SAY YES
By
Jennifer Eidson
SKYPE (503)608-4967
http://twitter.com/JenniferEidson
FADE IN:
INT-josie and marco's dining room – night
A cozy dining room, a young man, marco walker and his girlfriend josie milton sit opposite the dinner table eating. Josie reaches for the salt. marco takes the salt and sprinkles a little on her food while holding her hand. She smiles at him, then tries to pull her hand away. He resists for a minute, then lets her go with a smile.
Josie
How was your day?
MARCO
Good, got a lot done. How was your day? Do anything interesting?
JOSIE
Good.
MARCO
You weren't out cheating on me with some young hottie?
JOSIE
No, I wasn't. Are you all packed?
MARCO
Relax, I know you wouldn't.
And no. I've spent all this time getting ready for four months of business boot camp at the new branch office in Osaka.
I have no idea what to expect, and I really don't want to leave you all alone here.
(he brushes her cheek tenderly with his hand)
JOSIE
I know.
(looks away)
I'm going to miss you too.
INT- AIRPORT-NIGHT
They stand together Marco holding JOSIES hand. He pulls her roughly to him and she stumbles against him awkwardly.
MARCO
You'll be good while I'm gone?
You'll take care of all my bills and obligations
just like I asked?
JOSIE
Of course.
(puts her arms around his waist and looks up at him sadly)
MARCO
Well I gotta go. Love you
I'm gonna miss you.
(kisses her on the lips)
JOSIE
Love you too.
(kisses him back,her hand lingers on his waist)
MARCO
(walks away bags in hand, doesn't look back.)
EXT-A DARK WOODED STREET- NIGHT
josie walks along slowly and timidly. She passes an old farmhouse and a huge white owl passes slowly overhead, a coyote howls and she smiles and begins walking with confidence.
JOSIE
(takes a deep breath and sighs, rounds a corner and heads towards her well lit home, walks inside and goes to bed)
INT-JOSIE'S LIVINGROOM-DAY
josie sits in front of the computer surfing. She stumbles upon a website where a group of women have formed a motorcycle riders group.
Cut to computer screen showing website
EXT-AT A MOTORCYCLE SHOWROOM-DAY
SALESPERSON
Hi, can I help you?
Would you like to see the new Honda Fury?
JOSIE
Hmn, I've never ridden before, do you have one with training wheels?
josie and the salesperson laugh.
SALESPERSON
Take a look at our Honda Rebel 250's. Perfect for beginners and you can learn to ride in one weekend.
(shows her a shiny red Honda)
JOSIE
(Smiling) Cool! I'll take it. done and done.
(shaking the salespersons hand).
begin learning to ride montage
A. josie learning to ride her motorcycle,
B. josie meeting the woman's riders group,
C. josie going for short rides and long midnight walks.
D. Cut to marco in business boot camp helping teammates over obstacles and getting shot at in simulated combat with real ammo while trundling through the mud in a swanky suit and tie.
INT-JOSIES HOUSE- NIGHT
josie sits alone in the living room sadly staring out the window, chin cupped in palm. On a table next to the window are pictures of marco and josie camping, fishing, skiing and rolling on the ground laughing and tickling each other. A tear trickles down josie's face.
josie (coughs once, quietly)
INT–A NEIGHBORS HOUSE–DAY
jake a good looking neighbor watches josie from his window. He smiles when he sees her and noticing her struggling with a load of laundry goes to help her.
JAKE
So, your names Josie right?
(he grabs a bag of laundry with each hand)
Let me help you with these.
JOSIE
Yup and thanks. Guess I overestimated my carrying capacity.
(she smiles absentmindedly in his direction not really seeing him.)
JAKE
So, you've lived here for a while huh?
(trying to get her attention)
JOSIE
About three years or so.
(reaches to take the laundry from him)
Thanks for the assist. I'll have to remember to get one of those rolling laundry carts.
(Smiles in his direction without looking at him and begins doing her laundry)
JAKE
No problem, see ya around.
(sadly walks away)
INT -JAKES OFFICE– DAY
jake is sitting in front of a computer screen, chin in hand, daydreaming about josie
(Thought bubble shows) her holding him, kissing him.
He is so distracted he doesn't notice the hot cup of coffee a co-worker set next to him and as he imagines sweeping josie into his arms he knocks the coffee into his lap and yelps.
EXT-JAKES CAR-NIGHT
(jake sits in his car in front of the housing complex. He waits for Josie to pull out of the complex on her motorcycle and then follows her from a distance.
