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by Alexia Kay (Fallingtowardthestars@yahoo.com)

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Drama User Review:

How do you know when someone is really honest? This screenplay follows 5 couples, all of whom are lying to themselves and each other. Will their secrets tear them apart or help them grow closer? **This is the first full draft of my screenplay. A lot of it is based on real experiences and people. I know its long but I would love any comments or critiques anyone can give me. Thank you**

INT. CAB - DAY

Alexandra and Derek bothe slide into the back of a taxi cab
from oppostie doors. They are both in their late twenties
and dressed in professional attire. Alexandra is on a cell
phone.

DEREK
(To cab driver)
422 East 34 Street.

CAB DRIVER
Sure thing.

ALEXANDRA
(into phone)
No, no I really can't talk about
this right now..... No, Angela I
will check the reports the mintute
I get in but I'm sure their
fine......Okay I will see you
soon.Goodbye.

Alexandra hangs up the phone.

ALEXANDRA
Derek don't forget that we
promised my mother we would meet
her at the Courtyard at 7.

DEREK
How could I forget Alex, she left
six messages in the past three
days.

ALEXANDRA
She's just concerned.

DEREK
I know.

ALEXANDRA
We are all stressed right now we
are supposed to have the final
seating arrangemnets done by now
and we haven't finishd picking the
flowers or the music.

DEREK
I thought we decided to let
Andrew's band play?

ALEXANDRA
You decided.

DEREK
He is my cousin Alex.

ALEXANDRA
I know but I would just
feel....safer going with a
proffesional dj instead of..

DEREK
Instead of my family.

ALEXANDRA
Derek you are getting mad over
nothing..I...

Alexandra is interrupted by Derek's cell phone ringing. He
picks it up.

DEREK
Hello?.....Hi Jim....yeah I've got
time..

You two are getting married?

ALEXANDRA
Yeah in six weeks.

CAB DRIVER
Weddings are a beautiful time.
Crazy too though me and my wife
fought like cats and dogs the
weeks before the big day.

ALEXANDRA
We hardly ever fight, things are
just really hectic right now.

Alexandra takes Derek's hand. He smiles at her and returns
to his conversation.

How long have you been together?

ALEXANDRA
8 years, we met our freshman year
in college.

That's a long time.

ALEXANDRA
Not for us, it's been easy.

DEREK
(into phone.)
Alright talk to you then.

Derek hangs up the phone.

DEREK
Jim invited us to his gallery
opening it's in two Saturday's.

ALEXANDRA
He's opening the gallery already?

Alexandra's phone rings, she answers.

ALEXANDRA
Hello?.....Hi mom...

CAB DRIVER
Your fiance was telling me about
your wedding, congratulations.

DEREK
Thank you. Are you married?

27 years.

DEREK
Wow it's great isn't it? Alex is
my best friend,pretty much the
only best friend I've ever had,
except for a few other college
buddies. Now I get to marry her.
Is that what it's like with you?
Are you and your wife best
friends?

CAB DRIVER
No. I never really considerd her
my best friend, not before we were
married anyway. We used to fight
all the time, scream at each like
you've never heard. One day she
got so mad at me for lying to her
about something that she screamed
at me in the middle of the street
and through her shoe at me. That's
when I knew I wanted to marry her.

DEREK
Even though you fought all the
time?

CAB DRIVER
Because we fought all the time. I
knew when she screamed and threw
things that she was just being
passionate. I knew that if she had
enough passion to scream at me in
the middle of the street, even
though she made a fool of herself,
then she must have really loved
me. You can't have rel love
without passion and if you can't
scream at someone , and fight with
them, and for them, then the
passion isn't there. The love
isn't there. I'm sure you know
what I'm talking about, you two
seem to love each other very much.

DEREK
We do.

Derek's pone rngs, he answers it.

CUT TO:

INT. SHANA'S APARTMENT - DAY

Shana is standing in the kitcen of her small college
apartment. The apartment is cluttered with boxes as she is
unpacking. The doorbell rings and she walks over and opens
the door. Colin is standing outside she throws her arms
around him.

SHANA
Colin!!

COLIN
How are you?

SHANA
I'm good, I just got here. I'm
trying to put my stuff away but
everything is such a mess right
now.

Colin follows Shana farther into the apartment.

COLIN
When does Becca move in?

SHANA
Not until tomorrow, I can't wait I
miss her so much.

COLIN
I like the apartment.

SHANA
I know it's really nice, so much
better than the dorms. Except I'll
miss having you only a few stairs
away.

COLIN
Now whose going to cook for me in
the middle of the night?

SHANA
I never cooked for you.

COLIN
You made me pizza.

SHANA
No you stole frozen pizza bites
from my freezer and then burnt
them in the microwave.

COLIN
Oh yeah. Well then whose pizza
bites will I steal?

SHANA
I'm sure you'll survive and I'll
be down at your place a lot.

COLIN
Good because I don't feel like
walking down here.

SHANA
Thanks.

COLIN
No problem.

SHANA
I can't believe I didn't see you
for almost three months.

COLIN
I tried to call you a few times
but you didn't pick up.

SHANA
Did you leave a message? I don't
remember any missed call from you.

COLIN
No I didn't leave a message.

SHANA
Well you should have.

COLIN
I missed you.

SHANA
I missed you too.

COLIN
I missed everyone from last year,
we had a lot of fun.

SHANA
We had a great time.

Colin checks his watch.

COLIN
I have to go, my roommate wants to
go to Wal-Mart.

SHANA
Alright well call me later.

COLIN
Yeah sure, you should come down
and see my house.

SHANA
I will. See you later.

COLIN
Bye.

Colin walks out, Shana watches him leave.

INT. JIM'S GALLERY - NIGHT

Jim is walking around his gallery admiring the paintings.
All are hung on the walls except for one which is on the

floor leaning against the wall. The front door opens and
Derek walks in.

JIM
Hey Derek.

DEREK
Wow, this place really looks great
Jim.

JIM
It should, I have been here for
three days straight trying to get
it ready for the opening.

DEREK
You look tired.

JIM
Exhausted. You want a beer?

DEREK
Just one, I have to get home soon.

Jim hand Derek a beer that he retrieves from a small cooler
on the floor.

JIM
How's Alexandra?

DEREK
She's good, I just got back from
having dinner with her mother.

JIM
Ouch.

DEREK
Yep.

DEREK (cont.)
No she's not that bad it's just
that she has an opinion about
everything. When her and Alex get
going I can't get a word in. I
feel like I'm completely useless
in planning the wedding, like all
they want me to do is stand there
in a tux and say "I do", thats it.
End of story.

JIM
I think most men would prefer it
that way.

DEREK
Not me. Its not as if I want to
help plan out very detail. They
talked for two hours today about
center pieces, honestly I couldn't
care less what the center of the
table look like, but I would like
a say in something, anything.

JIM
You sound frustrated.

DEREK
No.....but everything is turning
into such a big deal. What flowers
to use, who sits where....why does
everything have to be so detailed?
Is it wront that i just wanted to
stand up in front of my friends
and family and vow to love her
forevr? Why does it have to be so
damn complicated?

Beat.

DEREK (cont.)
I guess I am pretty frustrated.

JIM
It's understandable you'll calm
down after the wedding.

DEREK
I hope so.

JIM
So you and Alex are coming to the
opening?

DEREK
Yeah we will be there.

JIM
I can't wait until this place just
opens. I'm sick of all the work it
takes to get it ready.

DEREK
Looks like you're pretty much done
though, Except for that.

Derek points to the painting on the floor.

DEREK (cont.)
Where's that going?

JIM
That......I have no idea where
that's going.

DEREK
Well I've still got some time,
let's figure it out.

Derek walks over and picks up the painting. Jim stays
behind.

DEREK
I don't think I've seen this
before. It's really good, when did
you paint it?

JIM
Um...I think it was last summer
sometime.

DEREK
That's right around the time you
decided to put together this whole
gallery thing.

JIM
Yeah that was the-uh.. the first
one I made for this place.

DEREK
What is it?

JIM
What do you mean what is it? It's
a flower.

DEREK
Why is the background all dark?

JIM
It's a flower at night.

10.

DEREK
Well then why is it open? Don't
flowers usually close at night?

JIM
It's a symbolic thing alright.
Don't worry about it, where should
I hang it?

DEREK
Is that a rose?

JIM
Yeah.

DEREK
You painted this last summer?

JIM
Yeah let's just get it up.

DEREK
Isn't that the same time you broke
iit off with Lauren?

DEREK (cont.)
Lauren....Rose, I believe her
middle name is?

JIM
It's not for her.

DEREK
Okay....but you guys are still
good friends, and she's coming to
the gallery opening ....has she
seen this?

JIM
Yes she has, and it doesn't matter
because it's not for her.

DEREK
Whatever you say.

JIm walks outside the gallery and lights a cigarette. He
looks up and blows the smoke towars the sky.

INT. BRIAN AND SUZETTE'S APARTMENT - DAY

Suzette a woman in her early thirties is standing in the
kitchen washing a dish, Brian comes up and tickels her.

11.

SUZETTE
Stop...Stop Brian you are going to
make me drop the dish.

BRIAN
Well then put the dish down.

SUZETTE
I want to finish this.

Suzette pretends to wash the dish but quickly puts it down
and kisses Brian.

BRIAN
I love you.

SUZETTE
Well thats good because I'm your
wife and your kind of stuck with
me.

BRIAN
Sue?

SUZETTE
Yeah?

BRIAN
Can we talk for a minute?

SUZETTE
Okay.....what about?

BRIAN
Can we sit down?

Suzette wipes off her hands and sits down at the kitchen
table with Brian.

SUZETTE
What do you want to talk about.

Brian takes Suzette's hands from across the table.

BRIAN
Sue, you know our anniversary is
coming up soon.

SUZETTE
Yeah, two weeks. I can't believe
it's going to be a year already.

12.

BRIAN
That's just it, it's been a year
already. It was an incredible year
but I feel like somthing is
missing.

SUZETTE
Brian?

BRIAN
I'm not trying to say I didn't
enjoy the las year, it was
amazing.

SUZETTE
Brian you're scaring me, what's
going on?

BRIAN
No,....no this is coming out
wrong. Let me start over.......Sue
do you remember when we first
starting dating and we were
talking about what we wanted in
our future?

SUZETTE
Yeah we agreed on everything;
where we wanted to live, when we
wanted to get married, jobs,
pets.....

BRIAN
Kids.

SUZETTE
Kids?

