Nate & Laura & How They Met

Act Four, Scene One

Interior: Nate's bedroom, early morning.  Ashley is in his bed, the sound of coffee being made spills over into the bedroom.  Nate's phone sits on thenightstand, it rings.  Ashley rolls over and picks it up, half awake.

ASHLEY

Hello?

JESSICA

Nate?

ASHLEY

Uh, no, I'm sorry, this is Ashley.

JESSICA

Ashley?

ASHLEY

Yeah, that's me.  Whose this?

JESSICA

This is Jessica.  His girlfriend.

ASHLEY

Girlfriend? What the fuck?

JESSICA

Exactly.  What the fuck are you doing there?

ASHLEY

Yeah, I am wondering the same.

JESSICA

Did you spend the night?

ASHLEY

Huh?

JESSICA

What's wrong with you? Don't you speak English?

ASHLEY

What the fuck, lady?

(Ashley hangs up phone, sits up, confused, then determined, swings herself out of bed. She is wearing nothing but underwear and a tanktop.  She looks around for her pants and pulls them on, then coat, then purse, phone. She moves into living room.)

Interior: Nate's living room, Early morning.

Nate enters with Doodle on  leash.

NATE

Good job going potty, Doodle.  Now breakfast, then crate time, okay?

(Nate stops and sees Ashley, standing in the doorway between living room and his bedroom, he smiles at her.)

Hey there.

ASHLEY

I'm leaving.

Nate

So soon? I made coffee and---

ASHLEY

Yeah, Jessica called.

Nate

Jessica? Oh my god.

ASHLEY

Yeah, right, Jessica.  Well, you should have told me.

Nate

Told you what?

ASHLEY

You are a real asshole you know that!

(She moves past him to the door.  He reaches for her.)

Nate

Ashley, wait! I can explain!

ASHLEY

Oh, fuck you.

(She slams the door behind her.)

(Nate opens it, still holding Doodle's leash, he calls after Ashley.)

NATE

What the hell did she say?

(Nate sees Adam walking towards him from the main house.)

Oh, um, good morning, Adam!

When I Grow Up

An Open Letter To My Calvary Chapel Friends

An Open Letter To My Calvary Chapel Friends & Those Belonging to Fundamentalist Churches:

First, in response to your thoughts on the women's march: The march itself was in no way a denigration of the women and men that were participating yesterday, but individuals coming together in unity exercising their right to freedom of speech and expression. It was for those that cannot speak out, out of fear in a variety of forms. Those that were marching yesterday, myself included, were doing it out of love and concern for the freedoms for themselves, for their children, and for the rights of others, including yours. There was no judgment or hatred present at all yesterday. Know that to be true because it is.

Secondly, on a more personal level, I would like to share my story of leaving Calvary Chapel and that world-view with you. Knowing that you will not fully receive it, knowing that you may never understand it or want to realize its truth...I share this. Before I left, I battled with the reality of what I was seeing on the inside, the manipulation of the leadership to the flock through controlling what was being taught or offered as a form of learning (only the Bible or Calvary Chapel sanctioned safe books), the lies about the world political and spiritual climate; (ex: the government never broke down the doors of the church to arrest the pastors and ex: The world hates Jesus, The world hates you because of Jesus in you. Not true. The world doesn't hate Jesus, The world doesn't hate you), the outward shaming by both the leadership and the members of the church using spiritual appropriate speak against an individual's choice of life-style, opinions, and interests. (Ex: Turn away from the things that cause sin, to stumble, but what if they don't but are perceived by the church to be stumbling because they distract from the church's teaching and control), and lastly the church's teaching on those of the heart and emotions being evil, thereby causing a person to devalue and distrust their own thoughts and feelings. These are just some of the many reasons that had to leave.

I did not leave because of sin, or backsliding, or even that I turned my back on God. I did not leave because of my lack of love for God or even for you. I did not, and never will, cease to love you as a dear friend and part of my life. I did not ever want to leave you. I stayed as long as I did because I did not want to leave you or our friendship behind. I left because the environment I was in was no longer healthy, but rather toxic. I left because the church was no longer a place where I could find the love of Jesus, the acceptance, tolerance, and openness of God, but a place where I was stifled in my understanding of the Bible, the teachings of Jesus, and spirituality as a whole.

