To Fall In Love (3) AIR WHAT ABOUT LOVE? JAKE WHO NEEDS LOVE? IT ONLY CAUSES PROBLEMS FOR PEOPLE. AIR SO, YOU COULD NEVER LOVE ANYONE? JAKE DON'T BE RIDICULOUS. I LOVE MY FAMILY, BUT IT'S GONNA BE HARD FOR ME TO FALL IN LOVE WITH A GIRL, BECAUSE I WON'T KNOW IF SHE WITH ME FOR ME, OR MY MONEY. AIR (SHOCKED, HURT) DO YOU THINK I WENT OUT WITH YOU FOR YOUR MONEY? HE JUMPS TO HIS FEET. AIR QUICKLY STANDS UP IN FRONT OF HIM. JAKE DID I SAY THAT? AIR YOU DIDN'T ANSWER MY QUESTION! JAKE NO, I DON'T. JAKE PUTS HIS HANDS UPON HER CHEEKS AS IF HE IS GOING TO KISS HER. JAKE EVEN IF I DID, I WOULD'VE STILL GONE OUT WITH YOU, BECAUSE I THINK THAT YOU ARE THE NICEST, MOST UNSELFISH, AND PRETTIEST GIRL I KNOW. THE TWO STAND QUIETLY, LOOKING AT EACH OTHER, CAUGHT UP UNEXPECTEDLY IN THE MOMENT. AIR SO, WHY DID YOU CHEAT ON ME? JAKE SWIFTLY DROPS HIS HANDS TO HIS SIDES. JAKE WHY'D YOU HAVE TO GO AND BRING THAT UP AGAIN? YOU NEVER LET UP. JAKE WALKS INTO HIS ROOM AND COMES BACK WITH A BOTTLE OF LIQUOR. AIR WHAT? YOU'RE DRINKING NOW? JAKE (RUDELY YELLING) WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?! HE SWALLOWS A SHOT OF LIQUOR STRAIGHT FROM THE BOTTLE. AIR (DISGUSTED) JUST TAKE ME HOME. AIR LOOKS, AS IF SHE IS ABOUT TO CRY. JAKE TAKES ANOTHER SHOT FROM THE BOTTLE. JAKE (CURTLY) WHEN I’M DONE. AIR THEN I'LL WALK! SHE SNATCHES HER WINDBREAKER FROM THE COUCH AND WALKS TOWARD THE DOOR. JAKE GRABS HER VIOLENTLY BY THE ARMS AND PUSHES HER AGAINST THE WALL. AIR’S EYES FILL WITH FEAR. JAKE (SNARLING) WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOIN’? AIR (PLEADING VOICE) PLEASE LET ME GO. YOU’RE HURTING ME. SERIES OF SHOTS A) THE DOORBELL RINGS. B) JAKE STILL GRIPS AIR’S ARMS TIGHTLY, STARING AT HER MADLY. C) THE DOORBELL CONTINUES RINGING, INSISTENTLY. D) JAKE FINALLY RELEASES HER. E) SHE RUNS DOWN THE STAIRS. CUT TO: EXT. JAKE'S HOUSE -- MOMENTS LATER AIR YANKS OPEN JAKE'S FRONT DOOR AND RUNS DOWN THE STEPS. JASON, SEAN, AND MATT ARE STANDING ON THE STEPS. SHE PASSES THEM WITHOUT SAYING A WORD. JAKE RUNS OUT ONTO THE PORCH. JASON LOOKS UP AT HIM. JASON ARE YOU GUYS LEAVING? JAKE JUST HER! SHE'S GOIN' HOME! JASON THE ONLY CAR I SEE IS YOURS. JAKE SO WHAT, JASON? SHE'S WALKING HOME. JASON I'LL GIVE HER A RIDE. JASON TURNS TO FOLLOW AIR. JAKE GRABS JASON BY HIS COAT SLEEVE. JAKE I ALREADY OFFERED HER A RIDE, (CATCHING HIS BREATH) SHE SAID SHE WANTED TO WALK SO SHE COULD THINK. JASON LOOKS DOUBTFUL. HIS FACE SHOWS CONCERN ABOUT HER WALKING IN THE COLD. JASON ARE YOU SURE? JAKE THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID. JAKE ESCORTS JASON UP THE STEPS, AND GESTURES FOR SEAN AND MATT TO FOLLOW. INT. FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR -- MOMENTS LATER THEY WALK INTO THE HOUSE, JAKE SHUTS THE FRONT DOOR. JAKE CROSSES THE FOYER AND WALKS UP THE STAIRS. HE LOOKS AT THE OTHERS OVER HIS SHOULDER. JAKE SO, WHO'S JOINING ME FOR A DRINK? SEAN I AM. SEAN FOLLOWS JAKE UP THE STAIRS. MATT QUICKLY JOINS THEM. MATT I SECOND THAT. JASON WATCHES THEM FOR A LONG MINUTE, THEN CLIMBS THE STAIRS BEHIND THEM WITHOUT SAYING A WORD. CUT TO: INT. JAKE’S ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER