Skating Off For Heaven (2) Well no- ANNA Then there's no reason not to. (she takes his hands in hers, and folds her hands over his.) Jesus...(words trailing off) (Anna is skating along a row of houses in Aidan's neighborhood. She turns a corner and catches him skateboarding.) AIDAN (coming towards her)Hey Anna. What's up? ANNA (shrugging)Not much. (Aidan pulls some tricks.)You've got some mad skills there. AIDAN Try them. (Anna steps back onto her board and tries them same tricks, but with a cleaner edge. Aidan's face shows his surprise.) ANNA No, I don't just hang out at church. AIDAN (gesturing behind him)You wanna go to the park? There's not much going on over here. ANNA Yeah, it's lame. Let's go. (At park, bright sunshine, Aidan and Anna are sitting on two swings) ANNA So what's the deal with your parents? Why didn't they move here, too? AIDAN (with an edge of bitterness) They would be strewing trails of baggage behing them if they had come. It was easier for them to just dump me. ANNA Will you go back home? AIDAN (feigning hurt)You want me out of here that bad already? Just one month? I would have given it atleast two. (pauses) (seriously) Maybe, but just to visit for awhile. As long as my aunt wants me, I'm staying here. It's not worth living with them if they only want to turn me into someone I'm not and if I'm criticized and knocked down by all the friends I once had. ANNA I wish I could break from home as fast as you did. Not away from you or Josh, but away from my Mom. I hate her screaming. It makes me sick. AIDAN I know her words are really harsh, but you shouldn't worry. They can't touch you at all. Your faith strengthens you so much that they just flick right off your skin. Your beliefs allow you to keep standing where you are, while huge tornados of temptation try to suck you in, wanting you to be that ugly person they all wish for you to be. ANNA (mulling it over)So I'm like a non-comformist, right? AIDAN (smiling)You're the non-comformist of all non-comformists, Anna. AIDAN I've been meaning to ask you something else. Most people, when they see someone new, don't start talking to them and instantly become great friends. I mean, if you hadn't, I'd be lying on my bed talking to myself or staring at the wall or something. So why did you? ANNA (spinning in her swing) Two-years ago, when I was a freshie, I knew absolutely no one.My parents had gotten a divorce and my Mom brought me here, where she grew up, and left my Dad back in New York. I was a scared, shaking little thing, armed with only my skateboard when I walked into those halls my first day. Josh just started talking to me. I'd be a very different person if he hadn't. (looking at Aidan) You're a cool guy, Aidan. You don't stray from what you believe in. (pausing, stretching arms out) I need to relax. Let's go skate, I'll call Josh. (Downtown, Aidan and Josh are skating off rails and steps. Anna is watching nearby.) JOSH (calling out to her)Anna, come on! You can skate these. They're easy. AIDAN (looking over) You have to represent. See any other girls here, atleast ones who can do more than an ollie? ANNA (shaking her head, amused, resignedly standing and skating over to them) Allright, but you know I suck, so you both have to shut up when I fall. JOSH If you fall. Slide the rail. Go. (Anna, shaking her head, pushes off, jumps up to the rail, and slides it perfectly. She has a huge smile over her lips. Aidan and Josh skate over, clapping and high-fiving here.) (The three skate around for awhile, each pushing themselves higher and forcing each other to pull bigger tricks.) (The three walk into a skateboarding store. Big posters of pro skaters line every inch of wall space.) JOSH (pointing at picture of Tony Hawk) There's Anna's man. The Hawk. She can spin a 900 like him too, I hear. ANNA (incredulously)From where? I'll be in a wheelchair playing bridge with you two before I can pull the 900. AIDAN (to Anna) Well, can you spin? ANNA Yeah, but- JOSH Anna can spin better than I can. It's her best trick. AIDAN Then just practice more, and get some more air. I've tried it, but I'm a long way from pulling it. But one day- JOSH I dream of that day. Could you imagine that? Spinning 900s? That would be so sweet. That's my idea of heaven. AIDAN Mmmm. All the angels sliding killer rails. ANNA (laughing) I could spin 360s with God. JOSH (also laughing) Me and Jesus would rule the halfpipe. AIDAN If you'd believe, then you'd be going up there with us. JOSH Oh, save it, Aiden AIDAN (going on anyway) It's not good if people think you skate only for the drugs. Haven't you read any of the pro interviews? They all say glorifying all that crap is for losers who aren't really in it for the skating. The straight-edgers are the hardcore