THEN IT WAS GONE
                                     By Martin Douglas

               At one time Alan was a big star n Hollywood.  His days of 
               fame and fortune are now over and his wife and him are 
               constantly struggling with bills.  He is no longer the man 
               he once was and his wife has given up all hope for him.

               INT. LIVING ROOM -- DAY

               Alan walks into the room disappointed.  He collapses on the 
               couch next to his wife, Kathy.  He glances at her as she 
               watches the T.V. set.  He gets back up and walks over to the 
               bar, pours himself a shot of whiskey, and downs it in one 
               quick gulp.  She glances as she starts tapping her fingers 
               on the arm rest of the chair.

                                     KATHY
                         Back to the bottle huh?  That's just 
                         like you Alan.

                                     ALAN
                         I didn't get the part.

                                     KATHY
                         I'm not surprised.

                                     ALAN
                         A little compassion would be nice.

                                     KATHY
                         Why?  Let's face it, you're a washed 
                         up has been....Actually you're a 
                         never was.  

                                     ALAN
                         I'm trying.  It's just...I can't 
                         help it that the studios aren't....

                                     KATHY
                         Alan we are going to lose the house.  
                         We're going to lose everything.

                                     ALAN
                         I know!....I know.

                                     KATHY
                         You don't know shit.  You're the 
                         biggest coward.

                                     ALAN
                         What do you want me to do?  Walk in 
                         and demand they give me a leading 
                         role?  The business doesn't work 
                         that way.  It's not like it was 
                         when....

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                                                                         2.


                                     KATHY
                              (mocking him)
                         When the studios respected actors.  
                         Give me a break.  I am so sick of 
                         you talking about how it used to be.

                                     ALAN
                         But back then...

                                     KATHY
                         Back then it was exactly the same 
                         way it is now.  You just thought you 
                         were such hot shit at the time that 
                         you never noticed.  You were to busy 
                         having fun with all the money being 
                         thrown at you, the women, and your 
                         meaningless little toys. 

                                     ALAN
                         I didn't see you complaining when I 
                         took you out and lavished you with 
                         all those gifts.

                                     KATHY
                         That's about all you were good for.  
                         You never could satisfy a woman any 
                         other way.  And your bedroom skills, 
                         completely lacking.

                                     ALAN
                         I never had any complaints...

                                     KATHY
                         You never had any other women either.

                                     ALAN
                         Don't you dare talk to me like that.

                                     KATHY
                         Why not Alan?  It's true.  You're 
                         nothing, you never were.

                                     ALAN
                         I was respected.

                                     KATHY
                         You didn't mean shit to anyone.  Do 
                         you know how hard it was to stick by 
                         you when I knew everyone was laughing 
                         at you behind you back, laughing at 
                         me for standing by your side.  You're 
                         just a clown, a puppet they used 
                         when they needed something.  They 
                         respected your money, and now you 
                         don't even have that.

               Alan collapses in on the couch.

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                                                                         3.


                                     ALAN
                         If I'm such a joke why don't you 
                         leave me.

                                     KATHY
                         I did Alan, a long time ago.  You 
                         just didn't notice.

               Kathy exits.