JAKE GRABS THREE SHOT GLASSES FROM UNDERNEATH HIS BED AND OFFERS THEM TO THEM. SEAN AND MATT TAKE THEIRS, BUT JASON SHAKES HIS HEAD NO. JASON (FIRMLY) NO THANKS. JAKE SHRUGS AND PUTS THE SHOT GLASS ON TOP OF THE DRESSER. SEAN (COAXING VOICE) COME ON, JASON. YOU GOTTA DRINK WITH US. MATT YEAH! COME ON. JAKE (TAUNTINGLY) AH, LEAVE 'MI ALONE. HE’S A WIMP. JAKE’S REMARK CONVINCES JASON TO HAVE A DRINK, IF ONLY TO PROVE HIM WRONG. JASON GRABS THE SHOT GLASS FROM THE DRESSER. JAKE (SMILING BROADLY) NOW THAT’S MY BOY! JAKE POURS THE DRINK INTO JASON’S GLASS. CUT TO: INT. VALLEY SPRINGS CEMETERY -- NIGHT IT'S BEEN AN HOUR. AIR ARRIVES AT THE CEMETERY'S ENTRANCE AND GOES INSIDE. SHE IS WALKING SLOWLY PAST THE TOMBSTONES ALONG A SNOW-COVERED PATH, TO VISIT HER PARENTS GRAVES. SHE SOON LEAVES THE PATH, ENDING UP IN FRONT OF TWO TOMBSTONES THAT ARE SITUATED IN THE SHADOWS. THE NAME ON THE TOMBSTONE TO AIR’S LEFT READS DANIEL MITCHELL. THE NAME ON THE TOMBSTONE TO HER RIGHT READS DARLENE MITCHELL. THE BOTTOM OF THE TOMBSTONES ARE COVERED IN SNOW. AIR SLOWLY KNEELS DOWN IN FRONT OF THE TWO GRAVES. THE SIGHT OF THE TOMBSTONES BRINGS TEARS TO HER EYES. AIR (FERVENTLY) I MISS YOU BOTH SO MUCH. AIR TURNS AND LOOKS AT HER MOTHER’S TOMBSTONE. AIR MOM, I MISS YOU TUCKING ME IN AT NIGHT AND TELLING ME BEDTIME STORIES. SHE SLOWLY TURNS AND LOOKS AT HER FATHER’S TOMBSTONE. AIR DAD, I MISS YOU TELLING ME TO CLEAN MY ROOM. I KNOW YOU'RE BOTH IN A WONDERFUL, BETTER PLACE, BUT I WANT YOU HERE WITH ME ... DAD, YOU NEVER FINISHED SHOWING ME HOW TO RIDE MY BIKE ... AND MOM, WE NEVER GOT THE CHANCE TO HAVE THAT MOTHER AND DAUGHTER TALK ABOUT GUYS, AND I SURE COULD USE THAT TALK RIGHT ABOUT NOW. TEARS CONTINUE TO ROLL DOWN HER FACE. CHRISTIAN HAS ENTERED THE CEMETERY AND IS WALKING, CARRYING ROSES. HE HEARS SOMEONE CRYING AND WALKS OVER TO STAND QUIETLY BEHIND A TREE THAT IS BEHIND AIR. HE GAZES AT HER KNEELING FIGURE. AIR HEAVENLY FATHER, PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR BEING SELFISH, BUT I MISS MY PARENTS SO MUCH. I JUST FEEL ALL ALONE WHEN I HAVE PROBLEMS, BECAUSE I ALWAYS THINK OF THEM AND THE ADVICE THAT THEY COULD GIVE ME IF THEY WERE HERE ... SO, COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME GET THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT THEM, HEAVENLY FATHER? BECAUSE I NEED YOU NOW, MORE THAN I'VE EVER NEEDED YOU BEFORE. I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART ... AMEN. CHRISTIAN DOESN’T RECOGNIZE THE FIGURE AS AIR. HE CONTINUES WATCHING HER, A SYMPATHETIC TEAR FALLING FROM HIS EYE. SHE LEANS OVER HER FATHERS GRAVE AND KISSES HIS TOMBSTONE. SHE THEN TURNS TO HER MOTHER’S TOMBSTONE AND KISSES IT. SHE GETS UP AND BRUSHES OFF THE SNOW FROM HER JEANS. SHE THEN WALKS OVER TO A BRIDGE THAT SPANS THE VALLEY SPRING RIVER, THAT RUNS THROUGH TOWN. AIR STEPS ONTO THE BRIDGE, WALKING TO THE CENTER AND SITTING DOWN. SHE DANGLES HER LEGS OVER THE EDGE OF THE BRIDGE AND CONTINUES TO CRY. CHRISTIAN WALKS OVER TO THE END OF THE BRIDGE, BEING CAREFUL NOT TO LET AIR SEE HIM. HE CONTINUES TO WATCH HER, REALIZING NOW THAT THE PERSON HE’S WATCHING IS AIR. AIR