Every time she has to swerve to avoid an obstacle or hit the brakes he inhales nervously.
He follows her until she returns home then he watches her go into her house before going home himself looking over his shoulder at her home once before walking in his own door)
EXT-MONTAGE-DAY
A. josie is oblivious to jake's interest in her.
B. He bumps into her in the courtyard.
C. another day he loans her money for the laundry machine.
D. another day he helps get her puppy's head unstuck from between the railing along the staircase and each time he tries to get her to make eye contact, to see him smiling at her, to get her to notice him and each time he fails.
EXT-DAY-MARCO IN BOOTCAMP
marco is in a business boot camp in Osaka Japan. The camp appears swanky and nice from the outside but inside the perimeter is rough, dirty, wild and run by a mean Drill Sergeant
DRILL SERGEANT
All right you corporate maggots form up and give me twenty, double time.
MARCO
Sir, yes sir!
Marco and the other men do twenty pushups and then stand tiredly.
DRILL SERGEANT
(Yelling corporate psychobabble at all and no one in particular)
You privates are so out of shape you look like five pounds of straight up shit.
You privates are so unmotivated and uncoordinated your going to do pushups until I get tired.
Your the sorriest bunch of privates I have ever met. At the age of 92 my grandma does better then you.
MARCO
(leans over to the guy next to him, whispering conspiratorially)
Hey, mike what is all this supposed to teach us?
MIKE (A MEEK OWLISH MAN)
I dunno,I was expecting intense seminars and high strung keynote speakers, not GI Joe.
MARCO
Maybe we're supposed to fight back or something, wrest control away from the hostile takeover?
MIKE
Geeze I hope not, I'm not much good in a fight...or running away...I'm really just a good stand and cower guy...although I've been told I can plead for my life like no other.
MARCO
(laughs out loud)
DRILL SERGEANT
You! Second row, ten laps, get going.
(pointing to Marco)
Marco sighs and heads down the track.
MARCO (chants cadence)
josie, josie, can't you see
what the Army's done to me
They took away my faded jeans
Now I'm wearing Army greens
They put me in a barber's chair
I turned around, I had no hair
I used to drive a Cadillac
Now I hump it on my back
I miss my little beauty queen
Now I hug an M-16
I used to drive a Chevrolet
Now I'm walking every day
josie, josie, can't you see
what the Army's done to me
EXT – COURTYARD-DAY
Jake and Josie see each other in the complex courtyard and begin to have a pleasant conversation about the weather and neighbors.
JAKE
So, looks like it's going to be another nice day. Makes me glad I moved here from Tulsa, too damn hot there.
JOSIE
Ya, I love the weather here, it gets a little too muggy in the summer but that's a small price to pay for not having to deal with ten feet of snow in winter or one hundred and thirteen degree heat in summer.
JAKE
Ya,but you'd think we lived in the bowels of hell to hear Mr. Molone talk about it.
JOSIE
Oh, he's never happy with anything. I've never heard one nice word come out of his mouth in three years.
JAKE
Ouch,that's no way to live.
JOSIE
I agree
(she actually looks at him and smiles, for the first time really seeing him)
JAKE
(Smiles back warmly, takes a small step closer to JOSIE)
JOSIE
Well, I better get going I have to take Rufus to the vet.
(blushing slightly)
JAKE
OK, well nice talking to ya, See ya later.
(he smiles again and turns and walks back to his home)
EXT-COUNTRY ROAD-NIGHT
josie goes on a long ride out in the country. jake follows from a distance but loses sight of her. josie rounds a corner and has to brake hard and swerve to avoid a deer. The bike death wobbles and she can't recover. She and the bike go off the road into thick underbrush.
cut to josie lying next to her mangled bike front tire still spinning
JAKE
(driving too fast trying to catch up to Josie, almost misses the skid marks on the road. Sees a flash of light glinting off one of her mirrors and quickly stops and runs over to investigate.
JAKE
Josie, oh shit Josie are you all right,
(touches her shoulder while fishing his cell phone out of his pocket)
JOSIE
(moans softly, moves her hand)
JAKE
I'll be right back Jos hang on I'm getting help
(tries to reach nine-one-one but can't get a signal.)
JOSIE
(opens her eyes briefly and smiles in recognition then closes her eyes and passes out again.)
EXT–EARLY EVENING–HILLSIDE
JAKE
(Races to his car and barrels up the hill, narrowly avoiding hitting the same deer that josie almost hit. He keeps trying to get a nine-one-one call out and as soon as he gets a signal he calls.)
