MATCHSTICK MEN
by
Nick Griffin & Ted Griffin
based on the book
by
Eric Garcia
SHOOTING DRAFT
October 14, 2002
FADE IN:
1 EXT. ROY'S HOUSE - BACK YARD - DAY 1
An immaculate pool -- clean, clear and placid -- crowds
the back yard, bouncing light against the house.
2 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM - AT WINDOW - DAY 2
The pool can be seen THROUGH filigreed metallic blinds.
ROY ENTERS FRAME, suited, coffee cup in hand, and peers
out at it for a spell. A calming moment to start his
day. Then:
He raises the blinds, wincing at the floor of sunlight.
He checks the window's lock, re-locks it for good
measure, then closes the shade again.
AT NEXT WINDOW
The ritual repeated: blinds up, window's locked, he re-
locks it.
AT THIRD
Repeated.
3 INT. ROY'S HALLWAY - MORNING 3
Three doors line the left wall; one divides the right;
all are shut. Roy emerges from the nearest door on the
left (a bedroom) and shuts it behind him. He crosses to
the single door on the right (a bathroom), opens it,
enters, and shuts it behind him. WATER RUNS and a TOILET
FLUSHES.
He reappears, shuts the door behind him, and enters the
middle door on the left (another bedroom, unoccupied).
He re-emerges with a handkerchief in hand, then in
pocket, and a beeper on his belt, and again shuts the
door behind him.
He starts for the far door (to a living room) but manages
only a few steps before he stops, turns, and heads back
to the bathroom door. He opens it and peers inside. A
three-count and he shuts it again.
2.
4 INT. ROY'S KITCHEN - DAY 4
Roy rinses out his mug of coffee, washes the sink basin
clean of it, wipes down the kitchen countertop, already
spotless, and lets the faucet run as --
-- he takes from a cupboard an unlabeled vial of pills.
Pulls off the cap, taps two capsules into his palm. And
just stares at it. Anxious and exhausted.
Then: He tosses the pills down his throat, chases them
with tap water, and gives the faucet a firm tug off.
5 INT. ROY'S CHEVY CAPRICE - DAY 5
Window cracked just enough to suck out his cigarette
smoke. AM-FM forecasts the natural weather, region-by-
region.
RADIO VOICE (V.O.)
Elsewhere, temperatures in New
York in the high 80's, Chicago
reports rain, temperatures in the
high 70's...
6 EXT. STOPLIGHT - DAY 6
Roy slows to a halt behind a mini-van full of kids. They
laugh and scream and wave at Roy. His hands stay glued
at 2 and 10.
FRANK (V.O.)
No, ma'am, it's confirmed --
7 INT. ROY AND FRANK'S OFFICE - DAY 7
FRANK MERCER, younger than Roy, works the phones. A sea
of papers floods his desk, while the adjoining desk
(Roy's) is pristine. In lieu of decor there are stacks
of cardboard boxes piled everywhere.
FRANK
-- the Chevy Blazer, the Paris
vacation, or the Tiffany necklace.
It's okay if you don't remember
entering the contest, ma'am,
you've won --
The next call --
(CONTINUED)
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02 3.
7 CONTINUED: 7
FRANK
-- do you have a water filtration
system in your house? Do you read
the papers or watch TV, sir? Then
you've probably seen our
advertisements --
The next call --
FRANK
-- we just have to wait for the
sponsor's rep to fly in for the
final drawing. That should be
next week sometime --
8 OMITTED 8
9 INT. ROY AND FRANK'S OFFICE - DAY 9
At his window, Frank watches Roy, frozen in his car.
FRANK
-- if you buy the Waterford II
water filtration system, the prize
gets recorded as a sales expense
and you don't pay any tax. Good
deal, huh?
Frank turns to one of the boxes marked "Waterford II" and
peels off a price sticker: $49.99.
FRANK
$398.00 even. You'd pay twice
that in stores.
10 SAME - MINUTES LATER 10
Roy enters, shuts the door behind him.
(CONTINUED)
4.
10 CONTINUED: 10
FRANK
You want to what? When will he be
home?
(beat)
Mrs. Fisk, my supervisor just
stepped into my office and he
would love to talk to you. Can
you hold just a sec?
(puts her on hold;
to Roy, overly sunny)
Good morning. Something on the
radio?
(he offers phone)
Irene Fisk. 'Wants to talk to her
husband first.'
ROY
Who doesn't?
Roy declines Frank's phone, moves to his own. He plucks
up the receiver, cleans its mouthpiece with his
handkerchief, then un-holds Mrs. Fisk. The moment he
does, his whole personality transforms.
ROY
Mrs. Fisk? John Goodhew, regional
vice-president at Allied
Affiliates. Congratulations!
Which prize are you hoping for?
(beat)
That would be my choice, too. Can
I ask you one question, Irene? Do
you have grandchildren?
(beat)
Five! How old? Well, you're a
very lucky woman. Yes, I agree:
they are our most precious
resource. I've got a six and two-
year old at home and I'll tell
you: the day I installed a
filtrator... Absolutely you can
taste the difference. Now I
understand you'd like to talk to
your husband about this first, and
I understand why, but the thing
is, Irene --
(confidentially)
-- my secretary is having a baby
this afternoon and the whole
office here is about to bug out
and go over to the hospital. Yes,
it's very exciting. But today is
our deadline, so you see...
(CONTINUED)
5.
10 CONTINUED: (2) 10
Listening, Roy nods to Frank: she's in. Frank goes to
work -- calling a courier service on Roy's line (his
mouth grazing the receiver, Roy notices) -- as Roy
finishes up. And though his voice may be grinning, his
eyes betray him: he doesn't enjoy this.
ROY
Irene, that's sweet of you to
offer, and I'm sure she'd love
that, but we're in Chicago. Uh-
huh, cooped up in our corporate
offices on State Street. I'll
tell you, though, I rather be out
in sunny California with you today
'cause it's just pouring up here.
Cats and dogs, exactly. Now let
me confirm your address for our
courier service...
11 INT. ROY'S CAPRICE (OFFICE PARKING LOT) - DAY 11
Roy behind the wheel; Frank knots his tie. Windows up
tight.
FRANK
You got any thoughts on lunch?
Roy nods. A long-standing joke: the non-answer answer.
Frank angles his foot up on the dash, and Roy points it
off.
12 EXT. RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY 12
Roy moves briskly ahead of Frank along a sidewalk, his
hands thrust deep in his coat pockets, which he does
whenever he's outside.
13 EXT. MIDDLE-CLASS HOME 13
Door answered by a MIDDLE-AGED HOUSEWIFE. Roy and Frank
stand on her front porch. Roy presents identification.
ROY
Carolyn Schaffer?
(as she nods)
I'm Agent Kellaway, this is Agent
Cole, we're from the Federal Trade
Commission. Sorry to disturb you.
We'd like to ask you a few
questions if we could.
(CONTINUED)
6.
13 CONTINUED: 13
HOUSEWIFE
Is everything alright?
ROY
We hope so, ma'am. May we come
in?
14 INT. KITCHEN - DAY 14
Roy and Frank sit at a breakfast table, across from the
Housewife and her HUSBAND. The Housewife gives her
testimony:
HOUSEWIFE
He said there'd been a contest,
and I'd won a prize. He said
there'd be a drawing in a week,
and I'd either win a trip to, um,
France or Italy, I can't remember.
He said if I bought one of their
products, their filtration things,
I wouldn't have to pay tax of the
prize.
She indicates a Waterford II installed on her kitchen
faucet, then wilts under her husband's stare.
HUSBAND
Jesus, Carolyn...
HOUSEWIFE
(penitent, near tears)
I was going to surprise you...
ROY
I'm sorry to tell you this, ma'am,
but you won't be receiving any
prize. And I'm sorry to tell you
you've been the victim of fraud.
HUSBAND
(pissed, taking it out
on family dog who
scratches at door)
Otis! Knock it off!
FRANK
It's not the newest swindle in the
world, just new to some. They
bait you with something bogus,
then sell you something worthless.
(CONTINUED)
7.
14 CONTINUED: 14
ROY
How much did you give them, Mrs.
Schaffer?
HOUSEWIFE
Seven hundred dollars.
HUSBAND
Ah, Jesus, Carolyn...
(to Frank and Roy)
What's it worth?
FRANK
Any hardware store they're about
fifty bucks --
ROY
But we've met people who paid
twice what you did.
(to Housewife)
You wrote a check, ma'am?
(as she nods)
Did you mail it to them?
HOUSEWIFE
A courier picked it up.
Roy and Frank exchange grimaces.
HUSBAND
What?
ROY
If they use the postal system,
it's mail fraud and we can go
after them. Otherwise, there's
not a lot we can do.
FRANK
Unless...
HUSBAND
Unless what?
ROY
A lot of these sons-of-bitches --
excuse me, ma'am -- they work in
syndicates. If they cashed your
check out of state, it's federal
and we can act. But we'd need a
signed clearance from you for your
bank to run a trace on the check,
and then --
(CONTINUED)
8.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
14 CONTINUED: (2) 14
HUSBAND
I'll give you a clearance. If
it'll help get those bastards.
ROY
(to Frank)
You have any more of those L-47's?
FRANK
Maybe in the car.
(rises to go, by
chance feels inside
his pocket)
Wait, here we go.
Roy takes the form and lays it before the Husband.
ROY
Here, use my pen.
As the Husband's eyes glaze over the small print, the DOG
SCRATCHES at the door again.
HUSBAND
Let him out, will ya, Carolyn?
The Housewife slides open a glass door for the dog, then
returns to her seat -- without closing it behind her.
Roy's focus fixes on it. And every voice drifts into
the distance.
ROY
All we need is the name of your
bank, your account number and your
signature at the bottom. Any
luck, these guys were amateurs,
cashed your check in Nevada.
HUSBAND
See, darling? I told you: you're
too trusting. You gotta be more
careful of people.
FRANK
I'm sorry to say, ma'am, he's
absolutely right.
HUSBAND
(signing L-47)
Here ya go.
(off Roy's fixed,
uneasy stare)
You alright?
(CONTINUED)
9.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
14 CONTINUED: (3) 14
Frank notices now, too -- Roy is sweating and uneasy,
fixated on the small wilderness outside -- and recognizes
the cause of his infirmity: the open door.
FRANK
Do you mind if I close this?
They don't. Frank rises and closes the glass door. Roy
snaps out of it. Sound within the room returns to normal.
ROY
Sorry. I'm fine, thanks.
(he takes L-47)
Thank you.
Frank smiles to allay the Husband's suspicions: What the
fuck was that about?
15 EXT. RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY 15
Roy and Frank return to their car, Roy speedily.
FRANK
You're not taking your pills, are you?
Roy faces him, testily, but he never pauses in his effort
to get inside his car as fast as he can. Frank,
admonished, takes his time getting in.
FRANK
It's just that... you looked like
you were gonna whoopsy-daisy all
over those people's Oriental.
A breath to compose himself and Roy STARTS the CAR.
FRANK
You are taking your pills?
ROY
(at last)
Yes.
The car pulls out.
A16 EXT. ROY AND FRANK'S OFFICE - DAY A16
The Caprice pulls into the parking lot. Inside, Frank
splits up the day's take, fifty-fifty. Roy seems barely
interested.
(CONTINUED)
10.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
A16 CONTINUED: A16
FRANK
Well, it's not a fortune, but it
keeps me in diapers. Barely. One
look at those drapes I should have
known.
(beat)
I saw that guy again last night:
Chuck. The guy I was telling you,
with the --
ROY
-- with the boat.
FRANK
(sing-song)
He's top-heavy.
(off no response
from Roy)
It's real money, Roy.
ROY
If it's real money, it's long con.
I don't do long con.
FRANK
You haven't done it lately.
Frank is looking for a glimmer of hope. Roy gives him none.
ROY
Without me, Frank.
Frank puts up his hands: never mind.
FRANK
Okay. I'd just like to, you know,
take a girl out somewhere nice
once in a while.
ROY
(beat)
You have to pay her extra for that?
16 INT. SUPERMARKET - CHECK-OUT AISLE - DAY 16
Roy drops a half-dozen cans of Chicken-By-the-Sea on the
conveyor. The CHECK-OUT WOMAN totals them:
CHECK-OUT WOMAN
... four, five, six. And a pack
of Winston's.
For Roy, it's a standing order here.
10A.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
17 EXT. ROY'S HOME - DAY 17
A modest one-story. Roy's Caprice pulls in the driveway.
18 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY 18
Roy, shoeless, skirts the living room rug to approach a
ceramic horse in the corner, next to a sofa. He slides
its head up and off its body and rests it on the floor,
then reaches into its hollow belly to withdraw a .38. He
removes from his jacket the day's take and stuffs it
inside the horse. He replaces the weapon atop it.
19 INT. ROY'S KITCHEN - AT TABLE - NIGHT 19
Roy eats dinner: tuna, straight from the can.
(CONTINUED)
11.
19 CONTINUED: 19
AT SINK
He washes out the empty can, then turns to his shoes,
rinsing and wiping down their soles.
20 INT. ROY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 20
Predictably Spartan. Roy wears pajamas to bed. He lies
down, head on his pillow, eyes toward the ceiling, wide
and anxious and exhausted and sad, to smoke himself to
sleep.
DISSOLVE TO:
21 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY 21
The morning ritual again. Roy stares out his window,
coffee cup in hand, at the pool. And his moment of
serenity has been violated for --
22 EXT. ROY'S HOUSE - BACK YARD - DAY 22
Two leaves float atop the pool surface. Roy, with a
long-pole net, removes them.
23 INT. ROY'S KITCHEN 23
Roy throws the leaves away in the trash below the sink,
then rinses out his coffee mug/washes down the
basin/cleans the countertop/lets the faucet run. Finds
his vial of pills and taps two capsules into his palm.
Sets the vial down beside the sink. Stares at the pills
again --
-- then throws them back in his throat and washes them
down with tap water (filtrated by a Waterford II). He
reaches to turn the faucet off --
-- and accidentally knocks the uncapped vial into the
sink, upending it and sending pills scattering.
ROY
Dammit!
He grabs for the vial, empty -- pills are swirling down
the drain -- then scrambles for the tap, slamming it off,
but too late: all the capsules have been swept away.
(CONTINUED)
12.
23 CONTINUED: 23
ROY
Shit!
Roy frets, thinks, decides. Rolling up his sleeve, he
dips his hand into the sink's disposal, patting around
its base for pills.
At last, he finds one. Pinches it and raises it into the
light. And Roy knows: there's no way he'll ever put
that thing in his mouth.
24 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY 24
Roy's on his portable phone, desperate.
ROY
Hi, I need to talk to Mancuso.
(beat)
Man-cus-o.
(beat)
What do you mean he...?
(beat)
You gotta be shitting me...
SAME SCENE - MOMENTS LATER
Roy frets, paces. He stops, looks down. He's been
walking on the living room rug -- disaster.
25 INT. ROY'S CLOSET 25
Roy yanks out his vacuum cleaner.
26 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM 26
Roy VACUUMS the rug back-and-forth, back-and-forth, back-
and-forth. He STOPS. Studies the rug. Then looks up.
Suddenly everything looks dirty.
27 INT. ROY'S KITCHEN 27
Under the sink, Roy rifles through a gallery of cleaning
products -- Pine Sol, Murphy's Oil Soap, Ajax, Windex.
28 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM 28
Roy cleans. Dishwashing gloves on, down on his knees.
13.
29 INT. ROY'S BATHROOM 29
Roy cleans behind the toilet. The PHONE RINGS in the
next room. Roy shows no interest in answering it.
FRANK (V.O.over message machine)
Roy, pick up. It's me, pick up,
Roy. Roy, where are you?
30 INT. ROY'S KITCHEN 30
Roy takes his lunch break, one dishwashing glove removed,
eating straight from the can again.
31 EXT. ROY'S HOUSE 31
Roy cleans all the windows, from the inside only --
SQUEAK, SQUEAK, SQUEAK. The PHONE RINGS again.
32 INT. ROY'S HOUSE - MEDLEY OF PRISTINE ROOMS - LATER 32
FRANK (V.O.on machine again)
What the hell, Roy. I feel like a
chick. Okay, that's it. I'm
coming over.
ROY (O.S.)
Shit.
33 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM 33
Roy sits prone on his couch. Eyes bloodshot and weary,
studying the carpet. There is a KNOCK at the front door.
FRANK (O.S.)
Roy! You in there? Roy!