STARES OUT AT THE RUNNING WATER. THE COLD WIND WHIPS AROUND HER CAUSING HER TO HUDDLE DEEPER INTO HER WINDBREAKER, RUBBING HER ARMS AND HANDS IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP WARM. WHEN SUDDENLY, SHE FEELS THE COMFORT OF A WARM JACKET BEING PUT AROUND HER SHOULDERS. STARTLED, SHE QUICKLY LOOKS UP AND SEE'S CHRISTIAN STANDING OVER HER LIKE A GUARDIAN ANGEL. CHRISTIAN (SOFTLY) I DIDN’T MEAN TO SCARE YOU. AIR (SMILING SHYLY) IT’S OKAY. CHRISTIAN SQUATS DOWN BESIDE HER AND HANDS HER A TISSUE FROM HIS PANTS POCKET. AIR WIPES AWAY HER TEARS. CHRISTIAN ARE YOU OKAY? AIR BESIDES LOSING MY PARENTS AND HAVING A BAD NIGHT, I`M FINE. CHRISTIAN I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN. CHRISTIAN LAYS THE ROSES BESIDE HIM AND SITS DOWN NEXT TO AIR WITH HIS FEET HANGING OFF THE EDGE OF THE BRIDGE. CHRISTIAN (CONTG) ABOUT LOSING YOUR PARENTS, I MEAN. ITS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH. AIR I KNOW. AIR CONTINUES TO WIPE THE TEARS FROM HER EYES. AIR MY GRANNY TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED TO YOURS, AND I'M SORRY. CHRISTIAN THANK YOU. THAT'S VERY KIND OF YOU. AIR (PAUSES, THEN) HOW ARE YOU HANDLING IT? CHRISTIAN WELL, MY WILFRED HAS HELPED ME A LOT. I SUPPOSE IT'S BECAUSE HE LOST HIS PARENTS WHEN HE WAS LITTLE. BUT SOMETIMES I JUST THINK ABOUT ALL THE GOOD TIMES I HAD WITH THEM AND ALL THE LITTLE THINGS THEY DID FORE EACH OTHER THAT MADE THEM HAPPY. THAT'S WHY I'M HERE. (LOOKING AT THE ROSES) MY DAD USED TO BRING MY MOM SIX WHITE ROSES AND SIX RED ROSES EVERY YEAR FOR THEIR ANNIVERSARY. SO, TODAY BEING THEIR ANNIVERSARY. I FIGURED I WOULD KEEP THEIR TRADITION ALIVE. AIR THAT IS SO SWEET. AIR SEES THE PAIN IN HIS EYES. SHARING IT WITH HIM MAKES HER PAIN A LITTLE EASIER TO BEAR. AIR I CAN TELL YOU REALLY MISS THEM. CHRISTIAN TURNS TOWARD HER WITH A LOOK OF DEEP SORROW ON HIS FACE. CHRISTIAN BOTH THEM AND MY TWO LITTLE SISTERS. AIR (CURIOUS, SOFTLY) WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM? CHRISTIAN SLOWLY TURNS AWAY AND STARES DOWN AT THE WATER BELOW THEM. CHRISTIAN WHEN I WAS IN MILITARY SCHOOL, THEY ALL DIED IN A PLANE CRASH. TEARS SLOWLY FILL CHRISTIAN’S EYES, NO MATTER HOW HARD HE TRIES TO HOLD THEM BACK. AIR HERE YOU GO. SHE GIVES HIM BACK HIS TISSUE. HE WIPES HIS TEARS, BUT THEY KEEP FALLING FROM HIS EYES. HE SIGHS WEARILY, LOOKING BACK AT HER. CHRISTIAN THANK YOU. AT THIS MOMENT, CHRISTIAN LOOKS AT AIR AND REALIZES FOR THE FIRST TIME HOW SAD SHE REALLY IS. HER GENTLE EYES REVEAL THE PAIN AND SORROW THAT LIE DEEP INSIDE HER HEART. THEIR EYES LOCK, AS TIME SEEMS TO STAND STILL. CHRISTIAN RAISES HIS HAND AND GENTLY RUNS THE BACK OF HIS FINGERS SMOOTHLY IN A CIRCLE AROUND HER SOFT CHEEK. HE SOON TURNS HIS FINGERS TO THE TIPS, CONTINUING THE CIRCULAR MOVEMENT AROUND HER FACE. THE TWO STARE HELPLESSLY INTO EACH OTHER’S DESOLATE EYES, REALIZING HOW LONELY THEY BOTH ARE. AIR WILLINGLY CLOSES HER EYES, ACCEPTING HIS LOVING AND TENDER CARESS. SHE FEELS A GROWING PASSION THAT SHE HAS NEVER FELT FROM ANY GUY BEFORE. CHRISTIAN TENDERLY GAZES AT HER. PASSION IS BUILDING, IN WHICH HE CANNOT EXPLAIN. CHRISTIAN PLACES HIS