(O.S)
Nine-one-one, if this is an emergency please say emergency.
JAKE
emergency!
(Then quietly to himself)
I'm calling nine-one-one, of course its a damn emergency.
(O.S)
What is the nature of your emergency sir?
JAKE
My friend, she wrecked her bike off of Holland Road near Bakersfield. She needs an ambulance right now.
(O.S)
Can you tell me the name of the nearest cross street by her location?
JAKE
Opportune road
(O.S)
An ambulance has been dispatched, are you at the location with her now sir?
JAKE
No, I had to leave to get a signal but I'm going back now. She was breathing but unconscious. I have to be with her in case she wakes up.
(O.S)
OK, sir please stay on the line as long as you can and if you get to her before the ambulance, please don't move her, just try to keep her warm and comfortable and monitor her breathing and heart rate.
JAKE
OK, will do.
(driving fast back the way he came, looking for JOSIE, sirens and flashing lights can be seen in the distance.)
INT-HOSPITAL-DAY
Josie lies in a hospital bed, a bandage around her head and a few cuts and bruises on her body. She looks around and notices a beautiful bouquet of Alstroemeria sitting next to her bed. She muzzily reaches for the card and opens it reading it aloud.
JOSIE
Dear Josie, hope you're recovering from your first flying lesson. Thought you might like to try flying again and it sounded like fun so, I thought you'd consider joining me in a second lesson.
Josie frowns quizzically and as she looks at the note two slips of paper fall out of the envelope, they're two tickets for a bi-plane flying lesson at the local small town airport and the name on one of the tickets is jake johnson, her neighbor.
JAKE
So, how are you feeling?
(in hospital doorway)
JOSIE
Better
(smiles back)
I think I like your idea of flying with wings, better then my idea of just winging it.
JAKE
I hear your about ready to go home so, I thought I'd give you a ride if you like.
JOSIE
I do like, I am so ready to get out of here, I hate hospitals.
NURSE
Knock knock.
(smiles at jake and josie)
The doctor feels comfortable letting you go home now, there's no sign of a concussion and all your vitals are strong so just take it easy for a few days and no riding or doing anything requiring balance for the next seventy-two hours OK?
JOSIE
OK, no problem, I don't imagine my bike survived too well anyway.
JAKE
Actually it's not too bad, some dents and scrapes and you'll need new fairings but other then that it's good.
JOSIE
Aah, good. Even after all this I still want to be out riding.
(she smiles to herself)
JAKE
Well I'll wait outside and let you get ready, OK?
JOSIE
Sounds good, I'll be out in a few.
As Jake walks out of the room josie looks after him, a faint smile on her face.
NURSE
He's a cutie. How long have you two been dating?
JOSIE
Oh, no we're not together. He's just a friend.
NURSE
Uh-Huh.
(she smiles knowingly at Josie and begins to help remove her IV and get ready to leave)
EXT-HOSPITAL-DAY
Jake wheels Josie out of the hospital, opens the car door for her and drives her home. In the car they chat about the upcoming flying lesson.
JAKE
So, about the flying lesson. Do you want to meet for lunch next week and talk about when you'd like to go? The tickets are good for up to a year.
JOSIE
That sounds nice. How about Ginza Sushiko? I hear they have great sushi.
JAKE
Sure, I love sushi. Just call me when you'd like to go.
(He smiles and hands her a slip of paper with his number on it, letting his fingers brush hers as he hands it to her.)
JOSIE
Thanks.
EXT -IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE-DAY
They get to the housing complex and Jake helps her in to her house.
INT-IN JOSIES HOUSE-DAY
JAKE
Do you need any groceries? I could run to the store for you.
JOSIE
No, I think I'm good.
Thank you so much for all you've done. I could have been stuck out there for days, I could have died out there if it weren't for you.
(looks him dead in the eye while clasping his hand in both of hers)
JAKE
I'm just glad your OK.
(PAUSE)
JAKE (CONT'D)
Well I'd better be going, you call me if you need anything ok? No standing on step-stools to get stuff off the top shelf or anything. If you need something you call, promise?
JOSIE
Fine, fine. Thanks again.
(Shuts door behind him then stands there a moment smiling, lost in thought before shaking her head and going into the kitchen to get something to drink and heading off to bed to read and then sleep.)
INT -SUSHI RESTAURANT-DAY
Jake and JOSIE sit in a small booth, menus in hand.
