NOTICE

Without limiting the rights reserved under copyright, no part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without prior written explicit permission of both the copyright owner and publisher.

 

©2004 Kerry Thomas

All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

 

 

MAN-UAL:

An Owner’s Guide To Men

© 2004 Kerry Thomas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

written by

 

Kerry Thomas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          May 19, 2005                 Kerry Thomas

                                        9200 Longs Rd

                                        Sayner, Wisconsin 54560

                                        (715) 542-3372

                                        kerry@kerrythomas.com

 

FADE IN:

 

EXT. SUNNY BEACH -- AFTERNOON

 

THEME MUSIC AND OPENING CREDITS BEGIN

 

On a beach about half full of people, one beautiful woman after another catches our eye.  Like a kid in a candy store, our focus races from one gorgeous woman to the next, unable to decide exactly which of these numerous beauties to follow.

 

The women are enjoying a day at the beach:

 

Numerous women laying on their towels, getting a tan 

Reading a book 

Playing volleyball with a few young men

Wading into the water and coming out of the water

 

There are even a few women roller blading along the paved walkway between the parking lot and the beach.

 

FEMALE NARRATOR

Men aren't difficult to figure out.  They want sex.

 

The camera continues to pan back and forth until finally

 

ANGLE ON

 

ONE STUNNINGLY ATTRACTIVE WOMAN, 40, long flowing hair.  She's wearing a swimsuit so skimpy that it's just barely legal on most public beaches.

 

FULL SHOT

 

Strutting across the sand as if she owns it, this Stunningly attractive woman draws the attention of everyone on the beach, even the women.  The poor men on the beach can barely do more than stand there, eyes wide, mouths agape, staring in awe. 

 

One woman who was reading a book even peers over the book for a better view. 

 

The volleyball lands in the sand.  The volleyball players have become distracted, staring at this woman. 

 

The stunningly attractive woman makes her way to the water.  She wades into the water and begins to swim out from shore.

 

FINISH OPENING CREDITS

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

SAME BEACH -- SUNSET

 

The beach is now deserted, except for a few flying sea gulls silhouetted against the setting sun.

 

FEMALE NARRATOR

Men want sex.  That's it.  End of story.  Good night and thanks for coming.

 

END CREDITS begin to roll over the setting sun.

 

SUNSET FADES TO BLACK

 

ROLLING CREDITS STOP ABRUPTLY

 

The music screeches to a halt.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- DAY

 

The Female Narrator is DR. LESLIE ANDERSON, 50, psychologist, cerebral, dark red hair pulled back into a bun.  She's seated behind her desk.

 

A computer monitor is sitting next to Dr. Anderson on a side desk.  Full bookshelves line the walls of her office. 

 

Also in Dr. Anderson's office is the Stunningly Attractive Woman, JILLIAN.  She's seated in a chair across the desk from Dr. Anderson.

 

JILLIAN

Well, no shit, Leslie. 

Tell me something I don't know, doctor.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Oh, you want the details?  With your experiences, Jillian, I'd think you could almost write your own book about men and what they want.

 

JILLIAN

Me?  What about you?  Former escort turned psychologist?  You're the expert here.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Maybe.  Some day.  After I've had my fill of them.

 

JILLIAN

Besides, the "what men want" part I could cover in the first chapter all by itself.  Men are so predictable.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Tell me something I don't know.

 

JILLIAN

And you're right.  They just want sex.  Sex sex sex.  Is that all men think about?

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Jillian, I've been a clinical psychologist for over 5 years now.  And you'd be surprised at how many problems come right down to that.

 

JILLIAN

They're just so different from us.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Jill, you know women think about sex a lot too.

 

JILLIAN

Well, sure.  But they don't know that.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Most of the women I counsel want to know what really makes men work.  They want to know how men think, what they feel.

 

JILLIAN

You mean men actually think?  With their

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Brains

 

JILLIAN

Yeah.  I was just gonna say that.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Yeah.  Sure you were.

 

JILLIAN

 

 Stop.  I'm not that bad.

 

Leslie arches an eyebrow and looks at her with a knowing look.  Jillian lets out a short laugh from embarrassment.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Any how, after all those counseling sessions, all that therapy, I can safely say that, yes, when it comes right down to it,  men are obsessed with sex. 

Of course, so are women.

 

JILLIAN

Leslie!

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Well, we are!  We're all trying to look younger, stay in shape, stay firm and trim.  Whether we women want to admit it or not, we're just as obsessed with sex as men are.  Maybe not quite so overtly, but in our own subtle ways.

 

EXT. FREEWAY -- DAY

 

Jillian and Leslie talk while they ride along the freeway in Jillian's CONVERTIBLE CORVETTE.

 

JILLIAN

Have you ever considered writing your own book about it all?  Those things practically sell themselves.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

I wrote enough research papers in school.  Besides, I have enough on my plate these days without spending the next year writing a book.

 

JILLIAN

More like two years by the time it gets published.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Exactly.

Hey!  I've got it!  Jill, you run a production company.  Let's make a movie!

 

JILLIAN

A movie?  A movie!

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

A movie!

 

JILLIAN

A movie about men!

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

A  movie about men.  About what they really think, what they really feel, when we're not around.

 

JILLIAN

But I thought you didn't want to write?

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

That was when we were talking about me writing a book.  This is a movie.  It's different.  It's show business.

 

JILLIAN

Have you ever written a movie before?

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

No, but how hard could it be?  Have you seen some of the crap the studios are putting out these days?

 

JILLIAN

I should be offended by that remark.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Oh, Jill.  You can only produce a good movie if they bring you a good script.  It might take me a while, but I'll bring you a good script.

 

JILLIAN

You know, we could always hire someone to write it for us.  Lots of hungry writers around.  Just ask any waiter.  That's what Hillary did, you know.  With that stupid village book she came out with.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

That'd be even better.  We could just give the writer the story and save us the trouble of actually writing it.

 

JILLIAN

Oh, Leslie.  This is going to be great.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

We're going to make a movie.

We're going to make a movie.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- DAY

 

Dr. Anderson is seated at her desk, looking directly at the camera.

 

JILLIAN

Action.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

 

Hi.  I'm Doctor Leslie Anderson.  In my many years as a clinical psychologist I have had the opportunity to observe men and women and the way they interact with one another.  Most of my female patients eventually want to know one of two things.  What do men want, and why are men such assholes?

 

Now, men aren't complicated, the way women are.  Men are simple creatures, with simple wants.  Quite simply, men want sex.

 

As for the second question, the answer to that one gets a little more complicated.

 

Dr. Anderson gets up from her desk, picks up a long pointer, and walks toward a writing easel. 

 

The easel has a large pad of paper mounted on it.  Stapled to the front sheet of the easel is a PICTURE of a MALE CENTERFOLD, 22, scruffy evening shadow growth of facial hair, artistically nude,  sculpted body.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

The first thing you should know is that men are different from women.  I know that will come as a shock to some of you who have been told otherwise.  But it's true.  Men and women really are different.  Always have been, always will be.

 

Yes, of course, there are the obvious differences, the physical attributes which serve to distinguish men from women.

 

Dr. Anderson points toward the picture of the Male Centerfold.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Men have more muscular chests than the softer fatty tissue of a woman's breasts.  Men generally have more muscle mass and heavier bone structures than women.

 

CLOSE UP OF MALE CENTERFOLD's FACE

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Facial hair ...

 

INT. PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO -- DAY

 

The Male Centerfold Model, whose picture was on Dr. Anderson's easel, is posing for his pictorial.

 

SOUND of a CAMERA CLICKING away, synchronized with FLASHING STROBES.

 

Dr. Anderson's voice begins to trail off.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

... muscular chests...larger, firmer hands...and their cocks, um, oh, penises...which, of course, are used to...

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

By now Dr. Anderson is visibly "bothered," with eyes closed and her back beginning to arch.  Suddenly aware of her actions, she opens her eyes, looks around, and composes herself.

 

JILLIAN

Leslie!  Cut!

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Sorry, Jill.  I guess I just got carried away.

 

JILLIAN

Okay.  Take a second.  Compose yourself.  Ready?  Rolling.  And...Action!

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Where was I?  Oh, yes.  Ahem.  Glands.

