To Fall In Love (1) FADE IN: ;TO FALL IN LOVE FADE IN: EXT. MOVING BMW -- EARLY EVENING A DARK GREEN BMW TRAVELS ALONG A TWO-LANE ROAD. WE SEE A TOWN IN THE DISTANCE AHEAD. THE BMW PASSES A ROAD SIGN THAT READS WELCOME TO VALLEY SPRINGS - POP. 850. CUT TO: INT. MOVING BMW -- MOMENTS LATER IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR, AIR MITCHELL SITS NEXT TO THE WINDOW. SHE IS A VERY PRETTY, 18 YEAR OLD GIRL. SHE ROLLS DOWN THE WINDOW JUST A LITTLE AND GASPS IN DELIGHT AT THE BITING-COLD WIND ON HER FACE. AIRS P.O.V. - THE PLAINS AND TREES WHIZZING PAST THE WINDOW ARE COVERED IN GLISTENING SNOW. THE TREE BRANCHES ARE SWAYING IN THE WIND. RESUME - ON AIR WHO LEANS BACK IN HER SEAT AND ROLLS UP THE WINDOW. AIRS FACE FILLS WITH ASTONISHED PLEASURE AS SHE LOOKS THROUGH THE WINDOW AT ALL THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND DECORATIONS ON THE HOUSES THE BMW PASSES BY. EXT. MOVING BMW -- MOMENTS LATER THE CAR TRAVELS THROUGH TOWN, PULLING UP IN FRONT OF A CERTAIN HOUSE. SHE SMILES BROADLY IN DELIGHTED ANTICIPATION. AIRS P.O.V. - LARGE, TWO-STORY BRICK HOUSE COVERED IN SNOW, CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, AND CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. THE BIG BRANCHES ON THE TREES IN THE FRONT YARD BEND FROM THE WEIGHT OF THE SNOW THEY HOLD. SMALLER TREE BRANCHES SWAY IN THE WIND. RESUME - ON AIR GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. SHE IS CLUTCHING HER BLACK LEATHER JACKET CLOSED TIGHTLY ABOUT HER BODY. THE WIND WHIPS HER LIGHT BROWN HAIR INTO HER EYES. SHE SMILES AND SHIVERS, BRUSHING HER HAIR ASIDE. EXT. AIRS GRANDPARENTS HOUSE -- MOMENTS LATER SNOWFLAKES FALL LIGHTLY, WHIRLING IN THE WIND. AIR WALKS TO THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY. SHE IS A WELL-GROOMED YOUNG LADY, ABOUT 57 TALL, WITH LIGHT GREEN EYES AND A DEEPLY-TANNED COMPLEXION, WEARING BLUE JEANS AND DOC MARTIN BOOTS. A GREEN KNIT POLO SHIRT NECKLINE PEEKS OUT FROM UNDER HER BLACK LEATHER JACKET. SHE STANDS ALONE, LOOKING UP AND DOWN THE STREET, GAZING AT THE BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ON DISPLAY AT THE HOUSES AROUND HER. IN THE B.G., JENNIFER AND ERIC (BOTH IN MID 20'S) ARE GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. ERIC QUICKLY OPENS THE CAR’S TRUNK. ERIC (TO HIMSELF) MAN! IT’S COLD OUT HERE! AIR TURNS TOWARDS JENNIFER AND ERIC. AIR (LOUDLY TO BE HEARD OVER THE WIND) ISN’T THIS BEAUTIFUL? JENNIFER LOOKS UP FROM THE BMW’S TRUNK AND QUICKLY GLANCES AROUND AT THE NEIGHBORING HOUSES. JENNIFER (TO AIR) IT IS. NOW COME AND HELP US UNLOAD THE CAR. JENNIFER TURNS AND BENDS OVER THE OPEN TRUNK, REACHING FOR LUGGAGE. ERIC (TO JENNIFER, SMILING) YOU HAVE TO ADMIT, THE NEIGHBORHOOD LOOKS PRETTY GOOD. IT’S KIND OF MAGICAL IN A WAY. ERIC LEANS ACROSS THE LUGGAGE AND KISSES JENNIFER ON THE CHEEK. AIR WALKS UP TO THE CAR AND GRABS HER LUGGAGE. SHE THEN CAREFULLY MAKES HER WAY UP THE SIDEWALK TO THE PORCH. CLIMBING THE STEPS, SHE STOPS IN FRONT OF THE DOOR AND KNOCKS. AN ELDERLY LADY WEARING A ONE-PIECE DRESS AND HOUSE SHOES OPENS THE DOOR. AIR (EXCITEDLY) HI, GRANNY! AIR DROPS HER LUGGAGE ON THE SNOW-COVERED PORCH AND GIVES HER GRANDMOTHER A HUG. GRANNY HOW ARE YOU, SWEETIE? AIR I`M GOOD. GRANNY (HOLDING AIR TIGHTLY) IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. AIR IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU TOO. INT. GRANDPARENTS’ HOUSE - FRONT ENTRANCEWAY -- CONTINUOUS AIR BRINGS HER LUGGAGE INTO THE HOUSE. AN ELDERLY MAN, WEARING GLASSES AND OVERALLS WALKS TOWARD HER, SMILING. AIR QUICKLY PLACES HER LUGGAGE ON THE WOOD FLOOR AND REACHES HER ARMS OUT TO EMBRACE HIM. AIR (SMILING EAGERLY) HI, PAPA! SHE HUGS HER GRANDFATHER. PAPA HOW IS MY LITTLE PRINCESS? AIR I`M FINE. HOW ABOUT YOU? PAPA (IN A JOKING MANNER) BESIDES GETTING OLD, I’M DOING JUST FINE. IN THE B.G., GRANNY HOLDS THE DOOR OPEN. JENNIFER AND ERIC ENTER THE HOUSE, THEIR HANDS FULL OF LUGGAGE. PAPA GREETS JENNIFER AND ERIC WARMLY. AIR WALKS OVER AND LOOKS INTO THE DEN. SHE SEES A FULLY DECORATED CHRISTMAS TREE IN A CORNER OF THE ROOM. AIR (SMILING; SPEAKING SOFTLY) THE CHRISTMAS TREE IS GORGEOUS. GRANNY WALKS OVER AND PUTS HER ARM AROUND AIR’S SHOULDERS, GIVING HER A QUICK SQUEEZE. GRANNY I COULDN`T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT AMBER. THE SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS ARE HEARD ON THE SECOND FLOOR LANDING. AMBER IS AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS. SHE IS A PRETTY GIRL, 18-YEARS-OLD WITH SOFT BROWN HAIR THAT FALLS LOOSELY ABOUT HER SHOULDERS. SHE WALKS DOWN THE STAIRS TO GREET AIR. AIR (WARM SMILE) AMBER. IT'S NICE TO FINALLY MEET YOU IN PERSON. AIR HUGS AMBER. IN THE B.G., GRANNY AND PAPA HOLD EACH OTHER, SMILING AT THE SIGHT OF THE TWO GIRLS EMBRACING. AMBER (TO AIR) YOU’RE EVEN PRETTIER THAN ALL OF YOUR PICTURES! AIR (SMILING) THANK YOU. SO ARE YOU. WE HEAR COUGHING IN THE B.G. JENNIFER RAISES HER EYEBROWS AT AIR EXPECTANTLY. AIR I`M SORRY. AMBER, THIS IS MY SISTER JENNIFER, WHO YOU ALWAYS HEAR TELLING ME TO GET OFF THE PHONE AND HER HUSBAND ERIC. AMBER SMILES AND ATTEMPTS TO SHAKE JENNIFER'S HAND. JENNIFER A HANDSHAKE WON'T DO, GIVE ME A HUG. AMBER GIVES JENNIFER AND ERIC A HUG. GRANNY IS ANYONE HUNGRY? JENNIFER WE ACTUALLY ATE NOT TOO LONG AGO. GRANNY IN THAT CASE, WHY DON`T YOU ALL GO ON UP STAIRS AND GET SETTLED IN, WHILE I MAKE US ALL SOME HOT COCOA? AIR I CAN'T WAIT. AIR GRABS HER LUGGAGE AND TURNS TOWARD THE STAIRCASE. AMBER (TO AIR) LET ME HELP YOU. AIR HANDS AMBER ONE OF HER LUGGAGE. THE TWO GIRLS THEN CLIMB THE STAIRS. JENNIFER AND ERIC FOLLOW RIGHT BEHIND THEM, CARRYING THEIR LUGGAGE. INT. STAIRWAY -- CONTINUOUS AIR’S P.O.V. - PICTURES LINED UP ALONG THE STAIRCASE WALL SHOWS AIR WITH HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS. SOME ARE FORMAL FAMILY PORTRAITS AND OTHERS ARE CANDID PHOTOGRAPHS OF FUN TIMES TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS. FLASHBACK - AIR AND HER FAMILY - PREVIOUS YEARS SERIES OF SHOTS A) AIR AND HER SISTER PLAY OUTSIDE IN THE SNOW, THROWING SNOWBALLS AT EACH OTHER AND THEIR FRIENDS. B) A LOVELY FORMAL FAMILY PORTRAIT SHOWING AIR, JENNIFER, MOTHER AND FATHER, AND GRANNY AND PAPA. C) AIR, JENNIFER, THEIR MOTHER AND THEIR FATHER ENJOY A QUIET PICNIC IN A BEAUTIFUL PARK, NEAR A POND. D) SHE AND HER SISTER STAND IN THE CEMETERY, LISTENING TO THE FUNERAL TALK AT PARENTS’ BURIAL. JENNIFER IS CRYING; AIR IS STANDING QUIETLY, A SINGLE TEAR FALLS. E) AIR AND JENNIFER ARRIVING AT THEIR GRANDPARENTS’ HOME. F) AIR LEAVING HER GRANDPARENTS’ HOME TO MOVE TO CALIFORNIA. CUT TO: INT. AIR’S BEDROOM -- MOMENTS LATER AIR AND AMBER PLACE THE BAGS ON THE CARPET. AMBER WATCHES AIR QUIETLY. AIR SLOWLY WALKS ABOUT THE ROOM, BREAKING INTO A HUGE SMILE