JOSIE
Oh Gods I love the names, check this out “The Bad Tempered Geisha Boy” a spicy tuna roll with a saucy twist of lemon curd and cream cheese
JAKE
Or this one “The Water Piglet Roll” with krill, banana and mud fish, eew.
JOSIE
I'm thinking that J.C. Hutchins would be right at home here.
JAKE
You read J.C. Hutchins? I love his book Seventh Son!
JOSIE
Ya, I just finished Personal Effects-Dark Art. Then, I had to go out and buy a nightlight.
JAKE
I'll have to check it out, I love scary books.
JOSIE
Me too.
As they talk they move closer to each other and begin to mirror each others movements.
BEGIN JAKE AND JOSIE GETTING TO KNOW YOU MONTAGE
A. Jake and Josie getting to know each other.
B. Long walks walking her puppy.
C. Lunches.
D. Chatting over laundry in the laundry room.
E. Sitting outside a restaurant chatting and laughing.
JAKE
Josie, I have to tell you something.
JOSIE
Sure, whats up?
JAKE
(Sighs)
I'm kinda in love with you
(Looks her in the eyes hopefully)
You're smart, funny and I have a great time every time I'm with you. I just wanted to tell you and I don't have any expectations.
JOSIE
(sighs sadly and doesn't answer)
So, did you ever get that book you were looking for?
JAKE
(looking down at his food)
Ya, It came yesterday, I'll probably start it tonight.
They finish eating in silence.
INT–JOSIES LIVINGROOM–NIGHT
Josie sits on the couch staring out the window while periodically looking at pictures of her and Marco during happier times.(she coughs a few times quietly)
EXT–BEGIN JOSIE'S FLASHBACK MONTAGE–DAY
A. Flashes of josie and marco's past when they were happiest.
B. Fishing trips with josie getting hit in the face with a large trout.
C. Camping trips where Marco tried to build a rabbit snare and ended up so tangled Josie had to cut him loose.
The skiing trip where they fall and laugh every trip down the hill.
E. Josie tearing up and going to bed.
Montage ends
EXT–BOOTCAMP–DAY
Marco and Mike are sitting behind a wall. On the other side of the wall the Drill Sergeant is yelling at dirty suit wearing men making them dig a fire pit and fill it with logs.
MARCO
Mike? You ready with the beans?
MIKE
Yes, Shuush I hear someone coming.
Marco and Mike freeze as a dirty man in a suit wanders near the other side of their walled hiding place.
DIRTY MAN
Can't I just sit for a moment, please Drill Sergeant?
DRILL SERGEANT
You sit when I say you sit! You eat when I say you eat. Now get your ass over to that wood pile and start hauling wood, maggot!
MARCO
Mike, wait until Drill Sergeant is yelling at someone and facing away from us, then do it just like we practised
MIKE
You got it boss
Marco and Mike wait until the Drill Sergeant is facing away yelling at a dirty suit.
DRILL SERGEANT
Hurry up, faster, my ole momma could haul faster then you.
They quickly vault the wall. They each nonchalantly slide a burlap sack bulging with can shapes into the fire pit and then join the dirty suits at their labor.
EXT-BOOTCAMP FIREPIT–NIGHT
DRILL SERGEANT
You came here as lowly bottom feeding suits! You had no balls, no courage and no endurance and look at you now, your lean, mean fighting machines!
MARCO
sir, yes sir!
DRILL SERGEANT
You maggots are almost men! You will be able to take on the corporate enemy bravely and with honour!
MARCO
Five.
MIKE
four.
MARCO
Three.
Before the countdown can continue the Drill Sergeant steps in front of the fire and yells at Marco and Mike.
DRILL SERGEANT
You two screw ups. One hundred pushups on a double time!
Marco and Mike look at each other and hit the dirt with a thud.
The drill Sergeant looks pleased for a second and then notices they aren't doing pushups.
He begins to yell but all of a sudden there is a huge series of explosions.
The beans in the cans are exploding with great force knocking Drill Sergeant down and covering him with hot flaming beans.
MARCO
Bean attack! Everybody follow me.
MIKE
Everybody follow him!
points at Marco then moons the Drill Sergeant who is on the ground writhing in pain.
Everyone runs after Marco and Mike except the Drill Sergeant who just lies on the ground stunned and in pain.
EXT–HOUSING COURTYARD–DAY
Josie heads out to run an errand, as she walks through the courtyard she runs into Jake.