Roy does not respond. Frank KNOCKS some more.
FRANK (O.S.)
Roy, goddammit! Your car's here,
I know you're here!
(beat)
I'll call the cops, I'll do it.
I'll put all my shit where they
can't find it, I'll call them and
they'll come down here!
Roy surrenders: he gets off the couch.
14.
34 AT HIS FRONT DOOR 34
Roy unlocks it, opens it, latch on. Frank's nose and
mouth appear in the opening.
FRANK
(sigh of relief)
Thank Jesus. Open up, lemme in.
ROY
Take off your shoes.
FRANK
What? Why?
ROY
Take 'em off, or you don't come
in.
FRANK
(looking in at him)
You didn't take your pills, did
you?
Roy shuts the door, walks away.
FRANK (O.S.)
Okay, okay, shoes are coming off.
(as he takes them off)
Okay, Roy.
Roy returns, unlatches and opens the door. Frank enters
and the scent of ammonia slams his nostrils.
FRANK
Mother... You get attacked by Mr.
Clean? Roy, you gotta open a
window.
ROY
No. Windows.
(as Frank just
stares at him)
Looking for something?
FRANK
My partner. You seen him? He's
been missing most of the week.
(beat)
Tell me you've left the house in
three days.
Roy can't.
(CONTINUED)
15.
34 CONTINUED: 34
FRANK
Have you eaten anything in three
days?
(off Roy's nod)
Besides canned tuna?
(as Roy stops
nodding)
And women tell me my lifestyle's
peculiar.
35 IN LIVING ROOM 35
Frank enters.
ROY
Watch -- the rug.
Frank stops short of it. Looks at Roy.
FRANK
You didn't take your --
ROY
I spilled them. Down the garbage
disposal. By accident.
FRANK
You call Mancuso?
ROY
He moved.
FRANK
You gotta be shitting me.
ROY
That's what I said.
A beat.
FRANK
Take a shower. I'm gonna make a
call. My aunt saw this shrink
after her divorce, he really --
ROY
Frank --
(CONTINUED)
16.
35 CONTINUED: 35
FRANK
Roy: you need to see someone.
Listen, don't think I'm doing this
just for you. You got money you
can retire, I got car payments,
you know. I don't need a partner
who's --
Frank pantomimes a mad-act spasm. Roy relents. As he
heads for the bathroom, Frank picks up the phone, dials.
ROY
Frank.
FRANK
Yeah?
ROY
Wipe that thing down when you're
done with it, okay?
A beat. Frank looks to be at the end of his rope.
FRANK
Go take that shower, Roy.
36 INT. SMALL OFFICE BUILDING COURTYARD 36
Beside a door, a plaque reads: "DR. HARRIS KLEIN, M.D."
Roy watches from a darkened breezeway, smoking, hands in
coat pockets. He stamps out his cigarette and approaches.
37 INT. DR. KLEIN'S OFFICE - DAY 37
Roy, at the far end of a small couch, stares at a pair of
Florsheims crossed atop an ottoman. They belong to DR.
KLEIN, who scans Roy's form.
DR. KLEIN
You mind if I put them up? It
helps my back.
ROY
Go ahead.
DR. KLEIN
(re: his form)
You're something of a clean slate,
Roy. This says you were on
medication but you don't know what
kind.
(CONTINUED)
17.
37 CONTINUED: 37
ROY
They were green capsules. I think
it said P.D.F. on them. Something
like that.
DR. KLEIN
You were getting them illegally?
(as Roy balks)
We're starting fresh today, Roy.
What happened in the past I don't
care about.
ROY
That's a funny thing for a shrink
to say.
Klein smiles; Roy doesn't.
ROY
Yes. I was getting them
illegally.
DR. KLEIN
Why?
ROY
So I wouldn't have to talk to
someone like you. Do you know
what they were?
DR. KLEIN
Yes. And at the dosage you say
you were taking, I'd say you were
lucky to be sitting up straight --
ROY
Can you get me more of them?
DR. KLEIN
Let's talk a little first. It
says here you're --
ROY
-- I'm sorry, Doc, but my partner,
my buddy Frank --
DR. KLEIN
-- Beth Mercer's nephew --
(CONTINUED)
18.
37 CONTINUED: (2) 37
ROY
-- he said I could come here and
you'd get me the pills I need. If
you can't do that, this session's
over before it's started.
DR. KLEIN
You certainly get to the point.
ROY
And you skirt it. Can you get me
the pills or not?
DR. KLEIN
Yes.
ROY
Then let's get that prescription
pad out.
DR. KLEIN
Roy, usually I don't prescribe
medicine unless I've had a little
chat with the patient first. If
you're inclined against that,
then -- as you say -- this session
will be quite brief.
Roy stares the doctor down. Klein never blinks.
DR. KLEIN
It says here you're an antiques
dealer. How long you been in that
line?
Nothing from Roy. The face-off continues.
DR. KLEIN
Would you like to tell me what's
been bothering you?
And continues. Then, abruptly, Roy quits.
ROY
I get tired a lot, but I can't
sleep. Certain things distract
me, make me feel sick to my
stomach.
DR. KLEIN
What kinds of things?
(CONTINUED)
19.
37 CONTINUED: (3) 37
ROY
When people leave doors open, or
windows. I don't like being
outdoors. They call that
agoraphobia, right?
DR. KLEIN
Incorrectly, but yes. Anything
else?
ROY
Dirt. Especially around moldings.
Klein makes a note.
DR. KLEIN
Have these distractions affected
your work of late?
(off Roy's nod)
And your personal relationships?
ROY
What personal relationships?
DR. KLEIN
When was the last time you were in
one? A relationship?
ROY
With a woman? A long time ago.
DR. KLEIN
Five years? Ten years?
ROY
Keep going.
DR. KLEIN
What was her name?
A beat.
ROY
Heather.
DR. KLEIN
Were you married?
(off Roy's nod)
Kids?
A beat.
(CONTINUED)
20.
37 CONTINUED: (4) 37
ROY
Maybe.
DR. KLEIN
Maybe. That's a new one.
ROY
She was pregnant when she left me.
Maybe I got a kid, maybe I don't.
DR. KLEIN
You haven't seen her since?
ROY
No.
DR. KLEIN
You haven't spoken?
ROY
She left with a black eye, which I
gave her, and a bun in the oven,
which might have come from anyone.
So, no, I haven't. For all I know
she got hit by a bus. For all I
know she got rid of the baby,
'cause she'd been down that path
before.
(a breath to cool
his temper)
Doc: I spent last Tuesday on my
living room sofa. Watching my
carpet. Watching fibers on my
carpet. And the whole time I was
watching my carpet I was worrying
that I might vomit, and the whole
time I was worrying I might vomit,
I was thinking: I'm a grown man,
I should know what's going on in
my head. And the more I thought
about it the more I realized I
should just blow my brains out and
end it all, but the more I wanted
to blow my brains out, the more I
thought about what that would do
to my goddamn carpet.
(beat)
And that was a good day, Doc. So
gimme some pills and let me get on
with my life.
21.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 10/7/02
38 OMITTED 38
39 OMITTED 39
A39 INT. ROY'S KITCHEN - AT SINK - NIGHT A39
Roy pushes a blue capsule out of a foil-bottom packet,
downs it with coffee. He stops to think.
AT TABLE
He opens the phone book, flips pages to "F." His finger
scans names, comes up empty. He closes the book in
surrender.
ON PHONE
He hasn't quit yet, poised with pen and pad.
ROY
-- Fenton. F-e-n-t-o-n.
Heather.
(waits, then)
What about in Orange County?
B39 INT. ROY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT B39
Roy sits on the edge of the bed, staring at Heather's
number. He picks up his phone, starts to dial, then
hangs up. He's scared shitless. He closes his eyes,
breathless, sucks down part of a Winston. Then picks up
the phone again, dials.
ONE RING, TWO RINGS...
WOMAN (V.O.)
Hello --
Roy hangs up. Buries his hands under his armpits.
40 OMITTED 40
41 OMITTED 41
& &
42 42
22/23.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 10/7/02
43 INT. DR. KLEIN'S OFFICE 43
Klein studies Roy.
ROY
I was young, she was very young.
We met in a bar. Discovered we
both had similar interests.
Basically, drinking and --
He waves his hand.
DR. KLEIN
Sexual intercourse.
ROY
If you gotta be dirty about it.
Then we got hitched. I don't
think either of us put a whole lot
of thought into it.
DR. KLEIN
And she got pregnant.
(CONTINUED)
24.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
43 CONTINUED: 43
ROY
That was later. After things got
bad. We fought a lot.
DR. KLEIN
About what?
ROY
What have you got? I wasn't sober
a lot then --
DR. KLEIN
Are you now?
ROY
(nods)
-- so some nights she just didn't
come home. She was pregnant two
months before she told me. Which
is why I...
DR. KLEIN
Hit her?
Roy nods.
DR. KLEIN
Do you think about her much? What
could have been, what might have
been.
Roy shakes his head.
DR. KLEIN
And the baby?
ROY
If there's a baby.
DR. KLEIN
Do you think about that?
ROY
Sometimes. Rarely. If I see a
school bus or -- I wonder: Is one
of those kids Roy Jr.?
DR. KLEIN
He -- if he's a he -- would be how
old now?
ROY
Fourteen.
(CONTINUED)
25.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
43 CONTINUED: (2) 43
DR. KLEIN
Fourteen. Ready to be a man.
ROY
If he's a he. If he is at all.
44 INT. DR. KLEIN'S ANTEROOM 44
Roy waits. Dr. Klein appears from his stockroom/closet
and hands Roy a handful of unlabeled sampler packs.
DR. KLEIN
Congratulations. You bought
yourself a month's worth.
ROY
Doc, do you know of a way of...?
Just to find out...
DR. KLEIN
There's nothing wrong, Roy, with a
man telephoning his ex-wife.
ROY
I tried that last night.
(withdraws the
number from his
shirt pocket)
Couldn't say a word.
Klein looks surprised. Roy pushes the number on him.
ROY
Could you? Call her?
DR. KLEIN
I don't know, Roy. I, uh...
ROY
Just to find out.
Klein hesitates: This is unorthodox. But that's what Roy
wants. At last, Klein relents; he takes Heather's number.
45 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM - NEXT DAY 45
Roy, rock-like, stares out at the pool. The PHONE RINGS.
(CONTINUED)
26.
45 CONTINUED: 45
DR. KLEIN
(on the answering
machine)
Roy? This is Dr. Klein...
ROY
(picking up)
Doc...
46 INT. ROY'S HALLWAY 46
Roy's on the portable.
DR. KLEIN (V.O.on phone)
I just got off the phone with
Heather. We had a nice
conversation.
ROY
Does she want to talk to me?
DR. KLEIN (V.O.on phone)
No. She doesn't. I'm sorry. She
didn't understand it might help
with your therapy.
ROY
You told her I was in therapy.
DR. KLEIN (V.O.on phone)
I told her I was a psychiatrist.
I can't lie, Roy. Angela wants to
talk to you, though.
ROY
Who?
DR. KLEIN (V.O.on phone)
Angela. Your daughter. She knows
you're her father, and she says
she really wants to meet you.
Roy can't move or speak for a moment. Then:
ROY
Doc, can you hold the line a
moment?
(CONTINUED)
27.
46 CONTINUED: 46
Roy cups the phone. Carries it inside the bathroom.
Turns on the light and shuts the door behind him.
Through the door: The unmistakable convulsions of a man
puking up everything he has. Then:
ROY (O.S.)
Where?
47 MOVING SHOT 47
MOVING UNDER a highway sign: SAN PEDRO.
Then DOWN TO: Roy's Caprice, Roy at the wheel, white
knuckles at two and ten.
48 EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD PARK - DAY 48
Except for one young mother and her infant, empty.
Stopped across the street, Roy checks his watch -- he's
early. He burrows out a cigarette, lights it, and
unrolls his window an eighth of an inch.
49 SAME SCENE - LATER 49
Roy is chain-lighting his next cigarette, then pushing
the old butt through the window crack, when in his side
mirror: A YOUNG GIRL floats INTO VIEW atop a skateboard.
Pretty but not fully formed, slender but not fragile.
She rides past his Caprice, then dismounts and walks into
the park.
Roy doesn't move.
50 SAME SCENE - LATER 50
The Young Girl sits waiting, rolling her skateboard back-
and-forth. Roy remains in his car, watching, amazed,
bewildered.
51 SAME SCENE - LATER 51
The Girl stands, looks this way and that, then gives up.
She mounts her board and starts away, and as she passes
Roy's car, he can see: there's disappointment in her
eyes.
(CONTINUED)
28.
51 CONTINUED: 51
ROY
Shit.
Roy throws open his car door.
ROY
Hey -- hey!!
The Girl stops. Roy stumbles out of his Caprice, clothes
disheveled, cigarette dangling from his mouth.
ROY
You Angela?
ANGELA (YOUNG GIRL)
You Roy?
He nods. Father and daughter meet.
52 ON PARK SWINGS 52
Angela rocks gently. Roy stands nearby, on pavement, not
sand, hands deep in his pockets. He doesn't know what to
say, except:
ROY
So: You're fourteen.
ANGELA
Yep.
She swings a little more.
ANGELA
When'd you get out?
ROY
What?
ANGELA
Of prison.
A beat.
ROY
I've never been in prison.
ANGELA
Oh.
(CONTINUED)
29.
52 CONTINUED: 52
ROY
Your mom tell you that?
ANGELA
First she told me you were dead.
Then she said you might as well
be.
ROY
I'm not dead. I'm in antiques.
ANGELA
That's what the doctor said. On
the phone. When he said that, Mom
started to laugh.
Roy glances about, anxious.
ROY
You -- you hungry?
(as she shrugs)
Do you mind eating? It's just --
I'd feel better somewhere indoors.
I get uncomfortable sometimes
being outside.
She gives him a curious look.
53 INT. SAN PEDRO DINER 53
Angela is served an enormous meal (turkey, mashed and
gravy, chocolate shake), and Roy takes note from across
the table.
ROY
I thought you weren't hungry.
ANGELA
You're gonna get wet, might as
well go swimming.
ROY
What's that thing with girls --
where they don't eat?
ANGELA
(mouth full)
Anorexia.
(CONTINUED)
30.
53 CONTINUED: 53
ROY
At least we know you don't have
that.
ANGELA
I could have bulimia. That's when
you go in the bathroom after and
vomit.
She continues to eat. Roy studies her face.
ANGELA
You're staring.
ROY
Sorry.
ANGELA
That's okay. I used to do it,
too. Look at your picture and see
if I got your nose or your eyes.
Mom used to say I got lucky and
only got your elbows.
ROY
How is your mom?
ANGELA
Fine.
Roy waits: Is there more information forthcoming?
Angela eats, deliberately: No, there isn't.
ROY
So you're in school, right?
ANGELA
Not now. It's summer.
ROY
Right. Well, school's real
important. If I had anything to
do over again, I'd work harder in
school.
ANGELA
You drop out?
Roy hesitates, then nods.
ANGELA
That why you ended up a criminal?
(CONTINUED)
31.
53 CONTINUED: (2) 53
She takes a long, noisy slurp from her shake, sucking up
the dregs with her straw as she studies Roy.
ROY
You finished?
ANGELA
It's okay, you know. Whatever you
do. Everybody's done something
bad in their life --
ROY
-- I'm in antiques --
ANGELA
-- if you make it a career, it's just
a lot of something strung together --
ROY
Cut the shit, huh? I'm not a
criminal.
(beat)
Sorry. I shouldn't've --
ANGELA
(mock shock)
What -- what was that word?
'Shi...t'?
(unfazed)
When's the last time you saw each
other, you and Mom?
ROY
Before you were born.
ANGELA
You still love her?
He doesn't know how to answer.
ANGELA
'Cause she still hates you, you know.
ROY
Yeah. I pretty much figured that.
54 INT. HIS CAPRICE - MOVING 54
Roy drives. Angela, snooping, opens the glove
compartment, eyes a pack of cigarettes along with Roy's
pink slip, proof of insurance, fake FTC identification.
(CONTINUED)
32.
54 CONTINUED: 54
ROY
(shooing her away)
Hey, hey...
Looking up the street:
ANGELA
Stop, stop, stop. That's her car
in the driveway. You better drop
me here.
55 EXT. HEATHER'S NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY 55
Roy pulls over. Time to say good-bye. He doesn't know
how.
ANGELA
Got a pen?
