Color My World 1
TITLE:
Color My World
BLACK SCREEN
CYNTHIA (V.O)
My mother always said if it was
true love you’d see it in your
sleep, that your dreams would
guide you, that your heart would
tell your unconscious mind what, when awake, you’d never admit to
yourself. Close your eyes, she’d
say, and you’ll find love.
MONTAGE:
Filmed in black and white. CYNTHIA STONEHOUSE, a 25-year-old blonde superstar Britney Spears-esque with green eyes, is sitting on a chair in front of a mirror. She is backstage before her concert and JOHN BAILEY, a 27-year-old male with blue eyes and a stylish hair cut, is doing her hair. OTHER PEOPLE mingle around them, moving clothes and handing out water bottles. CYNTHIA stares blankly into the mirror, trying to get her focus for her show that night.
NARRATOR (V.O)
Cynthia and John had worked
together for almost three
years. As Cynthia rose to stardom,
John was there to fix her hair,
pick out her clothes and be one
of Cynthia's closest confidants.
Cynthia was focused and determined,
she took her job seriously, and
knew the right moves to make in
order to further her career.
CYNTHIA runs off stage down the backstage steps. JOHN is there with a towel and a bottle of water. He hands it out to her as she walks past.
JOHN
Fantastic show.
JOHN reaches out and pats CYNTHA'S back, rubbing her shoulders gently. CYNTHIA keeps walking, out of breath.
CYNTHIA
The crowd was wild!
JOHN
They love you.
CYNTHIA giggles, high with energy from the concert.
CYNTHIA
Yes, they do!
CYNTHIA keeps walking, and JOHN lets his hands fall to his sides. He smiles as he watches her walk away.
JOHN
We all do.
AIRPORT LOBBY. CYNTHIA is digging around in her suitcase frantically searching for something. A moment later JOHN runs in from the airplane loading hallway. In his hands are her keys. She looks up and takes them from him, laughing at herself.
JOHN
I found them. I told you,
you left them on the plane.
CYNTHIA scratches her head.
CYNTHIA
Sometimes I feel as if I'm
losing my mind. I just forget
where I put things, or that
I even have things to keep
track of. As if they'll
magically follow me around.
JOHN smiles as he places the keys into CYNTHIA'S hand.
JOHN
But they do follow you
around, Cynthia. Only it's
not magic.
JOHN tries to look into CYNTHIA'S eyes, but she leans back down to zip her luggage back up.
Narrator (V.O)
Every time he touched her,
Cynthia yawned. Every time he
retrieved an item Cynthia was
missing, he was ignored.
CYNTHIA is on stage singing a song with thousands of screaming fans. Off to the side of the stage stands JOHN, watching her with a huge smile on his face sort of bouncing along to the rhythm.
NARRATOR (V.O)
Every gaze he blazed into
Cynthia's eyes was turned
away from.
CYNTHIA is on a talk show similar to Conan O'Brien. The tally light goes off of a camera and everyone begins to relax during the commercial break. JOHN runs out from the wings with a can of hair spray and begins to fix CYNTHIA'S hair during the break, giving it close attention.
NARRATOR (V.O)
every whisper and caress
was not acknowledged.
CYNTHIA is at a table inside a record store. HUNDREDS OF FANS are lined up with posters, pictures, CDs, and magazines. CYNTHIA sits at the table, body guards around her, and signs the CDs, talking with the fans, and taking pictures. JOHN walks in behind the table with a can of Pepsi in his hand. He sets it down beside the magazine CYNTHIA is signing.
JOHN
Here is the Pepsi you
asked for.
CYNTHIA doesn't look up from the magazine she is signing as a FAN stands in front of her, crying his hysterics.
CYNTHIA
Thank you John.
JOHN smiles knowingly and steps aside, watching her work.
JOHN is at a rack of clothing. He mulls over it for awhile before picking out a few pieces, stepping back it reveals CYNTHIA on the couch talking on her cellphone visibly angry. JOHN places the clothes on the couch beside her. CYNTHIA looks over and nods shortly.
NARRATOR (V.O)
Cynthia was comfortable
with John. She trusted and
respected John enough to
know that he knew what he
was doing and had Cynthia's
best interest at heart. John
was one less thing Cynthia had
to keep her mind on and worry
about.
CYNTHIA on the tour bus, watching Casablanca on the flat screen plasma TV. She's curled up with a blanket and her SMALL DOG. The world rolls by her window, but her eyes focus on the TV, although they are blank and tired.
NARRATOR (V.O)
But the result of such a
lifestyle ended in monotony,
made stark and bland by
circumstance. At the end of
the day, Cynthia felt nothing
else but the satisfaction
she gained from a hard days
work. Her eyes glazed over
in a dream world that she
could not break free from.
