To Fall In Love (5)
Tony Green

 

JAKE
CAN YOU ASK AMBER TO PUT IN A GOOD WORD FOR ME WITH AIR?

JASON
(KEEPING HIS VOICE NORMAL)
WHY DON'T YOU JUST LEAVE HER ALONE?

JAKE
(IN A SHARP TONE)
WHY DON'T YOU JUST DO WHAT I ASKED?

JASON
BECAUSE, WHAT IF SHE LIKES CHRISTIAN?

JAKE STANDS UP, FURIOUS.

JAKE
WHAT? YOU WOULD RATHER HOOK THEM UP?

JASON PAUSES MOMENTARILY.

JASON
I'M NOT TRYIN' TO HOOK ANYBODY UP.

JAKE
SO. YOU NOT GONNA ASK AMBER TO PUT IN A GOOD WORD FOR ME?

JASON
NO, I'M NOT.

JAKE
(ANGRY VOICE)
WHY NOT?

JASON
(BOLDLY)
BECAUSE, YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE AND IF SHE LIKES CHRISTIAN, I'M NOT GOING TO RUIN THAT FOR HER.

ENRAGED, JAKE RUSHES TO JASON, GRABBING HIM BY THE SHIRT AND THROWING HIM UP AGAINST THE WALL.

JASON
YOU GONNA HIT ME?

SERIES OF SHOTS

A)
JAKE BREATHES HEAVILY.

B)
JASON SEES THE ANGER IN JAKE'S EYES.

C)
AFTER A FEW SECONDS, JAKE LET'S JASON GO, PUSHING HIM AWAY.

D)
JAKE GRABS HIS COAT FROM A CHAIR AND LEAVES THE ROOM.

CUT TO:

EXT. CHRISTIAN'S HOUSE -- NIGHT

AIR KNOCKS ON THE DOOR. WILFRED ANSWERS THE DOOR.

WILFRED
(SMILING)
LADY AIR. PLEASE COME IN.

FADE TO:

INT. FRONT ENTRANCEWAY -- MOMENTS LATER

YOUNG CHRISTIAN WILL BE DOWN IN JUST A MOMENT.

AIR
THANK YOU. ACTUALLY I WAS WONDERING IF I COULD TALK TO YOU FOR A SECOND, OR TWO?

WILFRED
OF COURSE.

WILFRED LEADS AIR TO THE LIVING ROOM.

CUT TO:

INT. FRONT LIVING ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER

WILFRED MOTIONS TO THE COUCH.

WILFRED
PLEASE HAVE A SEAT.

THEY SIT SIDE BY SIDE ON THE SOFA.

WILFRED
WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

AIR
I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF GIRLS DOES CHRISTIAN LIKE?

WILFRED THINKS A MINUTE.

WILFRED
TO BE HONEST, I REALLY DON'T KNOW. I CAN TELL YOU ONE THING'S FOR SURE. HE REALLY LIKES YOU.

AIR
(SMILING SHYLY)
HE DOES?

WILFRED NODS HIS HEAD YES.

WILFRED
(NODDING YES)
AIR, JUST BE YOURSELF, BECAUSE SO FAR THAT'S WORKED. AND I MUST SAY HE HAS GOOD TASTE.

AIR BLUSHES AND SMILES.

AIR
THANK YOU FOR THE ADVICE.

WILFRED
ANYTIME.

CHRISTIAN ENTERS THE ROOM. AIR WALKS OVER TO HIM.

CHRISTIAN
YOU LOOK GREAT.

AIR
(SMILING)
THANK YOU. SO DO YOU.

CHRISTIAN MOTIONS TO THE FRONT ENTRANCEWAY.

CHRISTIAN
SHALL WE?

AIR
WE SHALL.

FADE TO:

INT. FRONT ENTRANCEWAY -- MOMENTS LATER

CHRISTIAN GETS HIS COAT FROM THE CLOSET. HE OPENS THE FRONT DOOR, HOLDING IT OPEN FOR AIR.

WILFRED
YOU TWO HAVE FUN.

AIR
(TO WILFRED)
HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

CHRISTIAN
GOOD NIGHT, WILFRED.