He does. She takes it, then his hand, and writes a
telephone number on his palm.
ANGELA
This is my private line. Mom got
it for me for my birthday. 'Cause
my friend Carrie kept on calling
after midnight. Maybe we could go
bowling some time.
Roy is caught off-guard by the suggestion. Angela leaps
out, then leans back in.
ANGELA
Nice meeting you, Dad.
She closes the door. Roy watches her skate away, then
glances at the number written on his palm. It absolutely
bewilders him.
FRANK (V.O.)
What's more important than family?
56 INT. ROY AND FRANK'S OFFICE - NEXT DAY 56
Roy's at his desk. Copying the number fading from his
palm. He can't help but smile. Meanwhile, Frank works
the phones, fighting the monotony of cold calling.
(CONTINUED)
33.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
56 CONTINUED: 56
FRANK
Then what could be more important
than purifying the water your
family drinks? The Waterford II
offers you the cleanest filtration
system available today.
(notices Roy's smile)
Mr. Schlickling, can you hold just
one moment? Thank you.
(muting the phone,
to Roy)
What?
ROY
Huh?
FRANK
You're smiling. You switch
shampoos or something?
(beat)
Pills working?
(as Roy nods)
Glad one of us is happy.
ROY
(moment's thought, then)
How much money you think we could
take that guy for? Chuck, with
the boat.
(off Frank's
astonishment)
Figure I owe you one.
Frank can't believe it. He stares at Roy. Then back on
the phone:
FRANK
Mr. Schlickling? Hi, I'm sorry: you
waited too long, no prize for you.
And he hangs up.
57 EXT. CAR WASH - DAY 57
CHUCK FRECHETTE -- swarthy, forty-something, new-money
suit -- brow-beats the illegal alien who's towel-drying
his Mercedes (complete with bumper sticker "I'd Rather Be
Sailing"). Across the street, Roy and Frank scout him.
ROY
(tell me again)
What's his last name?
(CONTINUED)
34.
57 CONTINUED: 57
FRANK
Frechette. Chuck Frechette.
ROY
How do you spell it?
FRANK
F-R... Hell if I know, he's from
Downey.
ROY
Where'd you find him?
FRANK
Cheetah's. Watched him drop two
G's there a month ago.
ROY
Cheetah's?
FRANK
It's a gentlemen's --
ROY
I know what it is. What's he do?
FRANK
Import/export.
ROY
He's not connected, is he?
FRANK
He and the mob are like this --
Frank holds two fingers far apart. Meanwhile,
Frechette's MERCEDES is as dry as it's gonna get. He
gets in and PEELS AWAY, leaving his dryer's upturned palm
empty.
ROY
Sonovabitch didn't even tip.
FRANK
I figure on short notice he could
scratch up at least thirty grand.
ROY
(beat)
More.
Music to Frank's ears. Roy KEYS the IGNITION.
35.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
58 EXT. FIRST FEDERAL BANK - DAY 58
Roy enters. As we hear him continue --
ROY (V.O.)
We'll pull the Jamaican switch on
him. He knows you, so you're rope,
I'm inside. Think he knows anything
about international finance?
-- he moves briskly through --
59 INT. FIRST FEDERAL BANK - LOBBY - DAY 59
-- and --
60 INT. FIRST FEDERAL BANK - STAIRS 60
-- then into --
61 INT. FIRST FEDERAL BANK - VAULT ANTEROOM 61
-- where he approaches a CLERK.
CLERK
May I help you?
ROY
I'd like to access my safe deposit
box. J-215.
CLERK
(offering a form)
Signature and pass code, please.
62 INT. BANK VAULT 62
The bank Clerk removes a large safety deposit box, sets
it on a viewing table, then leaves Roy alone with it.
Roy opens it, then withdraws from his jacket two
envelopes -- one white, one manila.
63 OMITTED 63
64 INT. ROY'S SECOND BEDROOM - NIGHT 64
Roy faces his professional costume closet: several
suits, high to low end, plus a gallery of pristine shoes,
a number of pairs of eyeglasses. Roy tries on a pair,
checks himself in the mirror.
36.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
65 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 65
Roy on the phone again.
ROY
Where?
(checking his watch)
Where else. One hour.
He hangs up. A KNOCK at the door. Roy looks alarmed.
He just got off the phone with Frank -- who else could
that be?
AT FRONT DOOR
Opening on Angela, backpack and skateboard at her feet.
ANGELA
Remember me?
Roy nods, bemused.
ROY
You just in the neighborhood?
ANGELA
Took the bus. Think I could come
in a sec?
Panic flickers across Roy's face. No one but Frank has
crossed this threshold in many years. He opens the door
wider and she steps inside. She peers about.
ANGELA
Nice.
ROY
Huh?
ANGELA
It's nice. Your place. I bet
you're wondering how I got your
address.
He wasn't.
ANGELA
Off your car insurance, in your
glove compartment.
Roy feels suddenly uncomfortable in his own home.
(CONTINUED)
37.
65 CONTINUED: 65
ROY
So what's going on?
ANGELA
Mom and I had sort of a fight. It
happens once in a while. I
usually take off for a day or two
to let her calm down.
ROY
Take off?
ANGELA
Normally I go to Carrie's. Only
her family's on vacation. And I
thought, since we seemed to hit it
off so good last time --
(hoping Roy will
complete the thought;
he doesn't)
-- I could sleep on the couch?
ROY
(cardiac arrest)
You wanna stay here?
ANGELA
I could pay you back by cleaning
up or something --
(as she gazes around
spotless room; then re:
his glasses)
You wear those to read? They make
you look kinda old.
ROY
These're just for --
(remembering)
I gotta go. I got a business
meeting.
ANGELA
This late?
ROY
Antiques wait for no man.
(half to himself, half
to her)
Is it okay if I leave you here?
ANGELA
Sure. I can watch TV.
(CONTINUED)
38.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
65 CONTINUED: (2) 65
Roy searches around the room, as if a television will
magically appear.
ANGELA
You don't have a TV? You
seriously don't have a TV?
He smiles, sheepishly.
ROY
There's a couch. If you want to
sit. Or there if you prefer. Or
the couch.
She moves to the couch, amused by his nervousness; of
course, she treads right across the carpet. Roy averts
his eyes, starts for the door...
ROY
You want me to pick up anything on
the way back? Ice cream?
ANGELA
New York Super Fudge Chunk.
ROY
What?
ANGELA
That's my favorite flavor. New
York Super Fudge Chunk.
ROY
New York...?
ANGELA
Super Fudge Chunk.
ROY
Chocolate. Don't open the door
for anybody.
66 EXT. ROY'S HOUSE - NIGHT 66
Quietly as he can, Roy locks the front door. Hesitates
for a moment. Can he do this -- leave a fourteen-year-
old girl alone in his house? He must.
39.
67 EXT. CHEETAH'S STRIP CLUB - NIGHT 67
Roy pulls his Caprice into a distant view of the club.
Frank taps on the passenger side window and Roy unlocks
the door.
FRANK
(re: Roy's glasses)
Hey, I like those. They make you
look --
ROY
Old?
FRANK
(hesitates, then)
Older.
ROY
How long's he been inside?
FRANK
Twenty minutes.
ROY
You got your lines down?
FRANK
You got my money?
Roy withdraws the standard white envelope from his jacket
and flings it at Frank.
68 INT. CHEETAH'S - NIGHT 68
As glamorous an establishment as you might imagine. Roy
enters, pays the cover charge at the door and spots -- by
way of a mirror -- Chuck Frechette drinking alone at the
bar. He finds himself a table.
69 INT. ROY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 69
While Roy's away, Angela snoops. Here she opens drawers:
just clothes.
70 INT. ROY'S KITCHEN - NIGHT 70
Here she opens cupboards: just cans of Chicken-of-the-
Sea.
40.
71 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 71
Here she stands on a chair and pries atop bookshelves:
nothing here, not even dust. But from this perch, the
ceramic horse in the corner draws her attention.
72 INT. CHEETAH'S - NIGHT 72
As Roy sips a club soda:
STRIPPER
Good evening.
His eyes stray up to hers (who knows the last time he
faced a bare midriff) --
STRIPPER
Care for a dance?
-- then flash to the door as Frank enters. Frank spots
Roy and heads his way. Roy glances back at the bar:
Frechette, eyes on the girls, didn't notice Frank enter.
ROY
Not just now.
The Stripper departs, passing Frank.
FRANK
Thanks, honey. Come back later
for me, though, okay?
Frank stands over Roy and extends his hand.
FRANK
Arden. Hope I didn't keep you.
ROY
(rising to shake)
Good to see you, Bob.
(voice dropping)
At the bar. He missed you come
in.
Frank nods, then whistles to a passing waitress, loudly:
FRANK
Hey, can I get a Bud?!
Everyone turns their heads at that, including Frechette,
who recognizes Frank.
(CONTINUED)
41.
72 CONTINUED: 72
FRANK
(back to Roy)
That do the trick?
ROY
Let's sit.
They do. Frechette starts off his barstool toward them.
Roy monitors his approach.
FRANK
We in business?
ROY
On my next drink.
Another stripper passes, and Roy's distracted an instant.
FRANK
I told you you'd like it here.
Roy picks up his drink, cueing Frank to reach into his
windbreaker, remove the white envelope, and drop it on
the table --
FRANK
Don't spend it all on one girl,
huh?
-- so that it lands just as Frechette arrives, tie tugged
loose, whiskey in hand.
FRECHETTE
Hey, Bob...
FRANK
(he turns)
Hey, Chuck, I didn't know you were
here.
Frank stands to shake hands, but Frechette's eyes drop to
the white envelope on the table: a slim stack of $100's
peeks out from within. Roy notes Frechette's glance and
quickly palms the envelope into his lap.
FRANK
(awkwardly)
Ah, Chuck Frechette, this is my
friend, Arden --
Roy shoots Frank a look: no names. Frank shuts up.
(CONTINUED)
42.
72 CONTINUED: (2) 72
FRECHETTE
Hiya.
Roy nods hello, none-too-pleased, then resumes his stare
at Frank: get him out of here.
FRANK
(to Frechette,
confidentially)
Say, Chuck, we got a little
business to settle up here. You
mind if --
Frechette gets the idea fast: something not-quite-legal
is going down here, and he's not welcome.
FRECHETTE
Sure, Bob. I'll be over at the
bar.
FRANK
Great. Thanks.
FRECHETTE
(to Roy)
Nice meeting you.
Frechette retreats, curiosity piqued. Frank sits back
down.
FRANK
Fish in a barrel.
Roy waits until Frechette has returned to his barstool
and is clandestinely watching and then --
FRECHETTE'S POV
-- he removes the manila envelope from his coat and hands
it to Frank/"Bob": a trade.
BACK WITH ROY AND FRANK
As Frank glances inside Roy's manila envelope (filled
with British pounds), Roy glances at Frechette, whose
attention jerks back to the girls.
ROY
He's piqued. You good to go?
(CONTINUED)
43.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
72 CONTINUED: (3) 72
FRANK
Does the Pope shit in the woods?
ROY
Just say yes, okay?
(rising)
So long, Bob.
FRANK
See you in the morning, Arden.
Roy leaves Frank, ignoring Frechette on his way out the
door. As soon as he's gone, Frechette starts toward
Frank.
73 INT. SUPERMARKET - AT FREEZER - NIGHT 73
Roy picks his way through various cartons of ice cream.
Squints through his fogged glasses, then remembers he
does not need them.
74 AT SAME CHECK-OUT - NIGHT 74
A carton of New York Super Fudge Chunk makes its way down
the conveyor to join a few more cans of tuna. The Check-
Out Woman adds a pack of Winstons to the bunch.
CHECK-OUT WOMAN
Big night planned?
ROY
Huh? Oh, it's not for me.
CHECK-OUT WOMAN
Right. You have kids overnight?
Roy laughs at the absurdity of this. The Check-Out Woman
doesn't understand, of course, but she laughs with him.
75 INT. ROY'S HOUSE - NIGHT 75
Roy enters, locks the door behind him.
ROY
Angela?
She sleeps atop the couch, arms and legs splayed every
which way. Roy approaches, sets down the ice cream,
and -- for the first time in his career as parent --
finds a blanket to drape over her.
(CONTINUED)
44.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
75 CONTINUED: 75
ANGELA
(groggily)
Roy?
ROY
Go to sleep.
ANGELA
How was your meeting?
ROY
Good. I sold a nice piece.
Angela smiles, half-asleep. He starts to go.
ANGELA
Why'd Mom leave you?
ROY
You'd have to ask her.
ANGELA
I did. She didn't want to talk
about it. Called you names.
That's why we got into a fight.
Roy smiles. Touched she stuck up for him.
ANGELA
She said you were a bad guy. You
don't seem like a bad guy.
ROY
That's what makes me good at it.
He rises, heads to his room, and just before he turns off
the living room light, Angela rolls over under her
blanket, eyes closed, murmuring:
ANGELA
I don't think you're a bad guy.
Roy smiles, shuts the light off. Immediately: KNOCK-
KNOCK.
76 INT. ROY'S FRONT DOOR - NEXT MORNING 76
Frank is knocking. Roy opens the door, squints at the
light, careful not to let Frank peer in.
(CONTINUED)
45.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
76 CONTINUED: 76
FRANK
I wish you could have been there.
Oh, I reeled him in --
ROY
Do we have to do this now?
FRANK
I got your money.
ROY
Shh-shh-shh.
Conscious of Angela asleep inside, Roy slides out the
door and closes it behind him.
FRANK
What's going on?
(shocked)
You don't have someone in there?
77 EXT. ROY'S HOUSE - DAY 77
Roy and Frank huddle on the sidewalk, Roy out of doors
and anxious. Frank returns the manila envelope to him.
FRANK
The second you left the place, he
was off his barstool. He's in.
Oh, man, is he in. He wants to
meet tonight.
Roy glances back at his house. A window shade shifts
slightly: is Angela spying?
ROY
Push it to tomorrow. Lunch. Let
his greed meet his imagination.
78 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY 78
Roy returns to find his couch empty and the shower water
running in the bathroom. He seizes the opportunity to
sneak both envelopes of cash into the ceramic horse.
79 INT. ROY'S KITCHEN - DAY 79
Angela, her hair still wet, digs a spoon into the pint of
New York Super Fudge Chunk. Roy, meanwhile, sneaks his
morning medication down his throat.
(CONTINUED)
46.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
79 CONTINUED: 79
ROY
You sure I can't give you a ride
home?
ANGELA
That's okay. Mom can pick me up.
Roy reacts: the prospect of confronting Heather rattles
him.
ANGELA
Who was that guy who came by
earlier?
ROY
Who? Oh. A business associate.
ANGELA
What's his name?
ROY
Frank.
ANGELA
How come you didn't want him to
see me?
ROY
I didn't not want him to see you.
(re: ice cream)
Shouldn't you... eat eggs or
something?
ANGELA
All you've got here is tuna. Lots
and lots of tuna. And one TV
dinner. TV dinners are cool. You
should get the TV to go with 'em.
Roy stiffens, pissed: someone went snooping.
80 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY 80
Angela's on the phone:
ANGELA
Hi... No... No... Guess...
(beat)
What if I am? So? He's my
father...
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
47.
80 CONTINUED: 80
ANGELA (CONT'Dbeat)
I don't care. I don't care. I
will if I want.
Across the room, Roy grows more distressed as Angela
grows more petulant. Now she quiets down.
ANGELA
I know. I know. Okay, I promise.
Yes, I promise! 'Bye.
She hangs up abruptly.
ROY
She mad?
ANGELA
At me. Not you.
Roy looks relieved.
ANGELA
She said she was gonna call the
police --
So much for relief.
ANGELA
-- but now she just wants me home
in time for summer school.
ROY
When's that?
ANGELA
Monday.
ROY
Today's Thursday.
ANGELA
That's okay, isn't it?
81 INT. KLEIN'S OFFICE - DAY 81
Roy is doubled over on the couch, his arms sagging down
across his legs, head buried between his knees.
(CONTINUED)
48.
81 CONTINUED: 81
DR. KLEIN
And one more time, deeply...
(as Roy breathes in)
Hold it -- one, two, three,
four -- and out.
ROY
You've got stains.
DR. KLEIN
I beg your pardon?
ROY
In your carpet.
DR. KLEIN
You can sit up.
(as Roy does)
Is that what you were thinking
about? Stains in my carpet?
ROY
And that I have a fourteen-year-
old girl I barely know living in
my house.