BRIAN
Yeah....remember we both had said
that we wanted to start having
kids after we were married for a
year.

SUZETTE
I had forgotten all about that, I
just assumed it would naturally
come up when we were married. Is
that was this is about Brian? Do
you want to have a baby?

13.

BRIAN
I thought maybe we could talk
about it. Now that I'm doin g ost
of my work out of the house it
would be a good timing. , and we
have the guest bedroom...

SUZETTE
Do you want to though....do you
think we are ready?

BRIAN
I think so yes, but I hoped that
you were thinking so to. I'm sorry
if this is coming completely out
of left field.

SUZETTE
No I've definetly thought about
it.

BRIAN
And?...What are you thinking?

SUZETTE
I...well.....I think we should try
to have a baby.

BRIAN
Really? You really want this
because I don't want to pressure
you.

SUZETTE
Brian I love you more than
anything. A baby is going to bring
us eve closer together and nothing
would make me happier.

BRIAN
We are going to have a baby.

SUZETTE
We are going to try.

Brian jumps up from his chair and lifts suzette up.

BRIAN
Well lets go try then.

Brian carries Suzette off.

14.

EXT. SIDEWALK - DAY

Alexandra and Lauren are walking down the street, shopping
bags in hand.

ALEXANDRA
Maybe I should go back and get the
maroon colored candles for the
center pieces.

LAUREN
Alex I'm exhausted we've been
shopping for four hours, can we
please just take a break.

ALEXANDRA
I'm sorry I must be boring you to
death with all ths wedding talk.

LAUREN
No of course not.

ALEXANDRA
That sounded really convincing.

LAUREN
Sorry I'm not a good liar when I'm
tired.

ALEXANDRA
I get the poin though, no more
wedding talk for the rest of the
afternoon.

LAUREN
Alright then.

ALEXANDRA
Okay....so do you have any plans
for next weekend?

LAUREN
Saturday I'm going to lunch with
Steven.

ALEXANDRA
That's good what is this your
third date?

LAUREN
Four....four incredibly boring
dates.

15.

ALEXANDRA
If he's that bad the why are you
still going out with him?

LAUREN
It's better than hanging out by
myself. Besides I'm learning a lot
about the complex world of taxes.

ALEXANDRA
Yuck.

LAUREN
Yeah you don't know the half of
it. So anyway then Saturday night
I'm going to Jim's opening.

ALEXANDRA
Right. Derek was in there a few
days ago he said its looking
really good.

LAUREN
It does. I've been there a couple
times, but I can't wait to see it
with all the lighting and stuff.

ALEXANDRA
Have you guys been hanging out a
lot lately?

LAUREN
Yeah I guess.

ALEXANDRA
Is it weird at all?

LAUREN
No....we're friends.

ALEXANDRA
I know, I just remember how hard
it was for you after the break up.

LAUREN
It was hard for a little while but
I knew it was coming anyway, I was
fine with it.

ALEXANDRA
Lauren.....

16.

LAUREN
What Alexandra, what do you want
me to say?

ALEXANDRA
You don't have to say
anything....just don't lie. Not to
me. I was their remember?

LAUREN
Alright yes, I was heart broken, I
was crucshed but I did know it was
coming. It was obvious that we
were growing apart. We still cared
about each other we jut couldn't
be in a relationship anymore. So
now we are friends and I couldn't
be happier.

ALEXANDRA
Do you still have feelings for
him?

LAUREN
No. I thought I would, but it's
weird how it worked out. I still
trust him and love him just as
much as I ever did and I'm not
saying I would completely oppose
trying it again but thats not what
he wants. He wants to be friends
and honestly Alex, I'm fine with
that.

ALEXANDRA
Well I'm glad I like that you and
Jim are friends. I think it's good
for you. I just wanted to make
sure you were okay with it.

LAUREN
I'm better than okay. My life is
pretty great right now. Except for
Steven.

ALEXANDRA
Well we will work on that.

LAUREN
He called me four times yestrday.
He read me the bloomburg report
over the phone!!

17.

CUT TO:

INT. SHANA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Shana is asleep on the couch. The clock near her shows it is
about 3 in the morning. A loud crash startles her as she
looks up an sees stumbling past her and into her bedroom.

INT. SHANA'S APARTMENT - DAY

Shana is drying her hair when her phone rings.

SHANA
(Into phone.)
Hello?.....Hey Colin what's going
on.....no I'm just in my
apartment. Alright I'll meet you
outside in a minute
alright?.....bye.

INT. COLIN'S CAR - DAY

Shana gets into Colins car and he drives off.

INSIDE CAR:

COLIN
Hey.

SHANA
Hey.

COLIN
I was so bored I had to get out
and take a drive.

SHANA
I know I was pretty bored too.

They both sitsilently for a moment.

COLIN
Are you okay? You are being really
quiet.

SHANA
I'm fine I'm just really tired.
Becca came home at three in the
morning last night and she was
being really loud.

18.

COLIN
Well that's Becca, hate or love
it.

SHANA
I guess. I tried to call you last
night but I think your phone was
off, I kept getting your
voicemail.

COLIN
Yeah it died. I was out for most
of the night.

SHANA
Where did you go?

COLIN
I was all over the place.

SHANA
Did you have fun?

COLIN
It was crazy. Matt, you know Matt
right?

SHANA
Which one?

COLIN
Matt... short guy, brown hair.

SHANA
Sure.

COLIN
Anyway him and his girlfriend got
into a huge fight last night, she
threw a beer at his head.

SHANA
Did it hit him?

COLIN
No, she didn't have very good aim.

SHANA
Sounds crazy.

19.

COLIN
It was. You should defineltey come
next time though. I think I'm
going out on Friday.

SHANA
That would e cool, I don't have
any plans I-

Shana is inerrupted by Colin's cell phone ringing. He
reaches it for it.

            COLIN
Sorry hang on.
      (into phone)
Hello? Hey......yeah where are
you? Okay I'll be there in about
five minutes.
      (Hangs up phone.)
Hey we are going to pick up Liz,
she needs a ride to her place. Is
that okay?

SHANA
That's fine.

COLIN
Are you sure nothings bothering
you? You look like your about
ready to jump out of the car.

SHANA
Nothings bothering me, I told you
I'm just tired.

COLIN
Do you want me to take you back?

SHANA
No.

COLIN
I'm just making sure.

Colin pulls the car to the side of the road. Liz gets in the
back.

COLIN
Hey Liz.

LIZ
Hey, what are you guys up to?

20.

COLIN
We were just going for a drive.
Maybe a quick stop at the
Wal-Mart.

LIZ
Actually do you mind if I come? I
need to pick up some stuff.

COLIN
Sure.

SHANA
Colin maybe you should just drop
me off then I don't really feel
like going to Wal-Mart.
(To Liz.)
My roommate kept me up all night
so I'm exhausted.

COLIN
If thats what you want.

SHANA
Yeah.

COLIN
So Liz where did you go last
night?

LIZ
I went to Jaimie's for awhile and
then we took off to go to her
boyfriends frat.

COLIN
Did you have fun?

LIZ
It was okay. Jaimie stayed at her
boyfriends so I had to walk back
to my apartment all by myself.

COLIN
You should have called me I would
have walked you home.

Colin pulls into Shana'a aparmtnet complex. He pulls into a
space.

COLIN
Here you go.

21.

SHANA
Thanks. It was good to see you
Liz.

LIZ
You too.

Shana gets out of the car and begins to walk away. Colin
rolls down the window.

            COLIN
      (shouting out
       window.)
Shana!

SHANA
What?

COLIN
After you take a nap or whatever
give me a call. I'll come up and
we can hang out.

SHANA
Alright, I'll talk to you later.

COLIN
Bye.

Shana continues to wak as Colin drives off.

INT. DEREK AND ALEXANDRA'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Derek is sitting on a chouch looking through papers.
Alexandra comes up to him and hands him a coffee.

DEREK
Thank you.

ALEXANDRA
You're welcome. What are you
working on?

DEREK
Just organizing some stuff for my
presentation tomorrow.

ALEXANDRA
Well I'll leave you to your work.

Derek Grabs Alexandra's arm and pulls her down to the couch.

22.

DEREK
I can take a break.

ALEXANDRA
That sounds good too.

Derek kisses Alexandra.

ALEXANDRA
I love you.

DEREK
I love you too.

ALEXANDRA
I can't wait to be your wife.

DEREK
You don't have too wait much
longer. I can't believe the
wedding is so soon.

ALEXANDRA
Amazing isn't it? It seems like
just the other day we were having
our first date. Do you remember
that?

DEREK
Of course. I remember how nervous
I was, and how you didn't even
want to be there.

ALEXANDRA
I wanted to be there.

DEREK
You didn't show it. You hardly
said two words during dinner.

ALEXANDRA
But then you made me laugh and the
rest of night was just....easy

DEREK
What did I say to make you laugh
so hard?

ALEXANDRA
I don't rememer now. You made me
laugh a lot back then, it made me
feel so comfortable around you.

23.

DEREK
Do you remember you friend Sheila?

ALEXANDRA
Oh God yes. She always said "you
too are never going to work out,
you are too comfortable around
each other, you treat him like one
of your friends not your boyfriend
blah blah blah". What did she know
anyway, her and her boyfriend were
constantly fighting.

DEREK
Whatever happened to them?

ALEXANDRA
I think they got married a few
years ago.

DEREK
Wow.

ALEXANDRA
I know, can you imagined them
married? They didn't agree on
anything.

DEREK
Opposited attract, I guess.

ALEXANDRA
I never really believed that. Do
you?

DEREK
No not really but I think it's
nice to disagree on some things.

ALEXANDRA
Whatever. Do you remember our
first dance?

DEREK
It was at the semi-formal. You
were wearing that very tight black
dress. What song was it....

ALEXANDRA
You really don't remember?......It
was Tiny Dancer.

24.

DEREK
I would have gotten it, you didn't
give me a chance.

ALEXANDRA
Maybe that should be our first
song at the wedding. I haven't mde
the list for the dj.

DEREK
Dj? I thought we were going to use
my cousins band?

ALEXANDRA
I don't know Derek.

DEREK
What don't you know. They are
really good Alex, I promise. Their
covers are amazing.

ALEXANDRA
I'm not trying to criticize them,
I just really want everything to
be perfect.

DEREK
Why does everything have to be
perfect. They are my family and
they may not be perfect but you
know what Alex? Neither am I, no
one is.

ALEXANDRA
Then will use them. I'm sorry,
just stop. I didn't want to start
a fight, we never fight.