OF RECOGNITION. SHE SLIDES HER FINGERS ALONG THE CHERRY WOOD BED FRAME. SHE LOOKS ADMIRINGLY AT THE PINK FLOWERED WALLPAPER. SHE THEN WALKS ACROSS THE ROOM TO HER OLD CHERRY WOOD DRESSER. ON TOP OF THE DRESSER, WE SEE A COLLECTION OF SNOW GLOBES. CAREFULLY, SHE PICKS UP ONE OF THE GLOBES. IN IT IS A BALLERINA, WITH SPARKLES SWIRLING AROUND HER. THE SNOW GLOBE GLEAMS SPOTLESSLY. THE LIGHT SHINING THROUGH THE WINDOW BLINDS MAKES IT LOOK ENCHANTED. AIR SITS THE BALLERINA SNOW GLOBE BACK ON THE DRESSER. SHE TURNS AROUND AND SEES HER OLD CHERRY WOOD ROCKING CHAIR THAT HOLDS HER TEDDY BEAR COLLECTION. AIR QUICKLY PICKS UP A FURRY, BROWN TEDDY BEAR THAT IS WEARING A RED RIBBON TIED AROUND IT'S NECK. SHE CROSSES OVER TO THE BED AND SITS DOWN, EMBRACING THE BEAR TIGHTLY. SHE TURNS TO LOOK AT AMBER, SMILING. SHE LOOKS AROUND THE ROOM ONE MORE TIME, THEN BACK AT AMBER. AIR ITS LIKE I NEVER LEFT. EVERY TIME I COME BACK THIS ROOM IS ALWAYS HOW I LEFT IT. AIR SIGHS AND SMILES SOFTLY. AIR SO, HOW ARE YOU? AMBER SITS NEXT TO AIR ON THE BED. AMBER I`M OKAY, I GUESS. AIR HOW ARE THINGS BETWEEN YOU AND JASON? AMBER THINGS ARE GOOD BETWEEN US. AIR WHAT ABOUT CLAUDIA? IS SHE STILL GIVING YOU A HARD TIME? AMBER’S FACE SUDDENLY HARDENS; HER EYES LOOK GRIM. AMBER YEAH, SOMETIMES. AIR DON`T WORRY ABOUT IT, LIKE I SAID SHE'S LIKE THAT TO EVERYBODY. AFTER A WHILE, YOU'LL GET USED TO IT. BESIDES THAT IS EVERYTHING ELSE OKAY? AMBER (SMILING GRATEFULLY) IT COULDN’T BE BETTER! EVER SINCE YOUR GRANDPARENTS ADOPTED ME, MY LIFE HAS BEEN GREAT. THEY ARE SO AWESOME. THERE'S A QUICK KNOCK AT THE DOOR. GRANNY ENTERS THE ROOM, CARRYING THICK, WARM BLANKETS. GRANNY HERE'S SOME EXTRA BLANKETS. SHE LAYS THEM ON THE BED. AIR (SMILING AT GRANNY) THANK YOU. GRANNY STANDS STILL FOR A MOMENT, LOOKING AIR OVER. GRANNY YOU GET MORE AND MORE PRETTIER EVERY TIME I SEE YOU. AIR (BLUSHING) AH, GRANNY! GRANNY WELL YOU DO. GRANNY TURNS TO AMBER. GRANNY AND SO DO YOU. JASON IS A VERY LUCKY YOUNG MAN, AND I HOPE HE KNOWS THAT. NO MATTER WHO MARRIES YOU TWO, YOU WILL BOTH BE MY LITTLE ANGELS. PAPA (URGENT HOLLER) LUCILLE THE WATER IS BOILING. GRANNY ILL LEAVE YOU TWO ALONE BEFORE PAPA HAS A HEART ATTACK. AIR AND AMBER LAUGH AS GRANNY LEAVES THE ROOM. AMBER SO, WHAT DO YOU WANNA DO ON YOUR FIRST NIGHT BACK? AIR WELL, ON THE WAY OVER I SAW THAT THEY FINALLY OPENED JOE'S PIZZA PARLOR! LETS GO THERE. AMBER YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND. CUT TO: INT. FRONT LIVING ROOM - NIGHT PAPA THAT'S ENOUGH FOR TONIGHT. PAPA PLACES A BOOK ON THE COFFEE TABLE. ANGLE ON: BOOK. IT READS "HOLY BIBLE". GRANNY AND PAPA ARE SITTING ON OVERSTUFFED SIDE CHAIRS. PAPA PROPS HIS FEET ON A MATCHING HASSOCK. ERIC AND JENNIFER ARE SITTING ON A LOVE SEAT. AMBER AND AIR ARE SITTING IN FRONT OF THE COFFEE TABLE ON THE FLOOR. THEY ALL ARE FINISHING THEIR HOT COCOA. FLAMES CRACKLE IN THE FIREPLACE. PAPA WHAT DO YOU GIRLS HAVE PLANNED FOR TONIGHT? AMBER I`M GONNA TAKE AIR OVER TO JOES PIZZA. PAPA NODS. HE LOOKS OVER AT A PIECE OF FIREWOOD BY THE HEARTH. PAPA COULD YOU TWO TAKE THE EXPLORER AND PICK UP SOME MORE FIREWOOD? AIR AND AMBER BOTH NOD IN AGREEMENT. PAPA FISHES IN HIS POCKET FOR THE KEYS TO THE EXPLORER AND SOME MONEY. HE HANDS THE KEYS AND A FIFTY DOLLAR BILL TO AIR. SHE SMILES, THANKING HIM. CUT TO: INT. FRONT ENTRANCEWAY -- CONTINUOUS AMBER OPENS THE HALL CLOSET DOOR AND HANDS AIR