DR. KLEIN
It's just for the weekend.
ROY
But I've got a -- there's a big
piece coming on the market I'm
brokering and -- it's just not a
good time.
DR. KLEIN
When is it ever a good time for
anything? I realize this is
sudden, Roy, and you may feel
unprepared, but trust me, they're
not so difficult, kids. Most of
all you have to focus on the
basics: make sure they eat their
vegetables, don 't stay up too
late, and don't watch too much TV.
Otherwise just try to be as honest
and open with them as possible.
Roy eyes a picture of two little boys atop Klein's desk.
ROY
As honest and open as possible.
(CONTINUED)
49.
81 CONTINUED: (2) 81
DR. KLEIN
She's your daughter, Roy. Unless
there's another ex-wife you
haven't told me about, she's the
only one you got.
82 EXT. ROY'S HOUSE - DRIVEWAY/GARAGE - DAY 82
Roy pulls home, pushing a pill from its packet,
swallowing it dry, his second dose of the day. He gets
out to find --
83 EXT. ROY'S HOUSE - BACK YARD - DAY 83
Angela lies by the pool on a beach towel in a bikini and
dark glasses, reading a magazine.
ANGELA
How'd the meeting go? Did it go
okay?
Confronted by his daughter's breasts, hips and calves,
Roy walks straight into the house.
ANGELA
What's the matter? You freaking
out about something?
84 INT. SUPERMARKET - DAY 84
Squash, broccoli, artichokes, cauliflower, etc. Standing
behind a cart, Roy stares at them blankly.
In the frozen food aisle, Roy reads directions on a
package of frozen spinach. Angela appears behind him,
carrying chips, cookies, and a six-pack of beer.
ROY
Who's that for?
ANGELA
Don't you drink?
ROY
(shakes his head)
Do you?
ANGELA
Come on. I'm fourteen.
Roy isn't sure which way to take that.
50.
85 IN LINE FOR ROY'S USUAL CHECK-OUT WOMAN 85
Roy and Angela wait behind two other shoppers.
ANGELA
The line for that one's shorter.
ROY
This one's better.
86 INT. ROY'S KITCHEN - NIGHT 86
Roy cooks. His first attempt in years.
He serves. Limp spinach and sauceless spaghetti. Seated
at his breakfast table, neither he nor Angela look too
ecstatic about digging in.
He surrenders. A pizza delivery box takes center stage
on the breakfast table; the spinach and pasta lie
untouched in the kitchen sink. Angela bites into a slice
as Roy forks a fresh can of tuna.
87 INT. ROY'S HALLWAY - MORNING 87
The morning ritual begins again. Roy, dressed, leaves
his bedroom, closes its door behind him, proceeds to the
bathroom door, opens it --
ANGELA (O.S.)
Just a minute.
Roy closes it fast.
88 INT. KITCHEN - DAY 88
Roy cleans his coffee mug/wipes down the sink/waits.
He's pissed his morning routine has been interrupted.
89 INT. ROY'S HALLWAY - DAY 89
Angela exits, in a towel, allowing Roy to enter --
90 INT. ROY'S BATHROOM - DAY 90
It looks like a circus act of seals has come and gone.
Water everywhere, used towels, underpants hanging from a
faucet. Roy uses a piece of toilet paper to remove them.
51.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
91 INT. STEAK HOUSE - DAY 91
Roy, bespectacled again, sits at a table with Frank and
Frechette, who are halfway through lunch. Roy sticks
with just coffee.
ROY
Bob tells me you're a yachtsman.
FRECHETTE
Hardly. Just a forty-two footer I
take out on weekends. You sail?
ROY
I get seasick in the tub.
FRANK
Arden, you sure you don't want
something?
ROY
Thanks. I gotta fly in two hours.
(To Frechette)
The cast iron stomach again.
FRECHETTE
Where you off to?
ROY
Phoenix. A client's setting up a
funding account to bridge the
pound and the euro, I've got to
hold his hand.
(to passing waitress)
Hon: could you heat this up a
little, please?
FRECHETTE
That bad, huh?
ROY
For some folks, money is a foreign
film without subtitles. Anyway,
to the business at hand.
FRANK
To the business at hand.
ROY
I have one rule, Chuck: simple is
safe. I'm going to tell you as
little as possible about me and
what I do, but as much as I need
to make you comfortable with what
we're doing.
(CONTINUED)
51A.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
91 CONTINUED: (A1) 91
FRECHETTE
What are we doing?
Roy removes a manila envelope from his jacket, just as he
did at Cheetah's, but reaches it under the table to
Frechette. Frechette peeks inside: thin stacks of
hundred pound notes.
FRECHETTE
How much is it?
(CONTINUED)
52.
91 CONTINUED: 91
ROY
Five thousand pounds sterling.
One of the perks of working in the
exchange program at a bank.
FRECHETTE
Whose is it?
ROY
No one's in particular. Just a
little money unaccounted for,
floating on top the books like a
layer of cream.
FRANK
And he just scoops it off.
ROY
It's a little more complicated
than that but again: simple is
safe.
FRECHETTE
Why not keep the money yourself?
ROY
As a bank employee any attempt I
make to change currency is
recorded and questioned. Bob has
a record. You, on the other hand,
no one bats an eye.
(beat)
Now I hope you have something for
me.
Frechette nods, removes an envelope from his jacket and
reaches it under the table.
FRECHETTE
Five grand American.
Roy checks, pockets Frechette's money.
ROY
Congratulations. At today's
exchange rate, you just made two
thousand --
FRECHETTE
-- five hundred sixty-seven
dollars. I looked it up on the
Internet.
(CONTINUED)
53.
91 CONTINUED: (2) 91
FRANK
The frickin' Internet. I still
can't figure it out.
FRECHETTE
Neither can I. But my daughter's
a wiz at the thing.
Roy goes off-book.
ROY
You have a daughter?
FRECHETTE
Two. Fifteen and twelve.
ROY
I have a fourteen-year-old.
FRECHETTE
It's a riot, huh? Training bras
hanging from your shower rod...
ROY
... and everything smells like
gum.
(suddenly has a
thousand questions
to ask Frechette)
How do you get 'em out of the
house? Mine just sits at home all
day.
FRECHETTE
Summer's the worst.
Frank reacts: what the hell is Roy talking about?
92 EXT. STEAK HOUSE - DAY 92
At the valet station:
FRECHETTE
Lemme ask you something, Arden:
how much could you do this for?
Hypothetically.
FRANK
As a rule: we never go north of
ten --
(CONTINUED)
54.
92 CONTINUED: 92
Roy quiets Frank, eyes Chuck.
ROY
How much could you get your hands
on?
Frechette smiles.
SAME SCENE - MOMENTS LATER
Stiffing his valet, Frechette drives his Mercedes away.
Frank and Roy watch him go. Frank sighs in relief.
FRANK
For a second I thought we were out
two grand.
ROY
You gotta spend money to make
money.
FRANK
But you gotta make it to spend it.
(beat)
'Everything smells like gum?'
What was that about?
Roy hesitates, then:
ROY
It's easier if I show you.
93 EXT. ROY'S HOUSE - DAY 93
Roy unlocks the front door and enters, with Frank behind
him. From within:
ROY
Angela! Angela, I'm back!
(beat)
Angela? Frank's here!
(farther inside)
Angela?
94 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY 94
Frank reads a fashion magazine from Angela's bag.
(CONTINUED)
55.
94 CONTINUED: 94
ROY
She's not here. She must have
gone back to her mom's.
FRANK
Her bag's still here. Where does
she usually go?
ROY
I don't know. I don't know
anything about her.
FRANK
This is no good for you, Roy. Or
us.
ROY
It's got nothing to do with us.
95 EXT. ROY'S HOUSE - BACK YARD - NIGHT 95
Roy can be seen through the blinds, watching the pool,
turning its light on and off.
96 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 96
An ashtray overflows on the coffee table. Roy waits on
the couch and lights a fresh one. He checks his watch:
it's late. A dull THUNK comes from the back of the
house.
97 INT. SECOND BEDROOM - NIGHT 97
As Roy opens the door: Angela is brushing off her jeans.
The window is open.
ROY
Where have you been?
ANGELA
Nowhere.
ROY
I've been waiting over an hour.
Where did you go?
ANGELA
I went to the arcade. It's only
like a half-mile away.
(CONTINUED)
56.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
97 CONTINUED: 97
He moves to the window, shuts it.
ANGELA
It's stuffy in here. This whole
house smells like Lysol.
ROY
Where the hell were you? I want
to know right now or I'm calling
your mother.
ANGELA
I told you, the arcade --
ROY
Why'd you sneak back in?
ANGELA
That's how I left. I don't have
keys to lock the door.
ROY
You didn't see my car?
Roy squats to pluck up specks of dirt Angela tracked in.
ANGELA
Jeez, you're worse than Mom.
ROY
Listen, Angela: I'm glad we met,
but I've got a business, a
partner, and I've got things a
certain way, and that's it. So I
think it would be better, for you
most of all, if tomorrow morning I
took you back home.
Roy brushes the dirt into a trash can.
ANGELA
What did I do wrong?
ROY
You didn't do anything wrong.
ANGELA
I just went out. I didn't drink,
I didn't get high, and I didn't
take any money out of your stupid
horse.
(as Roy goes white)
So, what, you never heard of a
bank?
57.
98 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 98
Roy slides the head off his ceramic horse, checks his
.38, then starts pulling out wads of cash.
As he counts it, FOOTSTEPS march down the hall,
punctuated by the front DOOR SLAMMING. Roy looks up.
Should he go after her? He turns back to his money: it
looks all there.
99 EXT. ROY'S STREET - NIGHT 99
Angela stalks away from Roy's house, book bag and
skateboard in hand. Roy emerges far behind her and runs
to catch her. She, meanwhile, mounts her board.
ROY
Angela! I wasn't kicking you out.
ANGELA
I don't want to stay where I'm not
wanted.
ROY
It's not that I don't want you.
ANGELA
Fooled me.
ROY
Will you stop?
He catches her.
ANGELA
Let me go.
(as he does)
You just don't want me going home
to Mom saying she was right all
along. You're like one of her
boyfriends: I'm just something
you have to deal with in order to
screw her.
ROY
Angela...
ANGELA
(much too loudly)
Even they tell me what they do for
a living. Oh, yeah, antique
dealers always keep large stacks
of cash in their homes. Right
next to their guns...
(CONTINUED)
58.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
99 CONTINUED: 99
Roy shushes her, but he knows: she's got him.
ROY
Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I'm
just... not good at being a
father, alright? You know? I
barely get by as me.
Roy takes his hand out of his coat pocket to wipe a tear
off her cheek. She recoils.
ROY
Will you come back home with me?
We can get pizza again.
She won't budge.
ROY
You can stay the whole weekend if
you want.
She won't budge. Roy doesn't know what else to offer
but:
ANGELA
Why do you have a gun?
ROY
In case.
ANGELA
In case what?
Roy is stuck. He sighs, resigned.
ROY
It's a little hard to explain.
100 INT. ROY'S KITCHEN - NIGHT 100
Angela and Roy face off over another pizza.
ANGELA
Bullshit.
ROY
Nope. No bullshit. And watch
your language at the table.
ANGELA
You're a con man?
(CONTINUED)
58A.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
100 CONTINUED: 100
ROY
Con artist. Flim-flam man,
matchstick man, take your pick.
ANGELA
And that guy Frank?
ROY
My partner. My protege.
(CONTINUED)
59.
100 CONTINUED: 100
She considers it.
ANGELA
Bullshit.
ROY
I told you: watch your goddamn
language.
ANGELA
Teach me something.
ROY
What?
ANGELA
Teach me something. A con.
ROY
You're funny.
ANGELA
Teach me something.
ROY
I am not going to teach you
anything.
ANGELA
Why not?
ROY
Because. You're a beautiful,
bright, innocent girl, and I'm not
going to screw that up like
everything else.
ANGELA
Really, you think that?
ROY
What?
ANGELA
That I'm beautiful?
A beat.
ROY
(deadpan)
No.
(CONTINUED)
60.
100 CONTINUED: (2) 100
ANGELA
Then why won't you?!
(mockingly)
Because crime doesn't pay?
ROY
No. It does pay. Just not very
well.
ANGELA
You seem to be doing okay by it.
Roy stops.
ROY
I'm not. Believe me. It's not
fun doing what I do. A lot of the
time it's stealing from people who
don't deserve it. Old people.
Fat people. A lot of the time I
feel sick about it.
ANGELA
(calling his bluff)
Then why do you keep doing it?
Roy has no answer.
101 INT. ROY'S BATHROOM - NIGHT 101
As Roy brushes his teeth, Angela sits atop the toilet.
ANGELA
I'm not as innocent as you think.
I've done stuff with boys. I've
done stuff, if I told you, you'd
probably throw up right here.
ROY
Then don't tell me.
ANGELA
Teach me something!
ROY
No! final!
ANGELA
At the Christmas dance last year,
I went with this boy, Josh Ward,
he's cute and I really really
liked him...
(CONTINUED)
61.
101 CONTINUED: 101
ROY
I'm not listening.
ANGELA
After the dance, at Carrie's, we
went upstairs, and he pushed me up
against the bed...
ROY
I'm not listening.
ANGELA
And he took his hand...
ROY
One thing! I'll show you one
thing!
She nearly jumps for joy. Kisses him on the cheek,
getting toothpaste on her face, then skips down the hall.
ROY
And then you're never gonna do it
again. You're gonna forget it.
Agreed?
But she's already frolicking into the living room.
102 INT. ROY'S CAPRICE - DAY 102
Cruising down the freeway. Angela brings a notebook out
of her backpack full of laundry.
ANGELA
Where we going?
ROY
Rule number one. Never work near
where you live.
ANGELA
(writing)
'Don't... shit... where... you...'
ROY
(grabs, throws
notebook)
Rule number two. Don't write
anything down.
62.
103 EXT. 7-ELEVEN - DAY 103
Roy exits the Caprice, enters the 7-Eleven. Angela
follows.
ROY
Stay in the car.
(as she still follows)
Stay in the car.
She still follows. Roy gives up.
104 INT. 7-ELEVEN - DAY 104
Roy marks a lottery ticket as Angela watches: four of
the five numbers -- 6, 18, 22, 49, 60 -- which (a
prominent sign displays) won the day before. To the
CASHIER:
ROY
I want to play this for the
drawing on the twenty-second.
CASHIER
You know the odds of the lottery
hitting the same numbers in the
same month, the same numbers ever?
ROY
That's why I changed one.
CASHIER
You're wasting your dollar.
ANGELA
You his financial advisor?
CASHIER
No.
ANGELA
No. You're a cashier at a 7-Eleven.
Take his dollar and give him a
ticket for the twenty-second.
The Cashier hops to it. Roy considers Angela, amused.
ROY
You sure you're ready for this?
ANGELA
I was born ready.
ROY
I'm glad I missed that day.
63.
105 INT. ROY'S CAPRICE 105
Roy crumples up his lottery ticket, rolls it in his hand,
scratches hard at it with his fingernail. Angela,
sipping on a Big Gulp, takes it from him.
ANGELA
I've got longer nails.
Roy watches her scratch away with all her might.
ROY
Just the... right.
(beat)
Okay. Most important thing you
have to understand about this game
is: ninety percent of it is
variable. No matter how good your
plan is, you almost always get
thrown a curveball. So you have
to be flexible, prepared to roll
with anything. The one thing you
can control, though, is who your
mark is. That's your ten percent.
106 EXT. LAUNDROMAT - DAY 106
Angela enters, backpack on her arm. She cases the joint.
A single man, black, sits reading Tolstoy.
ROY (V.O.)
Never play someone who's not
buying what you're selling. What
you're selling is you.
An elderly couple separates whites and colors.
ROY (V.O.)
The older the better, but beware
of couples. You don't want anyone
whispering in your mark's ear but
you.
A boy in his teens returns her interest.
ROY (V.O.)
And, for God's sake, make sure the
person you're conning isn't
conning you.
Angela gives him a get-lost look, then turns to a middle-
aged HOUSEWIFE loading three machines. Angela
approaches.
(CONTINUED)
64.
106 CONTINUED: 106
ANGELA
(re: washer beside her)
That taken?
HOUSEWIFE
No.
ANGELA
Sure you don't need it? You've
got a lot.
HOUSEWIFE
This is nothing. You oughta catch
me during Little League season.
Three boys.
