To Fall In Love (7)
Tony Green

 

AIR
NEITHER HAVE I.

THEY BOTH SIT INDIAN STYLE.

CHRISTAN
SO TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF.

AIR
THERE'S NOTHING TO TELL.

CHRISTAN
(SMILING)
I KNOW YOU'RE NOT THAT BORING. TELL ME SOMETHING LIKE WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? OR WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES IF YOU HAVE ANY?

AIR
MY FAVORITE COLOR IS BLUE, MY FAVORITE FOOD IS MEAT LOAF, AND I LIKE TO COLLECT SNOW GLOBES.

CHRISTAN
WHY SNOW GLOBES?

AIR
(PAUSE, THEN)
BECAUSE IT WAS THE LAST GIFT MY PARENTS EVER GAVE ME. EVER SINCE THEN I'VE COLLECTED OVER 300 OF THEM.

CHRISTAN
REALLY? THAT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE.

AIR
YEAH, BUT NOW IT'S KIND OF HARD TRYING TO FIND A SNOW GLOBE THAT I DON'T ALREADY HAVE.

CHRISTAN
I GUESS THEY ONLY MAKE SO MANY.

AIR
WHAT ABOUT YOU?

CHRISTAN
WELL, MY FAVORITE COLOR IS WHITE, I LOVE ITALIAN FOOD, AND I LOVE HELPING PEOPLE.

AIR
WHAT DO YOU WANNA DO WHEN YOU GET OLDER?

CHRISTAN
I DON'T KNOW YET. I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GONNA RUN MY FATHER'S COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE COMPANY, OR NOT. IT JUST DEPENDS ON WHAT I FEEL LIKE DOING AT THE TIME I GUESS. WHAT DO YOU WANNA BE?

AIR
A PEDIATRICIAN. I LOVE KIDS.

CHRISTAN
I THINK THAT YOU'LL MAKE A GREAT PEDIATRICIAN.

AIR
(SMILING)
WHY THANK YOU.

CHRISTIAN SMILES BACK AT HER.

THE WIND AND THE SNOW BEGINS TO PICK UP.

THE HORSES ARE HEARD GRUNTING.

LOOKING AT THE SKY.

AIR
LOOKS LIKE WE BETTER HEAD BACK.

CHRISTAN
I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.

INT. SHELTER -- MOMENTS LATER

THE SHELTER IS FULLY DECORATED WITH CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTATIONS ON THE INSIDE, AS IT IS ON THE OUTSIDE. AIR AND CHRISTIAN WALK INTO THE SHELTER. INSTEAD OF FIGHTING TO GET THROUGH THE CROWD OF CHILDREN, THEY STAND BY THE FRONT DOOR. BISHOP HODGES AND DR. ALLEN GREETS THE TWO. CHILDREN ARE RUNNING TO LONG PICNIC TABLES THAT FILL THE ROOM IN ORDER TO GET A GOOD VIEW OF SANTA CLAUS. AFTER THE CHILDREN ARE SETTLED DOWN FOOT STEPS ARE HEARD COMING FROM AROUND THE CORNER.

MAN IN SANTA SUIT
(VOICE OVER)
HO, HO, HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

CHILDREN
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A MAN WALKS INTO THE ROOM RESEMBLING THE MAN WHO WE'VE COME TO KNOW AS OLD SAINT NICK. HE IS CARRYING THREE HUGE, RED CLOTH BAGS FILLED WITH PRESENTS. HIS RESEMBLANCE IS UNCANNY. EVERYTHING FROM HIS WHITE, FLUFFY BEARD TO HIS RED AND WHITE SANTA SUIT LOOKED AUTHENTIC. THE CHILDREN ARE IN AWE. EVEN AIR AND CHRISTIAN ARE AMAZED.

MAN IN SANTA SUIT
HAVE YOU BEEN GOOD BOYS AND GIRLS?

CHILDREN
YES!

MAN IN SANTA SUIT
ARE YOU SURE. SANTA KNOWS IF YOU'VE BEEN.........

WE HEAR A LOUD, CRASHING SOUND COMING FROM OUTSIDE FOLLOWED BY THE SOUND OF A HORN THAT IS CONTINUOUS. BISHOP HODGES OPENS THE FRONT DOOR. AIR, CHRISTIAN AND A FEW OTHERS FOLLOW HIM ONTO THE PORCH.

BISHOP HODGES P.O.V.

THE BACK LIGHTS OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN SUV ARE THE ONLY THINGS THAT CAN BE SEEN THROUGH THE HEAVY SNOW AND GUSTY WINDS. JASON COMES OUT ONTO THE PORCH.

JASON
IT LOOKS LIKE JAKE'S JEEP!

CHRISTIAN QUICKLY RUNS OUT TOWARDS THE BRIDGE. BISHOP HODGES, JASON, MATT, SEAN, AND A FEW OTHER GUYS ARE RIGHT BEHIND HIM. A FEW MOMENTS LATER AIR AND JULIE RUN BEHIND THE GUYS TOWARDS THE BRIDGE.

