(1997) Two junior executives in the same company, who graduated from the same college, travel together to a new town for a six-week project from June into July. In the airport terminal before their flight, Howard (Matt Malloy) -short, slightly pudgy, glasses, introverted - who's in charge of the project, complains of having just been struck on the side of his face by a woman after his merely asking her for the time. Further, the girl he'd been seriously dating rejected him after he'd bought her an engagement ring.

"We're doomed," says Chad (Aaron Eckhard) - square jaw, tall, athletic, full-bore salesman - confessing that Suzanne has packed up and left him after four years together: "Just makes me want to fuck somebody up."

When they arrive at their destination, Chad suggests a sport for them to have some fun - a romantic scheme to "restore a little dignity to our lives." He envisions a target - "She's out there just waiting for us to find her" - a vulnerable victim, someone who's innocent and insecure, for both of them to date, string her along before brutally letting her fall hard. On the job site Chad discovers a temp hire, Christine (Stacy Edwards - completely convincing in her role), a terrific typist, who's attractive and perfect for the game because she's also deaf.

Director/writer Neil LaBute's cruel pitch-black comedy of misogyny (all women within are "meat and gristle and hatred") accomplishes the nasty task of hurting somebody. "I'm telling you," Chad warns Howard: "Watch your back."

After dinner and a kiss on the cheek during the first week, Chad says he may take Christine to see The Miracle Worker, though Howard doesn't get the joke. When she's out ill with the flu, Chad calls her mother after sending flowers. At first making the mistake of chatting up the wrong woman, Howard takes Christine out for dinner, encouraging her to speak rather than write out her side of the conversation.

Disparaging behind people's backs nearly everyone with whom he comes into contact - including taking aside an African-American trainee to demand he literally "Show me your balls" as proof of what it takes to get the job done - Chad confidently flashes his sparkling grin and chuckles wickedly while admitting to Howard his feeling something special sometimes when with Christine. Apologetic and sincere, Howard learns to use sign language for making a compliment of Christine's attire.

By the fourth week, Chad and Howard are making dates independently with Christine without keep each other appraised of the times and places. At lunch in a restaurant, after telling her she's beautiful, Chad expresses his fondness for her along with an assurance that he'll be back to see her following the termination of the project: "Whatever happens, I trust you."

Unexpectedly Howard shows up, disappointed to see her with Chad since she'd earlier told him she had too much work to do for a lunch date. In the hotel room with Chad, Christine asks: "Do you love me?" Meanwhile, Howard makes reservations for the July 4th weekend with Christine, when Chad has to return to the home office for a presentation.

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