Episode One:
ACT ONE, SCENE ONE
Exterior: Street
(Laura, in jogging clothes and hair pulled into ponytail, runs down the street. She's got her headphones in and is lost in thought.)
Flashback: Laura and Nate on Kiyah's porch kissing
(Laura shakes herself, runs a little harder. A love song comes on and Laura is lost again in thought, thinking about Nate. She smiles, stops to catch her breath, and is out in front of a hair salon.)
Pov: Laura looking in window at salon
3/4 wide: Laura contemplating a hair change.
(She tugs a little at her pony tail and her hair falls out and around her face. She runs her hands through it, nods to herself, decidedly, and enters salon.)
Interior: Hair Salon
An older woman approaches Laura. She's fairly thin, stylish, with jet black dyed hair.
Hair Stylist
Hi. You're up early, aren't you?
Laura
Yeah, out for a run. Sorry for the grungy look.
Hair Stylist
Its fine.
LAURA
I didn't think you'd be open. I mean, this is kind of an impulse thing, I guess.
HAIR STYLIST
Early bird gets the worm, eh? So, impulse thing, major life change? New love interest?
LAURA
Something like that, I guess, yeah.
HAIR STYLIST
Juicy.
LAURA
Yeah, I guess so.
HAIR STYLIST
So you want to make an appointment for, something to fit this major change?
Laura
Yeah. Something cute and sassy, maybe redder, yeah. That's how I feel.
(Hair stylist, looking over Laura's hair.)
HAIR STYLIST
I think we can do something like that. I've got some magazines you can look through, for inspiration. When would you like to make the appointment?
LAURA
Well, I work from 11-4 today.
HAIR STYLIST
So, 4:30?
LAURA
Yeah! That'd be great.
HAIR STYLIST
Okay, see you then.
cut to:
Exterior: Hair salon
(Laura, leaving hair salon, carrying a few magazines. She stops to put on her headphones, adjust herself.)
Pan: Around the corner, we see Nate pushing Stephen in stroller
Nate turns the corner and sees Laura, head bent over, fiddling with ipod.
Nate pushes the stroller towards her, tentatively, slight smile on his face.
Nate
Um, Laura, hi.
Laura looks up, smiles nervously, unsure of what to do.
LAURA
Hi Nate.
NATE
How are you? I haven't seen you since, um,
Laura
Yeah, sorry, I just...have been thinking.
Nate
Okay.
LAURA
Its just...I mean, Scott, my ex, he isn't a bad guy and this, you, caught me unaware, I didn't plan...
Nate
Sometimes it works like that.
Laura
What does?
Nate
Love. Like a bell goess off and--
Laura
A bell.
Nate
Yeah, a bell.
(Their eyes meet, they walk in silence for a moment.)
LAURA
Bell ringing for you?
NATE
Loudly, yes.
LAURA
Mine too.
NATE
You have a bell too?
LAURA
Oh yeah.
NATE
I guess that explains the ringtone.
LAURA
Oh yeah. I tried to smother it because...
NATE
Yeah.
LAURA
Because I'm weird.
NATE
Yeah.
LAURA
Hey!
NATE
I'm kidding.
LAURA
When I let the bell just be...a bell...its so easy. To talk to you.
NATE
Be with you.
Laura
Yeah, and it kind of freaked me out though.
NATE
I can see that.
Laura
I mean, that never happened before to me, you know. See someone you like or whatever and a bell goes off.
Nate
Yeah, true.
LAURA
I mean, did that ever happen to you?
NATE
I don't think...no, it hasn't.
LAURA
So, kinda scary, huh?
Nate
Scary?
LAUra
Scary, like weird.
Nate
Yeah, it can be.
LAURA
So, I just didn't know what to do, what it meant.
NATE
Why?
Laura
Why what?
Nate
Why does it have to be explained or whatever? I mean, life is like that, right, its unexplainable and we waste so much of it, trying to figure it all out, 'what does it all mean,' you know, why can't we just be, like, just let a bell be a bell.
Laura
Let a bell be a bell.
Nate
Yeah, no explanations or trying to figure it all out. Just, let it ring.
LAura
Let it ring.
Nate
Let it ring, let it ring.
(They both laugh.)
Coffee?
LAURA
Yeah, I'd like that. I've got to get home soon though, get ready for work.
Nate
Got it. Well, this is my treat. Get you ready for the day.
Laura
I like that.
(They walk down the street, towards the grower's market and approach the coffee stand at the market.)
BARISTA
Hi there! What can I get for you? Oh, its you again!
NATE
Yeah, its us. How are you?
BARISTA
Doing well. How are you?
NATE
Doing wonderful. We're letting bells be bells.
(He reaches for Laura's hand, she takes it. They smile at each other and stand there holding hands.)
BARISTA
Ah, I see. So, what do you want then?
