Joanne

CLOSE ON JOANNE’S TERRIFIED EYES AS THE CAMERA STRUGGLES TO KEEP THEM CENTERED IN ALL THE TURBULENCE.

We hear the SOUNDS of an airplane in distress: PASSENGERS GASPING, WIND POUNDING AGAINST THE WINGS, A BABY CRYING.

We hear the DING of an airline pilot’s intercom.

PILOT (V.O.)
(through intercom, a bit shaken himself)
Okay folks. Sorry everybody. That was a rough one back there, but we’re on the ground now. Slight issue with the nav system, but uhhh -- welcome to New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport.

CUT TO:

EXT. UBER PICK-UP - ARRIVALS TERMINAL - NEWARK, NJ - NIGHT

JOANNE, (50s, funny, thoughtful, Southern and a little pushy), stands with her rollaboard suitcase next to her visibly unnerved co-worker ENRIQUE, 30s, as he takes a strong puff from his vape pen. Both are flight attendants and dressed accordingly.

ENRIQUE
That was fucking crazy. That was not normal turbulence. I truly thought we were gonna die. You okay Joanne? Has something like that ever happened to you before?

Enrique offers Joanne his vape pen, but she declines. We study Joanne, taking everything in. How is she handling this moment? Her previously terrified eyes now appear exhausted and resolute. Joanne takes out her phone types into it.

JOANNE
(calmly)
Nope.

An UBER pulls up for Joanne.

ENRIQUE
Wait, you’re not bunking at the roach motel?

JOANNE
Sadly, I don’t think I am, Enrique. Think I’ll check in on my daughter in the city tonight.

ENRIQUE
(a bit surprised)
In New York City? But you hate the city. You’re afraid of the city.

The DRIVER helps Joanne put her bag in the trunk.

JOANNE
Can you cover pre-flight inspection tomorrow? I may run a bit late.

ENRIQUE
Joanne, are you okay?

Joanne grabs the vape pen from Enrique and inspects it.

JOANNE
What do I do, push this button?

Joanne takes a puff of the vape pen and immediately begins to cough.

ENRIQUE
Who are you right now?

Joanne shuts the car door.

CUT TO:

TITLES OVER BLACK: JOANNE

ENRIQUE (V.O.)
Joanne?

We hear a phone RING.

JOANNE (V.O.)
(through phone)
Hi sweetheart. Sorry, did I wake you?

AVERY (V.O.)
(annoyed)
Mom. What?

INT. AVERY’S BEDROOM - BROOKLYN - MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

AVERY, (23, confident and self-conscious in equal measure), sits up in bed and turns on a nearby lamp on the floor. She pushes aside her sleeping MALE HOOK-UP. Avery’s room is full of found objects, half-finished projects and a floor she uses as her closet. Avery is an artist without a medium.

AVERY
(into phone, nervous)
Is it grandma? Is she gone?

JOANNE (V.O.)
(through phone, confused)
What? No. Grandma’s fine. Why would you say that? Did she call you?

AVERY
(into phone)
No. It’s just three in the morning and grandma is old. What do you want, mom?

JOANNE (V.O.)
(through phone)
I’m downstairs and my phone’s about to die. Can you let me in?

Avery slips on some shorts and goes to her window.

EXT. AVERY’S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

From the window, we ZOOM IN on Joanne as she and her Uber driver MUNEER pull her luggage out of the car’s trunk. It appears that he and Joanne have become close friends during the drive over.

JOANNE
(heard through phone)
Muneer, show me how to give you five stars. Do you have a card? And tell your wife about the fish oils. That’ll clear everything up.

Joanne spots Avery in the window and gives a big wave.

CUT TO:

INT. AVERY’S LIVING ROOM - BROOKLYN - MOMENTS LATER

Standing near the doorway, Joanne takes in the state of her daughter’s apartment.

Dishes are piled in the sink. Mismatched and half-broken furniture. A painting studio where a dining room table should be. Avery’s three artist roommates, JOAQUIN, MADDIX, and EVELYN sit on the floor. The roommates cut pictures out of old magazines while sharing a bottle of tequila.

Avery joins her mother in the doorway with her luggage.

JOANNE
(to Avery, trying to be pleasant)
Did you get new curtains?