DEREK
We weren't fighting, we were
having a discussion.

ALEXANDRA
Well it's over now, I said they
could play.

DEREK
That's not the point.

ALEXANDRA
Just let it go. I love you.

25.

DEREK
I love you too.

ALEXANDRA
Are you hungry?

DEREK
A little.

ALEXANDRA
Do you want to order chinese.

DEREK
Sure.

ALEXANDRA
I'll go order.

Alexandra kisses Derek quickly and then walks off.

INT. BRIAN AND SUZETTE'S APARTMENT - DAY

Suzette and Brian are sitting at the kitchen table. The
phone rings and Suzette answers it.

SUZETTE
(Into Phone.)
Hello?....Hi mom how are you?...We
are good.

BRIAN
Tell her I said Hello.

            SUZETTE
Brian says Hello.....no actually
he just wrapped up a case
yesterday....of course he won
mother he's the best defense
attorney in the state...
      (To Brian.)
She says congratulations.
      (Into Phone.)
No, I haven't talked to Shana in a
few days but I'm planning on
visiting her on Sunday.......I
can't go on Saturday I have plans,
besides I'm sure she doesn't want
her big sister hanging
around......mom she's twenty years
old she wants her independence...

Brian waves at Suzette to get her attention.

26.

SUZETTE
Hang on a second mom.
(To Brian.)
What?

BRIAN
Did you tell her?

SUZETTE
Tell her what?

BRIAN
About us.....

SUZETTE
I don't think this is a good time,
we should probably tell her in
person.
(Into phone.)
What? No mom just give me one
minute I'm talking to Brian.

BRIAN
We hardly ever see her and I think
it would make her happy.

SUZETTE
Fine.
(Into Phone.)
Mom, I have some good news, well
really its both me and Brians
news. We are trying to have a
baby.....I know it is a surprise
but we had always talked about
having a baby after our first
year....

BRIAN
(Checking watch.)
Shoot, honey I have to go.

SUZETTE
Bye Brian.

Brian kisses her quickly and walks out the door.

SUZETTE
Sorry mom what?.....Brian brought
it up first....but I think it's a
good idea too........please don't
lecture me again I've heard it all
before.....you don't know
that....Look I really don't want
to talk about his right now....I
(MORE)

27.

SUZETTE (cont'd)
don't know. Mother I can't talk
right now I'm going to be late for
work....goodbye.

SUZETTE
Sorry mom what?.....Brian brought
it up first....but I think it's a
good idea too........please don't
lecture me again I've head it all
before.....you don't know
that....Look I really don't want
to talk about his right now....I
don't know. Mother I can't talk
right now I'm going to be late for
work....goodbye.

Suzette hangs up the phone and lays her head in her hands.

INT. SHANA'S APARTMENT - DAY

Shana and Colin are sitting on a couch watching tv.

SHANA
What time is it?

COLIN
Around 5:30....I actually have to
get going.

SHANA
Why?

COLIN
I have so much stuff to do before
tonight. You're coming down right?

SHANA
Yeah I'll be there.

COLIN
Good, call me when you get there
and I'll meet you inside.

Colin gets up and pats his pockets.

SHANA
What's wrong?

COLIN
Have you seen my keys?

28.

SHANA
No.

COLIN
Shana.

SHANA
What?

COLIN
Give me my keys.

SHANA
I don't have them.

COLIN
Yes you do.

SHANA
Well maybe.

Colin picks Shana up off of the couch.

COLIN
Where are they?

SHANA
(laughing.)
Stop put me down.

Colin puts Shana on the ground and pins her down. She
struggles to get him off.

COLIN
I'm not getting up until you give
me my keys.

SHANA
I'm not giving them to you.

Shana and Colin continue to playfully wrestle on the ground
for a few minutes. Becca walks in from the bedroom and
stands in the doorway watching them. After awhile Colin
looks up and sees Becca.

COLIN
Hey Becca.

BECCA
You took his keys again didn't
you?

29.

            SHANA
      (pulling keys out
       of her pocket.)
Guilty.

Colin gets up and helps Shana up off the floor. They are
both out of breathe.

COLIN
I really have to go now. Call me
later?

SHANA
Yeah I'll be down around 11.

COLIN
Alright. Bye Becca.

BECCA
Bye Colin.

Colin walks out.

BECCA
You two.....

SHANA
What? We were just joking around.

BECCA
I know. I think he likes you
though.

SHANA
No, we are just friends.

BECCA
Well I'm friends with him to and
you don't see us rolling around on
the floor all sweaty and out of
breathe.

SHANA
Cute Becca, really cute. We were
fighting over his keys.

BECCA
Still....

SHANA
No, no still. We always act like
that.

30.

BECCA
I'm just saying I've known him
just as long as you have but you
and him are different, you're
weird.

SHANA
Weird?

BECCA
Yeah. We've only known him
for....six or seven months but you
guys act like you've known each
other for years. You know things
that I don't...like I don't know
his favorite movie or his middle
name.

SHANA
Boondock Saints and David.

BECCA
You just proved my point.

SHANA
No because he's told you that
stuff too, you just don't
remember.

BECCA
Then why if we are going out does
he always call you, and always
happenes to stop by when you are
here alone.

SHANA
I don't know.

BECCA
Shana don't get mad I'm not trying
to upset you. You know I love
Colin, he's one of my favorite
people here I just think he might
like you. I wasn't trying to make
you uncomfortable.

SHANA
I'm not uncomfortable, and I'm not
mad. I just know that you're
wrong.

BECCA
Okay then I'm wrong.

31.

SHANA
Forget about my love life. Lets
talk about yours.

BECCA
What love life?

SHANA
I thought yu were seeing that
guy...um....uh...Drew..something.

BECCA
No that's over.

SHANA
What happened?

BECCA
The sun came up.

SHANA
I'm sorry.

BECCA
I really didn't know him that
well. It's my own fault.

SHANA
No it's not.

BECCA
I know, he was a really piece of
shit.

SHANA
You deserve a lot better.

BECCA
It'll happen eventually. I figure
most people are so afraid of the
possibiliy of getting hurt that
they refuse to open up. They just
walk around feeling this grey,
vanilla, numbness. They are never
quite sure if what you feel is
powerful enough, if thats the
person they are really supposed to
be with, because they never let
themselves take a risk. When I do
find that person, I want it to
feel...extreme. No vanilla, no
grey. If I have to get hurt a few
times to feel that, than so be it.
I'd rather shatter my heart and
(MORE)

32.

BECCA (cont'd)
wait for the one who will be
patient enough to help me pick up
the pieces, then never get hurt
and play it safe with someone who
treats me like I'm fragile.

SHANA
I have too admit, I tend to play
it safe. I'm afraid of getting my
heart broken.

BECCA
Well no one likes it. It hurts
like hell, but you can't go around
being afraid. but if you don't
take a rsk then you will always
have doubts. A lifetime of
doubting yourself hurts a lot more
than a broken heart.

CUT TO:

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

Lauren and Steve are having lunch together. Lauren is
picking at her food while steve is drawing on a napkin.

STEVE
So you see Lauren if you invest
these assets now, you could easily
double their worth in five years.
The market is very exciting right
now.

LAUREN
Hmm yeah.

STEVE
Now let me show you what I was
talking about before. If you were
to take even just 5 percent of
your yearly income...

LAUREN
Steve...Steve could we please talk
about something else other
than....your work for awhile.

STEVE
Of course. I'm sorry you must be
so bored.

33.

LAUREN
No not at all, I just though it
might be nice to talk about
something different.

STEVE
Like what?

LAUREN
I don't know. Have you seen any
good movies lately?

STEVE
I don't go to the movies.

LAUREN
Why? Everyone goes to the movies.

STEVE
That's why I like you Lauren you
are so naive.

LAUREN
Excuse me?

STEVE
I didn't mean to insult you, I
think it's cute. Really though,
the only reason people go to the
movies is because they can't deal
with their own lives and want to
believe in some false reality.

LAUREN
I go to the movis all the time. I
love the movies.......Everyone
goes to the movies!

STEVE
If everyone jumped off a bridge
would you?

LAUREN
If it was to get away from you,
yes.

STEVE
Oh Lauren I love your comical
temper.

LAUREN
So you don't go to the movies so
what do you do then?

34.

STEVE
What do you mean?

STEVE
An average Saturday night, where
do you go what do you do?

STEVE
Well usually I curl up in front of
the television.

LAUREN
What do you watch?

STEVE
The Bloomburg channel, but if I'm
feeling really crazy sometimes
I'll watch the weather channel.

LAUREN
The weather channel?

STEVE
Yeah sometimes I'll mute the tv
aand try to commentate the program
myself based on the maps and
pictures and stuff.

LAUREN
Do you do anything that any normal
person would consider fun...at
all?

STEVE
That is fun. I think facts and
figures are a barrel of fun. Maybe
you would get that if you weren't
so involved in hearding with the
rest of the people to go see some
pointless movie just because some
idiot wrote a review in the paper
telling you to.

LAUREN
I don't read the reviews I like to
form my own opinion, but yes I do
go see movies and I don't happen
to think they are pointless.
Maybe they are an escape from
reality but thats what I love
about them, everyone needs an
escape. Mainly from people like
you who are wound so tight they
(MORE)

35.

LAUREN (cont'd)
are about to snap.

STEVE
I am not wound tight Lauren, I
happen to be a free spirited
fun-loving guy.

The door to the shop swings open and Jim walks inside.
Lauren sees him as he orders a coffee at the counter. She
picks up her menu and covers her face with it.

STEVE
What are you doing?

LAUREN
Nothing.

STEVE
Oh I see you are trying to get me
to prove how free spirited I am.
You think you're more fun then me.

LAUREN
No really I'm not...

Steve picks up his menu and puts it in front of his face.

STEVE
Peek-a-boo.....peek-a-boo. I see
you.

LAUREN
Would you please stop that.

STEVE
Peek-a-boo.

Lauren takes his menu and slams it down on the table. She
continues to watch Jim at the counter.

STEVE
No I'm going to prove to you that
I'm a fun loving guy.

LAUREN
Steve lets just finish our food.

Steve gets up from the table.

            STEVE
      (announcing to
       restaraunt.)
Excuse me everyone.....excuse me.
            (MORE)

36.

STEVE (cont'd)
Hi my name is Steve and you see
I'm having a little problem. You
see my date Lauren. This is
Lauren.

Steve points to Lauren. She looks around for Jim but doesn't
see him.

