
Living Room
Everything we do on this planet has expectations in one way, shape, or form. Deviate from that, and everything starts to fall off the rails. What happens when we keep pushing against that barrier? On the brink of an alcohol/drug-induced bender, the main character feels herself slipping further and further away from the habitual norm of society’s day-to-day life. The question is, is this so wrong? In “Living Room,” we explore what it means to have these sexual, political, and social transgressions in today’s climate.
OVER BLACK
Sounds of shuffling, sniffling, and snorting.
A phone rings. More shuffling.
FADE IN:
INT. BATHROOM – DAY
A woman, SASHA SALADINO (28), frozen, stares into the mirror.
SASHA
Shit.
SMASH TO BLACK:
LIVING – ROOM
FADE IN:
INT. BEDROOM – DAY
CHRYON: SASHA SALADINO
Sasha is frantically rooting through the cupboards, tearing everything apart.
She yanks out a drawer, shattering the contents all over the floor. She rummages through the debris, finding nothing.
SASHA
Shit, shit, fuck, shit!
Her phone vibrates uncontrollably on the kitchen counter. She picks it up and looks at the caller ID: JOHN SALADINO.
SASHA (CONT’D)
Fuck.
FADE TO BLACK:

FADE IN:
INT. CAM’S BEDROOM – DAY
Dazing sunlight shoots through the window and the room is a disaster: beer cans, clothes, blankets, and more are scattered.
Sasha pulls her dress back down as CAM (27) pulls up his pants. She turns to him — kissing him.
CAM
(pulling away)
Hey, you okay?
SASHA
How — why would he do something like that?
Pulling away further —
CAM
Who? What?
SASHA
Can I tell you what he did? Can I tell you?
CAM
(not taking seriously)
Please, the suspense is killing me.
SASHA
You know how I’m supposed to be getting married tomorrow?
Total newsflash for Cam, completely separated now.
CAM
Uh — no. You didn’t —
SASHA
Believe you me, I definitely told you last night.
CAM
I think I’d remember something like that.
SASHA
Okay, I’m telling you now. I’m getting married tomorrow — supposed to be getting married tomorrow.
CAM
So you’re not?
SASHA
Let’s get back on track, Cameron. The phone call.
CAM
Right-right-right.
SASHA
So, my little brother John —

EXT. GAS STATION – DAY – FLASHBACK
CHRYON: JOHN SALADINO
JOHN SALADINO (24) is pumping gas into his 4-door sedan as he speaks into his phone. It’s a warm, windy day.
JOHN
It’s taken me a while, but, ya know, with Dad gone and all that, not having someone to walk you down the aisle…
(beat)
I had a whirlwind of a night.
(beat)
What I’m trying to say is that I’ll be there.
(beat)
Love you, Sash. Seriously.
John hangs up, then scans the gas station. He’s actually excited for something — he’s the sort that generally lacks excitement.
He breathes a sigh of fresh relief.
INT. BEDROOM – DAY – PRESENT
Cam licks his fingers and rubs it on the counter to his side — leftover cocaine residue — he gummies it.
CAM
So he’s heading here as we speak, and you have zero intention of actually going. Why is he heading there anyways? And you two had a falling out?
SASHA
We did. He’s, shall we say, communicatively challenged.
(then)
He’s great though. Between the two of us, he’s the good one.
Cam digests the sentiment — no words. He reaches to gummie more.
CAM
Well-so, what’s next?
Sasha pulls his hand towards her, before he has the chance gummie, and very seductively sucks his finger.
CAM (CONT’D)
A scene from nature in its rawest form.
She moves from his finger to his lips. They kiss.
SASHA
Why’re you so sweaty?
Sasha touches the sweat covered bedsheet — unnerved.
CAM
Same reason you were ravaging through my cupboards like a maniac…cocaine plus sex equals hell-a-vated heartbeat.
SASHA
Mhm — mhm — since when did you learn how to do basic math?
(off his smile)
Just beam me up, Scottie.
CAM
Star trek references? I think I’m in love.
SASHA
Just don’t propose. I’ll flake on you too.