PALM ON THE SIDE OF HER FACE. HE GENTLY PASSES HIS THUMB BENEATH HER EYE, STROKING HER TEARS. HIS TOUCH FORMS A BOND OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THEM. CHRISTIAN (SOFTLY) DON’T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING. AIR SLOWLY OPENS HER EYES AT THE WHISPER OF CHRISTIAN’S VOICE. CHRISTIAN HEAVENLY FATHER WILL HELP YOU THROUGH EVERYTHING YOU NEED HIM TO. CHRISTIAN GENTLY CUPS HER CHEEK IN HIS HAND. CHRISTIAN (CONTD) JUST REMEMBER, YOUR PARENTS WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU, AS LONG AS YOU WANT THEM TO BE. IN THE SILENCE, THE SOUNDS ARE HEARD OF RUNNING WATER BENEATH THE BRIDGE, THE SONG OF NIGHT BIRDS, AND THE WIND THAT IS BLOWING AROUND CHRISTIAN AND AIR. AIR'S FACE SHOWS SHE IS OVERWHELMED BY THE COMPASSION SHE FEELS FROM CHRISTIAN’S WORDS AND THE LOVE SHE SEES IN HIS EYES. SHE FINDS HERSELF WANTING TO BE A PART OF HIS LIFE MORE THAN ANYTHING. THEY SLOWLY LEAN TOWARDS EACH OTHER. THEIR EYES LOCK IN FEELINGS OF LOVE AND UNCERTAINTY. AS THE TWO COME CLOSER TOGETHER, THE SILENCE ENVELOPES THEM IN ANOTHER WORLD. THEIR EYES CLOSE AT THE SAME TIME, AS THEIR HEADS TILT PREPARING TO KISS. BUT, AN INSTANT BEFORE THEY TOUCH THEIR TREMBLING, COLD LIPS TOGETHER. CHRISTIAN JOLTS HIMSELF BACK TO THE PRESENT, ENDING THE BRIEF MAGICAL MOMENT. AIR OPENS HER EYES, DISAPPOINTMENT CLEARLY WRITTEN ON HER FACE. CHRISTIAN APPEARS ANGUISHED AS HE GAZES INTO HER TEARY EYES. CHRISTIAN (SINCERE, STAMMERING) I ... I’M SORRY. BUT, I HAVE TO GO. AIR (SOMEWHAT DAZED) OKAY. CHRISTIAN GRABS HIS ROSES AND RISES TO HIS FEET. HE HELPS AIR UP. HE TAKES ONE LAST LONG LOOK AT HER. CHRISTIAN DON'T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING. YOU'RE GONNA BE OKAY. AIR BREATHES DEEPLY. AIR (SOFTLY) I KNOW. CHRISTIAN I DIDN'T SEE ANY CARS OUT FRONT. CAN I GIVE YOU A RIDE HOME? AIR NO. I'M FINE, BUT THANK YOU. CHRISTIAN ARE YOU SURE? BECAUSE IT'S NO TROUBLE. AIR I'M SURE. CHRISTIAN (RELUCTANTLY) OKAY THEN. BE CAREFUL. SERIES OF SHOTS A) CHRISTIAN TURNS AND BEGINS WALKING AWAY. B) AIR QUICKLY REMOVES HIS JACKET FROM AROUND HER SHOULDERS. AIR WAIT! HERE’S YOUR JACKET! C) SHE HOLDS OUT THE JACKET TO HIM. CHRISTIAN (SMILING SHYLY) NO. YOU KEEP IT. IT’S AN EXCUSE FOR ME TO SEE YOU AGAIN. AIR YOU'RE REALLY SWEET. SHE HUGS HIM IN APPRECIATION. CHRISTIAN IS RELUCTANT TO RELEASE HER. CHRISTIAN NOW. ARE YOU SURE I CAN'T GIVE YOU A RIDE HOME? AIR (SMILING) I’M POSITIVE. I’LL BE JUST FINE. CHRISTIAN IN THAT CASE, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. AIR YOU, TOO. AIR TURNS AND WALKS AWAY. CHRISTIAN STANDS, WATCHING HER UNTIL SHE DISAPPEARS INTO THE NIGHT. SERIES OF SHOTS A) CHRISTIAN PICKS UP THE ROSES AND WALKS TO HIS PARENTS GRAVES. B) HE KNEELS DOWN BETWEEN THE TWO GRAVES AND LAYS THE ROSES TO REST AGAINST HIS MOTHER’S TOMBSTONE. C) HE REACHES OUT TO TOUCH BOTH TOMBSTONES, WISHING HIS PARENTS A HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. CUT TO: INT. CHRISTIAN’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - LATER CHRISTIAN ENTERS THE KITCHEN AND SEES WILFRED. WILFRED IS MAKING DINNER. CHRISTIAN IT SMELLS GOOD IN HERE. CHRISTIAN WALKS