While women have mammary glands, men have prostate glands.  And while they're each located in different areas of the body, strangely enough it's usually uncomfortable to have either examined.

 

INT. DOCTOR'S EXAMINATION ROOM -- AFTERNOON

 

As a MALE DOCTOR snaps on a rubber glove, and lubes up one finger, he calmly tells his NERVOUS MALE PATIENT

 

MALE DOCTOR

OK, now, Mr. Doyle, if you'll just drop your pants and bend over this examining table ... this might be a little uncomfortable.

 

From the expression on Mr. Doyle's face, it's pretty obvious that the prostate exam has begun.

 

MALE DOCTOR

So ... you do any ... fishing lately?

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Kinda makes you re-think that whole "penis envy" thing, doesn't it?

 

She walks back to her desk.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

But, aside from those physical differences, there is a more fundamental difference between men and women.

 

Dr. Anderson sits down.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

So what is it that makes a man a man and a woman a woman?  And no, it's not just that men think about sex all the time. 

 

I'll let you in on a little secret.  Women think about sex too.  Maybe not quite as often ... then again .. But the real difference between men and women lies in the way in which we perceive the world around us.  Or, more accurately, in the way we are taught to look at the world.

 

EXT. BUSY CITY SIDEWALK -- DAY

 

Our now fully dressed Male Centerfold and Jillian approach one another along a sidewalk.  Their eyes meet briefly, each of them looking at the other.  They think to themselves

 

P.O.V. MALE CENTERFOLD

 

MALE CENTERFOLD

Oh, Man!  Take at look at that milf.  I'd surely love to get a piece of that!  C'mon Baby, just a peak.  Lemme see those ....

 

P.O.V. JILLIAN

 

JILLIAN

He's kinda cute.  I wonder if he likes kids?  I could see myself with  him ...

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Hmm, probably not. 

As I was saying, men and women are taught to view the world in different ways.  It all starts at birth.

 

INT. HOSPITAL MATERNITY WARD -- AFTERNOON

 

A room full of CRYING NEWBORN BABIES in cribs.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

At birth, baby boys and baby girls are pretty much the same, again, aside from the obvious physical differences, with perhaps a slight edge given by Mother Nature to the baby girls. 

 

And for good reason.  After all, it's the baby girls who will grow up to be women and give birth to the next generation of humanity, ensuring the continuation of the species.

 

INT. MORMON HOUSEHOLD, UTAH -- EVENING

 

A polygamous MORMON FATHER comes home, and is warmly greeted by a THRONG OF CHILDREN and several ADULT WOMEN.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

It only takes one surviving adult male to impregnate oh so many adult females.  It's an age old story, time tested and proven over countless generations, especially in Utah.

 

EXT. BUSY CITY CONSTRUCTION SITE -- DAY

 

BEEFY CONSTRUCTION WORKERS go about their business, occasionally pausing to admire the passing sidewalk scenery.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

And those adult males do try to mate with numerous females every day.  It's almost an obsession with some of them.  Why, in the course of one single day an average man will try to position himself to mate with as many as fifty or sixty women, just hoping one will say yes.

 

As one woman after another dares to walk past the construction site, three construction workers, JOE, 25, HARRY, 40, and MAX, 45, try to attract their attention.

 

JOE CONSTRUCTION WORKER

(to any random woman walking past)

Yo!  Hey Baby!

 

HARRY CONSTRUCTION WORKER

I got what you need, Baby!

 

MAX CONSTRUCTION WORKER

Right here, Mama!

 

JOE CONSTRUCTION WORKER

You and me, Baby.  It'll be beautiful.

 

One BRAVE WOMAN makes a rather inappropriate un-lady-like gesture in response.

 

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

(in unison)

Whoooaaaa!

 

INT. NEIGHBORHOOD BAR -- HAPPY HOUR

 

The three construction workers, Joe, Harry & Max, meet at their favorite bar after work.  As they come in and make their way through the crowd

 

HARRY

Hey, Max, grab us a table and a coupla brews.  I gotta take a leak.

 

MAX

Your usual?  You got it Harry.

 

Harry disappears into the men's room, as Max picks a table and is seated.  He looks around, scanning the crowd to find out where Joe went.

 

Joe, who was with his friends when they came in, has been distracted.  He's going around the bar, whispering in women's ears.  One by one, the first three women all slap him in the face.  A fourth woman throws her drink in his face.  Joe, wiping his face, comes over and joins Max at the table.

 

MAX

(to a passing waitress)

Miss.  Could you please get a towel for my friend Joe here?  Thanks.

 

WAITRESS

You guys do this every week.  If you  keep this up, we're gonna have to start charging you for laundry.

 

Harry comes back and joins his companions, trying to pick up the waitress.

 

HARRY

How about if I just come over tonight and pay you off in person, Julie?

 

WAITRESS JULIE

In your dreams, Harry.

 

HARRY

Every night, Baby.

 

WAITRESS JULIE

Tell me all about it tomorrow.

 

HARRY

If you insist!

 

WAITRESS JULIE

You're impossible.

 

Waitress Julie turns her back to the men and walks away.

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

You see, for men, it's all a numbers game.  Men know they won't be able to sleep with every woman they meet, but they still have to at least try.

 

INT. NEIGHBORHOOD BAR -- MOMENTS LATER

 

The three construction workers have managed to finish most of a pitcher of beer, and are all laughing hysterically.

 

HARRY

...so the salesman says to her "Because, Ma'am, that's a microwave!"

 

Even more hysterical laughter.

 

As the construction workers begin to catch their breath, Max finishes his beer.

 

MAX

Okay, guys, I gotta get going.  I promised my wife I'd be home for dinner at least once this week.

 

HARRY

Aw, c'mon, Max, stay and help us with another pitcher.

 

Max gets up and starts to leave.

 

MAX

I can't.  Really.  I'll see you guys at work tomorrow.

 

Max taps Joe on the shoulder.  They both look toward the bar.  There they see yet another hot woman, sitting at the bar.  The woman appears to be by herself. 

 

Max and Joe give each other a knowing look, and nod in silent agreement.  Max smiles, gives Joe the thumbs up, and leaves.

 

Joe finishes his beer, and gets up.

 

JOE

S'cuze me, Harry.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

And with any numbers game, sooner or later they get lucky.

 

Harry watches, as Joe approaches this woman at the bar and whispers in her ear.  With a quizzical  look on her face, she cocks her head to one side, then smiles.  She nods.  Joe smiles, nods, and waves goodbye to Harry.  Joe puts his arm around the woman he's just picked up.  She puts her arm around him, and reaches down to squeeze his butt. The two of them leave together.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

And man is happy. 

It doesn't take much.

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

But how does a sweet innocent baby boy turn into one of these sex-crazed progenitors?  He learns, from his fellow males. 

You see, it's part of every man's job in life, aside from mating, to properly teach young boys what it means to "be a man." 

Now, much of this "education" is informal, learned through osmosis.  There are, however, some very strict ritualized processes which are passed from one generation of men to the next. 

It starts in the hospital waiting room.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM -- AFTERNOON

 

A waiting room full of NERVOUS EXPECTANT FATHERS of every age.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Every first time expectant father is hoping and praying for a baby boy.  There are no exceptions.  Any man who says otherwise is lying.  A man wants a son to carry on his family name, a son he can be proud of.

 

HENRY, a very mature "Grandfather-type" man, turns to the man sitting next to him.  He's a YOUNG EXPECTANT FATHER, late 20's, in jeans and a sports jacket.

 

HENRY

I have six kids.  Is this your first time?

 

YOUNG EXPECTANT FATHER

Yes.

 

HENRY

You want a boy or a girl?

 

YOUNG EXPECTANT FATHER

Oh, as long as it's healthy I really don't care if we get a boy or a girl.  My wife, Caroline, wants a little girl.

 

HENRY

I know you can't tell your wife, but you secretly want a boy, right?

 

YOUNG EXPECTANT FATHER

(grinning)

Yeah.  Oh, that'd be so great.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

For a man, he already knows his son will grow up to be a man, and make Dad proud.  He has the kid's life all planned out already.

 

YOUNG EXPECTANT FATHER

I could take him to ball games, and to the races.  We could go hunting and fishing.  I could teach him how to ride a bike, and throw the old football around.  Teach him how to drive.  And teach him about women.  The way my Dad taught me.

