Dead Thing, The (2024)

[bunniefuu]

Alex.

They didn't tell you the

new formatting, did they?

They didn't tell you about

the new formatting, did they?

A bunch of

f*cking assholes.

Here, it's easier

if I just show you.

So they still want us to

create the base layer,

but instead of

labeling the others

1, 2, 3, and 4, they want...

I actually geared up a

little shortcut here.

You got a match

That's... Um, yeah.

Any questions?

You wanna get out of here?

What about Johnny and June?

Can... can you?

Yeah.

Yeah, would you?

Maybe I should just

post it on Facebook.

Mom, I'm kidding.

Mom, what?

No.

What are... Mom, you

don't know, okay?

Mom, you have no idea

anything had happened.

Mommy.

Do you ever feel like...

What?

Tell me.

Do you ever feel like

there's just no escape?

There's just day

after day after day.

It feels like you're

doing something different.

But then, you know, as you

fall asleep, you realize,

oh, it was just the same

day, except different

clothes, maybe...

sometimes it's the same clothes.

I mean, in this

place, can you imagine

dying in a place like this?

How would that happen?

I don't know.

Things happen... shootings,

fires, stampedes.

The last place I would

want to die is on the

floor of some hipster bar.

I don't know what's worse...

here or in a rental apartment

or some soulless office

under fluorescent lights.

Sounds like you need

to get out of LA.

Oh.

I'm sorry.

I... I don't know

what's wrong with me.

You must think I'm so rude.

We don't really

need to talk, do we?

Is that your cat in the picture?

Uh, no, not mine.

Oh.

There's just something

about you and that cat.

Yeah?

It just

got my attention.

Um, it's a fine job.

It pays decent, and I

don't really have a boss.

But is it what you

want to be doing?

I mean, it's in the vicinity.

No.

No, it's not what

I want to be doing.

So what's stopping you?

I don't know.

I guess I'm waiting.

Yeah, that'll...

that'll do it.

Mm.

Did you go somewhere?

I'm not keeping you up, am I?

Mm, no.

No, I... I start work at night.

What about you?

I'm not sure.

Well, shouldn't

you figure it out?

Okay, what's the

name of the place?

Scotty's off Sunset.

Okay, do you work day?

Night?

Mm, both, I think.

You think?

I don't want to go to sleep.

Are you sleepy?

Never.

You wanna hear something?

Did you lose something?

Mm-hmm.

Yeah, can I see your earbuds?

Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

Mm.

I fly home on a rainbow

Drunk on these same notes

And thinking of you

Not you but the whole thing

The sky and your shoestring

All the same view

'Cause I saw

where you're going

The depth of the ocean

Is calling for you

Hold mine till we get there

Listen to what she's doing.

I used to do this all

the time in high school.

Who else lives here?

Uh, my old friend, Kara.

That's cute.

Her mom bought it for her.

I'm just crashing here until

I figure something else out.

How long have you been here?

Two years.

It's finished.

I love it.

Can I keep it?

I guess, if you want.

Can I do one of you?

Sure.

Okay.

- I'll make it easy for you.

- Okay.

- I won't move my face.

- Okay.

I'm sorry.

That feels loaded.

Maybe close your mouth.

Yeah, that's what I needed.

It's pretty good, huh?

Yeah.

What is that?

Uh, it's a skeleton

playing his ribs.

What?

You know, like...

like an old cartoon.

It's like, a skeleton

playing his ribs.

What?

Like, bum, bum, bum bum?

Like that?

Mm.

Hmm.

Mm, I have to go to work.

So...

Yeah.

Well, it was nice knowing you.

I like you.

I know.

This is crazy, right?

Okay.

Bye.

This is ridiculous.

Right?

I mean, this is

f*cking ridiculous.

They can't just

increase our workload

and expect us to still finish

it on time by this session.

Mark.

What?

Just do it!

Mm.

Mm.

Mm-hmm.

You're crazy.

Falling down like a domino

A criminal on the

run from the law

Hotel

Took a ride to New Mexico

Hey.

Did... did you go out or...

Paul said he wanted

to come over.

Okay, and you're gonna to let

him at 2:00 in the morning?

I mean, I guess I

just wanted to talk.

Kara, f*ck him.

All set?

