WARNING: Fellas this is a chick-flick script...almost too much mushiness for me, and I wrote this little bastard. But alas it is appropriate for Valentines day.
M*-
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Copyright: July 30, 2001
INT: Countryside, night-time: A million stars dot the sky like diamonds. Open fields as far as the eye can see. Camera runs up and stops on a nice whitewashed plantation home with farming equipment scattered around the back fields. A large wooden barn is shown in the near distance. The camera focuses back on the home and closes in on an upstairs bedroom window, where a little girl is seen climbing out of it and onto a nearby tree. Once on the ground, her long white nightgown billows in the breeze as she takes one last careful look at the house, before running into the darkness.
INT: A similar scene is shown not far from the last home. A small boy runs from his home, barefoot, and clothed in a plain white shirt and jeans, and a tattered khaki plaid unbuttoned over shirt. His brown hair carelessly tosses in his eyes. He spots the younger girl with her back towards him. She’s waiting by the wheat fields, taller than they are. He slows his pace, and covers her eyes.
DANIEL: “Guess who?”
KATHRYN: “Daniel?”
He smiles mischievously.
DANIEL: “Actually it’s a hay monster!”
Camera closes up on Kathryn’s face she grins widely as he uncovers her eyes and they sparkle with unheard laughter. Then Daniel tickles her and she is caught in a fit of giggles and runs away only to be chased by him.
KATHRYN: “I’ll race ya!”
She calls over her shoulder. Daniel picks up his pace as they weave through the tall grass. Laughter from both children can be heard as the camera pans overhead.
INT: The next thing we see the two running to a large old oak tree. Daniel catches Kathryn and heads up the oak to sit in one of its strong branches. He leans to Kathryn and out stretches his arm to help her up. They sit and look at the stars amazed.
KATHRYN: “Daniel?”
He looks at her,
KATHRYN: “How old do you think the man in the moon is?”
He looks back up at the moon, and shrugs his shoulders.
DANIEL: “Momma told me that she used to talk to him. And you know momma’s been here like a gazillion years, so he must be like granddaddy old.”
KATHRYN: “Yeah.”
They stay silent for a while.
KATHRYN: “So why were all those boxes around your house? Did you get a lot of mail?”
Daniel shook his head
DANIEL: “Nope”
KATHRYN: “Ohh…I know when the mailman comes to my house he brings us a lot of boxes, but most of then are just daddy’s yard toys”
She pauses.
KATHRYN: “Then what are they for?”
DANIEL: “Momma says dad has to move far away…”
His face saddens and Kathryn looks at him strange.
DANIEL: “And mom and I have to go too.”
Kathryn sees her best friend so upset. They are young but not too young that they don’t understand that this means they won’t see each other anymore. A single tear runs down her silent face. Daniel pulls her close to him.
DANIEL: “Kathryn don’t cry”
He says in a broken voice.
DANIEL: “You’re gonna make me cry… “I’ll give you my favorite shirt!”
Kathryn nuzzles her face in his old shirt. He wore that thing almost everyday.
KATHRYN: “Don’t leave me Daniel. I won’t be a tattle tail on you anymore! I promise!…Just don’t go…Please!”
She pleaded.
DANIEL: “Shhh…”
He whispers in her long dark brown hair as he hugged her.
DANIEL: “I don’t want to leave you, I’ll have no one to play with.”
He removed the plaid shirt and placed it around her shoulders.
DANIEL: “Here, keep it. That way when you talk to the stars at night, I can be here.”
Kathryn looked up at him with big hazel eyes, then down at her locket. She took it off and handed it to him.
KATHRYN: “I know it’s girly, just keep it so that I’m where ever you are too.”
He put it in his pocket and resumed looking at the stars. Kathryn starts to sing an old tune her mother sings.
KATHRYN: “Someday, when I’m feeling low, and the world is cold. I will feel a glow, just thinking of you…and the way you look, tonight…”
INT: The sun is just rising over the fields, zoom over to the tree where we see Daniel still awake protectively cradling a sleeping Kathryn in his arms. He looks at her peaceful face, and tightens his grip on her. She stirs lightly. Today was it. She quickly recognizes where she’s at. The sky looks like it’s on fire. Brilliant colors of reds, oranges, pinks, and violet engulf the sky replacing the azure darkness and shimmering stars.
KATHRYN: “Daniel what’s gonna happen?”
She looks at him innocently with questioning eyes.
DANIEL: “Mom says it’s called “Life.”
Neither understood. They thought everything was just perfect the way it was. Why anyone would want to change that was beyond them. They climbed down that old oak tree one last time. Walking a step or two Daniel stops Kathryn.
DANIEL: “I don’t want to say goodbye, just pretend I’m going home.”
They embraced. Kathryn kept her eyes tightly closed and her arms around him. After a moment she speaks.
KATHRYN: “I don’t want to open my eyes and let you go, because I’m scared if I do that, you might not be here.”
He looked at her and tugged on the plaid shirt.
DANIEL: “Hey, I’ll always be here.”
This makes Kathryn smile, even though it was a sad one. Her cheeks are stained with tears. Daniel pulls out her small locket.
DANIEL: “And you’ll always be here.”
They stand there for a while longer. Then came the inevitable…
DANIEL: “See ya…”
He looks at her and for the first time tears fall from his eyes.
KATHRYN: “See ya Daniel…”
Almost too much for Kathryn’s young heart to handle, she forces herself to turn away. They head in opposite directions knowing that was the hardest thing they had to do.
INT: A truck loaded to its brim moves out of Daniel’s dusty driveway as we catch a glimpse of him in the back. Both hands pressed against the window, tears streaming down his face as he watches the only life he’s ever known fade in the distance.
INT: Zoom to the upstairs window of the white plantation home. We see Kathryn perched on the loft by the window sill staring out of it as she clutches to Daniel’s plaid shirt crying, feeling a kind of heartbreak no one that age should know.
15 Years Later…
INT: Night time. Open up in disheveled writer’s office. Papers are strewn everywhere. There is a dim light on in the corner over a desk. A handsome young man is seen typing furiously on his laptop, while stopping momentarily to chew on a pen, frustrated. His brown hair matches his messy appearance. Coat barely hanging onto his shoulders, his tie is loosened, and his shirt his halfway untucked from his black dress pants.
We recognize him as Daniel, now 23 years old. He sighs and sits back in his chair rubbing his tired eyes.
DANIEL: “Christ…”
He whispers. While shuffling a few papers in a poor attempt to straighten up, a knock is heard on the door.
DANIEL: “Come in.”
A short, stocky, older man enters the room. His name is Mike and he works in the office down the hall. Daniel agnologes his presence by gesturing to the chair across his desk. Mike tries to walk through the files and papers on the floor.
MIKE: “Damn Danny boy, you look like shit!”
Daniel looks at him with a lopsided grin.
DANIEL: “Gee thanks Mike.”
Mike puts his hands up in defense,
MIKE: “I’m just looking out for your best interests. You’re drowning yourself in your writing again. It’s 1:30 in the morning. I thought I was the last pathetic workaholic in this building. It’s even late for me.”
DANIEL: “Well, thanks for the concern but I’m stretching it out on a deadline here and I’m trying to pull an all nighter. You know how those are I’m sure.”
Mike observes the ragged form in front of him. Someone as young as he is shouldn’t work so much. He desperately needed a break. He gazes over Daniel’s work. It was good stuff. Mike, being a voice of reason, tried another approach.
MIKE: “Why don’t I have someone come in the office on Monday and clean this shit up. In the mean time why don’t you go home?”
At the mention of home, Daniel got this sad reminiscent look in his eyes. It faded as quickly as it came. It was way too painful to think of that right now. Too many years had passed. Mike snapped him back into reality.
MIKE: “Daniel?”
DANIEL: “Yeah…”
He clears his throat,
DANIEL: “Yeah?”
MIKE: “You kinda spaced on me man. Are you sure you’re okay?”
DANIEL: “Yeah Mike…sorry.”
MIKE: “Listen, I’ll finish up here. Why don’t you take the weekend off and don’t worry about anything. I’ll take care of it.”
Mike moved documents from underneath his feet and sighed,
MIKE: “You writers…”
Daniel couldn’t help but laugh.
DANIEL: “What are you talking about? The floor is the biggest shelf in this room.”
Mike chuckled.
MIKE: “Whatever boy…Like I said this place will be spotless when you get back.”
Daniel looked at him thankfully.
DANIEL: “Are you sure?”
MIKE: “Yeah, no problem.”
Mike was thankful that it had worked. Daniel grabbed his leather briefcase and a stack of papers. Mike watched after him as he left the building.
INT: Camera focuses on Daniel as he shuffles his work from one arm to another, while fighting to get his keys. He finally opted to put the papers in his mouth. He enters into the loft above the skylights of New York City. It remains dark until he turns on a lamp in the corner by the door. Across from it was the balcony. It was a lonely and stale loft apartment. He placed his keys and other belongings on the table by two books. Ones in which he had written. Daniel picked up a pack of cigarettes and a lighter off the table. He hated smoking, he really did. It was just a habit of his. One that he hadn’t managed to quit yet. It seemed to be his only solace from a stressful week. Walking out on that balcony, smoking and cigarette, and counting the hundred other twinkling lights in the city. He gazed over at the buildings nearby, wondering what had kept those people awake at night. What they were doing? Who they were thinking about? The lights reminded him of the stars, the stars reminded him of her.