ones. JOSH (wearily, giving up on arguement) Yeah, I know, I know. (courtyard of school, picnic tables clustered around, students eating, talking, laughing. Anna is walking across lawn, spots Aidan eating alone.) ANNA (finally sitting) Hey Aidan, what's up? AIDAN (smiling)Hey. I thought I'd have to eat alone today. I was beginning to feel a little rejected. ANNA (joking)Is that all I'm good for, to look like you have a friend? OH! (excitedly) I didn't mention it yesterday, but before we went to the park, I was over Josh's, and he and I prayed. AIDAN (surprised)Could this be a turning point? ANNA I don't know, but I hope so. AIDAN (looking around) So where is he now? ANNA (pointing towards the largest group of students eating) He's sitting with his other friends today. He said he'd see us later. AIDAN (looking at the clique)Does that ever bother you? ANNA (turning back to Aidan) No, because even if he spends his time with them, I know I'm still his best friend. I wish he would open up his eyes and see how empty they all are. I'd love to know why they won't believe. AIDAN It's simple: they have this stereotype in their mind that we sit in church every waking moment and we wear 80 crosses around our necks, and we never laugh and we condemn everything we see. Faith is just an afterthought to them. If they'd allow themselves to be open they would all be saved. Right now, they're all following each other in a neat little line straight to Hell. ANNA (nods her agreement) AIDAN (going on) And the one thing they desire most is love, and they all think they've found it, though none of them has even an ounce of it. If they would just believe, they'll have complete, unwavering love, more than they would ever experience here on earth. He'll never cast anyone away because he found someone better, either. I know every one of them is far too good to follow each other straight to the flames. (Josh is again lying on his bed, watching tv, when his phone rings. He picks it up.) ANNA (on phone, excitedly, very matter-of-factly)Joshie, let's go somewhere. JOSH (mocking)Annie, where? ANNA (laughing)I don't know, I'm bored. And hungry. Let's get food. JOSH O.K. How about 472? ANNA Sounds good. I'll meet you there in 5. (Both hang up phone) (Camera cuts way to a small, red brick restaurant with it's name, 472, on the front. People enjoying their lunch sit at outdoor tables as over-hanging trees and vines shade the tables from the bright sun.) (Josh walks around the corner and spots Anna sitting at a small, white table, reading off her lengthy order to a waiter.) ANNA (to the waiter)First, I'll start off with a fruit salad, heavy on the watermelon, please, I love it. I'll take a triple cheeseburger, with a side of fries. And for dessert-(sees Josh)Josh!Hey!I was just ordering. (to waiter)I'll have a slice of cherry cheesecake for dessert. That's all, thank you. Oh, and an iced tea, too, of course. Thanks. WAITER (to Josh)And what would you like today, sir? JOSH Just a cheesebruger and a Coke, thanks. (The waiter nods, and strolls off to another table.) JOSH (joking)Does someone have the munchies today? ANNA (giving him a look)I don't smoke pot.(reverting back to her bright mood)Today is a cause for celebration. It's an anniversary of sorts, actually. JOSH (having no clue what she means, continuing on in a flat, slightly mocking way)Is it? For what, or dare I even ask? ANNA (lowering her voice, leaning in closer)For the incident. JOSH (near whispering, leaning in towards her)Ah, the incident. The incident. Which incident are we whispering over? ANNA (normal voice)It's been a week since my Mother has yelled. Remember? I threw the cup? That incident. JOSH (as realization hits him)Oh!That incident! Well, you could've killed her. I hear mugs are quite hard these days. ANNA I know, thank God I didn't. I wasn't thinking when I threw it. Killing someone goes against all I stand for. JOSH (sarcastically)I would hope. Killing someone goes against what most people stand for. (The waiter returns, bringing Anna's fruit salad, piled a foot high with a mound of watermelon.) ANNA (to the waiter)Thank you. (waiter leaves, to Josh)I tell you, they don't skimp on watermelon. So, it's been a week. It hasn't been a week since she left my Dad. We should celebrate. JOSH Naturally. ANNA (growing annoyed)Stop being so sarcastic. Anyway, I was thinking- JOSH (flatly)Oh, no. ANNA Shut up. I was thinking I would try to talk to my Mom, and I was hoping you would help me, because I'd be less nervous with you there. JOSH Well, allright, I guess. She might eat me alive, though. She's always hated me. ANNA She doesn't hate you. She hates that I hang out with you and I'm happy. Anyway, I like you, and that's all that matters. (She turns