ANGELA
Any of 'em cute?
The Housewife smiles, and Angela smiles back: she has
her mark. She sets her bag down, stealthily planting the
lottery ticket beneath it.
107 SAME SCENE - LATER 107
Angela and the Housewife transfer their laundry to
dryers.
HOUSEWIFE
Simon's about your age, but you'd
never guess; he's so hyper. You
know, girls really do mature much
faster than boys.
ANGELA
That's what I keep telling my
brothers.
HOUSEWIFE
They don't go to Fremont, do they?
ANGELA
Central.
Her dryer full, Angela picks up her backpack to go.
ANGELA
I'm gonna get a Coke across the
street. Do you want anything?
(CONTINUED)
65.
107 CONTINUED: 107
HOUSEWIFE
No thanks, honey.
Angela starts off, and the Housewife notices the lottery
ticket left behind.
HOUSEWIFE
Honey, you dropped something.
She holds it for her to see.
ANGELA
It's not mine.
HOUSEWIFE
You sure?
ANGELA
Gotta be eighteen to play.
HOUSEWIFE
Huh. Looks like someone put it
through the wash by accident.
It's for yesterday's drawing.
That says the second, don't you
think?
Angela inspects it, too: thanks to her and Roy's
handiwork, the date looks like the second, not the
twenty-second.
ANGELA
Probably a loser.
The Housewife nods, and Angela continues on her way. But
on second thought:
HOUSEWIFE
We should at least see if it hit.
ACROSS LAUNDRY
A man reads a newspaper. The Housewife approaches with
Angela.
HOUSEWIFE
Excuse me, sir? Could we borrow
your paper a sec? We're looking
for lottery results.
The newspaper drops. The man is Roy.
(CONTINUED)
66.
107 CONTINUED: (2) 107
ROY
Sure. I think it's Metro...
Roy hands her the section. The Housewife opens it,
passes Angela the ticket. Roy rises to feed a dryer
(whose clothes are inside is anybody's guess).
HOUSEWIFE
Ready? Six, eighteen, thirty,
forty-nine, sixty.
ANGELA
Wait, wait. Six, eighteen, what?
HOUSEWIFE
Thirty, forty-nine, sixty.
ANGELA
Thirty? You're sure?
(as Housewife nods)
Missed by one.
HOUSEWIFE
You're joking.
ANGELA
Look!
HOUSEWIFE
You mean we missed by one
number -- ?
She looks -- it's true! They laugh, a little breathless,
a little crestfallen. Then, it's back to the wash.
HOUSEWIFE
Story of my life.
ANGELA
Mine, too.
ROY
(as he returns)
Any luck?
ANGELA
Four out of five, can you believe
it?
ROY
Four out of five pays, you know.
(CONTINUED)
67.
107 CONTINUED: (3) 107
Angela and the Housewife share a look, astonished.
HOUSEWIFE
It does?
ROY
Call the number on the ticket.
108 EXT. LAUNDROMAT - DAY 108
The Housewife's on a pay phone. Angela hovers nearby.
HOUSEWIFE
(into phone)
Uh-huh, uh-huh. Thank you very
much.
She hangs up.
ANGELA
What'd they say?
HOUSEWIFE
(face erupting)
We won six hundred dollars!
ANGELA
Holy --
She cups her mouth: oops.
HOUSEWIFE
-- shit! Six hundred dollars!
ANGELA
Holy shit!
Roy watches from inside as they laugh and hug.
HOUSEWIFE
The woman on the phone said we
just have to take it in for
verification. And then they'll
mail me a check.
(quickly)
I'll give you half, sweetie, don't
worry.
ANGELA
You don't have to...
(CONTINUED)
68.
108 CONTINUED: 108
HOUSEWIFE
No, no, we're fifty-fifty in this.
In fact, we should call your mom
and we can all go down there
together.
Angela pulls back.
ANGELA
She works. Pretty late.
HOUSEWIFE
How 'bout your dad?
ANGELA
(ashamed)
He -- he doesn't live with us
anymore. You know, it's okay.
I'm supposed to be home anyway.
HOUSEWIFE
No, no, no. We're in this fifty-
fifty.
The Housewife stops to think -- what to do? Then she
turns to see a bank ATM across the street.
109 EXT. BANK ATM - SECURITY CAMERA POV 109
The Housewife uses the ATM; Angela's feet are barely IN
FRAME behind her. Angela very consciously keeps OUT OF
the CAMERA'S RANGE.
110 EXT. ACROSS STREET 110
Roy watches from inside his Caprice.
ROY
Good girl, watch the cameras.
111 AT ATM 111
The Housewife hands Angela three crisp $100s.
HOUSEWIFE
That's three hundred. Don't spend
it all at the coin-op. And hide
it when you get home. Don't let
those brothers of yours anywhere
near it.
(CONTINUED)
69.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
111 CONTINUED: 111
ANGELA
(touched)
Thank you.
HOUSEWIFE
Thank you, sweetie.
They hug again.
112 EXT. LAUNDROMAT 112
Angela exits with her backpack full of laundry, waves
goodbye once more to the Housewife, then rounds a corner
to find Roy waiting for her, out of sight.
ANGELA
Did I do good?
ROY
You did very good.
She leaps in the air.
ANGELA
Mom was wrong: I didn't just get
your elbows.
ROY
One last thing...
ANGELA
Uh-huh?
ROY
Go give her her money back.
ANGELA
What?!
ROY
I told you I'd teach you a con, I
didn't say I'd let you get away
with it.
ANGELA
C'mon! You're joking.
ROY
(shakes his head)
Now.
(CONTINUED)
70.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
112 CONTINUED: 112
ANGELA
(can't believe it)
This is so...
Roy points: go. Petulantly, Angela stalks back inside.
Roy watches through a glass wall as she hands the money
back to the Housewife, utterly befuddled.
113 INT. CAPRICE - DAY 113
Driving Angela home.
ROY
I have one question for you. And
I want you to think before
answering.
(as she nods okay)
Did you feel better when you took
her money, or when you gave it
back?
(before she answers)
Think first.
Angela thinks.
ANGELA
I thought we were partners.
ROY
I'm not your partner. I'm your
father.
Angela puts her feet up on the dash. Roy doesn't mind.
ROY (V.O.)
It's strange. Two weeks ago this
was ancient history. Now suddenly
I have a daughter.
114 INT. DR. KLEIN'S OFFICE - DAY 114
ROY
And I'm not... scared shitless.
That's good, isn't it?
DR. KLEIN
It's however you feel about it,
Roy.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
71.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
114 CONTINUED: 114
DR. KLEIN (CONT'Dbeat)
Yes. It's wonderful. Don't take
this too literally, but you've
been closing doors for a long
time. It's good to see you start
opening some again.
Roy looks a little worried.
DR. KLEIN
What?
ROY
I -- I took Angela along over the
weekend, selling a piece.
Sometimes in my business you have
to create a value in something
which really isn't there. What
some people call sales, other
people call...
DR. KLEIN
Lying.
ROY
I didn't know how Angela would go
for that. But she took right to
it. She even helped out, this
fourteen-year-old girl, working
these people with me.
DR. KLEIN
Do you regret it? Exposing her to
that? Her seeing that side of
you?
ROY
(moment of truth)
I really liked it. It was the
best time we've had together.
115 INT. ROY'S KITCHEN - NIGHT 115
Roy opens his refrigerator door. Inside are grease-
stained pizza cartons and Chinese food cartons. He
closes it, considers the room around him. It's cluttered
with fashion magazines, empty soda cans, a real mess.
And it's very quiet, for the first time in a while. And
lonely.
72.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
116 EXT. SUPERMARKET - DAY 116
Cans of tuna again. But also some fresh vegetables,
frozen pizzas, and TV dinners.
CHECK-OUT WOMAN
Where's that cute little girl of
yours?
ROY
She went home to her mom's.
Summer school.
CHECK-OUT WOMAN
She's a cute one. Must be
lonesome without her.
Roy considers her as she bags his groceries.
ROY
I'll see you tomorrow.
(hesitates, then)
It's Kathy, right?
(off her nod)
I'm Roy.
KATHY (CHECK-OUT WOMAN)
Hi, Roy.
They shake. Two people meeting after seeing each other
every day for months.
117 INT. AIRPORT TERMINAL - DAY 117
Roy walks through the terminal.
118 INT. TERMINAL LOUNGE - DAY 118
Before noon, the place is mostly deserted. One or two
layovers at the bar and a custodian vacuuming the floors.
Roy and Frank case the place. Roy, a standard-sized
black briefcase beside him, withdraws a cigarette; Frank
bums one from him.
FRANK
He said he wants to fly the money
straight to the Caymans. Afraid
he might get robbed.
ROY
As if someone would do that.
When's his flight?
(CONTINUED)
72A.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
118 CONTINUED: 118
FRANK
Friday.
(beat)
Where do you think?
Roy points at...
LEATHER BANQUETTE
Roy sits facing the bar, against a wall, the standard-
sized black briefcase beside him.
ROY
You plant this before the meet.
And keep the table free. I'm
here, you sit him there, back to
the bar. Otherwise we blow it
off.
FRANK
Who's the drunk gonna be?
ROY
Ernie.
FRANK
Typecasting.
ROY
What do you expect for fifty
bucks?
Frank scans the place once more, a little nervous.
FRANK
There's only one problem.
(as Roy waits: what?)
I think I'm in love with you.
Frank lets out a whoop! He's going to be rich.
119 SAME SCENE - LATER 119
Roy stands alone in the middle of the lounge, looking
from table to bar, then to all the walls. Running the
plan over in his head.
120 EXT. SCHOOL - DAY 120
Summer school lets out. Roy scours the young teens
flooding from the school from his Caprice across the
street.
(CONTINUED)
72B.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
120 CONTINUED: (A1) 120
ANGELA
Perv.
She's snuck up behind him. He smiles.
ROY
In the car.
She gets in, looks at him, grins.
ROY
What would you like to do today,
little girl?
ANGELA
Mom says I have to be back by
dinner.
(CONTINUED)
73.
120 CONTINUED: 120
ROY
You'll be back by dinner. What
would you like to do?
She grins even wider. Roy blanches dramatically: Uh-oh.
121 INT. BOWLING ALLEY 121
Uh-oh was right. Angela lifts a bowling ball up to her
eyes, then lets it rip down an alley -- CRASH!
Meanwhile, Roy cleans his ball meticulously with his
handkerchief -- even the finger holes. It's his turn to
bowl now and, with a swallow for courage, he plunges his
fingers into the ball to pick it up. Angela passes him
on the way back to her seat.
ANGELA
I own you.
Roy glares at her, then steps up to the alley.
Concentrates. Approaches and releases his first roll.
Gutter ball. Keeping his chin high, he retreats to the
ball return.
ANGELA
(approaching
him gently)
Dad. The first thing you have to
understand about this game is:
ninety-percent of it is knocking
down at least one pin.
He grabs at her, and she screams with laughter. And just
then -- BEEP BEEP BEEP -- it's Roy's PAGER going off. He
checks it, sighs.
ANGELA
You want me to bowl for you?
AT PAY PHONE
Roy thinks about wiping the receiver down, but his
handkerchief has already gone dirtier places. Over the
MUSIC and CRASHING PINS, he yells:
(CONTINUED)
74.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
121 CONTINUED: 121
ROY
It's me, what is it?
(beat)
What?! I thought it wasn't 'til
Friday!
(beat)
Well, tell him --
Roy's face falls. Angela, bowling in the distance, rolls
a strike and leaps in the air.
A122 INT. FRANK'S MUSTANG - DAY A122
Frank's on a cellular headset, rubbing his temples,
stressed.
FRANK
I know, I know, he bumped it up.
He says he won't be back for a
month.
(beat)
I don't want to lose him, Roy.
B122 INT. BOWLING ALLEY B122
Now Roy's stressed, too.
ROY
There's no time. I gotta get the
money, change, get Ernie... What
time's his flight?
Roy's face falls. Angela, bowling in the distance, rolls
a strike and leaps in the air.
122 EXT. BOWLING ALLEY - DAY 122
Roy exits, in a rush, and Angela trudges out behind,
pissed.
ROY
I'm sorry. It just came up. I
gotta take you home.
ANGELA
(it's not)
It's okay.
(CONTINUED)
75.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
122 CONTINUED: 122
ROY
I can't, uh, I just can't --
(looks at watch)
I can't do this. There's no time.
I can't even take you home.
ANGELA
(playing the victim)
You want me to take the bus?
ROY
No. shit!
He doesn't know what to do.
ANGELA
Is it a job?
Roy nods.
ANGELA
(timidly)
Can I help?
Roy considers her, thinks, then:
ROY
Yes.
ANGELA
(excitedly)
Really?
Roy nods, unhappily.
ANGELA
What do I get to do?
Roy thinks. Is this the worst idea he's ever had?
ROY
Shit!
123 EXT. FIRST FEDERAL BANK - LOBBY ENTRANCE 123
Roy, with standard-sized black briefcase, enters with
Angela.
ANGELA
I thought you kept all your money
in the horse.
(CONTINUED)
76.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
123 CONTINUED: 123
ROY
That's just my piggy bank. Wait
here.
He heads downstairs. She follows, as usual.
124 INT. FIRST FEDERAL BANK - VAULT ANTEROOM 124
Roy and Angela approach the Clerk.
ROY
I'd like access to my safe deposit
box. J-215.
CLERK
(offering form)
Signature and pass code, please.
Roy starts to fill it out. Covers the pass code from
Angela's prying eyes. In whispers:
ANGELA
Why can't I see?
ROY
'Cause it's a secret.
ANGELA
Then why does he get to?
Roy thinks. To the Clerk:
ROY
Can I add an access signature to
my account.
The Clerk nods, puts forth another form. Roy pushes it
toward Angela.
CLERK
Sign here and here.
ROY
Do it.
She does. Back to whispers:
ANGELA
So, what, now I can get into the
whatever-it-is?
ROY
No. You don't have the pass code.
(CONTINUED)
76A.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
124 CONTINUED: 124
ANGELA
When do I get that?
ROY
When I'm dead.
ANGELA
(forlorn)
Oh.
ROY
Don't weep for me too much. Now
wait here. I mean it.
125 INT. PRIVATE VIEWING ROOM 125
Roy opens his deposit box. Inside are bound, neat stacks
of hundred dollar bills and hundred-pound notes, piled
atop a fist-high ream of bonds. He starts picking up
stacks of cash and placing them in the black briefcase.
He closes the case, feels its weight. Then, to the guard
around the corner:
ROY
Hey: you got today's Times?
77.
126 EXT. FIRST FEDERAL BANK - PARKING LOT 126
Roy exits with Angela.
ANGELA
How much is in there?
ROY
(re: briefcase)
I told you.
ANGELA
(re: bank)
No, in there. Three hundred
thousand?
He just smiles: not telling.
ANGELA
Five hundred thousand? A million?
He shrugs. Angela is flabbergasted.
ANGELA
How did you --
ROY
I've been doing this a long time.
ANGELA
Why aren't you -- why don't you go
live in Hawaii? Why don't you buy
Hawaii?
ROY
I told you: I don't like the
outdoors.
127 INT. CAPRICE (AIRPORT PARKING LOT) 127
Roy puts on his Arden glasses.
ROY
These still make me look old?
ANGELA
Old and rich.
Roy checks his watch. He's really not certain about
this.
(CONTINUED)
78.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
127 CONTINUED: 127
ROY
You know what to do?
(off her nod)
You keep real far away from us.
Anything seems off, you get outta
there. You see me tug my tie like
this, you get outta there.
He gives her two hundreds from his wallet.
ROY
Take this. Just in case.
ANGELA
Stop worrying about me. I'm
barely even doing anything.
He gives the whole plan one more thought. Shakes his
head. She looks at him with puppy eyes.
ROY
What?
ANGELA
Please, can I have the pass code?
He has to laugh.
128 INT. TERMINAL LOUNGE 128
Roy enters, carrying the black briefcase, and immediately
he spots a problem: Frank sits in the banquette seat Roy
should have. Roy continues his approach, clasping his
back now and wincing. Frank and Frechette greet him.
FRANK
Arden, you okay?
ROY
My back. Strained it last night.
FRANK
I told you: You should do yoga.
ROY
(a joke)
I was doing yoga. You mind if I
sit there. The high back helps.
(CONTINUED)
79.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
128 CONTINUED: 128
Frank and Roy change seats, Roy sneaking a reproachful
glance Frank's way: nice fucking job. As he sits, with
difficulty:
ROY
How are both of you?