She playfully shoves him. Cam double-takes the counter, though he already knows the answer.
CAM
(Re: Scottie)
We’re out, Captain.
INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY
Sasha paces back and forth, waiting for the other end of the phone to be answered.
SASHA
Hey Ozzie, oh my god. It’s your girl.
(listening)
You know me so well, but no judging.
Sasha laughs at something Ozzie said. She grabs a bottle of whiskey from the cupboard.
SASHA (CONT’D)
You’re too sweet for your own good. I’ll see you — soon, yeah? No rush. Or do. Totally your call. Mhm. BYE.
She hangs up. Breathes a sigh of relief — the Saladino sigh of relief.

INT. BEDROOM – DAY
Sasha slips back into bed, handing a glass of whiskey to Cam, keeping the bottle to herself. They clink the bottle and the glass together, and take a sip.
CAM
Just shooting for no sleep at all, ay?
SASHA
I’ll sleep when I’m dead.
CAM
At this rate, you might get your wish sooner rather than later.
SASHA
Experiences and feelings. You think you’re complex?
CAM
I’m an idealist, so, yeah.
SASHA
Explain.
CAM
Dewey-eyed, moonstruck, uncharacteristically hopeful even. Somebody who lives in the here and the now. Forever present because who knows when it’ll end or when we’ll forget where we began.
SASHA
What does that make me?
CAM
A tragedy in a tube top.
SASHA
Good one.
Shot Sequence: A beat as they run out of things to discuss. It appears they don’t know each other all that well — emphasis on the awkward.
SASHA (CONT’D)
I don’t think I’ve ever been so anxious to see someone I didn’t want to.
CAM
Who? Your dealer?
SASHA
Ozzie is a bit into me.
CAM
(hiding under blanket)
Hm. Is he in love with you?
SASHA
More like infatuated, probably.
CAM
Ah, the long suffering. Word.
SASHA
He’s just a kid. Plus, you’re the one that’s in love with me.
CAM
How lucky and fortunate you are.
Sasha shakes her head — the shit that comes out of Cam’s mouth —
Loud knocks sound from the door to the apartment. Sasha jumps up!
CAM (CONT’D)
Fuck, that was fast.
SASHA
Told you he likes me.
EXT. CAR – DAY
John’s car glides along the rural pavement. Quiet. Abysmal wide openness of the plain fields.
PRE-LAP: Subtle VIBRATION of tires on road.

INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY
Dead silence. Awkward silence. OZZIE (21) and Cam sit across from each other twiddling their thumbs. Ozzie is a meek-looking fellow, and doesn’t look like the typical drug dealer, but something about him is off.
Sasha emerges with a third glass of whiskey and hands it to Ozzie.
OZZIE
Oh no. None for me.
Sasha is aghast.
SASHA
What? How come?
OZZIE
When I set my mind on something, I put everything I have into it.
SASHA
(puppy eyes)
It would make me really happy if you had a drink with me and Cam.
OZZIE
No, really, it’s fine.
SASHA
HAVE…A DRINK… Please.
OZZIE
…
SASHA
Do I look like someone who’s bursting at the seems? Grasping at the straws of life?
OZZIE
(hardly believable)
Nah, you look great, Sash
SASHA
Don’t you dare lie to me.
OZZIE
Ya know, what the hell, poor me a glass.
Cam doesn’t try to hide his reaction over how easily Ozzie gave in. Ozzie notices. Sasha hands Ozzie his glass.
Ozzie regards Cam. Eyes Cam coldly.
CAM
I always say what I mean and do what I say.
OZZIE
A real thinker.
CAM
(tapping head)
Hunt the good stuff, amigo. And you’re holding the good stuff.
OZZIE
Yeah, well, I don’t wanna be.
Sasha is watching these two dysfunctional human-beings bicker. More than content, she begins singing but no one listens.
CAM
Why’s that?
OZZIE
I hate selling drugs. I don’t even do this junk, but somehow I walked into it. And somehow it’s become my only source of revenue. It’s fucked.
CAM
But, like…is it good?
OZZIE
It’s made by someone who’s made it his business to know it’s tricks and seams. It’ll reflect your own character.