NATE
Um, two lattes please?
LAURA
Yeah, I'd love a latte.
(Nate hands the barista his debit card, she takes it.)
BARISTA
Right. I'll get right on that.
(Barista starts preparing drinks. Nate turns to Laura. He smiles at her, she smiles at him.)
Nate
So, you getting your hair cut or something?
Laura
Yeah, today after work.
Nate
Nice. What are you going to do?
Laura
Something different, a change.
Nate
I like you the way you are, I mean, I bet whatever it is, it will look nice.
LAUra
Thanks, Nate.
Nate
So, after work?
Laura
Yeah?
Nate
You doing anything? You want to hang out or---
Laura
Or?
Nate
I don't know. Grab a drink or something?
Laura
I'd love to. Oh crap, I'm sorry I can't.
NATE
Oh, okay.
LAURA
No, I mean, I would love to. But, I'm getting the rest of my stuff from...from my old place...and I have to deal with....all of that.
NATE
All right.
LAUra
I'm really sorry. Rain check?
Nate
Of course.
Laura
I'll call you or text you, okay?
nate
I'd like that.
Laura
I don't live far. You want to walk me home?
Nate
Walking a girl home. Classic. Can I carry your books too?
(Laura laughs.)
Laura
Wait, why?
NATE
Like in the 1950s or whatever, guy would walk a chic home, carry her books, court her and stuff.
Laura
Oh, right. Well, shall we?
Nate
We shall.
(They walk away off camera.)
Cut to:
Exterior: Samantha and Laura's house.
Samantha and Heath exit. Heath has a backpack and Samantha carries purse. She smiles at Laura and Nate.
SAMANTHA
Well, hello there, Nate. Nice to see you.
Nate
Hi, Sam. And, whose this?
SAMANTHA
This is my Heath.
Nate
Hi there, Heath. I'm Nate.
(Heath hides behind his mom.)
SAMANTHA
Sorry, he can be shy sometimes.
Nate
It's all right.
Laura
Hey to you too, Samantha.
SAMANTHA
Well, you're my room-mate, Laura.
LAURA
On your way out?
SAMANTHA
Just dropping of the kid here at school, then heading into work. So, you two have the place.
(She winks at Laura, Laura ignores it.)
LAURA
He was just...walking me home, a la 1950s. I've got to get ready for work now. Out of this sweaty garb.
Nate
You look all right to me.
LAURA
Thanks.
(Samantha's phone buzzes, she looks at it. Samantha silences phone and slips it into her pocket,smiling silently. She looks across the table at Laura, winks.)
LAURA
Yes, Samantha?
SAMANTHA
What?
LAURA
You winked?
SAMANTHA
Oh no, I didn't...I mean.
(She winks again.)
LAURA
You just did it again.
SAMANTHA
Look, can we talk later at work? Its important.
Laura
Okay.
NATE
I'll see you later, okay, Laura?
LAUra
I'll text you.
Fade into:
ACT ONE, SCENE TWO
Interior: Kiyah and Samantha's boutique
(Samantha and Laura at work, folding clothes, etc. Samantha hands Laura her phone.)
LAURA
What's this?
SAMANTHA
Its my cellphone, duh. I got a text from Nate, my Nate. Thanks for making it awkward back there. Weirdo.
LAURA
Well, you winked at me. Since when do we wink?
SAMANTHA
Since when do we not wink! Its a code for "I got a secret", kind of thing. Everyone knows that.
LAURA
Well, I can't ever recall a time when you ever winked at me personally--
SAMANTHA
Can you not? Look, he texted me. He actually texted me.
LAURA
So, what did he say?
SAMANTHA
Can't you read?
LAURA
I don't know how to open your text messages, what's your password?
SAMANTHA
Oh, god dammit!
(She takes phone, punches in password, hands phone back to Laura.)
LAURA
"Hey, sorry its been so long. I've been busy--Nate."
(Laura looks over at Samantha and hands phone back to him.)
SAMANTHA
So?
LAURA
So, he's been busy?
SAMANTHA
Yeah, and he's sorry and...and...and...Laura, he's into me too. He's into me! We both have our Nates!
LAURA
What?
SAMANTHA
Today and I saw you...at Kiyah's.
LAURA
Oh, yeah, that.
SAMANTHA
Wait, what the hell?
LAURA
Yeah, I don't know.
SAMANTHA
Laura!!
LAURA
I just, maybe, I rushed into things. And, I mean, just because he texted you doesn't mean you "have" him. A person can't really "have" another--
SAMANTHA
Hey, just let me "have" this, okay? Just because you got your weird hang-ups and stuff!
LAURA
All right, all right.
SAMANTHA
Yeah, and what's wrong with you anyway? You looked pretty happy with Nate--
LAURA
Yeah, I guess I...just don't want to ruin things...