FULL SHOT ON JAKE'S JEEP -- NIGHT

THE FRONT END OF THE JEEP IS HANGING OFF OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRIDGE. IT SLOWLY ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WITH EVERY GUST OF WIND.

CHRISTIAN REACHES THE JEEP. HE QUICKLY SITS ON THE BUMPER, HOLDING IT DOWN. THE OTHERS ARRIVE, HELPING HIM ANCHOR IT DOWN.

CHRISTAN
(TO THE OTHERS)
I'M GONNA GO TAKE A LOOK INSIDE.

BISHOP HODGES
BE CAREFUL.

CHRISTIAN NODS HIS HEAD.

INT. SHELTER -- MOMENTS LATER

THE CHILDREN GATHER NEAR ALL OF THE WINDOWS FACING THE FRONT TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON.

CHRISTIAN SLOWLY INCHES HIS WAY TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S DOOR. HE REACHES THE DOOR AND GRABS HOLD OF THE DOOR'S HANDLE. HE WIPES THE SNOW AND FOG OFF OF THE WINDOW WITH HIS SHIRT. HE TAKES A LOOK INSIDE.

ANGLE ON : THE INSIDE OF JAKE'S JEEP.

JAKE IS LEANING FORWARD AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. HE'S MOVING, BUT HIS EYES ARE CLOSED. A LIQUOR BOTTLE LAYS IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT.

SUDDENLY THE JEEP BEGINS TO SINK A LITTLE MORE INTO THE WOOD. WHEN THE SINKING STOPS, CHRISTIAN SLOWLY OPENS THE DOOR, TRYING DESPERATELY NOT TO AGGRAVATE THE CRACKING WOOD BELOW HIM. AS HE ATTEMPTS TO UNDO JAKE'S SEAT BELT, THE WIND CAUSES THE DOOR TO SLAM INTO CHRISTIAN'S BODY.

AIR
(TO JULIE)
I'M GONNA GO HELP HIM.

AIR RELEASES THE JEEP'S BUMPER. JULIE REPLACES HER. AIR CAUTIOUSLY, BUT QUICKLY GOES OVER TO CHRISTIAN AND HOLDS THE DOOR FOR HIM.

CHRISTAN
(TO AIR)
THANK YOU.

CHRISTIAN PROCEEDS BY SITTING JAKE UPRIGHT AGAINST THE DRIVER'S SEAT. WE HEAR JAKE GRUNTING. HE THEN WRAPS HIS ARMS TIGHTLY AROUND JAKE'S CHEST AND ATTEMPTS TO MOVE HIS MUSCULAR FRAME FROM THE JEEP. WITH JAKE'S BODY HALF WAY OUT, THE JEEP SINKS MORE INTO THE BRIDGE, CAUSING CHRISTIAN AND JAKE TO FALL BACK INTO AIR. ALL THREE BODIES FALL ABRUPTLY ONTO THE BRIDGE. PIECES OF THE BRIDGE FALL INTO THE ROARING WATERS BELOW.

JASON
(TO SEAN)
HOLD THIS.

JASON SLOWLY LETS GO OF THE BUMPER. SEAN TAKES OVER WHERE JASON LEAVES OFF. JASON SLOWLY EDGES OVER TO CHRISTIAN AND PICKS UP JAKE'S ARM, WRAPPING IT AROUND HIS NECK. HE GIVES OUT A LOUD GRUNT, AS HE FINDS OUT THAT JAKE'S BODY IS HEAVIER THAN HE THOUGHT. ONCE JASON GET'S JAKE TO HIS FEET, THE WOOD SURROUNDING AIR AND CHRISTIAN, BEGINS TO CRACK A LITTLE FASTER.

BISHOP HODGES
JASON DON'T MOVE!

NO ONE SAYS A WORD. EVERYONE IS FOCUSED ON THE CRACKING OF THE WOOD THAT IS DECREASING IN SPEED.

BISHOP HODGES
(TO JASON)
OKAY COME THIS WAY, BUT SLOWLY.

JASON'S TREMBLING BODY MOVES EVER SO SLOWLY UNTIL THE MOMENT HE REACHES STRONGER WOOD BENEATH HIM. HE TAKES JAKE INTO THE SHELTER.

AIR AND CHRISTIAN CONTINUE LAYING, AS STILL AS THEY CAN.

BISHOP HODGES
NOW CHRISTIAN SEE IF YOU CAN MOVE TOWARDS US.

CHRISTAN
OKAY.

CHRISTIAN TRIES TO MOVE HIS LEGS, BUT THE WOOD STARTS CRACKING A LITTLE FASTER AND CONTINUOUSLY. HE FACES AIR.

CHRISTAN
WE'RE GONNA FALL.