STEVE (cont.)
You see Lauren seems to think that
I'm kind of a boring guy. So
obviously I have to prove to her
that I'm not. That I am acutally a
spontanous and crazy guy. So I was
thinking, what's the perfect way
to prove you are a crazy fun guy.
Well a jig of course.

Steve starts to do a crazy rendition of a jig. Everyone in
the restauraunt starts laughing and one elderly man starts
clapping out a beat. Steve grabs Laurned arm and tries to
pull her up from her chair but she hits his hand away. Steve
continues to dance around the restaurant. Lauren looks again
for Jim but still does not see him. Steve ends his dance and
everyone in the restaraunt starts clapping, except for
Lauren. Steve returns to his seat.

            STEVE
      (to restaraunt)
Thank you everyone! Thank you!
      (to Lauren)
How was that for fun-loving?

LAUREN
Steve?

STEVE
Yeah?

LAUREN
This date is over.

Lauren gets up from the table. She checks one last time for
Jim and then walks out of the restaurant.

            STEVE
      (Shouting after
       Lauren.)
I'll call you tomorrow!

37.

INT. JIM'S GALLERY - NIGHT

The gallery is filled with people. Everyone is dressed in
formal attire. Jim is stading talking to two older women.
Derek and Alexandra stand near him. After a few minutes the
women walk away and Alexandra and Derek move towards him.

ALEXANDRA
Jim!

JIM
Hello Alex. Hi Derek.

Jim hugs Alexandra and shakes Derek's hand.

ALEXANDRA
Jim I can't believe how amazing
this place looks!

JIM
I know it's almost surreal. I've
been working, trying to get this
ready for so long and now its
really open.

DEREK
There are a lot of people here.

JIM
I invited a lot, I wanted this
place to be packed for its first
night. Probably be the only time
you'll ever see people in here
again.

ALEXANDRA
That's not true. I've heard people
complimenting this place all
night.

JIM
I know I was trying to be modest.

DEREK
You? Modest? Those two words don't
really go together.

Jim punches Derek in the arm.

ALEXANDRA
Boys, don't make me separate you
two.

38.

JIM
Sorry mom.

Alexandra punches him in the arm.

JIM
I can see why you two get along so
well.

DEREK
Speaking of moms, have you talked
Brian lately?

JIM
A couple weeks ago. He called to
tell me he was defineltey coming
tonight. Why?

DEREK
I was talking to him a few days
ago and he told me that him and
Suzette are trying to have a baby.

ALEXANDRA
Really? That's so soon.

DEREK
They've been married almost a
year.

ALEXANDRA
Yeah but they were together barely
eight months before that.

DEREK
So? If they think they are ready
who are we to judge?

ALEXANDRA
I hope they are ready...

DEREK
I'm sure they are. Brian sounded
really excited about the whole
thing.

JIM
Good for them.

Jim looks around and sees Laurne standing by herslef looking
at his paintings.

39.

JIM
Excuse me guys.

DEREK
See you later.

Jim walks over to Lauren.

CUT TO LAUREN.

Jim grabs a flute of champagne from a waiter and brings it
over to Lauren.

JIM
Drink?

LAUREN
Hey you! Thanks.

Lauren takes the flute from Jim.

JIM
So what do you think?

LAUREN
It's....

JIM
Be honest. Everyone keeps throwing
compliments at me and I can't tell
if they really mean it or if they
are just trying to be polite. All
I want is one solid opinion even
its harsh.

LAUREN
You trust my opinion that much?

JIM
I trust you that much. I know you
wouldn't lie to me.

LAUREN
Thanks for the confidence.

JIM
Your welcome........So?

LAUREN
Oh right. Well......it's....it's
incredible Jim.

40.

JIM
Really?

LAUREN
Yes, reall. I'm amazed....I don't
even know what to say.

JIM
That means so much to me Lauren,
thank you.

LAUREN
Your welcome. So besides putting
together this breathtaking
gallery, what have you been up to?

Lauren and Jim start slowly walking through the gallery
together.

JIM
Not a whole lot, this has been my
life for the last couple of weeks.
What about you?

LAUREN
Nothing interesting to report I
guess. I've been really busy with
work and helping Alexandra with
the wedding plans.

JIM
That's all?

LAUREN
Yeah, pretty much. Why?

JIM
I don't know I guess I just
assumed that being serenaded with
a jig in the middle of a coffee
shop would be pretty newsworthy.

Lauren stops walking.

LAUREN
You saw that?

JIM
It was kind of hard to miss.

LAUREN
Yeah I know that was Steve
he's....he's crazy and....it
doesn't even matter because that
(MORE)

41.

LAUREN (cont'd)
was our last date anyway...ever.

JIM
Lauren I don't need an
explanation.

LAUREN
I knot that but it still feels
like I owe you one. Is that weird?

JIM
No it's not weird. Lauren-

ANEGLA
Excuse me?

An elderly woman steps in between Jim and Lauren.

JIM
Yes?

ANEGLA
Are you the artist?

JIM
Yes, Hello my name is Jim.

ANEGLA
Can I speak to you in private for
a moment?

JIM
Of course, excuse me Lauren.

Jim and the Woman step away. Lauren watches their
conversation but cannot here what they are saying. After a
few minutes Jim smiles and shakes the Woman's hand. She
walks away and Jim returns to Lauren.

LAUREN
You look happy.

JIM
That woman was Angela Reedina.
She's a columnist for the Living
Art, it's one of the most
respected magazines in the art
world. Lauren, she wants to do a
piece on the gallery!

LAUREN
Jim that's amazing!

42.

Lauren hugs Jim. They hold onto each other for a moment too
long. Jim pulls away.

JIM
Do you want another drink?

LAUREN
I think I need one.

INT. COLIN'S HOUSE - NIGHT

There is a large party going on. People are all around.
Shana is standing in the corner talking to Shawn who has
clearly ahd too much to drink.

SHAWN
I'm sorry....I know I asked you
this beore but whatis your name
again?

SHANA
Shana.

SHAWN
Shana...right and I'm Shawn.
That's so weird Shana and Shawn.
It's.....like it's creepy right?

SHANA
Not any more creepy than when you
said it five minutes ago.

SHAWN
No but Shawn and Shana it's
a...perfect. I think it means we
should be together.

SHANA
Do you now?

SHAWN
Well clearly it's fate....plus yu
are really pretty. You have
really...nice...eyes.

SHANA
(closing eyes)
What color are they?

SHAWN
Blue?

43.

SHANA
Brown.

SHAWN
Yeah they I know they are brown
but they have this blue-ish glow.

SHANA
No, they don't.

SHAWN
Well you are wearing a blue shirt
so that reflects...with the
light...so they look blue.

SHANA
Does this bull shit ever work?

SHAWN
Hey.....I'm a nice guy.

SHANA
There is a slight chance that you
are...when you're sober. Right now
you are drunk and really annoying
and standing just a little too
close to me.

SHAWN
Whatever bitch.

SHANA
What did you call me?

Colin steps over to Shana and Shawn.

COLIN
Is everything okay over here?

SHANA
Everything's fine, except for this
jerk.

SHAWN
Whatever you just think you are
better than everyone.

SHANA
Not everyone, just you.

SHAWN
Fuck you bitch!

44.

COLIN
Hey! You can either chill or get
the hell out of my house.

SHAWN
What's your problem?

COLIN
Don't talk to her like that.

SHAWN
Is she your girl?

COLIN
Why does that matter?

SHAWN
If she's not your girl then back
off, she's free game I can talk to
her however the fuck I want.

SHANA
Look you stupid piece of sh-

COLIN
Yes she is my girl so get away
from her.

SHAWN
Whatever you can have her.

Shawn stumbles away.

SHANA
You didn't have to do that Colin,
I has things under control.

COLIN
Yeah, you looked like you had it
under control.

SHANA
I would have been okay.

COLIN
I know. Come on I want to show you
something.

Colin takes Shana's arm and leads her off.

CUT TO:

45.

INT. JIM'S GALLERY NIGHT - NIGHT

THe Gallery is more crowded now. Suzette and Brian are
standing in a corner. Derek and Alexandra walk up to them.

DEREK
Hey Brian, Suzette.

BRIAN
Hi. How are you guys?

DEREK
We're good, no complaints.

SUZETTE
Alexandra I love that dress. Where
did you get it?

ALEXANDRA
Thank you, I got it down at
Charlottes on 8th Avenue. My boss
accepted my new proposal for the
company so it was a present to
myself.

SUZETTE
Congratulations.

ALEXANDRA
Thanks, but it really wasn't any
big deal. I've been bugging him
about this proposal for almost a
year now. I think the only reason
he accepted it was to get me stop
pestering him.

BRIAN
Thats our Alex, when she doesn't
get what she wants-

DEREK
She nags until she does.

ALEXANDRA
Derek.

DEREK
Lighten up I was only kidding.

ALEXANDRA
Anyway....it really should be who
is congratulating you.

46.

SUZETTE
Me? Why?

ALEXANDRA
I heard that you and Brian were
trying to have a baby. That's so
exciting.

DEREK
Yeah congratulations, man.

BRIAN
Thanks, we are both very happy.

SUZETTE
Brian?

BRIAN
Yes, dear?

SUZETTE
Exactly how many people did you
tell?

BRIAN
I told a few of my friends. What
does it matter?

SUZETTE
It just might have been nice if
you told me.

ALEXANDRA
I'm sorry I didn't realize it was
a secret.

BRIAN
Neither did I. What has gotten
into you Suze?

SUZETTE
Nothing, it's not a secret
Alexandra don't feel bad. I'm
upset because I don't realize why
we need to tell so many people are
private business.

BRIAN
They are our friends.

SUZETTE
I know that, stop talking to me
like I'm an idiot. I thought we
were going to wait to tell people
(MORE)

47.

SUZETTE (cont'd)
until I actually knew I was
pregnant.

BRIAN
Why not just tell them now? It's
only a matter of time.

SUZETTE
You can be so damn insensitive.

Suzette storms out of the room. Brian looks at Alexandra and
Derek apologetically and then runs after her.

ALEXANDRA
Hormones.

DEREK
Oh...

CUT TO:

INT. COLIN'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Colin and Shana have moved to another room. They are
standing together talking.

SHANA
What time is it?

COLIN
(Checking watch.)
1:30.

SHANA
I should probably get going pretty
soon.

COLIN
Why don't you just crash here
tonight? There is a couch
upstairs.