Did you find everything?

Yeah.

Did you need your

Fitbit charger?

I... I didn't see it.

Well, did you want it?

Yeah, if you know where it is.

Okay, because I think

you can live without

your f*cking Fitbit charger.

Okay, actually, can

we have a second?

Thanks.

Okay.

I just want you to

tell me the truth.

Look, everything just

happened so fast.

Are you mad at me?

What?

Are you mad at me?

I... I thought maybe

I did something.

No.

Um, is there something here?

Like...

Uh... um, you know, I just...

I... I kind of make it a

point to not date people

that I'm working with.

You know what I mean?

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

No, that's a smart...

that's smart.

- Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah. Sorry, um...

Oh, god.

Hi.

Um, sorry, do you know

when Kyle is working next?

I... I'm not sure.

I just started here.

Oh, okay.

Uh, do you think I

could leave him a note?

- Yeah, sure.

- Okay.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Just, um...

So anyways, like, I told

him, there's absolutely

no way this is going to work.

He's like, I got this.

So he ends up racing

the dune in the ATV,

flips it at the top.

It take us 2 1/2 hours to

dig it out of the sand.

Yeah.

That... work partners.

So what do you do?

For a living.

What do you do?

Oh, um, basically, I scan...

Everything okay?

So do you live close by

or... because if you do,

I know this amazing little

Italian place around the corner

in case you're hungry.

Or... or we could stay here.

Um, I'm sorry.

Oh, hi.

Hi.

I just wanted to see if Kyle

was in or if he got my note.

Oh, yeah.

Um, after you were here last

time, I asked my manager.

I'm so sorry.

Were you two close?

Is this a joke?

I'm so sorry.

I think it happened

just around the corner.

Hi, um, I'm sorry for

stopping by like this so late.

I just wanted to talk

to you about Kyle.

Who?

The guy you were with?

What's this about?

I... I saw you at

that bar together.

And... and then I...

well, I... I followed you here.

And I... I saw you...

Okay.

No, wait, I...

Kyle is a really

good friend of mine.

And I've been, like, desperately

trying to get a hold of him.

And... and I...

I haven't heard from him.

This is going to be

a weird question,

but did you guys

meet on Friktion?

How do you know that?

I...

Who are you?

I'm really sorry.

Alex?

Kyle.

I hope I didn't

keep you waiting.

Is everything okay?

You don't remember me?

I'm sorry.

Have we met?

What is this?

You, uh... you did this

from my profile pic?

What, are you stalking me?

You don't know?

I don't know what I'm doing.

We don't really

need to talk, do we?

Um, I need a beer.

Hey.

Hi.

Wait.

What's wrong?

I went by Scotty's.

Is that where we met?

I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have met you.

I thought you weren't

coming in tonight.

Uh, I'm feeling better.

It's actually a pretty

light work night.

What's the occasion?

What?

You... you look nice.

Oh, thanks.

Thank you.

I'm actually pretty

glad you came in.

What?

Today is my birthday.

Happy birthday.

I'm turning 30.

Congratulations.

You're supposed to

say "my condolences."

Um, my condolences.

Mark!

- What?

Look, I know you

date a lot of guys.

Why not me?

I'm sex-positive.

I'm not saying we have

to rush or anything.

Mark!

f*ck!

f*ck.

f*ck.

I'm sorry for coming here.

I don't usually follow

people like this.

What is going on?

We drew these?

When did we draw these?

You really don't know, do you?

I know I like you.

I know I feel close to you.

What's wrong?

A couple of months ago...

Tell me.

These are mine?

Did anything happen to me?

What?

Just stay the f*ck away from me!

Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!

Hi.

What are you doing?

They kept calling.

Who?

The dress shop.

So I picked it up.

And you put it on?

Yeah, I just wanted to

see what it looked like.

All right, come on.

It's pretty, right?

Yeah.

Come on, let's get up.

Let's go.

Do you like it?

Don't do

this to yourself.

It would have been

a perfect day.

What are you doing?

So you can stop

torturing yourself.

Well, maybe I want

to be tortured.

Take it off.

I want it on.

Take it off.

No!

Take the f*cking dress off!

It's my dress!

I can wear it if I want to.

Stop being so g*dd*mn pathetic.