Across the lounge, Angela peeks out from behind a
partition to watch Roy, Frank and Chuck. A waitress
delivers Roy a club soda and departs.
FRANK
So: who goes first?
Roy and Frechette face off: who will make the first
move?
ROY
I suppose ladies do. The Queen
before Ben Franklin.
Roy lifts his black briefcase onto an empty chair between
them and cracks it open just enough for Frechette to see:
a newspaper. Frechette pries underneath: wall-to-wall
British pounds inside.
FRECHETTE
That's eighty thousand? It looks
like less than I thought.
ROY
It always does.
Frechette reaches in to flip through a stack of bills:
they're all real.
FRECHETTE
Sorry. Had to check.
ROY
As long as you don't mind.
Roy closes the case and sets it down on the floor by his
feet. Meanwhile, Frechette replaces it with a gym bag.
As he unzips it, Roy steals a glance at the lounge
entrance: Angela is entering.
FRECHETTE
Go ahead. Do your worst.
(CONTINUED)
80.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
128 CONTINUED: (2) 128
Roy explores the gym bag: it's loaded with stacks of
hundred dollar bills.
ROY
(to Frank)
You count it?
Frank nods. A pregnant pause. Then:
ROY
It looks like we have a trade.
FRANK
God bless America.
FRECHETTE
Land that I love.
Roy salutes him with his soda, and Frank and Frechette
raise their Scotches to toast --
ROY
Enjoy the Caymans. Don't get too
much sun.
FRANK
You kidding? He's going there for
the shelter.
Suddenly, from the bar:
ANGELA (O.S.)
Oh, come on! I'm twenty-one!
Roy peers up and Frank and Frechette turn to look:
Angela is screaming at the lounge bartender.
ANGELA
My I.D. is in my luggage! My
plane doesn't leave for thirty
minutes! Can't I get a goddamn
beer?!
The bartender cautions her and she grabs a tumbler --
ANGELA
You touch me, I'll break every
glass in this place.
-- then hurls the GLASS down at the floor, SHATTERING it,
drawing every eye, including Frechette's, and that's when
Roy pulls the switch: the briefcase stowed beneath the
banquette for the identical one by his feet. Lightning
fast.
(CONTINUED)
81.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
128 CONTINUED: (3) 128
ANGELA
Hey, you! Airport bartender!
Angela backs out of the lounge, arms raised, giving the
finger with both hands to the bartender. And she's gone.
Frechette turns back, none the wiser. Frank knows, of
course -- Angela's tantrum was part of the act -- and he
looks at Roy incredulously.
FRECHETTE
Hope she isn't on my flight.
Speaking of which: it's about
that time. Who goes first?
ROY
You do. Just get up and take your
new briefcase with you. When I
leave, I'll take my new gym bag.
FRECHETTE
Simple is safe.
Roy nods to his wisdom, then pushes the briefcase at his
feet across to Frechette. Frechette picks it up, bids
Frank and Roy farewell --
FRECHETTE
Guys. Let's do it again some
time.
ROY
Have a safe flight.
-- and departs. Roy and Frank watch him go.
FRANK
(under his breath)
What the hell was that?
ROY
Go with him.
FRANK
That wasn't --
ROY
Walk him to the plane.
FRANK
They won't let me past the
security check.
(CONTINUED)
82.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
128 CONTINUED: (4) 128
ROY
Then walk him to the security
check.
Frank follows Roy's orders and chases after Frechette.
Roy reaches under the banquette and grabs the briefcase
there. A bag in one hand, the case in the other, he
takes off in the opposite direction.
129 EXT. AIRPORT TERMINAL - DAY 129
Roy exits briskly, crossing to the parking garage.
A130 EXT. PARKING GARAGE - DAY A130
Roy emerges from a stairwell and Angela leaps from behind
a pillar to surprise him.
ANGELA
Boo!
Roy keeps walking, despite a minor cardiac, all business
as Angela bounces around him.
ANGELA
Did you see that old chick at the
bar? With all the makeup? She
almost died when I threw that
glass.
ROY
I saw her.
ANGELA
What happened on our end? You
take him?
He nods.
ANGELA
The whole eighty?
Roy nods. Angela bounces higher, singing:
ANGELA
'My dad's a smooth operator!
Smooth operator!'
130 INT. CAPRICE/INT. PARKING GARAGE - DAY 130
As Roy pulls out of his spot:
(CONTINUED)
83.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
130 CONTINUED: 130
ANGELA
Dad, I thought about it: we
should give the money back. I'd
feel better.
He looks at her, and she smiles: just joking. He's not
in the mood.
ANGELA
Do I get a cut?
ROY
You can ask Frank for his.
Roy stops behind a minivan pulling out of a spot, and he
turns to see:
-- the stairwell door fly open and Frechette appear, in a
fury, suitcase open and empty, looking this way and that.
He spots Roy instantly and starts toward him.
Roy punches the gas, around the minivan and away.
ANGELA
(oblivious to
Frechette)
Dad?!
Roy races down levels of parking lot as Frechette chases
on foot. With a fair lead, the Caprice comes to four
gated exit lanes, two cars in the three of them, one car
in the fourth. Roy chooses that one.
ANGELA
(frightened now)
Dad?
ROY
Roll up your window! Now! Get
down on the floor!
Angela does as she's told. His money ready, Roy waits
for the car ahead of him to pass through, but the
ATTENDANT seems to be taking forever to make change.
Meanwhile, the other lanes are clearing up quickly. Roy
considers backing up and choosing another exit, but the
minivan he passed now hovers behind him. He's trapped.
And Frechette appears in his sideview mirror, hustling
toward him. At last, Roy pulls up to the parking
Attendant, thrusts his money at her, then barks:
ROY
Open the gate, please.
(CONTINUED)
83A.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
130 CONTINUED: (2) 130
ATTENDANT
Do you need a receipt --
ROY
No! Please open the gate.
The gate comes up, but too late. Frechette is upon them,
on Angela's side, yanking on the door, rabid.
ANGELA
Dad!
Roy hits the gas, and the Caprice slaps the gate as it
rises, but before they're clear, Frechette gets a clean
look at Angela hovering below the seat.
ROY
(slamming steering
wheel)
Dammit!
ANGELA
Are we okay?
Roy looks down to her, balled up, shaking with fear. He
has no one to blame for this but himself.
84.
131 EXT. DODGER STADIUM PARKING LOT - DAY 131
The Dodgers are away, leaving acres of parking spots
unused. Los Angeles looms in the distance. Frank paces
beside his car and chain smokes as Roy's Caprice pulls
up. Frank steps up to see Roy glowering at him.
FRANK
What?
No reply. Roy just seethes.
ANGELA
Hiya, Frank.
FRANK
(at a loss)
Hiya.
(back to glowering
Roy)
What?!
ROY
(to Angela)
Stay in the car.
ANGELA
But I want to --
ROY
Stay in the car!
Roy gets out, slams the door, then reopens it, turns the
RADIO ON to an EARSPLITTING VOLUME, slams the door again.
132 INT. CAPRICE - CONTINUOUS ACTION 132
Angela can't hear anything but MUSIC as Roy tears Frank a
new one.
133 EXT. DODGER STADIUM PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS ACTION 133
ROY
I said 'walk him to the plane.'
Did you walk him to the plane?
FRANK
I told you: security. They don't
let you to the gate without a
ticket --
(CONTINUED)
85.
133 CONTINUED: 133
ROY
Did you see him go through
security?
FRANK
Yes!
ROY
Did you wait 'til the plane left
the gate?
FRANK
You told me to walk him there, I
walked him there.
ROY
Frank, my daughter was there
today!
Frank looks away, chastened. Says something half under
his breath.
ROY
What?
FRANK
I'm not the one who pimped her
into the grift. And don't tell me
I'm the one who put her at risk.
She put us at risk.
ROY
How?
FRANK
What if he goes to the cops?
ROY
He won't. They never do.
FRANK
What if he does?
ROY
Then he'd have to explain what he
was doing with eighty grand and a
ticket to the Caymans.
(beat)
We're not on the books. We're
safe.
(CONTINUED)
86.
133 CONTINUED: (2) 133
FRANK
I know we are. What about her?
ROY
Angela's never been arrested --
FRANK
You don't know that. You don't
know that! What if Chuck goes to
the cops?
Roy turns: Angela watches from inside the car. He opens
the door.
ROY
Turn it off.
She does. Frank leers at Roy: ask her.
ROY
Tell him, Angela, and let's get
this over with. Tell him you're
clean.
(beat)
You've never been arrested, have
you?
Angela looks from Roy to Frank to Roy again. Then
blushes. And bites her lip.
FRANK
Terrific.
134 EXT. DODGER STADIUM PARKING LOT - DAY 134
Roy hands Frank Frechette's bag of money, and Frank
starts toward his car, and the younger man takes off.
Roy leans against his hood as Angela remains in her seat.
ANGELA
I would have told you, but it
never came up.
Roy gives her the silent treatment a moment, then:
ROY
You're fourteen! When did you
have time to get arrested?
ANGELA
I forgot to pay for a pack of gum
once, that's it.
(CONTINUED)
87.
134 CONTINUED: 134
ROY
(disbelief)
They called the cops on you for a
pack of gum.
ANGELA
And some other stuff. I mighta
put up a fuss when security --
ROY
Angela...
ANGELA
The guard was groping me. He was
grabbing at my chest, what was I
supposed to do?
ROY
How long ago?
ANGELA
Last year.
ROY
And they photographed you? They
printed you?
Angela nods and bows her head penitently. Roy, his hands
slowly returning to his coat pockets, takes a stroll,
super-pissed.
135 EXT. STREETS - CAPRICE - MOVING - NIGHT 135
136 INT. ROY'S CAPRICE - MOVING - NIGHT 136
Roy drives, brow knit, thinking. Angela sneaks a glance
at him, knows enough not to speak.
137 EXT. HEATHER'S BLOCK - NIGHT 137
Roy's Caprice pulls to a stop, Heather's house in the
distance.
138 INT. CAPRICE 138
Roy looks straight ahead, arctic. Angela tries to thaw
him.
(CONTINUED)
88.
138 CONTINUED: 138
ANGELA
You know, I have all of August
off. I was thinking maybe I could
come stay with you.
He says nothing.
ANGELA
Or we could take a trip even. Oh,
and in September is father's
visiting day at school. It's kind
of lame, but I thought maybe...
Silence. Then:
ROY
I'm gonna be gone for the next
couple months. Frank and I have
some out-of-town work.
She nods, hurt but trying to conceal it. Tears form
regardless.
ANGELA
When do you think you'll be back?
ROY
I don't know.
ANGELA
Maybe when you get back --
ROY
(killing hope)
You're getting in the way. Okay?
I thought maybe it could work out,
but it can't. Frank and I are
partners. He wants you gone,
you're gone.
Angela's lip trembles and tears faucet down her cheeks.
ANGELA
Is it, did I --
Roy keeps staring straight ahead. Angela cries, elbows
in her hands, arms clutching her gut.
ANGELA
I'm sorry... I didn't mean to...
Roy, tortured, can't look at her.
(CONTINUED)
89.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
138 CONTINUED: (2) 138
ANGELA
Can we at least talk on the phone?
Roy says nothing. She weeps openly. Roy shrinks as he
sees a woman dragging trash barrels to the curb. Mid-
thirties, a faded beauty. HEATHER. He watches with
curiosity.
ROY
You wanna know why your mom left
me? She left me because of you.
So you wouldn't grow up with me as
your dad.
(beat)
I am a bad guy.
Roy can't stand this anymore. He leans over her and
opens the passenger door.
ROY
C'mon. Your mom'll be waiting.
Angela wipes tears away. Anger supplanting grief. She
digs into her backpack, withdraws an object wrapped in an
"LA AIRPORT GIFT SHOP" bag, sets it on the dash.
ROY
What's that?
ANGELA
I got it for you at the airport.
(beat)
I paid for it.
She starts out of the car, but Roy doesn't want to let
her go angry.
ROY
Ange --
She spins on him, furious, tears streaming.
ANGELA
Why did you even call me?! Why
did you?
Roy has no answer.
ANGELA
You're not a bad guy, you know.
You're just not a very good one.
(CONTINUED)
89A.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
138 CONTINUED: (3) 138
She slams the door behind her. The interior light fades
on Roy. He unwraps the gift shop bag: It's an "I Love
LA" ashtray.
FADE OUT.
90.
FADE IN:
139 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM 139
Dark. Roy's on the couch, arm thrown over his eyes.
Hair unkempt, unshaven, wearing clothes for the third day
in a row, the room around him a pigsty. Roy has let the
place and himself go. The PHONE RINGS. And RINGS. And
RINGS. At last, Roy picks it up.
ROY
Hello.
FRANK (V.O.)
Roy? You alright?
ROY
Yeah.
FRANK (V.O.)
You hungry?
He discards an empty can of tuna from the couch.
ROY
No.
FRANK (V.O.)
You wanna meet? We still got
Chuck's money to split.
ROY
What time is it?
FRANK (V.O.)
Almost three.
ROY
Hold on a sec.
He hangs up. Doesn't move.
140 INT. ROY'S KITCHEN 140
Also a mess. Roy rinses out a dirty coffee cup. Fills
it with water. Watches it overflow. Reaches up to a
cupboard for his pills. They're not there. Roy furrows
his brow.
141 INT. ROY'S BEDROOM 141
Roy looks inside his bedside table. Looks around it.
They're not here either.
91.
142 INT. ROY'S BATHROOM 142
He scours his medicine cabinet, then inspects the waste
basket, looks beneath the sink. The only thing here is
one of Angela's barrettes.
143 INT. ROY'S HOUSE 143
He pushes and backtracks through rooms, checking coat
pockets in wardrobes, looking everywhere for his pills as
he speaks on his portable phone:
PHONE VOICE (V.O.)
Medical group.
ROY
Doctor Klein, please.
PHONE VOICE (V.O.)
I'm sorry, Dr. Klein is
unavailable. Dr. Wiley is on
call, if you'd like to --
ROY
I gotta talk to Klein. Is there a
way of getting hold of him?
PHONE VOICE (V.O.)
Dr. Klein has gone for the
weekend.
ROY
Where'd he go? Look, look: I
need a new thing of pills. Are
you there at the office now?
Roy's PHONE BEEPS. He checks it.
ROY
Shit, my phone's dying.
PHONE VOICE (V.O.)
Sir, if this is an emergency, I
recommend you contact a local
hospital --
-- BEEP --
ROY
Listen: can you let me in his
office --
(CONTINUED)
92.
143 CONTINUED: 143
PHONE VOICE (V.O.)
-- sir, I can't --
-- BEEP --
ROY
-- I know where he keeps them, or
gimme Klein's home phone --
PHONE VOICE (V.O.)
-- Dr. Wiley is on call --
-- BEEP --
ROY
-- I need to talk to Klein --
The phone dies --
ROY
Shit!
-- and he hurls it against a wall.
144 INT. ROY'S KITCHEN 144
Roy goes through the trash beneath his sink.
145 EXT. ROY'S DRIVEWAY - DAY 145
Roy at rock-bottom. He digs though his trash bin, then
upends it. Cans and cans of Chicken-of-the-Sea rattle on
the pavement. But no pills.
146 INT. ROY'S CAPRICE - DAY 146
Roy presses his cheek against the floor mat of his car.
He peers beneath the driver's seat, then reaches in and
pats the floor, recovering --
-- one empty foil packet.
147 EXT. BUSY AVENUE - DAY 147
The Caprice swerves into traffic. Nearly forces several
cars off the road. Surges ahead.
93.
148 INT. PHARMACY - DAY 148
Located in the rear of a discount drugstore. Five people
stand on line for the white-coated, white-haired
PHARMACIST. Roy joins the back of the line, wild-eyed,
wild-haired, impatient.
ROY
C'mon, c'mon.
A few customers look back at Roy. He stares their
glances away. Soon he can wait no longer. He pushes to
the front of the line, empty packet in hand.
ROY
Hi, I need a refill of this. I
don't have a prescription, but --
PHARMACIST
Sir, please, wait your turn --
ROY
I know, but this is an
emergency --
MAN IN LINE
Hey, buddy: ever hear of a line?
ROY
(turning)
Ever been dragged onto the
sidewalk and beaten till you piss
blood?
That decides it: nobody's screwing with Roy. The
Pharmacist scans the horizon for security, doesn't see
anyone.