On the red carpet. Camera's flashing every where. CYNTHIA walking the red carpet with her BODYGUARDS. JOHN is in the background with the other assistants to celebrities, watching with pride as CYNTHIA radiates her beauty as she walks down the aisle.
NARRATOR (V.O)
But John continued to be her
right hand man, hoping with
every touch and every look,
that Cynthia might awaken and
see what was always in front
of her.
FADE TO:
EX - HIGHSCHOOL - EVENING
A car pulls up across the handicap parking spaces. CYNTHIA looks up to the car from her position on the steps. The sun begins to set. JOHN leans out the window to speak.
JOHN
Need a ride?
CYNTHIA stands and dusts her skirt off. She slings a heavy backpack around her shoulder and walks to the car.
CYNTHIA
Mama said don't ride with
strangers.
JOHN
I'm no stranger, goof ball.
Hop in!
JOHN opens the car door. CYNTHIA gets in.
JOHN (CONT'D)
You hungry? We could grab
a bite to eat first.
CYNTHIA smiles into the rear view mirror watching JOHN'S hair in the wind.
CYNTHIA
Burgers sound good.
JOHN
Plural?
CYNTHIA
I can eat a lot.
JOHN
Would never have guessed
it.
JOHN turns from driving and looks CYNTHIA'S body over. Tapping the wheel he turns back to the road.
JOHN (CONT'D)
Don't know where you put it.
CYNTHIA'S
I could eat about five.
JOHN
I'll be you ten bucks you
can't.
CYNTHIA frowns and looks out the window.
CYNTHIA
I don't have any money.
JOHN
Then how were you going to
pay for these multiple
burgers?
CYNTHIA groans and rests her head against the car window. JOHN frowns and rests his hand on her thigh.
JOHN (CONT'D)
I'm teasing you. Don't worry,
I have money for both of us.
CYNTHIA
No, I don't want to take hand
outs.
JOHN
It's not a hand out. It's a
bet. And it's my bet, so I
should pay for it.
CYNTHIA smiles and nods. She turns up the radio where a Top 40 Country song plays.
CYNTHIA
Sure thing.
INT - RESTURANT - EVENING
CYNTHIA and JOHN sit across from each other in a diner booth. CYNTHIA is giggling as she sips her milkshake. JOHN is watching her amusedly.
JOHN
You weren't kidding.
JOHN pops a fry into his mouth and chews slowly. His eyes move over CYNTHIA'S face. CYNTHIA leans back in the booth.
CYNTHIA
You lost your bet.
JOHN
One bet I was willing to
loose.
CYNTHIA and JOHN'S eyes connect with each other from over the table. JOHN reaches his hand out to wipe some stray ketchup from her cheek.
RAY
Cynthia!
RAY, a largely built man with peppered balding hair and a goatee, aged 57, towers over them. He slams his fist down onto the table as he speaks. JOHN falls back, startled, into the corner of the booth.
RAY (CONT'D)
What the fuck are you doing
here!
CYNTHIA
Ray I -
RAY grabs CYNTHIA'S arm and rips her up from the booth.
RAY
God damnit I told you to come
home after school!
CYNTHIA
Ray, ow, let go!
CYNTHIA squirms to break from RAY'S grasp. Ray smacks her with his free hand against her head. Cynthia struggles and kicks one of her legs back against Ray’s thigh.
RAY
Fuck! You little bitch!
RAY pulls at CYNTHIA'S arm, twisting it around, dragging her down the aisle. CYNTHIA turns to JOHN, full of fear.
JOHN
Sir I can -
RAY
Who is this little shit? Some
pervert you like to flirt with?
CYNTHIA
Ray!
RAY
Shut up!
RAY slaps his hand down on Cynthia's back.
JOHN
Look mister!
JOHN stands up and pushes between CYNTHIA and RAY. CYNTHIA falls back into the booth. JOHN shoves RAY against the diner counter.
RAY
God damnit boy!
RAY swings his fist at JOHN, but JOHN ducks away and grabs CYNTHIA'S hand
JOHN
Come on!
JOHN pulls CYNTHIA out the door quickly and they get into his car.
CYNTHIA
Where are you taking me?
CYNTHIA looks out the back window to watch RAY run out of the diner yelling and screaming.
JOHN
Somewhere that's not with
him.
CYNTHIA
You didn't pay.
JOHN
Maybe that man will foot the bill. Who was he anyway?
CYNTHIA
No one special.
INT - FORT - NIGHT
CYNTHIA sits on an old spring mattress that lays on a dirt floor. JOHN is standing by the door looking out the window at the woods that surrounds the fort.
CYNTHIA
Ouch.
CYNTHIA turns her arm over and on the back of it is a thumb sized bruise.
JOHN
Let me take a look at
that.
JOHN kneels beside CYNTHIA on the floor. He reaches up to take her arm. CYNTHIA pulls her arm away and tucks it behind her back.
CYNTHIA
No, I'm fine.