It's over. So take off...

- Stop, stop.

- The f*cking...

You're being...

you're gonna tear it.

Stop!

- Take it off!

What is wrong with you?

I'm sorry.

I'm pathetic?

You're pathetic.

You don't even have a dress.

I fly home on a rainbow

Drunk on these same notes

And thinking of you

Not you but the whole thing

The sky and your shoestring

All the same view

'Cause I saw

where you're going

The depth of the ocean

Is calling for you

Hold mine till we get there

Your hand is fresh air

Pulls me right through

That field full of...

Um, you mind if I join you?

Mm.

So what happened

to the last guy?

Did he, like, scan

his d*ck or something?

Uh, wow.

Did I... did I just say that?

I'm sorry. That was...

- Inappropriate?

- Yeah.

Yeah.

Probably shouldn't

be talking about...

Dicks?

Yeah, that.

At work.

Yeah, that's

probably a good idea,

you know, especially

since it's your first day.

Yeah.

So how am I doing so far?

You mean besides the

sexual harassment?

Okay. Yeah, thank you so much.

I'm actually... I'm going to go

resign, and I'll let you eat.

No, no, that's okay.

What is wrong with me?

I don't know why I just...

I... I really can't

help myself sometimes.

I really just open my mouth.

Yep, I can see that.

Yeah.

Okay, so what did happen

to the previous guy?

Did he, like, die in a

freak scanning accident?

Oh, sh*t.

Did he die?

Is that why you're in mourning?

I'm not in mourning.

Uh, look, I don't

really know you.

But I feel like all you're

missing is a little black veil.

Okay, okay.

I'm sorry if I made you smile

while you're trying to be sad.

Oh, yeah. That's the spirit.

Yeah, don't be sad.

Let's get angry.

Yeah, I mean, like,

what have you got there?

What's going on?

Is that a... is that

a California roll?

I see you are the

adventurous type.

What are you eating?

Uh, this is toro.

It is fatty tuna,

and it is delicious.

Oh, my god.

Wait.

Have you... have

you never had this?

No, I don't really do raw fish.

Oh, then you've got to try it.

Come on. Oh, please.

Have a piece.

Come on.

Come on, have a piece.

You're going to love it.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah, that's good.

That's good preparation.

Yeah, just let it

melt in your mouth.

That's good, right?

Tell the truth.

Mm-hmm.

Mm, it's good.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah, it's good.

Thank you very much.

Can I

have some more?

Uh, you know, I mean...

yeah, you can have...

you can have one.

- Nice.

- Mm.

Kyle?

Sara.

Oh, thank god.

What?

You look like your profile pic.

Oh, well, uh, so do you.

You look even more

like your profile pic.

You're radiant.

Thanks.

Uh, so from your profile,

I believe it said

you're originally from LA?

Yeah.

Have you ever lived

anywhere else?

We don't really need to talk.

Do we?

No, I

don't think we do.

Let's go to the couch.

Couches are sexier

than beds, right?

Beds are for old married people.

Beds are where people go to die.

Come here.

It's okay.

Oh, my god!

Ah!

No, please.

Don't k*ll me, please.

Okay, can I ask you something?

Why do we always eat in

the most soulless room

in the entire place?

Where do you suggest we eat?

Well, if it's not off limits.

Okay, well, it's like this.

I'm terrible at picking

out shoes, okay?

In the past, I'd always

try to buy cool shoes,

and they would always just

come out, like, slightly off.

You mean uncool?

Oh, so uncool.

The most uncool.

So now, in order to

remedy this predicament,

I go into the store, and I

look for the ugliest shoes

I can find.

And if they got them

in my size, I buy them.

Okay.

I just feel like there's

nothing worse than trying to be

cool and failing, you know?

I mean, to me, that

feels like so much worse

than simply being uncool.

But... but if you

aim for the opposite

and you succeed, well, in a way,

you become cool, you know?

Yeah, I'm sorry.

There's just nothing

cool about those shoes.

No, I know. I know.

I know. They're... no, I know.

But, you know, they're

my happy shoes.

Oh.

Okay, so can I

ask you something?

Mm-hmm, yeah.

Are you still in mourning?

Mm, honest?

Mm-hmm, mm.

That's an honest answer.