I realize now that they day I left Calvary Chapel, the very day, it was the spirit of God leading me out the door. It was God directing me to pick up my coffee cup, walk to the back door, let the back gate fall behind me and leave. I did not even know on that day that I was leaving Calvary Chapel. I just felt God saying to me, “Get out now.” Truly I did.

The years that followed were both beautiful and difficult at the same time as I freed myself from the devastating mind control of Calvary Chapel's teachings. I remembered and still do with fondness the beautiful parts of it, mostly the wonderful memories of closeness I shared with you, the laughter shared, the long conversations, the deep meaningful prayers, the jokes shared over meals. I fought hard with God to regain that, went back and forth from denial to bargaining to anger at the realization of the truth of Calvary Chapel's wrongness. I was led to depression, isolation, loneliness. I slowly regained relationships with those that I had left behind when I entered Calvary Chapel. I slowly began to find myself again, to learn again to love myself, to heal. I wept as I read the scriptures, especially the gospels, where when I read about the Pharisees, I felt the spirit showing me that that was the leadership of Calvary Chapel. That was the hardest and yet the first step toward freedom I see that now. God himself showing me, confirming in me, that Calvary Chapel was unhealthy. That I was right to leave.

I connected with other people that had left Calvary Chapel and similar fundamentalist churches, found websites about Calvary Chapel Abuse and Recovery, where multitudes of people wrote in about all that they had suffered while attending many Calvary Chapel churches, I reconnected with close friends that I had known at the Calvarys I attended that had also left it behind, I found and became a fan of the Drunk Ex-Pastors whose insights on their time involved with Calvary coupled with their intellect and sense of humor helped bring healing and freedom to my mind and heart.

I also had long talks about friends about you, my dear Calvary Chapel friends still on the inside. I told them how worried and sick I was over you still being trapped on the inside. I only wanted for you what I was discovering on the outside, to be free, truly happy, and in a healthy place. I never stopped loving you. Through these conversations, I came to the realization that everyone has their path, that my path is not your path, nor is your place or position in life mine and vice-versa. I realized not only that I could still love you but in that I could let you go to make the choices you needed to make in your life. I learned that despite having to move away from you, I could still love you, would always cherish the times I had with you as a valuable asset to my own spiritual and self growth. I learned that in order to reach my full potential as a woman I had to leave you behind.

Lastly, I pray for you to this day. On the outside of Calvary Chapel, I have found what I did not find on the inside. I have discovered “out here” that the teachings of Jesus about love, service to other people, and the world are just as real, if not more out here, than inside Calvary Chapel. I have discovered that people out here love God just as much, if not more, offer service to each other and the world just as much, if not more, than on the inside of Calvary. I have discovered that God is just as real, if not more, on the outside than on the inside of Calvary Chapel. Is your mind blown yet? Mine was. But, this is all true, my dear friend, it is all true. As I said, I pray for you constantly, pray that you will find this out for yourself, pray that you too will find the freedom from Calvary Chapel's negative and toxic manipulations, that, more importantly, you will find the freedom needed to find true peace and reach your true potential. It was my one hope and prayer for you and always will be.

As for all the people out here in the world, it is I that understands you like no other. It is I that is your strongest ally on the outside, your biggest champion fighting for your rights, your well-being. It is I, that despite going our separate ways, will always love you, pray for you, and fight for you.

Sincerely Yours,

Lia

How Could I Ever Know

Nate & Laura & How They Met

Act three, Scene Two

Exterior: Early morning, Samantha and Laura, in jogging clothes, are running side by side.  They run for awhile and then collapse.

SAMANTHA

So, about yesterday---

LAURA

Yesterday?

SAMANTHA

The reading?

LAURA

Yeah, it went all right, I thought.

SAMANTHA

Yeah, but what's up with Ashley and Nate?

LAURA

Oh, right, yeah, I saw that.  I don't know.

SAMANTHA

Doesn't it make you...I don't know..curious?

LAURA

Why? I mean, he's not my boyfriend just because---

SAMANTHA

Because of the bells?