SHANA
I can't. Love to, but can't. My
sister is coming early tomorrow
and if I don't leave soon I am
going to have a massive hangover.

COLIN
How much have you had to drink?

48.

SHANA
Enough to make the walk home
interesting.

COLIN
You know I would drive you-

SHANA
I wouldn't get into a car with you
right now.

COLIN
I wouldn't ask you to.

SHANA
Good, that's settled then.

COLIN
Do you remember this song?

SHANA
Mmmm yes. Last year, the first
party that we were both at this
was playing and you grabbed my arm
and said "dance with me". Then you
knocked us both onto the ground.

COLIN
Then that night right after winter
break?

SHANA
Right, I came back to the dorm and
you were sitting on the floor
locked out of your room singing
this. You looked so depressed.

COLIN
I lost my key. I had to sleep on
your floor for two nights until my
roommate came back.

SHANA
That didn't matter though, even
when you did have your key you
still slept on my floor.

COLIN
Good point.

Beat.

49.

COLIN
I'm going to get another beer I'll
be right back.

SHANA
Okay.

Colin exits the room. Shana stands alone for a few minutes.
She looks across the room and sees Shawn staring at her. She
looks away as he starts to walk over.

SHAWN
We meet again.

SHANA
Right.

SHAWN
I saw you looking at me.

SHANA
Actually I was looking for my
boyfirend, I though he was
standing behind you.

SHAWN
He's not really your boyfriend is
he?

SHANA
I'm going now, have fun with your
beer. I hope it's good compnay.

Shana walks out of the room. She walks to the end of the
house and sees Colin in a corner filling his beer. She walks
over to him.

SHANA
Hey, I'm leaving.

COLIN
What? Why?

SHANA
I told you my sister is coming
early and I just want to crawl
into bed now. I'll call you
tomorrow.

Shana walks out of the house.

50.

EXT. COLIN'S PORCH-NIGHT.

Shana stands on the porch for a moment. Colin comes out onto
the porch.

COLIN
Shana wait!

SHANA
What?

Colin walks over to Shana. He kisses her.

SHANA
Wha-what was that?

COLIN
I don't know....I felt like I had
to....maybe I've had to much to
drink.

SHANA
Maybe you have.

COLIN
I guess then.....call me tomorrow?

SHANA
Sure, lay off the beer for the
rest of the night.

COLIN
Probably good advice.

SHANA
I'll talk to you later.

COLIN
Bye.

Shana walks away.

CUT TO:

INT. JIM'S GALLERY - NIGHT

The gallery is empty except for Jim, Lauren, Alexandra and
Derek. Jim is talking to Lauren, she smiles at him, waves
goodbye and then walks out. Alexandra is waiting outside for
Derek. Alexandra and Lauren can be seen talking throught the
gallery window.

51.

DEREK
Hey, you made it through the
night.

JIM
I still can't believe I pulled it
all off.

DEREK
Lauren told us about the woman
from the Living Art. Thats great,
man.

JIM
I know, I know it's going to bring
in a lot business.

DEREK
Yeah that's what Lauren was
saying. You should of heard her
she was so excited for you.

JIM
It's all because of her, she's my
good luck charm.

Jim watches Lauren through the window.

DEREK
Do you miss her?

JIM
Yeah I do.

DEREK
Why don't you tell her?

JIM
She's got a new life now, she's
seeing this new guy....

DEREK
Steve?

JIM
How did you know?

DEREK
Lauren tells Alexandra everything.
Then I have to hear about it
wether I want to or not. From what
she's told Alex though, it sounds
like she doesn't really give a
damn about his guy. Alex seems to
(MORE)

52.

DEREK (cont'd)
think that she still has a thing
for you.

JIM
Alex thinks?

DEREK
Okay we both think.

JIM
She deserves better than me. She
is so beautiful and so sweet. I
could push everything aside and
tell her how I feel and maybe she
does feel the same, but that won't
keep me from thinking everyday
about how she deserves better.

DEREK
You have to stop killing yourself
over this Jim.

JIM
No Derek. I cheated her, I cheated
on the only woman I've ever loved.
She trusted me with that open and
innocent trust that she gives to
people because she feels like they
deserve it, and I betrayed her.
She always said I made her feel
safe, like I was brave. I was a
coward. Instead of telling her,
confessing that I cheated on her I
broke things off with some
bullshit excuse that things
weren't the same and it didn't
feel right anymore.

DEREK
You didn't want to hurt her.

JIM
I didn't want to hurt myself. I
didn't want to see what her face
would look like when she found out
I betrayed her. I couldn't take
listening to her tell me how much
she loved me knowing I was keeping
this secret. So I let her go.

53.

DEREK
It's been awhile, things are
different now maybe she will
understand.

JIM
She won't understand. She won't
understand how I could have
cheated her, she won't understand
why I lied to her when we broke
up. She won't understand why I
still haven't told her after all
this time.

DEREK
She deserves to know the truth.

JIM
She deserved to know the truth
when we were together. Now look at
her, she's happy, she's smiling a
lot she's moving on. Why would I
tell her? The truth kill her for
no reason. She just has to stay
oblivious. I guess that's the
punishment for truly trusting
people these days.

DEREK
So you are just going to let her
go because you are afraid of
hurting her. Even though you miss
her, even though you are still
crazy about her.

JIM
That's my punishment.

INT. SHANA'S APARTMENT - DAY

Shana is lying on the futon. She hears the doorbell ring and
gets up to answer it. Suzette is at the door when Shana
opens it.

SUZETTE
Shana!

SHANA
Hey Suze. Come on in.

Shana walks over to the futon and flops down.

54.

SUZETTE
What's wrong with you, you look
like death warmed over.

SHANA
I'm fine I just don't feel very
well.

SUZETTE
You're hung over!

SHANA
No I'm not.

SUZETTE
Shana, I know what hang over looks
like and you are definetley hung
over. Lucky for you I know
something that will help.

Suzette walks into the kitchen and starts preparing a
concoction of juices and fruit.

SHANA
I'm really not that bad, I only
had a couple of beers.

SUZETTE
You always were a light-weight.

Suzette returns from the kitchen with a large glass of a
thick green drink.

            SUZETTE
      (handing glass to
       Shana.)
Here drink this.

SHANA
What's in it?

SUZETTE
You don't want to know. Just drink
it down as fast as you can.

Shana drinks down the concoction.

SHANA
That's disgusting.

SUZETTE
Yeah but it will help you feel
much better.

55.

SHANA
How do you know this?

SUZETTE
I was in college once too Shana,
and I spent many nights passed out
on futons.

SHANA
I can't imagine you passing out.

SUZETTE
Well it wasn't really something I
advertised. Actually the first
college party I went to I woke the
next morning in a closet, so feel
lucky that you made it to the
futon. Where did you go last
night?

SHANA
Just to Colin's house.

SUZETTE
How is Colin?

SHANA
He's good. Stressed out, but who
isn't?

SUZETTE
How are things going between you
and him. Anything new?

SHANA
No.....well....no....

SUZETTE
That was really convincing. Come
on, out with it.

SHANA
He kissed me last night.

SUZETTE
He did? That's so good Shana.

SHANA
No it wasn't any big deal. We had
both been drinking and it was
just...a
friendship...goodbye....thing.

56.

SUZETTE
He still doesn't know how you feel
about him?

SHANA
No! Suzette you are the only one
who knows.

SUZETTE
You should tell him.

SHANA
I know...I want to...I've tried
to, but the timing is just never
right. I don't want to jeopardize
our friendship, that would kill me
inside....but I want to be wth
him.

SUZETTE
Shana you know that all I want is
for you to be happy and when you
are around Colin, or when you talk
about him you have this glow on
your face. I know how much you
care about him and how hard it was
that you didn't get to see him
much this summer. You have to tell
him how you feel. Confessing what
is realy in your heart is the
hardest thing to say but if you
don't you will spend the rest of
your life wondering "what if".

SHANA
I wish I could explain how I feel.
It's like...I'm happier when he's
around. I'm almost a better person
when I'm with him. I want to be
near him all the time. If he's
going somewhere...I have to go.
How do I tell him without sounding
crazy?

SUZETTE
Well you are crazy but that's what
love does.

SHANA
It's not love. I mean yes, I love
him, as a friend but I'm not IN
love with him...I don't now what I
am.....What will he say, if I tell
(MORE)

57.

SHANA (cont'd)
him?

SUZETTE
I've seen how he looks at you, the
tension between you would make a
nun blush. He will say that he
will take a chance with you.

SHANA
How can you be sure?

SUZETTE
I can't, but I trust that things
will work out.

SHANA
Is that how you felt with Brian?

SUZETTE
At first I was worried and nervous
about how things would turn out,
but after awhile my brain turned
off and I just allowed myself to
let go of all my insecurities and
trust.

SHANA
How is everything with you guys?

SUZETTE
We got into a fight last night at
the opening of Jim's gallery. I
haven't talked to him since, I
stormed out this morning without
saying goodbye to him.

SHANA
What was the fight about?

SUZETTE
I'm surprised mom hasn't told you
already.

SHANA
Yeah she has been calling me
non-stop but my phone is usually
off.....Is everything okay.

SUZETTE
Brian asked me if we could try to
have a baby, and I said yes.

58.

SHANA
Did you tell him?

SUZETTE
No I didn't.

SHANA
Suzette!!

SUZETTE
I couldn't Shana.

SHANA
I can't believe you! Why wouldn't
you tell him?

SUZETTE
He was so happy and I didn't want
to ruin it. He is going to hate me
when I tell him.

SHANA
He loves you, he loves everyhting
about you and that isn't going to
change. He won't be mad that you
can't have kids Suzette, but he is
ging to be furious that you have
lied to him about for so long.
What were you planning on doing
when you didn't get pregnant?

SUZETTE
I figured we could go to the
doctor and they could tell
him....I could pretend that I had
no idea.

SHANA
That's so dishonest. You promised
you would tell him before the
wedding and when you didn't, I
didn't say anything because I was
trying to supportive and
understanding but this is crazy!
You can't keep this from him.

SUZETTE
It's not eaxactly an easy thing to
say. "oh hunny by the way the
family you keep talking about, it
isn't going to be with me because
I'm an infertile freak."

59.

SHANA
1.) You are in no way a freak. 2.)
He wouldn't have cared Sue, there
are plenty of other ways for you
to have a family.

SUZETTE
I just couldn't break his heart
like that, but now he is telling
everyone that we are trying to
have a baby and the whole thing is
geting out of hand. That's what
our fight was about.