HER JACKET. SHE THEN TAKES OUT HER OWN COAT. GRANNY AND PAPA ENTER THE FOYER. GRANNY YOU GIRLS BE CAREFUL. AIR AND AMBER WE WILL. THEY BOTH KISS GRANNY AND PAPA GOOD NIGHT. CUT TO: EXT. GRANDPARENTS’ HOUSE -- CONTINUOUS AIR AND AMBER DASH ACROSS THE SNOW-COVERED LAWN, TOWARDS THE EXPLORER. AIR HERE YOU GO. AIR TOSSES AMBER THE KEYS. AIR YOU CAN DRIVE. AMBER ARE YOU SURE? AIR I`M POSITIVE. I JUST WANNA ENJOY THE SCENERY. CUT TO: EXT. MOVING EXPLORER -- MOMENTS LATER THE EXPLORER MOVES DOWN THE STREET, PASSING SEVERAL INTERSECTIONS. CUT TO: INT. EXPLORER'S FRONT SEAT -- CONTINUOUS AMBER IS DRIVING AND AIR IS LOOKING OUT OF THE WINDOW AT THE PASSING SNOW COVERED TREES. AIR SO. IS JOES PIZZA PARLOR POPULAR? AMBER VERY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'D DO WITH OUT IT. AIR (PAUSE, THEN) I FORGOT HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS WHEN IT SNOWS HERE. AMBER I KNOW, AND ITS EVEN BETTER BECAUSE ITS CHRISTMAS. AIR I LOVE COMING BACK HERE FOR CHRISTMAS, BECAUSE ITS SO ROMANTIC. I JUST WISH I HAD SOMEONE TO SHARE IT WITH. AMBER DO YOU THINK THAT YOU AND JAKE WILL GET BACK TOGETHER? AIR I DON`T KNOW. TALKING TO HIM ON THE PHONE, HE SEEMS SINCERE, BUT I JUST DON`T KNOW IF IT WOULD WORK OUT. AMBER WAS HE ROMANTIC? AIR IF YOU CALL SITTING IN FRONT OF HIS TV WATCHING HIM PLAY FOOTBALL ALL NIGHT ROMANTIC. THEN HE WOULD DEFINITELY QUALIFY. AIR AND AMBER BEGIN LAUGHING. CUT TO: EXT. MATHEWS’ WOOD PLACE -- MOMENTS LATER CHRISTIAN IS CAREFULLY LOADING A CHRISTMAS TREE INTO THE BACK OF A CUSTOMERS PICKUP TRUCK. HE IS A HANDSOME YOUNG MAN OF MEDIUM HEIGHT, 18-YEARS-OLD, WITH BLOND-STREAKED HAIR AND SOFT BROWN EYES. CHRISTIAN THERE YOU GO, MISS SPENCER. YOU`RE ALL SET. MISS SPENCER TAKES MONEY FROM HER PURSE AND HOLDS IT OUT TO HIM. MISS SPENCER THANK YOU, CHRISTIAN. YOU'RE SUCH A SWEET BOY. CHRISTIAN SMILES AND SHAKES HIS HEAD. CHRISTIAN YOU DON`T HAVE TO TIP ME. MISS SPENCER (KINDLY, FIRMLY) CHRISTIAN, YOU NEVER SAY NO TO AN OLD LADY WHO IS SHOWING HER APPRECIATION BY GIVING YOU MONEY. NOW GO ON AND TAKE THIS. CHRISTIAN (PAUSES, SMILES RELUCTANTLY) OKAY. CHRISTIAN TAKES THE MONEY AND SHOVES IT INTO HIS PANTS POCKET. MISS SPENCER PATS CHRISTIAN ON THE CHEEK. MISS SPENCER THAT'S A GOOD BOY. CHRISTIAN HELPS HER INTO HER TRUCK. CHRISTIAN BE CAREFUL. MISS SPENCER I WILL. THE TRUCK LEAVES THE PARKING LOT. SERIES OF SHOTS A) CHRISTIAN STANDS WATCHING THE TRUCK LEAVE, BRUSHING HIS HAIR FROM HIS EYES. B) A JEEP CHEROKEE RACES INTO THE PARKING LOT. IT BARELY MISSES HITTING MISS SPENCER’S TRUCK AND SCREECHES TO A STOP TEN FEET IN FRONT OF CHRISTIAN. THERE ARE FOUR OCCUPANTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. C) THE DRIVER, JAKE 18, GETS OUT OF THE JEEP FIRST, FOLLOWED BY MATT 18, SEAN 17, AND JASON 18. D) JAKE, MATT, AND SEAN WALK UP TO STAND WITHIN INCHES OF CHRISTIAN’S FACE, IN A VERY THREATENING MANNER. JASON LEANS AGAINST THE JEEP, WAITING. E) JAKE STEPS CLOSER TO CHRISTIAN. JAKE STANDS 6’2 TALL, WITH A MUSCULAR FRAME THAT SUGGESTS YEARS OF PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS, ESPECIALLY FOOTBALL. HE APPEARS SELF-ASSURED AND COCKY, CONFIDENT IN HIS POPULARITY AND APPEARANCE. JAKE’S CLOTHES AND JACKET SCREAM MONEY. MATT (MENACINGLY) SO, HOW’S BUSINESS, CHRISTIAN? JAKE YEAH, HOW'S BUSINESS, CHRISTI? MATT AND SEAN LAUGH TOGETHER NASTILY. JAKE MOVES CLOSER TO CHRISTIAN, TOWERING