The Price of Passion
Emily’s journey to becoming an artist is hindered by a lack of support and a heartbreaking betrayal. Instead of giving up, she uses her pain to fuel her creativity, proving that sometimes the greatest breakthroughs come from the darkest moments.
INT. FRONT DOORWAY OF HOME - NIGHT
EMILY enters her small Los Angeles home, throws her gym bag
on the floor and wipes sweat from her face.
EMILY
I'm home!
ROBERT comes out of the upstairs bedroom and runs down the
steps to greet Emily.
ROBERT
Finally, I'm starving! It's dark out
you know?
EMILY
Ah yeah sorry, I was stuck at work
until seven and I couldn't skip the
gym. Sam left a fat pile of work on
my desk that she conveniently forgot
to get done before her vacay.
Robert and Emily walk together to the kitchen.
ROBERT
Where is she going?
Emily opens the fridge looking for something to eat and
Robert sits at the island.
EMILY
Just Las Vegas for a girls trip. I'm
convinced she thinks she's going to
find the love of her life there and
get hitched. She's gone full-valley
girl with injections, waxing, the
whole shebang. She even set up a few
dates through Tinder.
ROBERT
Jesus, she really wants to get
married that bad? Why?
EMILY
She's 35 and wants a baby. Although,
I did tell her that Tinder in Vegas
will weed out most of the good guys
and end up in her marrying a male
stripper or drug dealer.
ROBERT
Both solid choices. Which one are
you rooting for?
EMILY
Both make decent money I guess.
Stripper is probably a little more
romantic so I'm team stripper.
Robert stands up and starts dancing provocatively next to
Emily and removing his shirt.
ROBERT
Oh, this is romantic to you huh? I
got a few moves you might like.
EMILY
Save all of whatever that is for the
bedroom. I need to eat in the next
30 minutes or I might die. Does
anything look good to you?
Robert sighs, puts his shirt back on and peers around the
fridge door to see a nearly empty fridge.
ROBERT
I'd be surprised if the scraps in
there were still cold with how long
you've had it open.
EMILY
I know, I know, I was supposed to go
grocery shopping today I'm sorry.
Tomorrow, I promise. Wanna order
pizza?
ROBERT
Fine, but no more pizza for the next
few days please. My suits are
getting tight.
EMILY
I kind of like the extra rolls. In
fact, you're looking a little
delicious right now.
Emily slams the fridge door shut and bites Robert's arm
lovingly.
EXT. DOWNTOWN OFFICE BUILDING - DAY
A week has passed and Emily is standing outside of her work
building with her coworker SAM. They are holding coffee and
people-watching.
EMILY
You really think I should just tell
him?
SAM
Emily, he has to think you're
cheating by now. The late nights and
the gym sessions. He's going to
wonder why you're not losing weight.
Well that or you can start taking
diet pills I guess.
EMILY
You know that working out doesn't
automatically mean I'm going to lose
weight, right?
SAM
You're not fake working out hard
enough then.
EMILY
We're getting off track. Do I show
him what I've been working on or do
I wait to hear from the gallery?
Sam lights a cigarette and a couple walking by give her a
dirty look.
SAM
I don't understand why you're acting
like making art is some sort of
crime. In what world is it worse
than cheating?
EMILY
Okay first, I'm not cheating and he
knows that. Second, he thinks art is
stupid and pointless. I really want
to wait until things get going so I
can prove to him that I can make a
career of it.
SAM
He thinks it's stupid?
EMILY
He's not much of a dreamer. He's so
content with our nine to fives and I
think he just wants to settle down
for eternity. Now that I've finally
found something I love I feel like
he wants me to give it up to be a
sad little housewife.
SAM
You know I dream of being a sad
little housewife, right?
EMILY
Speaking of, I take it you didn't
get married on your trip?
SAM
You think if I got married I'd come
back and spend my day at this shit
hole? No, I didn't get married. I'm
lucky I didn't get murdered by the
men I met up with.
Sam tosses her cigarette butt on the street and Emily and
her throw their coffee cups in the garbage on their way
into the building.
EMILY
You need to vacation to some
farmland next time. Find a nice
cowboy.
SAM
So, like every single Hallmark
movie?
EMILY
Now you're getting it.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Emily and Robert lay in bed in their pyjamas reading their
iPads.
EMILY
You know how I used to paint? What
do you think about me setting up a
little studio in the guest
bedroom? Get back into it.
ROBERT
I thought we were over this whole
artist idea. It's a cute hobby honey
but a studio might be taking it too
far.