He walked back inside and went into his room. Searching through his top drawer, he pulled out a small box and opened it. There it lay, amongst the pictures of her and them together. His most sacred possession, a tiny child’s locket. He held it up eye level and opened it to reveal a picture of her, Kathryn. On the opposite side, a picture of Daniel with a smile on his face. One from happiness that he’d nearly forgot even existed.
Stepping once more onto the balcony, he looked up. Barely making out the moon let alone the stars, from the glare of the city lights. Luckily he caught a few, nothing like home though. Nothing like the ones she caught in her eyes. This became a ritual, every night it seems he would come out here and think about how life was back then. True he was young, but those memories were the best thing he had. Thinking about Kathryn, and hiding in his own shadows to shield the tears.
All these years had past, he couldn’t go back now. What would she think of him? Does she think of him? They hadn’t spoken or seen each other since then. But, no matter how many people he knew in his life, none of them compared to his first and only best friend. Daniel had often thought about how she grew up. He imagined her riding those horses she loved, and being as carefree as ever. She would never move. She loved it there too much to let it go.
He was also guilty of wondering what she looked like. If she had the same big hazel eyes, same long, unruly brown hair, same sweet innocent face. He could only imagine.
DANIEL: “Kathryn…”
INT: The same old whitewashed plantation home, aged with the years but kept up nice. The house is dark, but the moon is brilliant and shows through the fields. Same upstairs bedroom. The camera runs slowly across it to emphasize change throughout the years. Candles litter the room. Lace curtains sway in the gentle breeze. A cherry oak table sits by a rocking chair. On top of the table, a pair of glasses and the same two book we saw on Daniel’s table, his books. Written by Daniel S. McKenzie, so worn from being read over and over again, that the leather bindings look as if they may tear. On the floor, a beautiful golden retriever sleeps. Now the camera focuses on the bed where we see Kathryn for the first time in 15 years. Sleeping peacefully. Long brown hair fanned out over a soft pillow. Her once long white girl’s nightgown is replaced by a white satin slip. A softened expression adorn her face as she sleeps. She lets out a small sigh as her eyebrows raise, then her eyes gently open. Same big hazel eyes. She moves stray pieces of hair out of her face and turns over and looks out of the window as the glow of the moonlight plays on her features. She manages to get up and stretch out her tall, slender figure. The retriever watches on before putting his head back down.
Kathryn padded over to a small old chest and opened it carefully. The contents look the same to that of the small box in Daniel’s room. Pictures, childhood knick knacks, even drawing of what Kathryn imagines Daniel must look like by now, strikingly similar. Lastly, neatly folded, a small and tattered boy’s khaki plaid shirt. She picked it up, and stood in front of the window. It was only when she thought of him, that she used this as an escape. After her feet were planted firmly on the ground, she smelled the shirt and hugged it close to her. It gave her a comfortable, nostalgic feeling. The camera watches her as she climbs that old oak alone, as she did so many times in the past years sine he left. Many nights were spent up there, thinking and talking to the stars. There were so many of them, at least one had to be listening.
KATHRYN: “I miss you Daniel.”
The soft strands of her hair moved in the breeze. She knew he wasn’t coming back, it had been too long. She wasn’t going to give up though, she’d keep waiting for as long as it takes.
INT: Morning. Daniel’s apartment. Once again he is up and looking ragged. He, of course, blames it on sleep deprivation. Set out on the small dining table are his morning regulars, Coffee and a bagel. In other terms, caffeine and something to soak it up with. He always thought that somehow his life would amount to much more than this. He had become used to being so predictable, but this was pathetic. Work had consumed most of his life. Mike was right, he always is. He needed a change.
He walked in front of the mirror in the bathroom. Staring back at him was someone he didn't recognize anymore. This person was someone he swore he'd never become. Just another stiff. Obsessed with his work. He surrendered to his self loathing by leaning up against the mirror as he sighed.
A shrill sound broke his miserable silence. It was his phone. He picked up, held it lazily to his ear and spoke.
DANIEL: “Hello?”
The voice on the other line was Mike.
MIKE: “Just checking to see if you were still hanging in there.”
DANIEL: “Yeah I’m getting by.”
MIKE: “Well kiddo, let me know if you need anything?”
DANIEL: “I will Mike, I will.”
He hung up the phone, grabbed his coat and keys, then headed out.
INT: Countryside. Morning. Kathryn is in the kitchen making a cup of coffee, and a small cup of tea.
KATHRYN: “Jacks!”
The faithful retriever pads into the kitchen and sits at her feet. As she bends down, he nuzzles her.
KATHRYN: “Hey boy, you hungry?”
He barks.
KATHRYN: “There ya go.”
Kathryn sets a dog bowl in the corner and he eats quietly.
She walks down the hall to the last room. We see an older lady in her late sixties, laying asleep in a small bed with a handmade patch quilt.
Kathryn kneels beside the bed and takes the woman’s hand.
KATHRYN: “Mom…”
She stirs lightly in her sleep then wakes and smiles at her daughter’s face.
KATHRYN: “Hi mom….How are you feeling?”
MRS. WARLAW: “Fine, honey.”
Her mother steadily gets out of bed and sits in her favorite chair in the living room to watch her usual soaps. Kathryn remains in the room to tidy it up. She is seen walking over to the bed, folding the covers and lastly she sweeps small strands of her mother’s hair from the pillow.
AN HOUR LATER
Kathryn wakes her mother up for the second time since she’s been in her chair. With the help of her daughter’s arm, she is lead back into her bedroom and sat in front of the vanity mirror. She slowly removes her sleeping cap to reveal a nearly bald head with patches of long thin strands that fall out when Mrs. Warlaw touches her head with tears evident in her eyes. Kathryn places her hands on her mother’s shoulders just to let her know that she is there. Mrs. Warlaw takes a brown wig from her drawer and places it on her head. She has Leukemia…
INT: A girl, a little younger than Kathryn, is walking into the old barn outside of Kathryn’s home. She’s not too tall, and she has her hair in French braided pigtails. The barn appears big and dusty. Hay is scattered all over the lofts. Camera focuses on the girl as she turns in a complete circle, looking around.
LAYLA: “Kat?…”
Nothing but silence. Layla calls her name one more time before walking around to look for her. In a small corner at the top of the barn she spots Kathryn sleeping in the hay. She climbs the ladder up and grabs little pieces of straw. Then she sprinkled it all over Kathryn’s face.
Kathryn wakes up surprised and then see Layla, who is grinning.
LAYLA: “Mornin’ sunshine.”
KATHRYN: “Hey Layla.”
LAYLA: “You’re the only person I know that sleeps in this shit.”
Kathryn laughs, and brushes herself off.
KATHRYN: “I’ve been sleeping in here since I was little. You’d be surprised how comfortable it is.”
Layla just nods and stays quiet. Then out of the blue,
LAYLA: “I bet it would be fun to get laid up here.”
Kathryn looks at her friend strangely, but isn’t surprised by her comment. That’s just how Layla is. Vulgar.
LAYLA: “Have you ever had sex up here?”
Kathryn now looks shocked.
KATHRYN: “Layla!”
Layla looks at her acting like it was an everyday question.
LAYLA: “What?!?”
Kathryn sighs.
KATHRYN: “Never mind.”
Layla just shrugs, after a moment she looks at her again,
LAYLA: “Well?…Have you?”
Kathryn looks at her incredulously, and blushes. Uncomfortable with her comment.
KATHRYN: “No.”
LAYLA: “Well you’re no fun.”
Prone to memory lapses, or in other words, blonde moments, Layla has realization dawn on her.
LAYLA: “Oh, never mind I forgot. You’re the virgin.”
Layla says it as if Kathryn is the only one left. Like it’s a disease. Kathryn looks at her and shakes her head while laughing.
KATHRYN: “Is there something wrong with that?”
Layla looks at her and quickly defends herself.
LAYLA: “Oh no, I didn’t mean it like that…I mean it’s not like you couldn’t…”
Kathryn cuts her off by putting her hands up in the air, signaling that she doesn’t need to hear anymore. Layla looks at her and apologizes.
LAYLA: “Sorry, but I mean c’mon! You’re a 21 year old virgin. How the fuck did you pull that off? I wouldn’t be able to last.”
Kathryn laughs at her friend again.
KATHRYN: “And to think…You’re only 18.”
Layla looks at her, faking with pride.
LAYLA: “I know. I’m setting some kind of record.”
She laughs at her own statement.
LAYLA: “I’m trying to out do myself, even I’m jealous of me.”
Kathryn smiled. Layla was the only comic relief that she had right now. She would say whatever she felt like, without embarrassment. Kathryn was the one who felt embarrassed for her. They met about 3 years ago, both complete opposites of the other. How they remained friends is still a mystery to Kathryn.
LAYLA: “How’s mom?”
Kathryn looks down. Layla notices this.
LAYLA: “Kat…”
Kathryn’s eyes tear up and spill over.
KATHRYN: She’s not doing good…she’s dying Layla.”
