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By Savannah Haze Date: 2001 Jun 12 Comment on this Work [[2001.06.12.22.44.12272]] |
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SCENE THREE (It is now dark and the two are walking down a sidewalk in front of apartment buildings. They aren't holding hands but ever so often one reaches out to the other to brush an arm, face, hand.) Voice over of ALLIE Michael and I were lovers when we were in college. Not just lovers in a physical sense, though we were that. As cliché as it may sound, we connected on this higher-level. We started out as friends but later fell in love and fell in love the only way we knew how: head first and eyes closed. He was like no one I'd ever met. However, we met at what was probably the lowest point in my life. Michael had no idea the amount of emotional baggage I came with. But even when he found out, he loved me anyway. In the process of falling in love, I had put all of my problems, all my skeletons in the far reaches of my closet. But after a while, they slowly crept back into my life. He wanted me to let him in to help me and I wouldn't. I isolated myself from him. Slowly, I drove him away until one day he told me he couldn't be with me anymore. I stood and watched him leave." (Music ends as the frame freezes with a picture of Michael and Allie laughing) (Jump to past; Michael is upset, Allie is despondent) MICHAEL (angrily)"Why can't you say it anymore?" ALLIE "I, I don't know Michael. I just can't. It's not that I don't, I just can't say it." MICHAEL "Christ, Allie, it's not that hard. We've said it for three years now. Every day. At this point I don't even care if you don't mean it. I NEED to hear it, I need to believe that..." ALLIE "That what Michael?" MICHAEL "That you still love me." ALLIE "But I do!" MICHAEL "Then say it, just say it. Say what's come so easy to you for so long. They're just words, Allie." (A look of utter disbelief comes across Allie's face. He realizes how she has taken what he has said.) MICHAEL (pleading) "Oh, baby, don't take it like that..." ALLIE "How else should I take them? They're not just words, Michael. Words are dog or chair or fuck or shoes. I can't just say them because I want to or even if I mean them. There's something missing, not with us, but inside me. (He turns away) I'm sorry. (He begins to walk away from her) Michael, where are you going?" MICHAEL "I don't know. (He turns to her) Maybe if I'm missing you can figure all this out. Maybe we can BOTH figure something out. I can't live like this anymore." ALLIE "Baby, don't talk like that. Don't act like you're going to leave me." (Michael drops his head. When he lifts his eyes, there are tears in them.) MICHAEL "I'm not pretending, Allie. (He walks toward her and takes her face in his hands) I love you. I would die for you. But I'd rather live for you. I want to take all your hurt and make it my own. I want to hold you at night when you cry and when wake up screaming from your dreams. But you won't even let me close enough to wipe away your tears. This isn't goodbye. I still want only you. But I'm not what you need right now." (Michael kisses both of her closed, teary eyes. His lips linger over her forehead. He slowly turns away and walks toward the door.) ALLIE (reaching out suddenly) "Michael..." (Michael turns, a look of hope on his face. He takes a step.) ALLIE "Will I see you again?" MICHAEL "I'll never be completely out of your life. I'll come by tomorrow and get some of my things. I love you. (Michael opens the door and walks out. Allie stands there. She doesn't break down; she doesn't fall to the floor. She just stands there staring at the door Michael just walked out. After a moment, she walks over and runs her fingers down the wood. Her hand stops at the knob and for a moment she considers opening it. She pulls her hand back and faces the camera, leaning slightly against the door. She hugs herself and begins to sing a little song. Suddenly she slumps.) ALLIE (barely audible) "Come back. Please. I'll get help, baby. (louder)I'll get help. I love you. (louder) I'm sorry. I love you. (screaming) Michael! Michael! Oh, God, make me right, make me right..." (Allie continues rocking and sobbing against the door.) Voiceover of ALLIE "Michael came back the next day while I was in class. He gathered his few personal belongings, fed the cat and left one note. It said 'Someday. I'm never too far. M.' I didn't see him again for three years." |