Budding Romance

BEGIN SCENE

FADE IN:

INT. CAB OF A PICK-UP TRUCK - NIGHT

JS and KC are driving to the ROLLER KINGDOM for adults night.  We pick-up in the middle of a conversation.

JS

So you have a crush on your private investigator?!

KC

Yeah, I think so…

JS

Have you told her yet?

KC

Not really.  The only time we talk it’s about the accident. (Pauses) Which reminds me!  She wants you to call her tonight so she can close the investigation by tomorrow.

JS

Tonight?!  It almost seven-o-clock at night, I’m sure she’s not in the office THIS late.

KC

(Takes cell phone from pocket)

Oh no, it’s cool.  She gave me her cell number so I could reach her anytime.

KC dials the number and hands the phone to JS.

JS

(Playfully, while the phone is ringing)

Ooooh, her private cell phone!  You two are practically married!

KC

(Nervously)

Shut-up, she could pick up any…

JS

(Turning her attention to the call)

Hello, is this MS?  My name is JS, I am a friend of KC’s and he told me that you wanted me to call and give a statement of my account of his accident.

CUT TO:

INT. MS’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

MS

(In response to JS’s call)

Oh, yes, of course.  How are you?

JS’s response can be heard only as mumbles coming from the phone.

MS

I’m well, thank you for asking.  I noticed that you are calling from KC’s phone is he there with you, ‘cause if this is too much of an inconvenience, we can always do it tomorrow?

CUT TO:

INT. CAB OF A PICK-UP TRUCK - NIGHT

JS

Oh, no, it’s not too much trouble. KC and I are just meeting some friends at the Roller Kingdom for adults night.  Besides, KC seems pretty adamant that we get this taken care of sooner rather then later.

(Shoots sly look at KC as the camera pans around on him to show his ‘I am not amused’ facial response)

CUT TO:

INT. MS’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

MS

(While smiling)

Yeah, he did strike me as a ‘getting-things-done’ kinda guy. Anyway, I really only have one question for you, so it should be rather quick.  I’m going to record your statement, is that ok?

(Mumbled acknowledgement)

Perfect, I am going to start the recorder, then ask for your permission again before we begin, sound good?

(Another mumbled agreement)

Great.

MS reaches across her bed and clicks the record button on a nearby machine.  The beep can be heard on the phone.

MS

JS, do I have your permission to record the following statement?

(Yet another mumbled agreement)

Thank-you.  Please describe, in detail, what you saw the day of KC’s accident.

The mumbling of JS telling her side of the story can be heard as MS begins to scribble something down in her notebook.  As the camera zooms in, we can see that she is actually writing KC’s name down all over the page, and circling it with hearts.

MS

(Sporadically)

Uh-hu.  Yep.  Ok.  Keep going.  I see.  Sure, Sure.  Wow.

After a period, the mumbling stops and MS presses the stop button on the recorder.

MS

Well, thank you very much for that JS, I am sure it will be a big help to KC should we need it.  Is there a way that I can speak with KC?

CUT TO:

INT. CAB OF A PICK-UP TRUCK - NIGHT

JS

Of course, here he is.  Have a great night!

(at KC while handing the phone to him)

She wants to talk to you.

KC

Hello?

SPLITSCREEN - NIGHT

On the LEFT, KC in the pick-up on the phone looking nervous.

On the RIGHT, MS on her bed excitedly chewing on the end of a pen.

MS

Hey, I just wanted to let you know that that was the last thing I needed, your case should be finished and in the hands of your insurance company by tomorrow.

KC

Wow, that was fast (disappointedly). I guess this means we’re done then, huh?

MS

(Cautiously)

Yyyeeesss….?  Unless there was something else (hopefully)?

KC

Well… (Pauses for a moment as he musters the necessary courage)  What are you doing tonight?

MS

I was actually just gonna type up my notes (Camera zooms in on her romantic doodles) and then go to bed.  Why?

KC

I was just wondering if you’d like to join us at the roller rink. Seeing as the case is finished, it wouldn’t be a conflict of interests right?

MS

Well, (pauses) no, but I really should get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.