OVER TO SEE WHAT WILFRED IS PREPARING. HE PATS WILFRED ON THE BACK. WILFRED (SMILING IN PLEASURE) WHY, THANK YOU, SIR. CHRISTIAN STOPS AND THINKS TO HIMSELF MOMENTARILY. CHRISTIAN YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE THE NIGHT I JUST HAD. WILFRED WAS IT THAT BAD? CHRISTIAN ON THE CONTRARY, IT WAS GREAT! CHRISTIAN BEGINS PACING BACK AND FORTH, WITH HIS HANDS IN HIS POCKETS. CHRISTIAN (CONTINUING) WHEN I WENT TO VISIT MY PARENT'S GRAVES, I RAN INTO THIS EXTRAORDINARY GIRL. I MEAN, I KNOW HER SORT OF, BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I ACTUALLY TALKED TO HER ... NOT INCLUDING LAST NIGHT, OF COURSE. ANYWAY, YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN HER, WILFRED. SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL. CHRISTIAN STOPS PACING IN A DAZE. HE PICTURES AIR IN HIS MIND. WILFRED (HOPEFUL) COULD SHE BE THE ONE TO GET YOU OUT OF YOUR LONELY STAGE, SIR? WILFRED TURNS OFF THE STOVE. CHRISTIAN IS JARRED OUT OF HIS THOUGHTS. CHRISTIAN (FROWNING IN DISTRACTION) WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I’M NOT ALONE. I HAVE YOU. CHRISTIAN WALKS OVER TO THE REFRIGERATOR AND OPENS IT. HE TAKES OUT A 20-OZ BOTTLE OF WATER. WILFRED A YOUNG FLOWER IS BETTER THAN AN OLD PRUNE. TRUE, WE HAVE FUN TOGETHER, BUT, I WON'T BE HERE FOREVER, YOUNG CHRISTIAN. STARTLED, CHRISTIAN QUICKLY SHUTS THE REFRIGERATOR’S DOOR. HE IS DISTURBED AT THE THOUGHT OF LOSING WILFRED. CHRISTIAN (UPSET) DON’T SAY THAT. YOU’LL PROBABLY OUTLIVE ME. CHRISTIAN REACHES UP INTO THE CABINET AND TAKES DOWN A GLASS FOR HIS WATER. HE SITS AT THE KITCHEN TABLE, WHICH HAS BEEN PARTIALLY SET FOR DINNER. WILFRED PLACES A PLATE OF ROLLS IN THE CENTER OF THE TABLE. WILFRED WHAT I'M SAYING IS, DON'T YOU WANT TO MEET A GIRL WHO YOU CAN GO OUT WITH AND POSSIBLY SOMEONE WHO YOU COULD FALL IN LOVE WITH? CHRISTIAN OF COURSE, I DO. BUT ... WILFRED FONDLY PATS CHRISTIAN’S SHOULDER, AND POLITELY INTERRUPTS WITH WILFRED WELL, JUST MAYBE THE YOUNG FLOWER THAT YOU TALKED TO TONIGHT IS THAT VERY PERSON. CHRISTIAN I THINK THAT SHE IS REALLY CUTE. I DO, BUT I’M ... WILFRED AFRAID? WILFRED WALKS BACK AND FORTH BRINGING MORE FOOD TO THE TABLE. CHRISTIAN YEAH. I MEAN I DON'T KNOW THAT MUCH ABOUT GIRLS OR WHAT THEY WANT FROM GUYS. WILFRED THEY BASICALLY WANT WHAT WE WANT. IF YOU REMEMBER THREE THINGS, YOU WILL BE FINE. CHRISTIAN WHAT ARE THEY? WILFRED ALWAYS SHOW AND TELL THEM HOW MUCH YOU CARE ABOUT THEM. ALWAYS TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT. AND COMFORT THEM WHEN THEY NEED IT. CHRISTIAN (A LITTLE DOUBTFUL) IT’S THAT EASY? WILFRED SOMETIMES YES AND SOMETIMES NO. BUT, IF YOU REMEMBER THOSE THREE THINGS AND DO THEM. MOST OF THE TIME, IT CAN BE THAT EASY. CUT TO: INT. AIR’S GRANDPARENTS’ HOUSE- UPSTAIRS HALLWAY -- LATER AIR IS IN THE HALLWAY, STANDING IN FRONT OF HER BEDROOM DOOR, HER HAND ON THE KNOB. AMBER SOFTLY CALLS HER NAME. AMBER (WHISPERING) AIR? STARTLED, AIR JUMPS A LITTLE AND QUICKLY TURNS AROUND. SHE SIGHS IN RELIEF WHEN SHE SEES AMBER. AIR OH! YOU SCARED ME! AMBER I'M SORRY. AIR THAT'S OKAY. COME IN. CUT TO: INT. AIR’S BEDROOM -- MOMENTS LATER AMBER SEES THAT AIR