WILFRED
GOOD NIGHT, SIR.

THE TWO WALK DOWN THE SIDEWALK TOWARDS AIR'S GRANDPARENT'S EXPLORER.

CHRISTAN
IS IT OKAY IF I DROVE THIS TIME?.

AIR
SURE.

THEY WALK OVER TO CHRISTIAN'S NAVIGATOR.

AIR
ARE YOU READY TO HAVE FUN?

CHRISTIAN
I'M READY.

CUT TO:

EXT. CARNIVAL -- LATER

CHRISTIAN AND AIR WALK INTO THE CARNIVAL.

CRISTIAN
SO, WHAT DO YOU WANNA DO FIRST?

CHRISTIAN LOOKS AROUND. HE BREAKS INTO A GRIN.

AIR
LET'S RIDE THE BUMPER CARS.

CHRISTAN
ON ONE CONDITION.

AIR
AND WHAT'S THAT?

CHRISTAN
YOU HAVE TO LET ME PAY FOR EVERYTHING THAT WE DO.

AIR
I CAN'T LET YOU DO THAT.

CHRISTAN
(SMILING)
I WON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER.

AIR
(GIVING IN)
OKAY.

CHRISTAN
(SMILING)
GOOD.

THEY WALK OVER INTO THE LINE THAT HAS BEEN ASSEMBLED FOR THE BUMPER CARS.

CUT TO:

INT. JAKE'S BEDROOM -- MOMENTS LATER

JAKE, MATT, AND SEAN ARE IN THE BEDROOM. JAKE IS SCRUTINIZING HIMSELF IN THE MIRROR, AS HE COMBS HIS HAIR. MATT AND SEAN ARE STANDING OFF TO THE SIDE FIDGETING, WAITING FOR HIM TO FINISH GETTING READY TO GO TO THE CARNIVAL.

MATT
COME ON, JAKE. WE GOTTA GO!

JAKE
(IRRITABLY)
WHAT'S THE HURRY? YOU HAVE GIRLS WAITING FOR YOU. I'M THE ONE WHO'S TRYIN' TO GET MINE BACK.

SEAN
YEAH, BUT WE DON'T WANNA KEEP OURS WAITING.

JAKE SITS ON HIS BED AND PULLS ON HIS SOCKS. HE LEANS OVER AND PULLS A BOTTLE OF VODKA AND A SHOT GLASS FROM UNDER THE BED. HE HOLDS OUT THE BOTTLE TO MATT AND SEAN.

JAKE
YOU GUYS THIRSTY?

MATT
I'M FINE.

SEAN
NONE FOR ME.

JAKE SHRUGS, UNSCREWS THE TOP AND POURS HIMSELF A DRINK.

HE SWIFTLY GULPS IT, THEN SHAKES HIS HEAD, AS THE VODKA BURNS GOING DOWN HIS THROAT. HE SITS THE SHOT GLASS AND THE VODKA ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO HIS SHOES. HE BEGINS PUTTING ON HIS SHOES.

MATT
CAN WE GO NOW?

JAKE
YEAH, YEAH.

JAKE PULLS ON HIS COAT. HE SLIPS A SMALL BOTTLE OF WHISKEY INSIDE HIS COAT'S INNER LEFT POCKET. HE REMEMBERS TO PUT THE VODKA AND THE SHOT GLASS BACK UNDER THE BED.

JAKE
NOW WE CAN GO.

THEY LEAVE THE ROOM. JAKE TURNS OUT THE LIGHT AND LOCKS THE DOOR.

CUT TO:

INT. STAIRWAY -- MOMENTS LATER

THE THREE MAKE THEIR WAY DOWN THE STEPS. JAKE TURNS BACK, LOOKING INTO THE KITCHEN.

JAKE
(SHOUTING)
BYE, MOM!

HE EXITS THE HOUSE, SHUTTING AND LOCKING THE DOOR BEHIND HIM.

CUT TO:

INT. CARNIVAL -- LATER

AIR AND CHRISTIAN CLIMB OUT OF THE BUMPER CARS. THEY ARE LAUGHING TOGETHER.

AIR
THAT WAS FUN!