JAKE
Hey,how are you?
JOSIE
I'm good, I need to tell you something though.
(looks down sadly)
JAKE
OK, shoot.
JOSIE
Jake, your adorable and sweet but I love Marco. We've been together for years and I can't just throw that away.
JAKE
I understand...but I still love you and I can't change how I feel either, can we at least be friends still?
JOSIE
I... I need to think about things for a while OK?
(chews her lip nervously)
JAKE
(sighs sadly)
Ya, I understand. See ya around Josie
(he walks away so she can't see the tears welling up in his eyes.
INT–JOSIES HOME–DAY
Josie stays home doing paperwork and working on the computer. She sees Jake around the complex and sighs when she sees him. She thinks about all the good times they had and begins to really miss him.
EXT–COURTYARD-NIGHT
jake stands in front of mailboxes getting his mail. In his mail is a bill addressed to josie put in his box by accident. Jake walks to josies house and knocks josie opens door.
JOSIE
hey, how are you?
JAKE
Good, this was in my mailbox, thought I'd drop it by.
JOSIE
Thanks I've been having a mail problem for a while.
JAKE
What kind of problem.
JOSIE
the mailman, keeps delivering the previous tenant's mail to my address. I enlarged my name on the mailbox, but he still keeps giving me the wrong mail.
I left a note saying that he was delivering the mail incorrectly. The next day I found this note: "Sir, I am delivering the mail correctly. You're just living at the wrong address."
JAKE
oh you've got to be kidding.
(Laughs)
JOSIE
Yes but it does happen a lot.
(laughs as well)
JAKE
If I get your mail again I'll drop it off ASAP.
JOSIE
Don't worry about it, just give me a call and I can pick it up.
JAKE
I don't have your number.
JOSIE
OH, it's one-two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight-nine-zero.
JAKE
Cool, well talk to ya later.
(walks away smiling as josie, also smiling closes the door)
INT-JAKE'S LIVINGROOM-DAY
JAKE
(paces, then picks up phone and dials)
JOSIE
Hello?
JAKE
josie hi, I was just calling to let you know there's a sale at the Harley store. I thought you might need new gear or something.
JOSIE
OH! Thank you for letting me know. I took a corner too wide the other day and tore my pants.
JAKE
Are you ok?
JOSIE
Ya, but my pants are done for, is the sale just for bikes or gear too?
JAKE
Both I think.
JOSIE
Good.
(pause)
Want to go with me, Help me push through the crowd?
JAKE
Sure.
(smiling)
BEGIN HARLEY STORE MONTAGE-DAY
A. Jake and josie walk through the store.
B. Jake helps her through the crowd and protects her from a stack of falling Harley boot boxes.
C. Josie tries on a jacket and pants.
D. Jake admires her outfit and compliments her.
JAKE
That looks great on you. I think you could survive a nuclear explosion with all the safety features
JOSIE
I'm glad you approve maybe we should look at bikes for you.
JAKE
I used to ride it would be cool to get back into it.
EXT-RESTURAUNT PATIO-DAY
jake and josie sit at a table outside a small cafe surrounded by Harley Davidson shopping bags.
JOSIE
I'm glad you came with me I had a blast
JAKE
Seeing all those bikes made me miss riding and you are seriously hot in leather.
JOSIE
Thanks.
(blushing)
Oh, before I forget I picked this up for you the other day after you helped me with the laundry.
(josie hands him a book)
JAKE
Hey, Contagious by Scott Sigler I've been wanting to read this.
JOSIE
I remember, I got it for you last week , just haven't had the time to give it to you until now.
(she smiles at him and puts a hand on his shoulder.)
EXT–JOSIES CAR–DAY
Josie drives Jake home and they spend the drive in comfortable silence sharing an occasional warm smile or pointing out scenery.
EXT–OUTSIDE THE HOUSING COMPLEX–DAY
Josie and Jake exit the car and then stand facing each other.
JAKE
Josie, I know you love Marco, but...can't you love me too?
JOSIE
Yes, I think I could.
CONTINUED
Josie looks down for a moment and then smiling looks up at him and places a hand on his waist and another on his shoulder. She looks him deep in the eyes.
An engine roars in the distance getting louder as Josie tilts her head and Jake, smiling goes to kiss her. A large sedan pulls up with Marco at the wheel, a bouquet of roses on the seat beside him. Jake and Josie pause to look at him and he stops everything to stare back at them.
FADE TO BLACK
22.