A FEARFUL LOOK TAKES OVER AIR'S FACE. SHE ATTEMPTS TO LOOK DOWN.

CHRISTAN
DON'T LOOK DOWN. ONLY LOOK AT ME. TAKE MY HAND.

SHE TAKES HIS HAND. THE WOOD AROUND THEM CRACKS MORE RAPIDLY.

CHRISTAN
DON'T LET GO NO MATTER WHAT.

AIR
OKAY.

AT THIS MOMENT THE WOOD UNDERNEATH THEM GIVES WAY, SENDING BOTH AIR AND CHRISTIAN CRASHING INTO THE FREEZING WATER. THE JEEP ALMOST FOLLOWS BEHIND THEM, BUT THE OTHERS WHO ARE HOLDING THE BUMPER MANAGE TO KEEP IT STEADY. MOMENTS LATER AIR AND CHRISTIAN RISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE RIVER'S DARKNESS, STILL HOLDING HANDS, BOTH TREMBLING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE WAVES FROM THE RAGING RIVER POUNDS THEIR PALE FACES OVER AND OVER, AS IT CARRIES THEM TO A PILE OF ROCKS 40 FEET IN FRONT OF THE BRIDGE.

CHRISTAN
ARE YOU OKAY?

AIR
I THINK SO.

CUT TO:

JASON RUNS BACK ONTO THE BRIDGE. HE LEANS OVER IT'S WOODED RAILS TO MAKE SURE AIR AND CHRISTIAN ARE ALRIGHT.

JASON
(YELLING)
AIR! CHRISTIAN! ARE YOU GUYS OKAY?

CHRISTAN
(V.O.)
WE'RE OKAY!

THE JEEP BEGINS MOVING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE EDGE OF THE BRIDGE. THE OTHERS STRAIN TO KEEP IT FROM GOING OVER. JASON RUNS TO HELP THEM.

BISHOP HODGES
(STRAINING VOICE)
IT'S GONNA FALL.

JULIE
WE CAN'T LET IT.

A BIGGER PIECE OF THE WOOD TOWARD THE FRONT TIRES OF THE JEEP FEATHERS IT'S WAY INTO THE WATER.

JASON
(TO AIR AND CHRISTIAN)
YOU GUYS WE'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO HOLD THIS THING MUCH LONGER!

CUT TO:

AIR LOOKS AROUND.

AIR
(PANICKING)
THERE'S NO WHERE TO GO!

CHRISTIAN LOOKS INTO HER EYES.

CHRISTAN
LISTEN TO ME. WE'RE GONNA MAKE IT. WE HAVE TO LET GO OF THESE ROCKS, BECAUSE ANY MINUTE NOW THAT JEEP IS GONNA FALL AND IT'S GONNA HEAD STRAIGHT FOR US. WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE. JUST HOLD ON TO MY HAND. I PROMISE I WON'T LET GO.

EVEN THOUGH SHE'S SCARED, AIR SHAKES HER HEAD IN AGREEMENT. THEY BOTH SCOOT THEIR WAY AROUND THE ROCKS. THE DEEP WATER COVERS THEIR FACES, BUT ONLY FOR A BRIEF TIME. THEY FACE EACH OTHER MAKING SURE THE OTHER ONE IS READY. WHEN SUDDENLY THEY RELEASE THEMSELVES TO THE MERCY OF THE RIVER.

FULL SHOT: ON RIVER. AIR AND CHRISTIAN FLOW HELPLESSLY FURTHER AND FURTHER AWAY FROM THE BRIDGE.

CUT TO:

THE OTHERS ARE TRYING DESPERATELY TO PREVENT THE JEEP FROM PLUNGING INTO THE RIVER.

AMBER
I CAN'T HOLD IT MUCH LONGER.

THE JEEP BEGINS TO MOVE, AS BITS AND PIECES OF THE BRIDGE FALL INTO THE RIVER. WHEN IN AN INSTANT THE JEEP SLIPS FROM THEIR GRASPS. JULIE AND AMBER BEGINS TO CRY.

ANGLE ON: RIVER. THE JEEP LANDS IN THE WATER, SENDING A HUGE SPLASH INTO THE AIR. ONCE THE JEEP BALANCES ITSELF THE STRONG CURRENTS PUSHES IT TOWARDS AIR AND CHRISTIAN. WITH EVERY PUSH BY THE CURRENTS THE JEEP MOVES FASTER AND FASTER.

BISHOP HODGES
WE NEED SOME FLASH LIGHTS.

CARE TAKER
I'LL GET SOME.

DR.ALLEN
I'LL HELP YOU.

THE CARETAKER AND DR. ALLEN RUN TO THE SHELTER. THE OTHERS WAIT BY THE SIDE OF THE RIVER. MOMENTS LATER THE CARETAKER AND DR. ALLEN RUN BACK WITH FLASH LIGHTS AND TWO HEAVY BLANKETS. AFTER DISPERSING THE BLANKETS AND THE FLASH LIGHTS, THEY ALL RUN ALONG SIDE THE RIVER LOOKING FOR AIR AND CHRISTIAN.