CHRISTIAN
I HAVE TO ADMIT, IT ACTUALLY WAS.

MAN
(TO AIR AND CHRISTIAN)
TAKE YOUR PICTURE HERE AND HAVE A MEMORABLE MOMENT THAT'LL LAST FOREVER!

THE MAN HOLDS UP HIS CAMERA, AS IF HE IS GOING TO TAKE THEIR PICTURE.

AIR LOOKS AT CHRISTIAN.

AIR
YOU WANT TO?

CHRISTIAN
I WOULD LOVE TO.

CHRISTIAN PULLS OUT HIS WALLET.

CHRISTIAN
HOW MUCH?

MAN
FIVE DOLLARS FOR EACH PICTURE, BUT I'LL GIVE YOU TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE.

CHRISTIAN
HERE YOU GO.

CHRISTIAN HANDS THE MAN A TWENTY-DOLLAR BILL. HE WAVES HIS HAND TO GESTURE NO, WHEN THE MAN REACHES FOR CHANGE.

CHRISTIAN
KEEP THE CHANGE.

MAN
WELL, ALL RIGHT THEN.

THE MAN QUICKLY TUCKS THE MONEY INTO HIS POCKET, THEN POSITIONS HIMSELF TO TAKE THE PICTURE. HE MOTIONS TO THE TWO TEENS.

MAN
YOU TWO GET CLOSER.

AIR AND CHRISTIAN MOVE A LITTLE CLOSER TOGETHER.

MAN
A LITTLE MORE.

THEY SOON STAND, AS CLOSE TO EACH OTHER, AS THEY CAN GET.

MAN
SOMETHING STILL ISN'T RIGHT. WHY DON'T YOU TWO TURN YOUR BODIES TOWARD EACH OTHER AND THEN FACE ME.

CHRISTIAN AND AIR TURN TOWARDS EACH OTHER. THEY LOOK INTO EACH OTHER'S EYES, BEFORE TURNING THEIR FACES TO THE MAN.

MAN
NOW TAKE HER AND HOLD HER IN YOUR ARMS.

CHRISTIAN GLADLY, BUT SLOWLY, PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND AIR'S WAIST. THE MAN GRINS, AND GIVES A THUMBS-UP SIGN.

MAN
PERFECT! ON THE COUNT OF THREE SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS -- 1... 2... 3.

AIR AND CHRISTIAN
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

THE MAN TAKES TWO PICTURES. HE THEN PULLS THE PICTURES OUT OF THE CAMERA'S SLOT.

MAN
IT WILL BE JUST A MINUTE.

THE MAN FANS THE PICTURES IN THE AIR.

CHRISTIAN RELEASES AIR FROM HIS GENTLE HOLD. THE MAN LOOKS AT THE TWO PICTURES, SMILING PROUDLY AT HIS HANDIWORK.

MAN
NOW THAT'S A GOOD LOOKIN' PICTURE!

HE HANDS THE PICTURES TO AIR AND WALKS AWAY TO FIND OTHER CUSTOMERS.

MAN
THANKS AGAIN, YOU TWO, AND MERRY CHRISTMAS.

AIR AND CHRISTIAN
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

AIR HANDS CHRISTIAN ONE OF THE PICTURES.

AIR
HE'S RIGHT. THESE ARE GOOD PICTURES. I KNOW JUST WHERE I'M GONNA PUT MINE.

CHRISTAN
SO DO I.

THEY BEGIN WALKING THROUGH THE CARNIVAL.

MAN
HEY, KID!

CHRISTIAN AND AIR LOOK OVER AT A BOOTH WITH A CROWD AROUND IT.

A MAN IS SHOUTING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE BOOTH.

MAN
(TO CHRISTIAN)
WHY DON'T YOU WIN A BEAR FOR YOUR PRETTY LITTLE LADY?

MAN IN THE CROWD
DON'T DO IT!

SECOND MAN IN THE CROWD
HE JUST WANTS YOUR MONEY!

DESPITE THE ADVICE, AIR AND CHRISTIAN WALK CLOSER TO THE BOOTH.

CHRISTIAN
(TO MAN IN BOOTH)
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?

AIR'S GRANDPARENTS JOIN THE CROWD.