JOHN
It's okay, Cynthia. I just
want to help.
CYNTHIA
I'm sorry, it's embarrassing.
CYNTHIA sidles her arm back to JOHN. JOHN bends over and takes her arm gently in his. The bruise has grown bigger.
JOHN
Does it hurt?
CYNTHIA
Throbs a little.
CYNTHIA sniffles in pain. John leans over slowly and places a kiss below the bruise. JOHN looks up into CYNTHIA’S sad face where her eyelashes sparkle with tears. JOHN slides his hand against her cheek and slowly leans in to kiss her. CYNTHIA sighs pleasantly and wraps her arms around his back.
CYNTHIA
What was that for?
JOHN
For being so brave.
CYNTHIA
I'm not brave.
JOHN
You are and you don't even
know it. It's one of the
many reasons why I love
you.
CYNTHIA
You love me?
IN - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Inside a darkened bedroom CYNTHIA lays in bed. At the right corner of the room there is a dog bed with a little girl puppy sleeping. There is a dresser across from the bed and blinds over the window. The scene is still shot in black and white.
CYNTHIA
Ah!
CYNTHIA sits up in bed quickly, woken from her nightmare. The blankets are twisted over her leg, she is sweating. The clock next to her on the night stand reads 1:30am. CYNTHIA untangles herself from the sheets and begins to pace the room. The moonlight streams in from the half open blinds and creates white stripes across the black walls. Extra diogetic music plays over the scene. At a few points the music swells so you can hear the lyrics.
CYNTHIA (CONT'D)
What was that?
MUSIC
There's a song that's inside
of my soul.
RALIEGH the dog whimpers from her basket.
CYNTHIA (CONT'D)
Sorry girl, didn't mean
to scare you.
CYNTHIA paces through the room a little while longer, running her fingers through her hair and trying to figure out the dream. Finally she sits back on the bed and grabs the phone receiver and begins to dial. CYNTHIA holds the phone up to her ear and waits. The phone continues to ring unanswered for a while until finally JOHN picks up with a groan. The frame splits in to two scenes, one of CYNTHIA'S room and one of JOHN'S. JOHN'S room is in color. His lamp is on and illuminates a bedroom full of movie and music posters and other colorful knick-knacks.
CYNTHIA (CONT'D)
Oh, John, sorry, I know
it's late.
JOHN
Cynthia?
John groans, having been through this many times before.
JOHN (CONT’D)
What is it this time? If you
tell me you need a Pepsi or
a hair re-adjustment you are
so dead come daybreak.
JOHN'S voice is thick with sleep and he speaks slowly as his words form.
CYNTHIA
No.
CYNTHIA laughs slightly.
CYNTHIA (CONT'D)
I just... this is going to
sound childish -
JOHN
Oh try me. .
CYNTHIA
But
CYTNHIA sighs worriedly.
MUSIC
It's the one that I've tried
to write over and over again.
CYNTHIA (CONT'D)
I had a bad dream and I was
wondering if you would come
over.
JOHN
No such thing as the boogie
man, Cynthia.
JOHN rustled against the sheets, sitting up and getting out of bed.
CYNTHIA
I know, but it kind of
stirred me.
JOHN
Stirred you?
CYNTHIA
I feel weird, please will
you just come over here?
JOHN
Fine, but you're paying me
overtime.
JOHN yawns loudly as he stretches out his arms.
CYNTHIA
Boy aren't you cranky at
night?
JOHN
When I'm woken up, yes.
CYNTHIA shakes her head and frowns.
CYNTHIA
Never mind. Forget I asked
you this favor. Go back to
sleep, John.
JOHN
No, Cynthia, I'm coming over.
I'm sorry I'm grouchy. I'll
be better once I get there and
I've woken up. If you need me,
then I'll be there for you.
CYNTHIA smiles victoriously.
CYNTHIA
Thank you.
JOHN
No problem. Anything for
Princess.
CYNTHIA
Hey!
IN - LIVINGROOM - EARLY MORNING
JOHN knocks at the door. CYNTHIA runs down the stairs and opens it before he can knock twice. JOHN is leaning tiredly against the siding of CYNTHIA'S home. Everything is filmed once again in black and white.
CYNTHIA
Hi, come on in.
CYNTHIA grabs JOHN'S hand and tugs him into the house, leading him up to her bedroom.
JOHN
Whoa, where are we going,
to the scene of the crime?
CYNTHIA
Shush Mr. Cranky Pants,
just follow me.
INT. - BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
CYNTHIA and JOHN are sitting next to each other at the side of CYNTHIA'S bed. They are looking out into the empty dark room. The small dog is once again sleeping in her bed and is making small snoring noises. The rest of the room is quiet. JOHN drums his fingers over his knee, waiting for CYNTHIA to say something.
MUSIC
I'm awake in the infinite cold.
