir, but we have to go.
David doesn’t react to her, solely focused on Nic.
DAVID
I could take every word in the
language, and it would not describe
how much I love you. And even if I
could gather all those words, there
are still no words to describe what
I feel for you. What I feel for you
is everything. I love you more than
everything.
Nic hugs David now. Then gets up. The airline attendant take
Nic’s hand.
NIC
Everything?
DAVID
Everything.
David nods. Nic smiles now, while he walks away with the
airline attendant.
206 INT. DAVID'S STUDY, SHEFF HOUSE - NIGHT 206
Back to present time.
David sits at his desk for a while.
Then he takes an origami paper from one of his drawers. He

places it on the table, looks at it for a moment.
(CONTINUED)
117
Unfolds it: crystalline powder. He watches it for a long

time. His adversary. What is it with that shit?
He takes his wallet and takes out a credit card. Clumsy he

cuts the drug a little. He takes a dollar bill and rolls it
up.
He snorts the meth, stares in front of him.
We stay on his face. For a long time. He closes his eyes and
tries to feel and understand what these drugs is doing to
him.
His HEART is BEATING like hell. He feels as if Roman candles

have been lit in his skull. We hear bits and pieces of MUSIC.
And SOUNDS everywhere in the house. He hears a CAR PASSING by
the house. He opens his eyes. He starts typing some
thoughts.
Another sound. A garden light equipped with a motion detector

flashes on. David gets up. Looks outside. Nothing.
David back at his desk. It’s a mess. Papers and pictures and
books all over. The sun rises outside.
David is on his back on the floor in his study. He opens his

eyes, feels miserable, tries to get back to his senses,
crawls up.
207 INT. BATHROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 207
David is taking a shower, tries to wash it away.
He cannot hold it up though. He breaks down.
208 INT. AL-ANON MEETING, CHURCH BASEMENT - EVENING 208
David enters an Al-Anon meeting. It’s pretty packed, 40

people or so. David’s here, without Karen this time. He takes
a coffee, then takes a seat.
CUT TO:
David is sharing.
DAVID
People say I have to let go. But
how can I? How can you say your son
is in prison and be happy about it?
I know, at least he’s not on the
streets, so he’s probably safer...
David is talking directly to a person in the room,

referencing an earlier share.
(CONTINUED)
118
This causes some commotion, it’s not an appropriate thing to

do. David doesn’t notice though, he’s all over the place.
DAVID (CONT’D)
But... is this where we end up as
parents of addicts? Is it?
He looks at people directly. People look away. The question

hurts, because the answer is yes.
A beat.
David, usually always eloquent, stammers, leaving very long

pauses. He tries to say things... nothing comes out.
It becomes awkward, someone wants to jump in, but David

raises his hand... and starts talking.
DAVID (CONT’D)
I never believed in God. I wish I
did. I wish I could put it in
someone else’s hands. Someone
powerful and benevolent. But I
don’t believe it.
He shakes his head.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Yet, lately... I pray. ‘Please God
heal Nic’. Even as the news in the
papers makes this insignificant in
scale, and wholly selfish because
there’s hurricanes and earthquakes
and war, which must overwhelm the
heavens with the noise of all the
prayers.
A beat.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Well, here’s one more. Please God,
heal Nic. Please God, heal Nic.
209 INT. DAVID'S STUDY, SHEFF HOUSE - NIGHT 209
David finishes cleaning up his desk. It’s all neat and tidy.
He looks around and watches the pictures hanging on the wall.

We’ve seen them a couple of times now. David walks to the
wall.
Looks at the picture of him and Nic, 12 years old, both in

wetsuits.
(CONTINUED)
119
He takes it down. He then takes down a couple of other

pictures with Nic in them too. He steps to his desk, opens a
lower-down desk drawer. He puts the photos in there. He
closes the drawer.
He walks out and switches the light off.
210 EXT. BEAR VALLEY TRAIL, ARCH ROCK - DAY 210
David, Karen, Daisy and Jasper together with ANOTHER FAMILY

WITH KIDS are walking over the bear valley trail.
They arrive near the ocean. It’s really beautiful. Daisy,