MAN
(POINTING BEHIND)
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS KNOCK OVER ALL EIGHT OF THESE BOTTLES WITH ONLY THREE BASEBALLS.

CHRISTIAN STARES AT THE BOTTLES FOR A MOMENT.

CHRISTIAN
WHAT IF I CAN KNOCK THEM OVER WITH ONLY TWO?

MAN
MY FRIEND, IF YOU CAN BREAK ALL OF 'EM WITH JUST TWO BASEBALLS. THEN NOT ONLY CAN YOUR LADY FRIEND HAVE ANY STUFFED ANIMAL SHE WANTS, I'LL EVEN GIVE YOU YOUR MONEY BACK!

CHRISTIAN
DEAL!

CHRISTIAN WALKS TO THE BOOTH AND PULLS OUT HIS WALLET.

CHRISTIAN
HOW MUCH?

MAN
TEN DOLLARS.

CHRISTIAN HANDS HIM THE MONEY.

THE MAN LAYS THREE BASEBALLS ON THE COUNTER OF THE BOOTH.

CHRISTIAN TUCKS THE PICTURE IN HIS COAT POCKET.

MAN
HERE'S THREE - JUST IN CASE.

CHRISTIAN PICKS UP TWO OF THE BASEBALLS AND TAKES A FEW STEPS BACKWARDS.

THE CROWD MOVES ASIDE TO GIVE HIM ROOM.

THE MAN LEAVES THE BOOTH TO JOIN THE CROWD, HOPING THAT CHRISTIAN DOES NOT BREAK ALL OF THE BOTTLES.

GRANNY
(CONFIDENTLY, TO PAPA)
HE'LL DO IT!

ANGLE ON: THE BOTTLES. THE BOTTLES ARE STURDY, BEING TWELVE INCHES TALL AND THREE AND A HALF INCHES ROUND. THEY SIT FIVE INCHES DEEP INSIDE A WOODEN FRAME THAT IS SHAPED LIKE A T. THE TOP OF THE T POINTS EAST AND WEST.

CHRISTIAN TAKES A DEEP BREATH. HE THEN THROWS THE FIRST BASEBALL, WHICH HITS THE EAST END OF THE TOP OF THE T, TURNING IT FACING NORTH AND SOUTH.

HE QUICKLY SNAPS THE SECOND BASEBALL, BREAKING ALL OF THE BOTTLES, ONE AFTER THE OTHER.

THE CROWD CHEERS. THE MAN FROM THE BOOTH WALKS OVER TO CHRISTIAN.

MAN
GOOD JOB, KID! YOU JUST PUT ME OUTTA BUSINESS.

HE SHAKES CHRISTIAN'S HAND. SOME OF THE CROWD CONGRATULATE CHRISTIAN, PATTING HIM ON THE BACK. AS HE WALKS BACK TO THE BOOTH, THE MAN LOOKS AT AIR.

MAN
SO, WHICH ONE DO YOU WANT?

AIR AND CHRISTIAN WALK CLOSER TO THE BOOTH.

ANGLE ON: BOOTH. TEDDY BEARS AND OTHER STUFFED ANIMALS ARE HANGING ON THE INNER EAST AND WEST SIDES OF THE BOOTH.

AIR POINTS WITHOUT HESITATION.

AIR
I WANT THAT ONE, PLEASE.

AIR CHOOSES A THIRTY POUND DALMATIAN DOG THAT IS WEARING A SANTA CLAUS HAT. SHE PUTS HER PICTURE IN HER COAT POCKET, JUST BEFORE ACCEPTING THE STUFFED ANIMAL FROM THE MAN.

MAN
THERE YOU GO. YOU TWO HAVE A GOOD NIGHT AND HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS.

AIR
YOU, TOO.

AIR AND CHRISTIAN BEGIN TO WALK AWAY.

MAN
(CALLING TO CHRISTIAN)
DON'T FORGET YOUR MONEY!

HE HOLDS THE TEN-DOLLAR BILL UP.

CHRISTIAN
YOU KEEP IT.

MAN
OKAY, IF YOU INSIST!

AIR'S GRANDPARENTS WALK UP TO GREET THE TWO TEENS.