LAURA

Right.  The bells, right.

SAMANTHA

About that.

LAURA

What about it?

SAMANTHA

Well...I heard them too.

LAURA

What? For Nate?

SAMANTHA

Yeah, yesterday during the reading---

LAURA

Wait, you heard my bells or---

SAMANTHA

No, I think they were my own bells.

LAURA

So, wait, you like him now? First me, then Ashley, now you.  Dude, this guy could really score!

SAMANTHA

Yeah, right.

LAURA

Hey, I'll race you to the Farmer's Market!!!

SAMANTHA

You are on!

(They race down the street and come into the farmer's market, booths of vegetables, flowers, fruit, people shopping.  The girls slow their jog a bit.)

Oh my god, those strawberries look delish!!!

(She stops and looks them over.  Laura keeps running unaware that Samantha has stopped.  Nate kneels in front of baby carriage and talks to baby inside.  His back is to Laura, He stands and she runs into him.)

LAURA

Oh my god, I'm so sorry!!! Wait, Nate?

NATE

Oh, hi, Laura.  We have to stop meeting like this.

(Laura laughs.)

LAURA

Wait, how?

NATE

My car breaks down, you're there.  You almost knocking me into Lucy's kid---

LAURA

Oh, right, yeah not good ways.  But, then how should we meet?

NATE

I don't know, coffee?

LAURA

I love coffee!!

NATE

Me too!

LAURA

Hi Stephen!

(She bends down and looks into stroller, tickles baby.)

NATE

Just took Adam to school!

LAURA

So, you liking the new job?

NATE

Yeah, its great.  The kids are great.

LAURA

They sure are.

nate

You want kids?

LAURA

I think so, I don't know, maybe.

NATE

Not too sure, then?

LAURA

Just haven't met the right guy.

(She looks up at Nate, they exchange glances.  Metaphoric Bell appears and starts ringing.  She looks down at the baby, strokes his cheek, shakes her head.)

Coffee?

Interior: Farmer's Market Booth.

Samantha is studying the strawberries and other fruits.  Young man with green apron approaches her.

NATE2

May I help you?

(Samantha looks up at him, smiles.  A metaphoric bell starts ringing, she looks around, sees it, looks at him, lets it ring.)

SAMANTHA

Um, hi there.  These strawberries look amazing!

NATE2

Yeah.  You want to try a sample?

SAMANTHA

Oh my god, yes!

(Nate2 takes a strawberry and holds it up to her lips, she takes a bite.)

NATE2

Go ahead, take the whole thing, don't be shy.

SAMANTHA

Ummm....mmmm.

NATE2

Wait, I didn't mean it that way!

SAMANTHA

Or did you?

(Their eyes meet.)

Hi, I'm Samantha, everyone calls me Sam.

NATE2

Hi, I'm Nate.

SAMANTHA

Excuse me? Your name is Nate, really?

NATE2

That's right.

SAMANTHA

That's funny.

NATE2

Why?

SAMANTHA

Just cause.

NATE2

So, do you have a number? I'd like to share my strawberries with you.

SAMANTHA

Of course, I'd love that.  Here you got a pen and a piece of paper.

(He hands her a piece of paper and she writes down her number, hands it back to him.)

Here.  And, I think I'll take a basket of strawberries, please!  You know, save them for later!

NATE2

On the house!

(Samantha pulls money out of her bra.)

SAMANTHA

Sure about that?

NATE2

What other wonders might I find?

SAMANTHA

You'll just have to wait and see!

(Samantha picks up strawberries and turns and walks away, looks back at him and mouths, "Call me".)

Interior: Coffee booth at Farmer's Market.  Nate and Laura stand in line together.

LAURA

So, I've got a question for you.

Nate

Uh oh, okay, what is it?

LAURA

So, you and Ashley are?

NATE

Um...we hang out sometimes.

LAURA

Yeah? Hang out?

NATE

Yeah, its nothing....

LAURA

Serious?

NATE

No.

LAURA

Okay, then.

(They approach counter.  Cute flirty barista girl approaches.)

Barista

Hi there!  Oh my god, he's so cute.

NATE

Thanks.