SAMANTHA
Ruin things? How so?
LAURA
I don't know. And, I just don't want to rush into things, fall hard, like I always do, and end up getting fucked over in the end. You know?
SAMANTHA
Yeah, yeah. Its always a risk.
(She looks down at her cellphone.)
Well, now I'm good and depressed. Thanks.
LAURA
No problem.
(They hug.)
So, how is Kiyah? Have you talked to her?
SAMANTHA
She's dealing...we talked last night on the phone. I just told her to take a few days off. I guess, she took my advice, because Nate's looking after the kids.
LAURA
Good for her.
SAMANTHA
Yeah, agreed. And, she has enough on her plate dealing with Eddie and all the legal shit of divorce, restraining order, blah blah blah.
Laura
So, she did it? Got a restraining order?
SAMANTHA
Yeah. And, I'm super duper proud of her too. And, her mom was super helpful too, went with her to the cop shop and everything.
Cut to:
Fade into: Ashley, waking up in her dorm room bed
She sits up, groggy eyed, then suddenly runs to bathroom.
CUTAWAY: Ashley bending over toilet, vomiting.
Cut to:
Interior: Kiyah and Samantha's boutique
LAURA
So, how's Ashley?
SAMANTHA
You know, I haven't heard from her in a few days, so I don't know. I'm guessing she's fine.
Cutaway: Ashley at College Cafeteria, with a tray at a food bar.
(Ashley surveys the food types. Server waits for her to tell him what she wants, she stares growing more and more green.)
SERVER
You gonna order something or just admire the arrangement?
(Ashley looks over food, grabs her mouth to stop vomit, turns and runs off hurriedly, leaves tray.)
Cutaway: Ashley running to bathroom, opens door, runs in.
CLOSE UP: Bathroom door
Cutaway: bathroom, Ashley's feet peeking out under stall door.
(Ashley is heard vomiting in stall.)
CUTAWAY:Server
SERVER
Well, that's a fine how do you do?
(Server continues work, serving other customers.
Act One, Scene Two
Exterior: Kiyah's back porch.
(Kiyah sits on chair, sipping mug of tea, staring into space. Nate3 appears over the fence and smiles at her, sympathetically.)
NATE3
Kiyah. How are you?
KIYAH
Nate? I didn't know you were back. Just visiting?
NATE3
No back, for now. Me and the wife...we're no more.
KIYAH
Sorry to hear that.
NATE3
It's all right. But, how are you?
KIYAH
How do you mean?
NATE3
Kiyah, I heard, I saw.
KIYAH
Yeah, I bet.
NATE3
So? You okay?
(Kiyah shrugs.)
Mind if I come around?
KIYAH
Sure.
(Nate3 dissappears off camera.)
3/4 Close up: Kiyah, sitting, drinking tea, contemplating
(Nate3 appears into frame.)
OVER THE SHOULDER:Nate3 to Kiyah
(Nate3 sits by Kiyah.)
NATE3
Hey.
KIYAH
Hi. It is good to see you.
NATE3
You know, if you need anything...
KIYAH
Thanks. I'd just like to sit here.
NATE3
You want me to leave?
KIYAH
No. I like the company but I just want to sit here, I don't want to...have to try...or think too much. Just sit and be.
NATE3
Okay, I can do that.
KIYAH
Thanks. So, how are you?
NATE3
Picking up the pieces bit by bit. My wife...eh...ex-wife...decided she didn't want to be married anymore...to me anyway. She's off with some rich bigwig, some successful millionaire guy. Guess I didn't know her that well after all?
KIYAH
You'll find someone, I believe that.
NATE3
You do?
KIYAH
Yeah, I do. Isn't that weird? That I still believe in love?
Nate3
No, that's a good thing. A very good thing. It means you still have hope. And, that's your strength.
KIYAH
Do you? Still have hope?
NATE3
Somedays I do, somedays its all despair and moaning, sobbing.
KIYAH
Same.
NATE3
So, you got a new manny?
KIYAH
Yeah, you met...um...Nate?
NATE3
Did we ever?
(They both laugh.)
What ever happened to...uh...your last nanny?
KIYAH
Ashley? She's around still. Just got too busy with school. Senior year.
NATE3
Oh. What's next for her?
KIYAH
I couldn't tell you. But, one thing I know, she'll figure it out. That girl is strong, stronger than the rest of us. Don't know if she knows it yet completely?
NATE3
She is that.
(Nate walks up towards his unit, pushing Stephen in stroller.)
Kiyah and Nate3
Hey, Nate!
NATE
Oh, wow, hi. Didn't see you there? How are you, Kiyah? Nate?
KIYAH
Good. Is he sleeping?
Nate
Yeah, just.
KIYAH
I know I said I needed a breath today but can you bring him to me? I need to see him, hold him. Is that okay?