PAPA
GOOD JOB, CHRISTIAN!

HE SHAKES CHRISTIAN'S HAND.

CHRISTIAN
THANK YOU.

GRANNY
I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT.

PAPA
(TO AIR)
WE'RE GONNA GO ON HOME. DO YOU NEED ANY MONEY?

AIR
NO, BUT COULD YOU TAKE MY DOGGY HOME FOR ME?

GRANNY
SURE, SWEETIE.

AIR GIVES THE DALMATIAN ONE LAST SQUEEZE. SHE THEN HANDS IF OVER TO GRANNY.

PAPA
(TO AIR)
WE'LL SEE YOU LATER.

AIR
OKAY.

AIR GIVES THEM BOTH A KISS BEFORE THEY LEAVE.

GRANNY
(TO CHRISTIAN)
SEE YOU LATER, CHRISTIAN.

CHRISTIAN
OKAY.

PAPA
YOU TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY PRINCESS.

CHRISTIAN
I WILL.

PAPA
YOU TWO HAVE FUN.

AS HER GRANDPARENTS LEAVE, SISTER JENKINS APPROACHES AIR AND CHRISTIAN. TIMMY AND HIS SISTER MELANNIE 4 ARE WITH HER.

MELANNIE
CHRISTIAN!

MELANNIE RUNS UP TO CHRISTIAN AND GIVES HIM A HUG. CHRISTIAN PICKS HER UP.

CHRISTIAN
HOW ARE YOU GUYS?

SISTER JENKINS
WE'RE DOING GOOD.

CHRISTIAN
AIR, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO MEET SISTER JENKINS, TIMMY, AND MELANNIE.

AIR SMILES, AS SISTER JENKINS AND TIMMY GREET HER.

AIR
(TO SISTER JENKINS)
HI. I ENJOYED YOUR TALK IN CHURCH SUNDAY.

SISTER JENKINS
THANK YOU.

MELANNIE
(TO AIR)
YOU'RE PRETTY.

AIR
(SMILING)
SO ARE YOU.

MELANNIE
(TO CHRISTIAN)
WE'RE GONNA GO RIDE THE FERRIS WHEEL.

CHRISTIAN
YOU ARE?

MELANNIE
YEAH, BECAUSE I'M A BIG GIRL. RIGHT, MOMMY?

SISTER JENKINS
(SMILING)
THAT'S RIGHT.

CHRISTIAN PUTS MELANNIE DOWN.

CHRISTIAN
YOU HAVE FUN AND MAKE SURE YOU HOLD ON TIGHT.

MELANNIE
I WILL.

SISTER JENKINS
WE'LL SEE YOU TWO LATER. IT WAS NICE MEETING YOU, AIR.

AIR
YOU, TOO.

AIR AND CHRISTIAN BEGIN WALKING TOWARD THE LAKE. THEY RUN INTO AMBER AND JASON.

AMBER
HI, YOU GUYS.

AIR
HEY.

JASON
(TO CHRISTIAN)
WHAT'S GOIN' ON?

JASON SHAKES CHRISTIAN'S HAND.

CHRISTIAN
NOTHING MUCH.

JASON
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU TWO ARE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

AIR
WHY IS THAT?

JASON
BECAUSE THE LOVE BOATS ARE DOWN THERE.

AIR AND CHRISTIAN QUICKLY GLANCE OUT INTO THE LAKE.

FULL SHOT: ON LAKE. LOVE BOATS FILL THE WATERS OF THE LAKE.

 

AMBER
THEY'RE AWESOME.

JASON
WE'LL SEE YOU GUYS LATER. WE'RE GONNA GO RIDE THE BUMPER CARS BEFORE THE LINE GETS ANY LONGER!

AIR
ALL RIGHT.

JASON GRABS AMBER'S HAND AND LEADS THE WAY TO THE BUMPER CARS' TRACK.

AMBER
SEE YA.

AIR AND CHRISTIAN CONTINUE DOWN TOWARDS THE LAKE.

CHRISTIAN
LET'S RIDE ONE.

AIR
I THOUGHT YOU'D NEVER ASK.

