The perfect love.
It's drizzling outside. Holden drives. Alyssa hugs her painting and pushes her bare feet against the windshield, making footprints.
HOLDEN
I've always wondered what kind of
people buy those things. I can't
believe you talked him down to twenty
five!
ALYSSA
It was looking shakey when he told me
the artist was a blind cripple with a
hump-back, but I held my ground.
There's no room for sympathy in the
buyer's market.
HOLDEN
Where are you going to hang it?
ALYSSA
I'm not. You are.
HOLDEN
You want me to hang it for you? You
better hope it doesn't get out to the
girl-nation that you needed a man to
help you hang a picture.
ALYSSA
You're going to hang it in your house.
I bought it for you.
HOLDEN
(laughs)
Yeah, right.
ALYSSA
(looks at him)
I'm serious.
Holden stares at her.
HOLDEN
Why?
ALYSSA
Because it's captured the moment.
It'll be a constant reminder - not
just of tonight, but of our
introduction, the building of our
friendship, everything. Make no
mistake about it my Friend - it's a
gift to you, from me, so you'll always
remember us.
Holden stares ahead. Then he swerves the wheel to the
right.
The car pulls to the side of the road. The rain is a bit
heavier now. Holden throws the car into park
ALYSSA
Why are we stopping?
HOLDEN
Because I can't take it.
ALYSSA
Can't take what?
HOLDEN
I love you.
ALYSSA
(beat)
You love me.
HOLDEN
I love you. And not in a friendly
way, although I think we're great
friends. And not in a misplaced
affection, puppy-dog way, although I'm
sure that's what you'll call it. And
it's not because you're unattainable.
I love you. Very simple, very truly.
You're the epitome of every attribute
and quality I've ever looked for in
another person. I know you think of
me as just a friend and crossing that
line is the furthest thing from an
option you'd ever consider. But I
can't do this any longer. I can't
stand next to you without wanting to
hold you. I can't look into your eyes
without feeling that longing you only
read about in trashy romance novels.
I can't talk to you without wanting to
express my love for everything you
are. I know this will probably queer
our friendship - no pun intended - but
I had to say it, because I've never
felt this before, and I like who I am
because of it. And if bringing it to
light means we can't hang out anymore,
then that hurts me. But I couldn't
allow another day to go by without
getting it out there, regardless of
the outcome, which by the look on your
face is to be the inevitable shoot-
down. And I'll accept that But I know
some part of you is hesitating for a
moment, and if there is a moment of
hesitation, that means you feel
something too. All I ask is that you
not suppress that - at least for ten
minutes - and try to dwell in it
before you dismiss it.
There isn't another soul on this
fucking planet who's ever made me the
person I am when I'm with you, and I
would risk this friendship for the
chance to take it to the next plateau.
Because it's there between you and me.
You can't deny that. And even if we
never speak again after tonight,
please know that I'm forever changed
because of you and what you've meant
to me, which - while I do appreciate
it - I'd never need a painting of
birds bought at a diner to remind me
of.
Holden stares at Alyssa. She stares back. Then she gets
out of the car.
HOLDEN
Was it something I said?
EXT ROADSIDE - NIGHT
Holden gets out of the car. It's raining pretty hard
now. Alyssa's hitching up the road. Holden reaches her.
HOLDEN
What are you doing?
ALYSSA
Get back in the car and get out of
here.
HOLDEN
You're going to hitch to New York?
ALYSSA
Y'ep.
HOLDEN
Aren't you at least going to comment?
ALYSSA
Here's my comment fuck you.
HOLDEN
Why?
ALYSSA
That was so unfair. You know how
unfair that was.
HOLDEN
It's unfair that I'm in love with you?
ALYSSA
No, it's unfortunate that you're in
love with me. It's unfair that you
felt the fucking need to unburden your
soul about it. Do you remember for a
fucking second who I am?
HOLDEN
So? People change.
ALYSSA
Oh, it's that simple? You fall in
love with me and want a romantic
relationship, nothing changes for you
with the exception of feeling hunky-
dorey all the time. But what about-
me? It's not that simple, is it? I
can't just get into a relationship
with you without throwing my whole
fucking world into upheaval!
HOLDEN
But that's every relationship!
There's always going to be a period of
adjustment.
ALYSSA
Period of adjustment?!?
(hitting him)
THERE'S NO 'PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT'
HOLDEN! I'M FUCKING GAY! THAT'S WHO
I AM! AND YOU ASSUME I CAN TURN THAT
AROUND JUST BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT A
CRUSH?!?
HOLDEN
If this is a crush... then I don't
know if I could take the real thing if
it ever happens.
HOLDEN
If this is a crush... then I don't
know if I could take the real thing if
it ever happens.
She looks at him, rain drenching the pair. She shakes
her head ruefully.
ALYSSA
Go home, Holden.
She walks away. Holden stands there, at a loss. Then he
turns and heads back to his car.
As he reaches the door and turns to look back at her,
Alyssa pounces on him, grabs his face and locks lips with
him, big time. He drops his keys and embraces her.
And there they stand, by the side of the road, drenched
kissing.
Does it get any better than Chasing Amy?