APPEARS TIRED AND CONFUSED, BUT HAPPY. AIR SITS ON HER BED. AMBER SITS BESIDE HER. AMBER HOW WAS YOUR DATE? AIR IT WAS TERRIBLE. JAKE IS SUCH A JERK. AMBER I'M SORRY. AIR BEGINS SMILING. AMBER WHY ARE YOU SMILING? AIR (PAUSE, THEN) AFTER I LEFT JAKE'S HOUSE, I WALKED AROUND TOWN FOR AWHILE, JUST WINDOW-SHOPPING. THEN I DECIDED TO GO TO THE CEMETERY TO SEE MY PARENT'S TOMBSTONES. I CRIED THE WHOLE TIME, OF COURSE. THEN I WALKED OVER TO THE VALLEY SPRINGS BRIDGE AND JUST SAT THERE CRYING. THEN FROM OUT OF NOWHERE, I FELT SOMEONE PUTTING A JACKET AROUND MY SHOULDERS. AMBER (EXCITEDLY) WHO WAS IT? AIR CHRISTIAN. AMBER CHRISTIAN MICHAELS? AIR (SMILING WISTFULLY) YES. AMBER (EAGER TO HEAR ALL) SO, WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT DID HE SAY? AIR WELL, HE TOLD ME THAT MY PARENTS WILL ALWAYS BE WITH ME, AS LONG AS I WANT THEM TO BE. HE BASICALLY JUST TOLD ME EVERYTHING THAT I NEEDED TO HEAR, AND THEN SOMETHING HAPPENED THAT I NEVER THOUGHT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN. HE ALMOST KISSED ME. (DISAPPOINTMENT FILLS HER FACE) BUT, THEN HE PULLED BACK BEFORE OUR LIPS ACTUALLY TOUCHED. AMBER MAYBE HE JUST DIDN'T WANNA TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU LIKE OTHER GUYS WOULD WHEN THEY SEE A GIRL SO VULNERABLE ... OR MAYBE HE WAS JUST SCARED. AIR MAYBE. AMBER DON'T LET THAT BOTHER YOU, BECAUSE I THINK YOU TWO WOULD MAKE A GREAT COUPLE. AIR THANK YOU, BUT I'M NOT GONNA GET MY HOPES UP, BECAUSE I'VE DONE THAT SO MANY TIMES BEFORE AND IT NEVER WORKS OUT. AMBER (INSISTENT) YOU SAID IT YOURSELF. CHRISTIAN IS DIFFERENT FROM ALL THE OTHER GUYS HERE AND FROM A LOT OF GUYS IN OUR CHURCH, I MIGHT ADD. I THINK YOU SHOULD GO FOR HIM. AIR (UNSURE) I DON’T KNOW. AMBER IT WOULDN'T HURT TO GO TALK TO HIM AND INVITE HIM TO DO THINGS, WOULD IT? AIR WELL ... I STILL HAVE HIS JACKET. SO, MAYBE I WILL. AIR STANDS UP AND TAKES OFF THE JACKET. SHE HANGS THE JACKET IN HER CLOSET. THE CHIMES OF THE TOWN’S CLOCK RING DOWN THE STREET. AMBER LOOKS AT HER WATCH. AMBER IT'S GETTING LATE SO I'LL LEAVE YOU ALONE AND LET YOU GET SOME SLEEP. BUT, REMEMBER WHAT I SAID. AIR (SMILING) OKAY. AMBER HUGS HER GOOD NIGHT. AIR THANK YOU FOR THE ADVICE. AMBER YOU'RE WELCOME. AIR GOOD NIGHT. AMBER GOOD NIGHT. AMBER LEAVES THE ROOM, SHUTTING THE DOOR QUIETLY BEHIND HER. FADE TO: INT. AIR’S BEDROOM - LATER AIR IS CHANGED INTO A NIGHTGOWN. SHE JUST FINISHES HER NIGHTLY PRAYER. SHE LIES DOWN ON THE BED, TRYING TO RELAX BUT TOSSING AND TURNING FITFULLY, UNABLE TO FALL ASLEEP. SHE GETS OUT OF BED AND WALKS TO HER WINDOW. SHE OPENS THE CURTAINS AND STANDS THERE WATCHING THE SNOW SOFTLY FALL OVER THE TOWN. SHE IS THINKING ABOUT CHRISTIAN. CUT TO: INT. CHRISTIAN’S BEDROOM -- MOMENTS LATER CHRISTIAN SITS ON HIS WINDOW SEAL, LOOKING OUTSIDE AT THE SNOW. HE CAREFULLY DRINKS HOT COCOA. AIR WEIGHS HEAVILY ON HIS MIND. FULL SHOT OVER TOWN. FADE OUT: FADE IN: INT. CHRISTIAN’S BEDROOM - MORNING CHRISTIAN WAKES UP TO THE SMELL OF PANCAKES AND SAUSAGE. HE SLOWLY STRETCHES, THEN GETS UP OUT OF BED. HE SLIPS ON HIS HOUSE SHOES, THEN CROSSES THE ROOM AND OPENS THE BEDROOM DOOR. INT. HALLWAY -- MOMENTS LATER