CUT TO:

ANGLE ON: RIVER. AIR AND CHRISTIAN CONTINUE FLOATING WITH THE RIVER AT A VERY FAST PACE. SOON THE LIGHTS OF THE JEEP CAN BE SEEN HEADING TOWARDS THEM. IT SMASHES THROUGH THE ROCKS THAT AIR AND CHRISTIAN RECENTLY LET GO, KNOCKING THEM INTO PIECES OF RUBLE.

AIR
WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO?

CHRISTIAN LOOKS AHEAD OF THEM AND SEES OFF IN THE DISTANCE A GROUP OF ROCKS, BIGGER AND TALLER THAN THE ONES BEFORE, THAT LEAD TO LAND ON ONE SIDE OF THE RIVER.

CHRISTAN
WE HAVE TO MAKE IT TO THOSE ROCKS.

THEY BOTH BEGIN SWIMMING TOWARD THE ROCKS. THE JEEP IS APPROACHING THEM FASTER THAN THEY CAN SWIM. THEY FINALLY MAKE IT TO THE ROCKS.

CHRISTAN
HERE LET ME HELP YOU UP.

CHRISTIAN HELPS HER ON TOP OF THE ROCKS.

AIR
GIVE ME YOUR HAND.

CHRISTIAN REACHES UP TO HER, BUT HE SLIPS ON ONE OF THE LOOSE ROCKS. THE THREATENING WATER KNOCKS HIM OVER AND OVER INTO THE ROCKS. HE DESPERATELY REACHES OUT HIS HAND TO HER AGAIN. THE JEEP IS ONLY MOMENTS AWAY. THIS TIME SHE GRABS A HOLD OF HIM AND PULLS HIM UP WITH ALL HER MIGHT. JUST BEFORE THE JEEP BARRELS IT'S WAY INTO THE ROCKS. CHRISTIAN'S LEGS BARELY ESCAPE IT'S WRATH.

AIR
(EXHAUSTED VOICE)
WE MADE IT.

CHRISTAN
(EXHAUSTED, SMILING)
I TOLD YOU WE WOULD.

SHE SMILES AT HIM.

THE OTHERS MAKE IT TO THEM. BISHOP HODGES WRAPS ONE OF THE BLANKETS AROUND AIR'S SHIVERING BODY. JULIE HELPS HIM WALK AIR BACK TO THE SHELTER. JASON AND SEAN HELP CHRISTIAN TO HIS FEET. THEY HELP HIM BACK TO THE SHELTER AFTER WRAPPING THE SECOND BLANKET AROUND HIM. THE OTHERS LEAD THEM BACK TO THE SHELTER WITH THE FLASH LIGHTS.

CUT TO:

INT. SHELTER BATHROOM -- LATER

CHRISTIAN LEANS OVER TO PICK UP A TRASH BAG FILLED WITH HIS WET CLOTHES. JUST AS HE PICKS UP THE BAG HE SEES A TORN PIECE OF PAPER THAT APPEARS TO BE A LETTER IN A TRASH CAN BESIDE HIM. HE PICKS UP THE PIECE OF PAPER WHICH IS ATTACHED TO AN ENVELOPE AND READS IT.

ANGLE ON: LETTER. IT READS "MS. MCHENRY AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR LOAN FOR $75,000.00 FOR YOUR SHELTER WAS DENIED. FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT ONE OF OUR LOAN OFFICERS AT A NEAR BY BRANCH, SINCERELY DAVID ATKINSON ". HE PUTS THE PIECE OF PAPER AND THE ENVELOPE INTO THE SACK OF WET CLOTHES.

EXT. SHELTER BATHROOM -- MOMENTS LATER

CHRISTIAN WALKS OUT OF THE BATHROOM. THE CHILDREN CAN BE HEARD PLAYING IN THE BACK GROUND HE IS WEARING A WHITE T- SHIRT AND A PAIR OF BLUE JEANS. HE CARRIES HIS DRESS BOOTS IN ONE HAND AND THE BAG OF CLOTHES IN THE OTHER. HE ENTERS AN AREA THAT IS FILLED WITH BEDS. JAKE IS LAYING ON ONE OF THE BEDS IN ONE OF THE FURTHEST CORNERS OF THE ROOM.

ANGLE ON: JAKE'S FACE. HIS EYES ARE CLOSED.

SISTER MCHENRY APPROACHES CHRISTIAN. SHE LOOKS AT THE CLOTHES HE IS WEARING.

SISTER MCHENRY
IT LOOKS LIKE THEY FIT YOU PRETTY GOOD.

CRISTIAN
THEY DO AND THANK YOU.

SISTER MCHENRY
YOU'RE WELCOME.

MELANNIE AND TIMMY RUN INTO THE AREA. MELANNIE GIVES CHRISTIAN A HUG.