to her salad, ending the conversation.) (Last bell rings, students file out, Anna meets Aiden at their lockers. Josh drops by a minute later.) JOSH (getting Anna's attention, but not looking her in the eye)Anna, sorry, but I can't come over tonight. My Dad's making me study for this huge chem test. You know chem. Frightening. I'm really sorry. ANNA (dissapointed)Oh, that sucks. I hate studying. I'll just sneak past my Mom, and maybe you can come over tomorrow night when I try to talk to her? It'll be easier if you're there. (Another guy comes over to Josh) JOSH'S FRIEND Josh, I have some killer joints for us to smoke tonight, and you should see the girls I invited. It'll be a mad party. See you there. (Anna, shocked, almost out of breath, slowly turns toward Josh) JOSH Anna, wait- that's not- ANNA (forcing herself to smile)Josh, don't worry. I'll be fine. Go with your friends. (She slams her locker and begins to walk away.Josh grabs her wrist.) ANNA (angrily) Don't touch me. (He lets her go and watches her walk away.) JOSH (to Aidan)Can you talk to her or something? AIDAN (shutting his locker)I'm not the one who hurts her constantly. Sorry. (Same day, sky beginning to darken. Anna is outside washing the car. Josh pulls up infront of her house and stops his car.) JOSH (running up to her before she can run inside her house)Look-I really have to talk to you. ANNA (spraying the car)Not now, Josh. I'm really busy. If I don't wash this car I'll neve be allowed outside the house again. JOSH (taking the hose)Then let me wash it. ANNA (grabbing it back)No, I want to do it. Don't you have some girls to meet anyway? Where are your friends? Shouldn't you be at your party now, growing even more empty with them. JOSH (irritated)I knew you would say that,.and don't start the girl thing. You were the one who said no to me. ANNA -Because right now we're too messed up and it would overly complicate things. Our lives would end up in emotion wreckage. JOSH Keep telling yourself that. Why can't you just let up for a single second? ANNA (stubbornly)I will, if you'd believe. What about all you said the other day, how you always listened to me? JOSH I was trying to make you feel better. ANNA (harshly)I wish you had never said it at all. JOSH (raising his voice) You say I act like I'm better than everyone, well what are you doing right now? Look at yourself. ANNA (yelling, pleading)Why can't you believe or have faith at all? If I could pick anyone I wanted to be instantly saved, it would be you. But it doesn't work that way. JOSH (rubbing his hands through his hair)Anna, I'm 17. Really, none of this matters right now. Just chill. ANNA (looking him in the eye, taking a step closer)Then I don't matter either. Just leave, Josh. You're exactly like everyone else now. You always were afraid of not being with the crowd. So now you'd sacrifice your best friend and all you were beginning to believe for that crap? For happiness that will be lost in an instant? If that's what you crave, then goodbye. I loved knowing the you I knew, but I hate the person standing infront of me. (Anna runs into the house, leaving Josh standing where he was, stunned. She collapses to her knees, crying onto the kitchen floor. Her Mother walks in, and sees her.) ANNA'S MOTHER (looks out window, sees Josh outside, sizes up situation)See, Anna? I knew Josh was bad. But you never once took my advice and I told you countless times. But now you're a crying mess, as you always are and always will be. You're just a withering little thing holding onto the wrong person. ANNA (looks up quickly, furiously yells)Josh is a thousand times more of a person than you will ever be. You're bitter, and you want someone to feel worse than you do, but it will never be me. I would hate every inch of myself if I was ever like you. ANNA'S MOTHER (soothing voice)Oh, Anna, that's the anger talking. Remember, I told you, Josh is mean and always will tell you mean things just to make himself feel better. He's jealous of you, that's all. But I love you. ANNA (confidently standing up, looking her Mother dead in the eye)No, Mom, that's you, and don't ever lie. (Meanwhile, Josh is pounding on Aidan's front door. Aidan opens it and immediately notices what a disarray Josh is in.) AIDAN (stepping out of house)What happened to you?You don't look too good. JOSH (quickly, words pouring out)I am so stupid, I was so horrible to Anna. I didn't mean a word of what I said, it was me acting as if I was better than her, when in reality I'm not even close to it. I don't know what to do now. (desperately, running his hands across his face)And her Mom probably heard us, and is yelling at Anna now, and it's my fault. I've lost Anna now, I've lost everything. You and Anna were the only