Barista

I just think its so sweet to see a young couple out with their little one---

LAURA

Um, we're not, I mean--

NATE

No, I just take care of this little guy.

BARISTA

Oh, I see.

NATE

Yeah, we are just...friends.

Laura

Right.  Just friends.

BARISTA

Oh, well, I just thought...never mind.  So, what can I get for you two then?

NATE

What do you want, my treat?

LAURA

Really? Gee, thanks.

BARISTA

So???

LAURA

Um, latte, yeah.

NATE

Make that two please.

BARISTA

And, for the litte one?

NATE

Please no coffee for him!!

BARISTA

We have hot chocolate for the little ones.

NATE

Um...sure why not?

BARISTA

Okay, that will be 6.99.

(Nate hands her his card.  She swipes it and winks at him. Laura and Nate move Stephen to the side of the booth.)

LAURA

I think she likes you.

NATE

Who?

LAURA

Her.

Nate

The barista? God, I hope not.

LAURA

Why? You have something against her, you don't like blondes, what?

NATE

Jessica is a barista.  That's all.

LAURA

Oh, well they can't all be that bad.

NATE

Yeah, maybe not.  But, I'm not...I'm not really looking right now, I guess.  You know, the drill.

LAURA

Yeah, right.  The drill.

(Barista places two lattes and small hot chocolate before them. Laura hands him his and holds up hers.)

To the drill!

NATE

To the drill!

Everytime we touch

Nate & Laura & How They Met

Act Three, Scene One

Interior: Living Room of Kiyah, Laura, and Samantha's apartment.

Samantha, Ashley, and Laura sit around with scripts sipping coffee.

SAMANTHA

So, Nate should be here any minute--

ASHLEY

Um, guys--

LAURA

Really good script, Ashley!  I'm so excited to get started on my first film project!

ASHLEY

Yeah, I just want to say--

SAMANTHA

And, you and Nate will be perfect together, Laura!

ASHLEY

Yeah, about that--

SAMANTHA

What is it, Ashley?

Laura

Yeah, spit it out, girl-friend!

(Ashley begins to speak, can't figure out what to say.  There is a knock on the front door.)

SAMANTHA AND LAURA

Come in!

(Nate enters, smiles shyly at all.)

NATE

Heya.

(He sits next to Ashley and moves into kiss her, she moves slightly and it lands on her cheek. He looks at her confused.)

(Samantha and Laura exchange a look.)

SAMANTHA

Well, then, before we get started, do you need anything, Nate? Coffee? Water?

Nate

I brought my water bottle, so I'm good.

SAMANTHA

Okay, well then, let's just dive in.  Now my advice, don't try to act, just read the words and let the words move you naturally.

NATE AND LAURA

Got it.

(Nate and Laura look at each other, their eyes meet.  Nate looks away.  Metaphoric Bell appears next to Laura, she kicks it.)

SAMANTHA

Okay, great.  Ashley, can you read the directions?

ASHLEY

Got it.

(Ashley looks at Nate, but he doesn't notice, is too busy studying his script.)

Act One, Scene One, a bar late at night.  A dark-haired woman walks into the bar, wearing a long tan trenchcoat. She walks up to the bar and sits next to a scruffy young man, down on his luck.

WomAN(Read by laura)

Hey, stranger, come here often?

Man(Read by Nate)

Too much, lady, too much.

(Dialog continues in the background, Ashley's voice-over thoughts in her brain.)

ASHLEY

Nate seems distant, maybe its because I didn't kiss him back...but I don't know.  Something seems to be off with him. I wonder--

(Dialog continues in the background as we switch to Laura's voice-over thoughts in her brain.)

LAURA

This is fun.  But, if only that stupid bell would just cut it out already.  It started ringing the moment he walked in that freaking door and keeps getting louder and louder...So stinking distracting. I hope it doesn't show...And what was with him kissing Ashley, anyway...what the hell is going on anyway? Focus, Laura, focus.  You don't need this right now...I hope I'm doing okay--

(Dialog continues in the background as we switch to Nate's voice-over thoughts in his brain.)