TIMMY
(TO CHRISTIAN)
ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

CHRISTAN
I'M FINE.

IN THE B.G. DR. ALLEN IS SEEN WALKING TOWARDS THEM.

DR.ALLEN
(TO CHRISTIAN)
LET ME TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR BACK.

CHRISTIAN SITS HIS BOOTS AND THE TRASH BAG ON THE CARPET FLOOR. HE SITS ON THE BED AND RAISES HIS SHIRT FOR DR. ALLEN TO EXAMINE HIM.

SISTER MCHENRY
I'LL SEE YOU LATER CHRISTIAN.
(TO MELANNIE AND TIMMY)
COME ON YOU TWO.

MELANNIE
CAN I STAY HERE WITH YOU CHRISTIAN?

SISTER MCHENRY LOOKS AT CHRISTIAN. SHE WAITS FOR AN ANSWER.

CHRISTAN
(TO SISTER MCHENRY)
IT'S OKAY.

SISTER MCHENRY AND TIMMY LEAVE THE AREA.

ANGLE ON: CHRISTIAN'S BACK. WE SEE A FEW MINOR SCRATCHES.

DR. ALLEN PUTS PRESSURE ON CHRISTIAN'S BACK.

DR.ALLEN
DOES THAT HURT?

CRISTIAN
NO.

DR.ALLEN
AND THIS?

CHRISTAN
NO.

DR.ALLEN RELEASES CHRISTIAN'S SHIRT.

DR.ALLEN
YOU ARE A VERY LUCKY BOY.

CHRISTIAN LOWERS HIS SHIRT.

CHRISTAN
DON'T I KNOW IT.

CHRISTIAN LOOKS OVER AT JAKE.

CHRISTAN
IS HE GONNA BE OKAY?

DR.ALLEN
FOR NOW, BUT WITH ALL THE VOMITING HE WAS DOING EARLIER, HE'S GONNA HAVE A HUGE HEADACHE WHEN HE WAKES UP TOMORROW.

CHRISTAN
DOES HE HAVE A RIDE HOME?

DR.ALLEN
YEAH. HIS PARENTS ARE COMING TO PICK HIM UP.

JUST BEFORE DR. ALLEN LEAVES THE AREA, HE STOPS AND TURNS TO LOOK BACK AT CHRISTIAN.

DR.ALLEN
BY THE WAY, GREAT JOB.

CHRISTAN
THANK YOU.

DR. ALLEN LEAVES THE ROOM. CHRISTIAN PUTS ON HIS BOOTS. A FEW MOMENTS LATER JASON, SEAN, AND MATT ENTER THE AREA.

JASON
HOW YOU DOIN'?

CHRISTAN
BETTER NOW THAT I'M WARM.

SEAN
MAN, THAT WAS AN AWESOME THING YOU DID BACK THERE.

CHRISTAN
IT WAS NOTHING.

JASON
NO, IT WAS SOMETHING. I JUST HOPE JAKE APPRECIATES WHAT YOU DID FOR HIM.

MATT
KNOWING JAKE HE PROBABLY WON'T.

JASON
IN ANY CASE WE THINK YOU DID ONE HECK OF A JOB.

ANGLE ON: JAKE'S FACE. HE LISTENS TO THE BOY'S CONVERSATION.

AIR, AMBER, JULIE, AND JESSICA ENTER THE AREA.

AIR IS WEARING A MULTICOLORED T- SHIRT AND A PAIR OF BLUE JEANS. HER PARTIALLY WET HAIR IS IN A PONY TAIL.

AIR
(TO AMBER)
THANK YOU FOR THE CLOTHES.

AMBER
(SMILING)
ANY TIME.

JASON
(TO CHRISTIAN)
WE'LL TALK TO YOU LATER.

CHRISTAN
OKAY.

JASON LEAVES THE AREA FOLLOWED BY EVERYONE, BUT AIR AND MELANNIE. AIR SITS ON AN OPPOSITE BED FROM CHRISTIAN AND MELANNIE.

AIR
HOW IS YOUR BACK?

CHRISTAN
IT'S OKAY. MORE IMPORTANTLY HOW ARE YOU?

AIR
I'M STILL SHAKEN UP A LITTLE BIT, BUT I'LL LIVE.

CHRISTAN
GOOD.

AIR
THANK YOU CHRISTIAN.

CHRISTAN
YOU DON'T HAVE TO THANK ME.

AIR
BUT I DO. WHEN WE HIT THAT WATER I WAS SO SCARED. AND WHEN I SAW THAT JEEP COMING TOWARDS US, I DIDN'T THINK WE WERE GONNA MAKE IT.
(SMILING)
BUT HEARING YOUR CALM, SWEET VOICE AND HAVING YOU THERE WITH ME, MADE ALL OF THAT GO AWAY. YOU ARE THE REASON WHY I AM STILL ALIVE.