But you sing to me over and
over and over again.
JOHN
Are you at least going to
tell me what the dream was
about?
CYNTHIA
I was a kid again, back in
North Carolina. I was hanging
out at a popular diner there
and...
CYNTHIA'S voice trails off.
JOHN
Keep going, don't leave me
in suspense.
JOHN yawns. CYNTHIA turns her head towards him accusingly.
JOHN (CONT'D)
Okay, sorry, I'll be supportive.
But it's late so can we hurry
this along?
CYNTHIA
Yeah, right. So I was hanging
out there eating all these cheeseburgers.
JOHN
Oh, it was a stress dream.
CYTNTHIA
What?
JOHN
When I get stressed out I
dream about food.
CYNTHIA
John, the burgers aren't
what's important here.
JOHN
Well then can you skip to
what is?
CYNTHIA
Alright, so I was at the
diner and I was having a
great time, and then all
of a suddenly my dad shows
up.
JOHN
Your dad?
CYNTHIA looks away from him sighing reluctantly.
CYNTHIA
Ray. My stepfather Ray was
there and he came yelling
and screaming and dragging
me out.
MUSIC
When it feels like my dreams
are so far.
CYNTHIA drops her chin to her chest.
CYNTHIA (CONT'D)
He always did that when I
was younger, always ruining
my fun and embarrassing me in
front of my friends. Smack me
around right in the middle of
a public place.
JOHN
I'm sorry Cynthia.
JOHN squints his eyes and looks to CYNTHIA. CYNTHIA is staring straight ahead into the empty room. JOHN releases a steady breath, his hand twitches on his knee wanting to protect her.
CYNTHIA
He'd yell at me because I
bruised easily, said it was
my fault that I was too soft.
JOHN
Well it's not your fault that
he hit you so hard you bruised.
CYNTHIA continues to speak over JOHN.
CYNTHIA
A pansy, a prissy, a weak
excuse...
JOHN cuts her off.
JOHN
Cynthia, you are anything but
weak. You're one of the
strongest people I know.
CYNTHIA
Yeah right. To him my bruises
were a sign of weakness and
frailty.
JOHN shakes his head.
JOHN
He was wrong. There is
strength in being able to
show that you've been
hurt.
CYNTHIA tugs at the elastic on her pajama bottoms.
CYNTHIA
I never want to feel that
kind of pain again. To have
someone that I trust abuse
me, to make me feel as if I'm
not good enough. That’s why I
poured myself into my career,
focusing solely on achieving my
goals. I’ve been too scared to
let anyone new love me. I thought
that moving to LA would help me come
out of the shell I created for
myself. There were so many new
people and places to see, so
many colors and feelings of life
to experience. But I was afraid
of being rejected and so I stayed
locked inside myself with my
dreams where I was safe.
JOHN looks over to the clock on her bed table. The time is past 2am.
CYNTHIA (CONT'D)
I guess that explains the other
part of my dream.
MUSIC
I pray, to be only yours I
know now, you’re my only hope.
JOHN
Other part?
CYNTHIA
There was more to it than Ray.
JOHN
What else was the dream about
then?
CYNTHIA
Nothing scary, just unsettling,
you know? One of those dreams
that takes real people and
events in your life, but
changes them differently from
how they really were. But the
way the dream plays out makes
you question your own take on
reality. So now I'm not sure if
what happened in the dream,
really happened or not.
JOHN
It didn't really happen, that's
why they call it a dream. By
definition it's fictional.
CYNTHIA
But dreams can come true.
JOHN
But if you don't pursue them,
they don't have to.
CYNTHIA
Maybe I wanted this one to.
MUSIC
Sing to me of the plans that
you have for me over again.
CYNTHIA darts her eyes up to JOHN'S and folder her hands in her lap. There is silence as both of them begin to think, starting down at their hands, wobbling back and forth and the edge of CYNTHIA'S bed. CYNTHIA finally breaks the silence.
CYNTHIA (CONT'D)
It is true, despite what others
may believe.
JOHN
What is?
CYNTHIA
That I'm a virgin.
JOHN is taken by surprise at her comment.
JOHN
Is that was your dream was
about?
CYNTHIA
Yes and no. It was about
more than sex, it was about
love, even if it was black
and white.
JOHN
Love is anything but black
and white, Cynthia.
CYNTHIA
Yes, but most of our dreams are
in black and white. It isn't
until we wake up that color is
added to them.
JOHN
And what are your dreams,
Cynthia?
CYNTHIA
I used to think that I
wanted to be a teacher.
But that wasn't really a
dream, more of a career goal.
I never thought strongly
about being famous, and even
though it's a thrill that
I'd never willingly give it
up, it was also never a dream
of mine.
CYNTHIA bites her lip and refolds her hands. She takes a deep breath.
CYNTHIA (CONT'D)
My only dream, if you can
call it one, was to make a
difference in the world, in
any way that I could.