CHRISTIAN WALKS DOWN THE HALL AND ENTERS THE BATHROOM. FADE TO: INT. BATHROOM -- MOMENTS LATER CHRISTIAN LOOKS AT HIMSELF IN THE MIRROR. HE THEN WALKS OVER TO THE SHOWER AND BEGINS RUNNING WATER. HE WIGGLES HIS FINGERS THROUGH THE WATER, AS HE ADJUSTS THE TEMPERATURE. CHRISTIAN THEN WALKS OVER TO A CABINET AND OPENS IT. ANGLE ON: CABINET. THE CABINET HOLDS ONLY A COUPLE OF SMALL HAND TOWELS. CHRISTIAN TAKES ONE OF THE HAND TOWELS AND LAYS IT ON THE BATHROOM SINK, SHUTTING THE CABINET DOORS BEHIND HIM. HE YAWNS AND TURNS TO GO OUT THE BATHROOM DOOR. CUT TO: INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY -- MOMENTS LATER CHRISTIAN LEANS OVER THE GUARDRAIL, LOOKING FOR WILFRED. CHRISTIAN (CALLING LOUDLY) WILFRED! ARE THERE ANY CLEAN BIG TOWELS? WILFRED DOES NOT ANSWER. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, CHRISTIAN WALKS BACK TOWARDS THE BATHROOM. CUT TO: INT. BATHROOM -- MOMENTS LATER CHRISTIAN TURNS OFF THE RUNNING WATER. CUT TO: INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY -- MOMENTS LATER CHRISTIAN LEANS OVER THE GUARDRAIL ONCE MORE. CHRISTIAN (LOUDLY) WILFRED! THERE IS STILL NO ANSWER. CHRISTIAN IS ALARMED AT THE SMELL OF BURNING SAUSAGE. HE DASHES DOWN THE STAIRS, FEARING THE WORST. FADE TO: INT. KITCHEN -- MOMENTS LATER WILFRED IS ON HIS KNEES, CLUTCHING HIS HEAD IN PAIN. CHRISTIAN (SHOUTING IN ALARM) WILFRED! CHRISTIAN RUNS TO WILFRED, KNEELING BESIDE HIM. WILFRED POINTS TO THE TOP OF THE REFRIGERATOR. WILFRED (SOFTLY) MY MEDICINE ... CHRISTIAN RUSHES OVER TO THE REFRIGERATOR AND TAKES HOLD OF THE MEDICINE BOTTLE, OPENS IT AND SHAKES OUT TWO PILLS INTO HIS HAND. HE GRABS A GLASS, FILLS IT WITH WATER, AND GIVES THE GLASS AND THE PILLS TO WILFRED. AS WILFRED SWALLOWS HIS PILLS, CHRISTIAN TAKES THE PAN OF BURNING SAUSAGES AND PLACES IT INTO THE SINK, RUNNING IT UNDER COLD WATER. HE THEN TURNS HIS ATTENTION BACK TO WILFRED. CHRISTIAN (ANXIOUSLY) ARE YOU OKAY? WILFRED (NODDING; SOFT SHAKING VOICE) I'LL BE FINE, SIR. CHRISTIAN HELPS WILFRED TO HIS FEET, CAREFULLY SUPPORTING HIM. CHRISTIAN (CONCERNED, FIRM VOICE) I THINK THAT WE NEED TO CALL DR. ALLEN. WILFRED NO, I'LL BE JUST FINE, SIR. CHRISTIAN (DOUBTFUL) I DON'T KNOW, WILFRED. YOU DON'T LOOK TOO GOOD. WILFRED IS STILL HOLDING HIS HEAD, IN OBVIOUS PAIN. WILFRED I JUST NEED SOME REST. THAT'S ALL. CHRISTIAN WELL, I'M NOT LEAVING YOU HERE BY YOURSELF THEN. CHRISTIAN HELPS WILFRED TO HIS ROOM. WILFRED (DISTRESSED) I'LL BE FINE, SIR. I DON'T WANT YOU TO MISS CHURCH ON ACCOUNT OF ME. FADE TO: INT. DOWN STAIRS HALLWAY -- MOMENTS LATER CHRISTIAN I WOULD RATHER BE HERE WITH YOU THAN AT CHURCH. WILFRED (INSISTENT) SIR, YOU KNOW WHEN THIS MEDICINE KICKS IN I'LL BE JUST FINE. FADE TO: INT. WILFRED'S BEDROOM -- MOMENTS LATER CHRISTIAN WELL, WHEN THAT HAPPENS, I'LL BE HAPPY FOR YOU. BUT, UNTIL THEN, YOU NEED TO GET SOME REST. CHRISTIAN HELPS WILFRED INTO HIS BED. WILFRED (DISTRESSED) BUT, SIR, I HAVE A LOT OF THINGS I NEED TO DO AROUND HERE. CHRISTIAN (GENTLE, BUT FIRM) LOOK, WILFRED, I'LL TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING. JUST GET SOME REST. IF NOT FOR YOURSELF, FORM ME. PLEASE. WILFRED (PAUSES, THEN