CAM
Then what’re we waiting for?!
Ozzie turns his attention back to Sasha, her singing.
She stops.
SASHA
That’s tough, Ozz. But at least you’re making me happy.
CAM
Right. Worse things than selling drugs.
OZZIE
Why’re you guys still goin, anyways? Been raging through the night?
SASHA
Maybe.
OZZIE
Why?
SASHA
Ever curl so deep into the fetal position that you drop, drop, drop into the deep depths of the psyche, only to realize that the darkness is comforting.
Silent beat.
CAM
And this is why we do drugs.
OZZIE
Reasonable. Makes sense.
Ozzie lines out a clump of cocaine and splits it into two different lines.
Cam, excited, moves from the couch to the table. Propped up on his knees, he awaits his turn.
OZZIE (CONT’D)
(surprised)
Oh, you wanted one?
CAM
(more surprised)
You said YOU don’t do IT.
OZZIE
I’m naturally lit, man. That’s what this city is so fuck-all-famous for.

Sasha drops down to the table and, without hesitation, rips a thick line of the powdery substance.
Cam and Ozzie are taken aback — they respect her — but she could give a fuck about their respect.
Series of shots:
– Sasha snorts a line like a pro.
– Cam snorts a line and giggles.
– Ozzie snorts a line, and couldn’t be more amateur.
– Cam tries kickflipping on the carpet — eats shit instead.
– John, inside of his car, still on the road.
PRE-LAP: Louder than before, VIBRATION of tires on road.
INT. LIVING ROOM – LATER
OZZIE
(to Sasha)
So, the weird darkness sentiment aside, why’re you going so hard?
Sasha, curled up on the couch, stares into the ground, silent.
CAM
Tomorrow evening, she was to join her significant other in holy matrimony. The setting is —
SASHA
The setting is a world where you don’t tell other people my business.
OZZIE
(to Cam)
She’s seriously getting married?
SASHA
Hey, I’m right here. We can stop with the third-person narration.
OZZIE
You’re getting married?
SASHA
I don’t know.
OZZIE
Why would you get married?
SASHA
Asking myself the same thing.
OZZIE
Let me rephrase: why wouldn’t you get married?
Cam gummies the table, but Ozzie waves him off, annoyed.
SASHA
For starters, he makes little noises. Pecking away at my sanity. You’d think, an aged and weathered man, as he is, would keep to himself. Fussing about in the kitchen — post-coital cuddling — spooning. Mornings are even worse, waking to his disgusting noises. I can’t bring myself to even think about how I can get through the day, feeding my man with a complete facade. I can be normal, but not to the extent that he clearly wants.
OZZIE
Wow, you’re awful.
SASHA
Excuse me?
Beat.
OZZIE
Does he hurt you?
SASHA
No, of course not.
OZZIE
Does he care for you?
SASHA
I guess, yeah.
OZZIE
Is he sweet, nice, kind, or any other derivative of the word?
SASHA
Most of those, yeah.
OZZIE
Do you love him?
This snags Cam’s full attention.
SASHA
I love him like I love vanilla ice cream.
OZZIE
So this runaround is unnecessary. Sounds like he’s enough.
SASHA
What if I’m not enough?
CAM
You’re so enough, b—
Cam abruptly pauses — Sasha’s gaze says: You don’t know shit about me.
OZZIE
(to Cam)
Not your turn, mustache.
(to Sasha)
Do you make him smile?
Sasha pauses for a beat, remembering something — a warm memory perhaps — her face brightens.
SASHA
Without even trying.
OZZIE
So quit with the impetuous bullshit.
SASHA
Using big words again.
OZZIE
Stop rapid-firing with your decision making. It’s without thought or care.
In tight for a Beat as Sasha:
– Pull Back
– Glances at Ozzie, maybe seeing him for what he truly is.
– Glances at Cam, god knows what he’s thinking.
– Looks somewhere within herself, perhaps thinking of her nameless fiancé, but probably not — SOUND of tires rolling down the road resurface.
Sasha gets up.
SASHA
Awesome. I think I’ll, A-uh, pack a bag.
