Authors: C.Y. Dillon
She sits in the middle, next to him. Orion sits on the other side of her.
The chauffeur makes his way to the driver's seat.
Orion hands Davis a $100 bill.
HARMONIA
Some sort of wager? About me, I
suppose.
DAVIS
I told him you sounded like the
forgiving type.
The limo pulls away from the curb.
HARMONIA
I accepted a ride to the airport,
doesn't mean you guys are forgiven.
Were you in on this pathetic scheme?
DAVIS
Pathetic isn't my style. I had
nothing to do with my brother's lies.
HARMONIA
Let's imagine I believe you. So
what? Now what?
DAVIS
Now it's time for the real Harmonia
to get to know the real Orion.
She glances sideways with disdain at Orion.
HARMONIA
I know what I need to know.
DAVIS
Come to Vegas.
HARMONIA
Why?
ORION
Because he's the real Orion.
She looks at Davis, baffled.
DAVIS
Except my name is Davis.
FLASHBACK:
TITLE OVER: "TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE CRUISE"
EXT. LAS VEGAS - DAY
A limo pulls into the driveway of a home with distinctive architecture. Orion is the driver.
Orion gets out of the limo and helps Davis out of the back, into a wheelchair.
Davis pushes himself up a ramp that leads to the front door.
Orion opens the door, they both enter.
INT. DAVIS' HOME - MOMENTS LATER
Davis checks an answering machine.
HARMONIA (V. O. )
Orion, hey, it's Harmonia. I've got
tickets to a Mississippi riverboat
cruise to celebrate your birthday.
Can't wait to finally meet in person!
If you don't want to, send a delegate--
just kidding! I hope you want to.
Orion groans.
ORION
Want to be my delegate?
DAVIS
Why don't you want to go?
ORION
I totally screwed up.
DAVIS
How?
Orion looks shamefaced at his brother.
ORION
You're younger and lots prettier.
DAVIS
And?
ORION
She thinks I look like you.
DAVIS
Does she know you're paralyzed?
ORION
If I wanted pity, I'd have used my
own picture.
DAVIS
Does she know you were in prison?
Orion cringes and walks to a bar.
INT. HOME BAR
Davis follows.
Orion hands Davis a bottle of water and opens a bottle of beer for himself.
DAVIS
Does she think you're an architect?
ORION
She thinks I'm a poker dealer. And
a poet.
DAVIS
Stealing my poems, using my picture,
lying about your job--how did you
think that was going to work?
ORION
It was working. Look, you weren't
supposed to find out, and she wasn't
supposed to like me that much.
DAVIS
You sure don't understand women.
You thought you could feed her poetry
and satisfy her with sex chat?
ORION
Chicks play online games, too. I
thought we were having fun. Now she
wants to get real.
DAVIS
Maybe I should take your place on
that cruise, see how real she wants
to get with a guy whose penis is
broke.
Davis wheels himself to a workout room and pumps iron.
INT. HOME GYM
Orion joins his brother and turns a TV on to a sports channel.
ORION
Maybe you should. Maybe we both
should go, see what happens. Maybe
she'd like us both--we could be
polygamists.
DAVIS
It's called polyandry when it's two
husbands.
ORION
Why do you know everything?
DAVIS
I read everything.
ORION
She'd like you better than me. She's
smart. Real sweet. I don't think
she'd forgive me for playing with
her heart, but she could love you.
END FLASHBACK
BACK TO LIMOUSINE - CONT'D
The limo approaches the New Orleans Airport - Departures.
Harmonia looks from Orion to Davis.
DAVIS
Then it's settled, I said. We'll
both go, get the whole truth out in
the open, and see how real you want
to be.
HARMONIA
Then why weren't you on the boat
instead of Mike? And what the hell
was Eric there for? What's with all
the head games?
DAVIS
My brother may be older, but he's
not wiser. Let's just say, he has
issues.
ORION
Everybody has issues, little brother.
The question is, are your--
HARMONIA
--issues compatible. You always
said that.
ORION
Now you know what my issues are.
DAVIS
Not entirely.
ORION
She knows enough. Don't you, little
sister?
Harmonia nods.
ORION
I'm guessing his issues are on the
obvious side. So what do you think?
HARMONIA
I think I should have held onto the
liquor and chocolate.
DAVIS
Will you come to Vegas?
HARMONIA
I have this issue called a job.
They're pretty hard to come by.
DAVIS
I have this issue called needing a
business partner I can trust. Maybe
our issues are compatible.
HARMONIA
Maybe they are. Why do you think
you can trust me?
DAVIS
You've been talking to my brother
for a year, and you obviously weren't
lying. You find out he's a liar and
you didn't turn psycho bitch from
hell. I respect a woman who doesn't
slap a man even when he deserves it.
HARMONIA
Maybe our issues are compatible.
Davis gives the $100 bill back to Orion.
ORION
I told him you'd like him better
than me.
HARMONIA
Is everything a game between you
two?
INT. NEW ORLEANS AIRPORT BAR - LATER
Harmonia, Davis and Orion sit at a table. A server comes to
take their order.
ORION
Whiskey sour for me.
DAVIS
Ice water with lemon.
HARMONIA
That sounds refreshing. I'll have
the same.
She smiles at Davis. The server goes to the counter.
HARMONIA
I still want to know why you were
not on the boat and what all that
was about with Mike and Eric.
ORION
Davis got sick. I panicked, started
talking to my poker buddies. Crazy
ideas are like popcorn.
HARMONIA
Speak of your minions...
Mike and Eric show up at the bar with Chieko.
CHIEKO
Look at the three of you all chummy
now.
(to Orion)
Not quite the ménage à trois you had
in mind, is it?
ORION
It's all good.
HARMONIA
You're a real dreamer, Orion.
(to Chieko)
The pretty brother is in the habit
of thinking before he speaks.
ORION
Ouch.
CHIEKO
Mind if we all join you.
It's agreed. They all get situated. The server brings the three drinks previously ordered.
ERIC
Double Bourbon.
MIKE
Cape Cod.
CHIEKO
(to Server)
I'd like a Red Headed Slut.
Mike groans.
Harmonia sighs, her sense of humor is exhausted.
DAVIS
Issues?
She smiles and nods.
CHIEKO
We've been in each other's business
for a week. Don't hold out on me.
DAVIS
I'm doing my best to allure Harmonia
to Vegas.
CHIEKO
What's in Vegas?
DAVIS
My half-full life.
CHIEKO