OVER HIM. CHRISTIAN STANDS FIRM, FACING THEM, NOT SAYING A WORD. JAKE (UPSET, SARCASTIC) WHAT? YOU TOO GOOD TO TALK TO US, RICH BOY? CHRISTIAN IGNORES THE CHALLENGE, TURNS AND WALKS AWAY FROM THE GROUP TOWARD THE GATE THAT LEADS TO THE COVERED PORCH. BEFORE CHRISTIAN CAN GET THROUGH THE GATE, JAKE JUMPS IN FRONT OF HIM, BLOCKING HIS PATH. JAKE (FURIOUS TONE) DON’T WALK AWAY FROM ME WHILE I’M TALKIN’ TO YOU, BOY! CHRISTIAN (PLACATING TONE) LOOK, YOU GUYS. I DON’T WANT ANY TROUBLE. CHRISTIAN SIDE STEPS AROUND JAKE AND OPENS THE GATE THAT LEADS TO THE COVERED PORCH, WHERE WE SEE FIREWOOD LOGS STACKED FOUR FEET HIGH IN NEAT PILES. JAKE’S FACE APPEARS TENSE AND ANGRY. HE ADVANCES THREATENINGLY TOWARDS CHRISTIAN. INT. MATHEWS’ WOOD PLACE -- CONTINUOUS SUDDENLY, JAKE PUSHES CHRISTIAN VIOLENTLY INTO A PILE OF FIREWOOD. EXT. MATHEWS’ WOOD PLACE -- CONTINUOUS MATT AND SEAN CHEER JAKE ON. INT. MATHEWS’ WOOD PLACE -- MOMENTS LATER MR. MATHEWS IS STANDING IN THE B.G. HE SEES WHAT HAPPENS AND WALKS UP TO THE GROUP OF BOYS. A MAN IN HIS 40’S, HE HAS A NO-NONSENSE APPEARANCE. MR. MATHEWS HELPS CHRISTIAN TO HIS FEET. HE EYES THE OTHER FOUR BOYS STERNLY. MR. MATHEWS (CONCERNED LOOK AT CHRISTIAN) IS EVERYTHING ALRIGHT OVER HERE CHRISTIAN (PAUSES, THEN) EVERYTHING’S FINE. CHRISTIAN BRUSHES THE DIRT OFF HIS BLUE JEANS. JAKE (SARCASTICALLY) YEAH, EVERYTHING’S FINE, MR. MATHEWS. MR. MATHEWS (FIRMLY) I THINK YOU BOYS BETTER GO ON HOME BEFORE I CALL THE SHERIFF. JAKE (DERISIVELY) OOOH! WE’RE SHAKIN’ IN OUR BOOTS! MATT AND SEAN LAUGH. MR. MATHEWS (AGITATED VOICE) I MEAN IT, JAKE. YOU BOYS NEED TO LEAVE AND FAST. EXT. MATHEWS’ WOOD PLACE -- CONTINUOUS JASON COME ON JAKE, LET'S GO. EXT. MATHEWS’ WOOD PLACE -- CONTINUOUS JAKE SAUNTERS UP TO CHRISTIAN, IN A TAUNTING MANNER. JAKE YOU LUCKED OUT THIS TIME, PRETTY BOY. MR. MATHEWS (ANGRILY) GO ON HOME JAKE, AND TAKE YOUR TROUBLEMAKIN’ FRIENDS WICHA'. JAKE GLARES AT MR. MATHEWS FOR A MOMENT, THEN MOTIONS FOR MATT AND SEAN TO RETURN TO THE JEEP. THE FOUR OF THEM JUMP INTO THE JEEP. JAKE PEELS OUT AND LEAVES RUBBER BEFORE EXITING THE PARKING LOT. MR. MATHEWS AND CHRISTIAN STAND TOGETHER, WATCHING THEM LEAVE. MR. MATHEWS SHAKES HIS HEAD IN DISGUST. MR. MATHEWS ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE OKAY? CHRISTIAN YEAH AND THANK YOU. MR. MATHEWS HEY, NO PROBLEM. YOU`RE A GOOD KID. DON`T LET THOSE BOYS RUN ALL OVER YOU. ONLY ONE WAY TO HANDLE BULLIES - GIVE' EM A GOOD BEATIN' THE NEXT TIME THEY BOTHER YOU. THEN THEY'LL LEAVE YA' ALONE. MR. MATHEWS PATS CHRISTIAN ON THE SHOULDER AND WALKS AWAY. TAKING A DEEP BREATH OF RELIEF, CHRISTIAN WALKS OVER TO TIMMY. TIMMY IS A LITTLE 9-YEAR-OLD BOY WHO HAS BEEN STARING WIDE-EYED AT A CHRISTMAS TREE. CHRISTIAN RUFFLES THE BOY’S HAIR AFFECTIONATELY. CHRISTIAN TIMMY YOU'VE BEEN STARING AT THIS TREE FOR A WHILE NOW. DO YOU WANNA BUY IT? TIMMY (SADLY) I WOULD, BUT I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR IT. TIMMY SHOVES HIS HANDS INTO HIS PANTS POCKETS AND KICKS THE DIRT WITH HIS WET STAINED TENNIS SHOES. CHRISTIAN WHY DON'T YOU USE THE MONEY YOU SAVED UP, FROM HELPING BROTHER BILLINGTON MOW LAWNS LAST SUMMER? TIMMY LOOKS DOWN AT HIS SHOES, OBVIOUSLY EMBARRASSED. TIMMY I LOST IT AND NOW I CAN'T SURPRISE MY MOM WITH A CHRISTMAS TREE. CHRISTIAN HOW IS YOUR MOM? TIMMY SHE'S OKAY. CHRISTAN WHAT ABOUT MELANNIE? TIMMY SHE'S GOOD TOO. TIMMY CONTINUES