AVERY
(to roommates)
Guys, this is my mom, Joanne.
(to Joanne)
Mom, these are my roommates: Joaquin, Maddix and Evelyn. We’re all in “Applied Art Through Multimedia Performance Studies” together.

JOANNE
Oh, how nice.
(then)
How do you all fit in here?
(to Avery)
I thought you said this was a two bedroom?

AVERY
(to Joanne, embarrassed)
Mom. Stop it. They’re together.

JOANNE
Who is? Which ones?

AVERY
(re: all three roommates)
They are.

Avery’s male hook-up enters carrying his bicycle from Avery’s bedroom and makes his way past Avery and Joanne.

MALE HOOK-UP
(to Avery)
See ya around?

AVERY
Sure. Maybe.

MALE HOOK-UP
(to Joanne)
Bye mom.

CUT TO:

INT. AVERY'S BEDROOM - BROOKLYN - MOMENTS LATER

Avery pushes the old clothes and garbage off her bed as Joanne takes off her shoes. Both get ready to share the bed.

AVERY
You can’t just show up like this.

JOANNE
I texted you Avery. I’m sorry.

AVERY
I was busy.

JOANNE
(with a laugh)
Obviously. Is that your boyfriend? He seems fun.

AVERY
Oh no. We’re not doing this now.

JOANNE
(stern, exhausted)
Avery, honey, I’ve been flying since five AM yesterday and my feet are about to fall off. There’s some tornado or freakin’ dust bowl over Kansas, so the airline parked us at Newark for the turnaround. They can work me double shifts into the ground, but their precious baby pilots need a nap. It was either here or some hooker truck stop in Jersey, and I haven’t set eyes on you since Thanksgiving, so I thought I’d spend a little quality time with my only daughter. Is that okay with you?

AVERY
(contrite)
Sorry. I’m just tired.

Joanne collapses into the bed and takes a deep breath.

JOANNE
We had horrible turbulence on the way over and there was a moment when the pilots, who never stop jabbering, just went dead quiet and I thought--

AVERY
(not listening)
How are the dentists?

JOANNE
Your father and brother are fine. We should send them a selfie. Proof of life.

Joanne digs through her purse for her phone. She pulls Avery in close to take a photo.

AVERY
When do you leave?

JOANNE
Redeye tomorrow. You’re so pleasant.

Both Joanne and Avery make a funny face as the flash goes off.

FADE TO:

INT. AVERY'S BEDROOM - BROOKLYN - MORNING

Avery wakes to the sound of her mother’s SCREAM from another room. Avery turns to see her mother is missing from the bed.

INT. AVERY'S LIVING ROOM - BROOKLYN - MOMENTS LATER

Avery hurriedly opens her bedroom door to discover her mother wasn’t exactly screaming, she was LAUGHING. Joanne, still in uniform, finishes cooking breakfast for Maddix and Evelyn with Joaquin’s help on the skillet.

JOANNE
(to Evelyn)
Uncle Sam can barely mail a letter these days, you expect big government to run healthcare!
(taking over for Joaquin)
And let the record show, I never promised I could flip an omelette!

Joanne gives the skillet a flip, perfect omelette. Everyone cheers, except for Avery, who’s a bit embarrassed. Joanne notices Avery and waves her over.

EVELYN
Joanne, I’m sending you a link to this incredible podcast right now and you have to listen to it. It’s about this case study in Sweden...

Joanne hands her daughter a full plate and gives her a kiss on the forehead.

JOANNE
Good morning dear.

AVERY
Mom, did you sleep at all?

JOANNE
You know I don’t sleep and your father Face-timed me that he found some weird bump on his ass he thought might be cancer. Had to talk him through that one. Then your brother called. He was up all night with the baby and needed company. His wife, sweet thing, is just useless. You should really visit them. Babies tend to grow up fast, you know. One minute they’re drooling in your arms, the next they’re fancy artists in the big city. You still drool, though.

AVERY
What’s going on mom? You seem a little manic.

JOANNE
(dismissive)
I’m just excited to see you is all. We never get to hang out, just us. I’m always dragging your father around. And with our kitchen renovation at home, he’s driving me to murder.

Joanne pulls out her phone to show Avery some pictures.

JOANNE (CONT’D)
That reminds me. Backsplashes. This one? This one? Or this one?