Jasper and the other kids are playing pretty wild, running
and jumping. As they arrive closer to the edge of the cliffs
Karen is a little worried about it, but she let’s them be.
David too.
David’s phone buzzes. Caller ID says ‘Vicki’.
David distances himself a little from the rest of the gang

and takes the call.
VICKI
Nicolas called. He sounds desperate
and is asking for money.
DAVID
That’s like giving a gun to a
suicidal person, but I’ve explained
that before and I’m done repeating
myself. So... what can I do...?
211 INTERCUT WITH INT. HOUSE VICKI LA - DAY 211
VICKI
I don’t know? Help?
David takes a deep breath.
DAVID
Get him into treatment.
VICKI
He doesn’t want to. He’s going to
die if we don’t do anything.
DAVID
And he’s going to die even if we
do. Nothing we do has any
effect on him.
A beat.
(CONTINUED)
120
DAVID (CONT’D)
I’m done. OK? I failed. I fucked it
up. And I can’t take it anymore.
VICKI
I know you feel ashamed. OK? So do
I.
Silence.
Vicki takes a deep breath and starts talking, takes her time
to make her point.
VICKI (CONT’D)
I’ve been furious at you for the
way things went. How you always got
your way somehow. How you got
custody. How you needed to prove
you were the better parent and I
was an unfit mother.
David looks at Daisy and Jasper goofing around, at Karen

who’s talking to the other couple.
VICKI (CONT’D)
I couldn’t deal with it, I felt
judged, I missed Nicolas. I was
mistreated, I, I, I.. Always I...
She chuckles.
VICKI (CONT’D)
It wasn’t about me, or about you
but about Nicolas. I know that now.
David is silent.
VICKI (CONT’D)
So what I’m trying to say is...
Thank you for raising him. You have
done great. You were up for it,
when I wasn’t. Yet, I’m not giving
up now. So please help me.
DAVID
You can't save people, Vicki.
VICKI
No, but still, you can be there for
them.
A long silence.
(CONTINUED)
121
DAVID
I’m done, Vicki.
He hangs up and walks over to Karen and the other couple.

They continue their walk, to the end of the extending cliff.
Part of it has collapsed into the sea. They stand and watch.
214 INT. CAFFE TRIESTE - EVENING 214
Nic sits in Caffe Trieste, again. He is writing some stuff in

a notebook. His eyes look like he has cried for hours.
NIC (V.O.)
I need pills, weed, vials of liquid
acid. I need a thousand pounds of
heroin. I need to drown myself in
methamphetamine.
He stops writing, gets up and walks to the bathroom. He

leaves his notebook on the table.
215 INT. BATHROOM, CAFFE TRIESTE - EVENING 215
Nic’s injecting himself in the bathroom.
As it comes on it’s not slow motion, but it might as well be.
NIC (V.O.)
I wish it would all just go away.
I wish I didn’t have to exist. I
don’t mean actually dying, I just
want to vanish - disappear - and
become part of the ethos.
Nic, jaws slack, eyes closed, unfurls backwards in his own

SLOW-MO. In a beautiful, haunted arc of ballet he fully
reclines, until his head slowly touches the ground as if it’s
a feather-down mattress. PEACE descends. His lips are turning
blue.
SLAM CUT:
TWO EMT MEN frantically try reviving Nic (CPR, respirator

bag) in the small bathroom. As we move CLOSER and CLOSER into
Nic, all this frantic activity becomes a dreamy, SLO-MO,
death-haunted medical action, as we dissolve into -
216 INT. DAVID AND KAREN’S BEDROOM - NIGHT 216
The phone rings, louder. It’s deep in the night. David bolts
upright, awake, confused. He looks at the phone on the
bedside table - ringing, glowing - like it’s the most evil
thing in the world. He knows what this call is, of course.
122
217 INT. CAR / WINDING ROADS INVERNESS - DAWN 217
David is driving the winding roads. As he drives through the

woods it’s pretty dark outside. Focusing on the road, he
looks blank faced. Frozen. Conflicted.
As he takes a turn, and exits the woods, he arrives in an

open valley, where the sun manages to shine it’s first rays
of light. He watches the gentle hills of Marin.
THEN: some strange change in his eyes. Something in him

softens, for a moment.
218 INT. 4-YEAR-OLD NIC’S BEDROOM - NIGHT (FLASHBACK) 218
A younger David sits with 4 year old Nic who lies in his bed
and is almost sleeping. David closes a book, just finished
telling a story. Nic’s eyelids are dropping.
NIC
Daddy?
DAVID
Yes?
NIC
Will you check on me every 15
minutes?
David smiles, tucks Nic in.
DAVID
Yes.
Nic - perfectly safe - closes his eyes, drifts away in his