 

HENRY

(smiling)

That's what it's all about, Son.  Teach that boy what it means to be a man.

 

YOUNG EXPECTANT FATHER

Is that what you did with your son?

 

HENRY

I'm still waiting for my first boy.  Hope this one did the trick.  Yep, six kids, all girls.  If I don't have a son this time, I'm throwing in the towel.  I'm getting too old to keep doing this.

 

Just then the waiting room door opens.  A MATERNITY NURSE comes into the waiting room.  She asks

 

MATERNITY NURSE

Mr. Johnson?

 

A man in his early 20's stands up, nervously.

 

CARL JOHNSON

I'm Carl Johnson.

 

MATERNITY NURSE

Congratulations, Mr. Johnson.  You have a healthy new baby girl!

 

Suddenly, Carl Johnson gets a very frightened look on his face.  He looks around the room full of men, desperately looking for reassurance.  The men in the waiting room just look at Carl, in sympathy.

 

MEN

(all together, quietly)

Awwww.

 

The nurse takes Mr. Johnson through the door.  As it closes behind them, most of the remaining men drop their heads and shake them slowly, in disappointment.

 

Moments later, the same nurse comes back.  All eyes are on her, optimism in their faces.

 

MATERNITY NURSE

And the winner is ... Danny Williams?

 

Danny Williams, the Young Expectant Father that's been talking to Henry, jumps to his feet.

 

MATERNITY NURSE

Congratulations, Mr. Williams.  It's a boy!

 

DANNY WILLIAMS

Yahoo!  All Right!  Yes!  A boy!  I knew it!  All Right.

 

The men all share his joy, smiling, nodding in approval.  Danny makes his way around the room, high-fiving everyone.  When Danny gets back to Henry, Henry shakes Danny's hand vigorously.

 

HENRY

Congratulations, Mr. Williams.  You have a son.

 

DANNY WILLIAMS

A son.  A son.  My son!  I have a son!  I have a son!

 

Danny reaches inside his sports jacket and pulls out a handful of cigars.  He hands them out to Henry and the men who were sitting closest to him, shaking hands in congratulatory celebration.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

EXT. WILD WILD PREHISTORIC WEST, OPEN RANGE -- DAY

 

Two prehistoric CRO MAGNON MEN, clad in hides, meet on the open range.  They look like they could be Danny's and Henry's early ancestors.  They begin to grunt unintelligibly to one another.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

No one is sure exactly how the tradition of passing out cigars when a son is born first began, but ....

 

As the prehistoric men grunt at one another, English subtitles translate for us.

 

CRO MAGNON MAN DANNY

You were right.

 

CRO MAGNON MAN HENRY

You had a Son?

 

CRO MAGNON MAN DANNY

Yes.  So I owe you.

 

CRO MAGNON MAN HENRY

Ha!  I knew it.  Yes, 2 cigars.

 

CRO MAGNON MAN DANNY

Want to try for double or nothing on your next one?

 

Cro Magnon Man Danny reaches inside his hide overcoat and hands 2 cigars to Cro Magnon Man Henry.

 

 

 

CRO MAGNON MAN HENRY

No.  After six females, I'm getting too old for this.  Umbga makes me put on a snake skin now when we do it.

 

CRO MAGNON MAN DANNY

Jaxta wants me to wear one, now, too, but I told her I can't feel it when I wear one.

 

CRO MAGNON MAN HENRY

And she believed you?  I'll have to try that one next time.

 

The prehistoric men both laugh.

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Like so many of the things men do, it defies rational explanation.

Have you ever asked a man why he just did something stupid?  It's as bad as asking a small child the same thing.  And you'll get the same dumb answer. 

"I dunno."  

This man is not being facetious.  He really doesn't know!  It's just something he learned to do when he was growing up.  It's part of "Being a Man."

 

FULL SHOT GRAPHICS PAGE -- "MEN: WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?"

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

So what does it mean to "Be a Man?" 

It all starts when the doctor announces

 

INT. HOSPITAL DELIVERY ROOM -- AFTERNOON

 

A room full of MEDICAL PERSONNEL, dressed in full surgical garb.  A baby has just been born.  The male doctor announces triumphantly

 

DOCTOR

It's a Boy!

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

While a new father secretly wishes for a baby boy, he really will be happy just to have a healthy baby, no matter if it's a boy or a girl.  But it will just be much easier on the father if his baby turns out to be a boy.  At least in his mind.

With a baby boy, the father knows what his son's life will be like. 

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

EXT. DANNY WILLIAMS' SUBURBAN BACK YARD -- DAY

 

MONTAGE

 

Of scenes of Danny and his toddler son MASON growing up and learning to do "Man" things

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

He knows how it feels to grow up as a young boy, what it feels like to go through puberty, all the joys and sorrows of life, as a man.

 

Danny and Mason PLAYING with construction trucks in a sandbox

 

PLAYING FOOTBALL

 

THROWING A BASEBALL back and forth

 

DANNY WILLIAMS

Like this, Mason.

 

Mason learning to RIDE A BICYCLE.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

But if the doctor announces

 

INT. HOSPITAL DELIVERY ROOM -- AFTERNOON

 

In another room full of surgical-scrub-clad medical staff, another baby has just been born.  This time the male doctor announces

 

DOCTOR

It's a girl.

 

 

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

The poor father is totally lost.  He has no idea what it will be like for his child as she grows up as a little girl.  His imagination begins to run wild, imagining the next 21 years.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

INT. CARL JOHNSON'S SUBURBAN HOME -- DAY

 

Scenes of Carl Johnson and his new baby daughter CHERIE as she grows up:

 

BATHROOM

 

Carl's first very awkward attempt at giving his baby daughter a bath in the sink

 

CHERIE'S ROOM

 

Carl is seated in front of a mirror.  5 year old Cherie is standing.  Cherie appears to be practicing her techniques, as she applies makeup to Carl.  Carl is dutifully being her guinea pig.

 

LIVING ROOM

 

Carl is seated, reading.  8 year old Cherie enters.

 

CHERIE

Dad?

 

CARL JOHNSON

Yes Cherie?

 

CHERIE

I need to get a bra.

 

LIVING ROOM -- LATER

 

Carl is seated, reading.  Cherie enters.

 

CHERIE

Dad?

 

CARL JOHNSON

Yes Cherie?

 

CHERIE

Dad.  I need to buy tampons.

 

LATER

 

Carl is seated, reading.  Cherie enters, dragging a geeky 10 year old boy with her.

 

CHERIE

Daddy?

 

CARL JOHNSON

Yes Cherie?

 

CHERIE

This is Eric, my new boyfriend.

 

Cherie introduces ERIC to her Dad.  Eric nervously extends his hand.  Carl shakes it, as he thinks to himself

 

CARL JOHNSON

New boyfriend?

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM -- EARLIER

 

Back to the moment Carl found out he had a daughter.

 

MATERNITY NURSE

Congratulations, Mr. Johnson.  You have a healthy new baby girl!

 

Carl looks around the room full of men, desperately looking for reassurance.  The men in the waiting room just look at him, in sympathy.

 

MEN

(all together, quietly)

Awwww.

 

CARL JOHNSON

Help.

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

For the poor father, his life will just be much easier, so he thinks, if that new baby is a boy.

As his son grows from childhood into Manhood, it's the father's job to teach his son to be a man.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

EXT. SOMEWHERE IN THE WOODS -- AFTERNOON

 

An older Danny Williams and his now 17 year old son MASON are on a trip deep into the woods, experiencing life in the great outdoors together.

 

EXT./INT. DANNY WILLIAMS' SUV -- CONTINUOUS

 

Danny is driving.  Mason rides in the passenger seat.

 

MASON WILLIAMS

Thanks for bring me along, Dad.

 

DANNY WILLIAMS

I'm glad we could do this together, Mason.

 

EXT. SOMEWHERE IN THE WOODS -- LATER

 

Danny and Mason are dressed in camouflage hunting outfits.  They're each armed with a shotgun.  They're hunting in a silent forest. 

 

Danny and Mason slowly advance through the forest, only feet apart.  They appear to be on high alert for signs of their mighty prey. 