TO STARE AT THE TREE. CHRISTIAN I TELL YOU WHAT. YOU SEE THOSE LOGS KNOCKED DOWN OVER THERE? CHRISTIAN POINTS TO THE PILE OF LOGS THAT JAKE PUSHED HIM INTO. TIMMY YEAH. CHRISTIAN IF YOU HELP ME STACK THEM BACK UP, THE TREE IS YOURS. TIMMY (DOUBTFULLY) BUT, THERE’S NOT THAT MANY OF ‘EM. CHRISTIAN (SMILING) THEN IT SHOULDN'T TAKE US THAT LONG, RIGHT? TIMMY HUGS CHRISTIAN. HIS LITTLE FACE GLOWS WITH IMMENSE GRATITUDE AND HAPPINESS. TIMMY (EXCITEDLY) THANKS CHRISTIAN! YOU’RE THE BEST! CHRISTIAN ITS NOTHING. WHAT ARE FRIENDS FOR? THE TWO WALK OVER TO THE LOGS AND BEGIN STACKING THEM BACK UP. CUT TO: EXT. MATHEWS’ WOOD PLACE -- MOMENTS LATER AIR AND AMBER PULL UP INTO THE PARKING LOT. INT. EXPLORER'S FRONT SEAT -- CONTINUOUS AIR'S FACE IS FILLED WITH WONDER, AS SHE GAZES OUT THE WINDOW AT ALL THE CHRISTMAS TREES. AIR (SMILING) THE CHRISTMAS TREES ARE SO BEAUTIFUL. THEY CLIMB OUT OF THE EXPLORER AND WALK INTO THE MEDAL GATES. INT. MATHEWS’ WOOD PLACE -- MOMENTS LATER SEEING THE MATHEWS' WOOD PLACE LOGO ON THE BACK OF CHRISTIAN'S JACKET. AIR WALKS UP BEHIND HIM. AIR (TO CHRISTIAN) EXCUSE ME. CHRISTIAN TURNS AROUND AND LOOKS UP. HE STARES AT AIR, SPEECHLESS FOR A MOMENT. HE QUICKLY STANDS UP, BRUSHING THE SNOW AND DIRT FROM HIS BLUE JEANS. CHRISTIAN HOW MAY I HELP YOU? AIR TOO STANDS SPEECHLESS FOR A MOMENT, STARING AT CHRISTIAN. SHE SUDDENLY SHAKES HERSELF OUT OF HER TRANCE-LIKE STATE. AIR CAN YOU HELP US GET SOME WOOD? CHRISTIAN SURE, HOW MUCH? AIR TWO STACKS, PLEASE. CHRISTIAN’S FACE SHOWS THAT HE IS STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN HIS COMPOSURE. CHRISTIAN TWO STACKS OF FIVE OR TEN? AIR IS SILENT. SHE HAS A MESMERIZED LOOK IN HER EYES. AMBER LOOKS AT HER EXPECTANTLY, THEN SEES AIR’S FACIAL EXPRESSION AND REALIZES SHE IS NOT GOING TO SAY ANYTHING. AMBER (PAUSES, THEN) TWO STACKS OF FIVE WILL BE FINE. CHRISTIAN COMING RIGHT UP. CHRISTIAN TURNS AWAY TO GATHER THE FIREWOOD. AMBER (WHISPERING) AIR. ARE YOU OKAY? AIR SHAKES HERSELF OUT OF HER DAZE. AIR YEAH, I'M FINE. CHRISTIAN AND TIMMY LOAD THE STACKS ONTO A TWO-WHEEL HAND TRUCK. CHRISTIAN THEN ROLLS IT OUT TO THE EXPLORER. CUT TO: EXT. MATHEWS’ WOOD PLACE - PARKING LOT -- MOMENTS LATER CHRISTIAN BEGINS LOADING THE FIREWOOD INTO THE BACK OF THE EXPLORER. AIR (HESITATES, THEN) AREN’T YOU CHRISTIAN MICHAELS? CHRISTIAN YES, I AM. AIR (SMILING) HI, I’M ... CHRISTIAN (QUICKLY, SMILING) AIR MITCHELL. I KNOW. YOU USED TO BE THE HEAD CHEERLEADER WHEN WE WERE IN JUNIOR HIGH. AIR THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO. I'VE COME TO MY SENSES SINCE THEN. CHRISTIAN PULLS OFF ONE OF HIS GLOVES AND REACHES OUT TO SHAKE AIR’S HAND. HE NODS IN AMBER’S DIRECTION. CHRISTIAN (SMILING WARMLY) AND YOU’RE AMBER, RIGHT? AMBER (SURPRISED) RIGHT. CHRISTIAN SHAKES AMBER’S HAND, PUTS BACK ON HIS GLOVE, AND RESUMES LOADING FIREWOOD INTO THE EXPLORER. AIR APPEARS TO BE SEARCHING FOR A WAY TO KEEP TALKING TO HIM. AIR SO, WHEN DID YOU MOVE BACK? CHRISTIAN GLANCES AT HER OVER HIS SHOULDER. CHRISTIAN THIS PAST SUMMER. HE PLACES THE LAST PIECE OF FIREWOOD INTO THE EXPLORER. HE THEN TURNS TO FACE THE TWO GIRLS, REMOVING BOTH WORK GLOVES. CHRISTIAN THAT'LL BE TWENTY DOLLARS EVEN. AIR REACHES INTO HER POCKET AND PULLS OUT THE MONEY. SHE HANDS THE MONEY TO CHRISTIAN. CHRISTIAN COUNTS OUT HER CHANGE AND GIVES IT TO HER. CHRISTIAN (CONTINUING) THANK YOU LADIES. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. AIR WE WILL. CUT TO: INT. MOVING EXPLORER -- MOMENTS LATER AMBER GLANCES FURTIVELY AT AIR. AIR IS LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW. AMBER TURNS HER GAZE BACK TO THE ROAD. AMBER WHAT HAPPENED BACK THERE? AIR WHAT DO YOU MEAN? AMBER YOU LOOKED LIKE YOU WERE IN ANOTHER WORLD WHEN YOU SAW CHRISTIAN. AIR YOU NOTICED HUNH? AMBER NODS HER HEAD YES. AIR I USE TO HAVE THE BIGGEST CRUSH ON HIM. ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL THE TIME I STARTED DATING JAKE. AMBER I DON'T BLAME YOU, HE'S CUTE. AIR I KNOW. AMBER HE'S VERY QUIET, THOUGH. AIR HE ALWAYS HAS BEEN, BUT HE'S DIFFERENT FROM ALL THE OTHER GUYS HERE AND HE'S ONE OF THE MOST SPIRITUAL PEOPLE YOU WILL EVER KNOW. I CAN STILL REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE KIDS, DURING RECESS. WE WERE ALL OUTSIDE HAVING FUN, EXCEPT FOR CHRISTIAN WHO JUST SAT BY HIMSELF AND READ HIS SCRIPTURES. THAT'S WHY WE NEVER ASKED HIM OUT, BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THAT SINCE HE WAS SO SPIRITUAL. HE DESERVED SOMEONE JUST AS SPIRITUAL AND NONE OF US WERE AT THE TIME. AMBER SOUNDS LIKE HE HASN'T CHANGED. AIR (REFLECTING) KNOWING CHRISTIAN, HE PROBABLY NEVER WILL. CUT TO: EXT. ANOTHER STREET -- MOMENTS LATER A STREET LIES IN SHADOW WITH OCCASIONAL LIGHT CAST BY THE STREET LAMPS. THE SURFACE IS SHINY WITH ICY PATCHES. AARON 18, IS ON A BICYCLE PEDALING ALONG THE SIDE OF THE STREET. AARON IS MENTALLY CHALLENGED. HE GLANCES NERVOUSLY OVER HIS SHOULDER. HE THEN TRIES TO PEDAL EVEN FASTER. A VAN IS TRAVELING BEHIND HIM. THE VAN SPEEDS UP AND SLOWS DOWN. THEN SPEEDS UP AGAIN IN A MENACING MANNER, CLOSING THE GAP BETWEEN ITSELF AND AARON. THE WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN IS BEING ROLLED DOWN. BRIAN 18, A REDHEADED YOUTH WITH FRECKLES, LEANS HIS HEAD OUT THE WINDOW. BRIAN (LOUD AND TAUNTING) HEY, AARON! ISN’T IT TOO COLD OUTSIDE TO BE RIDING A BIKE? AARON APPEARS FRIGHTENED. HE IGNORES BRIAN AND TRIES TO CONCENTRATE ON HIS PEDALING. BRIAN (REAL NASTY, DERISIVE) ARE YOU RETARDED OR SOMETHING? OH, I FORGOT! YOU ARE RETARDED! LAUGHTER COMES FROM THREE OTHER OCCUPANTS IN THE VAN, JEROMY 18 WHO IS DRIVING, MIKE 17, AND TOM 18. BUT, ANOTHER VOICE, THAT OF KEVIN, DOES NOT JOIN THE REST IN THEIR TEASING. KEVIN 18 IS LOOKING THROUGH THE SIDE WINDOW, DISTURBED. KEVIN (ANGRY TONE) BRIAN! LEAVE ‘EM ALONE AND LET’S GET TO THE PARTY. BRIAN COME ON, KEVIN. WE'RE JUST HAVIN' A LITTLE FUN. LIGHTEN UP! BESIDES, HE'S USED TO IT. AIN'T THAT RIGHT, AARON? AARON (SCARED, FRANTIC, SHOUTING) LEAVE ME ALONE! AARON PEDALS FASTER, TRYING TO AVOID SLIPPING AND LOSING CONTROL OF HIS BICYCLE ON THE ICY STREET. BRIAN LAUGHS CRUELLY AT HIM. BRIAN YOU MUST BE STUPID IF YOU THINK YOU CAN BEAT A VAN! JEROMY REVS THE ENGINE LOUDLY, THREATENINGLY. AARON LOOKS SCARED, AS HE TRIES TO PEDAL FASTER. SUDDENLY, AN EMPTY BEER BOTTLE FLIES OUT THE VAN’S WINDOW IN AARON’S DIRECTION, JUST MISSING HIS HEAD. KEVIN LUNGES FORWARD IN HIS SEAT, TRYING TO GRAB ONTO BRIAN’S ARM. KEVIN (SHOUTING IN FURY) BRIAN! WHAT ARE YOU DOIN’? TOM (ANNOYED) WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU? YOU NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH PICKIN' ON PEOPLE BEFORE. KEVIN THIS IS DIFFERENT! MIKE (LAUGHING) SO WHAT? MIKE THROWS A BEER BOTTLE OUT THE WINDOW AT AARON’S FRONT TIRE. AARON LOSES CONTROL