CHRISTIAN LOOKS AT HER WITH SORROW.

AIR
WHAT'S WRONG?

CHRISTAN
AIR I REALLY LIKE YOU A LOT.
(PAUSE, THEN)
BUT I CAN'T SEE YOU ANY MORE.

AIR
(SOFTLY)
WHY NOT?

CHRISTAN
WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS I CAN'T BARE LOSING YOU TOO.

AIR
YOU'RE NOT GONNA LOSE ME.

CHRISTAN
MAYBE NOT NOW, LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TONIGHT. WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN THE NEXT TIME JAKE SEES US TOGETHER?

AIR
YOU CAN'T KEEP RUNNING FROM HIM.

CHRISTAN
I'M NOT RUNNING FROM HIM IT'S JUST THAT IF WE KEEP SEEING EACH OTHER, I MIGHT FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU.

AIR
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?

HE TAKES A DEEP BREATH.

CHRISTAN
I CAN'T FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU. NOT UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.

SHE TRIES VERY HARD NOT TO CRY. HE REACHES OUT HIS HAND TO HER.

CHRISTAN
AIR........

AIR
NO.

SHE COMES TO HER FEET. SHE TAKES ONE LAST LOOK AT CHRISTIAN BEFORE RUNNING INTO THE BATHROOM. AMBER, JULIE, AND JESSICA RUN IN AFTER HER.

CHRISTAN
(TO MELANNIE)
ARE YOU READY TO GO?

MELANNIE
YEAH, I'M READY.

MELANNIE TAKES CHRISTIAN'S HAND. HE GRABS THE TRASH BAG, AS THEY WALK OUT OF THE AREA.

THE CAMERA SLOWLY MOVES IN ON JAKE'S FACE. HE CLOSES HIS EYES AND PUTS THE PILLOW OVER HIS HEAD IN SHAME AND IN SORROW.

CUT TO:

INT. CHRISTIAN'S HOUSE - GUEST ROOM -- LATER

MELANNIE AND TIMMY ARE IN THEIR NIGHT CLOTHES. CHRISTIAN IS TUCKING MELANNIE INTO BED.

MELANNIE
ARE WE GONNA GO SEE MOMMY TOMORROW?

CHRISTAN
WE SURE ARE.

MELANNIE
WHEN IS SHE GONNA WAKE UP?

CHRISTAN
VERY SOON.

CHRISTIAN WALKS OVER TO A ROCKING CHAIR TO GET MELANNIE'S TEDDY BEAR. HE HANDS IT TO HER.

MELANNIE
CHRISTIAN SINCE YOU CAN'T LOVE AIR DOES THAT MEAN YOU CANT LOVE US?

CHRISTAN
NO, NOT AT ALL.

HE GIVES HER A HUG.

CHRISTAN
I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU GUYS. YOU'RE LIKE FAMILY TO ME.

MELANNIE
(SMILING)
WE ARE?

CHRISTAN
OF COURSE YOU ARE AND NOTHINGS EVER GONNA CHANGE THAT.

MELANNIE
WHY CAN'T YOU LOVE AIR?

CHRISTAN
THE LOVE THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT WITH AIR IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE.

MELANNIE
MOMMY ALWAYS TELLS US THAT THERE'S ONLY ONE KIND OF LOVE.

CHRISTIAN THINKS TO HIMSELF FOR A MOMENT.

CHRISTAN
WELL, YOUR MOM IS A VERY SMART LADY.

MELANNIE
SHE IS?

TIMMY AND CHRISTIAN LAUGH.

CHRISTAN
SHE SURE IS AND IF YOU TWO DON'T MIND I WANNA SAY A PRAYER SO THAT MOMMY WILL WAKE UP SOON.

MELANNIE
OKAY.

TIMMY COMES OVER AND SITS ON THE BED MELANNIE IS ON. THEY ALL BOW THERE HEADS FOR PRAYER.

CUT TO:

FULL SHOT: ON HOSPITAL -- MORNING

EXT. HOSPITAL BALCONY -- MORNING

CHRISTIAN STANDS LEANING AGAINST THE RAILS DRINKING HOT COCOA. NURSE CROFTS STEPS OUT ONTO THE BALCONY. SHE IS HOLDING A CUP OF HOT COCOA.

CHRISTAN
IS SOMETHING WRONG?

NURSE CROFTS
NO, NO, THERE FINE. I'M JUST TAKING A BREAK.

SHE LEANS AGAINST THE RAIL BESIDE HIM.

NURSE CROFTS
HOW ARE YOU?

CHRISTAN
I'M HOLDING UP, I GUESS.

NURSE CROFTS
YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT IT?

HE FACES HER.

CHRISTAN
(PAUSE, THEN)
HAVE YOU EVER DONE SOMETHING YOU'VE REGRETTED?

SHE LAUGHS.

NURSE CROFTS
THAT WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT. ALL THE TIME.