CYNTHIA'S eyes slowly turn up to JOHN'S.
CYNTHIA (CONT'D)
But I think I've accomplished
that now. Not that I mean to
stop, but just that it's no
longer a dream anymore, if it
is a reality.
JOHN
Then what's your dream now?
JOHN'S hand is rested on his knee. It twitches again, wanting to reach over and touch CYNTHIA.
CYNTHIA
My life seems to have always
been in black and white. Yes
or no, good or bad, I can or
I won't...
JOHN begins to speak, cutting CYNTHIA off.
JOHN
Cynthia, Cynthia look me in
the eyes and tell me what
your dream is now.
MUSIC
To be only yours, I pray, to
be only yours I know now you're
my only hope.
THEY share a deep breath. They turn and their knees hit together. Their eyes focus on each other. CYNTHIA'S jaw shakes as she begins to speak.
CYNTHIA
I want my life to come in
to color. For once, I want
to feel everything I can,
but never have.
JOHN swallows thickly, not being able to breathe. He watches CYNTHIA'S mouth as she speaks. CYNTHIA'S voice is barely audible.
CYNTHIA
Please John,
CYNTHA'S hand slides up the back of JOHN to cup his shoulder. THEIR eyes never break their gaze.
CYNTHIA (CONT'D)
Color my world... make me
feel everything I can, but
never have.
MUSIC:
I give you my destiny.
I'm giving you all of me.
I want your symphony, singing
in all that I am
John nods and places a shaky against her cheek. Slowly he moves in to kiss her. Their lips touch and they share a passionate kiss. Cynthia and John part from each other slowly. CYNTHIA'S eyes look up into JOHN'S. Suddenly the black and white of her irises fade into a vivid green. JOHN'S eyes fade from black and white to blue. Then the whole room lights up with vivid colors. CYNTHIA’S eyes go wide as she watches the room change before her. She’s bright, happy, and alive.
EXT - STONEHOUSE HOME - EARLY MORNING
The sun rises and the moon and stars fade while the sunrise takes over in brilliant red and orange colors. The sunrays fall down to the green grass of CYNTHIA'S yard. The camera travels with them through CYNTHIA'S bedroom blinds until you see JOHN and CYNTHIA curled up on the bed together. CYNTHIA rolls over in the bed, pulls her body close against JOHN'S and wraps her arm around his shoulder. Her head brushes up against his chest as they whisper.
JOHN
Goodnight sweetheart.
CYNTHIA
Goodnight.
INT - CAR - AFTERNOON
Cynthia and John sit beside each other at the back of a mini-van. Cynthia is on her cell phone. John is staring out into the car, looking over to her worriedly every few sentences.
CYNTHIA
What? Are you kidding me! I
just recorded those! Well you
said they were fine when I was
at the studio! Look, just call
Mark and have him book some
time at RCA. Yeah, alright.
Call me back.
Cynthia slaps her pink and silver jeweled cell phone off and shoves it back into her purse.
JOHN
What's all that?
CYNTHIA
Jerry, my record producer. He
says that the vocal tracks I
laid down a month ago for the
single don't fit with the backing
music. So I have to go back to
the studio as soon as possible to
re-record them, so that we can get
the CD out in time for its release
date, which is in less than two
weeks! Seriously, they are going
to rush me to record these and it's
going to sound like crap!
John reaches over and begins to massage Cynthia's shoulders.
JOHN
Alright, take a deep breath. You
seem pretty stressed. How about
I take you out tonight?
Cynthia perks up.
CYNTHIA
Like a date?
JOHN
Yeah, like a date.
CYNTHIA smiles, relaxing.
CYNTHIA
To a fancy restaurant?
JOHN
Whatever you want.
CYNTHIA
Then I'll get my assistant to
make the reservations. (beat)
John, can you make reservations
for two at Chi?
JOHN and CYNTHIA laugh.
JOHN
Of course.
CYNTHIA
Great. I'll have my driver pick
you up at eight.
JOHN doesn't have time to respond. The car stops and JEROME Cynthia's bodyguard opens the door for her. Fans and paparazzi line the sidewalk to the building. She is ushered past them and taken quickly inside.
EXT - CHI - NIGHT
The scene before it fades into JOHN and CYNTHIA walking hand in hand into the front entrance of Chi. Few fans are there, but the paparazzi are going wild. Bodyguards lead the way.
INT - REASTURANT - MOMENTS LATER
A WAITRESS is waiting for them and takes them to a secluded back booth. The bodyguards stand near, watching over them. John pulls out Cynthia's seat and she tucks her dress in as she sits.
CYNTHIA
Thank you.
John smiles and sits across from her. He pulls his napkin out of its ring and sets it on his lap.
JOHN
Did I mention how lovely you
look tonight?
CYNTHIA
At least thirty times.