That's cool. Okay.

It's all right.

Uh, okay, I will be right back.

Kyle?

Kyle?

I was walking down the street.

I was headed for the train.

I put in my earbuds, and

I stepped off the curb.

That's when I heard it.

You got a match.

I look down.

Cute girl.

Really cute girl.

University of Miami sweatshirt.

I pressed Connect on

my phone, and it starts

to drift away from my hand,

like it's in slow motion.

And I realize I'm spinning.

There's no sound.

There's nothing.

Just a faint taste of blood.

My only thought...

my only thought

is I wonder when she can meet.

I wonder if she

can meet tonight.

I slept with so many

women in my time.

And I thought it

would never end.

Then you... you took

it away from me.

I don't want to go.

I don't know what will happen.

And I can see it, the

darkness creeping in

at the end of every room,

at the edge of every street.

You don't have to go.

You're right.

We're alive.

I can feel all of you.

Am I the only one?

You were right.

He's an as*h*le, and I got

to see his true colors.

So I guess better now than

in five years when I'm fat.

I'm sorry for being

such a miserable b*tch.

I'm sorry I tore your dress.

Ugh.

I don't know.

I'm gonna eBay it, so.

We need some serious

hangout time.

I have to go to work.

Well, not now.

Like, we could... I don't

know... this weekend,

we can get an Airbnb

like we used to.

Tan, drink.

Yeah.

Come on.

I miss us.

Me, too.

Okay, whatever. I

know you're busy.

Just let me know when your

calendar opens up, okay?

Amazing.

You finally answered.

I found a bunch of your stuff.

There's like more things.

You can just come

pick it up whenever.

Yeah, I don't know.

Just things.

Just... Okay. Yeah.

Is blood spilling through

But try switching

the lenses

But find out your senses

Hey.

You, uh, forget

to set your alarm?

Mm.

I thought you left.

I was waiting for you.

I missed you.

I missed you, too.

Do you need me?

I need you.

We can go wherever you want.

We can leave,

just you and me.

Say that you need me.

Say that you need me.

Say that you need me.

Our love, we can be unending.

We were so close.

Did you feel it?

Uh-huh.

Hey, it's okay.

I'm not gonna let

anything happen to you.

f*ck.

What?

I'm late.

Call in sick.

I can't. I can't.

I have to...

- Come on, stay.

I can't.

I have to go to work.

- You can.

Just call him.

No, I really...

I really have to

go. I have to go.

I haven't...

Please.

Kyle, please, just let go.

I have to go.

- I want you.

I have to go. Ugh!

What the f*ck?

I'm sorry.

Hey.

I didn't mean to, okay?

Um...

Please, just stay.

Kiss?

It's okay.

Sorry I'm late.

Um, what happened?

Um, I just had a really

hard time getting an Uber.

No, seriously.

I'm... I'm not that late.

You got my messages, right?

Dale left some, too.

No, I... I don't think so.

No?

No.

They thought you left town?

They replaced me?

Well, yeah, you didn't

show for over a week.

What?

It's been nine days.

Is everything okay?

Um... yeah.

Hey, are you...

are you all right?

Like, it's okay.

- Da, da, da.

Don't, please.

Whoa.

Do you wanna... do you

wanna tell me what happened?

Why do you even care?

Well, because I thought...

I was worried about you.

I thought something

had happened.

You... you were gone

for over a week.

Yeah. I know.

You said that.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay, hey.

- I can't breathe.

- Okay, okay.

All right.

Shh, it's all right.

Just breathe. Just breathe.

Okay.

I'm sorry.

- It's... it's okay.

- No.

- Okay.

All right, I have to go home.

Alex, could... could you

just at least just call me

if... if you need anything?

Yeah.

Sure.

Kara?

Are you home?

Hello?

Alex?

What are you doing?

You said to get

my stuff. I was...

What are you doing in my room?

Get out.

I just wanted to

leave you a note.

f*ck you.

Please.

No, get out.

Get out of my house.

Get out.

Go.

Bye.

You left your f*cking box.

How?

What the f*ck?

Ah!

I lost my job.

Hmm?

I missed a week of work.

So weird.

It was like I was gone.

I missed you.

Did you miss me?

I don't even know what

day of the week it is.