CUT TO:

EXT. LOVE BOAT -- MOMENTS LATER

THE LOVE BOATS ARE MADE OF WOOD, WITH ROOM FOR A DRIVER AND ONE COUPLE TO EITHER SIT OR STAND. MULTICOLORED LIGHTS LINE THE SIDE RAILS OF EACH BOAT, GIVING THEM AN ADDED FESTIVE TOUCH.

INT. LOVE BOAT -- CONTINUOUS

AIR AND CHRISTIAN ARE STANDING AND LEANING ON THE RAILING. AIR IS GAZING OUT OVER THE WATER.

CHRISTIAN
ARE YOU OKAY?

AIR
I'M SORRY. I WAS THINKING HOW NICE AND HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS OUT HERE.

CHRISTIAN
IT IS NICE, BUT I THINK YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL.

AIR SMILES AND TURNS FACING CHRISTIAN.

AIR
YOU KNOW, WHEN WE WERE LITTLE, IT WAS EVERY GIRL'S DREAM, NOT TO MENTION OUR MOMS', FOR YOU TO ASK ONE OF US OUT. AND IT IS SO AMAZING THAT I'M HERE WITH YOU RIGHT NOW.

AFTER HEARING HER WORDS, CHRISTIAN'S FEARS OF TELLING HER HOW HE FEELS ABOUT HER SEEM UNFOUNDED.

CHRISTIAN
IT IS AMAZING, BECAUSE YOU ARE MY DREAM COME TRUE. TRUTH IS, I'VE ALWAYS LIKED YOU, BUT THERE WAS ALWAYS SOMEONE ASKING YOU OUT AND I DIDN'T WANT TO COMPETE FOR YOU LIKE A TROPHY. SO, I SETTLED FOR IMAGINING MYSELF WITH YOU EVERY TIME I SAW YOU. WONDERING WHAT YOU WOULD BE LIKE ON A DATE, OR WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TALKING TO YOU ON THE PHONE.
(PAUSE, THEN)
I ALMOST GOT THE COURAGE TO ASK YOU OUT IN THE NINTH GRADE, BUT YOU STARTED DATING JAKE AND I GOT SENT OFF TO MILITARY SCHOOL.

AIR IS VERY SURPRISED BY HIS WORDS. HER HEART FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS MELTING INSIDE OF HER. FOR THE FIRST TIME, SHE SEES HIM AS AN ORDINARY TEENAGER.

BOAT DRIVER
(TO AIR AND CHRISTIAN)
DON'T FORGET YOU'RE STANDING UNDER THE MISTLETOE.

AIR AND CHRISTIAN LOOK UP.

CHRISTIAN
I GUESS HE'S RIGHT.

AIR
(SOFTLY)
THEN KISS ME.

THEY MOVE CLOSER TOGETHER. THEIR EYES LOCK. CHRISTIAN PLACES HIS HANDS ON HER WAIST; SHE PLACES HERS ON HIS. THEY CONTINUE GAZING INTO EACH OTHER'S EYES UNTIL THE MOMENT THEIR LIPS TOUCH, UNITING AS ONE.

THE BOAT DRIVER LOOKS OVER HIS SHOULDER TO GLANCE AT AIR AND CHRISTIAN. HE SMILES AS HE CONTINUES DRIVING THE BOAT.

EXT. LOVE BOAT -- MOMENTS LATER

ON LAND, AMBER IS WATCHING AIR AND CHRISTIAN THROUGH BINOCULARS.

AMBER
(TO JASON)
OUR PLAN WORKED!

SHE HANDS JASON THE BINOCULARS AND HE TAKES A LOOK AT THE BOAT.

JASON
WELL, WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT?

JULIE, JESSICA, AND CLAUDIA WALK UP BEHIND JASON AND AMBER.

JULIE
(TO JASON)
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?

JASON
CHRISTIAN AND AIR.

JULIE
WHERE ARE THEY?

JASON
ON ONE OF THE LOVE BOATS.

JULIE SNATCHES THE BINOCULARS FROM JASON. SHE TAKES A LOOK.

JULIE
(SIGHING SOFTLY)
THAT IS SO ROMANTIC.