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Part of "Being a Man" involves learning basic survival techniques, like camping, hunting and fishing.

 

Suddenly Danny and Mason both stop.  They're listening, looking around.

 

The silence is shattered by the chattering call of a nearby  red squirrel.  Instantly both Danny and Mason begin BLASTING AWAY with their shotguns in all directions.  They don't really aim.  They're just trying to hit whatever mighty creature made that sound.

 

As the ECHOES of their gunshots fade away, silence returns to the forest.  The two look around.  Trying to find evidence of their success, they check behind several trees in the background.  Meanwhile, in the foreground, the mischievous RED SQUIRREL climbs down a nearby tree and scampers away unharmed.

 

EXT. RIVER BANK -- LATER

 

Danny and Mason decide to try their luck at fishing.  The two are knee deep in the gently flowing river, casting.  Danny's fishing rod suddenly bends almost in half, as he hooks something.  Mason runs over to give Dad a hand.  The two of them struggle to land the monster at the other end of the line. 

 

After a few minutes, Mason reaches into the water.  He pulls up a 6" TROUT.  Father and son are so proud, smiling broadly.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

INT. DANNY WILLIAMS' CORPORATE EXECUTIVE OFFICE -- DAY

 

Danny and 17 year old Mason are both in business suits.  They are reviewing the family business.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Another part of "Being a Man" involves learning about such things as business and politics

 

Danny and Mason go through the motions of reviewing a stack of corporate reports, projections, spreadsheets, and diagrams.  Mason nods occasionally when Danny shows him drawings of their products.  Danny also shows Mason pictures of real estate holdings.

 

DANNY WILLIAMS

... and this is our facility in Sayner, Wisconsin.  We've got 80 acres right on the lake ...

 

INT. MANUFACTURING PLANT -- CONTINUOUS

 

Danny and Mason, accompanied by a PLANT MANAGER, tour their facility.

 

DANNY WILLIAMS

Mason, some day this will all be yours.  Don't tell your sister Patty.

 

EXT. COUNTRY CLUB -- DAY

 

Danny and Mason play golf with DICK and BRIAN, another father and son team.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

And we can't forget an appreciation of the fine arts.  Of course, in the world of man, fine arts refers to the fine arts of bullshitting and screwing your fellow men.

 

A closer look at the nuances of the golf match reveals numerous instances of "improving your lie" on both sides.  Each father shows his son how to discreetly kick the ball when the other side isn't looking.

 

Once on the green, each golfer eventually sinks a putt.  When all four are finished putting, Mason puts the flagstick back in the cup.  They walk off the green.  They then mark their scores.

 

DICK

Okay, what'd everybody get?  I had a five.  Brian?

 

BRIAN

Me, too, Dad.  Five here.

 

DICK

Dan?  How'd you do?

 

DANNY WILLIAMS

That double putt cost me.  I ended up with a six, Dick.

 

MASON WILLIAMS

Ha!  Gotcha all.  Four!

 

DICK

So that's 10 for each team, two fives and a six and four.  Looks like that hole carries, again.  That makes this next hole worth ...

 

BRIAN

$200

 

As they move to the next tee, each father and son team exchange knowing looks with one another.

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

But we cannot forget.  Everything these young boys learn while growing up is designed with one purpose in mind.  That's right.  Sex.

So what does golf have to do with sex?  Think about it.

 

BACK TO THE GOLF COURSE, TEE SHOTS -- MOMENTS LATER

 

The foursome, Dick, Brian, Danny and Mason, tee off.  

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

The object of the game is to use a long rod with a big head on the end of it to put your dimpled balls into a small hole with as few strokes as possible.

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Freud would have had a field day with golf. 

Everything a man does in his life, everything he is taught, all the possessions he accumulates, are all designed to make sex more accessible. 

All the money a man makes, all the real estate, fancy cars, nice clothes, it's all for sex.

 

EXT. WALL STREET -- DAY

 

Wall Street types in business suits hurry in and out of an office building.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Why does a man drive himself so hard in business?

 

EXT. CAPITOL BUILDING, WASHINGTON DC -- DAY

 

Washington DC Congressional dome.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

Why does a man become a politician?  Well, that one's more along the lines of being able to screw everybody, not just women.

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

Here we think of ourselves as being so evolved, so educated, so refined, with all of our creations, all our inventions, all our sophistication.  Yet when you strip away all the fancy packaging, it all boils down to our basic human drive for reproduction. 

And this is what lies at the heart of everything a young boy is taught as he grows to become a man. 

So now the raw naked truth has been exposed.  You heard it here first.  Yeah, right! 

But there's a corollary truth to go with this.  Men not only want sex; men need sex.

 

FULL SHOT GRAPHICS PAGE -- "GROWING UP MALE"

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

There is a very fundamental genetic drive over which men have very little control.  This drive compels them to seek sex, to want sex, to do whatever he must do to have sex.  As a male ages, he slowly learns to control this biological urge, and to properly utilize it.

 

INT. MIDDLE SCHOOL GYMNASIUM -- DAY

 

In one half of the noisy gym a class of  12 YEAR OLD BOYS is playing basketball.  On the other half of the gym a class of 12 YEAR OLD GIRLS is playing volleyball. 

 

Coaching the volleyball game is a shapely young teacher, MISS BRANCEL, 25.  She's wearing very short shorts and a tight tee shirt.

 

 

Naturally, the boys and girls are a distraction to one another. 

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

This drive is obvious when you look at a group of adolescent males, on the verge of puberty.  This is the most confusing, frustrating, wonderful scary time of a young man's life.

Let me just say this.  School and puberty just don't mix very well for young boys.  It's worst in phy ed class, especially when there are girls nearby.  Perhaps the worst thing is the attractive young woman who always gets the job of teaching girls phy ed.

 

One of the boy's basketballs gets away, bouncing over to Miss Brancel.  She bends over and picks it up, as one of the boys, TODD, runs over to retrieve the ball.  As Miss Brancel hands it back, she briefly touches Todd's hand.

 

MISS BRANCEL

Here you go Todd.  Better be careful with these balls.

 

TODD

Thanks, Miss Brancel.

 

Todd returns to the game with the rest of the boys.

 

TODD

She told me I better be careful with my balls!

 

The boys snicker at that remark.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

These young boys can only take so much, and not very much at that.

 

The boys seem to find the girls phy ed teacher especially distracting.  Very few baskets are being made, or even coming close to the basket.  Most of the boys are too busy sneaking glances at Miss Brancel.

 

One boy is now 12 year old Mason Williams.

 

ANGLE ON MASON

 

Mason stops and stares at Miss Brancel for a few seconds.  One of the boys shouts at him

 

TODD

Mason!

 

A basketball hits Mason in the side of the head.  He collapses to the floor.

 

FULL SHOT , BACK TO GYM SCENE

 

The boys gather around him, as both the veteran BOYS PHY ED COACH and Miss Brancel rush over to help.  The girls playing volleyball stop to see what's happened.

 

COACH

Okay, boys, step back.  Give him some room.  Mason?

 

Miss Brancel kneels over Mason, trying to revive him.

 

MISS BRANCEL

Mason?  Mason!

 

Mason opens his eyes, and sees

 

MASON'S P.O.V.

 

An angelic looking Miss Brancel looking down at him

 

MISS BRANCEL

Are you okay, Mason?

 

FULL SHOT , BACK TO GYM SCENE

 

Miss Brancel takes Mason's hand and helps him to his feet.

 

MASON

I'm okay, Miss Brancel.

 

Mason staggers, off balance.  Miss Brancel catches him.

 

MISS BRANCEL

Whoops.  Gotcha.  Maybe I better take a closer look at you.  Come on, let's go to my office.

 

Miss Brancel steadies Mason with her body.  She puts her arm around him, her breasts right at his eye level.  Mason definitely notices this. 

 

Miss Brancel walks him toward the gym exit doors.  Just before they exit, Mason glances back at his friends.  He has a  huge grin on his face.  Mason and Miss Brancel exit.

 

The boys smile, shake their heads, and go back to their basketball game.  Occasionally they look over at the girls, who've gone back to playing volleyball.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

Remember, these pubescent boys have very little control over their bodies, and even though a jock is designed so as to suppress such manifestations, it can only do so much.  Sooner, seldom later, comes the inevitable reaction.

