Incredible actor. The Graduate, have you seen it? A must see, absolutely. The crux of it is this tug-of-war between innocence and adulthood. Well no, it's much simpler than that as well. It's cat and mouse, predator and prey too. It's the difference between what's right and proper and a societal norm, and what fervor of reality can really be. It's not everyday, but it's out there, and it's perfectly possible; through any lens, with any set of characters.
And so what's easiest to see through other than the lens of one's own life? So the setup is this: Two girls living in LA, roommates (because living by yourself is boring). One recently received a Masters in Business online, she's the Graduate. The degree was paid for by the company, she works in TV. Roommate, best friend, soundboard, comic relief, etc. (see Caitlyn Ritter in Apt. 23) is a hair/make-up artist. They met on set. The Graduate is a producer, older, working with the studio.
At a work event, gala, awards ceremony, whatever, Graduate's boss makes an introduction, an older man, accomplished, show-runner/creator. He's handsome, polite/cordial, maybe a little distracted. He wears fine clothes and an expensive watch that he checks quite often. He tells the Graduate he'd very much like to see her again. They date. He has a son, Archie.
Archie's younger, adopted at an older age by show-runner/creator. He'd wanted a son, had never married (wasn't the best with women, always busy, like producer from Californication maybe?) Found him at a foster home, had flipped through his notebook, adopted him, took him home, and turned his story into an award-winning show.
Took notebook, by force basically, force of will, "I'll buy you another notebook, I'll buy you ten notebooks, this one's mine."
They don't like each other, not anymore. Not after that. But he's his son now, and father's always hoping to scoop up another hit. Has the maids read the notebooks.
"I just write poetry in it now, a short story every now and again to keep his lips moist. I'm not an idiot, I know how to keep my stay because honestly, this stay ain't bad. I mostly stay out of sight. Half the time, I think he just keeps me close, keeps me happy because he doesn't want it getting out."
Meetings:
(1)
Nice dinner at Big House with Creator; fancy, chef-prepared, waited on, candle lit, outdoor in the Hills, sees the son come in with a girl through the glass windows. "Who's that?"
Pause, "That would be my son."
"You have a son?"
"I have a son." He's a man with secrets apparently.
(2)
Party at the Big House. Lots of people, best friend comes along, she likes to party. Graduate sees her with Archie. There's eye contact. Graduate is at her man's side the whole time pretty much, has a few moments with best friend. It's a launch party, new TV show.
(3)
Next morning, coming home, Archie's there in his underwear. Friend is in the shower. He put's his pants on, but not a shirt. "You know what? I actually haven't the faintest clue where that might be... But come on, it's summer, and I run hot."
They small talk until friend comes out in a towel, and his shirt in his face.
"You're home! And you've met Archie, I see. Archie, this is [Graduate]. [Graduate], Archie."
"[Graduate], hello." And to Friend: "Ah, and that's where my shirt's been. Well, ladies," finishes coffee, "I must be off. I've got work in thirty minutes."
Friend: Workin' on a weekend?
Graduate: You work?
Archie: No rest for the weary, love. (mouths) call me. (to Graduate) It was a pleasure.
Girlfriend storytime: "I was actually talking to ACTOR for five minutes before his girlfriend walked over."
"You're such a little slut! Do you know who that was?"
"I don't know, the bartender?"
Archie's too charming, not a gentleman mind you, but a charming little shit. And he curses like a sailor.
And eventually he's going to fuck his dad's girlfriend. He's made up his mind about that. He's a genius, but only pertaining to things he truly cares about. He's cunning and manipulative. He's Mrs. Robinson.
Big Minds: Archie, Graduate
Small Minds: Creator, Friend
Scene:
Creator's flying out of town for work, up north to Vancouver. Graduate spends the night kisses him goodbye in the morning out the door. She makes coffee. Girl comes down, "Archie said there's water in the kitchen." She's a mess kinda.
"You're Uber has arrived."
"Oh, they usually have water in the car don't they. Ok, bye." She leaves.
As soon as the door shuts Archie sneaks down with a towel around his waist, smooth getaway, and unknowingly flashes the Graduate, and she sees him off guard, seeing her only after it was too late (long hallways, sweeping stairwell, whatever), then an awkward standard, "I just saw your penis" talk, before she says she really should be going. "I really should be going," she says.
"Wait! Have you had anything today? You know, to eat?"
"I was just going to-"
"Because Maria's just made all this lovely food for two and Angela's up and called an uber for breakfast." Looking at the food... "I can't eat all that."
There's bacon. We should know that the Graduate loves bacon. And it's the fucking best-looking bacon she's ever fucking seen.
[cut to commercial]
There's a scene before at brunch with roommate that she goes off about bacon. I should say on and on really. She really fucking loves bacon, they both do. It's bonding point for both of them, the last piece of bacon, like Lady and the Tramp.