IN A RESIGNED TONE) OKAY. CHRISTIAN PULLS THE COVERS UP OVER WILFRED'S BODY. CHRISTIAN (SMILING) I'LL SEE YOU WHEN YOU WAKE UP. WILFRED (GRATEFULLY) CHRISTIAN, THANK YOU. CHRISTIAN (SHAKING HIS HEAD) YOU DON'T HAVE TO THANK ME. YOU'RE FAMILY. CHRISTIAN LEAVES THE ROOM. FADE TO: EXT. CHURCH BUILDING -- AFTERNOON AFTER CHURCH SERVICES, AIR AND JULIE RETURN TO THE CHURCH BUILDING TO HELP OUT WITH THE DECORATIONS FOR THE UPCOMING CHRISTMAS EVE DANCE. BEFORE ENTERING THE CHURCH GYM, THE TWO GIRLS ARE STOPPED BY SISTER MCHENRY 4O, ONE OF THE CHURCH MEMBERS. SISTER MCHENRY CAN I TALK TO YOU TWO FOR A SECOND? AIR SURE. SISTER MCHENRY I KNOW YOU TWO HELPED ME LAST CHRISTMAS AT THE SHELTER, AND I WAS WONDERING IF YOU BOTH WOULD LIKE TO HELP ME AGAIN THIS YEAR? AIR SURE! JULIE WE'D LOVE TO! SISTER MSHENRY NOW, IT'S GONNA BE THIS THURSDAY INSTEAD OF WEDNESDAY LIKE WE HAD IT LAST YEAR. IS THAT GONNA BE A PROBLEM? AIR WE'LL BE THERE. SISTER MCHENRY (SMILING) GREAT! NOW HERE'S THE REST OF THE INFORMATION THAT YOU WILL NEED. SISTER MCHENRY HANDS BOTH GIRLS A SHEET OF PAPER. SISTER MCHENRY YOU TWO ARE SO WONDERFUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH! AIR YOU'RE WELCOME. SISTER MCHENRY I'LL SEE YOU TWO ON THURSDAY. INT. GYM -- MOMENTS LATER AFTER SAYING GOOD BYE, AIR AND JULIE ENTER THE GYM. THEY SAY HELLO TO A FEW FRIENDS, AS THEY WALK OVER TO A TABLE FILLED WITH DECORATIONS. AIR AND JULIE EACH TAKE SCISSORS AND A HANDFUL OF DECORATIONS AND THEN WALK OVER TO SIT AT A NEAR BY EMPTY TABLE. THERE ARE OTHER TEENS IN THE GYM ALONG WITH A FEW PARENTS, HELPING WITH THE CHRISTMAS EVE DANCE PREPARATIONS. CLAUDIA SOON JOINS THEM WITH HER OWN DECORATIONS. CLAUDIA SO, AIR, HOW WAS YOUR DATE WITH JAKE? AIR HOW DID YOU...? NEVER MIND. IT WENT LIKE I THOUGHT IT WOULD. CLAUDIA (SARCASTICALLY) AND THAT MEANS? IN THE B.G, AMBER, JESSICA, SEAN, MATT, AND JASON ARE SEEN APPROACHING THE TABLE. AIR (TO CLAUDIA) IT MEANS IT WENT EXACTLY LIKE I THOUGHT IT WOULD, THAT'S ALL. JESSICA (TO AIR) WHAT DID? CLAUDIA (TO JESSICA) HER DATE WITH JAKE. AIR LOOK, YOU GUYS. JAKE AND I WENT OUT, YES, BUT EVERYTHING BETWEEN US IS OVER. CLAUDIA (TO AIR) SO, IF EVERYTHING IS OVER BETWEEN YOU TWO. WHO ARE YOU GOING TO THE CHRISTMAS EVE DANCE WITH? AIR I DON'T KNOW. I PROBABLY WON'T EVEN GO. CLAUDIA (UNDER HER BREATH) IT WASN'T LIKE YOU WERE GONNA BE QUEEN ANYWAY! AIR STOPS CUTTING OUT SNOWFLAKES MOMENTARILY. AIR WHAT DOES BEING QUEEN HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING, CLAUDIA? CLAUDIA IT'S ONLY PROPER THAT THE QUEEN AND KING GO TO THE DANCE TOGETHER AND WE ALREADY KNOW JAKE IS GONNA BE KING. JASON (TO CLAUDIA) SAYS WHO? CLAUDIA GLANCES AT AMBER AND THEN BACK AT JASON. SHE GIVES A MENACING LAUGH. CLAUDIA (TO JASON) I HOPE YOU DON'T THINK YOU AND HER ARE GONNA WIN! ANYWAY, EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT JAKE IS THE CUTEST GUY IN TOWN! JESSICA (TO CLAUDIA) I DON'T. CLAUDIA JESSICA! YOU USED TO HAVE A CRUSH ON HIM LIKE EVERY OTHER GIRL STILL DOES. JESSICA MAYBE SO, BUT I DON'T THINK HE'S THE CUTEST GUY HERE. JULIE (TO CLAUDIA) NEITHER DO I! CLAUDIA (TO JULIE)
Copyright © 2001 Tony Green |