Layla moves to sit closer to her friend and just offers the only form of comfort she knows how, a hug. She knows that Kathryn only has a few people in her life. One is Layla herself, then Kathryn’s mother, the other one is a childhood friend that she finds too painful to talk about. She usually tells her everything, but Kathryn keeps that part of her life locked up. It was sad, she was sad, and Layla hated seeing her this way. Kathryn just continued to cry…
INT: New York City: Times Square: Morning:
It’s a smoggy day in the big city. Very cloudy. The camera shows random people walking the streets. The normal bustle of car horns, cell phones, and hollering. We zoom in on Daniel who is buying a paper from a corner vendor. He puts it under his arm and turns into a local Starbucks. He sits at a table in the far back, purposely away from anyone. The bells over the door chime and in walks Erich, Daniel’s friend. He looks like a under-fed college student with a lazy man’s haircut. It’s a sad sight, really. He spots his friend who’s shading himself in the newspaper, and proceeds to the counter. Once getting his drinks, Erich decides to join Daniel. He sets the two cups down on the table. Daniel looks up. Erich points to the mug.
ERICH: “It’s black all the way through.”
DANIEL: “Thanks.”
He takes a long drink, letting the bitter substance burn his throat. Erich looks around wearing a twisted expression on his face.
ERICH: “I don’t even know why I bother coming here. I hate these damn places, and these damn people.”
Daniel raises his eyebrow at this, and offers his reply with a bemused grin on his face. For him it had always been his actions that spoke louder than words.
DANIEL: “Because you’re no different then they are.”
ERICH: “Yeah well what’s your excuse?”
Daniel fold up his paper and places it on the table.
DANIEL: “I’m in a city I hate, doing something I love, wondering about what I’m missing.”
ERICH: “Mmm…Okay.”
Daniel, feeling obligated to change the subject, did just that.
DANIEL: “So, what is a starving artist like yourself doing up at 8 a.m.?”
Erich shrugged his shoulders.
ERICH: “I never really went to sleep actually. Insomnia’s a bitch, I don’t recommend it.”
Daniel takes another sip of his coffee,
DANIEL: “Too late for that.”
ERICH: “You’re wrong…It’s never too late for anything.”
That last statement played back and forth in Daniel’s head. Erich gets up out of his seat, looking at his watch. He mumbles something about being late for work, then walks out of the coffee shop, leaving Daniel alone. After smoking a cigarette, he finally goes back to his apartment.
Once there, he drags his feet over to the stereo system. Moments later soft, old jazz music starts to play. He sinks into his leather couch and drifts into a deep sleep.
INT: One week later: Kathryn is sitting on the porch steps while a beautiful sunset fires the sky. She’s writing in a leather journal, with a very pensive look on her face. Pausing every once in a while to think and look at the array of different colors. Jacks is leaning on her side. Her thoughts voice over the scene.
KATHRYN V.O.: “Momma’s sleeping more often now, and I seem to find more and more of her hair around. She swears that there’s no pain. But I know that’s a lie. You can just see it in her eyes. She’s starting to talk about things in the past . It’s like she’s living there. Today was the first time in a while that I cried in front of her. I’m scared. She’s getting tired of holding on. I try to make her comfortable. She wants to make sure that I’m okay. I tell her I’m fine and not to worry. I have to be strong for her. Thank God it’s going to be a clear night.”
She closes her journal and holds it to her chest. Picking herself off the steps, she disappears into the house. Jacks follows. Mrs. Warlaw, looking frail, is in the chair by the fire place, right where Kathryn left her sleeping. She covers up her mother with an afghan from the couch and kissed her on the top of the head. The dog lays on the floor at Mrs. Warlaw’s feet. The sun was almost gone now, and the darkness was settling in. Kathryn retreated to her room upstairs. She grabbed the torn book that Daniel had written. She put on her glasses and thumbed through the pages that were etched in her memory. The rocking chair squeaked as she moved it back and forth. Wind blew the curtains on the windows. The phone rang on her bedside table. Startling her.
KATHRYN: “Hello?”
LAYLA: “Hey Kat. How are you?”
Kathryn placed her book face down on the window sill.
KATHRYN: “I’m okay.”
LAYLA: “And momma?”
Kathryn rubbed her head, looking towards the door as if to check on her mother even though she couldn’t see her. It was a reflex she had.
KATHRYN: “She’s tired.”
Layla understood what she meant.
LAYLA: “Kat honey listen to me, you have to hang in there okay. Promise me. Please?
KATHRYN: “I am, I am…It’s just sometimes I don’t know what I can do anymore.”
LAYLA: “Baby, it’s all in God’s hands. Things will get better. Your momma loves you.”
KATHRYN: “I know Layla, I love her too.”
LAYLA: “She knows that. I know it’s hard. You’re strong, just take care of yourself.”
KATHRYN: “Thank you.”
Layla thought something over.
LAYLA: “Wanna go riding?”
Kathryn was a little confused,
KATHRYN: “What?”
LAYLA: “C’mon, let’s go right now. You need to get out of the house. Is momma sleeping?”
KATHRYN: “Yeah, she in her chair.”
LAYLA: “I’ll be over there in 20 minutes. Get Cody saddled up for me.”
KATHRYN: “Okay, meet me in the barn.”
LAYLA: “Gotcha. See you in a few.”
KATHRYN: “Alright.”
Kathryn hung up the phone and went downstairs. Jacks ears perked up and he followed her around. She went to her mom.
KATHRYN: “Mom?”
Her mother opened her eyes.
KATHRYN: “Why don’t we get you into bed so that your back doesn’t hurt from sleeping in this chair all night?”
She aided her mom to her room and got her tucked in.
KATHRYN: “Layla wants to go for a little ride around the field with Cody. Is that okay?”
MRS. WARLAW: “Sure sweetheart, you go with her, I want you to have some fun, you haven’t ridden in a while.”
KATHRYN: “Are you sure momma? ‘Cause what if you need me?”
MRS. WARLAW: “Kathryn May Warlaw quit worrying about me, I’ll be fine.”
KATHRYN: “Ok, but I’m leaving Jacks here with you just in case.”
MRS. WARLAW: “Okay baby, Good night. I love you.”
She kissed her daughter.
KATHRYN: “Good night momma. I love you too.”
Walking out, she turns off the light and makes sure Jacks stays put. Then she runs outside in the cool night air. Going into the barn, she gets Cody out and lays a blanket and saddle across him. He was a good old horse, calm and gentle. Layla walks up from behind and clears her throat. Kathryn turns and Layla hugs her.
KATHRYN: “He’s all ready for you.”
LAYLA: “Thanks.”
She takes the brown horse around the barn circle to warm him up. Kathryn proceeds on, getting Mississippi suited for herself. Mississippi was Kathryn’s horse. He was young and wild. She loved his carefree spirit. It reminded her of Daniel. He was never afraid. Even if he was, he wouldn’t show it. Mississippi was a cream color with a sandy brown mane. A magnificent horse. Kathryn led him around so she could meet Layla.
KATHRYN: “You ready?”
LAYLA: “Let’s go.”
The two young women rode all across the fields. Kathryn didn’t know why she’d stopped riding. It was such a relaxing thing to do. Out there she could just let go of herself, and for an hour or so she could forget everything that was bothering her. Layla was really helping by getting her away. Kathryn knew if there was a problem with mom, Jacks would come running after them and barking. She just let Mississippi’s wild instinct take over. She thought about Daniel the whole time she was out there, under the stars.
INT: The barn.
KATHRYN: “Thanks Layla, you don’t know how much I needed that.”
LAYLA: “Don’t mention it, I had to get your mind off of things for a little while or else you would’ve gone crazy.”
Layla guided Cody back into his stall and Kathryn closed the gate to Mississippi’s. She wiped her hands off on her jeans.
LAYLA: “Well hun, I think I’m gonna head home. Are you going to be alright?”
Kathryn gave Layla a hug.
KATHRYN: “I’ll be fine, thanks again Layla.”
LAYLA: “No problem. Take care.”
KATHRYN: “Bye.”
Kathryn walked back into the house, checked on her mother, and finally went to bed, Jacks following behind her.
INT: Night time: Daniel’s loft: He is up late once again. Typing on the laptop by his bed. His appearance is somewhat better than last week, still a little rough around the edges. He had been taking a breather this past week. Mike held up to his word and now Daniel was working in a clean office. Erich was still the pessimist, and Daniel still thought about Kathryn every night, so everything was pretty much the same. He shut off his computer and removed his shirt. Stepping out on the balcony he talked to her in his own little way. Camera shots of the room showed suits hanging in the closet, a tie carelessly thrown over a chair, and various articles of clothing strewn on the floor. His top dresser drawer was pulled out and the box removed. Truly a poor man’s palace. Poor in spirit anyway. Returning in the room, Daniel put the treasured box away, and runs his hand through his hair.
DANIEL: “What am I doing?”
With that simple question he climbs into bed and for once we actually see Daniel sleep.
INT: Early Morning: Countryside: The camera pans in front of Jacks as he’s running down the hall into Kathryn’s room. In it, we notice the small chest is open. He jumps on Kathryn’s bed and begins barking. She groggily rises.
KATHRYN: “Jacks, what is it?”
He just continues barking. Then fear sets in on Kathryn’s features as she races out of bed and into her mother’s room. There, we see Mrs. Warlaw just opening her eyes. Kathryn rushes to her side, kneels down, then takes her hand.
KATHRYN: “Momma?”
Mrs. Warlaw looks at her with heavy eyes and touches Kathryn’s cheek softly.
MRS.WARLAW: “Ohh my girl…my precious baby.”
KATHRYN: “Mom, are you okay?”
MRS. WARLAW: “Honey, I love you.”
Kathryn felt hopeless and tightens her grip on her mother’s hand.
KATHRYN: “I love you too mom.”
Mrs. Warlaw looks at her daughter with a caring, wise face.
MRS. WARLAW: “Then you must understand that I have to go.”