KC

(Trying to conceal his sadness)

Ok, well, if you change your mind, the rink opens at seven-thirty and we’ll be there until closing at nine-thirty.

MS

Alright, I’ll think about it. Have a great night!

KC

I will, you too!

MS hangs up phone

END SPLIT SCREEN

INT. CAB OF A PICK-UP TRUCK - NIGHT

JS

I take it she’s not coming?

KC

(Disappointedly)

No, she said she needed to get some sleep for her day tomorrow.

JS

(After a sympathetic pause)

Well, c’mon, the rink opens in 10 minutes and I need to get my skates out of the back.

KC

Alright…

CUT TO:

INT. MS’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

MS is seen typing on her computer while occasionally stealing glances at her skates.  She lets out a heavy sigh of frustration before pausing.  She then closes the lid of her laptop, grabs her skates, and runs to get ready for a night at the roller rink; all while excitedly smiling.

CUT TO:

INT. 80’S STYLE ROLLER RINK WITH NEON AND BLACK LIGHTS - NIGHT

KC is seen leaving the floor to go and sulk on a bench during the upcoming couples skate.  Colbie Collet’s “Bubbly” starts playing as MS skates up to the sulking KC.

MS

Hi

KC

(Looks up in shock)

Hi…

MS

(Holds out her hand)

Care to skate?

KC stands up and takes her hand.  They head out to the floor, and as the camera swirls around them, everyone else on the floor disappears, and they are the only ones skating.  They stare into each others eyes as the lyrics of the song speak for the scene.  This continues for the remainder of the song.

CUT TO:

INT. DISTANT ROLLER RINK FOOD COURT - NIGHT

KC’s friends are standing in a semi circle talking about the budding romance between KC and MS.  We continue to watch KC and MS flirt playfully from the POV of his friends as they comment.

PM

Those two are really cute together.

BM

Yeah, lets hope KC can close this time.

AM

What do you mean?

BM

Well, KC has a habit of treating the women he likes sssooo well that they stop thinking of him as a romantic interest and start thinking of him as only a friend.

AM

Aaahhh, that is a problem.  How many women has this happened with?

PM

Everyone that he has been interested in for the past 4 years.

AM

Wow… (Long pause)  Should we say a prayer or something?

BM

Prayers won’t help.  Nope, the only thing KC needs now is to miraculously grow a pair.

KC waves for his friends to join them, and they immediately put on a fake smile and begin to skate over.

CROSSFADE TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE OF THE ROLLER RINK - NIGHT

Everyone piles out of the roller rink slightly out of breath, but obviously enjoying themselves.  The camera focuses on KC and MS holding hands and laughing at nothing in particular. As they approach their neighboring cars, they stop at the front bumpers and stand, briefly, in a state of satisfied silence.

MS and KC both begin to slowly walk towards their car’s driver’s side.

KC

Thanks for coming out tonight I had a lot of fun.

MS

Thank for inviting me, I cannot remember the last time I’ve enjoyed myself that much.

KC

No problem, you made the entire evening that much better.

MS

We should do something like this again sometime.

KC

That’d be great, I’ll call you later this week.

MS

Ok…

(Pauses long enough for KC to begin getting into his car)

Are you sure?

KC

Sure about what?

MS

Sure that you’ll call me.

KC

(Laughing curiously while walking around the car to MS)

What do you mean?

MS

It’s just…

(Pauses briefly then begins to ramble very quickly while looking at her feet)

It’s just that guys have a tendency to say that they are going to call and then they don’t and then I spend an entire afternoon wondering what I did or didn’t do to keep them from calling and when I …

KC interrupts her rambling by placing his index finger under MS’s chin and slowly lifting her head up so their eyes meet.  When MS stops talking, KC leans in and kisses her passionately and tenderly.  As they pull away from the kiss, MS’s eyes are closed.  When MS opens them and attempts to say something, KC places his finger on her lips to signal ‘Ssshhh.’

KC

I’ll call you later this week.

KC turns around, gets into his car, and drives away.  MS is left still standing, stunned, but smiling from ear to ear.

FADE OUT

END SCENE