real friends I had, and look how I've treated you both. The rest are so worthless. I want to believe in all she's ever told me so much, but I could never tell her that, I don't know why. AIDAN (calmly)Josh, she already knows you want to believe. Otherwise, she would have given up on you a long time ago. JOSH But this time I abandoned her for my other friends. I have never let her down like this before. AIDAN You know what you have to do. Go crawl back, and say everything you just said to me. (Josh nods, frantically races to his car, waves at Aidan, and pulls out. Aidan shakes his head in exasperation and walks back into his house, and up to his room. He sits on the floor, next to his two candles, still lit, and begins praying.) (Screen splits into two, showing Josh on the right, dialing his cell phone. As he puts it up to his ear, the screen splits in the middle again, to Anna ripping out her phone cord. Josh hangs up his cell phone, and blares his horn at a car driving very slowly infront of him. Meanwhile, Aidan opens up his Bible and begins reading. Anna then goes into the bathroom, opens the medicine cabinet, and pulls out a bottle of pills. Her face shows complete determination. Josh suddenly grows very anxious and tense, and goosebumps begin to line Aidan's arms. Anna calmly retrieves a candle, a match, a picture of her and Josh together, and the usual painted picture of Jesus. She sits back onto the cool bathroom floor, and lightly kisses both pictures, wrapping them tightly into her hand. She takes the match, and lights the candle, just as a breeze blows one of Aidan's candles out. Josh finally reaches Anna's house, and runs inside, as Anna shoves a handfull of pills into her mouth. The middle screen dissapears, leaving only Aidan's and Josh's. Josh runs smack into Anna's Mother. She tries to push him away, but he pushes past her and flies upstairs. He glimpses Anna lying on the bathroom floor, her Mother an inch behind him. He stops dead as he sees only the whites of her eyes, and shouts at her now-shrieking and genuinely scared Mother to call an ambulance. She hurries back downstairs.) JOSH (running over to Anna)Anna! Anna!Please don't-.... (He taps her hand, and realizes what she is grasping. The ambulence crew pours into the house, and opens a stretcher for Anna. Josh sees nothing but a sickening blur. Aidan, in the left screen, is praying furoisly, as tears run down his cheeks. The screen then cuts away to only one, showing Josh. He begins walking along with the stretcher as they carry her out, but the crew waves him back, signaling that there is no more room. Josh is left alone as everyone else files out. He walks into the bathroom, barely able to stand on his own two feet. He falls into a crumble over the toilet, dry heaving. His face eerily pale, he sinks over to where she had sat, next to the still burning candle, with the pictures she had clutched in her hands lying absently on the floor. His shoulders quiver and he begins to cry uncontrollably. He closes his palm over both pictures, as if holding onto them for dear life, just as she had. (late night, hospital, intensive care unit. Josh walks over to the door, nearly gasping for breath. Her Mother walks out, spots Josh, and spontaneously hugs him.) ANNA'S MOTHER (crying)I'm sorry I caused all of this Josh. You were one of the only rocks she had left. JOSH (hugging her back)We both caused it. We lashed out at her for what was troubling us. ANNA'S MOTHER (releasing him)Go in and see her. The doctors said they're not sure how she is. They say she's close to stable, but not quite there yet. (Josh faces the closed door, and slowly turns the knob, his breathing growing heavier and heavier. He opens the door. He stops, stunned, and overwhelmed when he sees her. She is sleeping, her face pure white. He touches her fingers lightly, runs his hand over her snowy cheeks. He looks as if he is being torn in two. He holds both of her hands in his, and closes his hands over hers. He looks across the room, to a small table, a crucifix standing upright on it. His weary eyes take notice of it, as if it's the only object he can see. He suddenly looks much more courageous and stronger. JOSH (praying aloud, near-pleading)I'm new at this, so I'm really not sure of the right thing to say. But I have finally come to realize that I need you more than anything.I don't know why all of this happened, but you must have some reason, some path for us all. I have faith that you will make our lives light again, and I know you are right here, standing beside Anna and I this very moment, and you will never stray from our sides. But please, Anna can't die. I abused her again and again with my words, and I forced her to do this without even realizing