EMILY
I don't want it to be a cute hobby,
I want to try and make it my career.
I'm actually pretty good you know,
some people at work were saying...
ROBERT
I'm too tired for this conversation
right now, can we hit pause and
revisit another day?
Emily pulls the blankets off her and sits up with her legs
hanging off the bed. She turns the bedside lamp on.
EMILY
When exactly will that be? You
always push me off. For god's sakes,
you treat me like I'm a child. I'm
talented and part of me thinks
you're worried I'll actually be
great at something. You know how
many times you've complimented my
art? Not once.
ROBERT
That's because I don't want to
encourage your insanity. Just
because you like something doesn't
mean you should risk everything to
pursue it. Besides, I was planning
on turning that room into a baby
room when you're ready.
EMILY
I'm glad our imaginary future child
is more important to you right now
than my real life feelings.
INT. DOWNTOWN OFFICE BUILDING - DAY
Sam and Emily rolled their office chairs out of their
cubicles and are facing each other.
SAM
He really freaked out like that?
EMILY
I couldn't even look at him this
morning.
SAM
If you give him a baby it might buy
you some brownie points and get him
off your back for a few years.
EMILY
A baby will only solidify my
housewife status.
SAM
It's not as bad as you make it
sound. You get to quit, hangout with
your kid all day and paint while
he's working... in secret of course.
Sam winks at Emily. Emily kicks Sam in the shin.
SAM (cont'd)
Ow! What? I'm just saying.
EMILY
I got a voicemail from the gallery
this morning. They want to host an
entire show with my stuff next
weekend.
SAM
And you are just telling me this
now?
EMILY
I'm still figuring out how to tell
Rob. Maybe I should just send him an
e-invite and see if he shows.
SAM
What happens when you're famous?
Rob's going to have to be the stay-
at-home dad.
EMILY
Not every woman's destiny is to be a
mother.
SAM
I just think you're lucky that your
guy is interested in the long-term,
grow-old-with-you stuff. I'm over
here praying for a text back from
half the losers I date.
EMILY
mhm.
SAM
Just figure your shit out, okay? You
don't want to be single in this
dating pool. Trust me.
Emily uncomfortably shifts in her chair and rolls back into
her cubicle.
SAM (cont'd)
And send me one of those e-invites
to your red carpet event!
INT. FRONT DOORWAY OF HOME - NIGHT
Emily tries to sneak into the house and shut the front door
quietly. She starts walking to the kitchen and sees Robert
sitting by the front window with a gift.
ROBERT
Nine o'clock, really? Are you
avoiding me?
EMILY
I just got caught up at work late
and...
ROBERT
I didn't know you did arts and
crafts at work too?
Emily looks down at her body to see a blue paint smudge on
her brown pants.
EMILY
Look, I got some news today and...
ROBERT
Let's just start over okay? I'm
sorry for getting angry with you
last night. I picked up a gift for
you on my way home from work today.
Robert lifts the lid to a box and pulls out a painting.
ROBERT (cont'd)
There was a little gallery near
where I get my suits dry cleaned.
Emily grabs the painting and admires the work.
EMILY
This is actually really sweet.
ROBERT
I'm not all bad.
EMILY
No, no, of course not. I really
didn't think you were going to budge
on this. I'm so glad you changed
your mind!
Emily dances a little out of excitement.
EMILY (cont'd)
Do you care if I set up the studio
tomorrow? I have some things I want
to work on for..
ROBERT
Wait, no, this painting was the I'm
sorry gift. I didn't change my mind
about the studio, that's still a bad
idea.
EMILY
You have zero faith in me?
ROBERT
I have faith that you'll make a
great mother Emily and I know you.
You'll never be ready to start a
family if you stay stuck in this
little dream.
EMILY
Hm.
ROBERT
As you're husband I'm supposed to be
honest with you. I'm trying to help
you.
EMILY
Alright well I'm busy with my silly
little hobby next weekend so don't
bother me. Make plans with Steven or
something.
ROBERT
You're really going to ice me out?
I'm just excited about our future
together, that's all.
EMILY
Our? As if you ever cared about what
I want.
Emily storms upstairs and slams the bedroom door behind
her.
INT. ART GALLERY - DAY
Emily nervously organizes snacks on a small table near the
entrance with one of the gallery staff members. Dozens of
people wander around the gallery but Sam and her husband
are nowhere to be seen.
EMILY (TEXT)
Sam please hurry, I'm a nervous
wreck. Are you coming?
Emily tucks her phone into her pocket and wanders around,
greeting the guests and explaining her work. An hour passes.