 

The BOYS PHY ED COACH blows his WHISTLE.  Most of the boys begin to exit the gym, except for Todd.  Todd stands  there watching the girls play volleyball, with a very peculiar look on his face.

 

COACH

Coming, Todd?

 

TODD

Almost ... give me a second Coach.

 

INT. BOYS MIDDLE SCHOOL LOCKER ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER

 

The sweaty young boys come into the locker room, strip, and shower.

 

BOYS SHOWER -- CONTINUOUS

 

There are the occasional glances being sneaked downward in the direction of the tallest of the boys.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

It's also the origin of the male debate known as "length vs. width."  Much blessed is the young boy who enters puberty before the rest of his friends do, for his is the penis which will forever be thought of as the largest ... as long as he doesn't foolishly strip off his gym clothes while still aroused.

 

BOYS MIDDLE SCHOOL LOCKER ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER

 

There's the inevitable towel snapping incident as the boys dry off and get dressed.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

Woe be it to any boy who tries to shower while still erect.  No school age boy wants to see another boy's erect penis in the shower.  It means the boy is gay, and he might be contagious!

 

The boys finish dressing and leave.

 

INT. MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSROOM -- LATER

 

The same group of boys is sitting in class.  There are girls in class too.  The boys' attentions are riveted to MISS GRIEFE.  She's a Shapely woman, 29, glasses, long hair pulled back in a pony tail, wearing a short leather skirt and tight sweater.  Miss Griefe is standing at the front of the classroom.  She's reading from an open book.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Outside of phy ed class, pubescent young boys are also susceptible to every attractive young teacher in school, especially the ones called "Miss."

 

MISS GRIEFE

Isn't that right?

 

BOYS

(in unison)

Yes, Miss Griefe.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Every boy knows this means she's not married, and he just knows she's secretly interested in him.  After all, he's already started shaving, and soon he'll be a man.  She'll really want him then!

 

One boy, the same Todd we saw in the gym, begins to close his eyes.

 

EXT. SUNNY BEACH -- DAY

 

Todd is imagining his own private fantasy.

 

SLOW MOTION

 

Miss Griefe is still wearing the same outfit she had on in class.  She takes her glasses off.  She takes her hair out of it's pony tail.  She shakes her head to toss her hair.  She begins to take off her sweater ...

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

As long as she doesn't do something to embarrass him.

 

MISS GRIEFE

(in the fantasy)

... Todd ...

 

INT. MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSROOM -- CONTINUOUS

 

Back to reality

 

MISS GRIEFE

Todd?  Could you please come up in front and read the next paragraph?

 

TODD

Um ... no.

 

MISS GRIEFE

Come on, Todd.  I know you can do this for me.

 

TODD

Um ... not right now, okay?.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

This might also account for why so many men fear speaking in public.  You just never know when or where that thing might decide to pop up again all on it's own.

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Another part of becoming a man is learning male rituals.

 

INT. DANNY WILLIAMS' BATHROOM -- MORNING

 

Danny is shaving with foam and a razor.  His 5 year old son Mason comes in and wants to learn how to shave.

 

MASON

Whatcha doing, Dad?

 

DANNY

I'm shaving, Mason.

 

MASON

What's shaving?

 

DANNY

Daddy has to scrape the whiskers off his face every morning.

 

MASON

Why?

 

DANNY

Because Mommy likes Daddy that way.

 

MASON

I want Mommy to like me too.  Can I shave too?

 

DANNY

Okay.  Here, let me show you how.

 

Danny shows Mason how to apply the shaving cream.  He shows Mason how to use a toy razor to scrape the foam off his face.  And as he stands there watching his son try to shave, Danny's eyes reflect the pride he's feeling about his son.

 

INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM -- FLASHBACK

 

Danny remembers when he first heard he had a son.

 

MATERNITY NURSE

Congratulations, Mr. Williams.  It's a boy!

 

DANNY WILLIAMS

Yahoo!  All Right!  Yes!  I knew it!  All Right.

 

INT. DANNY WILLIAMS' BATHROOM -- CONTINUOUS

 

CLOSE UP on Danny's eyes

 

INT. DANNY WILLIAMS' FATHER'S HOUSE -- YEARS EARLIER

 

Danny also remembers growing up, when his father, JAMES WILLIAMS, sat him down and told him some things about being a man.

 

JAMES WILLIAMS

Danny, now that you're old enough to shave, there's something I should tell you about life.

 

YOUNG DANNY WILLIAMS

Is this going to be about girls, Dad?

 

JAMES WILLIAMS

Yes, Danny, about girls.  And much more.  I want to tell you something about being a man.

 

Danny's father has a talk with young Danny.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Men have another law they must live by:  There shall be no close physical contact between males after puberty, because that's what causes homosexuality.

Only on extremely rare occasions, when their emotions become so overwhelming that they cannot be suppressed, are men allowed to briefly embrace other men, such as when their team wins the Super Bowl.

 

Young Danny stands up and shakes his father's hand.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

At all other times, male to male contact is restricted to a handshake...

 

 

 

DANNY WILLIAMS' BATHROOM -- CONTINUOUS

 

Back to the previous shaving scene.  Danny smiles, and chuckles briefly.

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

... or a punch.  Ass slapping is reserved for professional athletes.

 

FULL SHOT GRAPHICS PAGE -- "MALE BONDING"

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

We've all heard of the term "Male Bonding."  It's one of those collective terms we use to describe the many, sometimes unexplainable, rituals men go through together as men.  But just what exactly is male bonding, and why do men need to bond?

 

EXT. WILD WILD PREHISTORIC WEST OPEN RANGE -- DAY

 

A single prehistoric man (Homo sapiens this time) who bears a striking resemblance to the Mormon Father we saw earlier.  He leads his prehistoric "family" of several women and children as they walk across the land.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Men, by nature, are solitary creatures.  Men view other men as rivals, as the enemy, especially when it comes to women.  Mother Nature has decreed that men shall compete with  other men for the right to breed.  In the natural world, only the strongest, the fastest, the smartest males get to breed, to insure the survival of the species.

 

INT. FITNESS CENTER, PRESENT DAY -- DAY

 

A room full of toned men and women, exercising.  They are checking each other out.  The camera pans up and down, showing their fit, lean sweating bodies.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

The strength of nature's law is not lost on today's men.  To a man, another man is always a rival for the affections of a woman.  There is always someone better out there, on the prowl, just waiting to take away my woman!

 

FULL SHOT INSIDE FITNESS CENTER

 

MEN

(collectively)

[primitive grunt in agreement with Dr. Anderson]

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

How, then, can men possibly reconcile this primitive fear and distrust of other men with the rituals of male bonding?

 

Dr. Anderson gets up and walks to her easel.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

Simple.

Men of like minds bond together to defend against the common enemy.  And the common enemy of man ...

 

She flips to the next page on the easel, to reveal a centerfold picture of a woman.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

... is woman.

 

Dr. Anderson returns to her desk.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

That's right.  Woman.  The object of man's desires.  The most beautiful creature on the planet.  The focus of everything a man does.  Woman is also the enemy of man.

Why? 

Because women are creatures of mystery to men.

 

QUICK FLASHBACKS, AS DR. ANDERSON CONTINUES.

 

   - Cro Magnon Men

   - Prehistoric Mormon Man

   - Construction workers at construction site

   - Male Centerfold 

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

No man, in the entire history of mankind, has ever been able to fully and completely understand women.

 

   - Room full of Expectant Fathers

   - Male Doctor

 

INT. CHURCH -- DAY

 

CLOSE UP

 

Of Jesus on the Cross

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Jesus came close a few years back, but even He couldn't figure out women.

 

Jesus briefly shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders.

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

People tend to make fun of things they don't understand.  That's why men make fun of women, and, when threatened, come together in mutual defense against the common enemy.  Men often feel threatened by women, and, over time, have developed many defensive rituals, which we call male bonding.

One note.  Male bonding should not be confused with male teaching.  Teaching happens between males of different generations, as when

 

INT. DANNY WILLIAMS' LIVING ROOM -- EVENING

 

Danny and his 17 year old son Mason are sitting around their living room.  Mason sits on the couch and Danny is in his favorite recliner.  There's a 12-pack of beer on a coffee table in front of the couch.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

A father teaches his son to drink.