NATE

I hope I'm doing okay.  I mean, I've never done this kind of thing before.  I am not sure really what to do.  But, it is fun.  I wonder though...what's up with Ashley? She seems...well, she said she just wanted to take it slow, so whatever...and why does Laura keep looking over at me? I mean, we are reading together but there is something about her eyes...

Laura (voice over)

Fuck these bells.

(Dialog continues in the background as we switch to Samantha's voice-over thoughts in her brain.)

SAMANTHA

This is going really well.  Good job, Sam.  You've done it again.  And they said you'd never amount to anything...God, Nate is kind of...well, he's cute...Oh shit, what's that? Oh for the love of...I hear it too!  God damn bells!

(Reading comes to an end.)

SAMANTHA

Great work, everyone.  Let's take a quick break and then talk costumes and shooting schedules!!!

Till There Was You

Nate & Laura & How They Met

Act Two, Scene Six

Interior: Living room of Nate's granny unit.  Nate sits on sofa, drinking coffee with laptop on his lap.  Doodle is eating her breakfast in the corner of the room.

After a few beats, Ashley enters wearing only a t-shirt and underwear.  She smiles embarrassed at Nate.

ASHLEY

Hi....

NATE

Hi.

ASHLEY

Um...

Nate

Yeah...you want some coffee?

ASHLEY

Coffee! Yeah, that'd be so great!

NATE

Okay.

(He gets up and moves to the kitchen.)

You like cream in it? Sugar?

ASHLEY

Please.

(She moves to kitchen, leans against counter, stares at him.)

So, um, listen...

NATE

Uh oh.

(He hands her a mug with coffee.)

Here you go.

ASHLEY

No, don't worry, I was just going to say that last night was...crazy.

NATE

Yeah, I know, right?

ASHLEY

Oh, there you go acting full of yourself...but yeah, crazy.

NATE

Acting full of myself?

(He laughs, she laughs.)

But thanks.  You aren't so bad yourself.

ASHLEY

Oh, really...

NATE

Yeah.  So, did I get the part?

ASHLEY

Excuse me?

NATE

In the show?

ASHLEY

Oh, I thought you meant a different part.  But, you'll have to talk to Samantha about that, she's the director.

NATE

Well, I'm not so sure about that, if you mean...Oh, gotcha!  A regular old fashioned audition!

ASHLEY

Yeah, no casting couch here.

NATE

So, you don't make this a regular thing, huh?

ASHLEY

No, I save it for special occasions.

Nate

Special occasions?

ASHLEY

Yeah.

NATE

And, what was the occasion last night?

ASHLEY

Um, too much to drink...

Nate

Oh, really? Is that what I was?

ASHLEY

And, I passed my test!

NATE

A celebratory lay!

ASHLEY

No, no, no.  But--

(Nate embraces Ashley.)

Wait, coffee, no!

(Nate takes her mug and sets it on counter, not letting her go.  He kisses her, she gets into it.  He pushes her against the counter.  Things start to get frantic.  Ashley pulls away, but still holds him close.)

Nate, wait, I want to say something.

NATE

Um, all right.

ASHLEY

I like you, I do, but--

NATE

Uh oh.

ASHLEY

I am just not sure about the long term.  I'm graduating and not sure where I am going to be after this year so, just not ready to get serious or anything...and I just want to take things slowly.

NATE

Slowly? And last night was---

ASHLEY

Fun.  Last night was fun--

Nate

So, right now?

ASHLEY

Its fine.  I just wanted you to know.

NATE

I got it.  Okay?

ASHLEY

Okay.

(He leans into her, they start kissing.  Nate's phone starts ringing, he ignores it.  Ashley's phone starts ringing on the counter, she looks down, sees its from Samantha.  She ignores it.)

CUTAWAY: exterior: Samantha and Laura are on the street, walking.

SAMANTHA

So, about Nate?

LAURA

Yeah, so when we were talking last night, him and I...I heard a bell.

SAMANTHA

A bell? Like where?

LAURA

Like a bell, in my head.  A bell saying, "Pay attention to this one."

SAMANTHA

What exactly do you mean? You heard a bell?

LAURA

Not literally a bell.  More like a kind of an alarm, a wake up call.

SAMANTHA

Okay? So, what, you like him?