AVERY
(taking this seriously)
That one, definitely.

JOANNE
I knew you were my daughter.
(on to business)
So, I was thinking we’d start with a boozy brunch, then you could show me your neighborhood.

AVERY
That sounds nice, but I have plans today. I can’t just drop everything to be your tour guide.

JOANNE
(a bit hurt)
That’s fine. I can do my own thing.

AVERY
I’m sorry, mom. I just have studio space booked at school today that’s impossible to get and there’s a show tonight my professor curated that I’m sort of...in.

JOANNE
(getting excited)
Like as an actor? Like when you played Sandy the dog in that horrible production of Annie you did at that ridiculous summer camp we paid for?

AVERY
(not enjoying this)
No.

Avery and Joanne sit in awkward silence a moment.

AVERY (CONT’D)
Do you want to come to the show?

JOANNE
I’m invited?

Avery grabs a postcard from her nearby backpack and hands it to Joanne. Joanne inspects the postcard.

AVERY
(annoyed)
Yes mom. I’m inviting you. I mean you won’t like it, but...

On the postcard: A picture of a big red balloon and the words “PLACENTA/POLENTA”. There’s an address and time on the back.

AVERY (CONT’D)
...There’ll be an open bar.

JOANNE
I’ll be there.

The roommates start to head out. Avery grabs her backpack and starts to pack up. She hands her mom a key.

JOAQUIN/MADDIX/EVELYN
Bye!/Thanks for breakfast!/Stop watching Fox News!

AVERY
Here’s a key to the apartment. There’s no key to the building, just a code on the door. It’s 5279. Do you need me to write that down?

JOANNE
(typing in her iPhone)
I’ve got it, honey. I’ve got my whole life packed into this stupid thing.
(re: the postcard)
I can’t believe they let you get a degree in this stuff.

Avery starts to head out the door.

AVERY
It’s not a degree actually. It’s a certificate.

Avery leaves and now Joanne is all alone.

JOANNE
(yelling after her)
Well, it sure doesn’t cost like a certificate.

Joanne takes a look around the apartment and sighs.

JOANNE (CONT’D)
(to herself)
So this is Brooklyn?

CUT TO:

INT. AVERY'S APARTMENT - BROOKLYN - DAY
A montage of Joanne alone in the apartment:
- Joanne plays on her phone.
- Joanne sweeps the floors and talks on the phone.

JOANNE
(into phone)
Well, what color is his poop? I’m not there honey, so you’ll just have to check. Put your wife on please.

- Joanne takes a nap.
- Joanne opens a stinky old take-out container.
- Joanne cleans out the fridge and talks on the phone.

JOANNE (CONT’D)
(into phone)
No ma’am, the passengers looked a little green, but all in one piece. What? Completely flamed out? I had no idea. No, no, I’m okay.

- Joanne pokes around Avery’s bedroom.
- Joanne catches her reflection in the mirror.
- Joanne searches through Avery’s closet.
- Joanne tries on some of Avery’s clothes and talks on the phone.

JOANNE (CONT’D)
(into phone)
You’re the rep, so if you say I should sign...No, I’ll be on the turnaround tonight...Well, should I be scared?

- Joanne finds an outfit that looks good and leaves the room.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET - BROOKLYN - DAY

Joanne walks down the street juggling a bagel, coffee and her iPhone with the podcast application running.

Joanne admires the scenery - the trees, buildings, people. An OLDER WOMAN pushes a cart full of groceries down the street. A MAN has a casual conversation with ANOTHER MAN leaning out of his second floor window. A group of TEENS make a strange TikTok dance video.

EDUCATED PODCAST VOICE
(through headphones)
And when we checked back in with Sven, Hilda and their seven children after six months, we were amazed to find...

An ANXIOUS WOMAN approaches Joanne.

ANXIOUS WOMAN
Excuse me, would you happen to know where I can find the subway from here?

JOANNE
(unsure, but trying to help)
Oh, well, I’m not really sure. Let me just check...

Joanne pulls up the maps application on her phone. The anxious woman and Joanne spin around as they decipher which direction they are facing.

ANXIOUS WOMAN
There it is. Thank you.
(then)
I’m sorry, I thought…You just look like you live around here.

