Writer's Workshop

Here we are for the second half of "Thruple", which I have a bad feeling is becoming the official name for it (especially now that I've commissioned a poster for it). Speaking of, thanks to Mason Williams for the new art for this story. If I ever decide to write more episodes, they'll all have nice branding a style to go along with them.

We cut away from the story at the halfway point, so we should get back to it and see where all our characters were at and what they're doing. If you haven't read the first half, go hit the archives and read that before continuing.

Thruple (Working Title): Part 2

FADE IN.

EXT: CLAIRE'S STREET

CLAIRE and JAMES walk down the street, chatting and laughing.

CLAIRE:

Their new stuff is different.

JAMES:

More prog rock. It kind of reminds me of-

CLAIRE:

Muse?

JAMES:

I was going to say Queen... but yeah. Muse is a good call.

CLAIRE:

I need to get their new album.

JAMES:

Queen's?

CLAIRE laughs.

CLAIRE:

No, Muse. I'm a couple of albums behind, I think.

JAMES:

Do you collect much music?

CLAIRE nods.

CLAIRE:

On vinyl, no less.

JAMES:

Ah, a music snob.

CLAIRE:

Haha, no. I just figure if I'm going to spend money on albums, and they cost the same amount whether you get them digitally or physically, I may as well get a physical copy. Most physical versions come with a digital download anyway. And the album artwork on vinyl is so cool.

JAMES:

Well, you already put my music collection to shame.

CLAIRE:

You haven't even seen it.

JAMES:

Yeah, but I sold all my CDs years ago.

CLAIRE:

Oh, that's sad.

She turns and stops at a building. It's a row of town houses, nice but, again, nothing fancy.

CLAIRE:

Well, this is me.

JAMES:

It's cute.

CLAIRE:

Thanks... uhm... I'd invite you up to see my album collection but...

JAMES:

Yeah, only our first date.

CLAIRE:

Yeah, and to be honest... you're great and all but you being married is weird for me.

JAMES:

No, totally. I understand.

CLAIRE:

If you ever want to hang out, though, I'd like that.

JAMES smiles.

JAMES:

Me too.

He puts out his hand. She takes it, then she looks up at him. There's a connection, sparks, they're drawn to each other just through their eyes. She pulls him closer. He leans in. As she pulls, he falls towards her-

CROSS FADE.

And they fall into her bed, making out. It's passionate (but in a TV-safe way), and then he pulls back for a second.

JAMES:

Are you sure?

CLAIRE nods.

They go back to making out. They roll over out of view of the camera, and then when they roll back in they're obvious naked (but, again, TV safe), and we've jumped ahead to after they've had sex. They're both breathing heavy and clearly enjoyed themselves.

CLAIRE:

That was... wow...

JAMES smiles.

CLAIRE:

But, uh, I should go brush my teeth. If we're staying in bed for a bit.

JAMES:

Sure.

She gets up and moves off. He rolls over and grabs his pants, searching pockets to get to his phone. He checks the screen and sees a message from GREGORY (which is, of course, presented on screen).

GREGORY (TEXT):

How was the Toaster Bukkake show?

SFX: FAUCET NOISES.

JAMES taps back on his phone.

JAMES (TEXT):

Good. The band rocked, of course.

SFX: ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH NOISES.

We see bubbles on screen before a return message comes back.

GREGORY (TEXT):

If you say so. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Any idea when you'll be home?

JAMES looks over at the bathroom.

JAMES (TEXT):

In a bit. I'm at Claire's place.

More bubbles implying a return message.

GREGORY (TEXT):

I guessed as much. Well don't be too late.

More bubbles.

GREGORY (TEXT):

And I'm watching Real Housewives without you.

JAMES (TEXT):

That's fair.

CLAIRE comes back in wearing a flannel shirt to hide her naked form.

CLAIRE:

Are you hungry? I'm kind of hungry.

JAMES laughs.

JAMES:

Not the pillow talk I was expecting.

CLAIRE:

I didn't eat much at the show. I could go for some food.

JAMES:

You just brushed your teeth.

CLAIRE:

True... but still. I need a snack.

JAMES sits up.

JAMES:

I'd love to, but I should probably get home.

CLAIRE looks just a little ashamed.

CLAIRE:

Right, you have to get home. To your... I just slept with a married man! I don't know what you're going to say to your husband. Are you even going to? No, of course you-

JAMES:

I was just texting with him. He knows.

CLAIRE looks up.

CLAIRE:

And?

JAMES:

He's watching a show we like without me.

CLAIRE looks confused.

CLAIRE:

That's it?

JAMES nods.

JAMES:

Nothing more needed to be said.

He gets up and comes over. He takes her hands and looks into her eyes.

JAMES:

I like you. I liked this. I would like to see you again. Do you want to?