LAURA

I don't know.  I smothered it.

SAMANTHA

You smothered a metaphoric bell?

LAURA

Basically, yeah.

SAMANTHA

Um, okay.  Well, see, I called him to schedule an audition so---

LAURA

What did he say?

SAMANTHA

Uh, I got his voice-mail.

LAURA

Oh.

SAMANTHA

But, if I cast him and you too, you okay with that?

LAURA

Why wouldn't I be?

SAMANTHA

Bell won't be distracting.

LAURA

Maybe, I don't know, probably.  But I'll adapt.

SAMANTHA

Good.  And, who knows, maybe this little project will spark a love connection?

LAURA

Like he and I will get together? Hook up?

SAMANTHA

Maybe.

Fade out.

Fade in: Nate and Ashley in bed, having sex.

Accidentally In Love

Fade out.

Nate & Laura & How They Met

Act Two, Scene Five

Interior: Bathroom of Kiyah's apartment.  The shower is running.  Samantha enters, looks into mirror that is quickly fogging up.

SAMANTHA

Laura?

LAURA

(from shower)

Yes? What the hell, Samantha?

SAMANTHA

I needed to talk to you...

LAURA

Can it wait? I am getting shampoo in my eyes--

SAMANTHA

Privately.

LAURA

(sticks her head out of shower curtain)

Um, okay...what is it?

SAMANTHA

What's going on with you?

LAURA

What do you mean?

SAMANTHA

Um, you just broke up with what's his fuck--

Laura

Scott.

SAMANTHA

Right.  I was trying not to say the bastard's name and--

LAURA

And what?

SAMANTHA

So, like are you playing the field already?

Laura

Playing the field? What are we in an 80's sitcom now?

SAMANTHA

You know what I mean, don't change the subject.

LAURA

What exactly are you asking?

SAMANTHA

This twenty minutes of nothing last night...and I'm not referring to a bad porn or a night with my ex!

LAURA

When I talked to...Nate...

SAMANTHA

Yeah, that.  I see it, what you did there.  So, what's going on?

LAURA

Nothing is going on.

Samantha

Uh huh.

LAURA

What?!? Look, the water's going cold, can we talk later? Like go for a walk when I get out or something--

SAMANTHA

Sure.  But I'll hold you to it.

(Samantha exits bathroom.)

Laura in shower, leans into water.  Bells start ringing loudly.  She looks around.  Shot of Nate's face talking to her.  She closes her eyes and presses fingers into her temples.

LAURA

No, no, no, no, no!!!

Love Comes

Nate & Laura & How They Met

Interior: Kiyah's living room, morning.  The room is empty.  Kiyah walks into room, hair pulled up in messy bun, wearing pajamas and bathrobe.  She yawns, is half awake, walks through living room, enters kitchen, begins making coffee.  She starts pot, stares at it, leans against counter, eyes began to shut, leans head against cupboard, starts snoring.

Samantha enters.  She is dressed similarly to Kiyah.

Samantha laughs.

Kiyah wakes up with a start.

KIYAH

Wha...what..what is it?

SAMANTHA

Sorry to wake you.

KIYAH

I wasn't asleep...

SAMANTHA

Yeah, right.  Why the hell are we up so early after last night?

KIYAH

Couldn't sleep.  A lot on my mind.

SAMANTHA

Me too.

(Coffee maker bings announcing that the coffee is ready.)

Coffee?

KIYAH

Yeah.

SAMANTHA

Now.

KIYAH

Yeah.

(Kiyah gets out to mugs of coffee, pours coffee into both of them, sets on dining room table.  She opens refrigerator and sets milk on table next to mugs.  She sits at dining room table, Samantha sits across from her.  They pour milk into their coffee, sip, stare straight ahead for a few minutes, waking up.)

So, what's going on with you?

SAMANTHA

Just thinking about Benjamin and all that I have to do with that today...and just stressed, really...because...because...he, you know...

KIYAH

Scares you?

SAMANTHA

Yeah.

KIYAH

Well, we've got your back.

SAMANTHA

Yeah, yeah, I know.  Thank you.  What's going on with you?