Kathryn’s heart dropped and her eyes swelled with tears. Her mother covered Kathryn’s hand with her remaining one. Speaking in a gentle tone.
MRS. WARLAW: “Come now Kathryn, I’ll have none of that. You are a beautiful, strong woman, Your father and I are forever proud of you. Don’t cry.”
Kathryn is broken. All time was precious, and this was it.
KATHRYN: “Mom, I love you and I thank you for everything you’ve given me. I’m sorry for anything that I did to ever hurt you or upset you.”
MRS. WARLAW: “Kathryn, there’s no reason to be sorry, just live your life… and make sure you find what you’ve been looking for.”
She knew her mother was talking about Daniel. Her tired mother read her thoughts.
MRS. WARLAW: “Time baby...time…”
KATHRYN: “Thank you mom.”
MRS. WARLAW: “The young has died in my heart. Please, don’t let it die in yours.”
Tears streamed down Kathryn’s face, but her mother remained calm.
KATHRYN: “I won’t momma, I promise.”
Those were last words spoken, Kathryn and her mom hugged each other and Mrs. Warlaw kissed her daughter. Then Kathryn kissed her mother one final time. Mrs. Warlaw closed her eyes and passed away. Kathryn could no longer hold it in as she collapsed in tears over her mother. Jacks lay with his chin in her lap and in his mouth was a small khaki plaid shirt. He placed it in her lap, looking up at her sadly. She notices and hugs the shirt in her arms.
INT: A grave site: On a hill overlooking the fields: It is a windy, cloudy day. The priest is heard in the background as the camera look over the people at the funeral. Seeing faces unknown to the audience. Possibly Mrs. Warlaw’s friends and people around the town who knew her. Lastly, a shot looking on Kathryn as she stands in front, holding a white rose in her hands, crying. Even Jacks is present. Behind her, is Layla.
PRIEST: “Rest in peace, Bella May Warlaw.”
The priest sprinkles holy water on the casket. Layla places a comforting hand on Kathryn’s shoulder as she cries and holds onto it. After everyone has left, Kathryn and Layla remain in the same spot, in silence. The grave is now covered and flowers are placed on top of it. Layla stands beside Kathryn now. The clouds begin to darken. A storm is approaching. Kathryn turns to Layla and leans her head on her shoulder. Layla puts her arm around Kathryn. They walk away, as Layla supports her friend.
INT: Kathryn’s Plantation home: Night time: A storm is raging outside. The lightning blindly flashes causing the power to go out, the rains beats on the roof, and the wind blows harshly on the foundation. Upstairs, the soft glow of candles light Kathryn’s room. We go inside from the window and see her sitting on her bed, looking at different objects. On one side, her mother’s letters, pictures, and various keepsakes. On the other side, Kathryn’s contents of the chest is shown, exposing every physical memory of Daniel that she has. Her expressions are those of sorrow and a kind of fear. She is scared of being alone, and a little on edge because of the storm, not to mention the fact that Layla agreed to keep Jacks so that she could have some time all to herself. She knows how bad these storms can get and is prepared for it. Her nerves are shot as light flashes across her room once more, then she relaxes. Kathryn walks over to the window to make sure it is closed and locked because the wind and rain is increasing. She places another candle onto her dresser, then something reflecting in the mirror caught her eye. The camera now acts as Kathryn’s point of view. In the doorway, she sees black pair of shoes standing there in a puddle of water, dripping. As she slowly raises her eyes, the soaked lower torso of a man is the only thing visible. The camera closes in on the table by the door as a key is placed there. Kathryn’s breath audibly catches in her throat. She barely whispers.
KATHRYN: “Daniel…”
The camera zooms in on his face, streams of water falling from it, adding to the puddle on the floor. His eyes are cast downward afraid to look at her. In his hand, a wet sunflower, her favorite. He is soaked to the bone. Kathryn stares on in disbelief. Slowly, she walks towards him and with shaking hands, touches his face. He looks at her, the candle light catching in his eyes, making them glow an amber brown.
KATHRYN: “Oh my God…”
A single tear falls from her eye. Daniel leans into her touch and finally embraces her. Over her shoulder he touches her silkened hair and breaths her in. He closes his eyes as the memories come flooding back. To him, the years haven’t rusted her beauty, nor tainted her innocence. They just added to it. He speaks to her quietly,
DANIEL: “It’s funny… I’ve waited for this moment for so long. I’ve even had the conversation in my head. But now, looking at you, I’ve forgotten every single word that I was supposed to say.”
Kathryn knew that feeling, the one where time stops, and then reality hits you full force. So hard that it almost knocks you off of your feet. She couldn’t believe he was actually there, in front of her. It was almost too much, she started to cry. Daniel held her.
DANIEL: “Shhh…It’s gonna be okay.”
He consoled her. She backed away to look at him.
KATHRYN: “No, you don’t understand. It’s been so long and momma’s… and…this can’t be happening.”
Daniel stopped her.
DANIEL: “Slow down, I know it’s been too damn long and I’m sorry. I just didn’t know what would happen if I came back.”
They were silent.
DANIEL: “What about your mother?”
He asked, looking in her eyes.
KATHRYN: “She’s dead, she died two days ago. Leukemia took her away from me.”
She shook.
DANIEL: “Oh God Kathryn, I’m so sorry.”
Endless questions floated through Kathryn’s mind. Why had he come back? Why did he leave in the first place? Oh well none of that mattered at the moment. Right now she was just happy to have him there.
Daniel on the other hand was on sensory overload. He’d missed so much, and now he regretted it. They sat on the bed and started a talk that would explain everything.
Kathryn looked around her room, uneasy. The silence was so thick, almost suffocating. She took a breath to relieve the tightness she felt in her body.
KATHRYN: “Why did you leave?”
Kathryn had waited 15 years for this answer. Daniel had to strain himself to hear her.
DANIEL: “Well, my father was transferred to New York to head a new company at the time…”
Kathryn closed her eyes and tried to focus, this isn’t what she wanted to hear. She cut him off.
KATHRYN: “No. More important, why didn’t you come back when you were on your own? Or at least let me know where you were?”
Daniel looked surprised. She sounded angry, then he looked at her. She was hurt, that’s what he saw… pain. And he had caused it.
Kathryn didn’t know what she was thinking. Her emotions were reeling, and she wanted answers. That’s when she started to get upset. She watched Daniel with almost cold eyes. He looked scared and confused, much like she felt. Her gaze pierced through him, making him vulnerable.
DANIEL: “Kat…I…God.”
He had to pause and think. There was no logical explanation for this. He rubbed his hands over his face and hair.
DANIEL: “Jesus…”
He whispered as his eyes scanned the room. They landed on the books on the table. He couldn’t believe she had them. Kathryn followed his stare. Her eyes finally softened and he looked back at her. That was a look he remembered. He looked down at his hands and began to speak.
DANIEL: “Kathryn, it was too hard for me to face you after all those years. I don’t know if you understand, but I thought as long as I didn’t have to see you I didn’t have to worry about you.”
Kathryn looked away, that was a stab in the heart. Daniel then grabbed her face and forced her to look at him.
DANIEL: “It didn’t work. The more I tried to forget, the more I wanted to be here. I never gave up on you.”
In an attempt to lighten the mood he chuckled.
DANIEL: “Do you know how hard it was to date someone when you already have a girl in your head? You drove me crazy.”
She actually laughed. Daniel needed to hear that. He smiled.
KATHRYN: “What do you want me to do? Apologize? I tried to date too ya know. Most of the time my friend Layla sets me up. I don’t know where she finds these guys though. They’re never my type, so it isn’t easy.”
Daniel laughed.
DANIEL: “Ahh well at least she tries. Who is Layla anyway?”
It was Kathryn’s turn to laugh again. This should be fun.
KATHRYN: “Well… Layla is a character. She’s blunt, she doesn’t have a care in the world, and tries to see the best side of every situation. We’ve been friends for three years or so now. We met at the market, she backed into my car. She was so terrified, crying and all that. I felt sorry for her. After my car was fixed she called me up one day and just started talking to me. It was the strangest thing, but we’re still friends now.”
Daniel laughed as he tried to imagine it.
KATHRYN: “Anyway, she’s the sweetest girl. So what about you? Do you have any friends in New York?”
DANIEL: “Oh yeah, I’ve got a few.”
KATHRYN: “Well, tell me about them.”
She laid back and settled herself to get comfortable. Daniel was about to follow her lead when Kathryn spoke up.
KATHRYN: “I think you may want to change into some drier clothes, don’t you think?”
DANIEL: “You’re right, hang on okay…
Daniel went downstairs to get his bags he left at the door and went to change. He returned a few minutes later.
DANIEL: “Better?”
KATHRYN: “Yeah.”
She moved so he could lay next to her. He got relaxed and looked at the ceiling.
KATHRYN: “Now tell me about your friends.”
DANIEL: “Let’s see… there’s Mike who works in my office building. He’s about 50ish. Basically he’s like a father figure. You know someone who helps me when I need it.
Kathryn nodded. Daniel sighed.
DANIEL: “ Then there’s Erich. He’s about our age.
Kathryn interrupted him
KATHRYN: “Hmmm….Any cute?”
Daniel laughed.
DANIEL: “C’mon Kat!”
KATHRYN: Geez! Sorry for being curious.”
DANIEL: “As I was saying, Erich is a comic book writer.”
KATHYRN: “That’s a new one… Which comic does he write for?”
DANIEL: “Spiderman.”