ROY
Please. I need a refill.
PHARMACIST
Do you have a prescription?
ROY
My shrink, my doctor, he gave me
these. They're samples of -- I
can't remember -- Prefex-
something.
PHARMACIST
I'm sorry. Without a
prescription --
(CONTINUED)
94.
148 CONTINUED: 148
ROY
Look: I have the packet --
PHARMACIST
I can't help you, sir.
ROY
-- So I'm clearly allowed to have
them. I just need four or five of
these to cover the weekend.
PHARMACIST
(resigning)
Let me see it.
The Pharmacist takes the empty packet from Roy. Studies
it. Hands it back.
PHARMACIST
Those are vitamins.
ROY
What?
PHARMACIST
That packet contained vitamins.
ROY
No. My doctor gave it to me.
Prefex...
PHARMACIST
They're vitamins, sir. Supplifen.
Aisle four.
Roy stands there, incredulous, infuriated.
In aisle four, he rips open a box of Supplifen to find
the replica of the packet he was given. He crushes it.
149 EXT. KLEIN'S OFFICE - NEXT MONDAY 149
Klein exits his sedan. Fumbling for his office key, he
approaches the front door when Roy appears in the
breezeway behind him, shoulders heaving, threatening.
Klein gasps, startled, then:
DR. KLEIN
Roy? I'm not supposed to see you
'till --
(CONTINUED)
95.
149 CONTINUED: 149
ROY
Vitamins. You gave me goddamn
vitamins.
Klein appraises Roy: he is not to be trifled with right
now.
150 INT. KLEIN'S OFFICE 150
Klein enters with Roy, turns on a light.
DR. KLEIN
Would you like to sit?
ROY
I am sitting.
A beat.
DR. KLEIN
Roy: why do you think you need
medication?
ROY
You are not asking questions yet.
First you answer: did you give me
vitamins?
DR. KLEIN
Yes.
ROY
Why?
DR. KLEIN
Because you don't need medication.
ROY
Look at me. I'm a mess.
DR. KLEIN
Agreed. But you weren't a mess
last week, and you weren't on
Prefexall then either.
(beat)
I have news for you, Roy. Your
neurosis is small-time. Your
conscience is another story.
(before Roy retorts)
Let me ask a question. Does what
you do make you happy?
(CONTINUED)
96.
150 CONTINUED: 150
ROY
Don't change the subject.
DR. KLEIN
This is the subject. What would
you do if you had to change
careers?
ROY
If I couldn't be an antiques
broker?
DR. KLEIN
If you couldn't be a criminal.
(beat)
This is a 17th Century
Williamsburg ottoman I've had my
feet on for the last two months,
Roy. I've had computer
programmers tell me what a nice
piece it is.
A beat.
ROY
I'm not a criminal. I'm a con
man.
DR. KLEIN
The difference being?
ROY
They give me their money.
DR. KLEIN
That's a nice rationalization,
Roy.
ROY
I never took anybody who didn't
let me out of greed or weakness.
I've never used violence.
DR. KLEIN
Would you say then you set an
example in your trade?
ROY
Sure.
(CONTINUED)
97.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
150 CONTINUED: (2) 150
DR. KLEIN
But now you have to set an example
for someone else.
(beat)
How is she?
ROY
(beat)
Angela? Fine.
(as Klein waits
him out)
She wants back to her mom's.
DR. KLEIN
Have you spoken to her?
(as Roy shakes his
head)
Why not?
ROY
Do we have to talk about this?
DR. KLEIN
Why haven't you spoken?
ROY
(a beat)
Because she hates me.
DR. KLEIN
Why do you think she hates you?
Roy's face crumbles, and everything pours out:
ROY
Because I -- because I -- Oh,
Christ, Doc! I lost my little
girl! I lost my little girl!
DISSOLVE TO:
151 EXT. ROY AND FRANK'S OFFICE - DAY 151
152 INT. ROY AND FRANK'S OFFICE - DAY 152
Frank considers what Roy has told him.
(CONTINUED)
98.
152 CONTINUED: 152
FRANK
When?
ROY
As of now.
Roy waits for Frank's reaction: is he pissed?
FRANK
(he's not)
You gotta do what you gotta do.
I'm sorry to lose you.
(beat)
You want your forty g's?
ROY
Consider it a parting gift.
FRANK
We should part more often.
ROY
Thanks, Frank. For everything.
FRANK
Thank you, partner.
They shake hands. Frank gestures to the door.
153 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM 153
The place is clean again. Roy opens a Radio Shack box,
pulls out a new portable phone. Reads its instructions.
154 INT. ROY'S BEDROOM 154
Roy sits on his bed, phone in hand. Gathering his nerve.
He twirls between his fingers the barrette he found in
his bathroom. At last, he dials. One ring, two rings.
155 EXT. SAN PEDRO PARK - DAY 155
Roy sits waiting. Looks up as Angela approaches on her
skateboard. Roy smiles. Angela does not.
SAME SCENE - LATER
They walk along a path.
(CONTINUED)
99.
155 CONTINUED: 155
ROY
I went to see a lawyer. He
specializes in custody suits, that
sort of thing. Like when one
parent wants to get joint custody
of the child.
(off no reaction
from her)
There are things you have to do.
File paperwork, blood tests, go
before a judge. It would only be
for weekends and some holidays to
start.
Still no reaction.
ROY
I'd have to make some changes.
For one, I'm gonna have to stop
doing what I do for a living.
(as Angela stops,
turns away)
Honey, I'm sorry. I should have
asked you first.
She looks up at him, tears in her eyes, and throws her
arms around him.
ANGELA
Will you try? Please?
ROY
(soaring)
Yes. I'll try, honey. I'll try.
He wraps his arms around her and holds her.
156 INT. FRENCH RESTAURANT - NIGHT 156
Roy and Angela celebrate, Angela in a new-bought dress,
which makes her fidget. A JAZZ COMBO PLAYS in the next
room.
ROY
You know, I should talk to your
mom about this. Let her know what
I'm doing.
ANGELA
Your funeral.
(CONTINUED)
100.
156 CONTINUED: 156
ROY
I know. But she should hear it
from me.
ANGELA
We could get a dog. Either a
German shepherd or a Lab.
ROY
(uneasily)
They're messy, aren't they?
ANGELA
Not if you train 'em. We can name
it Frank.
ROY
That's a good name.
They both smile. A WAITER pours Angela more Diet Coke.
WAITER
Mademoiselle...
Angela suppresses a laugh.
ON DANCE FLOOR IN NEXT ROOM
A few couples dance. Angela leads a reluctant Roy to the
floor. She holds up her arms for him to take, and he
balks.
ANGELA
Please...
He gives in. Takes her hands in his and, very
tentatively, begins to box-step. Concentrates mostly on
his feet, then remembers to concentrate on Angela. And
she, throughout, just beams.
157 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 157
Dark. They enter, laughing. Angela is imitating the
French Waiter as Roy fumbles the key out of the lock.
ANGELA
Mademoiselle... Bonjour,
mademoiselle... O-reev-ar,
mademoiselle...
(CONTINUED)
101.
157 CONTINUED: 157
ROY
Au revoir.
ANGELA
What?
ROY
Au revoir. Au...
Roy switches on a lamp, then leaps back: Chuck Frechette
is sitting on his sofa. Cigarette in hand, handgun
resting on the cushion beside him. Big smirk.
FRECHETTE
Hello, Roy. Hiya, sunshine.
Roy freezes/considers the variables: the open door
behind him, Angela before him.
FRECHETTE
Close the door.
(as Roy hesitates)
Close it.
Roy considers Frechette's gun, does as he says. Angela
trembles halfway between them.
ANGELA
Dad?
ROY
Go wait in your room, honey.
FRECHETTE
Let her stay. She's in this as
much as you are.
ROY
What do you want?
FRECHETTE
What do you think?
(to Angela)
We haven't met, sweetie. My
name's Chuck. It's Angela, right?
(off no response)
Your mug shot doesn't do you
justice.
(patting couch
beside him)
You wanna sit down?
(CONTINUED)
102.
157 CONTINUED: (2) 157
ROY
You come anywhere near her --
FRECHETTE
Don't play tough, Roy. I'm in
your home. I know where your kid
lives.
(back to Angela)
You're a very clever girl. Tell
me, can you spell 'shakedown'?
ROY
How'd you find me?
FRECHETTE
I didn't. I found her. In black
and white.
Roy doesn't understand.
FRECHETTE
Airport security cameras, Roy.
They got a nice look at her. That
was sloppy.
ROY
There were no cameras in the
lounge.
FRECHETTE
No. But there were in the gift
shop.
And suddenly it dawns on Roy, and his eyes drop down to
the coffee table, to the "I Love LA" ashtray atop it.
Angela's gift. Frechette extinguishes his cigarette in
it.
FRECHETTE
In my business you need a few
friends on the force. Your little
girl's in their books. And your
ex-wife doesn't know well enough
not to give out your home address.
(beat)
Well, once I found you, sniffing
out your buddy Frank wasn't such a
big deal.
Frechette indicates the corner of the room. There, Frank
sits huddled, eyes puffed and blackening, nose bloodied,
the crap kicked out of him.
(CONTINUED)
103.
157 CONTINUED: (3) 157
FRECHETTE
We only hurt the ones we love,
huh?
Angela gasps. Frank meets Roy's stare with helpless,
horrified eyes. Roy blanches.
FRECHETTE
You look white as a ghost, Roy. I
don't want you to pass out before
you make your first payment. But
first things first. Let's have
back the money you took from me.
ROY
I don't have it.
FRECHETTE
Then let's start with what you do
have.
Again Roy eyes the gun, his daughter.
ROY
Four thousand. Maybe.
FRECHETTE
Where?
ROY
(staring toward it)
The horse.
FRECHETTE
No. Let her get it.
Roy stops. Angela looks up at him, frightened. He nods:
it'll be okay. She moves toward the horse. Takes its
head off, starts scooping out money.
FRECHETTE
Next: I'm in for half of what you
make from now on. Otherwise, I
call those cop friends of mine,
your little girl goes to juvie
'til she's eighteen.
ROY
I'm out. I'm done with this.
(CONTINUED)
104.
157 CONTINUED: (4) 157
FRECHETTE
You're not done, Roy. You barely
got your feet wet. Frank's not
done -- are you, Frank?
Frank doesn't say a word. His eyes are fixed on
something. Frechette follows his stare to --
Angela, standing by the horse, Roy's .38 in her hands
leveled at him. Everyone freezes, including Roy.
ROY
Angela, put it down, honey. I'll
take care of this.
ANGELA
(fixed on Frechette,
tears in her eyes)
I want you to go.
FRECHETTE
You know how to use that thing,
sweetie?
ROY
Put it down, Angela. Don't make
it worse.
Angela doesn't budge. A standstill. Then, a small voice
behind her:
FRANK
Do it.
ROY
Quiet, Frank.
Frank stumbles to his feet, aching, bloodthirsty.
Frechette, frightened now, moves his hand toward his gun.
ANGELA
Don't.
Frechette stops. Angela looks to Roy. All their dreams
are slipping through their fingers. Roy holds her
glance, apologizing for everything.
ANGELA
Daddy...
(CONTINUED)
105.
157 CONTINUED: (5) 157
Frechette reaches for his GUN again and -- pure reflex --
Angela FIRES -- BOOM! -- then drops the .38 to the floor.
Roy turns. Frechette falls off the couch, blood seeping
from his shirt. Shaking, voiceless.
ANGELA
Dad...
Angela trembles, numb. Roy goes to her.
ROY
Frank: get his gun.
Frank hobbles over to Frechette. Roy holds Angela.
ANGELA
Daddy...
ROY
It's okay. It's okay.
FRANK
Roy? He's not gonna make it.
Roy looks over: Frechette is dying. Angela sees it,
too.
FRANK
Roy? What are we going to do,
Roy?
Roy's got a lot of thinking to do very fast.
158 EXT. ROY'S KITCHEN DOOR/DRIVEWAY - NIGHT 158
Frank pulls Chuck's Mercedes up the driveway to the side
door where Roy exits, holding a blanket over Angela's
shoulders. He opens the passenger door for her and she
gets in, nearly catatonic. Roy speaks past her to Frank:
ROY
You know where the Seven Palms
Motel is?
FRANK
Out the 15?
ROY
Get a room. Ground floor if you
have to go out the back. And wait
there for me.
(CONTINUED)
106.
158 CONTINUED: 158
FRANK
Suppose you don't show?
ROY
Take her to her mother's. Then
you drive south and never come
back.
FRANK
What are you going to do?
ROY
(hesitates, then)
Take him to a hospital.
Frank realizes the risk Roy is running. Roy kneels
beside Angela.
ROY
Angela. Angela? Frank's gonna
get you out of here, and I will
see you in a day or two. It's
gonna be alright, okay?
ANGELA
I... I was trying to...
ROY
I know. Honey, listen to me. You
didn't shoot him. I did.
Understand? I shot him. Right,
Frank?
FRANK
Yes, you did, Roy.
ROY
You just sit tight, honey.
(as this could be
good-bye for a
while)
I'm sorry I let you down.
(to Frank)
Go.
He closes the door. Holds eye contact with Angela as
Frank reverses and carries her away.
159 INT. ROY'S KITCHEN 159
Roy opens a pantry closet, pulls down some sheets, then
passes into --
107.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
160 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM 160
-- and his eyes stop at the bloodstain on the carpet.
Frechette is gone. Roy drops the sheets, does a three-
sixty, looking for places he might have crawled to.
Nothing. He spins --
Frechette is leaning against the wall behind him, deathly
pale, blood dripping down his legs. He lifts his gun up
unsteadily, points it between Roy's eyes --
-- and Roy pivots away just as --
BOOM!
161 OMITTED 161
162 HIS POV 162
An air-conditioner overhead; an I.V. in his arm; an
admission bracelet around his wrist; a uniformed COP
sitting in a chair; a surveillance camera above him.
COP
You awake?
The Cop rises and goes out the door. Roy tries to lift
himself onto one side, can't -- he's handcuffed to a bed
railing. He pokes at a bandage wrapped around his head.
He looks around the room: Spartan, antiseptic, an open
door to a mini-bathroom. He is --
IN HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
Tiny. One bed, no TV, bars on the windows. The door
opens again, and two detectives (BISHOP and HOLT) come
in, shutting the door behind them.
BISHOP
Morning, Roy. How d'you feel?
Roy tries to rise again, swoons.
BISHOP
Whoa. Take it slow.
ROY
Who are you?
(CONTINUED)
108.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
162 CONTINUED: 162
BISHOP
I'm Detective Bishop, this is
Detective Holt. Doctor'll be in
in a sec.
Roy processes this, feels his bandage again. Bishop
fishes in his jacket, pulls out an evidence bag
containing a bullet fragment.
BISHOP
You were given a pretty close
haircut the other night, Roy.
This little fella took out about
half an inch of your skull.
Bishop offers a couple of head X-rays. Roy can barely
sit up much less study X-rays. Bishop drops them.
BISHOP
You got lucky, Roy. Wish we could
say the same for Chuck.
Roy remembers slowly, wisely keeps his mouth shut.
ROY
Am I under arrest?
BISHOP
(nods)
You have the right to remain
silent. Anything you say can and
may be used blah blah blah blah...
HOLT
I heard it all.
BISHOP
Roy: where's Frank?
ROY
Who?
(CONTINUED)
109.
162 CONTINUED: (2) 162
BISHOP
Frank Mercer. Your partner.
We've spent the last couple days
in your home and his. There's not
a lot we don't know.
HOLT
I like your place better. Clean.
BISHOP
You guys led interesting lives.
In fact, there're some bunko cops
eager to talk to you when we're
done.
(beat)
Where is he, Roy?
Roy shakes his head: he doesn't know.
BISHOP
Okay. How about this: where's
Angela?
Roy stonewalls.
BISHOP
She's not at your place, she's not
in San Pedro at, uh --
HOLT
(referring to
notepad)
-- 415 Chester Avenue.
BISHOP
Her mother's near hysterical.
Roy reacts.
ROY
How long have I been here?
(as they don't
respond)
How long?
BISHOP
They brought you in two nights
ago.
Roy thinks, then:
(CONTINUED)
110.
162 CONTINUED: (3) 162
ROY
I shot him. I shot Chuck.
BISHOP
Why?
ROY
He was gonna shoot me.
BISHOP
He did shoot you.
ROY
Before then.