CLAIRE looks bashful, but nods. JAMES leans in and kisses her.

JAMES:

Can I borrow your shower?

CLAIRE:

Oh, sure. We did get all sweaty.

JAMES:

Well, and I promised not to come back smelling like girl.

CLAIRE laughs.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN.

EXT: CLAIRE'S TOWNHOUSE, DAY.

We get a good view of CLAIRE's townhouse, which is as decent looking during the day as night time. Middle class neighborhood, plenty of traffic and people moving along the street.

INT: CLAIRE'S TOWNHOUSE, MAIN ROOM, DAY.

CLAIRE is sitting on the couch, working on her laptop. We can see her shelves of vinyl albums behind her, well organized and neatly set in rows. Music plays from her computer, quite obviously something from Sex Sandwich. MAGGIE soon walks in.

MAGGIE:

I heard you come in late last night, CLAIRE.

CLAIRE still working on her computer.

CLAIRE:

Yeah, MAGS. Went to a show last night. Sex Sandwich was in town and-

MAGGIE looking gleeful.

MAGGIE:

With a man!

CLAIRE's eye go wide as she looks up.

CLAIRE:

Oh... yeah... so... I met a guy.

MAGGIE flops onto the couch.

MAGGIE:

Obviously. Where?

CLAIRE:

Calvin's.

MAGGIE:

We were just there a couple of days ago.

CLAIRE:

Yeah...

MAGGIE:

Who is he?

CLAIRE:

Uhm... So... that's the thing... He's married.

MAGGIE:

GIRL! You're with a married man?!

CLAIRE:

Well, I don't know about with-

MAGGIE:

A married dude. You're that dude's "other woman"!

CLAIRE pauses.

CLAIRE:

Actually... no.

MAGGIE:

What?

CLAIRE:

He's married to another man.

MAGGIE's mouth hangs open.

MAGGIE:

What a minute? The gay guy? That gay guy? You bagged the gay guy at the bar.

CLAIRE:

Clearly not gay.

MAGGIE:

I need to know all the details.

At that moment CLAIRE's phone beeps. She checks it quickly.

GREGORY (TEXT):

This is James's husband, Gregory. I'd like to have you over for lunch so we can talk things out. 12:30?

CLAIRE stares at her phone, obviously nervous about what she just read.

CLAIRE:

The husband of the guy... he wants me to come to lunch. So we can talk.

MAGGIE:

Girl, he is going to kill you.

CLAIRE:

You think?

MAGGIE:

I would.

CLAIRE:

But no... maybe not. His text sounds... nice.

MAGGIE:

Mmhmm. And then you get there and he claws your eyes out or something.

CLAIRE:

So I shouldn't go?

MAGGIE:

Oh, no. You have to go.

CLAIRE:

But you just said-

MAGGIE:

If roles were reversed, what would you want?

CLAIRE thinks about it.

CLAIRE:

Damn it.

MAGGIE:

Yup.

EXT: JAMES AND GREGORY'S APARTMENT, DAY.

Standard establishing shot of the building. Midday, nice outside.

INT: JAMES AND GREGORY'S APARTMENT, MAIN ROOM, DAY.

We see GREGORY moving around the apartment, tidying things.

SFX: DOOR KNOCKING.

GREGORY moves to the front door and opens it to reveal CLAIRE, in business casual "nice" clothes, as opposed to her usual slouchier stuff.

CLAIRE:

Hi. I'm CLAIRE.

GREGORY stands aside and smiles.

GREGORY:

I remember. Come on in.

CLAIRE moves in and looks around.

CLAIRE:

Nice place.

GREGORY:

Thanks. It was mostly my design. JAMES is great but he doesn't have as much of an eye for design.

CLAIRE:

I really like the light in here. The colors are soft and it feels warm.

GREGORY:

You have a designer's eye.

CLAIRE:

I am one. Graphic design.

GREGORY:

Oh, nice. That's something I've been getting into as I try to grow my own business.

CLAIRE:

Doing what?

GREGORY:

Boutique Online candle sales.

CLAIRE:

Is there a market for that?

GREGORY:

There is when I do it. Come in to the kitchen.

He leads her off towards the kitchen, stage right.

INT: JAMES AND GREGORY'S APARTMENT, KITCHEN, DAY.

The KITCHEN is clean and tidy, but there is a spread of food on the counter, along with some snack plates for serving. A pitcher of some beverage sits to the side.

GREGORY:

Grab some food and a drink. It's all freshly made.

CLAIRE pours a drink and grabs some quick snacks while GREGORY moves off to the kitchenette table, a plate already there for him. After taking a bite, he speaks up.

GREGORY:

So JAMES really seems to like you.

CLAIRE stops with a bite of food to her mouth as she was walking over.