Sasha exits the room.

INT. BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS
Sasha frantically packs a bag, picking up articles of clothing from random piles of clothes. Is she going home, hitting the road, or what?!
She freezes for a second — on the wall are photo’s of her…living life — living as she willed it.
INT. LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS
OZZIE
I don’t have time for this.
CAM
You have time for her, don’t you?
Ozzie stands up to leave —
CAM (CONT’D)
Aren’t you forgetting something?
OZZIE
What?
CAM
(looking at the table)
The drugs.
OZZIE
I’m going to the bathroom.
CAM
Oh, okay. Yeah. After that.
Ozzie heads for the bathroom.
CAM (CONT’D)
Have fun!
(then)
Jackass.
INT. BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS
Sasha tweaks the last bit of her makeup.
She combs her hair. Quickly content with the end result.
INT. LIVING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER
Sasha finds Cam alone in the living room.
SASHA
Where’s Ozzie?
Cam points to the bathroom. Cam is sulking over Sasha’s decision to leave.
Sasha sighs.
CAM
Shouldn’t I be the one sighing that famous Saladino sigh?
SASHA
We’ve known each other for a day. Come on.
CAM
Well, it was a really long day. And night. You’re crazy.
SASHA
(sarcastic as fuck)
I am. I shouldn’t have incorporated you into my crisis. Can you forgive me?
CAM
You joke, but I forgive, time and time again. When you forgive someone, you think you have power, but really it’s weakness. And the more you forgive, the weaker you become. One day, I’ll probably just be a cold, hard soul. Flapping his sad wings through an empty sky.
SASHA
You really think that?
CAM
Nah. I’m full of shit. I’m glad to have been apart of your “existential crisis.” As long as you’re truly going to be happy. Like, actually.
SASHA
I think I will be.
CAM
Can’t go breaking my heart on an “I think.”
Beat.
SASHA
Are you going to be okay?
Cam shrugs — it is what it is.
CAM
I’ll make it.
SASHA
Take it easy on the blow? I’m not one to say you might have a problem, but one that could say, might say that you have a problem.
Cam shrugs again. Sasha moves to him, laying down on top of him.
Sasha turns her face towards his but he doesn’t flinch. She kisses him softly. They hug tightly.
EXT/INT. CAR – DAY
John’s car comes to a stop at an empty stoplight. Ever quiet.
The stoplight — RED.
PRE-LAP: CLICK.
INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY
Cam and Sasha are still holding each other in a tight embrace.
OZZIE
I guess that’s my cue…
Sasha jolts herself off Cam and towards Ozzie. She hugs him too, but he’s caught off guard.
He reluctantly accepts the warm embrace.
SASHA
Thanks.
OZZIE
Don’t mention it.
Ozzie tosses a small bag of cocaine onto the table.
SASHA
Not for that. For asking the right questions. For listening.
Cam, in the background, picks up the bag and begins lining a few out.
CAM
How much you want for this? On top of what we already did.
OZZIE
Nothing. Lady’s getting married. Celebrate — on me.
EXT. HIKING TRAIL – DAY – FLASHBACK
CHRYON: CAMERON TATE
This California hiking trail is radiant and glistening under the blissful sun. We follow Cam as he jogs shirtless. He’s running out of breath when he sees a park bench up ahead.
He stops and takes a seat. Next to him is a woman we don’t see. All we can tell is that she is reading a book. Cam pulls his phone out to kill the time.
POP. A pebble hits him in the face. What. The. Fuck? He looks over to find our Sasha — calm and collected, reading her book.

CAM
Did you just throw a rock at me?
She turns to Cam, apparently bewildered. Selling the “I don’t know what you’re talking about” expression.
SASHA
No? Why would I throw a rock at you?
CAM
Good point. Sorry.
Cam scans his surroundings. There is no one else around him, but whatever. He let’s it go.
POP. Another rock hits him. Sasha can barely contain her laughter this time.
CAM (CONT’D)
All right, are you a child?
SASHA
(keeping it together)
I couldn’t possibly know what you mean.