Nate
He's your kid.
(Nate pushes stroller to back porch. Kiyah gets up and gingerly scoops Stephen up from stroller, sits and rocks him softly singing to him.)
That's so...perfect.
NATE3
Yeah. Makes you hope that, well, you know.
NATE
Yeah, yeah, it does.
Fade out.
ACT ONE, SCENE Three
Exterior: Hair Salon
(Laura exits, with new hair style, smiling, she runs her hair through hand, then walks confidently forward.)
Cut to:
Exterior: Across the street from Planned Parenthood
Wide: Ashley contemplating crossing
POV: Ashley looking over at Planned Parenthood
CLOSE UP: Ashley's face, contemplating
3/4 wide: Ashley shrugs, hugs herself, and exits away from Planned Parenthood
Act One, Scene Four
Exterior: Scott & Laura's condo
(Laura approaches, looking very cute and confident.)
OVER THE SHOULDER:as Laura approaches the door.
(Cautiously, she knocks. Scott answers. He is dressed very neatly, behind him the house is organized and clean, with cardboard boxes of Laura's belongings stacked neatly.)
Laura
Hi, Scott.
Scott
Hi. Laura. Come in.
LAUra
I can't stay long.
Interior: Scott and Laura's living room
SCOTT
You look great. Love the new hair.
Laura
Thanks. I needed a change...
Scott
You needed a change. Huh.
LAUra
Scott, I'm sorry, I'm really really sorry.
SCOTT
I'll do anything, Laura. I'll change. I already have. Dad said he could get me a job at the family business.
LAUra
But, Scott, that's not...
SCOTT
Its what I need to do...for you.
LAUra
Don't. Don't do it for me.
SCOTT
Why not, Laura? I love you. Do you love me?
LAUra
I do, Scott, I really do. But, its just that....
Scott
What is it, Laura?
LAUra
It isn't...enough.
Scott
What are you saying?
LAUra
I need to...go.
Scott
Stay, Laura, stay please.
LAURA
I can't.
SCOTT
Why not, Laura? I don't understand. Help me to understand.
LAURA
I...just...I need to know who I am. I need to...I lost me...I need to see myself.
SCOTT
I'll wait for you, Laura. I'll do whatever it takes. Just don't...don't give up on me, okay?
LAURA
I just don't know...
SCOTT
Promise me you'll try?
Laura
I'll try.
Fade out.
Act One, Scene Five
Interior: Ashley's dorm room bathroom.
(Ashley sits on toilet, in front of her is pregnancy test.)
Wide: Ashley looking at pregnancy test, waiting
Pov: Ashley looking at pregnancy test
Camera moves in jolts towards pregnancy test until its on a close up.
Wide: Ashley, sighs, then reaches for it. She looks it over, gasps loudly, groans.
CLOSE UP: Ashley's face
ASHLEY
Fuck.
Act One, Scene Six
Exterior: Kiyah's front yard
Nate and Adam walk hand in hand up to the front door
Interior: Kiyah's living room.
(Nate enters living room, Kiyah is sitting on the floor playing with Stephen. Adam runs up and hugs his mommy, then back into his room.)
NATE
Care for a little company?
KIYAH
Yeah, I guess.
(Nate crosses and sits next to her.)
NATE
You gonna be okay tonight? I can stay if you--
KIYAH
Um, look, I don't want to, I mean, I'm still married, I'm flattered though--
NATE
Wait, what? No, I meant as a friend, I'd stay on the couch, if anything.
KIYAH
Oh, oh. I'm sorry. I guess I'm rusty at this, eh, the dating thing, never was any good at it though, no big surprise there.
NATE
Hey, stop that, okay?
KIYAH
What?
NATE
Stop putting yourself down, okay? You are awesome, okay? I haven't known you that long except for the emails that got me here and these last few days but, Kiyah, you own your own business, you run it and this house, you are an awesome mom--
KIYAH
Really? An awesome mom?
NATE
Yeah, the kids love you! They really do!
KIYAH
Really? Thanks, Nate.
NATE
Yeah, Eddie's just...just a big loser and creep, if you ask me.
KIYAH
Heh.
NATE
Sorry I...I guess I don't know what to say either.
KIYAH
No, its fine. You want something? Glass of wine?
(She rises, picking up Stephen and entering into the kitchen.)
NATE
Sure. Need help with anything?
(He rises and follows her in the kitchen.)
OVER THE SHOULDER:follow Nate into the kitchen
KIYAH
No, just let me have this.
Nate
Sorry.
KIYAH
No, not like that. I'm just, I need this. I need to learn how to do stuff...by myself. Whatever that is.
NATE
Of course.
(Kiyah hands Nate a glass of wine.)
To New Beginnings?
KIYAH
New beginnings.
(They clink glasses.)
Fade out.
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