John laughs and shakes his head embarrassedly.
JOHN
Alright, I'll shut up.
CYNTHIA
I didn't tell you to stop.
The waitress comes over and takes their drinks. John orders a glass of wine and Cynthia gets seltzer water with lime. After the waitress leaves John clasps his hands on the table and begins to speak.
JOHN
So I was thinking -
Just then Cynthia's cell phone begins to ring. She bends over and fishes it out of her purse. Her cell phone has been jeweled in pink and silver. She answers it.
CYNTHIA
Hello? Yes? What! Are you
kidding me! It cost a fortune!
There is no way I'm paying that
much for a Valentino hang bag
flown in from Ohio! If it's not
New York, London, or LA then don't
bother! No, I do not want to go
on a waiting list. Do you know
who I am? I shouldn't have to
wait. What kind of business
are you running? Look, I paid
good money to have that bag
before its commercial launch
and I refuse to- fine. Good,
talk with your manager. I'll
be expecting a call from you
in a few days. Goodbye.
John raises his eye brows and leans back in the chair as Cynthia disconnects the call and places the phone beside her silverware.
JOHN
What's all the fuss about?
CYNTHIA
I pre-ordered this new Valentino
hand bag. I paid extra money to
get it before it's launch to the
general public. And now they are
telling me the shipment is coming
in from Ohio! Can you believe it?
JOHN
Um no... I can't?
CYNTHIA
Ohio. Right. That's high class.
JOHN
Lots of good things come from
Ohio.
CYNTHIA
Yeah like what?
JOHN
Corn? You like corn. Corn comes
from Ohio.
CYNTHIA
Funny stuff John. I happen to
be serious.
JOHN
Okay, so the hand bag went to
hell in a hand basket.
John grins at his own wit. Cynthia stares at him unamused. The waitress comes back with the drinks and takes their orders.
Fade to:
INT - RESTAURANT - 40 MINUTES LATER
John and Cynthia are finishing up their dinners. The waitress comes back to take their food.
JOHN
Thank you very much, it was
delicious.
John smiles and sits up, situating his napkin on his lap. The waitress reaches over to grab Cynthia's plate. It knocks into John's wine glass and spills it over the table, dripping off and onto Cynthia's skirt. Cynthia springs up out of her seat.
CYNTHIA
Shit! Look what you did!
WAITRESS
Ma'am I'm terribly sorry! Let
me get a towel!
CYNTHIA
Don't bother. It's already
ruined! This is silk! You know
how much this costs! I bought
it three days ago!
John stands with his napkin and walks over to Cynthia, trying to wipe up the stain on the side of her skirt.
JOHN
Honey, calm down. It's just a
dress.
CYNTHIA
Just a dress! I can't believe
this! I thought this was supposed
to be a classy restaurant. With professionals.
Cynthia looks to the waitress and glares. John looks up from wiping the skirt off to the waitress. The waitress' eyes are watering but she's holding her own.
WAITRESS
Ma'am, let me get you...
Cynthia pushes away from John. THE CUSTOMERS sitting near are all focused on them now.
CYNTHIA
I'm going to have a talk with
the manager!
Cynthia walks away in a huff. The bodyguards follow her through the restaurant. John walks over to the waitress and places a hand on her shoulder softly.
JOHN
I'm terribly sorry for this.
WAITRESS
Oh, it was my fault. I
shouldn't have been so
careless.
JOHN
She took it way too far.
WAITRESS
No, she's right. This is an
upscale restaurant and people
should expect a certain kind of
experience. Not one with wine
spilling on designer silk.
JOHN rolls his eyes.
JOHN
Oh yeah, like she doesn't have
a million of those at home.
The waitress laughs a little, feeling better and nodding. JEROME one of the bodyguards comes over to get John.
JEROME
Come on John, we're leaving.
JOHN
Right.
John looks at the waitress one last time and winks, before walking off with Jerome. Jerome takes him out back to the car where Cynthia is sitting, blotting down her stained skirt.
CYNTHIA
Well it's ruined.
JOHN
I'm sure you can buy another.
CYNTHIA
That's not the point John.
JOHN
I know, but can't you just
let it go? Not ruin our whole
evening?
CYNTHIA
She ruined my whole dress!
John sighs and rubs his temple.
JOHN
I'll ride home with you
okay?
Cynthia isn't listening, she's still fidgeting with her skirt.
JOHN (CONT'D)
(high pitched fake Cynthia voice)
Oh yes John, thank you.
EXT - STONEHOUSE HOME - NIGHT
John gets out of the car and leads Cynthia to her door.
Cynthia fumbles with her keys and opens the door.
CYNTHIA
Goodnight John.
JOHN
Goodnight? Aren't you going
to invite me in?
CYNTHIA
I'm exhausted, okay?
JOHN
(mumbles)
From the hissy fit you threw.
