Sticks, The (2025)

[bunniefuu]

Yes yes. Apartment 32

Making movies -Making movies

Bye bye

I thought I told you

to swim upstream.

You're going to scare

off all the fish.

Naw they love me.

You love me.

Oh yeah.

Shiny.

Yeah for attracting fish.

And a little mouse

too apparently.

Okay but realistically tanning

tanning is probably a lot

worse for my skin than that.

And it helps me relax.

Where the hell did

I put those matches?

Couldn't you use your

glasses to start a fire?

You know like a magnifying glass

with the sun refracting the rays.

I'm surprised you'd

even need a lighter.

No totally.

I mean if it was me I'd

probably take two rocks.

And just like knock

them together.

But I came prepared so.

Prepared? With your

suntan oil and your radio?

Hey I brought bear mace

All right Miss Prepared.

So you have your

fire source now what?

Burn the largest wood first and

then work my way down to smaller.

And wetter the better.

I'm kidding.

It's kindling.

Kindling?

-Mhmm

Small and dry.

What you got there?

What?

Where?

Well I mean you packed enough stuff for

a month. We're only going for two days.

Well you know what

they say be prepared.

Isn't that what

you're all about?

Kind of.

I'm also about living in the

moment acting on instinct.

Going where the

current takes me.

Where is the current taking us?

I'll show you.

So we're here

and we're going to take

the river up up up.

Stop here for the first night.

Mhmm

And then follow

it all the way up.

Stop here for the second night.

-Okay

Up up up to here where

we parked your car.

What if we just.

Kept going?

-Up the river?

Where would we be?

Home.

Bottle of Kananaskis.

Rough night?

Sorry I'm not judging you.

It's none of my business.

Can you put his drink on my tab?

Seriously I'm an as*h*le.

I don't know your situation.

I had a great night.

Thanks for your concern.

Despite my appearance I

can afford my own beer.

Thanks.

What?

Your night? You look like sh*t.

Yeah I'm aware.

I just got back from

a weekend of camping.

It's been a while.

Bathing?

No camping.

You know what? I

will take that beer.

You are an as*h*le.

I am.

And I'm sorry.

I'm Beth

Matt.

So are you a local Beth?

Yes unfortunately. You?

No. Just for the weekend.

I head home tomorrow.

Do you want another beer?

I don't know.

You embarrassed to

be seen with me?

Nope.

I want to hear about

your camping adventure.

Looks rough.

You backpack it all Beth?

No. Not even a little.

Really?

You're so close to the wilderness.

I find that hard to believe.

Yeah but see that's the thing.

I'm already in the sticks. Why

do I need to venture further?

I can enjoy the

outdoors from my house

where I'm warm dry

and I can shower.

Regularly.

You sound like a chicken.

You're missing out.

Yeah maybe.

I guess I just don't

really see the point.

It seems like a lot of work.

Packing. Unpacking.

That's half the fun.

Preparing for the unknown.

I can survive for two weeks

with what's in this bag.

I couldn't.

I don't think I'd last

a day to be honest.

Sure you could do it.

You could totally do it.

You just don't know

enough that's all.

I mean I...

What?

Nothing. I'm sorry I shouldn't.

I shouldn't be so pushy.

You want to take me camping.

No it's just the beer I think.

Excuse me.

Matt.

I'm in.

Wake up!

Thank God.

I thought you were a dead body.

Here. Sit up.

Let me help you.

What are you doing out here?

Please you have to help me.

You're freezing.

Look at you.

Look at your face.

Here.

Here.

Drink this.

It's hot lemon water.

My husband went for help.

He should be back soon.

Keep drinking.

It'll warm you.

We saw you from up on the ridge

and we didn't know

what to think.

What happened to you?

Are you alone?

Umm

Are you alone?

I think I'm gonna be sick.

You're really out of it.

Here drink.

There isn't any.

Nasty nasty.

-Where's your husband?

-Where's your husband?

Where's your husband? Mouse?

Where is he?

Where is he? Mouse?

Stop it!

Look who's here!

How's your tea?

Oh Honey.

You spill your cup.

Shhh. We must be patient.

Tasty tasty.

Little mouse.

You missed that alumni

thing last week.

I saved your seat.

I was out of town.

What doing?

Camping.

What? Why?

With who? Beth. A guy?

Yes. Okay. I met a guy.

And you went into the

woods with him alone?

It was actually my idea.

You're seeing someone and

haven't mentioned anything.

Well it's new and I

didn't want to jinx it.

How'd you meet?

Local guy I'm assuming.

Do I know him?

No. He's from the city.

Perfect.

Where did you meet?

We met at the grizzly actually.

Oh okay.

I verbally abused him and

then gave him my number.

Jesus Beth.

Then you deserted

yourself with him?

I didn't desert myself.

I'm happy you're

meeting new people.

But I want to be outdoors man

sounds kind of familiar.

And maybe dangerous.

Does he actually camp

camp or city camping?

He camp camps.

He's not a wannabe outdoors man. He's

nothing like Jesse. That was different.

Matt's the real deal.

Matt.

Yes Matt.

He's traditional and

he wants me to learn.

Like what?

Uh like

Where to find clean

drinking water.

And?

And

um some first aid stuff.

Hmm

I'm going to screw this up Susy.

No you won't.

But is this really

what you want?

A guy from the city that wants

to be out here when you don't?

I want out of the town but

Matt's made me look at my

situation in a different-

A different what?

He likes it out here.

I don't want to f*ck it up.

I really like him.

Sounds serious.

So how's kicking that

little habit of yours?

Does he know?