it. I have felt so weak, but right now, in this moement, I feel stronger than I have ever before. I need Anna. I don't know what plan you have in store for us, but I have faith in you. (Josh lays his head on her, and closes his eyes tightly.) (Camera then cuts to Aidan in the small hospital chapel. Music is playing lightly in the background. Bunches of votive candles flickering in small red jars line every inch of shelf space. Josh walks in, looking parched. Aidan, not surprised to see him, hands him a book of matches.) JOSH (Silently lights match after match. All, save for one, burn out as soon as they hit the air. He speaks slowly, seriously, sounding like a very different person)Anna would say, right now, that these matches are like people. The ones that burn but soon flicker out are like those who claim to believe, but their faith eventually weakens and dies. (strikes last match, it lights)But, then there are those whose faith is strong, whether in the worst of times or the strongest of temptations. They are the ones who honestly believe. (He lights the candle, and the camera breaks to Anna, who is miracously beginning to open her eyes.) (Bright sun outside, Josh standing on Anna's porch, rings doorbell.) ANNA'S MOTHER (opening door, genuinely nice)Hi Josh. How are you? Anna and I just finished dinner. She's upstairs. (Josh mounts the stairs tentatively, looking a bit nervous.) (He walks into her room, sees her lying down on her bed. She smiles, and a weight looks as if it's been lifted from his shoulders. ANNA (sitting up)Hey Josh. How are you? Are you okay? JOSH (coming over to her, also sitting, looking concerned)Shouldn't I be asking you that? I was so worried, Anna. I'm so sorry I said all that to you. I was stupid and selfish- ANNA You're rambling. (calm) I never admitted it to you, but I hated how you made all those new friends, and I thought you would rather hang out with them over me, (voice straining)and I hope you accept my apology, because I messed our lives up a bit these last- JOSH (cutting her off, smiling)You're rambling. ANNA (protesting)No, seriously- JOSH You are the best, Anna. ANNA Shut up. I popped pills for you. No, really, I would have fallen even harder if it wasn't for you. (growing a bit self-conscience, looking around)-I mean, right now, I think- JOSH (finishing)We're too messed up and it would overly complicate things, and our lives would end up in emotional wreckage. Right? ANNA (showing relief)Well- JOSH I know what you mean. We're never going to drift, Anna I won't let it happen. I'm not going to drop you for some other girl, and when we're 75 and half-dead, I know the person sitting in the old rocking chair next to me will be you. (joking)Or maybe we'll still be skating, as long as our knees hold out. ANNA (smiling)Don't people live to like, 90, even longer, these days? 73 plus together. Will you be able to stand me? JOSH (laughing)I think I'll manage, as long as you can take me. (reaching behind him) Oh, this is your coat, from when you picked me up that night. I wasn't ruffling through your pockets, but this poem slipped out and (looking up at her) -well thanks, Anna. It meant a lot. ANNA It was all the truth, you know, and I, of course, will always be here, but I was hoping you would begin to believe in something else...(drifting off speculatively) JOSH (pulling the Jesus picture from his pocket, looks at it) Well, yes, I have...little by little, for now, though. You've helped a lot. (handing the picture to her) ANNA (pushing it back into his hand)Keep it. I survived a lot by having faith, and so will you. (both turn their heads as they hear footsteps up the steps. They look towards the door just as Aidan enters the room.) AIDAN (walking in, holding three candles)Hey Josh. Hi Anna, how are you? ANNA Still a little sick, and I can't eat much, but all's mostly good. JOSH What are the candles for? AIDAN (setting them on the floor) You don't actually need a candle to pray, it just symbolizes our burning prayers, but, anyway, let's pray, not only for ourselves, but for the strengthening of each other's faith. ANNA (smiling)There's only one thing left to do now... JOSH Grab our boards... AIDAN, ANNA, JOSH (in unison)And skate off for heaven. (Camera cuts to the three skateboarding in the middle of a quiet street, the sun dramatically setting infront of them. Anna skates in the middle, holding hands with Josh on her right. As they gain distance and become smaller, the camera pans to the sky, where animated angels in pristine white gowns are sliding killer rails, where God, an old man with a long beard, is spinning 360s, and where Jesus, a slightly younger man, is ruling the halfpipe.) ~the end~
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