JESSICA TAKES THE BINOCULARS FROM JULIE, TO LOOK AT THE COUPLE ON THE BOAT.

MATT, SEAN, AND JAKE JOIN THE GROUP.

SEAN
HEY, YOU GUYS.

JULIE HIDES THE BINOCULARS BEHIND HER WHEN SHE SEES JAKE.

JULIE
(FLUSTERED)
WHAT TOOK YOU GUYS SO LONG?

MATT
(POINTING TO SEAN)
"GRANDMA" HERE DROVE SLOW ALL THE WAY HERE.

JAKE
(EXPECTANTLY)
IS AIR HERE?

CLAUDIA
(NASTY CHUCKLE)
YEAH, BUT SHE'S BUSY AT THE MOMENT.

JULIE
CLAUDIA!

CLAUDIA
(TO JULIE)
IT'S TRUE!

JAKE
BUSY DOIN' WHAT?

CLAUDIA
(CUNNING)
SHE'S TAKING A RIDE ON ONE OF THE LOVE BOATS WITH CHRISTIAN.

JAKE
WHAT?!

JAKE STORMS DOWN TO THE LAKE.

JULIE
CLAUDIA, YOU HAVE A BIG MOUTH!

EVERYONE HURRIES AFTER JAKE.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHORELINE OF LAKE -- MOMENTS LATER

AFTER GETTING OFF THE LOVE BOAT, AIR AND CHRISTIAN WALK ALONG THE LAKE'S SHORELINE, AWAY FROM THE CARNIVAL.

CHRISTIAN STARES AT AN ELDERLY COUPLE IN ONE OF THE LOVE BOATS THAT IS PASSING BY. THE COUPLE ARE DANCING WITH EACH OTHER.

CHRISTIAN
THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. LOVE.

AIR
LOVE?

CHRISTIAN
YES. I THINK LOVE IS NECESSARY FOR ANY GOOD RELATIONSHIP TO WORK. LOOK AT THEM.

CHRISTIAN AND AIR STAND STILL FOR A MOMENT, LOOKING AT THE COUPLE DANCING IN THE BOAT.

ANGLE ON: LOVE BOAT. THE ELDERLY COUPLE DANCE SLOWLY IN CIRCLES.

CHRISTIAN
ONLY LOVE COULD MAKE THEM THAT HAPPY.

JAKE
WELL, ISN'T THIS A PRETTY PICTURE?

JAKE STRIDES UP TO AIR AND GRABS HER BY THE ARM.

JAKE
I NEED TO TALK TO YOU.

AIR JERKS HER ARM AWAY FROM HIM.

AIR
NO!

JAKE
YOU WOULD RATHER BE WITH HIM THAN WITH ME? YOU GOTTA BE KIDDIN' ME!

AIR
JUST LEAVE ME ALONE.

AIR TAKES CHRISTIAN'S HAND AND LEADS HIM BACK TOWARDS THE CARNIVAL GROUNDS.

JAKE BECOMES EVEN ANGRIER. HE WALKS UP BEHIND CHRISTIAN AND BRUTALLY PUSHES HIM TO THE GROUND. CHRISTIAN QUICKLY GETS TO HIS FEET AND WALKS UP INTO JAKE'S FACE.

JAKE
(TAUNTING)
OH, DID I UPSET PRETTY BOY? GO AHEAD AND HIT ME IF YOU THINK YOU GOT THE GUTS!

EVERYONE HOLDS THEIR BREATH, WAITING WITH ANTICIPATION TO SEE WHAT CHRISTIAN IS GOING TO DO. AS THE TENSION MOUNTS, CHRISTIAN TAKES A DEEP BREATH.

CHRISTIAN
(PAUSES, THEN)
GOD BLESS YOU.

CHRISTIAN TAKES AIR BY THE HAND AND WALKS AWAY. HIS WORDS UPSET JAKE EVEN MORE. JAKE STARTS TO GO AFTER CHRISTIAN, BUT MATT AND SEAN HOLD HIM BACK.

JAKE
(YELLING FURIOUSLY)
THIS ISN'T OVER, PRETTY BOY! NOT BY A LONG SHOT!

