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By Savannah Haze Date: 2001 Jun 10 Comment on this Work [[2001.06.10.20.18.32723]] |
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(Natalie Merchant's "Wonder" plays. Scenes of city life fill the screen. The last is the front of a small store. The camera follows a customer through the door where the scene begins. As the customer enters the store, the music becomes soft as if played on a speaker within the shop. (The time is the present; the place, large city whose name is irrelevant at this point. A woman, possibly in her late twenties, is chatting with customers. She is not beautiful but a rather attractive girl. She is dressed in jeans, a t-shirt and leather sandals. She smiles often and has a warm, contagious laugh. Her name is Allie.) ALLIE'S VOICEOVER: "This is the story that will never be. But please don't be quick to label it as a work of fiction for it lives in my mind and in my heart just as vividly as the most important happenings of my life. It is as real as my confirmation, my high school prom, the night I lost my virginity, my wedding, my miscarriage, and the day I realized I would probably break my wedding vows. Perhaps this is more real because there are parts of those that I have forgotten. In my world, my inner world, I am God; I know all and forget nothing. Parts of my story are truth, or at least based on truth. Others on what I WISH were true." (Music fades. THe sounds of the street can be faintly heard. Most of the customers have now left. ALlie takes a seat at a small table toward the back of the store beside another woman. She slips her feet from her shoes and pulls one leg up under her. The woman beside her appears to be in her mid-30's. She is visibly pregnant. Her name is Shannon. They are very comfortable with each other. ALLIE (opening up a bag of chips; they both snack through this dialogue): "So how is Joey taking the news?" SHANNON "Oh, God, he's still in complete denial. He says there's no way HIS first born can be a girl. Supposedly his genetic makeup won't allow it. I'm waiting for him to demand a blood test." ALLIE "Well, he must have really shit a brick when the doctor told you it was twins." SHANNON "Not really. He just stood there. Then he excused himself and went to the truck and cried." ALLIE "Poor Joey, his ego will never been the same." SHANNON "Poor Joey my ass. My hips will never be the same." (Both women laugh. Allie reaches into a backpack hanging on the back of the seat and pulls out a pack of Camel lights. Shannon glances at her but says nothing. Allie quickly picks up on Shannon's discomfort.) ALLIE "Don't worry, sweets. I'm going outside. I'm not going to start corrupting them yet." (She rubs Shannon's stomach playfully as she says this.) SHANNON "At least wait 'til they're five before you teach them to roll their own." (Allie laughs and searches her pocket for a lighter until she finds one. She pops the cigarette in her mouth and begins to pull on her jacket.) ALLIE "Just watch the phone for me." SHANNON "Only if you smoke one for me. I didn't realize how tough this quitting business would be. Oh, and don't be too long. Joey coming by to pick me up. We still have to break the big news to his folks." ALLIE "Good luck. I'll be back in a few." (Allie opens the door, lowering her head to shield the flame of the lighter from the wind as she lights her cigarette. This causes her to not notice the man who is entering the store. He doesn't notice her either. He is of medium build. He is not handsome in the traditional sense but is quite attractive in an alternative/ Seattle kind of way. He removes a pair of lightly tinted sunglasses and runs his hand through his chin length hair. His features are soft; full lips, a round nose and green eyes framed by pale lashes. He has a thin beard and several earrings. He looks around the store, his eyes adjusting to the dim lighting.) SHANNON "Need some help, Hon?" Man: "Um, no thanks. Just looking around." SHANNON "Just yell if you need anything." (He acknowledges this with a slight smile and a nod. He walks over to a stack of comic books and begins to flip through the titles. As he does this, a commotion is heard outside, followed by a string of profanities. ("You son of a whore. Watch where the hell you're going" "You shouldn't have been standing there you stupid bitch" "Bitch? How 'bout bringing your skinny ass back over here and I'll SHOW you bitch.") (There is a pause as more unintelligible yelling is heard. Both Shannon and the man turn to face the door as the chime rings to announce the entrance of Allie who is scowling. The front of her shirt is wet and she is cursing under her breath as she stomps to the table and picks up a roll of paper towels.) SHANNON (watching her as she stalks toward the table) "What the hell?" ALLIE "Some savage just mowed me down and spilled his soda all over me. Then he got pissed because he doesn't have anything to drink with his lunch. SHANNON (attempting to get a rise out of her) "Well, did you offer to buy him a new one?" ALLIE (shoots her a look) "No, I'd gladly take a piss in his cup if he wants, though." (She continues to mumble under her breath as Shannon laughs and shakes her head, handing her more towels. Allie continues to mumble under her breath This fades to the background now for the focus is on the man who entered the store earlier. He has overheard this conversation and has moved closer to the two women. Shannon notices him standing across the aisle behind Allie.) SHANNON (quietly) "Al, I think he may need something. ALLIE (turning) "Can I help. . ." (WE HAVE CONTACT) (Music begins, but not too cheesy!) (Anger gives way to confusion as her eyes meet those of the man in front of her. Confusion quickly gives way to some sense of recognition.) (Shannon does not understand and reaches toward Allie, saying her name as she does. Allie shakes her hand off.) (Allie is completely focused on the man in front of her. He takes a step closer, reaching out to touch her. He draws his hand back as if he's not quite sure that what he's looking at is real. They continue to stare at each other. We see flashes of Allie and this man laughing, him playfully chasing her, her asleep in his arms. Her tear stained face as he walks away. These flashes are quick and slightly hazy; her memories. She breaks the silence and the music fades.) ALLIE "Don't I know. . ." (He smiles and it registers. She reaches for the chair beside her, her breath catching in her throat.) ALLIE "Oh my God. Michael. (pause, as he stands there continuing to stare at her.) Michael, it's me. MICHAEL (tears appear in the corners of his eyes) I... I know. (Allie looks him over as if she's not sure he's there. She reaches out, brushes his arm and pulls her hand back. Her hand immediately goes to her mouth. His face begins to fall as if this is a bad idea.) MICHAEL "Al..." (The stillness is broken by Allie's rushing toward him. Her arms wrap around his neck and she begins to sob, laugh, bombard him with questions, jump up and down, kiss his face, etc. He attempts to calm her a little but not too much. He stands with his arms around her; tears stream down his cheeks and rest on his lips which are pulled back in a smile.) (Fade to black and then fade Allie's voice slowly) (More to come unless there are objections.) |