SHANA
You should have told him a long
time ago.

SUZETTE
I know Shana, it was a mistake. I
know I have t tell him I just
can't right now.

SHANA
When we were younger, remember how
everyone used to say how different
we were? "Suzette and Shana are
like night and day, it's like they
live in different worlds." It's
almost funny to see how wrong they
were.

SUZETTE
How so?

SHANA
We're are exactly alike sis. We
are both lying to the men we love.

SHANA
Because we are human, and deep
down we're terrified of what they
will think.

SUZETTE
Why do we do that?

SUZETTE
Do we really have to tell them the
truth?

SHANA
I will if you will.

60.

SUZETTE
Pinky promise?

SHANA
Pinky promise.

Shana and Suzette pinky promise.

CUT TO:

EXT. CAFE - DAY

Alexandra is sitting alone drinking coffee at an outdoor
cafe. Greg Hills walks by and notices Alexandra. He stops at
her table.

GREG
Alex?

ALEXANDRA
Greg Hills? Oh my god.

Alexandra stand up and hugs him.

GREG
I haven't seen you since
graduation.....how are you?

ALEXANDRA
I'm good, really good. How are
you?

GREG
Everything is great...do you mind
if I join you?

ALEXANDRA
Not at all please sit. I'm just on
my lunch break.

GREG
Where are you working?

ALEXANDRA
Millerson ad agency. Do you work
around here?

GREG
No I moved to Boston after we
graduated. My brother just bought
a house up here with his wife and
I came to help him out with the
(MORE)

61.

GREG (cont'd)
move.

ALEXANDRA
What about you Greg? Are you
married?

GREG
Yep two years now. Her names
Theresa I met her at a concert.
She works as a kindergarten
teacher back in Boston.

ALEXANDRA
Congratulation. I don't want to
sound rude but I did not think you
were the marrying type, you loved
the single life.

GREG
Don't even worry about it, you are
absolutely right. I did love being
single.

ALEXANDRA
What happened.

GREG
We dated for 9 months and suddenly
I realized I how much I loved
having her in my life. I thought
about her all the time, I called 5
times a day just to hear her voice
for God's sake. I knew that there
was no one else in the world for
me. So I proposed and since then
nothing has changed, she's
wonderful.

ALEXANDRA
You sound really happy.

GREG
I am. What about you, I noticed
that rocak on your finger before I
saw your face. Who is the lucky
guy?

ALEXANDRA
Believe it or not, Derek Miram.

62.

GREG
Derek Miram? The guy you dated all
through college?

ALEXANDRA
That's him.

GREG
How long have you been married?

ALEXANDRA
Well we are just engaged, the
wedding is in a month.

GREG
You must be excited. You two have
been together forever.

ALEXANDRA
We are both very excited.

GREG
Isn't it great. I still love that
feeling when I'm driving home,
knowing that she is going to be
there or when I find myself
wondering what she is doing in the
middle of the day.

ALEXANDRA
The thing I love the most about me
and Derek's relationship is that
we have known each other so long,
we are so comforatable.

GREG
Really? See I love still
discovering things about Theresa.
The oher night, for example, I
made her chicken parmesan as a
surprise and when we ate she had
this funny look on her face. Come
to find out she hates chicken
parm, she only ate it because she
thought it was cute that I made it
for her and she didn't want to
seem ungrateful. All this time I
thought she loved it when she was
really just being nice to save my
feelings.

63.

ALEXANDRA
Why didn't she just tell you she
didn't like it?

GREG
I don't know, but choking down
chicken parm just to make me
happy? That's love.

ALEXANDRA
Greg, I hate to get this short but
I have to get back to the office.
Here is my phone number give me a
call sometime, I would love for
you and Theresa to come to the
wedding.

Alexandra writed down her number on a napkin and hands it to
Greg.

GREG
We would love to come, thank you
Alex. It was really good to see
you.

ALEXANDRA
You to Greg.

Alexandra hugs Greg and walks away.

INT. JIM'S GALLERY - DAY

Jim is in his Gallery moving some pieces around. Lauren
wlaks into the gallery.

LAUREN
Hey Jim.

JIM
Lauren...Hi....What are you doing
here?

LAUREN
I was on my way to the mall and I
saw you in here. Are you okay?

JIM
You startled me that's all.

LAUREN
What are you up to?

64.

JIM
Just moving some pieces around.

LAUREN
Want some help?

JIM
That's alrigh I don't want to make
you late....for the mall.

LAUREN
It's fine.

Lauren picks up up one of the paintings.

LAUREN
Where does this one go?

JIM
I was thinking towards the front.

LAUREN
Mmmm I don't think so. I think you
should put it in that corner near
the back wall.

JIM
Why there?

LAUREN
Because this is an emotional
piece. The girl is looking at the
guy with pain and longing. It
makes you feel something when you
look at it. The front of the room
is so open and bright people can't
confront their emotions there. It
should be in the back where its
more private.

JIM
I don't know.

LAUREN
You said you trusted my opinion,
and my opinion is: put it in the
back.

JIM
No I agree with you about the
location. I don't know if I agree
with you on the interpretation.
She isn't looking at him with
longing, she is looking at him
(MORE)

65.

JIM (cont'd)
with disappointment.

LAUREN
No, thats impossible.

JIM
I'm the artist, I think I know how
she is looking at him.

LAUREN
Then maybe you don't know what you
painted. Look at her eyes. They
look so sad and he looks so
undawnted, like he is leaving but
she doesn't know why. She is
searching for an explanation. Look
closely, she is longing for him.

JIM
Lauren, are you talking about the
painting....or us.

LAUREN
Jim don't do this. I have told you
time and time again that I am over
us.

JIM
I always believed you, but now I'm
looking close and I don't know if
you're telling me the truth.

LAUREN
I can't do this.

JIM
Do what?

LAUREN
I can't pretend like this anymore.

JIM
Pretend what?

LAUREN
This...this stupid charade that we
keep playing. I was not okay with
us ending things Jim. I loved you
and I wanted to be with you, and I
tried. I tried to pretend that
everyhting was fine and that I was
moving on but I wasn't.

66.

JIM
Lauren, calm down.

LAUREN
No let me finish. I've been
racking my brain for the last year
trying to figure out why you would
break things off. I can't think of
anything Jim. I still love you and
I want to be with you.

Jim hugs Lauren.

JIM
I am so sorry if I hurt you. I
thought I was doing the right
thing.

LAUREN
Why?

JIM
I can't tell you...

LAUREN
Then I have to leave.

JIM
No, please stay.

LAUREN
I can't Jim. I've told you
everything I'm feeling and you are
still holding so much back. I'm
not going to continue to pour my
heart out and get nothing in
return. I have to go, when you
figure out what you need to say,
call me.

Lauren walks out. Jim pushes over a stack of paintings
angrily.

INT. ALEXANDRA AND DEREK'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Alexandra and Derek are in the kitchen setting up dinner.

DEREK
It was a disaster today, traffic
was backed up all the way to East
7th street, it took me twice as
long to get home.

67.

ALEXANDRA
Mmhmm.

DEREK
You are being really quiet. Is
everything okay?

ALEXANDRA
Everything is fine.

DEREK
Well.... how was your day?

ALEXANDRA
I ran into Greg Hills. We had
coffee together.

DEREK
Who is Greg Hills?

ALEXANDRA
He was a good friend of mine in
college. You must remember him we
all hung out together a bunch of
times.

DEREK
You had a lot of friends Alex, I
can't remember them all.

            ALEXANDRA
      (under her
       breathe.)
I remember yours.

DEREK
So?

ALEXANDRA
So what?

DEREK
So...how was coffee?

ALEXANDRA
Oh, it was good. He moved to
Boston after we graduated. Sounds
like he has a nice life there. He
got married two years ago.

DEREK
Good for him.

68.

ALEXANDRA
He seems to really lover her.
Theresa, that's her name.

DEREK
Well I'm sure he loves her if he
married her.

ALEXANDRA
Derek, can I ask you something?

DEREK
Of course.

ALEXANDRA
Did you, well, did you ever lie
about something to protect my
feelings?

DEREK
I've never lied to you. Where is
this coming from?

ALEXANDRA
I don't mean about anything
serious. I mean silly stuff like,
my cooking, or my taste in movies
stuff like that. Have you ever
lied to keep me happy?

DEREK
There is nothing wrong with your
cooking, and we have the same
taste in movies. What would I have
to lie about? We agree on almost
everything.

ALEXANDRA
I know, that's one of the things I
love about us, but don't you feel,
sometimes, that we are too
comfortable, that we agree to
much?

DEREK
No. Do you?

ALEXANDRA
No.

DEREK
Alex, is there something going on?
If you are doubting something
about us you really need to tell
(MORE)

69.

DEREK (cont'd)
me.

ALEXANDRA
I'm not doubting anything Derek. I
was just making sure you weren't.

DEREK
I have no doubts about us.

ALEXANDRA
I guess I just needed to her you
say it. I'm sorry for worrying
you. I love you.

DEREK
I love you to.

Derek kisses Alexandra and she pulls away. She walks out of
the kitchen

DEREK
Where are you going?

ALEXANDRA
Just to the bathroom. I think
there is something in my eye.

CUT TO: INT. BATHROOM

Alexandra opens the bathroom door and shuts and locks it
behind her. She begins to cry and slowly caves down to the
floor.

CUT TO:

INT. LAUREN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Lauren walks into her bedroom and walks over to the
answering machine. It is blinking with a new message. She
hits play.

            JIM
      (Through answering
       machine.)
Lauren.....it's Jim. I am really
sorry about what happened today at
the gallery....I wasn't ready for
what you told me...not that I'm
blaming you..or..look you were
right I wasn't being completely
honest with you. Please come over
tomorrow...I would like to try and
            (MORE)

70.

JIM (cont'd)
explain myself...I'll be home
after 6....please come by.

CUT TO:

INT. BRIAN AND SUZETTE'S APARTMENT - DAY

Brian is sitting in the kitchen drinking coffee. Suzette
comes in and joins him.

BRIAN
Are you talking to me yet?

SUZETTE
I never "wasn't talking to you".

BRIAN
Yeah, but since your outburst at
the gallery you haven't exactly
been warm.

SUZETTE
It wasn't an outburst, I was upset
with you.

BRIAN
You didn't even tell me why.

SUZETTE
You didn't ask.

BRIAN
I'm asking now.

SUZETTE
I was upset at all the attention
we were getting for trying to have
a baby. I was hoping we could keep
it between us until we were sure I
was pregnant.