CYNTHIA
Excuse me?
JOHN
You didn't have to cause such
a big scene. You know how
embarrassed I was?
CYNTHIA
Well I'm sorry I'm just a
big embarrassment and nothing
of mine matters!
JOHN
Whoa, hold on, calm down.
CYNTHIA
I will not calm down! I tried
really hard to make this night
special!
JOHN
What the fuck are you talking
about?
CYNTHIA
I wanted everything to be
perfect for our first date
and then you ruined it!
JOHN blinks.
JOHN
Me? I ruined it?
CYNTHIA
Yes! Now go. The car will
take you home.
John rolls his eyes, stepping back from the porch.
JOHN
Alright Cynthia. I'll let
you have your space.
Cynthia looks down at her dress as she walks into the house, totally absent of John's words, mumbling to herself.
CYNTHIA
What am I going to do about
this dress?
John shakes his head and slides back into the car.
INT - JOHN'S KITCHEN - MORNING
John is fixing himself some oatmeal. The phone rings. He picks up.
JOHN
Hello?
Screen splits in two. One side still of John eating breakfast, the other of Cynthia on her couch petting Raleigh.
CYNTHIA
I'm sorry.
JOHN
Hi Cynthia.
CYNTHIA
I'm sorry. I'm really stressed
out right now. The new single,
and the publicity, and now the
moving van just came with all my
things and I have to unpack into
the new house and...
JOHN
It's alright. I understand.
Everyone gets stressed out
and wound up sometimes.
CYNTHIA
So you're not mad at me?
JOHN
No baby, I'm not mad at you.
CYNTHIA
Will you come over?
JOHN
Of course
CYNTHIA
You can help me move in all
these boxes.
JOHN
Whatever you want.
INT - STONEHOUSE HOME - AFTERNOON
In the room is a TV and a couch positioned on the far left with a coffee table between them. There are boxes that fill the room and empty shelves. To the right is a doorway that leads to the kitchen. John walks in from the outside carrying a large heavy moving box. He groans as he looks around. CYNTHIA is sitting on the floor near the couch playing with RALEIGH and a chew toy.
JOHN
Where do you want me to
put this?
JOHN looks over to see CYNTHIA sitting on the floor playing. CYNTHIA does not respond.
JOHN (CONT'D)
Cynthia! Are you going to
help?
CYNTHIA looks over her shoulder at him nonchalantly.
CYNTHIA
You seem to be doing a pretty
good job of it by yourself.
JOHN'S narrowed eyes break into a smile. He sets the box down on the floor just past the doorway.
JOHN
What's in here anyway? It weighs
more than a ton of bricks.
CYNTHIA
(cockily)
Oh then it's probably all of
my awards.
CYNTHIA winks and gets up from the floor. She walks over to JOHN and wraps her arms around him from behind. CYNTHIA rests her head against JOHN'S shirt where the sweat has bled through.
JOHN
Yeah right, that was my first
thought.
JOHN rolls his eyes and stands up, turning around and wrapping his arms around CYNTHIA'S waist.
JOHN (CONT'D)
That's the last one I'm bringing
in.
CYNTHIA
Well you've done a good job.
CYNTHIA grins and pats JOHN on the back.
JOHN
Mhm. I need to get washed up.
CYNTHIA
Why? I like you all sweaty.
JOHN
I thought you only liked it
when you got me sweaty?
CYNTHIA
I'll take you any way I can
get you.
JOHN
Oh?
JOHN grabs at CYNTHIA'S sides, tickling her.
CYNTHIA
Ahh, John! No fair!
CYNTHIA breaks away from JOHN'S arms and runs into the kitchen.
JOHN
Alright, I'm going to go
take a quick shower.
CYNTHIA peeks her head around the kitchen corner.
CYNTHIA
Then can we watch a movie? I
just bought the new digitally
remastered version of The
Wizard of Oz.
JOHN
The Wizard of Oz? Really Cynthia?
That's a little kids movie.
CYNTHIA
I happen to love it.
JOHN
Why? Because it's about a
little girl and her dog?
JOHN scooped RALEIGH up into his arms. He pats the dog on the head looking accusingly at CYNTHIA.
CYNTHIA
Funny stuff John. But, I
just happen to enjoy the
movie.
JOHN
Mhm, we know what princess
likes, don't we Raleigh?
JOHN shakes RALEIGH'S paw. RALEIGH turns up to look at him and whimpers.
CYNTHIA
Weren't you going to go take
a shower?
JOHN bends down and lets RALEIGH jump from his arms.
JOHN
Yes, I'll go freshen up and
you can start the popcorn.
CYNTHIA sits back down on the floor and RALEIGH drags her chew toy over to play.
CYNTHIA
No I'd just burn it. I'll
wait for you to come back
down.
JOHN shakes his head amusedly.
JOHN
Alright darling, I'll be
quick.