sleep.
Then, in his beautiful, slightly off-key, imperfect singing

voice, David sings the John Lennon song “Beautiful Boy” -
DAVID (CONT’D)
Close your eyes,
Have no fear,
The monsters gone,
He's on the run
And your daddy's here.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful -
Beautiful Boy,
Before you cross the street,
Take my hand,
Life is just what happens to you
While you‘re busy making other
plans.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
123
DAVID (CONT’D)
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful -
Beautiful Boy. [etc]
219 EXT. RECOVERY HOUSE - DAY 219
Present day. David walks into a grey building.
220 INT. HALLWAY, RECOVERY HOUSE - DAY 220
David walks into a white hallway.
221 INT. WAITING ROOM, RECOVERY HOUSE - DAY 221
David sees Vicki sitting on a leather sofa.
DAVID
Hey.
VICKI
Hey.
A kiss.
DAVID
Where is he?
VICKI
The doctor is with him right now.
She chuckles.
VICKI (CONT’D)
He said it’s close to a miracle
that Nic survived, with all the
drugs in his body.
David breathes deep in, and out again. Looks at Vicki. Takes
her hand and holds it for a moment.
The doctor comes out.
DOCTOR
You can see Nic if you want.
VICKI
You go. I’ll join you guys in a
bit.
222 INT. CORRIDOR, RECOVERY HOUSE - DAY 222
David supports Nic under one arm as they trundle along a

corridor.
(CONTINUED)
124
Nic holding onto David with one arm. From behind, it looks
like the way a younger man would support his frail, doddering
father. But it’s the opposite.
223 EXT. COURTYARD - DAY 223
David and Nic sit on plastic chairs in a nondescript empty

inner courtyard with a view onto the back of a blank wall
that’s evidently not been painted in twenty years.
Sodas and crisps from some vending machine.
Side-by-side, looking at the small pebbled courtyard with its

sickly potted palms.
They look at each other. Nic tries to smile. But starts

crying. A little later David too.
FADE TO BLACK
CARDS:
After 8 years, 13 relapses and 7 treatment centers, Nic got

clean in 2008.
And stays clean since. Day by day.
David wrote an article in The New York Times Magazine about

their story.
He expanded it later into his book Beautiful Boy.
Nic was offered a book deal. His version of the events was
published in his book Tweak.
David and Nic live in California, where they work as writers

and speakers.
END CREDITS

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Beautiful Boy

Screenplay by Luke Davies & Felix van Groeningen

Current Revisions by Felix van Groeningen

based on the books

A glorious, sunny day.

DAVID - in his 40’s and still a great looking guy - sits at a

Daisy climbs out of the pool. Although she is sometimes one

He gives her a kiss. She runs off.

2 INT. KITCHEN, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 2

David opens the fridge. Almost nothing in there. Only

He thinks for a moment, then takes the carrots and starts

Nic enters, still dripping. He takes a glass of water from

Daisy enters too, she’s telling Nic a story.

Jasper enters too, he is a thoughtful kid.

David is following the conversation while cutting and rasping

The guys giggle.

KAREN enters. She is the mother of the 2 younger kids, and

Another dog - MOONDOG - enters, he barks.

Karen is a beautiful and artistic woman, self assured and a

Jasper cheers too.

Everybody looks at him.

David brings the food to the table. He starts filling plates.

Cool! Everybody takes a seat while continuing talking. Nic

We slip into a conversation mid meal.

David registers, but doesn’t say anything.

David downs his cup of coffee and refills. He looks at Nic,

A little awkward father - adolescent situation. David smiles,

3 EXT. MARIN ACADEMY, SAN RAFAEL - DAY 3

It’s Nic’s graduating class on the lovely grounds of Marin

Amongst them the whole Sheff-family. David, Karen, Jasper,

David is prodded by VICKI, Nic’s mom.

David and Vicki separated a long time ago, and Vicki is

The ceremony is about to start. David makes his way to Karen.

David takes a seat next to Karen.

Nic steps up - kisses the Principal - looks out and grins

As other student’s names are called, OTHER FAMILIES are

4 INT. BEDROOM DAVID & KAREN, SHEFF HOUSE - NIGHT 4

David wakes up suddenly. He was sleeping badly. He looks at

5 INT. HALLWAY, SHEFF HOUSE - NIGHT 5

David is walking in the hallway and peeks inside Nic’s room.

6 INT. KITCHEN, SHEFF HOUSE - MORNING 6

A couple of hours later, morning light is coming through the

It’s actually a great house. Very tasteful, wood and lots of

David is on the phone, he’s holding a little notebook with

David is going through a phone book. Calling another number.

We enter mid conversation.

7 INT. DAISY’S ROOM, SHEFF HOUSE - MORNING 7

Karen is helping Daisy to get dressed.

8 INT. HALLWAY, SHEFF HOUSE - MORNING 8

Jasper is ready and walking through the hallway. He sees that

11 INT. DAVID'S STUDY, SHEFF HOUSE - DAY 11

David on the phone in his workspace.

POLICE DISPATCHER (O.S.)

David waits. This is excruciating. It takes like forever.

David’s study is the kind of space you’d love to live a

David is a senior writer for Rolling Stone, Playboy, Wired,

POLICE DISPATCHER (O.S.)(CONT’D)

David is calling another number. It’s ringing.

HOSPITAL FRONT DESK (O.S.)