CLAIRE:

I... I mean... I'm sorry! I don't really-

GREGORY waves her off.

GREGORY:

Please. No need for this to be awkward.

CLAIRE sits down but looks puzzled.

CLAIRE:

How could it not?

GREGORY:

Honey, you aren't the first.

CLAIRE:

Oh...

GREGORY laughs.

GREGORY:

No, I meant that I've had boyfriends before while I've been with JAMES. We're together and love each other but sometimes you want a little... extra.

CLAIRE:

Oooookay. I... I don't really know...

GREGORY nods.

GREGORY:

Look, if you and JAMES keep seeing each other, we just need to have some rules.

CLAIRE:

Like what?

GREGORY:

You can't come between me and my husband. When I need him, I need him, and that's that.

CLAIRE nods.

GREGORY:

And if either of us starts to feel jealous we have to tell the other one. We can't have secrets, not about this.

CLAIRE nods again.

CLAIRE:

That's fair... but aren't you jealous, or, I don't know, worried or something?

GREGORY:

About you?

CLAIRE nods.

GREGORY:

Nope.

CLAIRE:

Why?

GREGORY:

Because there are certain things he just can't get from you.

He winks after this and CLAIRE laughs.

GREGORY:

Eat up. We're going to need to become friends.

CLAIRE starts eating and then two make small talk.

FADE OUT.

CREDITS.

FADE IN.

INT: JAMES AND GREGORY'S APARTMENT, MAIN ROOM, DAY.

We see GREGORY and CLAIRE working on their laptops, tapping away while the TV plays, half ignored.

CLAIRE:

The logo you sent me isn't big enough.

GREGORY:

What do you mean?

CLAIRE:

It'll look like crap on this layout. Do you have the original file?

GREGORY:

Uh... let me look.

JAMES walks in at this point and is surprised to see both of them there.

JAMES:

Oh... I didn't realize we were all hanging out.

GREGORY half looks over before going back to his work.

GREGORY:

Yeah, she's helping me touch up my brand.

JAMES:

Oh, that's nice. Hey, CLAIRE.

CLAIRE looks over and smiles warmly.

CLAIRE:

Hey! Man, your apartment is really nice.

JAMES:

Thanks.

GREGORY:

You're home late again, I notice.

JAMES:

Yeah. I told you I was going to pick up tickets.

GREGORY:

Another rock show?

JAMES:

No. The new Spider-man.

GREGORY and CLAIRE both look over.

GREGORY:

And did you get three.

JAMES holds out the tickets.

JAMES:

I didn't realize we would all-

GREGORY quickly sets down his laptop and grabs the tickets. Then he turns to CLAIRE.

GREGORY:

Wanna go see Spider-man?

CLAIRE:

Hell yeah!

She quickly gets up, laptop cast aside, and she hurries to the door with GREGORY, grabbing her bag. They leave. JAMES stands there dumbfounded.

JAMES:

Dude!

FADE OUT.

End of Part 2:

So let's talk the characters. We'll start with Claire. I didn't meant to but, in the end, I ended up adding a lot of my own personality to Claire. A graphic designer who likes grunge music and dresses like a slob is absolutely me (even if I'm a dude and she's... not). She's the central character of this script, and there's always that adage of "write what you know". Giving her a lot of my interests allowed me to have conversation naturally flow around her. It worked.

James is the most "put together" of the three main characters. I don't honestly know what his job is, except that he goes into the office to do it. If we go with the Hollywood rule, he'd be a graphic designer or an architect, something Hollywood knows most people don't understand and yet it looks visually appealing when people do it on screen. He doesn't strike me as a lawyer, or a doctor, so I don't know what he'd end up doing instead. Maybe he works in finance. I think I like that better than making him a default architect (and Claire is the graphic designer so he's not allowed to do that).

Gregory is the overtly gay character, but even then I didn't view him as "flaming gay". That's a trope and in this script I purposefully have avoided tropes (just like I've avoided using words like "poly" and "bi" in it just because). I gave him a job he could do from the comfort of his couch because it opens up more opportunities for stories during the day that aren't set in an office. And with Claire also working from home on her own business, it allows for morning and afternoon adventures, if stories ideas for those ever came up.

I wrote this pilot expecting to leave the rest of the series alone for now. Maybe I'd write an outline of some story ideas but not any other episodes. I really do like letting the actors define the roles (at least, that's what I tell myself in my head) and depending on who was cast in the role it could lead to very different story ideas than what I had in mind. If Gregory were Black, for instance, instead of White, that would lead to story beats I couldn't even envision. And I wouldn't want to stifle those potential story ideas by writing too far ahead.

But I will say that I have a couple of ideas for another script or two so I might write those down sooner or later. A trio of scripts wouldn't be bad, if I ever wanted to try and produce these down the road...