SHE REALIZES THE MELANCHOLY LOOK ON HIS FACE.

NURSE CROFTS
DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH A GIRL?

CHRISTAN
HOW DID YOU KNOW?

NURSE CROFTS
IT'S WRITTEN ALL OVER YOUR FACE. LET ME GUESS, YOU WERE CAUGHT CHEATING ON HER AND SHE BROKE UP WITH YOU?

CHRISTAN
I COULD NEVER DO THAT.

NURSE CROFTS
OKAY, YOU CAUGHT HER CHEATING ON YOU AND YOU BROKE UP WITH HER?

CHRISTAN
NOT EXACTLY.

NURSE CROFTS
AM I CLOSE?

HE LAUGHS.

CHRISTAN
CLOSE. I TOLD HER THAT I COULDN'T SEE HER ANYMORE, BUT NOT FOR THAT REASON.

NURSE CROFTS
WHY THEN?

CHRISTAN
THIS MIGHT SOUND KIND OF DUMB, BUT BECAUSE OF HER EX BOYFRIEND.

NURSE CROFTS
WAIT, DON'T TELL ME. THEY BROKE, BUT HE'S NOT OVER HER. SO HE GIVES YOU A HARD TIME, BECAUSE SHE LIKES YOU?

SHAKING HIS HEAD

CHRISTAN
YEAH.

NURSE CROFTS
CAN I GIVE YOU SOME ADVICE?

CHRISTAN
PLEASE.

NURSE CROFTS
DON'T EVER LET ANYONE STAND BETWEEN YOU AND A GIRL YOU LIKE, BECAUSE WHO KNOWS SHE MIGHT BE THE ONE YOU WERE MEANT TO BE WITH AND YOU MIGHT NOT REALIZE IT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE. IT'S NOT WORTH IT. NOT IF YOU REALLY LIKE HER, WHICH I CAN TELL YOU DO.

CHRISTAN
I DO, BUT MAYBE IT'S BETTER THIS WAY.

NURSE CROFTS
I DON'T THINK SO AND NEITHER DO YOU, BECAUSE IF YOU DID YOU WOULDN'T HAVE ASKED ME IF I'VE EVER DONE ANYTHING THAT I'VE REGRETTED.

CHRISTIAN THINKS TO HIMSELF, ABSORBING WHAT SHE JUST TOLD HIM.

CUT TO:

INT. SISTER JENKINS' HOSPITAL ROOM--EARLY EVENING

CHRISTIAN IS READING A BOOK TO MELANNIE. TIMMY LISTENS WITH HER. NURSE CROFTS WALKS INTO THE ROOM WITH NURSE MARTIN TO CHECK ON SISTER JENKINS.

CHRISTAN
THE END.

CHRISTIAN CLOSES THE BOOK.

CHRISTAN
ARE YOU TWO READY TO GO?

MELANNIE
CAN WE STAY HERE CHRISTIAN? PLEASE?

CHRISTAN
THE HOSPITAL WON'T LET YOU STAY.

NURSE CROFTS
(TO CHRISTIAN)
I TELL YOU WHAT. WHY DON'T YOU GO HOME AND GET SOME REST AND I'LL WATCH THEM HERE.

NURSE MARTIN
(IN A WHISPERING VOICE)
WHAT ABOUT NURSE WILLIAMS?

NURSE CROFTS
SHE ALREADY LEFT FOR THE NIGHT AND SHE'S OFF UNTIL THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.

CHRISTAN
I DON'T WANNA GET YOU INTO ANY TROUBLE.

NURSE CROFTS
YOU WON'T.

MELANNIE
CAN WE STAY PLEASE CHRISTIAN?

CHRISTAN
(TO NURSE MARTIN)
ARE YOU SURE IT'LL BE OKAY?

NURSE MARTIN
(PAUSE, THEN)
YEAH IT'S OKAY. YOU'VE BEEN HERE ALL DAY. GO HOME AND GET SOME REST.

MELANNIE
PLEASE.

CHRISTAN
OKAY.

MELANNIE
YEA.

MELANNIE GIVES CHRISTIAN A HUG.

CHRISTIAN REACHES INTO HIS BACK POCKET FOR HIS WALLET.

CHRISTAN
(TO NURSE CROFTS)
LET ME GIVE YOU SOME MONEY FOR FOOD AND....

NURSE CROFTS
DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. WE JUST ORDERED SOME PIZZA AND THERE'S GONNA BE MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR THEM. THAT'S IF THEY LIKE PIZZA OF COURSE.

TIMMY
WE LOVE PIZZA!

CHRISTAN
WHAT ABOUT FOR SNACKS?

NURSE CROFTS
DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, WE HAVE EVERYTHING COVERED.

CHRISTAN
(PAUSE, THEN)
ALL RIGHT.

HE TURNS TO MELANNIE AND TIMMY.

CHRISTAN
I GUESS I'LL SEE YOU TWO TOMORROW MORNING.