 

Danny opens a beer and demonstrates proper beer technique.  Mason then imitates the action, finishing off the beer like a pro, in one long gulp.

 

EXT. THE WILLIAMS' SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD -- CONTINUOUS

 

SOUND of long loud BEEELCH, that ECHOES through the neighborhood.

 

INT. DANNY WILLIAMS' LIVING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS

 

Danny beams with pride.  He and Mason high five one another.

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Male bonding happens between males of any age who are not closely related, and usually involves alcohol.  The ritual usually also involves any number of corollary activity.

 

MONTAGE

 

A series of scenes of a group of men, including our burly construction workers and three of their friends: BILL, 35, SAM, 25, and JACK, 30.  These six men are doing "man" things together.

 

EXT. BASEBALL STADIUM -- DAY

 

The men enjoy a baseball game, beers in hand.  They cheer with the rest of the crowd as a home run ball lands a few rows away from their seats.

 

INT. RUSTIC HUNTING CABIN -- EVENING

 

In a thick cloud of cigar smoke, the men are seated around a dining table.  They're playing poker.  ­ There are beer cans all over the table.  And a large pile of chips is in the middle of the table.

 

EXT. RIVER BANK -- DAY

 

The men try their luck at fishing.

 

They're wearing the requisite fishing vests and floppy fishing hats.  They each have partial 6-packs of beer looped through their belts.

 

Fishing is evidently hard to do in a river when you've had a few too many beers to drink.  The consequences are involuntarily  demonstrated by SAM.  

 

Sam wades out into the flowing water, looses his balance, and gets swept downstream.  When his buddies finally fish him out of the river, they hand him a beer, which brings a smile to Sam's face.

 

INT. ADULT STRIP CLUB -- EVENING

 

The men, each with a beer in one hand and dollar bills in the other, cheer.  There's a dancer on stage in front of them.

 

EXT. HIGHWAY -- LATER

 

The men, now packed into Max's full sized SUV, are still having a good time.  Soon, a POLICE CAR tries to pull them over.

 

HARRY

Ditch 'em, Max!

 

Echoing the sentiment, the Men urge Max on.

 

MEN

Yeah!  Ditch 'em!  Ditch 'em!

 

SAM

C'mon, Max!  Go for it!

 

JOE

Let's see what this thing can do.

 

Max takes them on a wild ride through the rural highways and into the suburban streets they call home.  They don't seem to notice that they ditched their pursuer miles back.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Strangely enough, the longer any one of these rituals goes on, the more of them seem to blend over into each other.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

INT. COLLEGE FRATERNITY HOUSE -- NIGHT

 

It's a frat party, complete with, you guessed it, beer.  Beer is everywhere.  Most of it is in a container of some sort. 

 

Two of the larger FRATERNITY BROTHERS eye each other up.  They begin to square off.  The FRAT PARTY CROWD forms a circle around them.  The murmuring crowd urges them on.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Perhaps the strangest male bonding ritual involves something known as "head butting."  Quite simply, this involves two grown men lowering their heads and running into each other at full speed, head first, like two bighorn sheep butting heads in an effort to win mating rights to the ewes.

 

The two Fraternity Brothers square off, lower their heads, and crash headlong into one another.

 

STOCK SHOT OF 2 BIGHORN SHEEP BUTTING HEADS

 

The loud CRACK of the impact echoes through the hills.

 

INT. COLLEGE FRAT HOUSE -- CONTINUOUS

 

The two Frat Boys stagger backward, as the crowd lets out a collective

 

FRAT PARTY GOERS

Ouch!

 

The Frat Boys regain their balance. 

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

While this might be a turn-on for the female sheep, very few women seem to find this practice arousing.  For the men involved, though, it seems to be just another version of that other favorite male game of "Who Has the Biggest Penis?"

 

Someone hands each of the two Frat Boys...a beer!  Both Frat Boys slam their beer.  The crowd CHEERS.  The party continues, with beer for everyone.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Nature's law that only the strongest, the fastest, the smartest males get to breed doesn't always hold true on college campuses.

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

What all male bonding rituals have in common is an occasion that allows men to be men, in all their disgusting glory.  Men relax, have a good time together, and commiserate together about women. 

Men don't care what other men look like.  In fact, part of male bonding is trying to see who has the most disgusting physical features.

 

INT. RUSTIC HUNTING CABIN -- EARLIER

 

The evening poker party we saw earlier is dying down.  The men decide it's time to compare themselves.

 

JOE CONSTRUCTION WORKER

Hey, Harry.  I'll bet Sam here's got more earwax than you do.

 

HARRY

No way.  No one's got more earwax than me.

 

JOE

Wanna bet?

 

HARRY

I got $20 that says I do.

 

JOE

Okay.  Sam, dig me out a big gob o' that wax of yours.

 

Harry and Sam start digging in their ears.  They twist and bend themselves into all manner of contortions in an attempt to dig deep.  After a few minutes, they proudly display their nuggets on the table for all to see.

 

HARRY

Told ya!  I win.

 

JOE

Okay, okay.  Wanna go double or nothing on belly button lint with Jack?

 

HARRY

Hey Jack.  You still saving lint?

 

JACK

(proudly displaying his fine apparel)

How do you think I made this sweater?

 

HARRY

(chuckles)

Sounds like a sucker bet to me.  Nope.

 

Just then, an anonymous but very audible BUUURP is heard.

 

MEN

(collectively)

Awwww!

 

SAM

Okay, who did that?

 

JACK

Why?

 

SAM

'Cuz mine's longer.

 

JOE

We're talking about burping here,  Sam.

 

SAM

Anyone wanna take me on?

 

MAX

I'll give it a shot.

 

HARRY

They can only use one beer each!

 

JACK

You guys ready?

 

Sam and Max each slam a beer, then adjust themselves to get prepared.  Both nod.

 

BILL

GO!

 

Both Sam and Max let out award-winning BUUUUURPs, straining to maintain them as long as possible.  Max completes his burp first, and gasps for breath.  Seconds later, Sam stops, smiling.

 

SAM

(smugly)

I win.

 

MAX

Whaddaya mean?  Mine was louder.

 

SAM

I claimed mine was the longest.  You stopped first.  I win.

 

MAX

I thought we were going for loudest.  Mine was louder.

 

JOE

You guys never really said which way we were gonna judge it.

 

JACK

How about stinkiest?

 

ANGLE ON JACK

 

An ominous rumbling sound begins to emanate from deep within his body, growing louder, more forceful, and more deadly.  It suddenly bursts forth in all it's glory.

 

FULL SHOT OF THE ROOM

 

SOUND of a very loud FAAAART

 

JACK

(very satisfied)

Aaahhhh!

 

MEN

(collectively)

AAAWWWW!!

 

The men pretend to be choking on the fumes.  They cough.  They gag.  They begin to head toward the door.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Men just can't do these things in the company of women.

Now, let me just say a few things about the male body.

 

FULL SHOT GRAPHICS PAGE -- "THE MALE BODY: FUNCTIONS, SOUNDS & DESIGN"

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

I'm not going to give you a biology lesson on male anatomy.  That's for another day.  I'm a psychologist by training, so I want to share with you a little information about the  psychology of the male body.

 

Dr. Anderson again gets up and walks over to her easel.  She flips the page.  There's a drawing of a man's head, with a small walnut where the brain should be.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

A man's brain and a man's body are two different things, and they don't always cooperate with one another.  At least, that's what they want women to believe.  There are times when this might be true, but for the most part, a man can usually get his body to do almost anything he wants it to do, on demand, as we just saw in the cabin.

 

EXT. RUSTIC HUNTING CABIN -- MOMENTS LATER

 

The cabin door opens.  A family of red squirrels scampers out.  

 

The men exit the cabin, gasping for breathable air after Jack's little eruption of noxious fumes.  Jack is the last to come out.

 

HARRY

Leave the door open so it'll air out.

 

SAM

Yeah, good job, Jack.

 

BILL

Who's got the beer?

 

The men stop.  They Look at each other.  Then they all look at Jack.

 

JOE

Get the beer, Jack.

 

Jack looks at them.

 

MAX

Get the beer, Jack.

