Larry’s Home Video

“Larry’s Home Video”
c. 2003
EXCERPT

Like many other filmmakers, I dreamt that my first film would be all it took to make it to the big time. I was so sure that Trust Fall would ensure me a ticket to Hollywood that I foolishly did not pursue an internship. After collecting my degree, harsh reality set in, and I had to find a job. In my last semester, I started up working at a video store. While it didn’t lead me t have my name in lights, it ended up being a very transformative experience for me.

I met my best friend Rob there, and showed him a copy of Trust Fall, which he told me he adored. He soon became adamant that I needed to make another film. I flirted with various ideas and nothing was really coming out that was cost-effective on a video store clerk’s income. Then, an unlikely event gave me inspiration, a medical emergency.

One night, while closing up the store for the night, my stomach began to ache. By the next morning, my father determined that it was likely appendicitis. We rushed to the hospital, and sure enough, his assessment was accurate. Following the surgery, we were informed that my timing had been truly lucky, because my appendix had ruptured. This chilling revelation was all the incentive I needed to start writing right away, and the first draft was complete in under a week.

The story focused on a guy named Larry, who like many others feels like he is going nowhere after graduation. His situation was driven by two forces within him that he felt were in conflict with each other; a desire to become a successful filmmaker and nightmares about his own murder. He directed a movie in college that he was convinced would bring him fame and fortune. On the night before his premiere, his film got destroyed and his all-consuming passion was shattered along with it.

After graduating, he sits around watching movies all day and hangs out with his best friend Kurt. His apathetic approach to life causes his father to give him an ultimatum to get a job or he’s out of the house. To placate him, but to also keep him in the house so his haunting dream won’t be realized, he ends up opening a video store in his living room. His store becomes the unlikely rival to a bigger outfit in town. The owner’s daughter Lisa comes to check out Larry’s store. They hit it off and go on a date. Before long, she convinces him to make another movie, and this alienates him from Kurt, who mistrusts Lisa for some unknown reason.

 

This excerpt is a scene between Larry and Kurt. Larry has just procured funding for his second film project, and is excited to begin production. His best pal though, doesn’t share the same enthusiasm.

 

165     INT. LARRY’S LIVING ROOM – EARLY EVENING

 

Larry and Kurt stand in the middle of the room with all the VHS tapes and DVDs neatly on the shelves of the three rolling racks that made up his store, but with more space available between each rack making it more practical for the eventual actors and extensive film equipment for his production. Larry holds a small camcorder and is smiling looking into the viewfinder. Kurt watches him unamused.

 

LARRY

Sweet piece of hardware man, eh?

 

KURT

Can’t believe you’re finally going through

with it.

 

LARRY

I know, right? I bet you never thought I’d get off my la—

 

KURT

How’s it feel to be pussy whipped?

 

LARRY (putting camcorder down)

Got something to say?

 

KURT

No, why, do you?

 

LARRY

You got something to say, Lewin, why don’t

you just say it?

 

KURT

Lewin? What’s with this Lewin shit?

 

LARRY

It’s your last name, or did you forget?

 

KURT

Yeah, well, no s–t. But… you never

call me that.

(beat)

Look, what I’m trying to say is,

this bitch has changed you.

 

LARRY

She has a name.

KURT

Fine. I’m sorry… Lisa. Or, do you

just call her Morello now?

 

LARRY

Will you just stop being a dick

and just tell me what’s going on?

 

KURT

Oh, that’s rich. I’m being a dick?

 

He laughs; Larry’s eyes turn to stone.

 

LARRY

Yeah, you are.

 

KURT

All right, Lisa’s nothin’ but trouble.

 

LARRY

Where the h–l you get off saying something

like that? You don’t even know her.

 

KURT (poking Larry on the forehead)

Dude, she’s like some sort of mental ninja

getting into your head to play fuckin’ mind

games with you.

 

LARRY

No, she’s not. She looks out for me.

(beat)

Something that you’ve never done.

 

Kurt turns to Larry.

KURT

Excuse me?

 

LARRY

You heard me. Name one friggin’ time

you did something for me.

 

KURT

I drove you everywhere.

 

LARRY

Yeah, everywhere you wanted to go…

you wanted to go. And, you gave

a blow-up doll shotgun. How do you

think that made me feel? Did you

ever ask? Did you even care?

 

KURT

Look, when you were in college, and

you were making your film, who stood

by you? Oh, that’s right… me.

(imitating Larry) I’m sorry, man, I can’t

hang out with you. I got to

shoot more footage, I got to go edit.

I was the one who was there.

And, when you finished your damned film,

and didn’t invite me to the premiere…

Guess what? I went out… I took

your film… and I burned it in

your backyard, man.

 

For the first time in his life, Larry has nothing but pure hatred for his best friend.