JOANNE
I do?

The anxious woman rushes off as Joanne catches her reflection in a window. She does look a bit like a New Yorker. Across the street she notices a sign for an apartment OPEN HOUSE.

CUT TO:

INT. VACANT APARTMENT - BROOKLYN - DAY

Joanne takes a tour of the one bedroom apartment with a pompous REALTOR and another naive YOUNG COUPLE.

REALTOR
There’s a washer/dryer in the basement and we can throw in the A/C units that are currently installed.

YOUNG COUPLE
Do you take guarantors? / Any way to wave the broker fee?

Joanne finishes her coffee and hides the cup in the fridge.

REALTOR
I’m sorry, we can’t waive the fee. But I can show you a studio if...

The disappointed young couple quickly leave.

Joanne stands in the middle of the bedroom, taking in the light and fresh air.

REALTOR (O.S.) (CONT’D)
You only live once.

Joanne, caught off guard, spins around to face the realtor.

REALTOR (CONT’D)
Might as well enjoy it. Spacious, right? It’s pre-war. When are you planning to move?

JOANNE
I’m just sort of looking.

REALTOR
I see. Looking for a pied-à-terre or looking to leave your husband?

Joanne is flustered for a moment, but then decides to play along.

JOANNE
The old man up and died. Thinking of starting fresh.

REALTOR
Well I’ll be straight with you. The owner would prefer a mature tenant, someone responsible. You’d have a leg up on all the kids. It’ll be nine thousand up front. First, security and eighteen percent broker fee if you’d like to—

Hearing the number, Joanne dies of laughter.

CUT TO:

EXT. AVERY'S APARTMENT - BROOKLYN - LATE AFTERNOON

Joanne, with a slice of pizza, arrives back at Avery’s apartment building. She notices the keypad on the door.

Joanne takes out her iPhone, but the battery has died.

JOANNE
Ah, crap.

Joanne looks through her purse and finds a wall plug, but no cable. She pulls out the postcard for the art show. Joanne looks at the address.

Joanne flags down a nearby DOG WALKER.

CUT TO:

INT. WAREHOUSE GALLERY - EVENING

Joanne makes her way through the raw space looking for Avery in the crowd of ART AFICIONADOS.

The lights go low as the show begins. ELECTRONIC MUSIC begins as Avery appears center stage in a white full length body- suit.

Avery begins methodically popping a series of balloons full of red liquid and polenta with her belly.

Some of the red liquid splashes onto the audience as Joanne, stifling a laugh/shriek, retreats to the bar.

INT. BAR - WAREHOUSE GALLERY - MOMENTS LATER

Joanne leans onto the makeshift bar and tries to get the attention of the HIP BARTENDER.

The bartender catches her eye then turns away and struggles to make another intricate drink with his muddler.

TALIA, 40s, tough and cool, pulls up next to Joanne at the bar.

TALIA
He’s a little out of his depth.

JOANNE
I’m about to jump behind the bar and fix myself a drink.

TALIA
Now that’s an idea.

Joanne snatches a few bottles from the bar when the bartender’s back is turned.

TALIA (CONT’D)
What do we got?

Joanne inspects the bottles.

JOANNE
Simple syrup, some kind of pomegranate juice, and gin.

TALIA
Take the gin and follow me.

Joanne grabs the bottle and follows Talia.

CUT TO:

EXT. ALLEY - WAREHOUSE GALLERY - EVENING

Talia smokes a hand-rolled cigarette as Joanne takes a big swig of the gin bottle. Joanne hands the bottle back to Talia as they laugh off a joke.

TALIA
I don’t take you for a big art lover, Joanne.

JOANNE
Was that art?

TALIA
Did it make you feel something?

Talia offers Joanne the cigarette. After considering, Joanne accepts.

JOANNE
Nervous, I guess. My daughter wants to be an artist. Can you make any money popping balloons?

TALIA
I do. I devised that piece. I’m taking it to the Venice Biennial next year.

JOANNE
(embarrassed)
Excuse me, while I take my foot out of my mouth.
(considering)
Venice sounds exciting.

TALIA
Have you ever visited?

JOANNE
Nope. I’ve barely gone anywhere is the funny thing. I’ve been a flight attendant for over thirty years, but only ever served regional. I’ve flown to Philadelphia a couple thousand times, but never Venice.