KATHRYN: “Not bad.”
DANIEL: “Nope, I’ve known him for about six years now. We became friends in high school. I dated his ex-girlfriend for a short time. Then he was my roommate in college.”
KATHRYN: “That’s odd. And you say y’all are friends?”
He loved to hear that accent, slightly southern. You never heard that in New York.
DANIEL: “Yeah. He’s a good guy, kind of a pessimist. He’s got a good sense of humor though”
KATHRYN: “Hey there’s nothing wrong with that. So what does he look like?”
Daniel looked at her from the corner of his eyes.
DANIEL: “I dunno? He’s about 6’1 I guess, dark brown hair that’s kinda spikey…”
He stopped, assuming that he was finished.
KATHRYN: “That’s it?”
DANIEL: “Yeah.”
KATHRYN: “Well thank you for being so descriptive, for all I know he could look exactly like you. And let’s face it, you aren’t so pretty.”
DANIEL: “Hey!”
She kisses his cheek in apology.
He elbowed her and she laughed. Then her tone turned serious once again.
KATHRYN: “Why did you come back?”
DANIEL: “For the exact same reason I thought I couldn’t. I was tired of wondering, I wanted to know that you were okay.”
Kathryn was quiet. A minute later Daniel heard her yawn and figured she would be out soon. He put an arm around her and she rested into the crook of his neck.
INT: Morning: Kathryn’s room:
Daniel awoke before Kathryn did. He had just experienced the best night’s sleep that he’s had in years. He looked at her asleep and noticed that her arm was draped lazily over his stomach. He laughed and moved the hair out of her face, careful not to wake her. He’d been thinking a lot last night after Kathryn fell asleep. He wasn’t going to leave her again. He made up his mind. He was going to move back home. There’s only one problem, getting his things down here. Furthermore, he’d come to the conclusion that he wanted Kathryn to go to New York with him. She’d get to see how he has lived for the past 15 years, and get to meet his friends, but alas Kathryn hated to fly. Daniel laid back down.
INT: In front of the house: Same moment:
Layla gets out of her car and has Jacks with her on a leash. She noticed the strange car parked out front and she couldn’t place who’s it was. Using the backdoor, she entered the house.
LAYLA: Okay Jacks, go get momma. C’mon ol’ boy.”
She ruffled the old dog’s fur and he seemed to smile up at her with his tongue hanging out of his mouth.
Layla unhooked his leash and he took off upstairs to her room. She followed him to see that he stopped out side of her Kathryn’s door.
LAYLA: “Kat?”
She whispered just in case Kathryn was sleeping. As she turned the corner, she saw the last thing she expected to see. There was Kat, in the bed, with a guy. One that she didn’t recognize. She nearly had a heart attack.
LAYLA: “Ohhh… my God…”
She was confused as hell when Daniel woke up startled, causing Kathryn to stir.
DANIEL: “Uhhh…you must be Layla…”
He said a tad bit disoriented.
LAYLA: “Who the hell are you?”
She demanded, fairly pissed off. Kathryn then woke up.
KATHRYN: “Layla?”
LAYLA: “Kat, who is that man?”
She pointed a accusing finger at Daniel. Kathryn tried to calm her friend down.
KATHRYN: “Layla, easy… This is Daniel.”
Kathryn gestured towards him and Layla’s eyes got wider.
LAYLA: “You mean…”
Kathryn nodded. Layla’s eyes then narrowed. All she barely knew about this man is that it hurt Kat to much talk about him. He left her, and never looked back. Basically in her eyes, all Daniel did was put her best friend in a world of indescribable pain. She hated him.
LAYLA: “You fucking bastard…”
She hissed. Kathryn and Daniel both looked shocked.
KATHRYN: “Layla!”
Daniel was so confused at this point. This couldn’t possibly be the girl Kathryn described to him last night. She looked at his as if she wanted to tear him apart.
LAYLA: “No! All that son of a bitch has done to you is cause you pain…Don’t pretend he didn’t, I saw it all the time.”
Kathryn got off the bed and had Layla by the shoulders. She spoke quietly to her in a gentle tone.
KATHRYN: Layla, listen. I know you’re angry with him, but you don’t know the whole story. Everything’s okay now.”
Layla glared in Daniel’s direction and then looked back at Kathryn.
LAYLA: “Fine… But if he fucks up again…”
KATHRYN: “Layla, I wouldn’t worry about it okay. Now come on and play nice.”
Layla followed her. She stood by the bed and Kathryn introduced the two of them. Layla was still a little skeptic but Kathryn seemed sure of him.
LAYLA: “Sorry for making a scene,”
She said shortly. Daniel timidly shook her hand. He could sympathize with where she was coming from.
DANIEL: “No problem, I understand. I probably would’ve done the same thing if I were you.”
Kathryn breathed a sigh of relief now that the tension was gone. She went and got Jacks to come in. He also wasn’t used to Daniel but recognize him because of the plaid shirt his master had. He jumped on the bed so Daniel could pet him.
KATHRYN: “This is Jacks.”
Daniel scratched him behind the ears.
DANIEL: “Hey there ol’ fella.”
He looked up at Kathryn.
DANIEL: “He’s a beautiful dog. When did you get him.”
KATHRYN: “Mom and Dad got him for me after you left to keep me company.”
Daniel looked down.
DANIEL: “Ohh…”
Layla spoke up.
LAYLA: “Well hun, I gotta go. I’ve got some shit to do. I’ll give you a call later alright.”
KATHRYN: “Oh…ok then. Bye Layla.
Layla gave her a hug.
LAYLA: “I love you, you know that. If you need me, you know where I’ll be.”
KATHRYN: “Yeah, and thanks for keeping Jacks.
LAYLA: “Oh. Always a pleasure. He and I get along great. Don’t we Jacks?”
He barked.
LAYLA: “See?”
Kathryn laughed.
LAYLA: “Nice to be able to put a face with a name Daniel.”
He looked at her and nodded.
DANIEL: “Likewise.”
KATHRYN: “Bye.”
Layla waved over her shoulder. After she was gone Kathryn sigh and collapsed on the bed.
DANIEL: “She’s very protective of you.”
KATHRYN: “I know, but sometimes her mouth gets ahead of her.”
Daniel just shrugged it off.
DANIEL: “It’s actually good to know that you have a friend like that. It makes me feel better.”
KATHRYN: “Yeah but I’m sorry she jumped down your throat.”
DANIEL: “Like I said, no problem.”
INT: Noon: Same day:
Kathryn is outside tending to her horses. While inside, Daniel is contemplating on how to get Kathryn to go to New York. He paces around the living room thinking out loud.
DANIEL: “I could just tie her to the seat…No! She’d really hate me then. Not to mention Layla would kill me. I could tell her that I want her to meet my friends, I wouldn’t be lying. God! She has to hate flying….I got it! I’ll give her sleeping pills to knock her out. She won’t even remember flying! Yes!”
Kathryn heard Daniel mumbling in the other room and started to laugh quietly even though she couldn’t make out his words. She walked in.
KATHRYN: “Do you always talk to yourself like that?”
Daniel jumped and looked embarrassed.
DANIEL: “No, no…I was just trying to figure out something.”
KATHRYN: “Ohhh….okay then.
Daniel grabbed her by both hands and led her to the couch.
DANIEL: “Actually see, I wanted to ask you something?”
She saw the cheese eating grin on his face and eyed him suspiciously.
DANIEL: “I want you to come to New York with me.”
Kathryn jumped up to run but Daniel caught her, laughing.
KATHRYN: “Oh no! No Daniel… I am not flying.”
DANIEL: “C’mon Kat…please? I just want to get my stuff together.”
Kathryn raised an eyebrow
KATHRYN: “Why?”
DANIEL: “Because I’m moving back home, here where I belong.”
Kathryn couldn’t help but be happy. She jumped on him.
KATHRYN: “You’re really staying?”
He smiled.
DANIEL: “Yep!”
She hugged him tightly.
DANIEL: “Does this mean you’re coming to New York with me?”
Kathryn stalled and thought it over. Then reluctantly said.
KATHRYN: “You’d better have me so drugged up that you have to carry me off the plane asleep.”
Daniel was so happy. He picked her up and swung her around.
DANIEL: “I promise!”
INT: Kathryn’s bedroom: The next day:
Kathryn called Layla and filled her in. She would have to house sit and take care of Jacks yet again. Daniel just finished helping Kathryn pack. He picked up the tickets.
DANIEL: “Our flight leaves a little after midnight. See you’ll have no problem sleeping, you’ll already be tired.”
KATHRYN: “You better be right.”
Next thing they know, they were on the plane headed to the heart of New York city.
Kathryn was in the seat beside Daniel shaking and gripping his hand so tight that her knuckles had turned white.
KATHRYN: “Why the hell am I doing this again?”
She had her eyes closed tightly, and her breathing was a little erratic. Daniel laughed and loosed her grip on his hand.
DANIEL: “Cause, you love me.”
KATHRYN: “That doesn’t seem so convincing right now.”
DANIEL: “Just try to calm down and give the Nyquil 5 minutes to kick in.”
He pulled her head to his shoulder and wrapped an arm tightly around her. Soon she was oblivious to the world. A few hours later Kathryn woke up to turbulence and the plane’s wheels screeched along the runway as the plane landed.
DANIEL: “We’re here. Did you sleep well?”