CHRISTIAN KNEELS DOWN AND GIVES MELANNIE A HUG.

MELANNIE
GOOD NIGHT.

CHRISTAN
GOOD NIGHT.

AFTER STANDING BACK UP, CHRISTIAN RUFFLES TIMMY'S HAIR.

CHRISTAN
TAKE CARE OF YOUR SISTER.

TIMMY
I WILL.

CHRISTIAN WALKS OVER TO SISTER JENKINS AND KISSES HER ON HER FOREHEAD .

CHRISTAN
I'LL BRING SOME CLOTHES FOR YOU GUYS TOMORROW.

CHRISTIAN WALKS TO THE DOOR. HE SHAKES BOTH NURSE CROFTS AND NURSE MARTIN'S HAND.

CHRISTAN
(TO NURSE CROFTS AND NURSE MARTIN)
THANK YOU.
(TO MELANNIE AND TIMMY)
SEE YOU TWO IN THE MORNING.

MELANNIE
BYE.

TIMMY
SEE YA' CHRISTIAN.

NURSE CROFTS AND NURSE MARTIN TELL HIM GOODBYE. HE LEAVES THE ROOM.

CUT TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE ICE SKATING RINK -- LATER

AIR IS SITTING OUTSIDE BY HERSELF ON A WOODEN BENCH. A BLUE BMW PULLS UP BEHIND HER.

ANGLE ON: BMW. JAKE GETS OUT OF THE CAR AND WALKS UP TO AIR.

HE SEES THE SAD LOOK ON HER FACE.

JAKE
DON'T WORRY, I'M NOT HERE TO GIVE YOU A HARD TIME.

POINTING TO THE BENCH.

JAKE
CAN I SIT DOWN?

AIR
IF YOU WANT.

JAKE SITS DOWN NEXT TO HER.

AIR
ARE YOU FEELING BETTER?

JAKE
BETTER THAN THIS MORNING.

AIR
HOW DID YOU GET OUT OF THE HOUSE?

JAKE
I SNUCK OUT. EVERYONE WENT OUT TO EAT.

AIR
STILL SAME OLD....

JAKE
AIR, I'M SORRY FOR COMING IN BETWEEN YOU AND CHRISTIAN.

HEARING THE WORDS I'M SORRY GETS HER ATTENTION.

JAKE
IT WAS JUST HARD FOR ME TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT YOU LIKED SOMEBODY ELSE BESIDES ME.

HE LOOKS INTO HER EYES.

JAKE
I DIDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH YOU REALLY LIKED HIM UNTIL LAST NIGHT.

HE ADMIRES HER BEAUTIFUL FACE.

JAKE
TRUTH IS, YOU ARE A VERY, VERY GORGEOUS GIRL.

HE SHAKES HIS HEAD.

JAKE
A GORGEOUS YOUNG LADY AND YOU DESERVE TO BE HAPPY,EVEN IF IT'S NOT WITH ME.

HE STARTS TO CRY.

JAKE
AND I'M SO SORRY FOR WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT. YOU'RE THE LAST PERSON IN THE WORLD I WOULD EVER WANNA HURT.

SHE TAKES HIM INTO HER ARMS.

AIR
IT'S OKAY.

HE CONTINUES TO CRY, AS SHE COMFORTS HIM. MOMENTS LATER HE LOOKS INTO HER EYES. HE TAKES A DEEP BREATH.

JAKE
I GOTTA GO.

AIR
OKAY.

HE SLOWLY GETS UP AND WALKS TOWARDS THE BMW.

AIR
JAKE.

HE STOPS AND TURNS AROUND.

AIR
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

HE SMILES.

JAKE
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

HE TURNS AND CONTINUES WALKING.

CUT TO:

INT. CHRISTIAN'S HOUSE -- LATER

CHRISTIAN IS SITTING IN FRONT OF THE BURNING FIRE PLACE WRAPPING PRESENTS. THE DOORBELL RINGS.

INT. FRONT ENTRANCEWAY -- CONTINUOUS

CHRISTIAN ANSWERS THE DOOR.

CHRISTAN
(SURPRISED)
JAKE.

JAKE
HOW'S IT GOIN'?

CHRISTAN
PRETTY GOOD. WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME IN?

JAKE
I WOULD, BUT THIS WON'T TAKE LONG. FIRST I WANNA SAY I'M SORRY FOR WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT AND FOR ALL THE TIMES I'VE GIVIN' YOU A HARD TIME.

CHRISTAN
YOU DON'T HAVE TO....

JAKE
YES I DO. YOU DID SOMETHING GOOD FOR ME DESPITE THE WAY I'VE TREATED YOU IN THE PAST. AND I THINK THAT YOU ARE TRULY AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE ALL SHOULD BE. AND I ALSO THINK IF ANYONE SHOULD BE WITH AIR.
(PAUSE, THEN)

 

 

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Copyright © 2001 Tony Green
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