 

Jack turns around, looking back at the cabin.  Bracing himself, Jack takes a deep breath.  He dashes back into the cabin.  He returns in seconds with a 12-pack.

 

BILL

Oh, sure, you get the light beer.  Figures.

 

JACK

It was the closest one.  You want something else, feel free to go back in and get it yourself.

 

HARRY

Besides, light beer's less filling.

 

SAM

Tastes great.

 

HARRY & BILL

Less filling.

 

JACK & SAM

Tastes great!

 

HARRY & BILL & MAX

Less filling!

 

JACK & SAM & JOE

Tastes great!

 

HARRY & BILL & MAX

Less filling!

 

Sam grabs a beer, opens it, and takes a drink.  The rest of the men watch him, waiting.  A few seconds later Sam renders his verdict.

 

SAM

It's less filling.

 

The men all grab a beer.

 

MAX

So now that that's finally settled,  what are we gonna do next?

 

Jack farts again.  Which the men decide to turn into a full participation contest.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Men have developed farting into a form of art unto itself.  And just as there are artists who specialize in their art form, so, too, are there  men whose specialty is a particular fart.

 

As Dr. Anderson describes each form of fart, one man after another demonstrates for us.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

You have your windbags, which are mostly hot air;

 

Joe farts

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

Your strong silent types, which everyone notices without the need to announce their arrival;

 

Max farts.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

The blowhards, which are just as strong, but which have a need to loudly trumpet their arrival;

 

Harry farts

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

You have your comedians and ticklers, both of which will be laughing as they create their art;

 

Sam farts and then Bill farts

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

And then there are the deep, penetrating types, who just burn themselves deep into your senses and never go away.

 

Jack erupts again.

 

HARRY

Aww, Jack!  It wasn't bad enough you fumigated the cabin?

 

Waving their hands in front of their faces, the men walk away.  The men walk to the

 

OTHER SIDE OF THE CABIN

 

Bill brings up the rear this time, as he emits a few short little farts.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Finally, there are a few weak timid ones, who barely let you know they're around.

 

The men settle into lawn chairs, drinking their beer.  The chairs are arranged around a circle of rocks that's used for a fire ring.  Max builds them a nice campfire. 

 

Before long, all that beer drinking causes the men to have to answer the call of nature.

 

One by one, the men get up.

 

HARRY

S'cuze me, fellas.  I gotta go take a leak.

 

SAM

Me too.

 

JOE

Sounds like a good idea to me.

 

BILL

Might as well join you guys too.

 

The men walk to the edge of the yard.  The men line up next to one another to urinate.  Without saying a word, they  decide to turn even this into a competition.  The urine streams begin to angle outward, pooling farther and farther away from the sources.  

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

When it comes to men, if their bodies can produce it, they'll usually find a way to develop it into a contest of some sort.  Burping, farting, even "peeing for distance."  It's all fair game for men.  And just for men.  They won't do this in front of women ... unless a woman is a contestant in the competition.

An old favorite when this occurs is the always interesting "Who's Got The Biggest Breasts" contest.

 

INT. ADULT STRIP CLUB -- LATER

 

The group is enjoying the show.  A somewhat smaller-breasted DANCER comes on stage and begins dancing.

 

Bill makes an observation.

 

BILL

Hey!  I'll bet Harry here's got bigger jugs than she does.

 

JOE

I think you're right, Bill.

 

Harry begins to dance in his chair.  The men encourage him.

 

MAX

C'mon Harry.  Show us what you got.

 

MEN

Harry!  Harry!

 

Harry climbs on stage.  He begins to dance for the crowd, shimmying his chest as he imitates the dancer's moves.

 

Playing along, the dancer shimmies next to Harry.  The two of them perform for the crowd.  Most of the all-male crowd is cheering for Harry.

 

STRIP CLUB CROWD

Harry!  Harry!

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Just be careful, ladies.  If you ever get caught up in one of these contests, know that it sometimes leads to a game of naked twister.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. DANNY WILLIAMS' LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT

 

Danny sits in his recliner.  His wife, CAROLINE, lays on the couch.  They're watching an old movie on tv.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

When a man let's you hear the sounds his body makes, it means he feels comfortable with you.

 

Danny burps quietly.  Caroline looks at him.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Try not to be too offended, as long as he excuses himself.

 

DANNY

Oh, I'm sorry, Caroline.  Excuse me.

 

Moments later, Danny burps again.  Caroline glares at him.

 

DANNY

(pauses)

Oh, excuse me.

 

And again

 

DANNY

Oh, excuse me.

 

By now, Caroline is getting annoyed at Danny.  Danny seems to be doing this on purpose.  He burps again, and smiles at Caroline.

 

DANNY

Oh, excuse me.

 

Caroline throws a pillow at him.  He throws it right back, and burps again.

 

CAROLINE

Why, you ...

 

Danny gets up, and playfully attacks Caroline on the couch.  They wrestle with one another, until Danny stands up and takes Caroline by the hand.

 

CAROLINE

If you want to see me naked, you better promise you'll stop making those disgusting noises.

 

DANNY

But I said excuse me.

 

CAROLINE

I can excuse you once.  After that, you'd better control yourself.  Remember that.

 

DANNY

Yes, Dear.

 

CAROLINE

That's better.  Now, shall we go give your Mr. Winky a workout?

 

As they leave the room

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

And for some odd reason, men have this compulsion to name their penises.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. BUSY CITY SIDEWALK -- EVENING

 

In a quick series of street interviews, men are confessing their secret names for their penises.

 

FEMALE REPORTER

Do you have a favorite pet name for your penis?

 

VARIOUS MEN IN SUCCESSION

- Me Compadre'

- My Little Buddy

- Mr. Smiley

- Little Buddha

- The Sausage

- Schwang

- The Old Evinrude

- The Rooster

- The Snake

- Salami

- The Python

- Simba

- The Heavy Artillery

- 15 Pounds Of Swinging Meat

- My Bratwurst Looking For the Bun

- Mr. Johnson

 

 

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

Dr. Anderson returns to her desk and sits down.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Men!  You guys can be pretty funny sometimes.

Since we're on the subject, you should know something else about men and their "Little Buddies." 

In a man's mind, you either use it or lose it.  It's just that simple.  And men can't even think about the possibility of losing it.

 

EXT. AROUND CAMPFIRE AT RUSTIC CABIN -- MOMENTS LATER

 

The men are sitting around the campfire.

 

HARRY

Hey Max.  Can I ask you something?

 

MAX

No, I'm not gonna scratch your ass again.

 

JACK

Again?

 

MAX

Don't ask.

 

HARRY

No, no.  Not that.  I'm being serious here now.

 

MAX

Okay, Harry.  What is it this time?

 

HARRY

You ever have, you know....problems?

 

MAX

What sort of "problems?"

 

HARRY

Problems.  With...you know.

 

MAX

Problems with what Harry?

 

HARRY

Problems.  Man problems.

 

MAX

You mean with....?

 

HARRY

Yeah.  It ever happen to you?

 

MAX

Nope.  Never.

 

JACK

Something go wrong with the old Harold Johnson there?

 

HARRY

It's not funny, Jack.

 

JACK

The old stallion didn't come out of the gate for the last race?

 

HARRY

Stop joking about it.

 

JACK

Mr. Turtle never made it out of his shell?

 

HARRY

Okay, Jack.  Knock it off.

 

JACK

The old sausage kinda went bad before she could eat it?

 

HARRY

It's not funny Jack.  Quit making jokes.

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Men can't even joke about it.  That's bad luck.

So they use it.  And use it.  And try to use it.  And they think about using it, all day long. 

As long as he keeps it running and in good shape, with regular service and proper oil changes, keeping it properly lubricated, it'll last him a lifetime.

 

FULL SHOT GRAPHICS PAGE -- "SEX? LOVE?  WHATEVER ..."

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

What do you think of when you say "Let's make love."  For a man, it means "I want to have sex."  Men differentiate between sex and love, and most of the time they just want sex. 

A man needs sex as an integral component of love.

 

INT. CONSTRUCTION WORKER MAX'S LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT

 

Pajama clad Max is half asleep in front of his television.  The

 

SOUNDS of

 

Some of that FUNKY 70'S MUSIC and a few GRUNTS and MOANS

 

From the television let us know he's watching something pornographic.  