KATHRYN: “Mhmm…”
The only thing that Kathryn could manage was to mumble. It was dark, about 4 in the morning. Daniel had arranged for Erich to pick them up from the airport. That’s like telling a fish to breathe without water, but he agreed to it. As they came out of the terminal, sure enough Erich was there. He was laying halfway in and out of the chair he was sitting in. Clad only in flannel pants and an old t-shirt, he helped them get their luggage from the baggage claim. At that moment, Erich could have cared less about making a good first impression. Daniel better be glad he was even there. His first thought of Kathryn was that she was way too tall for her own good, she looked like she was worn out, but she seemed harmless.
Kathryn was only concentrated on not falling down. Her legs felt like jello. Not much was said as they rode home. They were going to stay the night at Erich’s place since Daniel’s flat wasn’t exactly home sweet home. Erich’s apartment screamed of his personality and it was very clean. As soon as the door opened, you were greeted by his Boston terrier, affectionately named, Berkowitz. The living area had to be the biggest room in the apartment. A futon, papazan chair, and a couch were the only means of furniture. It also came with a makeshift kitchen.
Once Kathryn’s medicine started to wear off, she became more conscious of her surroundings. She found a bathroom at the end of the hall and one other room.
KATHRYN: “Erich? Where’s your bedroom?”
Erich pointed over to the futon in the living room.
ERICH: “I made my original bedroom into an office.”
KATHRYN: “Can I see it?”
ERICH: “Sure, here.”
I looked around the small room. It looked like a little kid’s paradise. In one corner was a laptop and a desk, which had drawings scattered over it. Then the other half was filled with comic memorabilia.
ERICH: “Sorry about the mess.”
KATHRYN: “Oh no, don’t worry about it.”
There was a ‘Spawn’ poster right across from his computer. Above his desk was a storyboard that he worked from. The rest of it just seemed like toys. Erich looked on as she walked around the room and looked at everything.
ERICH: “Ya know, Daniel never liked to talk about you very much.”
KATHRYN: “Yeah I know, leaving each other was rough. I guess neither of us like to explain things.”
ERICH: “I think this is the happiest I’ve seen him. He’s always been a wreck, but when he decided to go home I thought he was going to crack. How did it feel when you first saw him?
KATHRYN: “I swear it was like looking into the face of a ghost. He walked right in my room, I nearly fell to the floor.”
ERICH: “How did he get in?”
KATHRYN: “He knew where I still hid my spare key.”
ERICH: “Woa! Y’all were pretty close..”
She shook her head. Erich stretched and cracked his neck.
ERICH: “Well, I’m gonna crash. I’m happy to have finally met you. Make yourself at home.”
KATHRYN: “Thank you for letting us stay here, it’s very kind of you.”
ERICH: “No sweat. G’night.”
KATHRYN: “Night…”
Erich retreated to the futon in the living room. Daniel had taken the couch, so Kathryn curled up into the papazan chair. She observed the two sleeping forms in the room. She felt kinda odd, being in a city that she’s only imagined visiting, staying with a complete stranger and a friend that she hadn’t seen in ages. Erich had his arms and legs hanging off the futon in every which way, Daniel slept on his side with his hair in his eyes. She loved to watch people sleep. She did just so until sleep caught up with her again.
Kathryn woke up about 3 hours later. The sun was up and it was about 8 o’clock. She was in desperate need of coffee. Daniel’s blanket was on the floor, so she covered him back up before heading to the kitchen. When the coffee was finished, Kathryn kept herself busy looking for sugar.
DANIEL: “Don’t bother, you won’t find it.”
KATHRYN: “Jesus Daniel, you scared the hell out of me!”
He found this amusing and laughed.
DANIEL: “Sorry…Erich doesn’t have sugar, he keeps his black.”
She made a face.
KATHRYN: “He’s a weird fellow.”
ERICH: “Thanks.”
He walked up behind Kathryn to get a cup.
KATHRYN: “Oh sorry Erich, I didn’t know you were standing there.”
ERICH: “I noticed…”
Kathryn held an apologetic face.
ERICH: “Hey don’t worry, I’ve been called worse.”
Kathryn sat in silence while the guys talked about what needed to be moved that day. She finished her drink, rinsed out the glass and placed it into the sink.
KATHRYN: “Well gentlemen, I’m going to get in the shower.
They both looked at her and nodded simultaneously. Kathryn walked away mumbling
KATHRYN: “Tough crowd…”
She disappeared down the hallway and into the bathroom. Daniel looked at Erich.
DANIEL: “Ok, so tell me what you think?”
ERICH: “About what?”
Daniel looked at him,
ERICH: “Oh! About Kathryn?”
DANIEL: “Yeah poindexter…”
ERICH: “Well she’s quiet, and nice. Except for when she called me weird.”
Daniel laughed.
DANIEL: “You can’t help that.”
ERICH: “Yeah, it’s a birth right.”
DANIEL: So, anything else?”
Erich pretended to think it over.
ERICH: Okay so she’s a cute girl…”
DANIEL: “Did you just say cute? That’s a curse word to you.
ERICH: “Shut up!”
DANIEL: “I told you she was beautiful.”
ERICH: “Yeah, that’s a whole lot to go on coming from a guy who last saw her when she was nine. But I guess you’re right.”
DANIEL: “Regardless…”
ERICH: “Is she always that quiet?”
DANIEL: “Well, she’s shy but once you get to know her, she’ll open up. Her mother just passed away from cancer, so she’s a little self conscious and reserved.”
ERICH: “Oh God, I didn’t know that! Why didn’t you tell me? I would have been nicer.”
DANIEL: “She’s not searching for pity Erich. And I wouldn’t stress about being nice. She already thinks you’re a ‘sweetheart’.”
ERICH: “She said that about me?”
DANIEL: “Yeah.”
ERICH: “And I’m digging the accent.”
Daniel laughed.
DANIEL: “It’s addictive.”
Kathryn came perusing down the hall in a towel and into the living area, then, very nonchalantly, greeted the two.
KATHRYN: “Hey y’all…”
DANIEL: “Hey Kat…*growls*”
Kathryn raises her eyebrow.
KATHRYN: “Ohh…that was attractive.”
DANIEL: “Shut up.”
KATHRYN: “Bite me…”
DANIEL: “Freak…”
KATHRYN: “Take that back before I get the vapors.”
She over dramatized. Erich was pretty amused by this sparring moment.
ERICH: “Are you sure you guys aren’t brother and sister?”
KATHRYN: “No, that would give me a reason to hate him.”
She grabbed her bag and retreated back into the washroom.
ERICH: “She’s quite the little vixen…”
DANIEL: “Yeah she’s a pill.”
ERICH: “Just for future reference, what are ‘the vapors’?”
DANIEL: “Oh, that just means if I didn’t stop messing with her she was going to cry.”
Erich laughed.
ERICH: “Feisty.”
Daniel nodded his head in agreement.
DANIEL: “That she is.”
INT: Later that day: Erich, Daniel, and Kathryn lay exhausted in the middle of Daniel’s almost bare apartment still complete with furniture. Kathryn turned on her stomach and looked at Erich.
KATHRYN: “So, tell me Erich what kind of night life is there up here?”
ERICH: “Pretty much anything you can imagine. What do you like to do?”
KATHRYN: “Well I was just thinking about dinner-wise, maybe some pasta?”
Daniel cut in.
DANIEL: “I know a place you’d love, lets go to Zambino’s, they have great food.”
ERICH: “Isn’t that kinda up-key.”
DANIEL: “Awe c’mon man, it wouldn’t hurt you to clean up a little would it? Maybe shave?”
Erich protested while running his hand over his chin.
ERICH: “Hey I happen to be fond of my five o’clock shadow thank you very much.”
DANIEL: “What kind of guy are you? You want Kat to have a good time tonight right?”
KATHRYN: “Yes Erich don’t you?”
She looked at him with sweet eyes. He groaned in frustration.
ERICH: “That was just wrong…alright fine! You win.”
Kathryn laughed and ruffled his hair.
KATHRYN: “Thank you. Ya know. I think you and I are going to get along just fine.”
He just grumbled in defeat.
ERICH: “Yeah whatever.”
Kathryn just thought of something. If she was going to go to a nice restaurant, she’d better have something nice to wear, which she did not.
KATHRYN: “Guys, I have a problem…I don’t have anything to wear.”
ERICH: “The excuse of all women to shop.”
Daniel eyed her and smiled mischievously.
DANIEL: “For some reason, she doesn’t strike me as a girl who likes to play dress up often.”
Kathryn hit him in the arm as she laughed.
INT: Three hours later: Kathryn is shown sitting on Daniel’s bed, in what is now left of his room. A dressbox and a opened box of shoes are by her. She sits there and contemplates to herself while talking to air. She picks up a strappy black high-heel.
KATHRYN: “God why do I put myself through this? You blessed me with neither the grace nor the balance for this. Yet you make me nearly 6 feet tall. You have quit a sense of humor.”
She sighed and began to get ready.
Erich and Daniel were dressed and waiting. Kathryn appeared in the hall. She was wearing a black satin dress, and her hair was done up nicely. She was greeted by stares and sheer silence. Truth be told, this made her a little nervous.
KATHRYN: “What?”
Nothing.
KATHRYN: “Guys…what’s wrong? I can’t look that bad.”
Daniel, at that moment had seen nothing more beautiful in his life. It was sealed, and he was done for. Erich on the other hand decided to make light of the situation.
ERICH: “You look great, for someone who’s 6’3.”
Kathryn sneered.