TALIA
Terrible cheese steak in Venice. You aren’t missing anything.

Talia leans in and kisses Joanne lightly on the mouth. Joanne is taken off-guard and nervously takes a drag on the cigarette. She starts coughing.

TALIA (CONT’D)
I’m sorry, I’ve had a bit to drink.

JOANNE
(flattered, but unsure)
That’s okay. I’m married. Also I really don’t smoke.
(then, earnestly)
There was a moment yesterday when I was almost certain I was going to die and I was just so...disappointed. This was exciting though. Thank you.

Talia chuckles.

TALIA
You’re welcome.

CUT TO:

INT. BAR - WAREHOUSE GALLERY - LATER

Joanne and Talia deliver the gin bottle back to the bar as Joanne spots her daughter Avery, covered in polenta and paint, waiting for a drink.

JOANNE
Avery! Honey, over here!

AVERY
(confused)
Mom? Hey. You came?

Avery comes over to Joanne and Talia.

JOANNE
(introducing Talia)
Baby, I want you to meet the artist. This is, wait, actually I never got your name.

AVERY
This is Talia, mom. My professor.
(to Talia)
I just hope I was able to do the piece justice. I really tried to lead with my ovaries like we discussed.

Talia and Joanne share a quick look.

TALIA
You were wonderful, Avery. Your mom and I were actually discussing the idea of you joining the piece at the Biennial.

AVERY
(beyond excited)
What? Really?

JOANNE
This calls for a drink!

Joanne spots the overwhelmed bartender and decides to go around behind the bar.

BARTENDER
(to Joanne)
Excuse me ma’am, you can’t be back here.

JOANNE
(cocky)
Excuse me sir, I’ve been fixing drinks longer than you’ve been alive and at thirty thousand feet.
(to the bar patrons)
What do you want?

The patrons quickly shout their orders as Joanne gets to work: vodka soda, whisky ginger, whisky Coke. Joanne could make Tom Cruise blush, she’s so quick at mixing. Joanne turns to Avery.

JOANNE (CONT’D)
What’ll ya have?

AVERY
A paper plane.

JOANNE
(incredulous)
Cute.

Joanne preps the drink and picks up the bourbon bottle as Avery’s roommates Joaquin, Evelyn and Maddix come forward.

MADDIX
Flip it, Joanne!

The patrons cheer as Joanne flips the bottle, but she doesn’t catch it and the bottle CRASHES to the floor.

FADE TO:

INT. AVERY'S BEDROOM - BROOKLYN - NIGHT

Avery, a bit drunk, bursts into the bedroom. Joanne, a bit worn out, follows behind with a glass of water.

Avery collapses onto the bed. Joanne removes Avery’s shoes and gets her into bed.

AVERY
Is that my shirt?

JOANNE
(covering)
You’re drunk, sweetheart. Have some water and go to sleep.

Joanne hands Avery a cup of water.

AVERY
(yawning)
Thanks mom.

Joanne sits on the bed to take off her shoes and rub her feet as Avery puts her head in her lap.

JOANNE
I’ve got to get out of your hair, dear, back to the airport.

Avery hugs her mom tightly.

AVERY
(sleepy)
No! Don’t go.

Joanne takes the moment in. She gives Avery a small squeeze. She pets her daughter’s hair as she stares ahead.

JOANNE
You have quite the life here, Avery. When I was your age, I was married with your brother on the way. We lived around the corner from your dad’s mother.
(pause)
You know, we’re spending all this money re-doing the house and honestly, I’m not sure I even want to live in it. I’m basically a glorified babysitter these days. For your father, for your brother, for that baby, whom I love. He’s very fat and squishy. But I raised my kids. I did that. Now I want to do...something else.
(pause)
I wasn’t always just a mother.

Joanne waits for a response. Silence.

Joanne looks down at Avery, who’s fast asleep.

Joanne sets Avery into bed and pulls the covers over her.

Joanne, back in her airline uniform, grabs her suitcase and heads out the door past a sleeping Avery. She pulls out her phone.

JOANNE (O.C.) (CONT’D)
(talking into phone)
Muneer, it’s Joanne. Wanna make sixty bucks?

CUT TO BLACK.