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

A man can have sex with any number of women, the ultimate male fantasy.  But he can only make love to a very special woman, someone whom he cares very deeply about, with whom he has a strong emotional bond.

 

Max's 40 year old wife ELIZABETH, in her negligee,  enters the living room.  She sees what's on tv, smiles, and has a seat on Max's lap.  Max is suddenly wide awake.  They begin to fool around.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

Just as a woman needs to feel loved to enjoy sex, a man needs sex in order to feel loved. 

Men can, and often do, have sex without any feelings of love, and will even use sex as a way to help them fall in love with a woman.  It takes years of practice to get it just right.

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

Coincidentally, perhaps, a women will also use sex to make a man fall in love with her.  Sometimes these things just work out.

 

INT. FITNESS CENTER -- DAY

 

Men and women working out, and checking each other out.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

So what makes men and women attractive to one another?  The most obvious characteristic is sheer physical prowess.

 

CAMERA PANS UP AND DOWN FIT, LEAN BODIES

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

The most physically impressive male and female specimens attract one another like magnets.  It's only natural.  Only in today's world, there's seldom anything natural about them, thanks to steroids and silicon.

 

EXT. BEVERLY HILLS MANSION -- DAY

 

Outside the type of mansion every would-be Hollywood star hopes to live in one day.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Another characteristic that has evolved with man is the invention of wealth, the accumulation of money and the ability to create more of it.  Money by itself is virtually useless, but it provides a man with the means to acquire the things a woman wants, whatever they might be.

 

EXT. SHOPS ALONG RODEO DRIVE -- DAY

 

Taking a tour past the upscale shops that cater to the rich and famous.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

By giving a woman what she wants, men expect that women will then give them what they want - sex. 

And that's usually what happens.  Life's funny that way.

 

FULL ON SHOT OF PICTURE OF NERDY BILL GATES

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

While it's widely believed that a woman will want a man for his intelligence, his caring, or his love, these things won't always put food on the table. 

How far do you think poor Bill Gates got on his looks alone?

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Intellect is merely a means of acquiring wealth, which can then be traded for sex.  And for a man, there is only limited caring or love without sex.

Any otherwise perfect man who is denied sex will quickly lose interest in a woman, no matter how great she is.  He'll soon be looking for another woman to fill and fulfill his sexual needs.

Remember that a man is biologically driven to breed with many females.  It's only society's admonitions that keep a man faithful and committed to one single woman.

 

INT. DANNY WILLIAMS' KITCHEN -- EVENING

 

Danny and Caroline are both preparing dinner together.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

By now you've probably heard that a man wants his woman to be like his mother in the kitchen, a lady in public, and a whore in the bedroom.  It's true.  Men love to eat, and love to eat well.  A woman who can't cook for her man, or worse, won't, is almost as bad as a woman who won't sleep with a man. 

Good food, good wine, good sex.  They're all satisfying to a man.  And they all make a man sleep better, too.

 

INT. FANCY RESTAURANT -- EVENING

 

Danny and Caroline have gotten all dressed up and gone to a nice restaurant for dinner.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Of course, it's nice to get out of the kitchen once in a while, too.

In a public setting, a woman is a trophy a man can show off to his fellow men.  The more men who lust after that woman, the higher the man ranks on the male pecking order.  Just don't touch her!

 

As the two of them enjoy their dinner, Danny reveals the secret thoughts of a man.

 

DANNY WILLIAMS

That's right guys.  Take a good look.  She's mine.  All mine!  You guys keep your dirty hands off her.  You all want her, you can't have her, she's sleeping with me! 

Nya nya nya nya.

If she looks that good with her clothes on, just imagine her naked.  Oh, that's right.  I don't have to imagine it.  I've seen her naked.  And I'm going to see her naked again tonight. 

Eat your hearts out, guys!

She's beautiful.  She's smart.  And I'm having sex with her!  Ha!

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Ah, the secret thoughts of men.

Of course, women, too, react in much the same way.

 

As one woman looks at Caroline, and at Danny, she thinks

 

WOMAN IN RESTAURANT

I wonder what it is about him that would make her want to sleep with him?

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

The more desirable a woman is, the higher the man is viewed in the eyes of his fellow men.  

That's the way men think!  That's why they work so hard all day long, to make enough money to be able to do these things.

 

Dr. Anderson stands up again and walks to her bookcases.  she pulls out a magazine.  Returning to her desk, she begins idly flipping through the magazine.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

It all goes back to that old male dominance contest of "Who's Got the Biggest Penis?"  And there's even a magazine that devotes an entire issue to answering that question every year.

 

She holds up the magazine to reveal the cover.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

It's the Forbes 400 list, and I highly recommend you ladies picking up a copy.  And since that list now includes a few women, perhaps there is something to that penis envy theory.

 

FULL SHOT GRAPHICS PAGE -- "CAREERS, JOBS & FAMILY"

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

The women on that Forbes list are generally referred to as "career women."  Women have "careers" while men get jobs.  Since everyone's working for a living these days, all these labels seems kind of silly, if you ask me.

 

EXT. BUSY CITY CONSTRUCTION SITE -- DAY

 

The guys are hard at work.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

We no longer have construction workers.  They're now all redevelopment engineers.

 

REVERSE ANGLE ON THE BUSY CITY STREET

 

A city bus goes by.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Bus drivers have become transportation coordinators.

 

EXT. GARBAGE TRUCK PICKING UP TRASH -- EARLY MORNING

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Garbage men now work for the  sanitation department.

 

INT. MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA -- LATE MORNING

 

The kitchen staff are busy preparing lunch for the kids.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

There's no such thing as a cook any more.  Now they're all nutritionists, or caterers, or full fledged chefs.

 

 

 

INT. MIDDLE SCHOOL HALLWAY -- LATE AFTERNOON

 

A janitor is mopping the floors.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

There are no more janitors.  They're now custodial engineers.

 

EXT. BEVERLY HILLS MANSION -- AFTERNOON

 

A STRAPPING YOUNG MAN, 20, is mowing the vast lawn.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

You can't just hire somebody to cut your lawn any more.  Now you have to have a landscape artist and a groundskeeper to do the job.

 

INT. BEST BUY ELECTRONICS STORE -- AFTERNOON

 

A young SALESMAN is talking with construction worker Max.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Salesmen have become purchasing consultants, or account managers, or associates.

 

INT. NEIGHBORHOOD BAR -- NIGHT

 

Back to our earlier scene, as our construction workers enjoy their beer in their favorite local bar.  Only this time the camera's on the bartender.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

Bartenders have evolved into mixologists, beverage consultants, and the neighborhood resident psychologist, serving their pearls of wisdom along with a shot of tequila to help you understand.

 

INT. DR. ANDERSON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

It's not enough in our society today to simply have a job.  Everyone has to have a career.

 

EXT. STUDIO COMMISSARY -- LUNCH TIME

 

The PRODUCER and the STUDIO EXECUTIVE who put up the money for this movie have decided to dine al fresco today.  They find a table and sit down.

 

DR. LESLIE ANDERSON

 

Just ask any waiter in New York or L.A.

 

PRODUCER

I think we have a hit with this movie.

 

STUDIO EXECUTIVE

I hope so, for what I'm putting into it this year.

 

PRODUCER

We picked a great script.  We have a terrific up and coming director.  We just need to flush out the cast and we're all set to go.

 

Their WAITER brings them water and menus.

 

STUDIO EXECUTIVE

Tell me, son.  Do you enjoy being a waiter?

 

WAITER

Oh, I'm not really a waiter.  I'm a writer slash actor.  I'm just doing research so I can meet people and find out more about them, so I can use the experience in my latest screenplay.  My agent told me this would be a good way to learn about life.

 

STUDIO EXECUTIVE

I see.  And how long have you been doing this research now?

 

WAITER

Three years next week.

 

STUDIO EXECUTIVE

And how's your screenplay coming along?

 

WAITER

I've got about 328 pages so far.  It's really good.  I think I'm almost finished with it.

 

STUDIO EXECUTIVE

Good luck with your career, kid.

 

The waiter leaves.

 

PRODUCER

Wow.  I never knew there were so many undiscovered actors and writers right here in the commissary.