BRIAN
I thought you would want our
friends to know.

SUZETTE
I do, of course I do. It's just a
lot of pressure for me. Now all
thses people know that we are
trying to have a baby and what if
it takes awhile? I don't want
people judging us if I don't get
(MORE)

71.

SUZETTE (cont'd)
pregnant right away.

BRIAN
I'm sorry Suze. I didn't think of
that.

SUZETTE
It's alright, I know you didn't
mean any harm. Can we please just
keep it between us until we are
sure we are really pregnant.

BRIAN
Yes, if that's what you want. I
never want to put any pressure on
you. I love you so much, and our
baby is going to be so loved.

SUZETTE
See Brian when you say stuff like
that, it makes it so hard.

BRIAN
Makes what hard?

SUZETTE
All I ever wanted was to make you
happy and to give you everything
you wanted. I want to you to have
the family you dreamed of.

BRIAN
That I wanted. I we both wanted a
big family, it's what we always
talked about, what we planned on.

SUZETTE
I do want a big family, but maybe
my plan is a little different than
yours.

BRIAN
Slow down, you've completely lost
me.

SUZETTE
What if I don't get pregnant?

BRIAN
Honey, I had no idea you were so
worried about this. Suze, you are
going to get pregnant. It may not
happen right away but it will
(MORE)

72.

BRIAN (cont'd)
happen.

SUZETTE
No, it won't

BRIAN
Don't talk like that. I hate to
see you this upset. There is no
reason to stress yourself out over
this.

SUZETTE
Don't tell me how to feel right
now.

DEREK
Suze?

SUZETTE
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap
at you but you are not listening
to me. Brian, we are not going to
have a baby. I am not going to get
pregnant.

BRIAN
I know you're scared..

SUZETTE
No, this isn't a fear. This isn't
me confessing my deepest feelings.
This is me being honest. I can't
have children.

BRIAN
What?

SUZETTE
I found out when I was sixteen. My
ovaries never fully developed and
to make a complicated story short,
the result is that I cannot get
pregnant, ever. No matter what I
do or how much we love each other.
It's impossible for me to have a
baby.

Beat.

SUZETTE
Say something.

73.

BRIAN
What would you like me to say?

SUZETTE
What are you feeling?

BRIAN
Betrayed. That's how I feel. You
have known all this time....all
our conversations about
family....about having kids...and
you never told me?

Brian starts to leave.

SUZETTE
What was I supposed to say? How
was I supposed to tell you? I knew
it would break your heart.

BRIAN
So you just decided what was best
for me?

SUZETTE
Lying to you was the hardest thing
I've ever done. I wanted to tell
you but I was so scared. I thought
you would leave me.

BRIAN
I'm sure it was hard for you
Suzette. I'm sure it was hard to
not believe in me. To think that
I was the kind of person who would
leave you because of that. You
lied to me for 2 years, how can I
trust anything you say now?

SUZETTE
(crying.)
Brian......please

BRIAN
With time, I can forgive you for
lying to me, but you didn't
believe in us Suze. You didn't
believe that our love could make
it if I knew the truth. We've been
through a lot of stuff, we've been
mad at each other, we've even
screamed at each other, but I
NEVER doubted that we weren't
strong enough to make it through
(MORE)

74.

BRIAN (cont'd)
anything. You did, every moment up
until today, you doubted us. You
stood with me at the altar and
promised to love me, but you
didn't trust me. How can I forgive
you for that?

Brian storms out while Suzette screams for him to come back.

INT. SHANA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Shana, Colin and Becca are sitting on the couches.

BECCA
Who's turn is it?

SHANA
It's Colin's.

COLIN
Aren't we a little old for this
game?

SHANA
Why do you always try to change
the subject when it's your turn?

COLIN
Fine....I was just tryng to start
a conversation but if you'd rather
play some mindless game.

BECCA
Yeah, we would. Now take your damn
turn.

COLIN
Okay okay. Becca.....truth or
dare.

BECCA
Truth.

COLIN
You two always pick truth.

SHANA
Because the last time I picked
dare you almost got me arrested.

75.

BECCA
It was a funny picture though.

COLIN
Alright truth....truth....I can't
think of anything.

SHANA
I've got one.

Shana whispers into Colin's ear.

BECCA
Hey! You can't help him.

COLIN
Yes she can. So Becca where did
you go last night when you snuck
out of the apartment at 2 in the
morning?

BECCA
I....went for a walk. I needed
some fresh air.

SHANA
You are full of crap. No one does
their hair to go for a walk.

COLIN
You have to tell the truth, it's
the rules.

BECCA
ugh....I went to Eric's. You
happy?

COLIN
Yes.

SHANA
Who's Eric?

BECCA
Sorry, one question per
turn....Now lets see....Shana
truth or dare.

SHANA
Truth.

COLIN
Again?! Come on....

76.

BECCA
Okay I have a good one. Since you
two like to share so much. What is
the biggest lie you've ever told
Colin?

SHANA
I don't lie to Colin.

BECCA
You have been friends for a year
and you've never lied to him.
Never kept anything from him?

SHANA
There is one thing...I didn't
really lie about it.

COLIN
You can tell me Shana.

SHANA
I....

BECCA
Out with it.

SHANA
I really hate that yellow shirt
you have.

COLIN
Ouch.

SHANA
Sorry.

COLIN
I thought you liked it?

SHANA
No it's hideous.

They continue talking and laughing.

CUT TO:

INT. JIM'S APARTMENT. - NIGHT

Jim is in his kitchen. The doorbell rings. He answers it and
sees Lauren. He motions for her to come in and shuts the
door behind her.

77.

LAUREN
I got your message.

JIM
Yeah...I wanted to apologize for
the other day. I'm really sorry.

LAUREN
It's okay. I kind of threw
everything at you at once.

JIM
Sit down Lauren, please.

Lauren and Jim sit at the table. They are both silent for a
few minutes.

LAUREN
And I was worried this might be
akward.

JIM
I guess I'm still trying to figure
out what to say.

LAUREN
It doesn't have to be this hard.
It's us, we could always talk to
each other before.

JIM
I know, but this is different.

LAUREN
Okay. Then just say what your
feeling.

JIM
What I'm feeling....right. Lauren,
I think you are beautiful and
caring and wonderful.

LAUREN
But...

JIM
No there is not but. It's
completely butless-, let me put
this a different way. I loved you
more than any other woman I've
ever met. I don't know if it's
possible for me to ever love
someone as much as I loved you.

78.

LAUREN
Continue.

JIM
And you were right the other day.
All of the reasons I told you for
breaking up with you last year
were...wrong.I see you an I want
to be near you. I'm still in love
with you.

LAUREN
Then why did we break up? Why
aren't we together?

JIM
Because we can't.

LAUREN
This is what drives me crazy Jim.
You say you are in love me but we
can't be together. What the hell
does that mean? Here is what I
feel. I am still in love with you
and I want to be with you, and
those feelings aren't going
anywhere. I with a smile on my
face and pretend that I'm okay
with being just friends. If you
can't open up to me then I have to
leave. I can't keep putting
myself through hell while you hide
between bullshit responses.

JIM
I don't deserve you.

LAUREN
What?

JIM
You wanted an honest
answer....there it is. I don't
deserve you.

LAUREN
Why?

JIM
I lied to you....I've been lying
to you.

79.

LAUREN
About what?

JIM
About the reason we broke up.

LAUREN
Tell me the truth now.

JIM
It will break you heart.

LAUREN
I've gotten really good at putting
it back together.

JIM
I cheated on you.

LAUREN
What?...with-when?

JIM
3 Weeks before we broke up. It was
the worst thing I could ever done
Lauren and I have regretted it
every day, every minute since it
happened.

LAUREN
That's why you broke up with me?

JIM
I couldn't stand myself. The way
you looked at me when you told me
you loved me. I didn't deserve
you....and I thought it would just
be easier if I let you go.

LAUREN
Easier on who? I spent months
analyzing every step of our
relationship trying to figure out
what I did wrong, how I could have
possibly pushed you away. I put
myself through hell over you.

JIM
I'm so sorry. The last thing I
wanted was to hurt you.

80.

LAUREN
And it turns out I wasted all that
time. It wasn't something I did.
It was me. You didn't want me....I
wasn't good enough for you.

JIM
No, don't say that. I loved you, I
loved you so much it hurt...

LAUREN
So who was it? Who did you cheat
on me with?

JIM
It doesn't matter.

LAUREN
It does matter. I'd like to know
exactly what I was being compared
to. Was she prettier than me? Was
she sexier? What made you want her
more than me? Who was she?

JIM
No one is prettier or-

LAUREN
WHO WAS SHE!?

JIM
Her name was Heather....she lived
two floors above me.

Lauren pauses for a moment. Her eyes begin to tear up.

LAUREN
Long brown hair....green eyes.

JIM
Yeah.

LAUREN
You intorduced me to her
once....we were coming after
dinner and she shared the elevator
with us. She said that she liked
my dress, but she failed to
mention she also liked my
boyfriend....You slept with her?

81.

JIM
Once. She asked me to help her
move some furniture and we had a
couple beers...

LAUREN
Miraculous how a couple of beers
can make you forget the woman you
loved.

JIM
I never forgot you. I was so angry
and ...I hated myself. I cried for
two days....I can't apologize
enough for this. I would do
anything to take it back, but I
can't......I wanted you to know,
because I still love you.

LAUREN
You don't know what love is. You
talk about it but you have no
idea. I don't want to talk to you
again. I can't even look at you
right now.

Lauren gets up.

JIM
Don't go. Please.

LAUREN
No. You don't get to see me cry
anymore. You don't deserve that.

Lauren leaves.

INT. SHANA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Shana is on the couch reading. Becca comes in the door and
jumps on the couch.

SHANA
Why do you look so happy.

BECCA
I just had the best date with
Eric.

SHANA
Tell me.

82.

BECCA
I don't know if I should. A lady
should keep the affairs of her
heart to herself.

SHANA
Good thing you are not a lady.

BECCA
Funny.

SHANA
Really, tell me.

BECCA
The date itself was nothing
special. Dinner a movie...same old
thing. Then, after the movie he
asks me if I want to go for a
walk. So we start to walk under
the stars down near the bridge on
3rd street.

SHANA
How tragically romantic.

BECCA
Yeah and corny as hell. Anyway we
were walking and suddenly he stops
and starts talking about all
these...feelings that he
has...about me.

SHANA
What did he say?