Here, let me hold you.

Mm...

Mm, I need to.

Well, I can't right now.

Hey, you're tired. Hey.

Come on. Lay down.

I'm not tired.

I'm...

Hey.

Is there something wrong?

I just told you what was wrong.

It's Paul, isn't it?

Paul?

I don't know...

Is that who you want to be with?

Why didn't you

tell me about him?

Because it has nothing

to do with you.

This happened before

I even knew you.

Did Kara see this?

Well, she was here, so.

f*ck.

f*ck.

Hey, it's okay.

Hey, I'm sorry.

She didn't see it, okay? See?

Look. It's okay.

No, Kyle.

I'm here for you.

No!

Alex, please.

Alex.

I'm sorry. Okay?

Hey, no.

You need me.

I know you need me.

Kyle, get away.

You're just confused.

I know what's in there.

I felt it.

I just need space.

You said I could stay.

I know.

But it's just not possible.

What do you

mean, it's not possible?

You're here.

I'm here.

Kyle, you're...

you're hurting me.

Alex, don't do this.

I don't know what's

gonna happen.

I don't know what's next.

None of us do.

I just need you gone.

I think

I found the way.

So how did you find this place?

I just, you know, was hiking

around and saw those rocks,

and I was like, go for it.

Stumbled on.

There it is.

So you found it by accident.

By accident.

Yeah, that's how it happened.

Yeah.

I really needed this.

Obviously.

Um, I'm really glad you called.

It feels like we're a

million miles from LA.

Yeah, it does not

take much, does it?

Okay, so would you like

to know why I never...

why I never brought her here?

Yeah?

Well, she's in Chicago,

and we broke up before I left.

And then we got back together.

And she was actually

supposed to come out.

And this might

sound really crazy.

But I told her the truth.

I told her that I...

that I met someone.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Um, at work, actually.

Um, was that okay?

What is it?

I just don't know if

I'm ready for this.

Okay, okay.

No, I mean, like, I just

have a couple of things

that I really need to

take care of before

I can really be here with you.

Are you mad?

Oh, I'm furious.

No, no, I get it.

There's no rush, you know?

I'm gonna...

I'm gonna take a shower.

Maybe we can go

do something or...

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Okay.

All right, so have fun.

Oh!

I wanna see you.

I wanna talk to you.

I... I wanna tell you everything

if... if you'll let me.

Um... So,

yeah, just, um...

I mean, just call me.

I'm... I'm around.

I'm around, so, um, okay.

I'm sorry.

Bye.

The shower is nice.

You should take one.

Did you, uh... did

you forget your towel?

Is everything okay?

Chris?

Chris?

Ugh!

Chris?

No!

No!

No, no, no.

Chris.

He'll never be able to touch

you, not like I touched you.

We can be together now always.

I'll never hurt you.

I wanna be inside of you.

And you... you could

be inside of me.

No!

No!

There is no one else.

There's nothing.

Just you and me.

We're so close now.

Can you feel it?

Can you feel us?

You remember that first

night, how it felt?

I was with you always,

looking for you.

I have to...

I have to go get Kara.

You don't have to worry

about that anymore.

What do you...

what do you mean?

I took care of everything.

What did you do?

And now I'm yours.

I'm all yours, and you're mine.

I will never be yours.

Why?

Why are you doing this?

I know you love me.

Say you do.

Say it.

Say it!

Say it!

This isn't love.

It can't be.

You need me.

Never.

I need you.

I just want us to be.

Hey, this is Kara.

Leave a message.

Hey, uh, it's me.

It's sometime Saturday.

I need to talk to you.

I'm just so sorry.

And I miss you.

And I wanna see you.

And I wanna talk to you.

I wanna tell you everything,

if you'll let me.

So whenever you

get this, call me.

Call me anytime.

I'm here.

I fly home on a rainbow

Drunk on these same notes

And thinking of you

Not you but the whole thing

The sky and your shoestring

All the same view

'Cause I saw

where we're going

The depth of the ocean

Is calling for you

Hold mine till we get there

Your hand is fresh air

Pulls me right through

That field full of roses

When pulled out of focus

Is blood spilling through

But try switching

the lenses

But find out your senses

Is talking true

So I let it slide

Right out of my mind

I let it