KATHRYN: “Oh Erich. A man of so many words…but with so little meaning. Oh yeah I forgot, you’re a comic book editor.”
He shot her a goofy grin.
ERICH: “Just kidding. You look very nice, doesn’t she Daniel?”
He elbowed Daniel in the ribs hoping to knock him out of his daydream.
DANIEL: “Huh?…What were you saying?”
ERICH: “Kathryn…”
DANIEL: “Oh I’m sorry. You look beautiful.”
He kissed her cheek and she blushed.
KATHRYN: “Thank you.”
Erich clapped his hands together.
ERICH: “Alright kids. Are we ready to go?”
KATHRYN: “Yeah.”
With that they left for the night.
INT: Zambino’s Restaurant: It is very classy with candlelight and live music. We see the trio sitting down at a table right beside the piano and a makeshift dance floor. They are waiting for their food to arrive. Erich is nursing a beer while talking to Daniel and watching the people around him. Kathryn is listening to the piano. Daniel is naturally interested in Kathryn. He steals glances at her when she isn’t looking. Erich is frustrated by this and decides to do something about it.
ERICH: “Why don’t you just ask her to dance?”
Daniel looks completely nervous.
DANIEL: “I can’t do that.”
ERICH: “Well you better do something, and you better do it now. I’m sick of watching you spasm.”
DANIEL: “I can’t dance.”
ERICH: “Quit acting like you’re in high school! If you don’t ask her, I will.”
DANIEL: “I’m nervous alright.”
Erich waited for a few minutes then spoke again.
ERICH: “Okay…that’s it! Now I want you to watch how easy this is.”
He got up, clearing his throat and held out his hand to Kathryn.
ERICH: “Would you like to dance?”
She smiled and nodded. Then they left Daniel at the table all alone. He watched her as she moved. It wasn’t a slow song, but slow enough where they had to be in each other’s arms. That’s when he felt it. The sharp pain of jealousy. He watched as Erich made her smile and laugh. Her eyes lit up at whatever he was saying to her. Everything hurt to watch but he couldn’t help himself. The way she had her fingers touching his neck. How Erich’s hands were on the small of her back, but he’d asked for it. Thankfully the song soon ended and they returned to the table. Kathryn was still laughing as she sat down.
KATHRYN: Thank you Erich, that was fun.”
ERICH: “My pleasure. It’s not everyday I get to dance with a beautiful lady.”
His comment made her blush That was it for Daniel. It was over.
Dinner had arrived finally and they enjoyed their meals with light conversation. After they were done eating, they decided to stay and enjoy the atmosphere for a little while longer. Kathryn heard the beginning bars of a familiar song. Daniel was too busy sulking to notice. She got up, confusing both of the guys. She went over to Daniel and took his hand.
KATHRYN: “Daniel, dance with me please.”
She begged. He couldn’t refuse. He got up and led her out to the floor looking back at Erich, confused. Erich shrugged his shoulders looking just as confused as Daniel but he gave him a thumbs up. The song was a slow, seemingly haunting rhythm. Kathryn had hoped Daniel didn’t recognize it. He held her close, feeling better that he was now in the place Erich was moments before. His hands caressed the soft skin of her back. Kathryn laid her head on his shoulders, inhaling the cologne on his neck. She closed her eyes and smiled. She started to sing softly.
KATHRYN: “Someday. When you’re feeling low, and the world is cold. I will feel a glow, just thinking of you. And the way you look tonight…”
Daniel gasped. He was sure that he’s knees were going to give out on him at any minute. Kathryn raised her head and looked into his eyes. At that moment, nothing mattered more to him than her. The world as he knew it had stopped, and they were the only ones in the room. She’d remembered…
After the song ended, Daniel was on cloud nine. Kathryn excused herself to the bathroom and Daniel was left with Erich. He hit him on the arm and smiled.
ERICH: “Alright Daniel! See that’s what I’m talking about. Sparks man….definite sparks.”
DANIEL: “Yeah?”
ERICH: “Daniel I don’t know what happened between you two out there, but it was certainly something.”
DANIEL: “Erich…I’m…I’m in love.”
Erich had to hold in his laughter.
ERICH: “Hopelessly…”
Kathryn came back and took her seat. She shared a smile with Daniel before blushing and looking down.
KATHRYN: “I want to thank ya’ll for a wonderful time.”
ERICH: “It was nothing.”
DANIEL: “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”
They left the restaurant and came home to Daniel’s place. Erich dropped them off. Kathryn leaned up against the driver’s side window.
KATHRYN: “Thanks again Erich. Tonight was truly…”
She stalled while searching for the right word, then smiled.
KATHRYN: “…Magical.”
ERICH: “Don’t mention it. Like I said it was my pleasure.”
She leaned in and kissed him. He smiled and ran his fingers through his hair, blushing slightly. She laughed.
KATHRYN: “Goodnight.”
ERICH: “Sweet dreams.”
Kathryn blew him another kiss and she walked up to the door. Daniel stuck his head in the window. He slapped Erich’s hand.
DANIEL: “Thanks man.”
ERICH: “No prob…Hey Daniel? You’ve got a rare one man. Don’t let her go.”
DANIEL: “Don’t worry, I’m not going to let that happen again.”
ERICH: “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
DANIEL: “Alright man, G’night.”
ERICH: “ Night.”
With that Erich drove off waving once more. Daniel joined Kathryn at his door. They both stood in silence.
KATHRYN: “God, I feel like I’m reliving my senior prom.”
Daniel laughed at her.
DANIEL: “Well what happened?”
KATHRYN: “Let’s see…My original date dumped me, so his best friend took me instead. We got lost going to dinner. Finally we ended up 3 blocks away from the restaurant, so we had to walk. The dance went pretty smooth, but when it came to the goodnight part, it looked exactly like this.”
Daniel smiled.
DANIEL: “And…”
KATHRYN: “I hugged and thanked him for rescuing me from prom-night hell, then we stood in that moment of indecision for the kiss.”
Daniel moistened his lips and got closer to her. His voice became husky.
DANIEL: “What happens next?”
Kathryn leaned into him, her face a breath’s length away. She closed her eyes and whispered.
KATHRYN: “He didn’t get kissed.”
With that, she smiled playfully and ran upstairs, only to be chased by him.
DANIEL: “You are so gonna get it.”
He heard her voice echo ahead of him.
KATHRYN: “Is that a promise?”
They both ran into the apartment where he caught her and she screamed with laughter.
KATHRYN: “I’m sorry! I’m sorry…Please put me down.”
DANIEL: “That was really low.”
KATHRYN: “It’s okay. I know you’re crushed but I think you’ll live.”
She walked in the bathroom to change clothes. Daniel headed to his bedroom and fell into bed. Kathryn ran in and jumped on him.
KATHRYN: “I like it here, it doesn’t beat home but it’s definitely exciting.”
DANIEL: “It has it’s own personality.”
KATHRYN: You know, maybe Erich can come down and stay sometimes.”
DANIEL: “Like him huh?”
KATHRYN: “I love Erich, he’s so much fun.”
DANIEL: “He’s alright.”
KATHRYN: “Jealous are we Mr. McKenzie?”
He looked at her and denied it.
DANIEL: “No.”
KATHRYN: “Well you shouldn’t be.”
She kissed his nose, got off of him, and under the covers. She notices the skylight right above them. Faint little stars could be seen. Her eyes turned to Daniel. She silently said a prayer for her mother and thanked God for bringing him back as she wrapped her arms around him.
KATHRYN: “Goodnight Daniel, thank you.”
He was barely awake.
DANIEL: “Night.”
INT: Mid-morning: We hear the sound of the doorbell ringing. Daniel is awake but still staggers to the door. Erich is on the other side. When he opens the door, Daniel holds his finger to his lips.
DANIEL: “Kat is still asleep.”
ERICH: “So…it’s time for her to get up anyway.”
Erich headed to Daniel’s refrigerator. He opened it and found ice cream, cheese, bread, beer and a pizza box.
ERICH: “God you live like a bachelor…”
DANIEL: “I am a bachelor.”
ERICH: “I know, but this is pathetic…”
He holds up the bread.
ERICH: “Who the hell keeps bread in the frig?”
DANIEL: “Me.”
Daniel takes the bread from him and throws it back in. Erich starts to laugh when he discovers something else. He pulls out a container of whipped cream.
ERICH: “I’m not even going to ask what this is for.”
DANIEL: “I used that on my ice cream.”
ERICH: “Mmm…don‘t we all...”
Erich laughs.
ERICH: “Well, no sense in this going bad.”
He started to walk toward Daniel’s room. Daniel stopped him.
DANIEL: “Wait a minute! What are you doing?”
ERICH: “Going to wake Kathryn up.”
He continued his way down the hall with a Cheshire cat grin on his face. He saw her sleeping nice and peacefully. He carefully sat on the edge of the bed and put some on her nose. Kathryn was a very light sleeper and woke up before he could have any fun.
KATHRYN: “Erich, what the hell are you doing?”
ERICH: “Trying to get you up.”
She smiled and wiped her nose.
KATHRYN: “You’re wasting perfectly good whipped cream on me.”
ERICH: “Well I wouldn’t call it a waste…”
Kathryn laughed and put a small bit on his nose and ruffled his hair.
KATHRYN: “In your dreams Playboy.”
She walked out of the room laughing and ran into Daniel.
KATHRYN: “Your friend needs to get laid.”
Daniel couldn’t help but smile.
DANIEL: “Erich! Come out of there before you get in trouble.”