OF HIS BIKE AND CRASHES INTO A SNOW-FILLED DITCH. WE SEE KEVIN’S HORRIFIED FACE IN THE WINDOW. KEVIN (SHOUTING ANGRILY) LOOK WHAT YOU DID! STOP THE VAN, JEROMY! JEROMY BRINGS THE VAN TO A SCREECHING STOP. KEVIN YANKS OPEN THE VAN’S SIDE DOOR AND JUMPS OUT. HE RUNS OVER TO AARON. AARON SEES KEVIN RUNNING TOWARDS HIM AND COVERS HIS FACE QUICKLY. HE COWERS AND CRIES IN FEAR. KEVIN STOPS RUNNING AND SLOWLY WALKS OVER AND BENDS DOWN NEXT TO AARON. AARON (MOANING MISERABLY) DON’T HURT ME ... KEVIN (HUSKY VOICE, BUT GENTLE) I’M NOT GONNA HURT YOU - I JUST WANNA KNOW IF YOU’RE ALL RIGHT? AARON REFUSES TO LOOK AT HIM, KEEPING HIS FACE COVERED. BRIAN STICKS HIS HEAD OUT THE WINDOW, LOOKING BACK AT KEVIN. BRAIN (YELLING IMPATIENTLY) COME ON! HE’S OKAY! JEROMY BACKS THE VAN CLOSER TO KEVIN AND AARON. KEVIN LOOKS HESITANTLY AT AARON, THEN STANDS UP AND WALKS BACK TO THE VAN. HE CASTS A REGRETFUL LOOK OVER HIS SHOULDER AT AARON AND THEN CLIMBS INTO THE VAN, CLOSING THE DOOR. JEROMY PULLS AWAY FROM THE CURB, WITH SQUEALING TIRES. AARON PEEKS THROUGH HIS FINGERS AT THE DEPARTING VAN, WRINKLING HIS NOSE AT THE ACRID SMELL OF BURNT RUBBER. CUT TO: INT. JOE’S PIZZA PARLOR -- LATER THE INSIDE OF THE PIZZA PARLOR HAS AN AVERAGE-SIZED DINING ROOM, DECORATED ATTRACTIVELY WITH RED AND WHITE CHECKERED TABLECLOTHS AND WHITE TABLES AND CHAIRS. BOOTHS LINE THE WALLS BESIDE THE LARGE CURTAINED WINDOWS. THERE ARE MORE TABLES AND CHAIRS ON THE OUTSIDE COVERED PATIO, BUT THESE ARE BLACK WROUGHT IRON, WITH THICK GLASS TABLE TOPS AND RED AND WHITE STRIPED CHAIR CUSHIONS. INSIDE, TEEN WAITRESSES AND WAITERS MOVE AROUND ON ROLLER SKATES TO ENSURE FAST SERVICE. JAKE, JASON, MATT, AND SEAN ARE SITTING IN A BOOTH. IN THE B.G., OTHER TEENS ARE CONGREGATING IN THEIR OWN LITTLE GROUPS. JAKE SOON JOINS THEM. JAKE (EAGERLY) THEIR ON THEIR WAY, AS WE SPEAK. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HER. SEAN WINKS AT JASON AND MATT, WITH A SLY SMIRK. SEAN (JOKING TONE) NEITHER CAN I. JAKE LOOKS AT SEAN IN SURPRISE. BEFORE HE CAN SAY ANYTHING, A WAITRESS SKATES OVER TO THEIR TABLE. WAITRESS WHAT CAN I GET YOU GUYS TO DRINK? JAKE NOTHING NOW. WE'LL WAIT UNTIL THE REST OF OUR GROUP GETS HERE. WAITRESS NO PROBLEM - JUST LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU'RE READY. SHE SKATES AWAY. JAKE WHIPS AROUND TO GLARES AT SEAN. JAKE (SUSPICIOUS TONE) WHAT DO YOU MEAN, ‘YOU CAN’T EITHER’? JASON (PLACATING MANNER) IT WAS JUST A JOKE. CALM DOWN. JAKE (VEHEMENTLY) WELL, I DIDN’T THINK IT WAS FUNNY, JASON. LET ME TELL YOU GUYS SOMETHIN’ - IF ANY OF YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT TRYIN’ TO TALK TO AIR, IT’LL BE THE LAST TIME YOU TRY TALKIN’ TO ANY OF MY GIRLS. SEAN I THOUGHT SHE BROKE UP WITH YOU? MATT (CHUCKLING) SHE DID. BUT, HE DIDN'T BREAK UP WITH HER! SEAN AND JASON LAUGH. JAKE LOOKS FURIOUSLY FROM ONE TO THE OTHER OF HIS COMPANIONS. JAKE VERY FUNNY. WE'LL SEE WHO'S LAUGHIN' WHEN AIR IS ESCORTING ME TO THE DANCE. SEAN LOOKS DISAPPROVINGLY AT JAKE. SEAN ARE YOU STILL TRYING TO SLEEP WITH AIR? JAKE (COCKY) DO I LOOK LIKE I’LL HAVE TO TRY? AFTER ONE KISS FROM ME, SHE’LL BE BEGGIN’ FOR MORE. JASON (DISGUSTED TONE OF VOICE) GIVE IT A REST! JAKE LEANS TOWARD JASON THREATENINGLY. JAKE WHY DON'T YOU MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS, JASON? JASON REFUSES TO BACK DOWN FROM JAKE. JASON
Copyright © 2001 Tony Green |