CUT TO:

INT. CHRISTIAN'S HOUSE, INSIDE ENTRANCEWAY -- LATER

CHRISTIAN OPENS THE HALL CLOSET AND HANGS UP HIS COAT.

CUT TO:

INT. LIVING ROOM - SAME NIGHT

WILFRED IS SITTING IN THE OVERSTUFFED ARMCHAIR IN FRONT OF A BRICK FIREPLACE. THE WARMTH OF THE CRACKLING FLAMES FILLS THE ROOM. HE IS WRAPPED IN A BLANKET.

CHRISTIAN WALKS OVER AND SITS ON THE BRICK THAT IS A PART OF THE FIREPLACE.

CHRISTIAN
HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

WILFRED
TIRED, BUT I'LL BE OKAY IN THE MORNING.

WILFRED'S HEAD IS POUNDING, BUT HE HIDES THE PAIN VERY WELL.

CHRISTIAN
DO YOU NEED ANYTHING?

WILFRED
NO. I'M FINE. ENOUGH ABOUT ME. HOW WAS YOUR NIGHT WITH LADY AIR?

CHRISTIAN
I DON'T KNOW. EVERY TIME I GO OUT WITH HER, IT STARTS OUT GREAT, BUT THEN WE ALWAYS MANAGE TO RUN INTO HER EX-BOYFRIEND, WHO DOESN'T LIKE THE FACT THAT I'M WITH HER.

WILFRED
I CAN SEE WHY. SHE IS A VERY PRETTY YOUNG LADY.

CHRISTIAN
THAT SHE REALLY IS. I JUST WISH I COULD SPEND SOME TIME WITH HER WITHOUT US RUNNING INTO HIM ALL THE TIME.

WILFRED
HMM.

WILFRED THINKS TO HIMSELF.

WILFRED
WHY DON'T YOU TAKE HER UP TO YOUR CABIN?

CHRISTIAN THINKS IT OVER A FOR COUPLE OF SECONDS.

CHRISTIAN
(SMILING)
YOU KNOW WHAT? THAT'S A REALLY GOOD IDEA. I'LL TAKE HER THERE TOMORROW NIGHT. THANKS, WILFRED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO WITHOUT YOU.

WILFRED
YOU WOULD BE JUST FINE.

CHRISTIAN STANDS UP. HE YAWNS.

CHRISTIAN
ARE YOU SURE YOU DON'T NEED ANYTHING BEFORE I GO TO BED?

WILFRED
(SMILING GENTLY)
I'LL BE FINE. GO GET SOME REST. YOU HAVE A BIG NIGHT AHEAD OF YOU.

CHRISTIAN
(RELUCTANT, BUT NODDING)
OKAY THEN. GOOD NIGHT.

WILFRED
GOOD NIGHT, SIR.

CHRISTIAN LEAVES THE ROOM. HE DOES NOT SEE THE TEARS THAT BEGIN FALLING FROM WILFRED'S EYES.

INT. CHRISTIAN’S BEDROOM -- LATER

CHRISTIAN KNEELS DOWN IN HIS BED CLOTHES IN PRAYER.

HE PRAYS, THANKING HIS HEAVENLY FATHER FOR HIS MANY BLESSINGS AND ASKING HIM TO TAKE AWAY WILFRED'S PAIN.

CUT TO:

INT. CHRISTIAN'S BALCONY -- MORNING

CHRISTIAN IS STANDING ON THE BALCONY, WEARING HIS PAJAMAS AND ROBE. HE IS ADMIRING THE CLEAR BLUE SKY THAT VALLEY SPRINGS HASN'T SEEN IN A LONG TIME.

A SMALL BISTRO TABLE AND TWO CHAIRS STAND OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE BALCONY. A CORDLESS PHONE AND CHURCH DIRECTORY LAY ON TOP OF THE TABLE.

CHRISTIAN TAKES A SEAT AND THUMBS THROUGH THE DIRECTORY, LOOKING FOR AIR'S GRANDPARENTS' PHONE NUMBER. HE FINDS THE NUMBER, PICKS UP THE PHONE AND DIALS IT.

AIR

 

 

Go to part: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8 

 

 

Copyright © 2001 Tony Green
Published on the World Wide Web by "www.storymania.com"