Harm Reduction Part Eight -- Rock Bottom

Harm Reduction Part Eight - Rock Bottom

EXT..DRIVEWAY OF OISE BUILDING - NIGHT

Several cop cars are sitting in front of the building with sirens flashing. BEN pulls up and gets out of his car. He approaches one of the cruisers. PETE is sitting in the back seat. He is bloodied and beaten. BEN opens the car door.

BEN:

 What have you done?

PETE looks up stares at him blankly. 

BEN breathes out in disgust.

An OFFICER approaches. BEN hands him a set of keys.

BEN: (to  OFFICER)

Here. Take my car back to the station. I'll take him.

BEN goes around the cruiser and gets in the front. He turns on the engine.

INT. A COP CAR
The car travels along the city streets on its way back to the station.

PETE:

Where are we going?

BEN:
Honestly Pete, right now we're going to the station to book you and then...well...this time Pete I think your going to jail for a bit.

PETE says nothing.

BEN: (getting annoyed)

What happened Pete?

PETE:

I went to a meeting like you people told me to.

BEN:

You people. You people. Reality is populated by us people Pete. It's not a cult.

PETE:

It is to me.

BEN:

Ok, so what happened at the meeting Pete?

PETE:

It was closed and I got mad.

BEN: (really angry)

It' s a fucking holiday Pete. Seriously do you have any concept of anything? And are you high?

PETE:

Yes.

BEN:

And they said you resisted and got the shit beaten out of you.

PETE:

Yup.

BEN:

I want to sit you down and just scream WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU EXPECT??

PETE:

I don't want to be here anymore.

BEN:

Are you suicidal?

PETE:

No. Here. Now. Cuffed in the back of this car.

BEN:

Too fucking bad.

PETE:

Why are you here? Every time. Boom. There's Ben. I want to know why.

BEN:

I've been trying to help you.

PETE: 

I don't want your help. I didn't ask for your help. You can shove your help up your sturdy ass.

BEN: 

Fuck you Pete. And quit the sturdy ass shit.

PETE:

Fuck you Ben.

Silence

PETE:

I think you're in love with me.

BEN:

Ya, right. Have you seen yourself today? Ya, I am enthralled by your hopeless pathetic charisma.

PETE:

I think you are.

BEN:

Is that your alcoholic side thinking that or your drug addict side?

Suddenly PETE slams his head against the metal cage separating him and BEN.

BEN:

HOLY FUCK!!

PETE bashes his head again.

BEN:

STOP IT!!!

PETE lets out a scream.

PETE:

FUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!!

PETE bashes his head on the cage again. BEN slams on the brakes and gets out of the car. He opens the back door and drags PETE out and stands him up against the car. BEN leans in to say something and PETE headbutts him square in the face. BEN stumbles backwards. He holds his hands to his face. He pulls them away and sees nothing but blood. In a rage he charges toward PETE and punches him in the face hard. PETE collapses to the ground. BEN has sunk to his knees.

BEN: (to PETE)

Oh my God. I am so sorry.

BEN stands up and walks over to PETE. He pulls him up to his feet and leans him against the car.

BEN:

Are you ok?

PETE says nothing. He is starting to tear up.

BEN:

I just reacted you know. I'm sorry.

PETE: (through tears)

Your reactions say more than your actions.

BEN: (with an uncomfortable laugh)

Great.

PETE is now heaving with tears. BEN reaches around him and pulls him in tight. PETE cries on BEN's shoulder. They stay that way for some time.

BEN:

Just hang on buddy.

BEN moves back slightly. He cups PETE'S face in his hands and stares at him eye to eye. BEN leans his head in slowly towards PETE'S face. He appears about to kiss him.

PETE: 

 (whispering)  Please don't.

BEN steps back.

BEN:

I'm sorry.

PETE:
Bash me in the face and then try to kiss me. You are fucked up in the head.

BEN:
I'm really sorry.

PETE:
Let's just GO.

 

...to be continued.