BECCA
He said that he loves spending
time with me and that when we
aren't together he thinks about me
all the time. He said gets excited
when he knows he's going to see me
and that he has never felt this
strong about anyone before. He
said he thinks he's falling in
love me.

SHANA
Oh Becs.

BECCA
And you know I was a little
freaked out because we haven't
been dating all that long, but
(MORE)

83.

BECCA (cont'd)
Eric said that didn't matter. He
said when you feel that strongly
for someone you have to tell them.
No matter how scared you are you
just have to say it.

SHANA
Yeah..

BECCA
The craziest thing is...I think I
might be falling in love with him
too. He makes me feel....I don't
know...you know?

SHANA
I know exactly what you mean.

BECCA
Wow....okay I need to stop
thinking about it I'm going to
drive myself insane. I need....a
distraction. You, tell me what you
are doing tonight.

SHANA
Colin's having a party. I'm
supposed to stop by.

BECCA
Well go. Don't stay here on
account of me.

SHANA
No I'm not. He's going to be with
all of his friends and I don't
want to be in the way.

BECCA
What are you talking about? Colin
will be mad at you if you don't
show up. You know he will.

SHANA
Uhg, I know. Fine I'll go. Do you
want to come?

BECCA
No...I think I'm going to stay
here and...read this book.

84.

SHANA
You are going to call Eric as soon
as I leave.

BECCA
Yep.

SHANA
Alright. Have fun, I won't be back
too late.

BECCA
Bye.

Shana walks out.

INT. COLIN'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Shana walks into Colin's house. The place is very crowded.
She looks through the rooms and sees Colin standing in a
corner. Shana walks over to him.

SHANA
Hey you.

COLIN
Hey....you actually came.

SHANA
I told you I would.

COLIN
Yeah but usually you back out.

SHANA
No I don't I-

Liz runs up to Colin and hugs him.

LIZ
Colin!

COLIN
You are crazy Liz. How much have
you had to drink?

LIZ
Not enough. Why are you standing
all...in corner? Lets go dance.

COLIN
No, I don't want to dance.

85.

LIZ
Please...come on..please?

COLIN
Alright...lets go.

COLIN
(To Shana.)
I'll be right back. There are
plenty of beers in the fridge.
Help yourself.

SHANA
I can't drink, I drove here.

Liz drags Colin off. Shana watches them dance. After a
moment David walks over to Shana.

DAVID
Hi.

SHANA
Hi.

DAVID
I'm David.

SHANA
Shana...nice to meet you.

DAVID
Yeah you to. You look sort of sad
is everyhting okay?

SHANA
Yeah...everything is wonderful.

DAVID
Do you want me to get you a beer?

SHANA
No, thank you but I drove here.

DAVID
Oh....you are really pretty.

SHANA
Thanks.

Shana continues to watch Liz and Colin dance.

86.

DAVID
No like some people are pretty but
you are like really pretty.

SHANA
David, I appreciate it I really do
but I just can't do this right
now....I have to go.

Shana leaves the room and sits in the staircase.

INT. STAIRCASE

Shana sits with her head down. After a few minutes Colin
comes and sits down next to her.

COLIN
Why are you sitting back here?

SHANA
Um..all the smoke in the room
started to get to me. I just
needed to get away for a second.

COLIN
I saw you talking to David.

SHANA
So?

COLIN
Nothing he's just kind of...weird.

SHANA
I was just talking to him. You
were dancing with Liz and I really
didn't feel like standing by
myself.

COLIN
Yeah...Liz is great isn't she?

COLIN
Yeah she is.....I have to go.

COLIN
Wait...why?

SHANA
I just do.

COLIN
Are you mad at me?

87.

SHANA
No...why would I be mad at you?

COLIN
I don't know, you are just acting
different.

SHANA
How?

COLIN
Usually you are all crazy and
blaaa, now your like serious.

SHANA
Maybe I need some fresh air. Will
you come outside with me?

COLIN
Sure.

OUTSIDE.

Shana leans on the house while Colin goes around the corner.

SHANA
What are you doing?

COLIN
Peeing.

SHANA
Lovely.

COLIN
Hey sometime this week do you want
to go shoping with me? It's my
mom's birthday and I could really
use your hel picking something
out?

SHANA
Wow. You are really drunk.

COLIN
What? No I'm not...well yes a
little but why would you say that?

SHANA
Because you are talking to me
about buying a present for your
mother's birthday, while peeing on
the side of your house.

88.

COLIN
Actually I'm done peeing.

SHANA
Good then. Do you want to go back
inside?

COLIN
In a minute.

Colin kisses Shana. She responds for a moment and then pulls
away.

SHANA
Colin...

COLIN
Shana...can I talk to you about
something?

SHANA
Yeah...there is actually something
I've been wanting to talk to you
about too.

COLIN
Okay but me first. Sit down for a
second.

Colin and Shana sit on the ground.

COLIN
So you know how we were playing
truth or dare the other day and
you said that you had never lied
to me?

SHANA
Yeah.

COLIN
Okay well when I went home that
nightI thought about how I had
lied to you about something. I
mean I didn't really lie about it
but I haven't been completely
honest with you.

SHANA
Okay.

89.

COLIN
And you are one of my best friends
and I wanted to be honest with you
but I didn't want thing to be
different between us.

SHANA
I think I know what your saying,
but you don't have to worry things
will never change between us. You
will always be one of my best
friends.

COLIN
Thats good to
hear....Shana.....I'm gay.

SHANA
What?

COLIN
I'm gay.

SHANA
Oh my goodness. I'm so happy for
you! I mean I'm so happy you told
me.

Shana hugs Colin.

COLIN
Really?

SHANA
Yeah of course. I can't believe
you would even be hesistant to
tell me.

COLIN
I know but...you know I love you
and not that many people know
and...

SHANA
Hey...I love you too and nothing
could ever change that...ever.

Colin kisses Shana.

COLIN
And now we don't have to feel
weird about doing that.

90.

SHANA
Thats a good thing too.

COLIN
Wasn't there something you wanted
to tell me?

SHANA
It's not important.

COLIN
You sure.

SHANA
Yeah.

COLIN
Let's head inside then. It's cold
out here.

They get up and go inside.

CUT TO:

INT. SHANA'S CAR - NIGHT

Shana gets into her car drives off. As she is driving she
starts to cry.

CUT TO:

INT. BRIAN AND SUZETTE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

The door bell rings and Suzette gets out of bed. She walks
over to the door and opens it. Shana is standing in the
doorway crying uncontrollably. Her eyes are puffy and
make-up is running down her face. Suzette pulls Shana inside
and they collapse on the floor together.

INT. ALEXANDRA AND DEREK'S HOUSE - DAY

Derek and Brian are sitting on the couch.

BRIAN
So I haven't been home since then.

DEREK
Man....I'm really sorry.

91.

BRIAN
I just don't know what to do. I
don't know how I can trust her
again.

DEREK
It's crazy...if a great girl like
Suzette could be lying about
something that big...scares me to
think what the rest of them could
do.

BRIAN
You've got nothing to worry about.
Alexandra is practically perfect.
Sometimes I wish me and Sue's
relationship were more like yours.

DEREK
Really?

BRIAN
Yeah. You guys have known each
other forever. You know everything
about Alex, theres no surprises.
You have a routine...you are
comforatable.

DEREK
I guess.

BRIAN
What? You don't see that?

DEREK
No I see it, but maybe I would
like to trade some of that comfort
for a little craziness.

DEREK
What do you mean?

DEREK
Comforatable is good and
everyhting but I feel like me and
Alex are in a rut. Like we are
stuck in this pattern that we
can't get out of.

BRIAN
But you still love her?

92.

DEREK
Of course, I will always love her.
I just don't know if I am as in to
the relationship as I used to be.

BRIAN
Derek your wedding is in two
weeks. You are just getting
nervous. It's natural, every guy
goes through it. I went through
it. You and Alex are perfect for
each other. You and her...it makes
sense.

DEREK
You're right. I know it does. I'm
talking crazy.

BRIAN
It happens. Look I got to go. I
want to stop by the house before
Suzette gets home and pick up some
stuff.

DEREK
Alright. I'll see you at the
rehearsal dinner?

BRIAN
Yeah definatley.

DEREK
Brian...good luck.

BRIAN
Thanks man. See you later.

DEREK
Bye.

Brian leaves.

INT. LAUREN'S APARTMENT - DAY

The doorbell rings and Lauren answers it. Jim is standing at
the door. Lauren tries to close the door but Jim stops it
with his hand.

JIM
Wait Lauren. You don't have to say
anything you just have to listen.

93.

LAUREN
I don't have to do anything.

JIM
Please, just a couple minutes of
your time.

LAUREN
You have two minutes. Go.

JIM
Alright. I'm really sorry. I know
that you can't forgive me right
now and I completely understand
that, but I can't let this go. Not
having you in my life, that would
kill me Lauren. Not today. not
tomorrow but slowly it would kill
me. I know that I can't make you
trust me again like you did
before, not right away. I know it
will take time and a whole lot of
effort on my part. So this is my
promise to you. I will be here,
everyday, with a yellow rose
because I know they are your
favorite. I will be here in the
rain, the snow, all major
holidays, and the weird ones
like...Arbor Day. Ill be
here...even when football is on. I
will prove to you that you can
trust me. I'm not saying you have
to talk to me or even acknowledge
me. And when you don't I will
leave the rose here on the steps.
All I ask is that one day, if you
can see us getting past this just
take the rose and prove to me that
even though I don't deserve it
there may still be a chance for me
yet.

Jim hold out the yellow rose. Lauren looks at it for a
moment and shakes her head. Jim puts the rose down on the
step.

JIM
I'll see you tomorrow.

Jim walks away. Lauren looks at the rose again and smiles,
then closes the door.

94.

INT. BRIAN AND SUZETTE'S APARTMENT - DAY

Shana is laying on the couch. Brian opens the door and
carefully walks in. Shana wakes up and sits up.

BRIAN
Shana! You scared me.

SHANA
Suzette's not here.

BRIAN
I know. I just needed to grab
something from my office.

SHANA
Go ahead, don't mind me.

Brian walks into the other room. Shana sits up and wraps the
blanket around herself. She begins to cry. Brian re-enters
the room holding a briefcase.

BRIAN
Well I got what I needed. I guess
I'll see you later.

SHANA
Sure.

BRIAN
Are you crying?

SHANA
No.

BRIAN
Yes you are.

SHANA
Why did you ask if you already
knew the answer?