Yeah he caught on.

But we talked about

it and I quit.

I'm quitting for him.

You quit?

Yeah.

Well maybe I'm warming up

a bit to the woodsy guy.

Finally a good influence.

It was Jesse that got you started

in the first place wasn't it?

Yeah.

Anyway it's a work in progress.

I'm a work in progress

but Matt seems up to it.

Okay well I'm having

people over next Friday.

Bring Matt.

I mean this nicely Beth but

you need to stop hiding.

Stop being so secretive.

You're not going to f*ck

things up by letting him in.

By letting people in.

Don't mold yourself to

fit into a man's life.

Bring him into yours and

bring a salad or something.

It's a potluck.

Starts at five.

Yeah. You're totally right Susy.

But I actually have plans.

Friday

with Matt.

And I can't sleep if I

The way that she breathes me

Her eyes burn for you

Like fire on the mountains

The blood runs red and sweet

Like wine of a flower

If you still believe

This pale lake this pale lake

I'll still hold

I'll still hold

Mouse.

Matt?

You wearing that out?

You're joking right?

I just got home. You've

had all day to get ready.

I've been home for like an hour.

I want to finish the

dishes? Be my guest.

I was just joking. Jesus.

No you weren't. You were

trying to start a fight.

Then don't fight back.

I'm not.

Jesus. Why are you so edgy?

If you're not in the mood to go to

this thing? We don't have to go.

I didn't say I

didn't want to go.

Do you not want to go?

I didn't say that.

I just think that-

You don't really seem like

you're in the party mood.

I can go alone.

Jesus Christ.

Grow up Beth.

Listen just go get dressed.

I'll be ready in a minute.

Beth?

Where are you going?

We're leaving in ten minutes.

I'm going to the

garage to get my shoes.

Beth!

Beth! Let's go!

It's my.

How could you be so stupid Beth?

How could you be so

goddamned stupid?

I thought we talked about this.

Secrets are a poison

in any relationship.

And you still

choose to lie to me.

It's unbelievable.

Trust goes both ways Beth.

How am I supposed

to trust you now?

I just don't think

we can come back from this.

I can never trust you again

when you lie to me.

I thought you were

better than that.

I thought we were

better than that.

Jesus Christ Mouse.

How did things get so

complicated?

How did things get

so complicated Mouse?

I was such an idiot

that night at the bar.

I knew better but.

There you were.

You really caught me

off guard. You know?

The way you teased me.

Pushing my buttons.

Made me really nervous.

But then I got awkward.

And figured

it would end how

it usually does.

But you were waiting.

For me.

You gave me that matchbook and-

Six years.

So good for you.

For six years.

I loved you for six-

For six years.

I loved you.

Did you love me?

Or was it all bullshit?

I don't think we can come

back from this Mouse.

I just don't think we

can come back from this.

f*ck!

Ah!

Mouse!

Mouse!

Mouse!

Mouse!

Mouse!

Mouse!

Mouse!

Mouse?

Mouse.

Stay away from me!

Have you lost your mind?

Don't come near me.

You're sick Matt!

No. But you are.

And we need to get you home.

I saw your sh*t in the cellar.

The cellar?

In the garage.

The garage.

You go to get high right?

-What?

Don't you dare.

You attacked me in the cellar. When

I found your little treasure chest.

We don't have a cellar Mouse.

I came out there to get you.

You were f*cked up.

It took everything I had to get

you in the car and out of there.

You passed out on the drive and when

you woke up you crashed the car.

And then you bolted and

I've been worried sick.

How stupid do you think I am?

How did you find me?

You're still high.

You're seeing sh*t aren't you?

How can I be high Matt?

I've been out here for a week.

A week?

Mouse it's been a day.

You think you could survive

out here for an entire week.

But... Think about it Beth. How?

I'm so sorry.

I thought things

had gotten better.

I didn't realize it

had gotten this bad.

We need to get you home.

All those women?

Matt?

What do you think I did?

Jesus Christ! What do

you think I'm capable of?

You know me.

Trust me.

Please.

Look at your pupils.

You can't understand anything.

Please just let

me take you home.

I don't do drugs Matt.

What's in the tin Beth?

What?

The tin in your pocket.

Smokes. Smokes.

Okay you got me.

No baby.

What else is in the tin?

Open the tin.

What's in your pocket?

Matt?

God I wish I could believe you.

I wish you could.

f*ck! Ah my eyes!

You f*cking b*tch!

Jesus f*cking Christ!

Ah I f*cking can't see!

You f*cking stupid b*tch.

Beth!

Come on. Come on come on.

Come on!

Where you going to hide Mouse?

I own these woods.

Beth.

Please.

Please what?

Please don't.

You still love me Matty?

Yes of course.

How much?

What?

How much do you love

your little mouse?

Are you scared?

I'm sorry.

We're being so silly aren't we?

You can get up.

But first

I'd like a kiss.

Oh don't it make

you happy anymore?

You nasty-

You're not thinking clearly.

Here let me help you.

Open up.

Got a little girl in Knoxville

A town you all know well

Every Sunday evening

out in her home I'd dwell

We went to take an evening

walk about one mile from town

I drew a stick up from the ground

and knocked that fair girl down

She fell down on her bended

knee for mercy she did cry

Willy dear don't k*ll me

here I'm not prepared to die

She never spoke another

word I beat her more and more

'Til the ground around

her in her blood did flow

I taken her by her golden

curls I drug her round and round

Thrown her in the river

flows through Knoxville town

Go there go there you Knoxville

girl got dark and rolling eyes

There go there you Knoxville

girl you'll never be my bride