EMILY (TEXT) (cont'd)
Okay if you're not dead or almost
dead right now, I'm going to be
pissed.
SAM (TEXT)
Won't be able to make it.
Emily furiously shoves her phone in her pocket, sighs out
of frustration and looks up to see RAYMOND JUNE, the owner
of a prestigious gallery in Beverly Hills. Emily recognizes
him immediately from his frequent mentions in magazines and
on TV.
RAYMOND
Having a rough time?
EMILY
No, no, tonight has been incredible.
I'm so glad to see you here Mr.
June.
RAYMOND
Call me Raymond.
EMILY
Raymond, of course. So Raymond, I'm
curious, how did you hear about my
little showing?
RAYMOND
I know everything there is to know
about everything in the art world my
dear.
Raymond starts to walk toward one of Emily's largest and
most controversial pieces of art. Emily follows closely
behind.
RAYMOND (cont'd)
You've been quite the talk of the
town if I'm being honest. The
gallery owner here gave me a call
about a week ago to come this
weekend. I asked around and it seems
I was the last to know about your
beautiful pieces.
Raymond reaches up to point at a detail in the painting.
RAYMOND (cont'd)
This piece specifically is so
deliciously dark. The way you
portrayed the pain on that poor
woman's face. Outstanding.
EMILY
That's my most recent work 'Deadly
Secret'.
RAYMOND
Ah, I've had a few of those in my
life. What's the bid at? I'll double
it.
EMILY
You really like this piece?
RAYMOND
Like it? I love it! Please sweetie,
you could be doing so much better
than a tiny gallery in East
Hollywood. Let me show off your work
in the Hills! Starting with this
piece.
Emily and Raymond shake hands and wander off to the back of
the gallery to pick out wrapping for Raymond to take the
painting.
INT. KITCHEN OF HOME - NIGHT
Emily is sitting at the island, scrolling on her phone and
waiting for Robert to get home. Robert pulls in and enters
the house, walking into the kitchen.
EMILY
Where have you been? Didn't you get
my invitation?
ROBERT
I was busy today.
EMILY
Too busy to support your wife?
Something big happened today and you
should have been there.
ROBERT
Something big happened to me too
today.
EMILY
Okay, indulge me. What's the more
important thing that happened today?
ROBERT
Sam came by.
EMILY
Sam from work? What did she want?
You know she was supposed to be at
my show today.
ROBERT
I know. I thought she was coming by
looking for you.
EMILY
Okay, and?
ROBERT
She just wanted to talk. At least I
thought so in the beginning. We got
to talking and one thing led to
another. Emily, there's no other way
to say it, we had sex!
Emily stood and slammed the palm of her hand on the island countertop.
EMILY
She seriously waited for me to be
gone this weekend and came to see
you? So what was her plan? Come
seduce you and steal you away?
ROBERT
I was vulnerable with you all busy
with your little art project and she
started talking about how her and I
want the same things and she made
some really good points about...
EMILY
Points about what Robert? That bitch
has been listening to me vent about
you for weeks and not once ever
actually agreed with me. I should
have known! She wants you to give
her a stupid little baby so she can
sit on her ass and live out her
hopelessly depressing housewife life
that she pines over. She's using you
and you know what, you deserve each
other!
ROBERT
You and I don't want the same
things. I'm not going to wait around
for you to figure yourself out when
there are women out there that know
what they want.
EMILY
Oh, that's where you're wrong. I
know what I want Robert and It's not
you.
ROBERT
I know. I don't think it's ever been
me.
Emily grabs a wine bottle off the counter and heads to the
spare bedroom to sleep for the night.
INT. BEVERLY HILLS GALLERY - DAY
Raymond and Emily sit in Raymond's office.
ROBERT
Your coworker and your husband?
That's pretty fucked up.
EMILY
Oh, I also quit my job this morning.
My life is quite a soap-opera right
now.
ROBERT
Fuck them both. Not literally
though, that might get messy.
Emily laughs with tears in her eyes.
ROBERT (cont'd)
So, what's next for you? There's two
empty apartments above the gallery
if you need somewhere to stay.
EMILY
I couldn't do that to you. I'll
figure it out, it's okay.
ROBERT
Nonsense! Think of it as your new
studio. I need you to channel all
that rage into your art. It will be
healing for you and I'll be
expecting something painfully
extraordinary from this disaster. If
anything, this is for me!
EMILY
Fine. But only in the name of my
love of art.
ROBERT
For the love of art.
Emily and Raymond cheers their cups of tea and Raymond lays
out a few contracts for Emily to sign.
-— 💌 ----
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