As Cam is staring right at her, she throws another pebble at his face. Sasha, in the cutest way possible —
SASHA (CONT’D)
Sorry?
CAM
Must be a terrible book if you’d rather throw rocks at strangers.
SASHA
Stranger. Singular. Just you.
CAM
Don’t I feel special.
(then)
What’re you reading?
Sasha is silent for a beat. She clears her throat.
SASHA
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
CAM
Your social skills are a bit off, aren’t they?
She throws another pebble at his face.
CAM (CONT’D)
That’s one way to communicate, sure.
SASHA
It’s a line from this book. Jane Austen.
CAM
Well, at least that’s reassuring.
SASHA
What is?
CAM
Thought you were taking the man and wife thing seriously.
SASHA
Maybe that’s why I read it. Maybe I am taking it seriously.
CAM
What’d you mean?
SASHA
Nothing.
(then)
Hey, you like vodka?
CAM
Deflecting — all right. But I mean, I would also be deflecting if I didn’t admit to you, right now, that I would love some vodka.
Sasha beams up and hands him the hidden pint-sized vodka. As Cam takes a hearty gulp, Sasha takes in Cam’s shoulder tattoo.
SASHA
Is that what I think it is?
CAM
What?
SASHA
Holden Caulfield?
CAM
Oh, my tattoo? Yeah. Big Salinger guy.
CAM (CONT’D)
A lot of people think his stuff is too whiney and pretentious, but for me, it makes me comfortable to feel, like, shitty about things. Things aren’t always good, and that’s okay. It’d be fucked up if things were always grand and peachy.
(beat)
Since I’m opening up to someone I just met — your turn — why Austen? Why did you read me that line?
SASHA
Funny story, actually. It’s kind of fitting to my current situation.
CAM
Which is?
SASHA
Well, I’ve got a little too much going on in my head right now. Haven’t been able to think clearly for a while now. So, I do what I always do and I collect some booze and blow, a good book, and I find a little corner. It’s a beautiful day and I still can’t find a moment to reflect. I’m too clogged up. And then here you are. Sweaty and dorky and all, sitting right here. And I have the biggest urge to throw pebbles at you. I don’t know how, but I just knew that you would respond exactly the way you did. The kicker is, this whole time my head’s been clear. For the first time in a long time.
Cam is taken aback. Smitten if you will. He sips the vodka again.
CAM
Did you say you had —
(whispering)
BLOW?

INT. LIVING ROOM – BACK TO PRESENT
Ozzie lines more cocaine on the table. For some reason, he seems more eager than earlier.
In the corner of the room, Cam reaches for his guitar.
OZZIE
Don’t you fucking dare.
CAM
DICK.
Beat.
SASHA
(to Ozzie)
We should pay you. I should pay you.
OZZIE
It’s a gift. Don’t be ridiculous. You’re taking the sacred vows of eternity. In no fucking sensible reality are you changing my mind.
Cam pleads, through puppy eyes, for Sasha to drop it.
She does.
OZZIE (CONT’D)
I don’t actually mind slinging this shit.
CAM
(feigning)
No.
OZZIE
(continuing)
I say it for the reaction. The bafflement in others. The sheer humility that escapes most, makes me bitter. I enjoy being bitter because it’s real. It’s an authentic emotion. Everyone’s so god-damned phony — being able to see people for what they really are — I like that. To see through.
Very awkward beat.
CAM
How old are you?
No answer.
SASHA
Can you see through me, Oz?
OZZIE
I didn’t mean —
SASHA
What’d you see?
OZZIE
Please. Let’s just do thi —
SASHA
Freud’s bitter little brother for one second and scared the next? Speak up.
OZZIE
I can’t.
SASHA
Then why so bitter?
OZZIE
(snapping)
Really?! What kind of guy drops everything, bright and early in the morning, to come sell a small bag of drugs to a random girl?
SASHA
I’m not a random girl.
OZZIE
Exactly.
(then)
I’m bitter because you’re with this guy. I’m bitter cause you’re getting married. I’m bitter because you’re fucking and loving two guys while I watch.
SASHA
And this gives you a right? An entitlement to something?