ERICH: “I was shot down…”
DANIEL: “Sorry man, what are you doing here anyway?”
ERICH: “Ohh, Kathryn left this at my house. I was going to drop it by later but I have to work today and I didn’t know if she needed it or not.”
He handed Daniel a decorated box. He looked at it curiously.
DANIEL: “I’ll be sure to give it to her.”
ERICH: “Alright well I have to go before I’m late.”
DANIEL: “Okay, I’ll call you later if we do anything.”
ERICH: “Okay, later.”
He walked out and saw Kathryn sitting on the couch writing in a book.
ERICH: “See you later Kat.”
She looked up and closed her book.
KATHRYN: “You’re leaving?”
ERICH: “’Fraid so…”
KATHRYN: “Aww, and I was having so much fun…”
ERICH: “Don’t tease me.”
She smiled.
KATHRYN: “Sorry…bye”
ERICH: “See ya darlin’.”
INT: Daniel’s room: He had set the small box down and was deciding to open it or not. It was obvious that this box was something of great importance to Kathryn. She had to have spent a lot of time decorating it. Finally his curiosity got the best of him and Daniel took the lid off. It was almost unbelievable. He saw all these little trinkets and things reminding him of their childhood. There were a couple of pictures, what appeared to be letters and drawings that looked like him, and a old small plaid shirt, his shirt. She’d kept it all this time. He discovered that the letters were written about him. He picked up one and read it. Kathryn’s voice is overshadowing the scene.
KATHRYN V.O.: “Daniel, it’s exactly 5 years to the day that you left. Wow. 5 years already and yet I can still remember your face. I’m beginning to lose hope that I will ever see you again. I haven’t even heard from you. I don’t know why I started to write you letters. I feel kinda stupid writing them to someone who will never read them. Seems somewhat unfair doesn’t it. Hey guess what?! I’m almost 13 now. I start high school next year. I’m a little scared about it. I wish you still live here. Ya know I still visit the oak tree at night. It’s sad. Well it’s getting late so I should go. Your friend forever, Kathryn.”
Daniel put down the letter. He didn’t know what to do. He wanted to read more but these were Kathryn’s private things. Although, the letters were intended for him. He picked another one out of the box and started to read.
KATHRYN’S V.O.: “Daniel, Hey it’s me again. Call me childish but I always wonder what you’re up to even though it’s been nearly 12 years since I saw you last. Even after all this time I still feel like I had a bond with you that I just can’t find with anyone else. I hope everything is fine with you and that life is treating you kind. Sometimes I wonder if you ever think of me… Do you? That’s a stupid question… well it’s kind of weird around here since dad died. Remember I told you about that. It’s almost a year now since he got in the accident. I graduated from high school. I’m thinking about an art college. You’d be surprise on how well I can draw and paint. Mom is still sick. I don’t understand it. She’s been this way for like a month now. She never seems to get well. I think the doctor’s know a little more than they are letting on. I miss you Daniel…I really do. I hope you didn’t turn into one of those guys with a “give a damn” attitude. I’d really hate that. I always thought you would grow up to be just as sweet as I remember you. *Sighs* Daniel come home…love, Kathryn.”
All Daniel could do was breathe. He sat on the corner of his bed just holding the letter and staring out into space. He didn’t even notice Kathryn standing in the doorway. She had been watching him for some time now.
KATHRYN: “Daniel?”
He jumped a bit and looked at her.
DANIEL: “Kat, I was just…I uh…”
KATHRYN: “Shhh. It’s okay Daniel.”
She took the notes away from him.
KATHRYN: “I wouldn’t have written them if I didn’t want you to read them.”
DANIEL: “You’re not mad?”
KATHRYN: “No…These things are as much yours as they are mine.”
DANIEL: “I want to give you something.”
She looked at him, puzzled. He then hands her the small box just like hers. She sees the pictures and little knick knacks from when he lived there.
KATHRYN: "Daniel what is all this?"
DANIEL: "Be careful, that's my heart in your hands."
She looks at him again uncertain.
DANIEL: "Keep looking..."
She pulled out a dry field flower, a smooth skipping stone, and the pictures. Then she saw a worker's rag folded into a neat square. Daniel opened it. In the middle was her locket that she had given him. Shock filled her face.
KATHRYN: "My God Daniel! You actually kept this?"
DANIEL: "Of course I did and now I want you to wear it."
He took the locket from her and fastened it to her neck. Kathryn fingered the small necklace.
DANIEL: “There…”
KATHRYN: “Thanks.”
INT: Late Night: Living room: Erich is laying on the couch eating a huge bowl of Fruity Pebbles that is balanced on his stomach and watching X-Men cartoons. Kathryn walks in and slaps his feet down to sit beside him. Erich steadies the bowl, about ready to spill over.
ERICH: “What the hell was that for?”
KATHRYN: “I wanted to sit down retard.”
ERICH: “ ‘Excuse me’ always works.”
Kathryn laughed.
KATHRYN: “My way was funnier. So, is this what you’ve resolved to over the years?”
Gesturing to his image and the television.
ERICH: “That’s what low income and no sex will do to you.”
KATHRYN: “You poor guy. So…anyway, Daniel and I are leaving in the morning. You better come visit me.”
ERICH: “Oh I plan to. Don’t worry.”
KATHRYN: “Thanks for taking in a complete stranger.”
ERICH: “Ah, no problem. Besides, I feel like I’ve known you vicariously through Daniel. Where is he by the way?”
KATHRYN: “Ah he went to sleep 2 hours ago. I’ve just been reading in the bedroom.”
ERICH: “Ah...I see. What an amateur. He never was able to stay up with the best of them.”
Kathryn laughed.
KATHRYN: “I thought he was an insomniac.”
ERICH: “As far as I can tell he’s been sleeping better since he found you again.”
KATHRYN: “Oh.”
It was quiet for a moment.
KATHRYN: “Well Erich, I’m not good with goodbyes so I’m going to go ahead and get it over with. That way I won’t have to do it tomorrow. I had a great time while I was here. You are definitely one of the more interesting people that I’ve met, and I’ll miss you.”
ERICH: “Likewise. And you’ve definitely lived up to my every expectation. I can see why Daniel likes you so much."
She smiled and gave Erich a hug and a kiss on the cheek, told him goodnight, then returned to the bedroom.
INT: Airport: The three of them are standing by the terminal and Daniel is talking to Erich. Kathryn is quietly staring out of the window, as their flight is called to board.
DANIEL: “I’ll let you know how everything is when I get there. After I get my shit together I want you to come see us.”
He looks over to Kathryn.
DANIEL: “Kat? You okay?”
She answers slightly distracted like she’s off in another world, then snaps out of it.
KATHRYN: “Hmm?…Oh yeah.”
ERICH: “She’ll be okay, she told me last night how she doesn’t like goodbyes. So we got that over with last night.”
The last call for boarding is announced.
DANIEL: “That’s us…I’ll see you around man.”
They shake hands and Erich just hugs Kathryn. She doesn’t say anything, but she winks at him.
ERICH: “Be good kid.”
She smiles and turns and joins Daniel down the terminal and onto the plane, with Erich walking away in the opposite direction.
INT: Home: Layla comes running out of the house screaming happy when they pull up. Jacks is hot on her heels barking.
LAYLA: “Kat!”
She runs and nearly tackles Kathryn to the ground. Jacks, following her lead.
KATHRYN: “Jesus Layla…I’ve only been gone a few days. Hey Jacks…hey.”
She ruffles the old dog’s fur as he tries to lick her.
DANIEL: “Don’t I get a ‘Hello. Nice to see you.’ Or a ‘Go to Hell’ or something?”
Layla replies very dryly.
LAYLA: “Hey Daniel.”
DANIEL: “Good enough.”
LAYLA: “Here sugar let me help you with your luggage.”
KATHRYN: “Oh, thank you.”
She takes Kathryn’s bags and heads into the house. Kat looks over at Daniel with a sympathetic smile.
KATHRYN: “She’ll warm up to you soon. I promise.”
DANIEL: “Yeah.”
They walk into the house.
KATHRYN: “Layla, thanks for keeping Jacks and the place nice for me.”
LAYLA: “Hell, you know that’s not a problem. It beats staying at home with my wretched step-mother.”
KATHRYN: “Ah, yes I know Cinderella.”
LAYLA: “None the less I have to be heading back there. I’m glad to see you home safe though. I’ll be sure to check in once you’ve unpacked and settled.”
KATHRYN: “Alright bye doll.”
Daniel pipes in from the kitchen.
DANIEL: “Aww…leaving so soon?”
Layla gave him a sarcastic smile and left.
Kathryn came up to him from behind and hugged him.
KATHRYN: “Now how do you expect her to warm up to you if you talk to her like that?”
He laughed.
DANIEL: "She's going to have to get used to me anyway. I'm not going anywhere."
I remember your writing this when you were much younger. Your first attempt at a screenplay proved your creative abundance. You have blossomed my child and you've grown into beauty in wisdom and confidence.
Love,
Mom/Susan ( even at calling me mother)
Reviewed by Clayton Umbach
2/14/2003
Believe you should use the present voice to describe action.
She smiled and gave Erich a hug and a kiss on the cheek, told him goodnight, then returned to the bedroom.
Try: She smiles, hugs Eric and kisses his cheek, mumbles 'goodnight' then exits (unless we see her go in the bedroom on screen, then say "exits to bedroom").
Use shorter sentences. Toss out the grammar book. Dialogue is good.