KIYAH

Eh, well, the usual stuff, bills, rent, money or lack there-of...I'm really glad you both moved in when you did...ever since Tim moved out its been like white knuckling it from week to week...

SAMANTHA

Well, we're both glad to be here too.  Its gonna be awesome.  The Triad!

KIYAH

Yeah.  You know, about Tim, I know that I'm better off, well, at least that's what the brain says, but the heart...well....

SAMANTHA

Yeah, I feel you.

KIYAH

Its just...sometimes I get sick of being alone, you know...

SAMANTHA

Yeah, well actually I don't know, I've been in a shitty relationship for like forever or something...what, 8 years, oh my god, what a waste...so yeah, I guess I'm kind of looking forward to not being in any sort of relationship, maybe.

KIYAH

Maybe?

SAMANTHA

Yeah, maybe.  I mean, yeah, I don't even know what to think about all of this...I don't even know what to think about myself anymore...its been like me and Benjamin, then it was all about Jacob, me, Benjamin, Jacob...and all of that.  And, when I think about it, I guess I never spent enough time with just me and Benjamin before I got pregnant to realize what he really was and then I was just sort of well dependent...I just lost myself, you know.

KIYAH

Yeah.

SAMANTHA

So, I guess that I just have to find myself then.

KIYAH

Don't we all?

SAMANTHA

Find me?

KIYAH

No, you are right there.  I see you, clearly.  Its me I have trouble seeing.

SAMANTHA

Heard that.

KIYAH

You know what I keep thinking about...about last night...

SAMANTHA

....yeah?

KIYAH

That guy, Lucy's manny...

SAMANTHA

Um, yeah, what's his name again?

KIYAH

Nate.  You wanted him to audition for--

SAMANTHA

Yeah, yeah, I remember.  What about him?

KIYAH

Dunno. I just...thought he was interesting and...

SAMANTHA

You like him?

KIYAH

Yeah, maybe. I mean, I just met him but...

SAMANTHA

But?

KIYAH

But yeah, I guess I do want to get to know him better.

SAMANTHA

So, what's stopping you?

KIYAH

I don't know...I mean, yeah, maybe I do...

SAMANTHA

...Yeah?

KIYAH

I think he likes Laura or...

SAMANTHA

Laura? Why?

KIYAH

They were talking last night for a long time by themselves...

SAMANTHA

...yeah?

KIYAH

Yeah.

SAMANTHA

So, does she like him? I mean, what the hell, she just broke up with what's his name so, like, what the hell?

KIYAH

She said she doesn't like him, its not like it, she says, but I don't know.

(Laura enters, she is dressed similarily to Kiyah and Samantha.)

LAURA

Don't know what?

KIYAH

Um?

LAURA

What?

KIYAH

Did we wake you?

LAURA

Not as such.

KIYAH

Coffee?

LAURA

Yeah, of course, but...

KIYAH

Let me get it for you.  Sit down.

(Laura sits, looks confusedly at Samantha, Kiyah gets her cup of coffee, hands it to her, Kiyah sits back down.)

LAURA

Now, what the hell is going on? What are you two talking about?

KIYAH

About....

SAMANTHA

Nate.

LAURA

Nate? What about him?

SAMANTHA

You into him?

LAURA

What, Nate? Oh my god, Kiyah, I told you it was nothing.

KIYAH

Twenty minutes of nothing, right?

SAMANTHA

Not a good name for a porn.

LAURA

Kiyah, come on, it was...

KIYAH

Was what?

SAMANTHA

Kind of like my last relationship, nothing.

LAURA

Yeah, it was just a stupid conversation about...nothing.

KIYAH

Really?

LAURA

Yeah, I mean, if you like him so much, why don't you go talk to him? Call him up? Get coffee or something?

KIYAH

Yeah?

LAURA

Yeah, that's all you have to do.

KIYAH

You wouldn't mind?

LAURA

No.

KIYAH

Are you sure you wouldn't mind?

LAURA

Um, yeah, I'm sure.

Kiyah

Really?

Cut to: Flashback: Laura trying to smother bell at bar while talking to Nate.

Cut to: Present day

Laura

Yeah, really, its fine.

POV Laura: Samantha's eyebrows raised quizzically.

Standing Still