OZZIE
Yes! No. Fuck, I don’t know. It’s too easy to pin the blame on Daddy not loving you enough, or something along those lines…but you’re clearly always looking for some sort of validation. Either you’re a slutty free soul or…need to grow the fuck up.
CAM
Talk to her like that again and I’ll break your fucking legs.
OZZIE
(pretentiously)
I think I’ll just go. How’s that?
CAM
Uh, yeah — ya think?
OZZIE
Fuck you.
CAM
(winking)
She already is.
Leaving the blow on the table, Ozzie moves towards the door.
CAM (CONT’D)
Aren’t you forgetting something, Mr. Scene explosion?
OZZIE
Bittersweet or not, still a wedding present.
Sasha stops Ozzie from leaving, and without saying a word, stuffs cash into his pocket. Ozzie doesn’t have the courage to stop her.
Ozzie leaves, slamming the door.
Beat.
SASHA
What happened?
CAM
Think I blacked out.
SASHA
Shut the fuck up.
CAM
Okay.
(then)
We both know what’s happening.
SASHA
What?
CAM
You’re going to walk into your room and you’re going to grab that bag you packed. And you’re going to get married, and your little brother, John Saladino, is going to walk you down the aisle because that’s what love makes you do.

EXT. APARTMENT – DAY
Camera: Building Rooftop
Ozzie smokes a cigarette, out on the stoop.
He pulls an oddly colored baggy out of his pocket and stares at it.
INT. BATHRROOM – FLASHBACK
CHRYON: OSBOURNE MIRANDA
We’re back to the very moment Sasha was packing a bag. We hear Cam saying something non-sensical in the background.
Ozzie, in the bathroom, pulls the weird, unknown baggie out and mixes the contents in with the cocaine — lacing it.
SASHA (O.S.)
(sarcastic as fuck)
I am. I shouldn’t have incorporated you into my crisis. Can you forgive me?
CAM (O.S.)
You joke, but I forgive, time and time again. When you forgive someone, you think you have power, but really it’s weakness. And the more you forgive, the weaker you become. One day, I’ll probably just be a cold, hard soul. Flapping his sad wings through an empty sky.
SASHA (O.S.)
You really think that?
Ozzie slips the new mixture back into his pocket.
He smacks himself in the face and smiles. In the mirror, we see that what he’s doing is purely self-indulgent. And he’s okay with that.
Ozzie steps out.
INT. LIVING ROOM – BACK TO PRESENT
Cam leans against the front door, and Sasha is outside of it.
CAM
How long’s the drive?
SASHA
28 hours.
CAM
You haven’t slept. You look like me — hell. Can I help?
SASHA
How could you possibly help?
CAM
(holding up drugs)
Ehhhhh, line for the road? LINES — ehhhhhh.
SASHA
Is this your version of goodbye?
CAM
I think I should save my romantic gestures for someone that’ll stay.
SASHA
We had fun though, didn’t we?
CAM
Yeah.
(then)
Line for the road?
She bites her lip.
EXT. HIKING TRAIL – LATE DAY – FLASHBACK
From the beginning to the end of the scene, we HEAR John’s car slowly ACCELERATE until it becomes OVERBEARING — JARRING.
Sasha and Cam walk and talk as the sun sets in the distance. They talk, smile, and laugh as they pass the vodka back and forth. We can’t hear them but it looks like goodbye.
They each exit the opposite end of the frame before — Sasha speed-walks back into the frame and out the other end, in the direction of Cam.
SMASH TO BLACK:
OVER BLACK:
SOUND of door SLAMMING.
FADE OUT:

Jon-Alexander Genson is half Mexican and was raised in Antioch, Illinois, just outside of Chicago and Milwaukee by his Mexican-immigrant mother. He grew up with a fascination for literature, film, and television. He spent six years in the United States Army as Military Police while attending Illinois State University where he majored in Creative Writing. His passion for the entertainment industry was realized during his deployment to Guantanamo Bay where he worked detainee operations. He started working as an intern with Park Artists Group and Aperture Entertainment before moving on to Sheree Guitar Entertainment as an Executive Assistant in January 2020.