BISHOP
You're sure about that?
Roy nods. Bishop and Holt exchange a glance.
BISHOP
That would make our job a lot
easier. Alas, the print we took
off your .38 was a little small.
(beat)
Where is she, Roy?
(beat)
Your little girl killed a man,
Roy. That's right. Chuckie
didn't make it.
Holt goes to the window, yanks up the blinds. Roy winces
in the glare.
BISHOP
Your daughter's wanted for murder.
You're under arrest for accessory.
It's not good, Roy. But it could
still get worse.
(beat)
Where is she?
Roy's mind races. Figuring some way to make this right
again. Then:
ROY
I wanna see my doctor.
HOLT
Like I said, he'll be in in a sec.
(CONTINUED)
111.
162 CONTINUED: (4) 162
ROY
No, my doctor. My shrink. Let me
see him and I'll tell you whatever
you want to know.
Bishop and Holt exchange glances again.
BISHOP
You know where she is?
Roy nods. Bishop considers it.
BISHOP
What's his number?
163 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY 163
Roy peers through the open blinds as an intern checks his
vitals. From the bed, he can't see anything but a
freeway in the distance. Bishop and Holt return with Dr.
Klein in tow, a little agitated. The intern departs.
ROY
Hey, Doc.
DR. KLEIN
Hello, Roy.
(to Bishop)
May I sit down?
Bishop nods, and Klein takes a seat by the bed.
DR. KLEIN
How are you feeling?
Roy looks. Bishop, Holt and the cop haven't moved.
ROY
Can we have a little privacy?
BISHOP
That's not how it works, Roy.
ROY
Don't I have doctor-patient rights
or something?
Holt laughs.
DR. KLEIN
Technically, he's right.
(CONTINUED)
112.
163 CONTINUED: 163
BISHOP
Technically, he's not. That
refers to testimony you might give
based on confidential information.
There's no privilege says I gotta
leave you two alone together.
ROY
You do if you want what I know.
They stare each other down. Finally, Bishop relents.
BISHOP
Five minutes.
They exit.
DR. KLEIN
Roy, what happened? They told
me --
Roy holds up his free hand: Don't speak 'til they're
gone. After a moment:
ROY
There isn't time, Doc.
(beat)
Can I trust you?
DR. KLEIN
Roy -- I can't do anything
illegal.
Roy glances up at the surveillance camera, then covers
his mouth with his free hand, lest any lip readers are
watching.
ROY
Angela's in trouble, Doc. If I
don't help her, she will go to
jail. Please. Help me help her.
Klein looks reluctant. Roy's eyes plead.
ROY
You got her into this, too --
DR. KLEIN
Don't transfer responsibility,
Roy.
(CONTINUED)
113.
163 CONTINUED: (2) 163
ROY
Just make a phone call.
Klein thinks, decides: okay.
ROY
How are you at memorizing numbers?
164 INT. ADJOINING ROOM - CLOSE ON VIDEO FEED - DAY 164
of Roy whispering to Dr. Klein through his fingers.
Then...
CLOSE ON BISHOP
smoking, watching the feed, stymied.
165 INT. ROY'S HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY 165
Through his fingers still, Roy whispers. Klein leans
forward to hear:
ROY
The room of Mr. Cole.
DR. KLEIN
C-O-L-E?
ROY
My partner will answer the phone.
Ask to speak to Angela.
DR. KLEIN
What do I tell her?
ROY
Tell her -- tell Angela you have
the pass code. Tell her to write
it down.
DR. KLEIN
This is what I have to memorize.
ROY
They're going to search you on the
way out.
Klein nods: he's ready.
(CONTINUED)
114.
165 CONTINUED: 165
ROY
543-N7-942. Again: 543-N7-942.
Say it back to me.
DR. KLEIN
543 --
ROY
(eyes to camera)
Doc...
DR. KLEIN
Sorry.
(covering mouth)
543-N7-942.
ROY
Again.
DR. KLEIN
543-N7-942.
(to himself)
543-N7-942.
ROY
That's all you have to do, Doc.
Klein nods, tense, memorizing. Roy lies back, exhausted
but hopeful.
166 EXT. PARKING GARAGE - DAY 166
Klein hurries to his sedan, fumbling with keys. As he
pulls away, another car follows several seconds behind:
Bishop at the wheel, Holt on the passenger side.
167 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY 167
Roy stirs awake, sweating heavily. The air conditioner
is off. The room is dark. The chair where the uniformed
cop sat is empty.
ROY
Yo! Hello!
(off no response)
Hey! Officer Maddox!
(off no response)
Could someone turn the A.C. back
on?!
(CONTINUED)
115.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 7/17/02
167 CONTINUED: 167
Roy reaches for a bedpan on the floor, to throw at the
door, but something rattles within. Roy shakes it again,
then pulls out: a handcuff key. Roy tries it on his
restrained wrist: it's a fit.
He releases himself, checks the door, then pulls his feet
off the bed. For the first time in days, he stands, a
little wobbly, in nothing but a hospital gown.
CLOSE ON ROY
as he quietly cracks open his hospital room door, and his
eyes go wide. Dumbfounded, he moves down a brief hallway,
peers into --
ADJOINING ROOM
Empty except for the surveillance monitor propped up on a
chair. Coffee cups and newspapers litter the floor.
Also there: Roy's pants, shirt, jacket and shoes, thrown
in a pile in a corner.
Roy pushes on, through an exit door and steps out onto --
168 EXT. PARKING STRUCTURE - DESERTED ROOF - DAY 168
Blinding sunlight. Roy's hospital room resides within a
mobile construction-site trailer anchored atop the five-
story garage. A freeway passes in the distance.
Roy can't believe it. He staggers around the trailer, to
the roof's edge, and looks down. The parking structure
overlooks a largely-deserted stretch of Los Angeles.
Roy feels his bandage again. Starts to unwrap it. Then
pulls it clean off. Gingerly feels about his skull. No
stitches, no fracture, no bullet hole. Just one mother
of a bruise.
169 OMITTED 169
& &
170 170
171 EXT. PARKING GARAGE - GROUND LEVEL - DAY 171
Roy jogs down the bottom ramp, belting his pants, shirt
unbuttoned. He finds a pay phone, but its cord has been
sliced.
VOICE (V.O.over phone)
Seven Palms Motel.
116.
172 EXT. BLOCK AWAY - AT PAY PHONE 172
ROY
The room of Mr. Cole, please. C-
O-L-E.
(beat)
How about Mercer? M-E-R...
Bad news. Roy spots a cab, drops the phone to hail it.
173 EXT. KLEIN'S OFFICE - DAY 173
Cab waiting, Roy finds the front door locked, finesses it
open. As he enters, he notices Klein's plaque is gone.
174 INT. KLEIN'S OFFICE - DAY 174
Dark, until Roy turns on an overhead light. The place is
empty. Furniture and fixtures stripped, diplomas off the
wall, cabinets bare. Roy squeezes his eyes shut.
175 EXT. ROY'S HOUSE/INT. CAPRICE - DAY 175
FROM within the Caprice's window: Roy arrives in a cab.
176 INT. ROY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY 176
Much as he left it. "Blood" stain on the carpet. The
head of the ceramic horse beside it. Roy reaches within,
extracts the only remaining item: a handwritten letter.
FRANK (V.O.)
'Roy: You're probably pretty upset.
I don't blame you. You taught me
most of what I know, so I suppose
I owe you better than this.'
177 EXT. FIRST FEDERAL BANK - DAY 177
Roy hurries in before it closes for the day.
178 INT. FIRST FEDERAL BANK - DAY 178
Roy gives his pass code to the Clerk. He wears the same
clothes and the same distant stare.
FRANK (V.O.)
'But you always said if I got a
shot at a big score, I should take
it.'
117.
179 INT. BANK VAULT 179
Roy's box is removed. Large but no longer heavy. Roy
touches his head wound.
FRANK (V.O.)
'Sorry about the rubber bullet, by
the way. And for everything
else.'
180 INT. PRIVATE VIEWING ROOM 180
Roy sets the box on a table, pries off the lid,
revealing --
FRANK (V.O.)
'If it's any consolation, you're
the best I ever saw. I'd never
find a better partner. Now I
won't have to.'
-- a single, thin stack of $100s.
FRANK (V.O.)
'Enjoy the gift. Frank.'
181 EXT. UNDER HIGHWAY SIGN 181
BLASTING UNDER a highway sign: "SAN PEDRO," then DOWN
TO...
Roy's Caprice, Roy at the wheel. All four windows rolled
down, creating a windstorm inside his car.
182 EXT. HEATHER'S HOUSE - NIGHT 182
For the first time, Roy parks in front of the house. He
staggers to the front door and knocks, running on the
slenderest of hopes.
A moment passes before the door opens, and Heather stands
before him. They share a long moment of recognition.
HEATHER
Roy...
He looks numb, glass-eyed. He can barely speak.
ROY
She's not here, is she?
(CONTINUED)
118.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 10/7/02
182 CONTINUED: 182
HEATHER
What?
ROY
Angela?
HEATHER
(at a complete loss)
Who? Roy, what are you talking
about -- ?
ROY
The baby! You were gonna have a
baby!
Heather is aghast.
HEATHER
That's -- that's why you're here?
ROY
You were pregnant.
She nods.
ROY
You were.
Tears come to her eyes, too, a painful memory.
His last hope dashed, all the revelations of the day come
to a point, and Roy crumbles. He gasps for air, clutches
his gut, and folds into himself.
HEATHER
Roy, Roy: you okay?
Heather stands helpless before him, then slowly --
because of their history, or despite it -- reaches out
and caresses him.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
183 OMITTED 183
184 EXT. BEHIND CARPETERIA - DAY 184
Roy on a smoke break.
(CONTINUED)
119-120.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Rev. 10/7/02
184 CONTINUED: 184
His salesman's uniform is not terribly different from his
old costume, and he still wears his hair in a completely
unremarkable fashion, but his bearing has changed: he is
a man at ease. A CO-WORKER sticks his head out the back
door.
CO-WORKER
Roy: another live one.
Roy nods, flings his cigarette away, returns to work.
185 INT. CARPETERIA - DAY 185
Roy finds his next prospect: a twenty-year old SLACKER
flipping through Persians.
ROY
Afternoon.
(CONTINUED)
121.
185 CONTINUED: 185
SLACKER
(keeps flipping)
How ya doin'.
ROY
Help you with anything?
SLACKER
Yeah. I need a carpet.
ROY
For your home?
SLACKER
For my secretary's office.
(beat)
No, it's for my apartment. All
one room of it.
ROY
Big place, huh. You have a color
in mind?
SLACKER
I have a price in mind. Cheap.
ROY
So you don't need much, you don't
know what you want, but -- no
price is too low.
SLACKER
That's about me.
ROY
You're my perfect customer. Let's
dig into the remnants ...
SLACKER
Wait, I gotta wait. My girlfriend
knows better than I do what we need.
(off a DOOR CHIME)
That's her.
Roy turns. Angela enters the store. Looking nineteen at
least. Dark glasses and cutoff jeans. She comes
straight at her boyfriend, doesn't notice Roy at all.
ANGELA
What kind of pet store doesn't
carry collars? They've got dog
shampoo in there but no collars.
(CONTINUED)
122.
185 CONTINUED: (2) 185
Roy just stands there. Studying her. Making sure he's
not mistaken.
SLACKER
Then we'll go to another place.
(to Roy)
We just got a dog.
ROY
Let me guess. A Lab.
She freezes, recognizing his voice. She won't turn to
face him, while he keeps his eyes locked on her.
SLACKER
Eh. German shepherd.
ROY
My next guess.
SLACKER
There's no special carpet that
dogs like, is there?
A beat. Will Roy say something?
ROY
We call it Astroturf. C'mon,
remnants are back of the store.
IN BACK
Roy watches Angela and her boyfriend flip through carpet
fragments. Her attention is obviously divided.
SLACKER
I like that... I like that...
ROY
You folks just move in together?
SLACKER
Three weeks ago.
ROY
Big step.
SLACKER
You think? We only started dating
last month. If you're gonna get
wet --
(CONTINUED)
123.
185 CONTINUED: (3) 185
ROY
-- might as well go swimming.
The Slacker laughs: that's what he was going to say.
Angela still won't face him.
SLACKER
Ooh, I really like that one.
ROY
That's a nice choice. Durable. You
barely notice stains it's so dark.
ANGELA
How much is it?
ROY
Sticker's seventy-five. But I can
knock off twenty percent if you
pay cash.
Angela and her boyfriend mull it over, under their breaths,
then agree: it's a sale. Angela dips into her purse...
SLACKER
Our living arrangement. I pay the
rent, she buys all the carpets.
ANGELA
Shit. I think I left my... yeah,
I left my wallet in the car.
(to her boyfriend,
with a big sigh)
Can you get it for me? It
probably just fell under my seat.
He smirks at Roy -- what can he say? -- and heads off.
SLACKER
Be right back.
Roy and Angela watch him go, alone together. She turns
at last to face him. They lock eyes for a moment, then
she indicates the cigarettes in his shirt pocket.
ANGELA
Can I bum one?
186 EXT. BEHIND CARPETERIA 186
Roy lights Angela's cigarette, then his own.
(CONTINUED)
124.
186 CONTINUED: 186
ROY
When did you start smoking?
ANGELA
Long time ago. I was stealing
from your pack the whole time.
Surprised you didn't notice.
ROY
I was missing a lot back then.
ANGELA
You like this job?
ROY
(shrugs)
It's not that much different from
the old one really. Steadier.
Only been on it six months.
They smoke in silence. What to say?
ROY
You working this guy?
ANGELA
Nah. I'm retired. That was a
one-time deal.
ROY
No shit. You were good.
ANGELA
I had a good teacher.
(sheepishly)
Teachers.
ROY
I'm surprised to see you here.
Figured you would have moved to, I
don't know, Hawaii.
ANGELA
I had bills to pay. My mom was
real sick.
ROY
She get better?
(as Angela shakes
her head)
I'm sorry.
(CONTINUED)
125.
186 CONTINUED: (2) 186
ANGELA
I'm sorry, too. If it's any
consolation. You mad at me?
ROY
You didn't take it. I gave it to you.
She takes him in again: the new at-ease Roy.
ANGELA
Things are good with you, aren't they?
SLAM! Angela's boyfriend exits the back door.
SLACKER
There you are.
ANGELA
Just stealing a drag.
SLACKER
(empty-handed)
I looked everywhere.
She pulls out her wallet.
ANGELA
I found it. Sorry.
Her boyfriend gives her a look, and Angela gives him a
big kiss for his effort. Roy looks away.
187 EXT. CARPETERIA - FRONT - DAY 187
Roy helps the Slacker load and tie his and Angela's new
purchase onto the roof of their aging Honda Civic.
SLACKER
Thanks, man.
ROY
Enjoy it.
The Slacker gets in. For a fleeting moment, Angela and
Roy stand alone again before she gets in the car.
ANGELA
It's good to see you, Roy.
ROY
Good to see you, too.
(CONTINUED)
126.
187 CONTINUED: 187
A beat. She starts to open the car door, stops.
ANGELA
You're not gonna ask my name?
ROY
I know your name.
ANGELA
(smiles)
I'll see ya, Dad.
Then hops in the car. Roy watches the carpet-loaded
Civic pull creakily away. Looks up at the sun for a
moment before heading back into work.
188 INT. SUPERMARKET - DAY 188
Roy buys ice cream and frozen pizzas. A young man works
the check-out register.
189 INT. ROY'S CAPRICE -DAY 189
Driving home. Windows down. Roy keeps just one hand on
the wheel, only bringing the other up for a turn (when we
might notice: he's wearing a ring).
190 EXT. ROY'S HOME - DAY 190
Roy pulls his Caprice up the driveway and gets out.
Groceries in hand, he heads to the front door, unlocks
it, enters.
Turning to look inside the house: THROUGH the front
windows, for the first time open and unencumbered by
shades: Roy walks into the living room. A new carpet
replaces the old. He pays it no mind. He leafs through
mail, calls out a name, then turns as --
-- Kathy enters from the kitchen, wiping her hands clean
on a dishrag. She smiles and Roy smiles, too, explaining
what he got at the market and opening his market bag wide
for her to see. She rubs his head: nice job, then
kisses him, and he kisses back --
-- and when they break, she whispers sweetly in his ear,
and he smiles even more. He looks down to lay his palm
gently on her belly. They go into dinner.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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