CYNTHIA nods in response and tugs the squeaking bone from RALEIGH'S mouth. JOHN rolls his eyes watching the two of them fight over the toy, then dashes upstairs to the bathroom.
IN - LIVINGROOM - 15 MINUTES LATER
JOHN bounds down the stairs, his hair is wet and he shakes his head to get it dry. He stops short at the end of the stairs when he notices CYNTHIA. CYNTHIA is sitting in the same place she was 15 minutes ago. RALEIGH is on her lap licking her hind leg.
JOHN
I see you're in the same spot as
when I left you.
CYNTHIA
Raleigh came up to snuggle.
CYNTHIA smiles and pats RALEIGH on the head.
JOHN
I thought you were going to
make popcorn?
CYNTHIA
No, I told you that I'd only
burn it, remember?
JOHN
Oh, I thought you were kidding
about that. You can't really be
that bad of a cook, can you?
CYNTHIA laughs and her body shakes. RALEIGH is startled and jumps off CYNTHIA'S lap and trots into the next room. CYNTHIA stands and dusts her jeans off where dirt and dog hair have settled.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Never mind, I'll go make the
popcorn.
JOHN winks and walks past CYNTHIA. Just then John’s cell phone rings from on the coffee table. John picks it up and looks at it as he walks into the kitchen. John begins to make the popcorn as he answers the phone.
JOHN
Julie? I can’t believe it’s you!
Where are you calling from?
Cynthia stands next to the wall before the kitchen doorway. John starts the microwave and his conversation on the cell phone is muffled by the microwave noise and pops of the popcorn. Finally the microwave beeps.
JOHN
Sounds perfect. I can’t wait.
Alright, bye.
John hangs up and places the cell phone on the kitchen counter. He opens the microwave and grabs the bag beginning to shake it. Cynthia darts back onto the couch as John walks back into the living room.
CYNTHIA
Who was that on the phone?
JOHN
Nobody.
CYNTHIA
If it was nobody you couldn’t
talk to it.
JOHN
It doesn’t matter. Why do you
always have to know who I’m
talking to?
CYNTHIA
Because…
John cuts her off.
JOHN
Because you’re nosy. And it’s
still none of your business.
John taps Cynthia on the nose and sits down next to her. He smiles and she nods and smiles, laughing a little, lightening up her mood. JOHN pulls the popcorn bag open. Hot air flows out and stings his face.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Ooo, that's hot.
JOHN laughs and lays the popcorn bag on the coffee table.
CYNTHIA
Didn't burn it, did you?
JOHN
Nope, it's perfect.
CYNTHIA
Like you.
JOHN
Shut up.
JOHN warps his arms around CYNTHIA'S shoulder and pulls her closer, kissing her temple. JOHN laughs and starts the movie. CYNTHA reaches over and grabs a handful of popcorn. Piece by piece she begins to throw them up in the air, tilting her head from side to side, trying to catch the kernels in her mouth. JOHN turns his head away from the TV and looks at CYNTHIA with an odd expression.
JOHN
You're getting popcorn all
over me.
CYNTHIA chuckles.
CYNTHIA
Sorry.
JOHN
Can't you just relax and watch
the movie?
CYNTHIA
I hate the beginning, it's so
drab and depressing without
the color.
JOHN
I think that's the point.
CYNTHIA
Why does it have to be
depressing at all?
CYNTHIA crosses her arms and falls back against JOHN'S chest.
JOHN
Without the depressing black and
white part, the color world of
Oz wouldn't feel so alive.
CYNTHIA
But it just goes back to black and
white at the end.
JOHN tilts his head down and places a kiss on the part of CYNTHIA'S hair.
JOHN
Maybe that's the lesson?
CYNTHIA
What lesson?
JOHN
Like Robert Frost wrote, nothing
gold can stay.
CYNTHIA leans her head back and looks up into JOHN with intense green eyes.
CYNTHIA
That's a horrible lesson.
JOHN
Makes the happy moments that much
sweeter, if they are chaste and
infrequent.
CYNTHIA
This is depressing.
JOHN laughs lightly.
JOHN
It's not like she goes back to
the same world she lived in
before. The experience of Oz
teaches her things that make her
life better.
CYNTHIA
Like what?
JOHN
Like, there's no place like
home.
JOHN grins and squeezes his arms around CYNTHIA'S waist. CYNTHIA smiles, snuggling her head down against the crook of JOHN'S arm.
CYNTHIA
There's no place like between
the arms of the man you love.
JOHN
Exactly. And you'd have never
known that if your world hadn't
come in to color.
CYNTHIA beams happily curling her legs up at the end of the couch and wrapping her fingers around the end of JOHN'S shirt. RALEIGH jumps up onto the couch and nestles between their legs for a nap. CYNTHIA'S eyes begin to fall as she watches DORTHY venture off to her dream world of OZ.
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